KnottyMinds: The Extent of the Summer Knitting

Last Friday I completed a summer course in Physics. The class itself was not a stretch for me, but the summer opportunities were killing me. There were parks to go to and ice cream to be eaten. Mostly though, there were two children to play with and watch attentively.

Unfortunately, with my summer’s goals in mind, watching them sporadically had to suffice. I feel like I missed so much. Every morning when I woke up, I thought they would be completely grown when they entered my room to say “good morning”. Every time I look away, they have each acquired a new skill or word (not always good ones, either). With Thing 1’s kindergarten entry imminent, I am missing them already.

Every garment that I knit marks a place and time in my life. In this summer of short attention spans and to-do lists, the stitches mark particularly bittersweet memories. The knitting has been scarce, but the items that I have gained feel heavy with days.

Among the few completed projects that I can claim this summer is this lovely tank/sleeveless tee*^ from Grumperina's Tivoli pattern. It does not accentuate my best features, but it is flattering in some ways, comfortable to wear, and it holds memories that I could not bear to part with. Note the look of mixed emotions. Just from first glance, you could probably catch love and sadness and a whole lot of exasperation. Do not pay any attention to the dirty kitchen.

*Unblocked of course, I mean, really, who has time for that shit?
^Obligatory pattern notes:
size: smallest
yarn: Debbie Bliss Cathay. I really liked this yarn, and I loathe working with cottons. I think that the blend of silk and what-have-you helped my gauge become almost tolerable. And for all that, I won't have to wear a wool tee shirt in the summer. Yea, me.
pattern adjustments: I knit a few extra inches of waist length before I began to knit the hip shaping. I am a long waisted girl, and this pattern is better for normal-waisted ones. This, of course, is a terribly easy adjustment, as the garment can be tried on as it is knit. Do the benefits of a top down (or toe-up) garment never cease?
overall: very fun, I love it, and it was a FREE pattern. Go check it out.