Tuesday Thursday Saturday

 

My current work schedule looks something like this:

• Work Sunday night from about 8 pm onward.
• Work Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm while the Boy is in school.
• Work Monday to Friday again once the Boy is off to bed.

All in all, I'm okay with this schedule. But I think I'd like to make one small change. If I could take Sunday night off, I think I'd be darn satisfied. What I'm trying to achieve is a crafting/blogging-free weekend. I think my home and family deserve my full attention on the weekend when we're all together. But I also like the idea of time off just for me, you know? However, with a post scheduled for Monday morning, I'm invariably in front of the computer every Sunday night.

I love my crafts and my computer. I do. But I'm looking for a little more balance: on the one hand, making time for my family and me, and on the other hand, putting time into the work I love. I think the solution lies in my blog's posting schedule. If I shift my posting schedule by a day from Mon-Wed-Fri to Tues-Thurs-Sat then I just might be able to reclaim my Sunday night. For sure, it means tightening up my work habits a little - because I'll be losing those few hours on Sunday night - but I think it's totally do-able!



I'm going to give it a shot. Starting today, I'll be experimenting with a new posting schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays.

Why even have a bloggy posting schedule, you ask? I don't know... Because it works, I guess... My posting schedule isn't set in stone or the law or anything. It's not written down though I'm sure I've mentioned it to you before. No one coerces me to publish a post at a certain time (except for those little voices in my head maybe).  I do it for me. Having a posting schedule keeps me motivated and organized, something I've always wrestled with. It also gives me a framework to work within, and forces me to think ahead. After blogging willy-nilly for 8-1/2 months without a schedule, I realized that 3 posts/week, published consistently, was ideal for me. Once I implemented it, it made all the difference.

But you know what? There are no rules. I am in charge. I am the boss here. I've considered posting one day a week; I've considered two days a week. And you never know. The time may come when I make those kinds of changes. For now I'm pretty satisfied with my 3 posts per week.

Well you have a great day now. I'll be back here on Thursday!

Note: I made the mitts featured above using several thrifted fingering weight yarns, knitted two strands at a time. Again, I followed the Patons Canadiana Vintage Mitten Pattern #303 (same as mentioned here). These rainbowy concoctions are a gift for one of my girls. Sure hope she likes rainbow!

The Boy Learns to Knit

Have you noticed how cold it's suddenly gotten? Every year, just as the temperature drops, my hands start to itch. That's how I know it's mitten-making time. This year's no different. Just today for instance, I got started on a little grey pair for the Boy. And I aim to follow those up with some nice warm ones for my two sweet girls too.

What IS different this year is the Boy's sudden interest in the craft. While I was busy with his first mitt, he was busy peeking 'round my shoulder trying to follow the movement of the needle and the turn of the yarn. "Do you want to learn?" I asked real casual-like so as not to scare him off. His eyes widened and he retorted: "Ya. Do you have any red?" Silly question. O' course I have red. Red's his favourite colour and I have a few balls of it set aside precisely with him in mind.

Now, contrary to what you may believe, I am not a patient person. Normally I get annoyed and exasperated quick as a lightning bolt. Today however, I do declare that I exercised patience comparable to that of a saint during our little knitting session. And I must say - let this be a lesson to me - it paid off. That boy learned how to knit! Sure, he was tired after 3 rows or a grand total of 30 painfully laboured stitches and I'll probably have to re-teach him tomorrow, but he actually knitted!

Funny thing is that I had tried teaching him to knit last winter and it was an utter failure. He could not focus long enough to get through one stitch let alone 30. I think he may have been too young. He was only six at the time it's true. Or maybe it's that I was too impatient.

Today the timing was perfect. We were both ready.

He even announced his knitting success proudly to his father as he arrived home for the evening. That sure felt great. It made me feel like a good mom. You know?

Well you have a fabulous day now, take it easy and I'll see you soon.

♥M

Edited to add: A reader asked which mitten pattern I use. Here's a link. I got the pattern for free ages ago and have used it since: Patons Canadiana Mitten Pattern #303. Enjoy!

Fabric Scrap Yarn Possibility #1

Okay.

Remember THIS fabric scrap yarn? I was wondering what to do with it. Remember? Okay. Well...

Fabric Scrap Yarn Possibility #1: Knit a vibrant scarf during long drives to visit the people you love!

To be honest, the scarf sheds quite a bit. But I think it might cease this delightfully colourful behaviour after washing. Maybe. I haven't actually tried washing it yet. I'll have to get back to you on that one...

And I thought the yarn might be tough to knit up, but it was not too bad at all. I mean it is exceedingly nubbly so the knitting experience is not without its challenges. BUT it was far better than I'd imagined. I cast on only 10 stitches, used sizable needles (8.0 mm/US 11) and a basic garter stitch so it knit up in a veritable flash!

Alrighty then. You have yourself a lovely day now, and I'll see you on Wednesday!

Must. Organize. Yarn.

Do you think?...

It's like a bomb hit it or something. It's like a tiny tornado touched down right there, right in the middle of my yarn basket, stayed for a while, laughed, turned, and then went on its merry way. It's like the kitchen after my husband makes dinner. It is a disaster zone. A bloody mess. A quagmire. It is chaos, my friend.

I think it's time to bring out the To Do list. TO DO: Organize the yarn basket. Organize the heck out of it. Divide, conquer, make storage containers, sew some bags, make a thingy for the needles, colour code, separate the wheat from the chaff. Do whatever it takes to get the mayhem that is my yarn basket under control.

Alright then. Here I go. Wish me luck.

TO BE CONTINUED...