LIGHTNESS

The return to daylight savings has brought light into my life in several ways. While I fully recognize that not everyone loves DST, (sorry Sue), it does work for me. I wonder what would happen if it were put to a simple referendum of the people….would the majority vote in favor? I don’t know. I am willing to bow to the majority, but until that happens, I will savor what the manipulation of an hour does for me.

So my whole psyche gets a lift out an extra daylight hour at the end of the day. My party spirit is returning. In addition, my mom has battled pneumonia and I am declaring her the winner! Yes, she has dodged this particular bullet and will be around to drive me crazy a while longer. I’m not crazy about being driven crazy, but in this case I will accept it. I’m taking notes in hopes of not driving my own children crazy when I’m in my dotage….no guarantees of course. That assumes I’m not driving them crazy now.

I try to be good.

And I am truly close to the end of the Rainbow Jacket. At my present rate, I estimate maybe two weeks of knitting max. Probably less, because the closer I get, the more I'm driven to finish. Two weeks is nothing, after seven months of working on this.

It seems like it has been a very very long time since I have enjoyed the process of anticipating a new project. Knitbloggers have had many discussions about process knitting vs. product knitting. I have thought of myself as a process knitter, but the truth is that I am hung up on product as well. I want my knitting to have a direct path to a product that is functional and beautiful and gives me pleasure to complete. I am not content to knit just for the sake of knitting…there has to be a pot of gold at the end of the knitting rainbow.

I had not realized how much that pot of gold involved all that goes into the choosing of yarn and pattern. I have kept blinders on for the past seven months, refusing to let myself be tempted by anything that would normally spark an interest. Even now, I have four more sweaters on the needles….I have no business entertaining any brand-new projects once this sweater is truly complete.

And yet….a knitter has to dream. This knitter has to dream. Those four sweaters currently waiting in the wings can wait a bit longer if I want. I may choose to work on one or more of them as my next major project. But I want a choice. I am going to let myself start to wander through the Ravelry projects once again. I’m going to browse my magazines. I’m going to study the shop models and let myself visualize that item on my needles. And then I’m going to haunt the shelves visualizing that item in this yarn or maybe that yarn. I’m going to make a real choice.

I’m going to have the thrill of the hunt once again. I’m going to feel the heat of infatuation. I’m going to have that wonder of a new relationship flowing through my fingertips.

Oh, the delicious turmoil of where to begin!

In the meantime, since the Rainbow is still a few weeks away from being photo-worthy, I’ll show you one completed sock. This lovely is a gift for someone, which is really a shame, because I quite like how she’s turning out. This winter has been hard on several pairs of socks. Now I have to add fixing heel holes to my list of chores.

But first....it's on to the second sock. 

What dreams are you going to make happen this spring?

Comments

[Susan (Plum Texan)]

If I can get my tendinitis to cooperate? First socks, for one thing. And the start of a rather complicated lace stole for another.

If I can't get my left hand to stop burning after a mere two rows? Learning another hold or technique that doesn't make it hurt so much. I'm losing a lot of time here. :)

Non-knitting? Helping my husband get his feet under him for good swing dancing. Looking fan-damn-tastic at a friend's wedding. Getting my lonely kitty girl a younger sister.

And letting my mom drive me *less* crazy. :D

[Donna]

I'm excited to hear your mom is doing better - that's great! Me? Just finishing a few UFOs...

[Lynne]

First of all, let me say that DST confuses me. Gets me every time! I just want to keep the clocks the same year round. I do love having more sunshine this week, though. My goals for spring/ I want to start the new gardens at our new home.

[Laura Lou]

I would keep DST all year since I do love it. Glad your mom is better. It is a relief when they bounce back.
NOW the gift sock Unfortunately it is not for me but I know who and she will love it. Looks like her colors too.
GOOD JOB. See you Wed!

[Vera]

I'm a DST person too. It's great to see have sunlight at 7 pm!!

[Pat K]

We don't do DST out here in AZ. Fine by me. Glad to here the pneumonia is on the way out. And I'm just trying to keep myself from starting more projects. (A losing battle.)

[dirty sue]

i am just about adjusted.........well, to the time change at least. not so sure about anything else.

[Karen]

I LOVE DST! Love it. Love days that seem like hours longer. I wouldn't mind one bit if the clocks stayed just as they are now, all year though.

My dreams for today anyway are just to get rid of this damn cough and get back to getting some exercise. And maybe a littler more knitting, spinning and sewing.

[LynnH]

Personally, I can live with 12 pairs of socks half-knit and waiting for someday. I know I will get back to them in due time.

I'm less comfy with partly knit vests/tops (I have 3 now and one is a few years old). Knitting this sort of project requires me to sit still and do nothing else. I usually knit in public so I do simple tubes in stockinette (sometimes colorwork) most of the time. Tops languish.

But right now, I am not allowing any dreams for new projects. I have several patterns to write and taxes to do, a computer project for my mom and a website update for a friend. I need to catch up on the to-do list before I burst from the stress.

Only new socks in fat yarns are allowed now, the knitting for in public when nothing else can be done. And I started a pair last week which are 3/4 done already (aran weight). That tells you how little time I've been home this week, I guess!

Enjoy the choosing. With all the new summer yarns, I would adore picking a tank top right about now. Maybe later.