Admittedly, this current project has been a labor of love since (as always, it seems these days) my knitting mojo has been in the toilet.
I won't even begin to tell you what's been going on in my life, but suffice it to say I've been getting rid of toxic people and sort of mourning that loss. It goes to show that just because something isn't good for you, doesn't mean it won't hurt when it's gone. And the process isn't any easier when they don't even live in your country.
My ego is pretty battered and my self worth took a hit, too. So really, people plain old suck right now and I'm questioning why I even attempt new relationships at the ripe old age of 33.
I'm feeling a little better after my slump and have attempted to pick up knitting again. After all, it is and always has been my first love and has helped me through a number of rough patches in my past.
As a result, I've half-finished a pair of rainbow socks using my favorite KnitPicks Felici yarn. I've coveted this colorway for years and they finally sold it again months and months ago, so you bet your bottom dollar I picked it up once it was back on my radar.
The pattern I'm using is called Kick in the Pants, which I can't recommend highly enough for self-striping yarn. It's enough to hold your attention while still being pretty mindless. In other words, this was a perfect project for me to take to the beach a couple weekends ago. Except for that awkward moment where I dropped my ball in the sand and, well, it got messy.
It's supposed to be for top-down socks, but because I hate those, I've flipped the pattern to be bottom-up. So it doesn't look exactly like the original; that's fine with me.
I've also used contrasting yarn to knit a Fish Lips Kiss heel and 1x1 twisted rib for the cuff.
Otherwise, what else is going on my life?
Plenty of good things to contrast the bad, believe it or not. I've started a marketing podcast with several friends I met at conferences; we've been having a blast and receiving good feedback. I'm in the process of starting up a marketing business for independent fiber artists, which I'm really looking forward to launching one of these days. Nick and I have been making small day trips to a beach that's not far from us, so that's led to some pretty relaxing days and a decent tan (and horrid tan lines). I have one of my best friend's bachelorette party coming up this weekend in the Finger Lakes, which is sure to be a blast. And if you missed my last post, you'll know I'm going on a knitting retreat/to Rhinebeck in October.
And also, this rough patch has shown me how much I'm loved by people who actually matter to me. Yeah yeah, I know I'm waxing poetic and most of you are probably rolling your eyes and asking, "Why are you even writing about this?" It's because I know I'm not the only one to reach rock bottom and learn my lessons the hard way. Most people pull out of it, but others don't. I want everyone - including you - to know that when something horrible happens to you (and it will happen, because such is life), you're not alone, even though it feels like it at the time. And I certainly feel alone right now, but I logically know I'm not. And I also know I have an amazing support network who help pick me up by my bootstraps and carry on.
Doesn't mean I'm not an idiot, but I'll get over that and make sure I'm not an idiot again.
In the meantime, I'm:
Watching: Stranger Things. Okay, I'm actually done watching this after a major bingefest this weekend. It was awesome and you all need to take a look.
Reading: The Girls by Emma Cline
Listening: "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks