Habituated

So, things have settled down round here. Sorry, bad pun. Thanks for all the thoughtful comments from the last post. It is amazing what support we can all give each other, even in times of just a little need. Claroux said, NJ gets nothing in the way of natural events, so there might be a place to go to get away from it all. Right?

Anyway, the week has allowed me some time to finish a few projects. The kimonos I mentioned previously have been finished and are quite cute, if I do say so. I actually say so because I was worried initially.

I bought the fabric on close out for the purpose of the kimonos, but when I cut it up, it all looked a little off. Like the pattern would not carry the pattern well. But I was pleased once the binding was sewn.

The boys hate them. At least hate donning them. It was like I was burning them while I dressed them, the drama before the photo shoot does not show in the pictures. I think it has something to do with the ties? Don't really know.

A few little points to mention.


- The double ties are a bit of a challenge at this age. The shirts almost came off during park play, which is okay because their bellies are kinda' cute. I might replace the inner ties with a snap and leave the outer. It might make the 'burning' part of dressing a little less intense.

-I modified the pattern size a bit (because I only had 1/2 yard of each fabric). I would suggest you follow the recommended sizes. These were the 18 month, but they will be out of them soon. Due to my cheapness over anything else.

-This is a great 'first time sewing a shirt' pattern. Excellent tutorial, her pictures are so inspiring, and it is all straight seams, except for the binding, which is fun and good practice. Her blog is also lovely and it looks like she may be putting more patterns forth soon.

One of my Mama friends asked me how I craft so much with so many other things going on. I thought about this a bit and realized sometimes I do not feel like I craft enough. Especially in comparison to some other Mama bloggers. But then I gathered the bits and pieces up and realized I have accomplished a good amount. But it is a gradual process. The kimonos have been in action for weeks. I will usually choose a project and then think about it. And visualize it; during breaks, during nap time when I am immobilized by a sleeping boy who will not go back down without me, right before I drift off to sleep. I just keep visualizing it. And then I do each step, one at a time. Measure, leave it. Cut, leave it. Sew a seam, leave it. Until it all comes together. No superhero here, just paced piecing.

Having these boys has taught me so much. I used to take all of that free time for granted. I used to go and go and very rarely reflect on stuff. Writing here has helped with that reflection too. But I have learned to be still at times, to breathe a little deeper and slower and to not always race to the next thing.

I gathered up these knits tonight after taking some pictures of a knitted project that is finally complete. I was struck by their beauty, stacked together. I was struck by the fact that I made them. And how much I loved the making. The joy I find in the process, as much as the end result. I loved the feel of the knitted softness under my fingertips. The unique spring knitting has when handled (alright, alright, fondled). As I went through the steps to wash and press and lay out the lace I finished, I realized just how much I love this craft.

But I was also struck by the fact that last year at this time I despaired of ever knitting again, ever having the time to craft, to rest through this medium, to be ME. I recall the feeling so vividly, and now, looking at this pile,

I realize I cannot change the way I felt then, but all those projects lined up on my chalk board, in my Ravelry queue, in my head. Well, they will come to fruition. In due time. And I do not have to be impatient with that. Rather embrace the luxury of every stitch and seam....as I first embrace every moment of my growing boys' days.