Half-Sock Update: Now A Complete Pair!

It was hard for me to admit to the world that I let a half-sock linger in my yarn bowl for nine months. Shortly after publishing my last post I decided I needed to form an action plan to hurry up and finish it already! If I believed that I didn’t have the time to finish the sock, then I needed to make the time. Suddenly I had the moment of clarity I had been waiting for: The last ten or fifteen minutes of my lunch hour are usually spent perusing WTOP or my Facebook feed. What if I didn’t do that for a few days, and worked a few rounds instead? Status updates and the noon news could wait a while.

At last, basking in their finished glory. 

The second sock was done in three days. I was so motivated and inspired by this that I started another pair. My latest projects are now a mainstay in my work bag. I store them in a large Ziploc bag for protection. However, this isn’t always very effective, as the skinny bamboo needles pierce right through.

Another happy discovery I made by bringing my knitting to work was how much other people appreciated what I was doing. Some coworkers asked me to show them how, which led to impromptu, one minute knitting lessons. Others shared with me that they enjoyed needlepoint, crochet and rug hooking. I didn’t expect that what I was doing on my lunch would encourage such positive dialogue and create an opportunity to get to know one another a little better.

Needless to say, I’m pleased to be back in the groove of knitting after a long, necessary break. I hadn’t realized how burnt out I was becoming. As much as I love to knit, I think I was starting to overdo it last year. Add in the adjustment of a new job, and one can see how easily a half completed project could be abandoned. At the end of each day I found relaxing with the crossword preferable to the concentration it would take to avoid mistakes and dropped stitches.

That’s not all I want to discuss today. I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this next issue, as I feel it’s not worth it, but it still needs to be addressed. By “it,” I mean the latest abomination to the knitting world known as, “The Knook.”

Dun dun dun!

Yes, The Knook. These contraptions consist of pointed knitting needles that can be turned upside down and used as crochet hooks. Now all of your fiber crafting needs can be found in one nifty place, right? Um, no. Any intermediate knitter or crochet-er will tell you that needle sizes and hook sizes have no overlap! Try as you might, you won’t find any crochet hook in the world that is the exact same size as a knitting needle.

What does this mean? If you use these…things…for either knitting or crochet, the quality of your work will suffer. This is because you won’t be able to get the proper gauge (stitches per inch) necessary to create the proper look/fit of whatever is being made.

Even worse, The Knook comes with a few paltry yards of the cheapest polyester cord that money can buy.

Overall, my opinion is that The Knook shows a blatant disrespect for both crafts, and encourages its users to learn wrong stuff. It’s aimed squarely at beginners who run the risk of being completely turned off to either craft, all because they were exposed to this junk.

As unpleasant as this is, let’s get it out there and spread the word. Just say no to The Knook. I am quite disappointed in A.C. Moore for carrying this product. If Billy Mays were still alive, it would fit right in on one of his late night infomercials.

Kaboom indeed. 

I digress.

I’m planning another children’s book review for the next post. Hint: It will be a throwback for children of the 1990s as well as the 1940s. Stay tuned!

Before 9 Months Turn Into 12...

I seem to have taken a completely unintentional 9 month hiatus from my world of Cabled Hearts! It seems unreal to me, because my last post is still relatively fresh in my mind. As cliché as it sounds, real-life really did get in the way of my blogging…

But it did not get in the way of my crafting! Thankfully. Before I get started, I am going to put up a little disclaimer: I have been exclusively crocheting for the last nine months.  One lone sock remains half-knitted in my yarn bowl. As good as my intentions may be, my desire to crochet, as well as a myriad of other distractions cause this poor half-sock to languish. One day it will be finished, but I can’t promise that it will be any time before everyone rides around on hoverboards, all while wearing their own pairs of Google Glass.

I never thought it could happen to me! With the help of some inspirational patterns and fibers, I have gone down the rabbit hole of crochet. The two worlds aren't as separate as they at first seemed. The battle line separating knitters from crochet-ers is nothing but a false construct. I could go on and on about this rivalry, and how it must stop, but I think that is best saved for another blog post.

What it all comes down to is a matter of need. Ask yourself: Do I need something to wear to get through the coldest day of winter? Am I seeking something intricately cabled and colored? Painstakingly detailed? Or how about sturdy hosiery? Your best bet is to go with knitting.

Sturdy Hosiery!

If what you need or desire is something decorative, fun or exceedingly large, like a blanket, crochet is the most likely means to your end. For whatever reason the crochet process just goes faster, with the average project taking a few hours to a couple of days to complete. Unless of course you are undertaking a blanket or an afghan….more on that later.

So, what exactly have I been crocheting all this time? Today I will share the one creation of which I am the most proud. This being:

An amigurumi zebra! A zebra seems pretty random. How did I come to the decision to create my own zebra, you may ask? The answer is quite simple. I was challenged. Aggressively so. After completing and giving away an amigurumi elephant for a dear friend’s birthday, the challenge was presented to me. A certain female individual, who shall remain nameless, said rather thoughtlessly, something to the effect of that she thought the elephant was nice, but that I probably couldn't make a zebra. You know, all those stripes and finer details…

I practically felt the sting of the glove slapping my face. Challenge accepted. It was ON! 

The timing could not have been better, either. It was 4^th of July weekend, and I had an extra day off to prove that I could, in fact, produce a zebra. A darn good one.

Long story short, I found a unique, inspiring pattern. With a few balls of black and white Red Heart from my stash, some buttons, some deep breaths and a little belief in myself, I had my very own zebra 48 hours later! I never officially named him, but that was ok. He doesn't need a name, because I will always think of him as my Glove-Slap Challenge Zebra. 

It can even do the crossword!

Okay, let’s go back to the topic of blankets and afghans. During my life as a crafter I have made one granny square blanket (see first zebra photo) of which I am incredibly proud. It took me almost a year to make and sew together the 100 separate, colorful squares. Making it was a blast, and I sleep under it every night. Once I climb under it at night, it no longer matters if I have had the best day or the worst day of my life. It is my very own personal reset blanket!

What also makes this blanket special is that it is the exception to my rule. This rule being that I really, really don’t like crocheting blankets! Ripple and wave patterns that are all made in one piece inspire frustration bordering into rage inside of me. Maybe it’s the repetition? Or it could be the seemingly eternal process of working back and forth across one long row after one long row? The wrist strain? I’m not going to spend a whole lot of time over thinking it, because it doesn’t matter. I am so enamored with my animals, granny squares and funky decorations that perhaps these blankets are best left to someone else.

I don’t mind a long slow process, as long as it comes to me in the form of knitting. I guess that is what these last nine months in the world of crochet have taught me: That the creative process can be fast and fun sometimes, and it is ok. When life gets long, slow and heavy, relief awaits me in the form of an aluminum hook and some light, cotton yarn. 

**Next Post Coming In Less Than 9 Months**

Here's to Spring and New Discoveries!

I have a confession to make: The reason that I haven’t posted in almost two months is because I haven’t been knitting. At all!  It was one of the many ways I had been boycotting the long, endless winter. Seriously, who ever heard of a snowstorm that dumped 6+ inches of snow in Virginia after daylight savings time? Anyway, it is all over now, and I am happy to say that I have gotten back into my knitting groove, at least with socks. It seemed like a good place to begin again.  

I only needed a few weeks to hit the reset button and start enjoying spring. During this time I found myself relaxing with crochet. With several colorful balls of Lily Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarn, I settled into the breezy, carefree process that is crochet. It is faster and more forgiving than knitting, but that doesn’t take away from all of its creative and artistic possibilities. My mainstays are amigurumi animals and granny squares, but during the very last snow storm I made my own variation of this pattern from Purl Soho.

Since I’m still fairly new to the world of crochet, I could not resist the novelty of crocheting a perfect sphere. I thought they could come in handy for juggling, make nice paper weights or serve as entertainment for my ridiculously energetic cat. So far it has worked out all too well for said cat…

Take a nap! 

I also keep a few on my desk at work, and when I feel stressed I just grab one and give it a squeeze. I find it does the trick every time.

But what I really wanted to blog about today is my newest discovery, which are yarn bowls. I used to view them as unnecessary, indulgent luxuries. What was the point? I could manage to keep my yarn from rolling away…most of the time. These mishaps were a fact of a knitter’s life. Or so I thought.

A few months ago I found myself unable to resist the temptation any longer. While browsing Etsy, I stumbled upon a lovely shop called spinningstarstudio. The owner is Jennifer of Colorado Springs, and she specializes in functional pottery and raku beads. I was immediately drawn to one of her several bowls which was such a shade of green/blue that I can only describe it as “lake” colored. The two holes she cut into the side were large enough to fit up to size 14 needles, and it had a spiral design where the yarn is pulled through the bowl. I so admired the skill and craftsmanship, and decided that I had to give it a whirl.

Skills! 

Gorgeous! 

Several weeks later my custom made bowl arrived in the most secure and meticulous packaging I had ever seen. That night I got to knitting with my yarn in the bowl, and I realized that I had been cheating myself for years by not having one! The yarn spins securely in the bowl with no threat of jumping out and rolling away. I never realized until that moment how conscious I was of my yarn staying in place as I worked. Now with my fabulous bowl, I just focus on my knitting or crochet. The bowl is so sturdy and well-made that it feels stable and secure on any table, chair, couch, floor, etc. where I may be working.

With some of the mult-use spheres. 

Security. 

If you don’t have one yet, the time to get one is now. It will completely change the pace of your work. No more getting up to chase runaway yarn. When you need to put your work down and get up for a moment, everything can go into the bowl and be safely set aside. Needles and all!

Yes. Everything in one safe, concave place. I highly recommend that you begin your search at spinningstarstudio!

Each piece is marked with a star. 

Resolution: A Brief Update

I got my money back. However, this simple statement does not begin to convey the stress, difficulty and discomfort that was involved in doing so. All attempts I made to connect with the seller as a knitter and a person were in vain. Her single minded goal was to keep my money, and she never once veered from this track.

After one week of being deliberately ignored by the seller, I filed a claim through Etsy. Within the day I received a rude email from her, telling me that I am unable to read a knitting pattern. I expected that. I reiterated my concerns over the stitch count and sizing, and hoped she would soon relent.

But no. The next morning she sends me a photograph of the boot cuffs in a different color, claiming a “friend” made them for her from the very same pattern. By now I was picturing her gripping my $4 with white knuckles. With a heavy sigh, I sent her a screen shot of the cable pattern, where it states clearly that it is made up of 14 stitches.

Actual Footage. 

What I got in return was a long, convoluted message where she tried to explain that the 14 stitches actually work out to 10, and that she writes patterns in her “own way,” and that everything was my fault—but that she would issue a refund by Friday evening.

Monday afternoon rolled around and I still had no refund. I messaged her about it, and at 3:40 PM the money pops up in my PayPal account. At the same time she sent the money, she messaged me saying that she had already issued the refund and I should take it up with PayPal. I called her out on this, telling her I knew she didn’t send the money when she promised, and that it wouldn’t be cleared until Thursday.

I believe that if I didn’t push her on Monday, she would have never refunded me.

Let’s back up and talk about her “own way” of writing patterns. Knitting is creative work filled with endless possibilities, but what she is doing is disgraceful. I have spent 10 years of my life learning to read standard instructions and abbreviations. These rules exist to make life easier for everyone, so we are able to become more skilled and creative. Asterisks, parentheses and other nuances used to indicate repetition are totally lost on her.

Her worst sin is how she writes cables. In her special instructions, a basic cable four forward (C4F) is conveyed as K2F, K2. Wow. I’m actually at a loss for words about this. It is egregiously illogical, and I am going to leave it at that.

From now on I am only buying published patterns. These patterns have been tested, vetted and edited for clarity. As wonderful as Etsy can be, the risk is too high of stumbling across a person who is only a novice, but markets themselves as a master knit wear designer.

As uncomfortable and dirty as I may have felt while dealing with her, I am glad this happened. I can use the experience to get it out there that not all slick, modern Etsy shops are what they apear to be. I want to “out” her so badly, but I won’t. Instead I will only say this: If you ever come across an Etsy shop full of pride for the state of Maine, and they are selling mostly PDF downloads, run! 

I would have rather dealt with this moose!

Very...appropriate...

Do You Shop on Etsy? You Must Read This!

Last week I felt the need for change stirring in my belly. I had grown weary of my skinny, size two needles and delicate sock yarn. What I yearned for was a small, yet rewarding late winter project that I could complete over the snow days looming ominously in my near future. At the same time, I wanted this project to be something fresh and new, adding a healthy amount of excitement blended with uncertainty.

I decided that this project must be a pair of boot cuffs. The more twists, cables and ribbing it had, the better. Maybe in a sharp green or aqua to contrast my pink rubber boots? Walking around in this bold color combo would be like giving the last dreary weeks of winter a huge middle finger!

A crochet version of groovy boot cuffs. 

The lovely wool/cashmere blend I chose. 

Since I’d never made a pair of boot cuffs before, I would need a pattern. Making one up wasn’t an option as I was clueless about needle size, gauge and the number of stitches to cast on. Feverishly, I commenced searching Ravelry, Pinterest and Etsy for “the” pattern. I quickly found myself in a needle/haystack situation. For something so small, the options were overwhelming. As I was giving up, what I had envisioned appeared. These cuffs had a lovely cable pattern that resembled fishtails, and funky, twisted ribbing. I was in love. It came in the form of an Etsy PDF download, and only cost $4. Sold!

I opened the PDF file, and immediately realized something was wrong. The pattern listed size 6 needles under materials, but the instructions called for size 5! I double checked the Etsy listing, and that said size 4…Needle size varies from knitter to knitter, but this was ridiculous, and smacked of someone’s carelessness. I shot a quick message to the shop owner alerting them to this issue.

Over a day later, they replied to me, saying to use size four, and promising to fix the PDF. It was already too late, as I had gotten started using size 5 because that gave me the 6 stitches to one inch gauge the project called for. That was a case of classic, tight-knit Vicki, knowing immediately to use the next needle size up.

Caution: Sarcasm 

I happily worked round after round, and I was excited when it was finally time to cable. This is where things went horribly, terribly wrong. Everything unraveled, so to speak. (haha) After two tries at the cable rounds, the shock and horror of the cut/paste/slapped together nature of this pattern settled in. Along with other problems, the 50 stitches on the needles weren’t even divisible by the 14 stitches that made up the cable pattern! At least not for the size I was making. These boot cuffs came in sizes small, medium and large, and I realized the pattern was only divisible by the large size (70 stitches!) Whoever wrote the PDF thoughtlessly subtracted 10 stitches for each size, taking no consideration for the continuity of the pattern. On top of it all, the cuffs were turning out too long and skinny for my liking. 

Exhibit A: Pattern is broken and muddled. 

I felt my cheeks flushing warm with anger, and I decided I would contact the shop owner and ask for a refund. A few hours later, I cooled off and did just that. Here is what I wrote:

As much as I regret having to ask this of you, I would like to have a refund for this pattern. So far I have found 4 errors. The first was the needle size, which was ok because that varies. The real problems are in the cable pattern. The K8 P2 rounds after the cable round break up the pattern. It came out muddled. To maintain a cable pattern, you knit the knits and purl the purls between cable rounds. When I decided to stop and make a test swatch of the pattern, I realized that what I was getting didn't look 100% like the photo. Almost, but not exactly. I think it has something to do with the K2 between the two forward/backward cables. The cable pattern is made up of sets of 14 stitches, and that is not divisible by the 50 or 60 stitches needed to make the small or medium size. In the small/medium size, the pattern gets cut off at the end of the round.

I realize the difficulty of conveying a knitting pattern in writing. I've been there myself. They must be exact and literal with absolutely no room for assumption. It's not fun to do! I have been knitting for over a decade, and cables and twists are my thing. I blog and teach knitting as well as crochet to my friends. Although I may not be an expert, it is clear this pattern needs revision. You have many lovely patterns and potential for a great business. I hope very much that we can reach an agreement.

Best,
Victoria

Guess what? This was five days ago! The shop owner still has yet to reply. It’s so quiet in my Etsy inbox that I can almost hear crickets. Once a week passes with no further contact, I will report the shop to Etsy.

It would be nice to get my $4 back, but I am not the type of person to move Heaven and Earth to do so. I could earn it back in a few minutes at work. However, I am going to do everything possible to make Etsy aware of what is going on with this particular shop.

About the shop: I will not name them here, as this matter is between me, the owner and Etsy. But what I will say about them is that they run a slick looking, modern shop made up of several vendors. They specialize in knitting and crochet patterns, but they also provide art, housewares and paper goods such as downloadable cupcake wrappers. They have immense pride in the far flung, New England state where they live. Although the shop is new, they come across as talented, fun people who know what they are doing. Of course it is possible that I bought the one dud-pattern in the entire shop, but I don’t think this is so. Upon closer inspection of the shop, I saw some other things that raised my ick-factor higher. A lot of the beanie and hat patterns for sale closely resemble other peoples’ patterns available as free downloads on Ravelry. A few of the crochet amigurumis look familiar, too... but I digress. 

While I wait for this awkward situation to resolve, I’m reminded of internet safety lessons from middle school. Or Catfish The TV Show! People may say and do whatever they want online, but that doesn’t mean it applies to the real world in any way.

Somebody call Nev and Max! 

I believe these shop owners are doing just that. They had a very good idea for an Etsy shop, but have yet to do much to expand upon it. Right now they are having fun playing shop and playing master knit-wear designers while making some extra money. All of this comes at the expense of the customer, who they least consider. In a mad rush to get all of these patterns online, they did some quick guesswork and bad math, which is the kiss of death. They appear unwilling to hire--or be-- test knitters, making me question their commitment to their business. 

As for me, I think I will go back to socks for a little while. I am putting my desire for boot cuffs on the shelf until some time passes, and they won’t immediately remind me of this icky situation. When the time comes, I think I will design my own pattern, after all. Despite it all, I now know the basics to create the gauge, size and shape I need.

All in all: A lesson in self-reliance and independence that only cost me $4!

Steadfast Socks

At any given time throughout the year, I am doing something sock-related. I could be thinking about making them. Other times I am washing and line-drying them, buying materials and actually making them. Otherwise, I might be blocking, finishing or fixing them! This work is never over, and for some very good reasons. Anyone who has ever made or worn hand knit socks will tell you that once you go down that road, you will never come back. The promise of lasting warmth and otherworldly comfort is so great that you will never look at Wal-Mart value packs or the funky-printed offerings at the accessory shop the same way again.

To me, there is no such thing as not having any knitting to do. In between other projects, socks are always my default. Long ago I memorized a pattern I like best and all of the steps, so the process has become second nature. I can sock-knit on autopilot while at home watching TV, on my break at work, or while waiting for my car to be serviced. Sock yarn and needles are more portable than other projects, making it a practical option to pack in my bag and take with me out into the world.

I buy sock weight yarn pre-need and stock pile it in plastic gallon bags that I squish into my striped duffel bag. Not having any sock yarn at any given time would be a mortal sin. Sometimes when all I have are scraps, I come up with some very interesting stripe combinations.

Bustin' at the seams! 

Scrappy summer shorties. 

Since I buy sock yarn so often, I have come to find that closeout retailers such as Tuesday Morning sporadically carry good quality sock yarn for a small fraction of the price it would be at any yarn shop. Sometimes they have the same brands! 

Bargain courtesy of Tuesday Morning. 

The 437 yards in this ball yields at least 2 pairs of socks that could possibly last several years, and I only had to invest a little over $6 after tax. That is the very definition of getting the most bang for your buck! Ever since I made this stunning discovery last year, I try to swing by Tuesday Morning’s many locations throughout Northern Virginia at least once a month. Seek and you will find.

My goal is to gradually delete store bought socks from my wardrobe, one hand made pair at a time. Until I had finished and began wearing my first good pair, I had no idea as to how much I had been suffering with store bought socks over my entire life. Store bought socks are poorly fitted for anyone, regardless of shoe size. Over time and repeated washings, my old socks gradually became tighter around my feet and ankles, leaving huge marks around my calves by the end of the day. Not to mention that this is terrible for circulation! For a long time I thought I was one of those women who, inexplicably, always had cold feet. It turns out the explanation for this was simpler than I ever could have guessed! 

"Warm face, warm hands, warm feet. Oh wouldn't it be loverly?" 

In many cases, the material used for these socks is thin and chintzy. Even if you buy them at Ann Taylor. Before I knew it, the heels and toes of my old socks had become so threadbare that I could see my skin through what was left of the fabric!  

I can clearly see my nail polish! 

The toe seam is usually the first thing to go, and being able to wriggle my big toe out of it was not a nice feeling. It made me feel like some poor hobo! 

It is inevitable that one day your hand made socks will wear out, too. Socks are one of the few things that knitters know are not going to last a very long time, despite all the work and effort that goes into making a pair. This is ok because they can be mended and repaired over and over again. Patches and reinforcements can bring them back to their near-original state. You can even pick up the stitches around the holes or tears and knit an entirely new swatch of fabric! (Yet another reason to save even the smallest of scrap yarn.) There are many different ways to smoothly repair socks, and a few good ones are listed here.

Right now I am 75% of the way through making another multicolored creation with some of my favorite yarn leftover from Christmas. After they are completed, I cannot wait to chuck away yet another old, see through pair. I’ll start with those pink tie-dyes!

In progress. 

My blue plastic sock forms remind me: The next time you are in an antique shop, visit the section where they have small housewares and homemaking supplies. I guarantee you that you will see at least one pair of wooden sock stretchers.

Prolific. 

If you have yet to make your first pair of socks, learn and get started today! Do not listen to the rumors that they are hard and frustrating to make, because this just isn’t so. In fact, basic socks are a very intermediate project. They are made in a series of small steps that are easy to memorize. Find a nice, cuff down pattern. Knit socks are very small things that enrich the lives of you and your loved ones in a huge way, one stitch at a time!

Maintenance and Repair

Earlier this month on a frustratingly cold and icy Sunday, I suspected that something was up with my boyfriend. Evening was approaching, and I had yet to hear from him. At last, he sent me a vague text implying that he was having a bad day. Instinctively, I called him right away. Judging from the tone of his voice, I began to prepare myself for the worst possible news. A car accident? Death in the family? Stabbed by an icicle? I began to panic as he went into the story of his day, telling me that he was attempting to walk out onto his deck through the sliding glass door. I held my breath in anticipation for the news of certain pain and anguish…

“My scarf got caught on the handle,” he admitted. I had a mixed reaction, thinking, “That’s it?” and “Uh-oh…” all at once. My brain immediately projected an image of the beloved Fisherman’s Rib scarf from Christmas reduced to a pile of knotted and frayed yarn before my eyes. I had to remain calm. These things happen. It is one of the hazards of making things and sending them out into the harsh world of winter.

I asked him straight up if it was destroyed. He didn’t think so. One of the wide V’s of the Fisherman’s Rib hooked into the door handle as he was walking out, and he took a few good steps before he realized this. He managed to pull out a loop about 6 inches in length! It was unreal to him how freakishly long the loop became, and the nasty looking hole underneath it was very upsetting to see. I quickly realized that this may not be as bad as it sounded. “Is the yarn cut?” I asked to make sure. He assured me that the piece was intact, but stretched. I asked him to email me some pictures so I could assess the damage. Yes, it looked quite ugly. But it was only a big, “yank.” As long as the yarn remained untangled and intact, it could be worked back into place.

eep. 

Casting a dark shadow over the scarf. 

Just whoa. 

I encouraged him to gently pull and manipulate the fabric directly around the snag to slowly draw the offensive loop back into its proper place. He refused to do this, feeling he had done enough damage. He insisted on professional intervention. I wished I was there with him so I could get it over with and ease his mind. After a few more rounds of reassurance that the scarf was fixable and that I was not mad, I promised to meet up with him for the necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Later, I armed myself with my finest kit of crochet hooks and darning needles and set off to meet him. I was a woman on a mission. I ordered a strong cup of coffee and set to work with laser-like focus. As I worked the fabric in between my fingers, I too had my moment of doubt. The Fisherman’s Rib seemed to have all of these extra loops and bars, and the ribbing was so much looser. How would I ever figure out what goes where? After a few minutes and a few false leads, the answer dawned on me: The row of V’s all around the yank were now so tiny they almost disappeared into the fabric. The sheer force of the pull had shrunk them to almost microscopic proportions. I grabbed one of my hooks and began to pull up the loops of each V across the row. Miraculously, the “yank” began to recede back into the ribbing!

Working it out. 

Ta-da! 

As my boyfriend calmed his nerves by reading a copy of Whurk magazine, I finished the not-so-major operation. “Done!” I announced as I handed the scarf back to him. He put it on and we walked outside, knowing it was good to go for at least another day. To celebrate, I took his picture next to a huge display of ice-melt. In hindsight, maybe we should have bought some while we were at it! By the next afternoon we had almost 4 inches of snow!

Back to normal. 

Way cute! 

Make do and mend. These words represent a concept/lifestyle that I value, but I believe I truly lived the meaning of these words for the first time on that day. The feeling was warm and fuzzy, yet blended with a practical sense of accomplishment.

Snags, holes and tears will come at me all the time. This is for certain. It’s part of the reason why I invest in buttons, pin cushions and sock darning eggs! But now I know for certain that I am prepared to deal with these situations as they come.

Oh yeah, another thing I’ve learned is that it’s a good thing to always leave home with a crochet hook or a yarn needle in my bag! 

A mighty tool!