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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Yarn Along: Ready for Summer

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.
I like to have a plan of action in place as summer approaches. We all adjust to being home full time, daddy works a different job, and I find that being prepared ahead of time makes the day-to-day rhythm much gentler on everyone. I'll be doing an online course through July and I know it will be less stressful to find the time if I know the kids' hands and minds are busy with something other than watching movies!

This year I'm creating a basket for each of the children containing items that will keep them busy when my hands aren't able to set up a craft or activity: peg doll blanks, paintbrushes and acrylics, watercolour paints, yarn and needles (a knitting spool for the youngest), play dough, googly eyes and feathers, glue and scissors, pencil crayons, sketch books, a word find for the oldest, a bird identification book for the middle. I look forward to them taking ownership for their materials, and am interested to see what they create without having to wait for me to help!

Mariah Bruehl's Playful Learning is a wealth of ideas, displayed so beautifully in this book! I love the idea of having addressed, stamped envelopes ready for children to fill with drawing and notes for loved ones and friends from school. I hope to have literacy and numeracy activities set up for them (simple word problems for the older two to solve using manipulatives). While I fantasize about months of unstructured time, I find that my children thrive with a flexible schedule where they know what's coming next.

Knitting time is limited, but I've started another Puerperium Cardigan, this time in Noro Silk Garden. The colours are breathtaking, like watercolour paint blending into a soft rainbow. I got enough skeins to make about four little sweaters for the many babies due in the next few months. I may use some to make this little dress as well, as the one Norah received from my friend at Wabi Sabi Wanderings has had lots of wear. 

As the heat of summer continues to elude us here in Ontario, I'm dreaming of the little ones that will be warmed beautifully by my knitted creations!

15 comments:

  1. It is still cool and rainy here in the Pacific NW (USA); truly, the weather can't make up its mind! One day it's 85 degrees and the next it's barely in the 60s. Perfect knitting weather to be sure. :)

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  2. I love the colors of Noro - it's like an adventure to see how it turns out! Beautiful choice for a Puerperium!

    I will have to look for Playful Learning; it sounds like something I would enjoy. Why have I never thought of the envelope idea? My girls are forever wanting to send a picture to their grandma and I never quite get around to doing the envelope business! Thanks for the idea!

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    1. The book suggests a clever way to organize them: in a small storage structure that has 9 small drawers (like the wooden ones you can get at IKEA). You put a photo on each drawer to represent the envelopes inside! Love that.

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  3. Yes, they are dressed beautifully. There is nothing like picking up a babe that is warm and soft in hand-knits knit by your own hands... I've always admired the Puerperium but haven't moved beyond baby sweaters yet. :)

    Blessings, Debbie

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  4. i made that wee baby sweater too, i love the yarn you are using, so beautiful.

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  5. I love that pattern you're using! Noro will be stunning!

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  6. Summer certainly is eluding us here! It sounds like you have some great plans. I enjoy Playful Learning too and really need to put some of the ideas to use soon too - my oldest has made his own "desk" and likes to do his "work." Might as well take advantage! :)

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  7. Great idea to have activity baskets!! I would have loved to have you as my mom. Lovely knitting and I hope you get snippets of time to do a stitch or two. This is my first summer of no kids, kind of weird.

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  8. That colorway will be perfect for the pattern. Looking forward to seeing the finished garment. The book your reading looks right up our alley - going to order it from the library right now. Thank you. :)

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  9. That is the sweetest little cardi. I think I could do that. Maybe.

    I was just having the same conversation today as to what our summer days will be ~ looking forward to no school but we do need some structure or we will stay in our pj's all day :) Def doing the library reading program, our weekly zoo visit. We'll have to see where interests take us, I think. A go-to basket with crafts is a pretty awesome start, though. Copying :) ~ paula

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  10. I have knit two Puerperium Cardis and have a third in mind, it's a great pattern. I will be looking for that book on our next library trip. Thanks

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  11. Lovely!! My local yarn shop carries Noro, I should try it. It just always seems so unpredictable, but I guess that is the charm.

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  12. I love your ideas for activities - I have been inspired to try something similar for my grandchildren when they come to visit x

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  13. Your puerperium is going to be so sweet in that soft wash of colors. Perfect for summer babies! :)

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