FALLing in Love Friday: Knitting

This fall, I've decided to dedicate Friday blog posts to things I'm falling in love with, aka my current obsessions.

I started knitting back in 2009, thanks to my friend Heather, who was patient enough to teach me enough to get myself in trouble with yarn. Over the course of the next year, I knitted several scarves of various basic patterns. Upon moving to South Carolina, I put my knitting needles away. More complicated patterns and projects were too daunting, but the basic scarf, no matter how different the pattern, left me feeling uninspired.

Over the last couple of months, an overactive mind left me unable to enjoy my rare, beloved TV time. I needed a way to unwind, so I tried unwinding a ball of yarn. It was not at all "like riding a bike." It had been so long since I picked up a pair of knitting needles that my muscle memory was non-existent. I'm embarrassed to admit (so I won't) how many times I had to watch YouTube videos to get my hands to do a simple knit again, but after a while (a long while) I was knitting and purling as though I had been doing so all along. Despite some issues with newly developed carpal tunnel syndrome (BOO), I have once again fallen in love with this relaxing pastime...so much so that I am working on TWO completely different projects simultaneously!

Doesn't this fun yarn make you wonder?
I'll give you a sneak peek soon.

What have you fallen in love with this week?

Fighting the Monday blahs

Today was SUCH a Monday. Fortunately, there were a few pick-me-ups that got me through my day.

• Ellen DeGeneres tweeted about this video today. I have no idea how this group managed to orchestrate it. It's incredible!

• I'm excited because this is arriving on my doorstep tomorrow.

• Is this kid tough or what? After scaring the entire Gator Nation during the UF-UK game, Tim Tebow's first question when he pulled himself together was, "Did I hold onto the ball?" (Source: Orlando Sentinel article) Gotta love his spirit!

• My girl, MeadowC, posted her first Twilight fanfic, Surprising Alice. It's a very creative telling of how Jasper finally manages to surprise Alice.

• And speaking of my favorite vampires, My Beautiful Stranger alerted me that this treasure is just about to be released. Hopefully it will tide me over until the new Sookie book comes out next May.

• Spring 2010 is also when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens at Universal Studios. I'm so there. Hm, I may have to knit myself a Gryffindor scarf before then...

Knit & Purl

In addition to making me these awesome Bella mittens, my friend Heather, was also gracious enough to help me with one of my 101 in 1001 goals, and she taught me to knit. A month after learning the basic knit and purl, I reveal to you my very first scarf:

Ribbed Mini Scarf by Nebula Designs (click link for pattern)

I (accidentally) went off pattern, and there are a TON of mistakes, but I'm proud of myself nonetheless and will wear my creation with pride this winter.

I'm so happy to add knitting to my craft repertoire. It's incredibly relaxing, and I love that I can be productive with my hands while I'm vegging in front of the TV. So friends and family, beware! You may be receiving a scarf instead of a scrapbook for Christmas this year. J