Monday, June 17, 2013

Monday and new yarn

How was your weekend?  Was Father's Day a big celebration at your house?  We were quiet here, very quiet.  I think I might have a problem, you see when I am home I never want to leave.  Not to run errands, not to go to dinner.  I like my home.  I am a Cancer, we are home bodies, but for me, especially lately, I just want to be here.  And I want to be here ALONE, but that never happens.   Maybe it is menopause, or I am just so darn tired of driving the hours I do every day to work and back.  I think my husband is feeling I am getting very boring.  Home is comfort and since I am still a bit off, (really when am I not a bit off) I need all the comfort I can get. 

Yarn gives me comfort.  I want to show you the beautiful yarn I received this weekend.  I had a visit from one of my Medical Foster Mother's and her brother, she has the home where my little buddy lives.  Her brother taught her to crochet a while back, wouldn't you love a brother that crochets?  He has since taught himself to knit.  He was having a bit of trouble with the knitting thing so she wanted to come over and spend some time getting him on track.  I love to help a crocheter or knitter in need, especially when they surprise me with yarn.


Amazing yarn goodness, yum!

This Malabrigo is from my Medical Foster Mother for taking care of my buddy last week.  My favorite yarn in this gorgeous color combination it is called Archangel, lovely I think, don't you?


 And these lovelies are from her brother, all for trying to help him out.  The very colorful yarn is Knit Picks Stroll, do you remember the yarn I made the shawl for my Medical Foster Mother? This is the yarn and I am thrilled to work with it again.  The green yarn is from The Verdant Gryphon, it reminds me of Ireland, or at least what I think of Ireland, green and lush.

I am not so sure I helped a whole bunch.  You see he is a left handed knitter and I am right handed, it does pose a bit of a problem.  But we worked things out like why stockinette stitch curls, how to do a ribbing, joining in the round, and how to do a fun basket weave pattern.  I showed them my craft space and got lots of oohs and ahhs over my new curtains.  It was a very fun afternoon.


 The rest of the weekend (when not gardening or cleaning) has been spent on this.  I am through with the top part and am now working on the bottom crochet portion. I have winged it a lot on this pattern, I didn't want my crochet to be too frilly and cutsie, so I put a bit of a square border around the top.  I am aiming for the same on the bottom, scallops and such are cute but not really for me.  Again here I go making something I know is really not my style, what is wrong with me, I seem to keep repeating the same lesson, over and over.  But when I saw this pattern I knew I was going to have to give it a try, even if I never wear it.


I am usually not home on Monday mornings.  Today is the first day of summer school for a few of the kids I work with.  In order to make sure the bus came and they knew what to do, we decided that school was a priority not therapy.  I will have an extra long day on Wednesday to make up for today, but for now I am enjoying this time at home.  I was outside this morning tending to my plants when I turned around and saw my boy reflected in the pool.  The pool turns on at 9:00 AM, the water is always moving after it turns on, so it was beautiful and still, just perfect to see my Max in.


He was not amused I had my camera out, you would think he would be used to me by now. 

Before I go I want to thank you all for your lovely comments on my crochet curtain.  I really love it and to answer a few questions.  The Sugar'n Cream yarn I picked worked perfectly for this project.  It is cotton and a bit stiff so it is perfect.  I am not using Sugar'n Cream for clothing or a blanket, I think it is too rough, but for this it was perfect and inexpensive. I always go up a needle size or hook size when I crochet or knit, but for this project I went up two sizes and used a J 6.00 mm hook.

Hope that helps.

27 comments:

Deb said...

Love the photos of Max's reflection in the pool - he is so gorgeous! Archer wishes he could join him :-)

Joy said...

Sweet Meredith - it seems to me quite a normal feeling to enjoy being at home AND alone - and for you after a working week where else would you want to be to unwind and relax. Home is wonderful!
Your new dress is coming along a treat - I really like the crochet stitch you're using there; hang in and keep at it - you'll probably love it when it's finished.
Oh the colours of your pretty new yarn - delicious - and such a lovely gift!
I love Max - I would love to give him a big hug - and you!
Joy xx

ColourMeCrochet said...

I don't think you're alone in staying at home. I love being at home, it's even better when everyone is out and you can do your own thing in your own time.
I also love your yarn, especially the pink and orange.
Sally x

ColourMeCrochet said...

I don't think you're alone in staying at home. I love being at home, it's even better when everyone is out and you can do your own thing in your own time.
I also love your yarn, especially the pink and orange.
Sally x

Anonymous said...

What lovely yarns you got!

The reflection of Max in the pool is cute. Such a sweet pup you have.

Mrs. C said...

OOhhh! what beautiful yarn! I completely understand your wanting to be home and go no where else! I have been the same way lately. I think its just all the craziness at work. I long to just be able to sit and crochet with a Jane Austin movie playing on tv... or maybe some Downton Abbey... ( and no one asking what's for dinner or complaining they can't find anything to eat! ) Enjoy your yarn and any free time you can get to play with it! :)

Mrs. Micawber said...

Oh my gosh, I just had this conversation with Mr. M on Sunday. He: "You always want to stay home on Sundays." Me: "That's because I have to go somewhere all the other days. I LIKE having a day at home." (I did not add "alone" but I think he suspects it.) :)

That yarn is so, so luscious. The Malabrigo looks like a sort of divine fruity popsicle - the kind where one flavour melts into the next.

Max looks very handsome reflected in the pool water.

Babajeza said...

I just feel like you about staying home. Yesterday my husband asked me what we would do in the afternoon. I told him I wanted to stay right here. :-) Life is so busy outside our home that I need to stay inside.
It would be nice to say at home alone though.
And yes, I'd love to have a brother (husband, son) who crochets.

Hugs to you!

Betsy said...

Hello Meredith,
First of all-alone is good! I love being alone at home in the winter and at the lake in the summer. I never get bored with myself! :-)
Second-Such gorgeous yarn! You are one very blessed lady. I tried to teach my left handed sister to crochet several times. It was a disaster! We even tried the sitting facing each other method. No luck.
Third-Max looks very dignified as he relaxes by the pool. What a sweetie.
Blessings,
Betsy

Kris said...

Sorry to hear you are still a bit off Meredith! I do know how you feel though!!! Hang in there! Love that yummy yarn!!!!
Take it easy, and pamper yourself!!
xo Kris

moonstruckcreations said...

Meredith, I think how you are feeling is actually very normal - you work hard at a job where you are helping others under what I would imagine can be quite stressful circumstances. I can say I know how you feel, I work with troubled teenagers who are often violent and abusive due to the treatment they have received. Its a rewarding job to be sure, but boy do I just want to be at home when Im done!

so make the most of that lovely yarn, you deserve it!

And that Max is such a cutie, he needs you at home ;)

Helenxx

Unknown said...

Beautiful yarn! I am really loving the colors. So fresh and colorful. I don't knit or crochet but that yarn looks so soft. It must e wonderful to see what comes out of the varigation in the yarn. It must always be different. So pretty. The reflection of Max is so cool! My Tanner is just the oposite. I pick up my camera and he knows we are going outside. He gets all excited.
One thing that happened this weekend has me excited....The puppies were born early yesterday morning! In a couple of months we will have a new baby. I saw pictures and this weekend (if my friend, the breeder) and I can get our schedules to work out I will get to see them!
Have a great day. Hugs, Teresa

The Faerie Factory said...

Oh I love my time home alone, those moments are so few and far between I make the most of them just pottering... like you am sure it's an age thing. Lovely pics of Max and that yarn is scrummy I love the name archangel it conjures up such ethereal images. ~ Sarah x

honeycat said...

Beautiful yarn especially the greeny blue skein. Your gorgeous dog has such a kindly face bless him :-)

Sentimentally Me said...

Good Morning!

I love how your crochet/fabric top is turning out. It's a beautiful combination of color! (I think you should wear it!)

Isn't your Max so handsome in his reflection and in person?? Good Gosh, he is such a sweet doggie!

Have a wonderful day my friend!

xo P

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Meredith.

You was gifted with some very very lovely yarns. The colors are definitely truly wonderful and yummy. Love them all.

Max certainly does have a wonderful life. I wish I could lounge around at your poolside too. Such a great doggie he is..

I really like the project you are working on. I will look forward to seeing it completed.

Have a lovely week. Hugs Judy

serendipity said...

What gorgeous yarns. The pink and orange one is stunning. xx

kathy b said...

You are not alone in your desire to be home ALONE. I Love it and it rarely happens. WE try to be so accommodating to our families/husbands/friends that we have to fill up on quiet at some point.

You are not boring! Your knitting/crocheting alone is amazing. YOu work a very meaningful job. Mere, don't minimize the extraordinary care you put into everything...it is obvious on your post.

Do you ever swim in that gorgeous pool??????

Pammy Sue said...

Such gorgeous yarns! Very nice of her to bring them to you. And your boy is so handsome hanging out by the pool. He looks so soft. I'd love to hug on him a while. There's something different and comforting about hugging a big, strong dog as opposed to my small ones. I do miss my big dogs.

I spied your top nearly finished! I love the colors!

Susanne Tyree said...

I can totally understand your feelings about wanting alone time at home. Whenever we become frazzled from all the stress of work and yes, even home life it is always good to get your thoughts collected and just exhale. Now that my husband is gone I have plenty of alone time. I do well throughout the day, until evening. We use to sit and watch the news and Jeopardy together. Most times (even before he got sick) he would retire to bed early and I would get my alone time then. And, what better thing to do than to play with some new yarn! How nice of your Medical Foster Mom to gift it to you, and oh how lovely the colors. Max is a big cuddly bit of comfort too. He seems to enjoy it when you are home alone with him.
Susanne ♥

Gerda said...

Ah Meredith, I think it's the age, you're just getting to be a grumpy old woman who wants to be left alone. You know I'm kidding, right? Difficult to kid in a strange language. Anyway, I totally understand. I often want to be alone at home with my yarn and fabric. Love the colours of youe yarn. I used to dye yarn. Hugs to you from a super warm Holland, Gerda

Ladybird Diaries said...

Such gorgeous yarn! I love staying home too.
M x

Annie Cholewa said...

Beautiful yarn, and very well deserved I'm sure. I bet you were a great help explaining all the quirks of knitting.

And Max, the lovely Max ... reflected in your pool ... oh how I wish pools were other than an enormous luxury here in the UK ... hardly anyone has one and I want one so.

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith.. maybe you should retire and stay home. :-) I highly recommend it! I'm in LOVE with that pinkish yarn! OMGoodness.. it's gorgeous!! I'm heading off to the pool now... ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Tanna said...

lovely. lovely. lovely. yarn prizes!! I will be looking forward to seeing them again in the form of their respective projects!!

I hear you about liking to be home-- alone. ;) I do think it may be the menopausal mania. LOL! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

Taci simmons said...

Hello my dear friend. I have been so busy, just now having a little time to catchup with some of my favorite friend's blogs. Lovely yarns. When you are a wear heart like you people can't help but think of you in special ways.
I also love to be home...and the older I get the more I enjoy spending time at home...knitting, Crocheting and just relaxing. It is so rewarding :)

Gracie Saylor said...

Home...alone....ahhh what a nice thought at least :-) I love seeing your beautiful projects and am sending you hugs of comfort to combat your hormonal challenges, Meredith.
xx,
Gracie