I’ve just finished my first, but not my last, Baby Surprise Jacket,

using Cascade 220 100% Merino yarn.

I sent my husband to his workplace to ” find a pregnant lady, or brand new parents” to give it to and he succeeded. The jacket is going to it’s new home today and the new father is pretty excited, according to my husband.

Unbelievable that on my school staff of 22 women there was not 1 pregnant, or new mom, in the bunch.

This pattern really is a lot of fun to knit and the design possibilities are endless. You can find the pattern here to order: http://www.schoolhousepress.com/

I’m looking forward to using my handspun yarn for the next BSJ.  I’d like to find a charity, that specializes in items for babies, to donate the next one to.

Bring it on Ol’ Man Winter… I’m ready.  As the days grow shorter and the trees burst with their autumn splendour, my thoughts are invariably turning to the approaching winter.

In my part of the northern hemisphere it’s dark when I get home from work in the late afternoon and it’s dark when I leave the house in the morning.  For weeks on end it’s too cold to go outside for any length of time.

50% Merino 50% Bamboo Roving

So how do we pass those long hours indoors?It’s a perfect opportunity for knitters and spinners to indulge their fibre obsessions with wild abandon.

Merino/Soysilk Blend Roving

My winter spinning supply arrived last week via Canada Post from Belfast Mini Mills in Prince Edward Island. http://www.minimills.net/I won’t go so far as to say “I’m looking forward to winter” but cozy evenings at home with my spinning wheel and this beautiful fibre don’t sound so bad.

I’ve finally cast on for the infamous Baby Surprise Jacket.

Never having been one to embrace the latest craze, I’ve resisted thus far, although the pattern has been in my possession for over a year.

The hundreds of BSJ’s on Ravelry as well as the sheer quirkiness of the pattern has finally called my name. And yes, I’m thoroughly enjoying knitting this project.  Like everyone else, I’m anxious to see how it all comes together in the end.

I’m knitting with Cascade Merino yarn which is wonderfully soft with lots of stitch definition.

Future plans include using some of my handspun yarn for a Baby Surprise as well as the vibrant purple and green Cascade Merino, languishing in my stash.

My last September ’school start up’…my last year to write Individualized Program Plans for all of my special needs students… my last year of signing up for committees.  I am 98% sure that I will resign from my permanent teaching contract at the end of this school year, and so I have begun to think in terms of ‘lasts’. My plan is to resign from my contract but not from teaching entirely and certainly not from the working life.

Balance is what I’m looking for and a position that will be a little less demanding than that of a special needs teacher in an inner city school; one that will allow me to devote more time and energy to my fibre pursuits

And so I find myself reflecting on this question: “what do I really want to accomplish with my students this year, before closing this chapter of my working life?”

Above all  I want to help them  develop a sense of mastery and competency for their future.  I want them to believe they have something valuable to contribute to the world.

To accomplish this, in addition to mandated curriculum, I’ll continue to teach my students to knit.  As the stitches come together on their needles they’ll learn the value of perseverance and patience.  When they bravely take on new knitting projects, they’ll add to their skills and become more willing to take risks in front of others. Knitting side by side with students from throughout the school they’ll feel included, competent and valued. 

The lessons inherent in this age old craft are numerous.  Putting knitting needles into the hands of my students gives them the opportunity to create something truly theirs as well as to express their generous spirits by making gifts for others.  They love this! Last Christmas my classroom was turned into a daily noon hour knitting club as students worked to finish gifts before the Christmas break. Every gift was completed by the last day and the excitement on their faces, knowing they had a truly thoughtful gift to give to a family member, was worth every sacrificed moment of my lunch hour.

Incorporating my love of knitting into my teaching has allowed me to bring an important part of myself into the classroom to share with my students.  Once I’m no longer teaching full time I’m certain I’ll volunteer with school knitting clubs for a long time to come.

Latte’ Free Pattern Download

When I wrote the first draft for this post I began with this sentence: reality really ‘bites’ after a week in paradise. I have since had a reality check and am somewhat ashamed of that remark.  Thank goodness I didn’t post it right away!

The reality check came while having lunch with my good friend Shelley.  She is 6 months into a new job and was telling me about some of the people she works with.  A number of them have immigrated to Canada from Asian countries.  The point to her stories was how profoundly grateful these people are for the opportunities they have in Canada and how humbling it is for her to work with them.  We likened this to the many families we worked with over our years in the classroom.  Without exception, immigrant families were always grateful for anything we did for their children and were quick to express this gratitude with comments, hugs and ethnic food treats.  We were continually humbled by their grace and resolved to practice more gratitude for the comforts we take for granted in our own lives.

So, let me rephrase that very thoughtless sentence that started with “reality really bites…”

I recently had the opportunity to stay in a little piece of heaven on Kootenay Lake, in British Columbia.  This holiday was courtesy of my brother’s girlfriend, Dianne.  She, very generously, offered us the use of her cabin for 2 weeks.  Since the Kootenays are halfway between my daughter’s city and mine, we were able to make a visit out of it and meet at the cabin. 6 days after my return to the city, the absolute peace of that place is still calling my name.

To express my gratitude I designed and knit this scarf for Dianne. It’s knit of 100% linen yarn, hand dyed in coffee, from Uruguay. The scarf has lovely drape and is long enough to wrap around a couple of times. Please follow this link for the free pattern: Latte’ Free Pattern Download