Must Keep Knitting

It’s decided.  I know what I want. 

After going to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, I discovered how my house should be.  I love handmade items, more than I love manufactured things (Although I buy the manufactured things simply because they are cheaper).  I want a country cottage style home with handmade items all around.  Of course, the house will be filled with yarn; hopefully, it will mainly be handspun yarn strung around different rooms of the house.  Aside from the yarn though, I want a house with handmade baskets, a spinning wheel, pottery, paintings, kitchen towels.  I really don’t know how to describe the beauty of it that I picture.

On the outside, I want to be able to revisit the journey to the Farmer’s Market.  The walk there was filled with the smell of flowers.  No other smells were present.  Each little mountain house was hidden behind gardens of blue, yellow, purple, red, pink, and green, and each little garden shared a fresh scent with the world.  The view was breathtaking.  Mountains surrounded us.  Nothing beats waking up with the birds and walking around without the noise that fills our life everyday. 

To make my dream house complete, I would love a little duck that follows me around everywhere - That loves to come play with me in the garden.  And a dog.  And of course, some sheep and alpacas to make some lovely yarn.

Lastly, I finished the diagnoal scarf.  I just have one question.  Am I blocking wrong?  I soaked the wool and then pinned it to dry.  However, when I unpinned it, the scarf curled back up.  It wasn’t as bad as before blocking, but still not flat.  Is that how blocking works or should it stay flat like it was when it was pinned? 

Today marks the third year anniversary of the day my love asked me to be his girlfriend.  I still remember the day like it was yesterday.  On August 13th we shared our first date at the movies watching Little Black Book.  That night we also enjoyed our first kiss.  As I was getting into the car, he whisked me around and pressed his lips to mine.  I drove home that night with the biggest grin on my face.  I was definitely falling for the boy that spent all summer pining for me, but I just kept pushing him to the side. 

Two days later, we sat on the couch watching Pirates of the Carribean.  I gathered up my strength to make the first move and initiated a make-out session.  Right in the middle of it he grabbed my face, looked up at me and said, “Will you be my girlfriend?”  I simply nodded, and a beautiful thing began. 

These three years we have faced many challenges, but have also experienced many wonderful times.  Out of all of the nights, the one that stands out most in my mind is the first night he really cried in front of me.  We had been fighting a lot recently and I had uncovered a secret he was keeping from me.  Before I left his house that night, we stood beside my car in the road and screamed at each other.  He finally broke down and began to cry, as did I.  I don’t remember much of what was said, but I do remember sitting in the street, both of us crying and laughing at how silly it was for us to get to that point. 

So, today had to be a great day.  The past week and a half have been awfully hard because of Resident Assistant Training.  Most days I saw him for 30 minutes; some days I didn’t see him at all.  First off, we both slept in until 10:00 am.  When I woke up, I hurried to finish weaving in the ends to the Blushing Grannies Afghan, which was supposed to be his birthday present, but I procrastinated on that one.  Once he came over we traded presents.  He got me *SURPRISE* yarn.  Isn’t it beautiful - 9 luscious skeins of wool.  The project? - Cinchy Hat and Striped Scarf from KnitScene Fall 2007.  I’m pretty excited.  I bought him a really cool frog from Pier 1, a Mars Volta CD, and a fun magnet that says “Hippies use side Door.” 

After present time, we went to eat at the Trolly Stop, then spent some time shopping on King St, at the mall, and of course the Local Yarn Store.  Afterwards, we were extremely exhausted, so it was nap time!  That is the day so far, so the story for you ends now.

 Happy Knitting and Anniversaries,

Kate

Wow!  It has been so long since I’ve written to you.  My schedule has been crazy.  I am now back at school and training from 8 am to 9 am everyday almost.  By the time I’m home, I am ready to hit the sheets.  It is insane how tired I am.  This weekend I was at a retreat at the Blowing Rock Conference Center.  Let’s just say, I’m not an outdoorsy person.  This schedule pretty much makes knitting impossible.  I am working on two scarves right now, one which is shown below.  Anyways, because I keep talking about it, I thought it was about time to show you my dye jobs. I am very excited about the last picture.  I broke a lamp in the process of winding the hank! I present to you some lovely yarn:

Ivy (3 times), Hydrangea, Crushed Grape, Genii Fuchsia

I will use the ivy to make the Everlasting Bag stopper from Knitty and the Hydrangea to make these coasters.

Lotus, Tulip, Strawberry

Daisy, Pansy, Grass, Tiger Lily

Watermelon, Orchid, Rose

Lupine

Happy Knitting,

Kate