Over the last two days, we took down the Christmas tree and put away all of our decorations. We brought our daughter to the airport this morning so that she can begin her second semester at college. We are back to ordinary every day life.
I am trying to be positive–not dwell in the past, but I cannot help remembering when holiday break was just beginning and it was all ahead of us. If I could, I’d love to do it all over again. *sigh* Goodbyes and endings are sooo very hard for me. Do you find that too?
When I look back, though, I see that it was a productive holiday break. I knit some “to be worn by people” items: a cabled headband and a pair of socks for my daughter, and also a cowl for me. My daughter got bitten by the jewelry making bug. She made countless necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. My gold-filled chain is totally gone. I gave her free reign on my stash. I have so, so much!
My first pair (not just one) of socks was made for my daughter. She’s wearing them, for the second time, right now! It really and truly warms my heart! They were knit with Knit Picks Stroll Tweed in Garnet Heather. They fit her pretty well, however, even though I used a stretchy bind off the cuffs are still pulled to the maximum when putting them on. I need to research and find a stretchier bind off. I used the Russian Bind Off for this pair and made the stitches as loose as possible… or I thought I did. Any suggestions? Anyway, she loves them!
After frogging (rip it rip it 🙂 ) my first cowl with this lovely colored blue yarn, I made another on much smaller needles and used a broken rib pattern. I wanted a fitted looking cowl that sort of hugged my neck. This came out exactly as I had hoped. It is made with Knit Picks Shine worsted in the Clarity color. I used my new Hiya Hiya Sharps interchangeable circular needles in size 3, although I cast on and knit the first row on DPNs. I used a lace cast on (110 stitches) and bind off and the broken rib stitch for the entire cowl. I knit around and around until I used up almost the entire 100 grams of yarn.
Hmm, now that I’m looking at my quilt… I need to get some work done on that, don’t I?
And, I haven’t totally neglected my little girls. Gina, my Little Darling, is all cozy and rosy in her new pink ensemble. Her tights still need to be made, but look for this OOAK ensemble very soon. Just like us real people, she’s decked out in hand knitwear and accessories. Here’s a sneak peek of dear Gina.
Hope your having a lovely day, my friends. Thanks for visiting with me on this bittersweet day. I love your company!
❤
Cindy Rice Designs 
I found I learned to live with the goodbyes over time. It is hard though.
Perhaps try binding of with a larger needle…?
Gina is lovely 🙂 I would love to have a doll like her ❤ One day, maybe 🙂
Hello, Tracey. Yes, maybe binding off with a larger needle would help; I’ll try that next time, thank you.
It helps knowing that others, too, have a hard time with goodbyes. It’s all a part of life that we all need to figure out, isn’t it?
I hope you can have your own Little Darling someday. I must admit that even though they are merely a vinyl doll, their sweet faces do add beauty and a bit of joy to my life.
I hope you’re having a nice day today. ❤
Hi Cindy.
Lovely to catch up with your news. I to, have packed up my Christmas decorations until next year.
I have been busy with all of my craft work. I went back in to the doll studio and completed a Dianna Effner 12″ all porcelain “Johanna”, the little ballerina. Very happy with the result. I have also completed a german antique reproduction head which I painted with a modern touch, she is on a composition body and is abt 10″. I knitted her outfit from your pinafore and cardigan patterns. I am in the final stages of another head which will go on to a 12″ baby body. Her outfit is of a red spot silk faille dress with an embroidered white cardigan .
In winter this year we will be heading north to the sunshine for abt 3months. I have been busy making my yarn dolls, teapot cosies, crocheted and knitted top, hand towels which will be sold at my market stall where we will be staying . And to top it off I am crocheting a lambswool knee rug for my 97yr old stepmother who is in aged care and can no longer walk. Hope it will keep her warm in the winter.
The weather has been kinder to us this past couple of days with a cooler front coming through. Got out in the garden while I could as the heatwave conditions return later this week.
Take care Cindy and I hope you have a lovely week.
Wendy🌷
Hi, Wendy, and thank you! I didn’t realize you created porcelain dolls! How wonderful to be able to bring such beauties to life! It sounds like you are so very busy with other crafts, too, and doing it all while traveling to other parts. You are amazing!
I am sure your stepmom will love her knee rug. Is that like a lap quilt? I remember my great grandmother, who had arthritis, kept her legs warm with a small quilt draped over her legs.
Glad you are enjoying a bit of cooler weather. Wish I could blow some of our cold air over to you—we’ve got plenty to spare. Have a great day, Wendy. ❤
Cindy my knee rug can also be called a lap rug. While my stepmother is out of bed and in her special chair during the day she can drape it over her kneess for the added warmth.🙂
Oh, I forgot to mention little Gina. I love her outfit. It is beautiful. 🙂
Love all of your new knitting projects especially the outfit for the lovely Gina. Those capes are the best! This will be perfect for Valentine’s Day coming very soon.
How is your pup? And the resident outside kitties? I’m sure their care will help to dispel the fact of the missing daughter who is in her second year already. Amazing how quickly they grow. Our daughter, now 36 has three little ones and it seems just like yesterday that we were hauling her and tons of stuff off to college. Isn’t life interesting. Enjoy those breaks though. 🙂
Hello, Joy, and thank you! Valentine’s Day is already right around the corner! Unbelievable!
My little chihuahua is doing fine, although he doesn’t appreciate the cold weather at all. He’s got plenty of blankets to keep him warm indoors, but the potty breaks aren’t fun for him. Morris and Miss Feral are keeping warm and well fed. Morris is really getting comfortable with us. He’s a very friendly cat, but will not come inside.
It is amazing how quickly our “babies” grow up. You are probably amazed at how quickly your grandchildren are growing up. It all goes so fast! We cannot hold onto time as much we try. Life IS interesting; it’s always filled with new things!
Enjoy your day, Joy! ❤
You have golden hands. The little doll must be very proud of her new attire. So beautiful!
Thank you, Cristina. Yes, Gina is very happy and warm in her new outfit. ❤
Cindy, I don’t know if you ever get “used” to saying good bye to your child. My dd lives in NYC and I try extremely hard not to cry in front of her when she goes back. When we left her the first time at college, I cried so long and hard that I cried myself to sleep! She even said to me, “I can’t believe you’re crying! You knew this day was coming!”
I think you are right. It doesn’t seem to get any easier for me; I am simply learning how to deal with it better. I share your pain; that first time was gut wrenching. It’s hard being a mom!
Hi Cindy. I would like to share with you the dolls I told you about, that I created. My Dianna Effner full porcelain doll, Johanna, and my modern look to a german antique reproduction. Both have painted eyes. And from your inspiration, the knitted garments. Wendyð·
Please do, Wendy. I’ll email you so you can send that way. Thank you!
Hi Cindy, it is so hard for us in these early to mid days of January . Putting the festive stuff away and just having the bleakness of winter is not easy. I feel for you having to return your daughter to the airport and back to her college life. I always get tears and a lump in my throat when I part from family members for an extended period. It will be great knowing your daughter will be warm in the socks you knitted her. She will feel the warmth of your love. I really like the pattern on the cowl you knitted! I love Gina’s dress from the sneak peek , cant wait to se e it all , the knitwear is fabulous . Have a great day, stay warm , sending hugs your way, Terri xo.
Hi, Terri. Our struggles don’t seem so huge when we know others are going through the same feelings. Thank you for sharing. And, thank you for your words of encouragement, happiness, and joy. They mean a lot! Sending YOU a hug also, Terri! ❤