Warming Wee Ones

First, a sweater for a gorgeous little girl with a lovely name - Emma Kate.

The pattern was very straightforward, once I actually read the directions clearly. On my first try, I didn't do the increases correctly and ended up with something way too big.

The Plymouth Baby Bunny yarn is wonderfully soft, and washable. Overall, perfect for wee babes.

And because I've been wanting to make this vest for a long time, I felt it needed just the right yarn to make it worth the while. It was worth the wait...

The wool was Cascade Lana Bambu, and so wonderful to work with. I still have another half a skein to work with (amazing - a wearable baby garment that only needs half a skein!), and I can't wait to find another pattern worthy of it.

And did I mention that I loved the pattern? Fun, clear and quick - all needful qualities in my knitting projects. Now I just need to find a baby to put it on, quick!

Following Well

I've been thinking lately on the need for followers. Sure, everyone wants to lead, or see their children lead - being a "follower" seems so mediocre. But far more people will be in positions of needing to follow the leadership of another, and we need to know how to do it well.

Regardless of who we are, all of us need to submit to some authority over us: parent, husband, employer, pastor, etc. But how do we do this, and why?

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. ~ Hebrews 13:17

Though this passage refers specifically to pastors, I think that it applies across the board that my husband, pastors and even government leaders will one day have to give an account for the care they have given. That is part of the responsibility of being a leader. But what about me? It would seem that my job, as a follower, is to make their job easier, even joyful. Am I making their decisions easier to make? Is my heart's attitude one of respect and support, or do I fight tooth and nail, making them earn my respect?

But what does this look like? For me, it means not complaining when I'm unimpressed by the decisions that are made. It means speaking up in thoughtful ways when my counsel is sought. It means not being snide or sarcastic about my leaders to others. Ultimately, it means being aware that anyone in a position of authority in my life has been sovereignly placed there by God, and while I may not be able to trust in man's fallible wisdom, I can trust in God's infallible wisdom, power and grace.

I am fairly certain that as leaders will be held accountable for their leadership, I will be held accountable for how I have followed, and I want to answer well for it.

Woody: A Sweater

Another sweater for Noah. I think he likes it.

Pattern here. Ravelry notes here.

For the feet

Abigail has the most amazing ability to wear out her socks in record time, due in part because she wears them to skate across our wood floors. She saw a pattern for a cute pair of slippers here and begged me to make them.

Not a lot of fabric or time is required, just some leftover scrap material of choice and felt. I could have put another layer of sturdy material in, but elected not to - I didn't actually want them to feel to stiff.

I added in the elastic strap to keep the slipper secure - they are sized for women and so a little on the large side, and the elastic is just the thing keeping them steady.

After some test runs, skating around the house and a couple of tumbles (apparently, they are very good for skating), I used some puff paint on the sole to increase safety and decrease the need for a hospital trip. I don't think I could face a doctor with, "She broke her arm skating in some homemade slippers". There are times when I am happy to be something of a killjoy.

How He Climbs

If climbing up won't work...

...then climbing in will do.

Honestly, I think he was as surprised as I was...

3

My kids keep growing, in spite my pleas to just "slow down!", and so it wasn't too long ago that I started noticing that Ellie's pants/trousers were looking more like britches. Time for some new bottoms.

One of the best things about these pants is that all the fabric was either donated to the cause of keeping my family in clothes, or leftovers from other projects.

Free clothes are not to be sniffed at!

And at the end of all the modelling, she had to check that her belly button was still there. You know, just in case.

Whew! What a relief...

Some worthy reading material

In no particular order:

Teaching the Trivium - An excellent, biblical homeschooling reference, walking through the classical homeschool method. Part 1 is theory - the "why" to homeschool and do it according to the classical method. Part 2 is practical - this is what it looks like through the ages and stages. Part 3 is reference, from articles to resource lists. Overall, I think it's safe to say that it's changing the way we homeschool.

Practicing Hospitality - Another good reference, particularly if you are not terribly confident in the whole "showing hospitality" area. A selection of recipes scattered throughout, each chapter focuses on a different aspect of hospitality, "Hospitality + Culture/Ministry/Family/Church". I can't say I learned anything dreadfully new, but it was good to be reminded of some things and I definitely picked up a few tips along the way.

Start your Family - A little late for the lady with 5 kids, I know, but what can I say - it came out a little late for my benefit! A good look at the many reasons we like to put off having children and why they are often unbiblical. It wasn't as gospel-centered as I would have hoped, but overall it did a good job of lining the thinking of popular culture up next to Scripture and pointing out the flaws. A good book for newlyweds or anyone else who is thinking about when they should...start their family.

Wisdom from Proverbs - A short little devotional on the book of Proverbs, geared toward the homeschooling mom, though I'm sure many others would benefit. Great for application of various proverbs, with additional helpful verses in each reading. I'm not a big one for devotionals, generally - I find I'm reading about the Bible more than I am reading the Bible - but this was good, short, to the point. Do what I did and make it part of your before bed reading, rather than quiet time reading, and you're good to go!

Daughters of Hope - Not a comfortable read. The authors basically went around the world to some of the countries most hostile to Christianity to speak with women about their experiences as believers and most, if not all, of the stories would be best described as "harrowing". And yet they do not give up. Read it, if only to inform your prayers for the persecuted church and remember that faith isn't always free.

Now it's your turn - any good books to add to my list?

Projects that I've been waiting to share for ages

The girls needed pencil cases, as directed by the Daddy - I think he got tired of hearing pencils rain down on the floor. It would seem that it's not actually a school day in the Gayner household without children losing control of errant writing impliments. But I digress...

Thanks to another fabric donation (apparently I run a fabric orphanage), the girls were the happy recipents of bi-colored pouches.

Also, in a fit of experimentation and "I bought the book so I'd better use it"-ness, I now have a gardening apron.

Funky vintage fabric from grandmom, and bias tape. That's pretty much it. It's got lovely large pockets and loops for tools - should make my job out there a little easier (when I actually get around to going out there, that is). It would also make a good all-around craft apron - just don't stab yourself in the leg with scissors pointed the wrong way...

Rooibos

It's finally finished! Actually, it's been finished for a couple weeks, but now I am finally able to take photos and post about it!

I love it. It was straightforward to make, though the increases around the neck began to feel a little tedious, but by that time, it was time to begin the stockinette stitch.

I loved not having to do any seaming and minimal finishing.

And I love the buttons I found in my stash! Just right, me thinks.

I made the sleeves a little longer than 3/4 length, but shorter than the pattern suggested - if I had followed the instructions for the size, the sleeves would have been well past my fingertips! (Have I mentioned I have the habit of knitting too large for myself?)

The yarn I worked with was lovely, but am now seeing lots of pilling in evidence. If I had it to do over again, I probably would use a smoother yarn, something like this or this.

And for the unaware, Rooibos is a South African tea, meaning "red bush". So now you know.

Dan-Dan

Has a year ever gone by so quickly? I think not...

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.