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Creating Knitting

First Flowers, Knitting & Anticipating Spring

I planted crocuses because I knew I needed to see the first flowers of spring as soon as possible. Whether the winter is especially cold or mostly mild and rainy, it always feels like a long time from the last flowers of fall. Here are the first crocuses of the year in my back yard.

I noticed them as I was clearing out two of my flower beds and my rain garden. I was unsure about whether I just wanted to leave the rain garden alone, but I was happy I cleared it out because I see some green popping up there too! Just a few weeks ago, the rain garden was iced over and there’s no guarantee it won’t ice over again. It’s nice to see some green anyway.


This upcoming week is my college’s spring break. By this time every semester, I am exhausted. I have been counting down the weeks and I feel like I have barely made it to this break. I usually have both planning and grading to catch up on. I always think I’ll have enough time to clean the house; I’m lucky to get all the dishes done and the stove wiped down.

I always have a good break though: lots of napping, walks with the dogs, and time to knit.

This semester, though, I am planning on taking spring break with the K-8 school at which I’m volunteering. It’s in two weeks and there’s no doubt I can make it until then. It’s possible I could survive even longer without a break. I’m much more relaxed than I am when I’m teaching full time.

I’m a bit nervous I’m not getting enough done on my sabbatical plan, and I’ve been taking my teaching at the K-8 school so seriously that I stress myself out. Nevertheless, I notice myself joking around with my husband more than usual, and I have had much more time to knit. In short, the pace of my sabbatical is great for me.


I’ve been working on a variety of yarn projects. I used a sock yarn and size 5 needles to make a small dice bag for my husband. I rarely knit with yarn and needles so small, so that was kind of fun. The bag turned out a bit too small, though, so I started a bag with worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles–sizes I use way more often. The bag is about double the size with the same number of stitches (60 around), so you can tell what a difference materials make.


I also finished this cute scarf. I used these colors for a shawl I knit a few months ago. I had quite a bit of yarn left over and I’d been eyeing the double cable scarf pattern for a bit, so I gave it a try. I’m really happy with how it turned out.


Finally, I have started crocheting a virus shawl with a ton of soft yarns I have— Red Heart Soft and Caron Simply Soft. I rarely crochet and I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to do something so complex, but the tutorials have been really useful. There’s no guarantee I won’t mess up as I keep going, but I think I understand the pattern well enough that I won’t get way off track. The only downside to crocheting is that I need to sit in front of the computer to follow the tutorials. I will print off the pattern this week and see if I can let go of the tutorials and just follow the chart.

Start of Virus Shawl

I used to always say that my favorite season was summer, which is partially because I have so much time off of work to enjoy it. When work is lighter, though, like it is this semester, I have to admit that spring is my favorite. I love to see the smallest leaves just starting on trees and bushes. The warmer weather that’s not too hot also allows for some great hiking. I love seeing my dogs soak in the warm spring sun without getting overheated.

I hope all of you in the northern hemisphere are enjoying the longer, warmer days too!

Peace Out (and In),

Julie

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6 COMMENTS

  • Jeanette Roberts

    Posts like this one definitely help me feel the peace in. The pix, reflections on work and not work, expansion of loving spring, walks with poochies, and creativity in your yarn arts are all evidence of a sabbatical well spent.

  • Lisa

    Your crocheting is lovely! You are indeed a woman of many talents!

    • Julie
      AUTHOR

      Thanks Miss Lisa!

  • Deb Snyder

    So enjoy your posts! I don’t have any crocuses coming up yet. I enjoyed seeing yours. Your knitting is very creative!

    • Julie
      AUTHOR

      Maybe your town is colder than mine. 🙂 I hope you get those crocuses soon!

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