Sweet Little Project

First, I am super excited about the quick little project I did this week. I think it came out well for a first try. I'll probably tweak a couple aspects of it next time (needle size, length). The pattern I used is Ribband by Laura Nelkin. You can find it here or on Ravelry here. Really pleased with it and cannot wait to make more.

So, I was working on a scarf the other day. It is, in my opinion, classic and simple. An excellent design all the way through. Nice, wide, easy going cables. I'll post a link to the pattern later. Anyway, working on this scarf, when i look down at previous rows. Oh dear. Around ten rows back, I had crossed the cable in the wrong direction. Now, my first reaction was to ignore the mistake and keep going. No one had to know and no one was likely to notice except for me. Then, I held it up to look at more of the scarf than just the mistake. Oh dear. Crossing the cable the wrong way made about five inches of scarf fold in on itself. Eww. Now, while this was still not really all that big of a deal, it just didn't sit well with me. After all, I do care about the recipient a good deal. I want it to be done properly. So, I spent the next hour and a half tinking (undoing the rows stitch by stitch) eleven rows. I got it backed up far enough that I could be completely certain that that particular cable was executed properly. I have subsequently been more watchful of every cable cross since.

It may sound odd, but this event has caused me to look more carefully at other aspects of my life and the mistakes that cannot be so easily tinked back. Every action, every word, every thought even. If I were to be more watchful over the words I choose in every situation, how would that affect those around me? If I were more thoughtful in my actions before they occur, how would that change the situation itself? If I actively work at having more positive attitude and fewer bitter or judgmental thoughts in reaction to outside stimuli, would my actions and words reflect that and result in a more gentle spirit all the way around? I certainly hope it would.

We discussed gentleness in the bible study I've been a part of this summer (along with the other fruits of the spirit) this week. It made the specific point that gentleness does not mean timid or a lack of boldness. It does not mean always being a door mat. It is more along the lines of being careful to not be harsh and severe with the world around you, to consciously choose non-combative speech. It is genuine care without ulterior motives.
The study asked "What does an active gentleness look like?"
Here's what I think it should look like:

• being helpful without condescension
• being loving without inspiring guilt
• being patient without inspiring self-doubt
• being passionate with being off putting
• listening carefully and caringly
• being genuine in all things

Do not hear me say that I've got this down. I don't. However, I do feel convicted to actively pursue a spirit of active gentleness. I know I've got a long way to go.

Anyway, all that to say, it is my hope that we can strive to be watchful over our thoughts, actions, and words. That we may do things properly, whatever they may be. That we will be actively gentle.

Casting On

Well, hello there.

You'll have to bare with me here, as I'm still figuring out exactly what it is that I want to tell the world. After all, everyone wants to contribute to this great experiment that is life on this planet. I simply want to be sure that what I end up putting out there is worth the time required to read it. It probably won't be anything new as I'm not sure there is anything truly new left to say. I do hope that you go on from here with another angle from which to view the world.

I suppose I should start with a little about myself. That will, if nothing else, give you some idea of what you be in for. You are highly likely to read about all of these things. I do hope you don't mind being the victim of obsessive, excitable, occasionally despondent, relatively thoughtful ramblings on any combination of items on the following list.

1. I love to knit. You will definitely hear about my projects and most likely see pictures of them.
2. I love video games and board games and card games... you get the idea.
3. I'm a nerd. I love things like Doctor Who, Firefly, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Fruits Basket.
4. I never saw the need to out grow cartoons like Kim Possible, Fairly Odd Parents, Magic School Bus, or Duck Tales.
5. I'm a Christian and I'm still in the process of figuring out what that means for daily life.

I am also the first to admit that I am not an expert on any of the things I love and will probably be guilty of misspeaking about those things on occasion (no matter how much research i manage to do). After all, I am human. Just like you.

So, brief introduction made, I hope you'll return to share with me in life's grand adventure, regardless of the geek factor and often awkward moments where I'm unsure how much sense I'm managing to make. Here we go, casting on yet another project...