Why do I knit, crochet, sew, embroider?

Despite all my great resolutions, I haven't posted for over a year. It has been a very eventful time for our family, with many difficult challenges. Although I haven't posted, I have continued with my fiber crafts. I wanted to share some of the reasons I spend my time in these pursuits.

Ribbed Bed Socks

Haruni lace shawl

I tend to give away most of my knitted and crocheted items. When I complete a project, it gives me a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.

I hope that the item will be a source of comfort or even joy to the recipient, whether it is a plain pair of ribbed bed socks for my grandson, or a delicate lace shawl for a sister-in-law.

Having several "take along" projects with me
whenever I leave home is essential. (I need more than one in case I run into problems) These are usually fairly simple, even mindless knit or crochet projects. There are so many times and places where my handcraft stops me getting impatient - waiting for appointments, being a passenger in the car, long plane trips.

My "take alongs" are helpful in keeping my mind and hands occupied under stressful conditions. Again, I usually can't cope with anything complex when I am anxious. 

My design knit baby cardi and hat

  

I enjoy variety in my hand crafts, but the last few years, my sewing is mostly utilitarian. I make curtains, sheets, blankets and flags for the centre - metres and metres of straight sewing. However, it save a lot of money compared with buying ready made. I also mend and alter clothing, which again saves money.

Sue Box machine embroidery baby wrap

My main creative sewing is making machine embroidered baby wraps. I intend to spend more time with my machine this year.

With fiber crafts, there is so much to learn, and so many avenues to explore. I rarely knit, crochet or sew exactly according to the pattern. Sometimes this leads to disaster, but fiber is forgiving, and most projects can be salvaged, after they have spent enough time in the dark cupboard, out of sight.

My design, crochet baby cardi

One day, I mean to write up my original patterns. Meanwhile, I enjoy being creative.

My design, knit baby dress

Finishing Frenzy

I decided to make an effort this year to finish up some of my long term ufo's. It is hard to change from being a Ufo'er extraordinaire, but I did a count and the total was huge. I have just posted some more finished  projects to my Ravelry page, and the finished total so far is 8  knitted projects, and one crocheted edge. The lace rib socks were my only new project.

Although this was a simple pattern, it seemed to take forever to knit, but I did eventually finish them.

The oldest project was the diamond lace baby cardi. I think this started as a trial for a baby shawl, so it has been languishing for maybe seven years. I decided to turn it into a cardi.

Not sure what I will do with it. I know several expectant mums, so I guess it will find a home.

 It has garter stitch borders, which I don't do 

any more as I find they always curl. I now tend

to do seed stitch instead.

This year is busier than ever at work. We have all sorts of regulatory changes, and Quality Accreditation to put into place. We used to have a very difficult quality system before, but they have now changed it all again. In addition, I will be teaching in the kindergarten from next term. I am looking forward to it, but it will be on top of all my other work, so I think most of my knitting will be fairly easy. My main knitting time is in the car to and from work (DH drives)

Many of my other UFO's are quite complicated, and /or I have messed up and need to take time to sort them out. They mostly need concentration, and are not "Take along knits". Oh well, I will try to rescue some of them from the dark cupboard.