~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
I am still working on Gabriel’s sweater, hoping to have it finished by the end of the week, so I will wait to show it to you until then! In the meantime, I cast on what will be a ruffled scarf, because that big sweater is awkward to work on when I am nursing Silas. And I guess that’s about all I have to say about knitting today! Well, I could add that I am thinking about taking the next few months to knit only what I really want to, not what is being requested of me. I don’t think that’s too selfish….
I am still working through books on organization. I finished the Organizing for people with ADD book (and someone asked if I actually have ADD–well, actually I was diagnosed ADHD in college….whatever–meaning, yes, but I don’t think about it much. I am too busy moving rapidly from one thing to the next.) Now I am reading Organized Simplicity. I haven’t read much yet, but this one’s supposed to be great, right? I am still happy that I finished Howard’s End, and I have a really distracting pile of books I want to pour through right now as well. I really am trying to stay on task. How about you?
What a juicy color! Madelinetosh always manages to get the most gorgeous, saturated shades.
I have also really been enjoying a book about organization called Large Family Logistics. I think books like these all tend to say similar things, but sometimes the way an author puts it makes just the right sense to a particular person…and that is so what is happening as I read Large Family Logistics! So much actually makes sense to me now, even if I’ve heard some of it before! I’m excited to actually get going with organization!!!
I LOVE the color of that yarn! So deep.
The colour of that yarn is beautiful!! So rich! And I loved Organized Simplicity. A worthwhile read for sure 🙂
I can’t wait to see the finished sweater. The colours looked wonderful and Gabe sounded full of anticipation for it (from your last Yarn Along).
I hope the organization goes well for you all. My family is always working hard on this but most days it feels like it’s just me. My kids and my husband are all on the behavioral spectrum so I really have to push for organization. I’ve accepted it as a long road I must walk alone, for the most part.
Here is my contribution to Yarn Along.
http://swansnest.etpgames.com/?p=474
Enjoy!
I am only knitting for me right now. I love it. There’s no pressure, no deadline… and I need a bit of that during these busy days. I can’t wait to see the sweater, but until then, I love the color you chose for your scarf!
Your scarf is a yummy color–makes me think of blackberries. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to do some “selfish” knitting. Think of it as “research”–maybe you’ll discover a new pattern or technique that you can then apply to some of your requested knitting 🙂
One {selfish} reason I’m looking forward to nursing my next baby is that with my Spud I got more reading done than I had in years! I’ll have to plan ahead for some “nursing friendly” knitting projects and then I’ll be set for Yarn Alongs during those months!
Do you have any tips on knitting and nursing, or do you just have a very cooperative baby? Mine is about the same age, and she is very “active” when she nurses – she grabs and pinches and rubs my face and sticks her fingers up my nose (her very favorite – she gets rather offended that I don’t want her fingers up my nose all the time) and plays with my hair…and so on. If I read, she bats at the book and grabs it until she manages to throw it on the ground, so I can’t imagine what she’d do to my knitting! I’d love to be able to knit and nurse, though, especially since my girl likes to nurse just CONSTANTLY. And for very, very long periods of time. I’d get so much done!
Hello Arielle,
Have you looked at http://kellymom.com/ for tips on active breastfeeders? http://kellymom.com/babyconcerns/distractible-baby.html
My Bub’s was really active after 7months while nursing so we had to go into dark rooms every time for a couple of weeks. It was not ideal but once he knew and felt like he had my full attention for an extended period of time he was not so anxious while at the breast.
I hope these suggestions are helpful.
Enjoy the baby nursing years!
The color on your sweater is so striking!
The yarn is really pretty – I’m sure it will make a lovely ruffled scarf. And I don’t think you’re being selfish at all. I mean, you’re supposed to enjoy knitting. As I get older I’m getting better and better at putting obligation aside and focusing on things that really inspire me. That’s when we produced the best art, after all, when we follow our impulses. So you just knit whatever you want!
What a gorgeous scarf that’s going to be! I love the pattern and the color you chose. And I’ll be interested to hear what you think of that book; it’s one I’ve wanted to read, too.
I love the colour of your yarn Ginny! I understand the difficulties of staying on task, I am often thinking about the other things I want to get done.
I love that yarn colour Ginny, so alive! You need to knit something for yourself sometimes 🙂 The book looks good, haven’t seen that one here yet…thanks for highlighting it x
What an amazing colour!
I love the color of your yarn.
Pretty color!
Oh, I love the depth of colour of your yarn! And the title of the book, “Organized Simplicity” is dreamy too – meaning, I want some of that organized simplicity in my life!
Oh I love the color of that yarn! The ruffle scarf pattern is so pretty. Do you love the Tosh Vintage? I have yet to try that yarn, but it looks so soft and pretty. I need to check out Organized Simplicity. Sounds like a good read!
I have Organized Simplicity on my nightstand, but I haven’t gotten into it too deeply yet (spending bedtime knitting rather than reading right now). I will say that I plan to make certain that I read it before we move–still a long ways off–so that I don’t fill the new house with a bunch of unnecessary rubbish!
Looking forward to seeing Gabe’s sweater–the yarn colors are amazing, and the final product is going to be gorgeous.
Love the wine color of that yarn. It will be a beautiful scarf!
Oh my, the yarn is gorgeous! I absolutely LOVE the color!
Oooo…love that purple! I have not heard of that book, but what a title! Two of my favorite words in one 🙂 Have been meaning to tell you – I love your new header/blog design.
Oh, that yarn is delicious!
I’m with everyone else, you should make for yorself, and the colour is just beautiful.
You should take some months of knitting time for what you want to knit. I am looking forward seeing where your interests lie…..Lovely purple yarn!!
I love Organized Simplicity! I am going to be working through this book with my husband hopefully starting this weekend. And I am knitting myself some fingerless gloves right now, I needed a break from presents for others 🙂
I don’t think knitting for yourself is selfish – I think it is a must. Beautiful rich colour.
I think you should knit something for yourself after all you do for everyone else. I was thinking how nice it if we had a cardigan/sweater or maybe a shawl that we all could all knit together, what do you think? I know the baby jacket was done, but this would be something for us.
Love the colour for the scarf, we often forget to knit ourselves something so indulge away.
Lovely to join in again with the Yarn Along, may focus me better this year on completing projects more timely.
Dawn x
Beautiful color for your scarf!
Wow you can knit while you nurse! I’ll have to give it a go, although my bubba likes to push off on my arm while she feeds, so not sure how it will go 🙂
How was the organising for people with ADHD book? I keep thinking about getting it for myself, not that I am diagnosed with anything, I just know what I am like 😀 and I think I would be so much happier and less stressed if I had some kind of organisation that lasted more than 3 days….
🙂 Jacq
I liked the ADD book, but didn’t love it. I am glad that I got it from the library rather than purchasing it. I think that it would be great for some people, but wasn’t exactly geared towards our lifestyle and family size. I think I will get more out of the Organized Simplicity book.
ginny, with all the knitting you’ve been doing for your family it is absolutely okay to knit something you want to and is not requested of you – preferably even for yourself!
i can’t wait to hear what you have to say about Organized Simplicity. it’s been on my wishlist for a while, i’m just not sure if i should get it… we have such limited space here (700 square feet) so i am always thinking there is not much more organization possible, LOL! but there probably is…
I’m also on the subject of simplicity living. I guess at some point one goes that way… For me, it’s motherhood that is making me want to simplify and enjoy more my child. Your blog is an inspiration… Thank you!
Not too selfish at all! I’ve heard great things about that book too.
I loved knitting only what I wanted over the holidays – nothing for me, but still, knits close to my heart! Enjoy your knitting, and looking forward to seeing that jumper finished.
My knitting this week is inspired entirely by your past projects Ginny ;0)
Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful group.
Hello,I often come by to see what you are up to! I had all my schooling via the Sydney (Australia) Correspondence School and can understand why and the issues you might have! This Yarn along will give me the incentive to finish a project Ive been wanting to start with some chocolate Casmere wool from Fibreartist
I love your approach of the more projects the merrier. I need to look for that book. I used to be so organized. Sort of still am, but kids can really throw adult organization out the window!
I am really affected by the book I am reading this week. My knitting, not so much. (Not enough.)
I love the beautiful colour you are working with. Gorgeous!
I’m excited to see Gabriel’s sweater finished!
I think January is the perfect time for selfish knitting after knitting gifts for family and friends. 🙂 I love the color of your scarf!
Oh my, thank you so much for mentioning Organizing for People With ADD. Now maybe I can get organized.
I have wanted to read Organized Simplicity. I will have to see if it’s at my local library. The yarn you hare using for the scarf is really pretty. Thanks for organizing the “yarn along”, I really enjoy seeing other people’s projects.
thanks for hosting yarn along—it is such a great forum to see what people are working on and to get ideas for some new library books.
Ahh! I didn’t double check and realized that I had typed GIVEAWAY by my link last time and it saved that information. I’m NOT doing a giveaway this time and I really don’t want to mislead anyone. Ginny, I hate to bug you but is there anyway you can fix that so it doesn’t say ‘giveaway’? I would really appreciate that!
Boy do I understand the siren call of a stack of books. I have Organized Simplicity and I can say it’s completely worth it if only for the clear tutorial on how to properly fold a fitted bedsheet. I was over the moon when I saw that. It works too. Actually I find the rest of the book to be helpful too and her tone is very assuring. Good luck with the sweater finishing!
I loved Organized Simplicity. I filled my van three times with Goodwill donations after reading that book!
That book is great! I read it a couple of months ago and requested it from the library again. Granted, I need to get the ideas in motion now… That ADD book, btw, is so great. It has been helping me through my ADD issues… my husband, too! XOXO
I told my friend that I was ready for some selfish knitting. It doesn’t mean it is all for me, but it does mean it is what I want to knit. Love that color. My husband was diagnosed in his early 20s as well. Interesting stuff. I may need to get those books.
That scarf is a beautiful colour 🙂