The Elise Shawl

First project off the hook for 2014 is the Elise Shawl by Evan Plevinski.

I used Noro Kureyon Sock yarn because I thought the colours would work lovely with the shawl. The colours are lovely but the yarn was a disgrace. There were 5 separate knots in the skein and parts were so thick that I had to cut it out because it just looked ridiculous throughout the normal parts of the yarn. There were also organic fine stick pieces in places that made it feel like needle pricks. The yarn tangled heaps also winding back on itself every time a little more was unwound from the skein. It was really horrible and slow and annoying to work with. I usually love Noro yarn but now that I have come across a bad skein myself, I know why many people don't like it. The pattern was easy and quick to complete so overall this was a great project.

I love to crochet. It's fast, easy, relaxing and rhythmical. I don't seem to do much of it but that is mainly because many of the patterns are not to my liking but this is another crochet shawl that I love. It will get a lot of wear.

Cheers,
Lynda

2013

What a year that was! Ups and downs, life and death, good times, bad times, friendships rekindled, friendships lost, vacations, new careers... With a big family the list goes on and on!

My hubby realised a life long dream to work in Antarctica.

Shannon finished her nursing course. Ben in his quest for knowledge finished a Realestate course as well as working full time. He is back to university this year to add to his teaching degree. There has been lots of knitting projects, some completed, some not yet! Books! I read lots of books. My favourite this year was The Book Thief for no other reason than it demonstrates the power of the word and stories of the holocaust must be told. Can't wait to see the movie. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book and I love good quotes.

The year was very good to us as a family and I am grateful for that. Some of our friends were not so fortunate.

This is my mum's old button jar. When my sisters and I were small children and were ill or troubled mum would give us the button jar to play with. There was somehow a comfort in counting the buttons, separating them into colours or sets. It seemed so big to me when I was a small child. Now I am big and it's small. It's only an old honey jar with a rusty lid but I've treasured it always. On New Year's Eve I had the need to sort buttons. “Some Days There Won’t Be a Song in Your Heart. Sing Anyway” ~Emory Austin

Not to end the year on a bad note though! The best news we had for 2013 is the impending birth of my daughter's first child due in January, 2014! Gosh! My cup runneth over. We love this baby girl already and can't wait to welcome her into our family.

To all my family and friends I wish you a very happy, successful and bright New Year for 2014. I read some quotes recently that I am going to take with me into the new year and try to put them into fruition.

"The pages of yesterday cannot be revised but the pages of tomorrow are blank and you hold the pen. Make it an inspiring story."
"Take the time to listen to those things that speak without words."

Cheers,
Lynda