Monday, April 25, 2011

APRIL'S THIS 'N' THAT


Ever since I laid eyes on this lovely hat I have had it in my heart to knit it. There were some stitches involved that I had never tried before and although it seemed that I might be able to learn them, I wasn’t totally confident that I could do it. Some time back I tried what looked like a simple lace pattern – and I absolutely could not make MY handwork come anywhere close to looking like lace, so I gave up on that one. The worst part of it was that I had purchased a special yarn to do it in, yarn that I paid more for than I usually do. So this time I decided to use some of my excess yarns and not to worry about the colors. Just see if I could do it.

After a few fits and starts, I discovered that this edging was do-able, and today I have finished knitting the hat. Yes, my colors are pretty strange, a forest green hat with lavender edging. But that is what I had on hand for my trial run! I’m ready to tackle the big flower now, but that is going to necessitate buying longer needles because I have to start by casting on 220 stitches. I’ll finish this flower up – and if it turns out as well as the hat has, THEN I will by the yarn in the colors I want to use and have a go at it. So far I’m quite pleased with it. I don’t wear these hats; mostly I see if any of my little granddaughters or great-granddaughters want them, and if they don’t, then I give them to a local women’s shelter.

***
Yesterday we went to dinner at son and daughter-in-law Garry and Nancy’s house. Garry had offered to do the cooking and Nancy had set the table with the lovely china that my Jerry’s first wife had chosen when she and Jerry married. After she died and Jerry and I married, we used it whenever we entertained or had special family celebrations. Our dinner yesterday included our two adult granddaughters, Jill and Katie, and Jerry’s sister Judy. Seeing the china grace the table while we ate Garry's superb meal of brisket, potato pancakes with applesauce, tsimmes and green beans, with macaroon cookies and good coffee for a finale, made me rejoice that a second generation is using that china, and likely the girls when they get older will be the third generation to use it. As I have mentioned before, my own family didn’t have many traditions, so marrying into a family that has them was a lucky day for me.

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I am presently reading a book about Father Damien, the Catholic Priest who ministered to the lepers on Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands. Of course, I knew of him, but really knew nothing specific about him, so I’m finding this book exceptionally interesting. Such dedication. Such a calling. And such a sad ending.

***
And finally, a tiny political comment. Donald Trump for President? You’ve gotta’ be kidding!

3 comments:

marciamayo said...

Love the hat and actually like the color combination. I just might order the book you are reading.

Stacey said...

Grandma....when you are able to master the flower, Naomi-Hope would love to have one. I think the hats are adorable. :o)

Olga said...

Very nice hat. I like making hats because they are not too, too complicated and they make up quickly.
Some one put an awful picture in my head when i commented about The DOnald on my blog--a Trump-Palin ticket. NOOOOOOOOOOO