Author: Life of Momma B

Fingerless Mitts

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For those who have been with me over the past 2 months, you will know that I decided to make a gift set for my niece whose birthday is in March. It began with a simple scarf in her favorite color. Next, I tackled doubled points and made a basic hat. I figured that no set is complete without a pair of gloves.

Gloves, I may be crazy, but I am not insane. With my limited knitting experience I knew better that to tackle a pair of gloves. I have not even looked to see how you would make those little fingers. But I had seen a better option on Pinterest – Finglerless Mitts. After looking several patterns I found that are 2 basic styles – A square that is sewn together, and those knitted in a tube. I opted for the tube style.

It all began with a pattern I found at My Jewel Thief Knits.  Missy Angus created a cute set with button flap embellishments. I opted to not include the button flaps, but used the pattern. The set is now complete.

Fingerless Mitts

Update: This weekend Madison came to visit. She told me how much she loved them, and wanted me to teach her how to knit. I guess I did okay.

Basic Hat

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Since I am taking a break from dishclothes and working on some different projects, I have tried my hand at a hat.  Remember that I only began knitting a few months ago (see First knitting project) and this is my first time to use double pins.  It took me a little while to figure it out. but after watching many YouTube videos, I set out to tackle a seemingly simple hat pattern I found at RedHeart.com.

I began with the same turquoise acrylic yarn I used in the scarf. While the pattern used multiple colors, I only used one.  The first problem I discovered was the count was off.  The instructions say to cast on 90 stitches, then for rounds 1-8 -P1, [K2, P2]. If you do this you will not get the pattern pictured.  If you use some basic math skills you will discover that one round is not evenly divided into 90 stitches, round 2 will create a staggered look and the ribs will not line up.  So I was forced to modify the pattern and ended with extra knits where the round ended.

I choose this pattern because of its cute beret style.  As you can see, mine does not look like that.  I had Lily model it and this is what I got.  For the record, Lily is 9 so I guess in order for the hat to flop, you would have to make the bigger size for her.

Basic Hat

Not quite the look I was going for, but it is finished.  I learned a lot from this project.  I also made a set of wristlets to match so stay tuned.

I’m back!

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While I have been away the “Life of Momma B” has been busy. First and most importantly, I have a new laptop! This means I will return to blogging so get ready, I have several posts that I have been saving. This also means I have had to learn how to use Windows 8.

For those who have not had the JOY of using it (and I use the term very loosely) you are in for a real treat. As I have stated before I am not overly technical. I consider myself an average computer user with a decent education, but what was Microsoft thinking when they created this.  In my opinion they tried to combine an operating system for a tablet, with its apps, with the existing Windows system.  Closing apps is difficult. I should have realized it would be bad when Windows had to include instructions on how to use the operating system.  I seriously dislike Windows 8. Why did I get it you ask… All of the new laptops come with it so if you are planning on buying a new PC in the near future get ready.

This past weekend my brother-in-law came to visit. He is a techy nerd to the fullest (and I am thankful he is, every family needs one). He is a computer programmer and has lots of experience with technology as a whole. He had not had a chance to try Windows 8 yet, except in the store demo and I was encouraged to find him shaking his head in frustration at the thing.  This means that it really is not me, but the system.

Well, for now I will stop rambling about my opinion of Windows 8 and will return shortly to update you on my projects.

Another one bites the dust

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Can you hear the song in your head? Well I can! After two weeks of trying to revive my computer my husband has admitted defeat. Thankfully with the help of my computer savvy brother-in-law, they were able to create a backup of my documents, but a new computer is in my near future.

It seems that after two years I managed to burn out the hard-drive because it kept overheating.  While I was able to recover my documents, I am technologically challenged at this time.  I have dug the old laptop out of the closet that we use for emergencies. But have no fear this Momma B has been busy knitting away.  I will be back soon to update you on all the projects that I have completed.

Life and Pecans

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Lately I have really been missing my grandfather who passed in November. Lily is working on her Ancestor Detector merit badge for American Heritage Girls so I have been able to share some of the memories I have of him and my grandmother. In the quiet of the night I find my mind returning to the words of the pastor at Dobb’s funeral service. He compared human life to that of a pecan.  Let me attempt to explain.

The pastor talked about the things we remember most about Dobb: his smile that looked like he was up to something; the way he walked; his chuckle before he showed up the grand-kids; the phrases he used in his everyday speech. (I always think about the way he smelled, his rugged hands; the way he could never just sit still.) When we think of Dobb we think of his outward earthly body. After 93 years that body gave out.

A pecan has two main parts, the shell and the meat. The shell is a small part of what makes up a pecan. We are able to distinguish a pecan from other nuts by its shell.  The shell has an important role of holding the meat. But, we throw the shell away and savor the meat.  The meat of the pecan is the most important part of the pecan.

Now for the analogy: The human body is like the shell of a pecan. We use it to distinguish one person from another. Its role is to hold the meat (the soul of a person) for a time. Dobb’s body has been discarded and we are left with the meat, who he really was.  While we remember the outward body, we can “savor” who he was! His hands were rugged because of his work ethic; he could not sit still because he was always tinkering about; his love for gardening merged with his generosity when he knowingly planted more than he could ever eat so he would have enough to share;  his love for reading the bible that was a reflection of his heart and desire to know God better. Thankfully, we know that he had a personal relationship with Christ and his soul lives on.

If we apply this to ourselves, how concerned are we with the shell of our body that will one day be discarded compared to the time we spend concerned with the soul that is within us?