Dr Seuss said “How did it get so late so soon?” and that my dear readers, sums up my feelings about this year so far. I cannot name a single thing that is on track so far, I feel behind on everything I’m trying to do – Joe finally arrived home from out west after three weeks away, and I was so looking forward to being back on track when he came down with norovirus. (I refuse to capitalize it to make my lack of respect clear.) I’m barely over the last thing I had so I have washed my hands until they’re sandpaper and mopped down the bathroom 87 times a day and slept in another room while muttering “not today Satan” under my breath and so far, so good. He’s well on the mend now so I feel like I might have dodged it, but honestly it’s enough of a mess over here that I this week I’m going to have to drop a few plans out of my queue and prioritize only the things that really matter. Case in point, I have completely let go of any plan to clean anything and am knitting this baby blanket like it’s a job. (Well, except for my jobs and setting up the Spring Retreat, there’s one or two spots left I think if you want to hang out IRL.)
I have two baby blankets to knit in the next little bit and if I had my way I’d be on the final edging for the second one, rather than starting the second border. (I have half a mind to let all the parents know what I think of babies that arrive back to back and so soon after Christmas, but I like babies too much to complain properly or with any kind of heart. This one’s for friends of ours and the next for my niece – no more grandbabies yet.) I’ve knit the centre and a garter border, then a little border and the first big one – today I start the second big border and garter section, then there’s a little one and another garter section and then bingo, I start the edging.
It never ceases to surprise me how slowly this part goes. It seems like it should be so fast – the part I just completed is only 12cm deep and holding the work in my hands it’s pretty demoralizing that it took days, but really, each round went all the way, well… round, and that means that I added 12cm on each side, for a total of 48cm knit, and that means the blanket is now almost a half metre bigger and that’s a load of knitting and no surprise that it took a few days. Ellie is here for the weekend and although he’s a knitter he doesn’t want to spend hours and hours and hours at it, so we will see how far I get. (Abigail is here this evening and her focus in the area of the textile arts is pulling needles out of knitting, so I can’t imagine I’ll make good time then either.)
When I’m not working on the blanket, I’m working on my Self-Imposed-Sock-Club. The plan is 10 rounds a day on each sock each day- and last year that churned out 12 pairs of socks quite handily. I bagged up 12 patterns I want to knit and 12 skeins of yarn that I want to use and matched them up, stuck them in brown paper bags stapled them shut, mixed them around so I don’t know what’s in what bag, and put them on a shelf in my office. (I then instantaneously forgot what was in the bags, thus making it ridiculous that I’d mixed them up to try and fool myself.) The idea is that I pull down a bag each month but I got a late start in January and the rest of the month was on fire and there’s this big blanket and …
I’m not done yet. I need to knit the toes on these, and then go back and put in the heels. It’s a forethought heel, I put a little waste yarn in where the heel goes, and I’ll pull that out, collect the stitches and bob’s yer uncle. Sounds fast, right? We’ll see how quickly I get there – It’s pretty motivating to think about what might be in the next bag I pull down and I can’t do that until I finish these – I wonder if this is less fun if you have the kind of memory that would let you have any idea whatsoever what is in those bags- my memory being what it is means that the SISC (Self Imposed Sock Club) is a complete mystery and a surprise, just like it was being mailed to me every month.
Off I go. Someone has to knit those toes – and hide my knitting from Abigail. (Let me know if it’s you. I’ll work on the blanket.)
I would happily knit your toes, in exchange for a pot of tea. I’ll even bring the tea, you just have to make it. Would you like a standard round toe, a star toe, a wedge?
So sorry to hear about the horrible norovirus. Had that once when my kids were little and that was pretty tough! Your baby blankets are always lovely; I hope we get to see the results in good time!
So nice to see a blog post. I have deleted my Instagram account so am especially happy you are still writing posts.
Thanks for this amazing content! It’s been a great help to me.
Best wishes to Joe on his recovery and you on your avoiding the germs. Those babies are going to be wrapped in so much love!
You are so eloquent! I do so enjoy your IG posts but I have missed your words. Speaking for a troubled American that didn’t vote for our current administration, I appreciate the presence of your steadfastness. Looking for joy wherever I can in the midst of uncertainty and despair..
After three weeks out west, Joe should feel right at home amongst the dust bison.
My husband thought it was a good idea to have norovirus (or something similarly gross) for NYE, so I’m sympathetic. I too opted to sleep in the guest room and managed to dodge that bullet. Still slows ya down just knowing the germs are in the house. Glad you have not succumbed.
Love the socks. I’m doomed to wearing compression socks (thanks veins), so I knit socks I can’t wear. Keep thinking I should switch to mittens, but heel flaps are magic and thumbs are, well, not. I enjoy watching your SISC progress. Carry on.
Some Wonderful and lovely “Tariff Free” Knitting!!
Hope Joe is well soon & you don’t get sick! Keep choosing the next right thing & let the rest go. Enjoy your grand kids & hide your needles from the youngest, especially around your beautiful blankets with all those exquisite stitches!
I’m sooo happy you blogged!
A blog post! Joy!!! Pictures are fun but I love the words.
I was the only one of four not to get the Christmas noro this year. My hands were raw, but I was so happy not to get it!
Thank you for sharing good times and not such good times. Life, health and yarn challenges with us all. I read some of my own in them too (although a monogamous knitter I am not). I enjoy your Instagram posts but love a longer read or is that just how it feels, I’m not sure. As day breaks here in the UK, Thank you again for setting up my day in a special way x
Glad you are healthy and Joe’s on the mend. Enjoy those kiddos, knitting can wait while they are small. It will be there later.
So good to see your post! Sending positive healthy vibes to your household. I’d offer to do the toes on those socks, but then I’d (likely) not give them back.
Thanks so much for the blog post. And please don’t be too hard on yourself for not hitting the mileposts right on time. Sickness can really set you back and slow you down.
I’ve never knit so much in my life, leaving all but the most necessary tasks while I try to calm myself by knitting and watching mindless shows in between consuming the news with tears running down my face (can you tell I am a citizen of the USA?).
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the germs don’t get you or anyone else (I live in fear of stomach viruses at this time of year). I think you need to give yourself a little break about not being productive — it’s been a rough start to the year!
i’m so sorry there’s yet another illness in your family but at least here is a thought that should cheer up you and indeed people from a great many countries around the world–at least you don’t live in the US right now. These days we are grasping at anything that can brighten our day even just a little and for me, today, that was your blog entry. Thank you. Seriously.
What she said.
Twice.
3rd time.
What are your jobs these days?
I have experience as a grandma… would always bake cookies with the grands (pouch cookie mix was always in the cabinet when they were toddlers… i introduced recipies when they hit preschool age). I’ll also knit the toes….
Aww, poor Joe! Not a great homecoming. Glad you’re feeling better and fingers crossed that the norovirus doesn’t get you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing!
I really enjoyed your instagram posts, but recently left social media for a lot of reasons, but always check your blog each day. I was pleasantly surprised to see your blog post today! YIPPEE!
I’m so sorry Joe has the dreaded noro, but so happy you have avoided yet another virus. I hope you continue to post on the blog regularly again! Wishing you calm and happiness!
I love the blog! Are you thinking about migrating to Bluesky?!I think I saw a place holder there for you.
Just as a side note, everytime I see the word Bluesky I pronounce it in my head as “Blueskee” as if it were a Russian name.
It’s good to see you blogging a bit more, but shouldn’t you be knitting? Those babies aren’t going to wait, and February’s nearly half over! (Joe: Feel better soon. You’ve got dust bison to herd!)
I do hope that you don’t get the evil norovirus! Best of luck to Joe!
That blanket looks just beautiful so far. The yarn is such a creamy shade of white, it’s practically buttery! I’d love to hear about the various stitch patterns once you’ve finished and blocked it.
I love your blanket and the socks are as usual impeccable. Glad you have avoided the dreaded noro ( so much nicer when that means a delicious Japanese yarn). And I have really enjoyed your blog posts. I just ordered the dreaded black yarn for a hat for my husband who has lost his previous one!
Good to hear from you. Always a welcome joy!
You’re in good conpany! I have recently reached the age where I would forget what is in the bags.
It’s always so good to read your blog. Happy Valentine’s Day. I’m in Quebec, Canada, and we are snowed in, but I love having an excuse to…. knit….
I’m so glad I saw this post today, as I try to recover from a flu bug that invaded our home…my husband is a teacher and he also is also in recovery mode. (Those darling Petrie dish kids are most likely to blame!)
I see the retreat line up is ready! I’m hooking up with my pals to see who is attending.
Thank you Stephanie for the heads up, and hope for healthy days for you too!
It’s such a gift to see you blogging again. I’ve been very slowly reading your past blogs trying to catch up. I hadn’t checked to see if there were new posts until today and what a delight to see THERE WERE 3! Welcome back.❤️
Hope you are feeling better – get well soon!
You are saving my life – I am off billionaire oligarchy platforms – and it was so nice to come here and read this. I don’t knit but I am so interested in your compilation of knitting and babies and their blankets and biking to make people’s lives better.
Like others, I’m off IG now. So nice to see your blog still kicking! Hope you feel strong and healthy very soon.
Hang in there! Life throws curveballs, just like trying to navigate a tricky level in Geometry Dash. Prioritizing what’s essential is key. Knitting the baby blanket sounds like a therapeutic escape. Hope things smooth out soon and you can get back on track.
I just finished a Pretty Thing with our cashmere yarn. Would love to talk more about patterns with our cashmere. The blanket looks beautiful ! – Christine
I’ve tried similar “surprise yourself” systems for my creative projects, just like what I recently did for https://nezha2048.com, a simple online game I’ve been tinkering with. I created these little digital “mystery boxes” of features to implement each week, and then completely forgot what I put in them too! There’s something so delightful about setting up these little surprises for yourself, only to have your brain immediately wipe the information.
Speaking of creative pursuits that require dedication, I’ve always found interesting parallels between knitting and playing musical instruments. Both require patience, practice, and produce something beautiful. I made a little site for finding a proper [keyboard piano](https://keyboardpianopro.com) for beginners and experienced players alike. The rhythmic nature of knitting reminds me of how pianists develop muscle memory through repetition, much like you’ve developed with your sock knitting routine of “10 rounds a day.”
So nice to see blog post! I hope we get to see the results in good time! Geometry Arrow
Take your gaming skills to the next level with our exclusive codes and helpful guides! Master free online games, unlock hidden content, and dominate the competition with ease. Ready to become a pro? Start now!
Geometry Dash is truly addictive! The rhythm and challenge keep me from stopping!
Just played baseball bros io and it’s so much fun! The competitive multiplayer and simple controls make it addictive. Perfect for quick gaming sessions with friends!
What lovely socks, and the blanket looks great too (I don’t know how you have the patience). I do love reading your blog posts – any day on which a new one arrives feels extra special!
Oh, this post just wraps you up like a warm hug! The way she’s knitting through life’s chaos—baby blankets, socks, and dodging norovirus—feels so real and endearing. You can almost hear her laughing through the mess. Love it!
It’s like a Cher song” captures nostalgia and drama in a powerful melody. Whether it’s a heartfelt ballad or an upbeat anthem, it lingers in your mind. Need help with refunds? Wondering, “¿Cómo Devolucion IGV?“ Find the process and steps to claim it smoothly!
Haha, I totally get that feeling of being behind on everything! The baby blanket saga sounds intense, but the sock club idea is genius! Gotta try that sometime.
The Retro Bowl game reached unprecedented levels in September 2021 with the launch of a new edition replete with enhancements.
Knitting adventures can be as challenging as a round of Block Blast , where each stitch is like strategically placing blocks to create something beautiful. The writer’s detailed journey through sock projects and baby blankets reveals a creative process that requires patience and dedication. Just like mastering Block Blast takes time and practice, knitting demands consistent effort and focus. Her self-imposed sock club sounds like a fun way to stay motivated, similar to how gamers stay engaged with puzzle challenges.
Guess AI has found out how to post on blogs. Hope my post doesn’t add to the garbage posts. Been hanging out with grands on and off this year and sort of wondered if there was space in the spring retreat. However life made changes in my availability so no go for me. I know I would have enjoyed seeing everyone again.
Now ready to unload a house in Nebraska and acquire a house in the PNW. Closer to Canada and the retreat location and I get to see grandchildren daily. Looking forward to seeing folks in November if it doesn’t get cancelled due to the Orange-Felon’s stupidity.
Hoping everyone is staying healthy now that spring is here in the northern hemisphere. Hugs and take care of you.
Haha, I totally get that feeling of being behind on everything! The baby blanket sounds like a massive undertaking, but the sock club idea is brilliant! Keep on knitting!
Featuring graphics that are state-of-the-art, designs that are retro and pixelated, and sound effects that are exciting, melon sandbox provides a fully immersive experience. Each interaction is fluid and fascinating, enabling you to lose yourself in a world where creativity and chaos coexist calmly.
History Spot isn’t just a text‑based history resource—it’s a fully browser‑based hub combining educational content with casual and quiz‑based games, all playable for free online without downloads. Whether you’re stacking blocks, answering crossword questions, or diving into multiplayer fun, it’s all part of a strategy to make history interactive and accessible.
What is Level Devil?
A rage-platformer crafted by developer Unept, debuting online in late 2023/early 2024 and later launched on Steam on March.
.
The aim is simple: reach the door at the end, but every level hides sudden trap mechanics—vanishing floors, surprise spikes, moving ceilings—designed to “troll” the player
Level Devil is a clever browser/Steam platformer that leverages mid-level surprises and traps to elicit laughs, not anger. It’s polished, charming, replayable, and balances challenge with a playful spirit. Its strong community reception, humor-forward design, and local multiplayer mode make it a standout among browser platformers.
The article you shared is great. Take a rest in your free time, try Unblocked Games. It will help you reduce stress, fill you with energy, and instantly awaken your spirit.
Oh my goodness, I feel this so deeply — the whole “How did it get so late so soon?” vibe is real. It sounds like the universe is really testing your patience with one thing after another, and honestly the fact that you’re keeping your sense of humor (and muttering “not today Satan”) deserves a medal on its own. I’m glad Joe is on the mend and that you seem to have dodged the worst of it — norovirus is no joke.
I love the idea of prioritizing only what matters and letting the rest slide — baby blanket knitting as a “job” feels both practical and therapeutic. You’re making something tangible and meaningful, which has a way of steadying things when everything else feels out of control. Plus, babies wait for no one, and those little humans have a real knack for showing up back-to-back!
Your Self-Imposed Sock Club sounds genius, like a mix of discipline and mystery grab-bag fun. I actually laughed at your “instantly forgot what was in the bags” bit — that’s me with almost everything. The fact that you get both motivation and surprise out of it makes it brilliant, and I’m rooting for you to power through those toes and heels so you can see what’s next in line.
Here’s to finishing blankets, conquering sock toes, keeping knitting needles out of Abigail’s reach, and finding just enough breathing room to enjoy the craft even in the chaos. You’ve got this!
Would you like me to give you a little motivational “knitting progress tracker” idea you could use to keep momentum with both the blanket and socks?
YtVidDownloader.com Download YouTube Videos to MP4, HD, MP3 for free. No registration or software installation needed for fast downloads.
Plants vs Brainrot Script boost your games experience
want to find more 99 nights scripts? try 99nightsintheforest-script.com
I found a free tool hub to submit, try ganfanmao.com is A platform for discovering and submitting innovative projects. Free to submit
What makes Daman Game Club different is the sense of community. You can connect, compete, and share your gaming journey with others. The rewards system is fair and keeps you motivated. If you’re into strategy or skill-based games, this club is worth exploring!
Reading this article made me realize how interesting the Lucknow game actually is. The way you explained its concept and provided step-by-step insights shows your deep understanding of the topic. The focus on observation and patience gives players the right mindset before they start.
What makes Daman Game Club different is the sense of community. You can connect, compete, and share your gaming journey with others. The rewards system is fair and keeps you motivated. If you’re into strategy or skill-based games, this club is worth exploring!
I can totally relate to your “not today Satan” approach! Norovirus aside, your knitting dedication is inspiring. That blanket is going to be beautiful, and I love how you break down each border — makes me feel like I’m knitting along with you.
Wow, your Self-Imposed Sock Club is such a fun idea! I love that you make it a surprise every month — it’s like opening a little present for yourself while staying motivated. And the blanket updates are so detailed, it really shows how much effort goes into every stitch.
I laughed at your bit about babies arriving “back to back” — I get it! But your honesty mixed with all this knitting joy is such a delight to read. I hope you get some uninterrupted time to finish that border soon!
I love the way you write about the mechanics of knitting — the math of 12cm rounds and total 48cm added — it’s oddly satisfying! Also, hiding your knitting from Abigail made me chuckle; I know that struggle all too well in my own house.
I feel your pain with the endless borders! It’s amazing how 12cm can feel like a marathon. Sending you virtual coffee and good knitting vibes — you’ve got this!
Haha, the Self-Imposed Sock Club is genius. I might steal this idea — the mystery factor makes knitting feel like a game. Can’t wait to hear what’s in your next bag!
Your description of washing hands until they’re sandpaper made me laugh — totally relate. That’s dedication! And yet, somehow you’re still making progress on that blanket. Respect.
I laughed out loud at your Abigail knitting sabotage comment — it sounds like every knitter has a little chaos agent at home. Good luck hiding those needles!
It sounds like you’ve been through a tough time. I completely understand the struggle of feeling overwhelmed. When I faced similar challenges, I turned to Geometry Dash. It’s a fun way to take a break while sharpening my focus and creativity. Plus, the vibrant community and endless level creations can really lift your spirits. Best of luck managing everything!
check the new game https://raiseanimalsroblox.com/
norovirus on top of everything is just brutal! Your ‘not today Satan’ attitude is fantastic. It’s so smart to re-prioritize and get things back in alignment.
What a wonderfully honest and cozy update — your knitting journey feels like a warm embrace in the middle of chaos. If you ever want to bring this kind of heartfelt creativity to a book, Book Cover Design Services can help reflect that spirit in the perfect cover.
BASEBALL 9 is an exciting, realistic sports game about baseball. Become the manager of a professional baseball team and lead your team to victory, competing in higher-level tournaments.
I really felt that “How did it get so late so soon?” energy — the way you admit everything’s off-track, then calmly decide what actually matters, is weirdly comforting. Also, “not today Satan” made me laugh out loud in pure recognition.
That little bit of knitting math (12cm each side = 48cm per round) was such a satisfying reality check — it instantly reframed the “why is this so slow?” feeling. I love how you make the process visible without making it feel like a tutorial.
The Self-Imposed Sock Club setup is genius — pairing 12 patterns with 12 skeins, stapling them into mystery bags, and then immediately forgetting what’s inside is peak creativity-meets-real-life. It’s such a good way to keep momentum when everything else is chaos.
I’m obsessed with the forethought heel bit — “waste yarn, pull it out, bob’s yer uncle” is exactly the kind of confident shorthand that makes knitting feel approachable. And those Space Wizard stripes look so fun while still feeling wearable.
The way you talk about letting go of cleaning plans and just knitting the baby blanket “like it’s a job” hit home in the best way. There’s something very grounding about choosing one meaningful thing and giving it your full attention when everything else feels noisy.
I loved the honesty around borders feeling endless — that moment where 12cm feels tiny until you remember it’s 48cm of actual knitting is so relatable. You managed to turn frustration into perspective without preaching, which is a real gift.
That title is perfect! It really nails the feeling when life gets chaotic and you wish you could reset. Your norovirus saga sounds exhausting, but good on you for prioritizing that baby blanket over cleaning. Sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed to stay afloat!
Ugh, what a year so far! I totally get wanting to drop everything and just knit. If only we could edit our real lives as easily as we edit photos! On that note, I’ve found a fantastic free ai image editor that lets you transform pics with text prompts, no Photoshop needed. So easy!
Oh man, I totally get the ‘how did it get so late so soon’ feeling! Norovirus after a long absence is just the worst. Your ‘not today Satan’ strategy and knitting that baby blanket instead of cleaning really resonated. Hope Joe’s fully recovered and you stay healthy!
The yarn is nicely knitted.Kadashika
Good luck keeping those needles safe from Abigail’s help tonight! I love that you’ve already managed to surprise yourself with your own mystery sock bags.