I've never been a shy person. Never ever! My mom has pointed out to almost every medical person we encountered last week that it took her 5 minutes to push me out. Then I had colic for the first couple months of my life. See? I never wanted to be silenced. We don't even have a lot of shy people in our family. Ava isn't one of them. There have been a number of shopping trips where B & V have asked Ava & I not talk with the cashiers. Yes, we're the people that talk about a good shit & ask the cashier's opinion. In the isles of a supermarket, we've discussed whether an extended family member was on meth or crack (Come on. Every family has one or two. Don't they?). Quiet, Modesty or Discretion are not words that you'll find in our vocabulary.
There is one thing that I am shy about, knitting. This fact is still something that makes me insane. I shrug it off when people compliment a finished project. I don't openly talk about my hobby unless someone really presses. If someone asks for me to teach them, I just think that they're being nice. Ava knits with a group on a regular basis (I think) & has encouraged me to find one. But I've only knit with a group once. I had to transfer stitches so I could return some needles. I stuck around for an extra 15 minutes. I don't know why I didn't go back. I enjoyed the women & I liked that I actually knew a lot about knitting. I never had a lot of confidence about my skill level since taught myself how to knit 2 different times. Once with a pamphlet from a craft store when I was in grade school. And again 4 years ago with the aid of Debbie Stoller. Ava had asked about doing a blog a couple months before we took the plunge. I really wanted to, but my knitting shyness reared it's head. What would we write about? Would my FO be good enough? Would people yell at me for enjoying a romp with cheap yarn? Is mom going to be pissed at us more than she already is? But we did it & haven't stopped. I think that most bloggers would agree, the most important thing we've gained from the blog are the friends.
Our first contest winner was Sarah from Bella Knitting. I love seeing pictures of her little one (but where's that puppy been) & of course her finished projects. Damned if I don't want a Minimalist Cardigan now! Last week, I was laying on the couch when the mail arrived & I noticed a box. I went through my mental online shopping list. Got the blocking wires, yarn, shoes, & fabric. What's this? When I opened it, I found the cutest postcard & a wonderful sweater. I was so touched that she thought of us to take the time to create this gift. As a knitter, I understand the time & energy it takes to create something. I love when people gush over a simple hat that I've made. But I've gotten pissed when I don't receive the "proper" reaction to a pair of socks. Those people don't get gifts anymore. Thank you Sarah for the lovely gift! If I could thank you in person, I would. Perhaps someday.
On our first excursion as a family, Tuck was kept warm with his very own hand-knit sweater. I'm pretty confident in saying that it's an EZ Tomten, but I know for sure that it was knit with Karabella Aurora 8. I have yet to knit with this yarn & I have known for a while that she loves it. I swear to Sarah that next time I see some, I'll snatch it up. I'll make a pilgrimage to School Products just to load up on it. The fabric is so buttery & squishy that Tuck slept the entire time through a busy food court & Gus singing the "Firetruck" song. Loudly. Guess who also isn't shy?
When the package arrived, it was the one of the only times that I wanted to tell our Mother about the blog. She asked how I knew Sarah & I told her she was a friend that Ava & met online. Sometimes the word "online" can frighten people. I wanted to reassure Mom that Ava & I aren't involved in any creepy knitting games. But I'm sure if I did slip & tell Mom, she wouldn't understand. How do you explain to a non-blogger about your blog relationships? How you check other blogs everyday to see if they've had a baby yet? How you feel sorrow for bloggers that have lost loved ones? How you start to worry if you haven't seen a post in a while (Ms. Pink? Hello?) Most bloggers that I read, I'd never recognize them on the street. But someday I hope that Ava & I will get to meet some of our blog friends.
-L
p.s. Soon a FO photo-shoot of some Buckeye socks & Honeybee stole.
I'm here, I swear- loving every single Tuck pic along the way.
Posted by: Cathi | January 28, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Adorable! Both the baby and the sweater.
Posted by: sappmama | January 28, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Great--now the firetruck song will be stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Ding ding ding ding ding.
Very cute and squishy! The baby looks very comfy.
My husband thinks I play creepy knitting games online. What can you do. I like to share.
Posted by: Cath | January 28, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Lovely little sweater but I just have to say it. I just have to. Just have to...please say that is black trimming the yellow and not blue. Sorry, ingrained in me due to my husband banning every yellow and blue outfit ever brought home for his boy. I will just believe it is black since it is such a cute sweater.
Posted by: Regina | January 28, 2008 at 04:21 PM
You got a great little model! How's everything going?
Our little Sweetpea has been pretty mellow so far and the Big Sisters have been GREAT! The first couple days were hard because the Big Sisters really wanted to "help" Mom, the novelty has worn off now and things are going good.
A little more sleep would be nice, thank god for coffee!
Posted by: Anna | January 29, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Aww! I can't believe I haven't checked my bloglines in so long, I missed this post! The little guy looks so cute in the Tomten. (I knit it to fit Measure at his current size, so I hope he'll be able to wear it for a while.)
Posted by: Sarah | February 04, 2008 at 01:06 PM