It’s been a busy two weeks of travel- Vegas, California, and Nashville!
These past weeks I finished a pair of socks, released my Float Tote pattern, started a new design, ate yummy food, and panicked about the return of the inevitable- work. Enjoy!
Finished Objects
My July socks are finished! When I left for vacation two Saturdays ago they were barely started. I knit on them in restaurants, casinos, cars, and Disneyland. They are a pair of shortie socks in striping Hufflepuff colors. The black yarn for toes, heels, and cuffs came from Gynx yarn in her BFL blend in the colorway “Black Hole”. The self-striping is from Brazen Stitchery and called “Hufflepuffs are Fantastic Finders”.
WIP’s- Focus Projects
My second Flatiron Shawl has gotten some love these last two weeks. I’ve faded in the second color- a crazy, bright rainbow by Vice Yarns. I’m not so sure what I think about the pairing of the darker rainbow with the brighter rainbow… but I’m not pulling it out yet! This is going to be one bold shawl.
I’ve also been concentrating on a new design- my first socks! The sock features an easy-to-memorize texture pattern and contrast heels, toes, and cuffs. I will go into more detail later on as the pattern won’t be released until the end of August.
Something New
The Float Tote pattern is live!!! You can now purchase the Float Tote for $5 on Ravelry. This bag is designed for your colorwork projects. It’s simple to crochet {with just one stitch} and works up quickly with yarn held double and a J hook!
I learned so much writing this pattern. I know now {just a smidge!} how much work it takes! I have so much respect for full-time designers, especially the ones that write garment patterns. I’m so grateful for my friends and the crochet community on Instagram for helping me test this pattern. It was so much fun and I’ve already started to design more items!
What God’s Teaching Me
Pray for me. The summer of dreams has come to an end.
I’ve spent nearly every day since June 1st in introverted bliss. {I’m a teacher and take the summers off.} My daily goals were working out, knitting, and writing about knitting. I’m not sure I’ll ever have another summer like this one. I was nearly in a depressive state the Friday before our first trip thinking about the end of summer. I still had a two weeks until work started back at that point, mind you. However, the coming weeks are going to be stressful… I give you: ONE MONTH OF EXTROVERSION.
Help.
These next few weeks are going to be marvelous, as have been the last two. I don’t think I have to explain to fellow introverts why I just miss my house and my routine. {Introverts would probably nod in solemn understanding that I secretly, sort of would have been relieved if my trips got canceled.} Let me explain.
Two weeks back I had the pleasure of vacationing in Las Vegas and California. We got see my mother-in-law and my brother and go to Disneyland. All things I love! But… immediately when we returned home Sunday night I washed my clothes and packed again.
I left Tuesday morning for Nashville. {Yes, I did plan these back-to-back trips myself. Why do you ask?} I was so looking forward to seeing my parents and my Bliss Yarns family. I also get to go to SSK! But… right when I return I have to go straight back to work.
This part I didn’t plan. When I planned these two back-to-back trips, I did so with the understanding that I would have a week buffer until work started again. Just days after I’d finalized my flight, I found out that I would need to attend a workshop during this week that I’d thought would be my final days of summer vacation. Now, it’s going to be a super-informative learning experience on a topic that I feel is very important; still I am so bummed.
The following week I’ll be starting back at my school (lots of new staff and a new principal) PLUS my mother-in-law and brother-in-law are coming into town for a week AND we’re having a party. Okay breathe. All you extroverts are thinking right now, “Why is she complaining about four super fun weeks in a row?” I’m not trying to vent, I’m trying to prepare.
One whole month of travel, people, changing routines, more people, different time zones and new people… Let’s get back to my bought of sadness two Fridays ago. Kent {dear husband} thought it would be fun to move our flight to Las Vegas up a day earlier. In theory, that would be fun! Another day in Vegas, more time to spend with his mom, more things we could see.
I just couldn’t change plans that quickly. I was supposed to have one more day at home before my summer literally unravels. I needed that one more day at home!!! It wasn’t just a day’s difference in travel to me; it’s the start of a whole month that’s no longer the quiet summer I’ve been enjoying. I entered into a spiral of sadness for summer ending, guilt for preventing my husband and mother-in-law from starting the vacation early, and shame for needing this one last day to feel ready for the month of extroversion.
I wonder how many others are like me and panic at the thought of change. I’m not always aware of my stress levels, and sometimes have to analyze my own outward behavior to sense what’s going on. Why am I cleaning everything in sight? Why can’t I fall asleep? Why am I just sitting here staring at the wall and petting my dog?
Yup… for nearly an hour I just laid on the couch {not even knitting!} and cuddled with my dog and radiated sorrow. I mourned the end of my summer. I analyzed why I was feeling so bummed. I prayed to be more extroverted. I pumped myself up for vacation. Then the little rain cloud lifted and I typed this up- and felt so much better! {Not energized enough to go to on vacation a day early- ha!}
How funny that my blessed situations bring me stress, but I do have some ways to deal with them. I’ve gone the long way around this week, but this is where God and I have been chatting. In the next few weeks I’ll be relying on Him immensely. I don’t always have access to knitting, writing, exercise, chocolate, or bubble baths {my top five external stress relievers}, but I always have His comfort. Pray for me y’all. I will need it.
What We’re Cooking
I remembered this time to take plenty of food pictures on vacation!
Even though my husband and I are both in our late 20’s… and have no kids… we decided to do a character brunch at Disneyland! We got to meet Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale and Pluto. It was so much fun and the food was good too!
In Anaheim {outside of Disneyland} we discovered a super cool food spot. It’s called the Anaheim Packing District. It’s a huge building packed with different restaurants. There was Asian, sandwiches, gelato, pizza, you name it. Kent got to try hot pot for the first time and I played it safe with grilled cheese and tomato soup- yum! We even found a local brewery with Geeks Who Drink trivia.
In California Adventure you can enjoy alcoholic beverages- hehe! My mother-in-law got me on a Bloody Mary kick during our trip. This is one of the most artistic ones I’ve had.
What used to be Ariel’s Grotto got a face lift and Pixar name- Lamplight Lounge. Although the renderings are terrifying {creepy fake people!} the restaurant itself is beautiful. We sat on the lower deck on comfy couches and had fresh donuts with chocolate/hazelnut and sweet dipping sauce.
What I’m Reading
Honestly, I haven’t opened a book or listened to an audiobook or podcast in the last week. I’ve still got A Spool of Blue Thread on my Kindle and Jurassic Park on Audible.
Since I’ve been spending the week at my parents house, I thought I’d be recharging from my previous busy vacation with podcast after podcast. In reality I’m just hanging out at Bliss Yarns from open to close- the best way to fill my soul! Anyhow, I wanted to share my favorite podcasters’ current episodes that I’ll be catching up with soon:
Katie from Inside Number 23
Amber from The Yarn Hoarder Podcast
Amy from the Stranded Podcast
Dianne from Suburban Stitcher
Trysten and Christy from The Girls in the Yarn Cafe
Whew! I’ve got a lot to watch- yay!