What Goes Around Comes Around - The Law of Reciprocity

I’ve been going through a bit of turmoil in my personal life these days and things have been a bit tough. While I have always been comfortable in my own skin, it’s never nice to think that people have issues with you, especially when they don’t even know you. I think that it’s often easier to dismiss a person and write them off as an unlikeable person than to realize they are a good person with good intentions. I have been feeling like a bit of a mess these days and am happy to have some local support, which has made all of the difference.

With all of the things I’ve been dealing with, I’m reminded of a few scripture verses:

• “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:7-10)
  
  
• ”When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.” (1 Corinthians 4:12-13a)
  
  
• ”Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

…Yesterday was my anniversary….I moved to San Diego May 20, 2006. My life has changed so rapidly in the last 2 years – too much to even list. It’s odd to think that I couldn’t have made it through some of my more challenging times if it hadn’t been for the online knitting community. God blesses us with support from a variety of sources. I’m glad He saw fit for this to be my outlet. I have travelled all over the world, but have always lived close to my family. Once you stop travelling and settle down somewhere, being away from your network of love can be tough. I am feeling more settled and have no plans made to uproot my life again. For now, San Diego is where I belong.

Knitting Nightmare

I am in a complete knitting rut. I made a small problem on my Mother’s Tam. It’s ripped back to right before the decrease section, but can’t get the pattern to work out. I have put it aside to pick up a bit later…or rip the entire thing and restart if the frustration doesn’t dissipate. I am still planning on a mini-KAL with Brandi for the Aran Accent Vest. After buying new yarn, we decided that it will not work! The pattern’s smallest size will be too large if I use the suggested gauge. Brandi was kind enough to give me an entire bag of Peruvian Quechua from elann.com. Well – of course, I bring my pattern to work and leave it there over the weekend! I will not be without a project…so I start Orangina. Great progress, only to make a tiny mistake (I did two skps, instead of one skp & one k2tog) that when I ripped back, I lost a bunch of my yos. I’m telling you, I am unable to fix mistakes right now – even tiny ones. With that said, I frogged it and have started again. Now I am 1 ¼” into the Vest and a 1 ½” with Orangina. They are barely projects, yet!


Adding fuel to the fire, my Mom’s shrug did not fit! Even though I’m about 10 pounds heavier than my Mom, and she has tinier arms than mine, her shoulders are too broad for the shrug. In an unfair twist of fate – my tiny Sister weighing in at only 116 pounds has a perfect fit. How I was able to get it on me and have it come out looking like a custom-made job on my Sister is beyond me! Hopefully she’ll send progress pics soon. I recently had told her she was not getting anymore hand-made knits from me if she wouldn’t send me pics to post…I’m still waiting for a pic of her wearing the Tam B I made for her. At any rate, she’s tickled and a mother of 3, so no real crime, I guess. My Mother leaves for Togo, Africa on Friday, so she will be knit-less until she returns. I’m not even sure what project to attempt for her at this point…maybe Green Gable with one of the two new yarns I just purchased.

On a good note, at the Infinite Knitters KIP, Jolene showed Brandi and I how to crochet steeks for Eunny Jang’s Deep V Argyle Vest. For my first try, I felt very successful. That will be another mini-KAL project down the road. What can I say – so many projects, so much yarn, and no motivation to actually make any of them! Lol.

In non-knitting-news, I had a nice weekend. First, managed to lay out at the beach on Saturday and then went to the Sicilian festival on Sunday. Overall, I had a nice time this weekend. They had horse rides for the little kids and tons of food, clothes, and jewelry. With perfect weather, I’d say it was a great success. Well – I’m going to try my hardest to make progress on one of my open projects and post pics soon.

Birds of a Feather

So I have given my current housemate notice to make way for a better suited living situation…my first knitting friend in San Diego - Brandi . She will be moving in this July. I’m very excited to double my stash without a trip online or to the LYS. *grin* Since I already have a subscription to Interweave Knits, she is going to subscribe to another yarn mag. Perfect!

I’m hoping that I will have my Mom’s Tam completed and blocked by this weekend so I can mail her the last portion of her Mother’s day gifts. It’s looking great so far. With tonight’s KIP at Starbucks, I should have no problem dusting off a fair amount of the pattern. I am excited to start the cable vest with my new Knit Picks yarn. In the meantime, here's a progress pic of Tam C.

Fusion Number Two & Happy Mother's Day!

I have finished my second Fusion. This one is for my Mother. She is an incredible woman that has always been self-sacrificing, loving, and available. She is the Senior Pastor of the Tabernacle of Worship Church and also has a non-profit organization called Hilltop Light Ministries. She has done humanitarian work in North America, South America, Africa, and the latest - India. She has a huge heart that always has room to love. Growing up, there was always a stranger that was living with us, because she found out they didn't have a place to live. While she was born Patrica Ann Cain, when she went to Malawi, Africa and started doing AIDS relief work and started a grass-roots orphanage, she was renamed Kwacha. The name is derived from a nationalist slogan alluding to a 'new dawn of freedom' from the word for 'dawn' in some Bantu languages. She has indeed brought liberation to those she has helped. Kwacha "I Love You. No one could be blessed with a better Mother than you."

As one of her presents, I have made a matching shrug. This one is out of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. Instead of using the silk Ella Rae yarn like the one I made for myself, this wool/cashmere blend will get a little more use in Vermont, with it's fickle weather. As you might see in the photo, it's a little snug on me. My Mom and I are close in size, but she has smaller arms, so I made it one size down from the one I made. I think it'll be a perfect fit!

I'm also finishing up the last of the Three Tams from Knitty. She really liked the one I made for my Sister, so this one is for her. Another FO to come soon.

Ella Rae Fusion FO & Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my new guy! He is the big 4-0!

In knitterly knews, I have re-finished my shrug. I really like the organic feel of the raw silk and the redone neckline with the additional picked up stitches. Here are some pics taking my Ella Rae Shrug out to Pacific Beach.

Details:

Ella Rae Shrug from Ella Rae Book #7
Size - Medium
Yarn - Ella Rae Shibu
Needles - Knit Pick Options size 5, Clover Bamboo size 6
Modifications - I went down two needle sizes to achieve a snugger medium and knit the sleeves a little bit longer than the 10 cms called for in the pattern. I did a 3-needle bind of for the back seam.

I think this piece will get a lot of use. Even though I'm in sunny San Diego, the ocean can give off a strong breeze. Who wants to cover up an entire outfit? Fusion is the perfect balance.

A Regular KIP Gal

I have really been enjoying my KIP streak these days. While I’ve known her for a year and a half now, Brandi has become my go to girl for knitting in San Diego. Last night we went to Lotus Thai in Hillcrest and enjoyed a multitude of Thai delectables, wine, knitting, and chatting. This was actually part of a Ravelry group that Brandi is on. Even though I’m not part of that group, I’m always up for good food and company! Could it get any better than on a Thursday night?

Here’s what our mouth’s watered to:

Thai Wonton Soup

Chicken Satay

Crying Tiger Steak (Charcoal-broiled marinated top sirloin steak, lightly seasoned, served with greens and a spicy Thai steak sauce.)

Roasted Duck Panang Curry (Whole half roasted duck glazed with honey and five spices, stewed in a classic panang curry sauce with fresh sweet peppers, roasted cashew nuts, and a spice aroma of kaffir lime leaves.)

Yesterday, I also received yarny goodness I have also received yarn for new knitting projects:

Rowan 4-ply cotton in black for my second rendition of Orangina

Ella Rae Shibu silk in blue haze for my third rendition of the Ella Rae Shrug (FO of my first one today or tomorrow)

Southwest Trading Company Bamboo in Butter – this is actual a recycle from my Ms. Marigold, that is now too big. I will use it to make the Lotus

Other knitting goodness that is still on route:

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran – to finish my mother’s shrug

Comfy in Pomegranate for the Cable Aran Vest

Shine in Mallard for a project that I can no longer remember what I wanted it for…I got a total of 600 yards and it is 4.5-5 sts per inch (I’ll take suggestions…)

2-at-a-time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oake (There’s at least 4 pairs that I like and am hoping this helps me with knitting more socks)

Meme - 7 Random Things....

I've been tagged by Canary KnitsSeven Random Facts. In non-rebel fashion, I will comply....

Here's the rules:

Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.

Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I started going to Africa when I was 13 years old. I went every year until my mid-twenties and went the last time - around 3 or 4 years ago. My Mother has an orphanage in Malawi SE Africa, a soup kitchen for runaway street kids in Kenya, and works in leprosy colonies in northern Africa, as well as India. I have grown up volunteering for her non-profit organization or working under a government grant on/off for years.
2. While I am the baby of the family, I often take on the matriarchal role - from settling disputes between my parents to offering child rearing advise to my siblings...meanwhile I have never been married and only have 4-legged children.
3. I am very argumentative...and have been finding this out more lately with Mr.New Guy.
4. I play the violin, although it has been at the ex's house for almost 9 months now. I use to play for the Church choir and want to start back up again, but am nervous that I have lost my skills.
5. Things have been stressing me out at work lately, but I'm trying to keep my head up.
6. I am left handed as are all of the females in my immediate family, but knit using a continental/right-handed combination.
7. I'm really working on branching out with my knitting skills, including seaming and color work.

In a non-conformist way, I will not tag anyone this time around and just offer anyone interested in sharing to join in on the fun, it's therapeutic....lol.

P.S. There's a pic of me and one of Brandi in the park from our KIP excursion on Sunday. Aren't we enjoying the San Diego sun!