Legwarmers and headband

I blogged about the wonders of Freecycle a while ago (so long ago I no longer know where the post is), but have you ever heard of Yarncycle (Ravelry link)?

It basically works on the same concept as Freecycle, except it only deals with yarn.

I got two skeins of super bulky red/black yarn from a lady in Canada a while ago, but did not really have an idea of what I was going to use it for.

After knitting up my sleeves, I decided that I needed a leg equivalent and that was when that free yarn (well, not quite, since I had to pay postage) came to good use.


It's so warm and snug! Now I can wear short skirts and not have to worry about cold calves!

Had some yarn leftover that did not really amount to much, except for a headband that I can use for when I go for yoga or pilates!


And the proudest moment for me is the fact that I made both more or less with a made-up pattern!

Free yarn well-used I say.

Communication lesson learned

...that no matter how clear you try to make yourself, someone somewhere somehow, will misunderstand what you mean.

Perspectives

My previous post may have caused some people worry, thinking that I'm ready to give up my faith in God.

Far from that. God has been too good to me for too long for me to even contemplate that.

I thank those who have expressed concern and given words of encouragement. It's always nice to know that people care and to have extra ammunition to lift you up when you're down is never unappreciated.

But for the record, I'm not walking away from my relationship with God. I'm not even contemplating it.

But as much as I hate to admit it, the behaviour of others does have an impact on me.

I know as humans, we have a tendency to fail and are certainly far from perfect. But when you have a storm raging around you, and when you look at the seemingly un-Christian conduct of others, you start to wonder if it's all worth it.

And then you just get tired, and dare I say it, lazy. You start to wonder if it's worth it. You contemplate simply rebelling.

But I guess what I want to say is, and like what others have mentioned, it is OK.

The beauty of God is that he understands. This is not the first time I've had a low and I'm sure it won't be the last. But God will continue to watch out for you, to be with you and to love you.

From my point of view, a break from God is perfectly alright.

You just need to remember to return.

And as for the impact of the behaviour of others? Who am I to judge what they're doing? It's up to them to answer to their own God/conscience.

I'm not going to force my views on others. I should not let their views and behaviour impact me.

Not always close

I'm not sure about you (if you are a Christian, that is), but have you always assumed that your walk with God will always be there?

By that I mean, you don't really expect that there'll be times when you just don't feel like talking with God.

You're uninspired and unmotivated to do anything perhaps even remotely God-related.

There is an underlying relationship you have with Him that will always be there. You love him, you know he exists, but you just...cannot be bothered.

God's there, but not as close as He used to be.

You know you ought to try harder, and yet at the same time, you're really not trying any harder.

That's where I am right now.

I like to think that God and I are on a break. I don't feel that we've forsaken each other, I'm probably just in need of some serious time out.

I'm not angry with him and I certainly still believe that he is my saviour.

I'm just...tired.

Sleeves

It's pretty much only been knitting on the Aussie Adventures front.

Not much reflecting, pondering, or thinking going on.

Winter is near, it's raining, daylight hours are shorter...what else is a girl to do but knit?

These sleeves are made especially for the cooler weather because I still want to wear my summery clothes and yet am not really looking forward to having cold arms.


Made from Malabrigo merino wool it is extremely soft and snug.



D thinks I'm insane to simply be knitting sleeves, but I know he will be extremely envious when I am able to prance around in short sleeve summer clothes and yet be warm.

Pattern here.

Update: The designer likes my version of her pattern!

Sweet poppy

Well, she asked me for a beanie with a difference and so I tried to deliver.

Sweet poppy is meant to be reflective of a 1920s style kind of hat and was actually meant for children. Had to make some minor adjustments for an adult sized head.


Knitted with bulky yarn, it was completed in about five days.

I'm not sure if she actually wants her face plastered all over a rather public blog, so you'll have to make do with the above pic.

Update: well, seems like she doesn't mind having her face plastered all over a blog...

Pattern here (Ravelry link).

Some things I am unable to understand

Not written by me, but voices questions I've always asked like:

1. I don’t understand why mean, destructive people get into positions where they manage others. And how they stay there, and even get promoted.

2. I don’t get why churches will tear themselves apart, destroying friendships and relationships, over minor matters of belief or practice.

3. I’ve often puzzled why people cling to the details of eschatology, and spend all of their interest and anxiety there, when there are far more immediate things in their lives to deal with.

4. I can’t understand why people won’t let you in when you have to change lanes.

He doesn't give any solutions or explanations, and the only one I can come up with is the fact that unfortunately, we live in a sin-filled world where humans are prone to being terrible to one another.

Somewhat cliche, and probably doesn't give any helpful solution, but perhaps it's a reflective of the life we have ahead of us.

It will always be like that.

Article link.

Buy Mars

Have a chocolate craving?

May I suggest getting a Mars bar?

Origami bolero

My first knitted jacket thingamebob. It's called a bolero, but I just call it a jacket.

It's not for me, which is why it's a little big, but I kind of like the drapiness of it.


This was an extremely surprising quick and easy knit. It looks complicated, but the thick ply of the yarn combined with the (only two) stitch pattern helped me finish this super fast.


It looks a little "holey" and was knit up with cotton yarn, but don't let that fool you. The jacket is still rather warm and snug.

It does feel a little delicate though. I wonder if all future jackets I knit will be as delicate. That would make washing a pain.

My seaming, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired I think. Don't look too closely at the pics.

Nevertheless, great fun knitting up this top, especially since it was completed in just under a month!

Enjoyment

A discussion with a friend about being happy in life and doing something that you like got me wondering about this:

If all you get to do all the time is something that you enjoy, will you enjoy it as much?

Or will it become part of the norm that it no longer becomes enjoyable?

Is it enjoyable only because you get to do it occasionally?