Winter woolen

There is something to be said for doing some work every day that does not involve picking up someone else's socks.

There is something to be said for doing work often that results in a satisfying finished product, although this cannot necessarily be done every day.

There is something to be said for trying new kinds of work and experiencing new processes that can lead to new kinds of success.

I think what I would say is that I am enjoying making the time to do some of my own personal work every day, taking on new types of projects and being amazed and thrilled as I complete them, and giving myself permission to reflect and write about the thinking and feeling that happens around the work I do. It's not much, but it helps give my life a little more meaning and structure, and makes me feel better when I am picking up my ten millionth sock of the day.

Yesterday's project was a buttery-soft wool scarf with a melty alpaca fringe, which was truly a joy to create. I had no trouble working with the wool, and the yarn went through the gigantic tapestry needle with no trouble at all. I have enough leftovers to make two more of these scarves, and I had planned to give them as gifts, but I'm not certain I'll be able to part with them all!

Edit 12/8/08: I forgot to mention that the idea for this scarf was adapted from the book Last Minute Fabric Gifts by Cynthia Treen and Karen Philippi.