~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading (though not at the same time!), and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
This week I have been mainly working on the body of Larkspur’s Leksak, but what I really need to be working on is the Wee Liesl. The baby girl that is intended for is due in just a few weeks! The sleeves are slightly fussy, so I have to work on this when my kids are sleeping.
One question that I receive regularly is how I fit knitting time into my life along with everything else. The truth is that lately, I have been struggling to make the time to knit. I think that blogging has a way of making even the smallest accomplishment seem a bit larger than life, so maybe it seems that I knit more than I actually do. In the past, I have made it a priority to have at least an hour each evening of down time that I can fill with knitting. I haven’t managed that over the past couple of months though. I am finding this to be a very challenging homeschooling year, teaching five students, while two little ones wreak havoc! In the evening I am playing catch up, cleaning up, or planning for the following day. I do always make sure to have something very simple on my needles for a bit of daytime knitting. I usually accomplish this while working on reading with Larkspur or Beatrix. In fact, that is when I get the bulk of my knitting done these days. And while my evenings have been way too full lately, I do intend to try to get organized enough that I can return to my nighttime knitting routine. I truly need my knitting therapy, and feel the stress start to creep in when I neglect it. I’m sorry that there isn’t a magic answer. Sometimes it just boils down to making a choice each evening after my kids are in bed, although there are times when I don’t feel that I have a choice.
I’ve been reading What is the What (this happens while I nurse Job at night). This is my favorite of the four books I have read recently about Sudan and the Lost Boys. Even without any interest in those topics, this is an excellent read, very well written. I absolutely love it.
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Maren says
To be honest I always wondered about your time management with all those kids and still finding time to knit AND read!! 😉 I´m still reading 1Q84 (for about 4 months now) and I only have two children to attend to 😉
But I already shopped that book you recommend here on kindle store to read as soon as Mr. Murakami is finished.
Since I had a university class on that topic (have you ever watched “Pray the devil back to hell”? – great documentary on the Nobel peace prize winners) I wanted to know more about that topic.
Love from overseas, Maren
christy says
hi Ginny.
i was wondering if Johnny finished the boys triple bunk beds. i dont think you posted pictures of the finished product…just curious
Ginny says
Nope! They are soooo close to being finished though. Projects tend to stay in the “so close” stage for many months at our house. I will post lots of pictures when they are finished, I promise!
alexa says
Yes. I feel the same way. Blogs tend to glamorize the most mundane and simple accomplishments. It’s something I remind myself of sometimes when I feel inadequate. I am glad that you choose your family first, Ginny. To school 5 kids with 2 more young’ins around is tough, beautiful work. Maybe not in the physical sense, but mentally, emotionally and even spiritually, it’s hard. And beautiful. And joyful. God bless your work… and your knitting too!
Laura says
Ginny, thank you so much for sharing how you squeeze in your time. and maybe you are right in that the blog makes it appear like you’ve accomplished more…..but I would guess that you are pretty amazing at completing projects and getting everything done 🙂 I do try to knit every day, but lately it’s a good day if I get a few stitches in! I just feel so overwhelmed these past couple weeks and wonder if I’ll be able to do even a fraction of what I’d like to. I feel like I’m failing in every area except sleep deprivation! I’ve hardly read to my kids lately…and not because I don’t want to, but by the time we get some of the other school work done that I have to work with them on when my youngest two are napping/quiet time (primarily math), I’m running out of time. My two youngest do not do well with playing quietly while I read to the older kids (they are three and seven months) and it is hard to find books that my three year old is interested in listening to. My kids are still reading a lot on their own but I feel like read alouds are so important! If you or any of your readers have any tips, I’d love to hear some. This youngest of mine, while he’s a love for sure, has thrown a bit of a wrench into school 🙂 Enough of my rambling….just wanted to say thank you for sharing some of your ideas on how you accomplish things you want to!
Kate says
It’s so heartening to hear that you make finding time to knit a priority, even if you don’t always succeed. Everything is a process, of course, and the reminder to continually seek balance is a helpful one! I hope you’re able to carve out evening knitting time in a way that’s fulfilling to you.
Beth says
I completely understand Ginny! I get asked by friends how I find time to knit and read (I work long hours teaching middle school, and have a long commute). But the commute is the key. I ride the bus most days, even though it adds time to my commute. I’d rather have a longer commute that I can actually do things during, than a slightly shorter one where I am tied to the wheel of my car. So while on the bus I listen to music, read my book, and even knit (not at the same time!). Some days the bus is overcrowded and/or I’ve had a particularly exhausting day and I just sit. But the days that I do manage to knit a row or two… that’s how my projects get done. One row at a time.
sezza says
The wee Leisel is so cute!! Thanks for another great Yarnalong!
TarynKaeWilson @ WoolyMossRoots says
I need to add that book to my list. And thanks for sharing about your knitting time, it’s always good to hear how other moms find the time to knit! I knit in the car whenever Jeff is driving. I also try to make a little knitting time every night before bed. Some days I hardly knit at all and other days I get more done. I also knit and walk when I go places and want to make a lot of progress.
Kate says
I mostly knit when I’m listening to my youngest read (or waiting for him to focus so he can finish his math). My husband works at home in an office separate from the house, so when he comes in for a break just to talk or discuss an idea or project with me, I often pick up my knitting. I pick patterns that are not too complicated or can be easily memorized. Sometimes before bed, I knit a few rows to relax and unwind. I’m knitting a lot more as I and my kids get older.
Elizabeth says
Yes, our days are often so full, aren’t they? Some times things are very very full. God give you peace regardless of the knitting time… I hope that you can find a new rhythm soon! much love to you! Will light a candle by my icons for you again today…
Meryl says
I don’t have trouble knitting since becoming a mama, but it’s so hard to knit things that are complicated! For the first two years after having my oldest, it was all garter or stockinette. I’ve done a few more complicated things lately, but with #2 on the way I’m afraid it will be back to simple projects for awhile. But I love that I can adjust knitting to my life like that.
Gail says
Your knitting looks lovely. I mostly knit, sometimes crochet and try to fit it in somewhere in the day, it is great meditation. But sometimes between kids and house and dogs its hard. I have projects waiting, and things I want to try, I might have to become a night owl.
Ranee @ Arabian Knits says
I can so relate to the little knitting! And to feeling a bit overwhelmed with homeschooling. We are homeschooling six out of eight, with two in high school, and it’s sometimes a struggle. Like right now. Usually by mid year, I feel okay, but the beginning is always rough.
Stacey says
That little sweater is beautiful, and your book sounds interesting. I, too, must knit lace when there is no chance of a child awake in the home. I can so relate to trying to find that balance between housekeeping and educating priorities and the very real need to relax and take care of yourself in the evenings. That’s exactly where I am right now in life, too (though I only have three kids!) My solution has been the same as the one you mentioned – trying to get a bit more organized so everything can be smoother and easier… and my husband will tell me that my making time to rest is more important, and he is probably right!
Dawn says
I do most of my knitting waiting in the car at soccer practice, waiting on the pool deck at swim practice and waiting for late night buses to arrive home from “away” cross country meets. Basically my knitting is done while waiting for my kids at their numerous activities.
I can’t knit at home, there is too much to do…cooking, cleaning up, and laundry. By the time I can sit down it is bedtime and my eyes close as soon as my feet leave the floor.
Joyful says
I don’t know how you do it all. When my 3 were little I could do nothing for myself. I fell into bed at night and crashed. I didn’t even homeschool! 🙂 You’re awesome! Hope you have a great weekend!
Amy Caroline says
That is what evenings are for! Knitting. And possibly crochet.
God bless. 🙂
isaida says
I found so many great blogs to follow on this link up 🙂
Joy says
I am definitely not a fast knitter, partly due to skill, and partly due to very similar issues you run into. What I love about sharing with Yarn Along is seeing that I *do* actually make progress and over the years I can see how my skill has improved. And oh, how I’ve become a wide-ranging reader due to all the book recommendations! The best of both worlds, I think. Your honesty about your own knitting woes has made me feel better when I only get half a row of stitches in during a week or I have to frog something back. I know I am not alone. I am so grateful you continue to run this!
Elisabeth Andree says
Dear Ginny,
When I visit your website I sometimes don’t understand how you do all the things you do in only 24 hours a day. I admire you for that and for all the beautiful knitting you show us. Hopefully you soon will find at the least one hour a day to knit and/or to do something for yourself to keep some balance.
Best wishes to you and to your beautiful family:)
Camilla says
Knitting is my Zen, it calms and rejuvenates at the same time. I will always knit – just for the sake of it, I don’t care too much about what I am knitting it’s simply the knitting. Love that beautiful color way, lavender, lilac…very pretty.
Tracey says
I find knitting to be my big stress release and get the majority of my knitting done while homeschooling or after the dinner dishes are washed. I use to get up early just to knit, but now if I can sleep, I sleep.
karen says
I think the best part about knitting as a craft is how easy it is to pick up and put down when life is so full. Especially when the project is easy. There are days when I knit for a few hours and then there are days that pass where I do not knit at all. I prefer the knitting days of course!