Her Life Was Like a Rose Pattern

Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; 
it will come out a rose by and by.

Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently

 and the pattern will come out all right...like the embroidery.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes~

It isn't often you find vintage photos of women with their needlework.  Finding this one got me to thinking about how much of their lives women of yesteryear spent with needle and thread, yarn and hooks, hoops and linen, and frames and muslin.  But how often did they sit for a portrait with their needlework in hand.  Having a portrait made was not a spur of the moment event in the late 1800's and early 1900's. 

 I'm thinking that this woman was conveying one of two things...

...her life was like a rose pattern...one stitch at a time taken patiently.

or

...knitting is a boon for those of us who are easily bored. 

I take my knitting everywhere to take the edge off of moments that would

otherwise drive me stark raving mad.

~Stephanie Pearl-McPhee~

I have to say that I'd very much like to be thought of as a person that Oliver had in mind.

However, the part about 'one stitch at a time taken patiently' ... that's where Mr. Holmes lost me.

So, I guess I'll have to go with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee!

I take my knitting/needlework everywhere...it's a comfort for Me and Thee!





Sure Cure for Cold Shoulders

I say..."Do you know the Cure for Cold Shoulders?"

You answer by..."Shrugging your Shoulders."

I say..."That's RIGHT!!!"

It's A SHRUG!!!

I know you didn't say a word...you didn't need to...your Body Language said it all.

By definition a Shrug is...an expressive gesture of raising one's shoulders.

It is also defined as...A womans short jacket which is open down the front.
I have Cold Shoulders!  Yes, I do, and apparently so do lots of others as there are at least
138 Shrug Patterns shown on RAVELRY.

A Shrug is like knitting a Sweater...you only have to Knit the FirstHalf of it.

That's really good for me....seems the hardest part of knitting a dang sweater is the Second Half!!

Then there's knitting the Sweater SLEEVES....I never get to those!

The other REALLY great thing about a Shrug versus a Sweater is ....

.....a Shrug is a rectangle with no increases or decreases or set in pieces!

That's right!!!!  You can just cast on and Knit until you are BLUE in the face or until it's as long

 as your 'Wing Span'...that's the measurement from left wrist-across shoulders-to right wrist.

I cheat!!!  I knit my rectangle on BONDA...my Knitting Machine...see Her HERE.

That way, I get to the FUN PART FAST...The Finishing!

I finished this Shrug by Crocheting the Sleeves and Edging with a Ribbon Yarn.

Now I don't want you to think I'm not capable of making a Full Size Jacket.

No Sireeee....It's a Fact Jack...et that I have done just that and just this past week.

It's been right in front of you throughout this post!

You can see the Full Fleece Jacket

On My Sewing/Crocheting Workbasket Table

And it's BLUE...just perfect for

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday