I talked to a friend last week who basically told me that ever since I moved, I have been a bad blogger. I hate to agree with her, but sadly, she is right. I haven’t posted as much, commented on posts, replied to my own comments, not knit as much, and just generally have not been as engaged. It is not because I don’t want to be, more because quite frankly, I have been a little overwhelmed by my life which sometimes causes me to shut down a bit in the areas that I can. Does this happen to anyone else? I feel like I am starting to shake out of it though–at very least the knitting has picked up.
As a catch up, here are some items I want to share with all of you:
I casted on for a new sweater…
A Tangled Yoke Cardigan swatch
It dawned on me that I bought a bunch of tweed when I was in Canada last year that is an exact match for Rowan Felted Tweed. I thought, why not test it out for one of my fav sweaters from the Fall IK. I swatched, I got gauge, I casted on. Yea! Of course, I am still working on Cherry. I finished the back and am half way up both the fronts. So knitting progress is being made.
My sewing. I was not able to finish the tote bag in class but the shell of it is done…
I sewed that! I feel so powerful. I guess I really need to buy a sewing machine now. At least I do if I ever want to finish this bag. And, there is the matter of some lounge pants…
I had no idea there were so many tall girls out there reading my blog. Thanks for all the amazing suggestions on where I can go to buy long inseams. Who knew I only needed to ask? And for the record, I also feel for all the short girls out there who have to hem every pair of pants they buy. It is just those average heighted girls that lead a charmed life. 
The following 30 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
tangled yolk is a lovely pattern. Your bag is good, I bought a cheap sewing machine to learn on but I just can’t find the time for another craft!
You’ve just been through a very big change so it’s no wonder you have down times. Life altering events can do that and it’s good to hear you’re starting to feel like you.
love the bag…so far. congrats on the newly acquired sewing skillz!
I feel like your knit-stalker. I have been planning to take a sewing class this fall for the first time, and I (along with half the internet) want to make the Tangled Yoke Cardigan, too.
And I’m with you on the tall-girl can-you-see-my-ankles-below-my-pants thing. I’m 5′10″.
To me, a community like this works when people give what they can when they can (hmm, am I justifying to myself here??).
Besides, we can all keep up with you thanks to Sandi and her camera…
I feel like your knit-stalker. I have been planning to take a sewing class this fall for the first time, and I (along with half the internet) want to make the Tangled Yoke Cardigan, too.
And I’m with you on the tall-girl can-you-see-my-ankles-below-my-pants thing. I’m 5′10″.
I only started blogging this summer and so haven’t had a major conflict with work yet. But today I head back to classes and I wonder if I’ll manage to post regularly. I really enjoy your blog and selfishly wish you’d post more often, but I think given a major move and a new job to adjust to, we can cut you a little slack
But weren’t you and your sister working on the Dollar and a Half Cardigan? Did you ever show the finished version? I’m getting ready to cast on for one so I’m curious to see how it turns out.
I feel like your knit-stalker. I have been planning to take a sewing class this fall for the first time, and I (along with half the internet) want to make the Tangled Yoke Cardigan, too.
And I’m with you on the tall-girl can-you-see-my-ankles-below-my-pants thing. I’m 5′10″.
I feel like your knit-stalker. I have been planning to take a sewing class this fall for the first time, and I (along with half the internet) want to make the Tangled Yoke Cardigan, too.
And I’m with you on the tall-girl can-you-see-my-ankles-below-my-pants thing. I’m 5′10″.
I can’t wait to see your progress on the tangled yoke cardigan. I hope to make it some time in the near future as well!
Good luck with your lounge pants…I’m 5′10″ and feel your pain. I have a sister who is 6′3″…I think she’s given up on ever finding a nice pair of lounge pants.
Margene is absolutely right. When you make such a change, it’s hard to get right back into the groove. You’ve moved cross-counry, started a new job and away from your family. Obviously something would be let go for awhile until you start to feel like yourself.
I’m assuming you get home later b/c of the commute. If you ever want to get together on the weekends, let me know.
oohhh that’s going to be a purdy tangled yoke! i’m enjoyed the tangled yoke pattern so far, and i think you will too
the tote is darling, hopefully you can finish it soon!
I totally agree with you about the blogging thing. I feel like my blog went by the wayside when I was in school. I just didn’t have the time to blog and I didn’t have the time to knit the way I like. Now that I’m finally starting to slow down again (I think…) I’m getting back into it again.
your tote bag is looking really cute!
i am starting to feel that blogging is becoming a burden. i can barely keep up with all of the things that i am crafting, and then i think, wouldn’t i have more fun if i were actually participating in the crafts instead of wasting time blogging them?
It’s good to hear from you, I miss your posts. But, sometimes that’s life, glad it’s starting to calm down a bit for you.
I love the swatch. Tweedy yarn is just awesome.
Oh, your bag looks fabulous so far. Looks like you may need to go sewing machine shopping very soon… ;0)
You know, the other day i swatched for Tangled Yoke too. Can’t wait to start. Love the colour of your yarn.
That Tangled Yoke is going to be so pretty in that color! Love the cute bag!
Ooh! I am making a tangled yoke cardigan as well. I’m just waiting for my yarn to get here… (nice bag, btw)
I definitely shutdown on stuff when I’m feeling overwhelmed, so I can totally understand. Your tote bag looks great so far – I hope you get the chance to finish it soon!
I often feel the need to check out every now and again. I think we all should do it unapologetically, but that is just me. Your Tangled Yoke is going to be gorgeous, kind of like your cute bag, finished or not.
Oo, very nice work on the sewing front! Love the fabric. And yes, we short girls have to hem everything. And..if you are right on the edge between short and average…then…you have to either hem the long stuff or have pants that are too short for a short person.
Oh, no, no, no! I have been fighting SO HARD not to cast on for that sweater because I have soooo many other projects going right now, and then you go start it in almost the same color I have (though mine is the Felted Tweed)! So mean of you! :-p
The bag is super cute! I love that print.
Being super short, I have the opposite problem… almost everything I buy has to be hemmed, and I’ll never own a pair of pants that doesn’t fray at the ends from being stepped on. I also can’t pull off long, elegant skirts or basically anything really exciting. And also, I get a lot of “How tall are you?” “Oh my gosh, you’re so LITTLE! You’re like a munchkin!” comments, and all those other witty things people say to short people. But, on the plus side, I rarely bump my head on anything.
With all that you’ve been up to in recent months it’s no wonder that the blog has been a bit quiet. I think it happens to everyone – blogging shouldn’t be a chore.
Glad to see you ‘back’ & yay for picking up the sewing in the midst of it all!
Erin, I tend to shut down in certain areas when I’m overwhelmed, too. And I know somewhat how you’re feeling — we just moved across the country to Georgia, so life has beena little crazy lately.
Hang in there. Things will get better and hopefully be less overwhelming!
I am totally with you about moving=bad blogging…. I am so completely doing the same thing. (hah!)
love that tweed, and the bag is sweet too.
Just wanted you to know, I love reading your blog! You’re such a super talented knitter and I always get inspired by your projects! Thanks for being one of my favorite blogs! Hope things are going well in Colorado!
It can definitely be hard sometimes to find the time to knit, blog, or read other’s blogs… don’t worry, it happens to (most) everyone!
I love the tweed you’re using for Tangled Yoke. I was able to get some Rowan Felted Tweed for 40% off, so I’m definitely going to be making it, too (not sure when, though).
The bag shell is lovely!
Oh, can’t wait to see the progress you will make on your tangled yoke……i want to make that also, but have other things lined up before!
Super cute bag! Good job on the sewing!
Super lovely bag! I like it very much