In something of a new year refresh I have switched up my Friday newsletter a little as evidenced by the new title and a slightly different format.
It’s still my catch-up newsletter, don’t worry but it’s always nice to have a little bit of structure - I know I can waffle and go off at a bit of a tangent if I’m not careful.
I’ll still be sharing what I’m knitting and working on, but as ever there are fallow times when there is no suitable knittage to hand, or I worry you’ll be bored of seeing the same sock 3 weeks running. For that reason I also like to share little snippets of what I’ve seen around the internet.
Often they are Substack links, because it’s my new favourite social media (being free of adverts and annoying pop ups), but equally it might be a book that I’m reading, or a recipe that I’ve found or something that a pal has shared with me.
Think of it as a bit of Friday lucky dip.
As luck would have it, this week is a bit knitting heavy with not one, but two finished pieces:
Winter Birch Cowl - this is my latest design and one that practically flew off the needles. I am very drawn to DK weight yarn at the minute and this cosy cowl has been just the thing to wear this week during the cold snap we’ve had in the UK. The yarn - Superhero DK from Rachel of Cat & Sparrow (who also has the
Substack) is wonderfully warm and woolly to work with, and feels great against the skin.Winter Footstep Socks - in something of a contrast this is my very oldest design from 11 years ago, which I re-knit and re-released this week. I remember knitting the originals of these back when my boys were small and I was working in the NHS. Life looks very different these days, but it’s quite reassuring to reknit an old pattern - like catching up with an old friend.
Reading wise I have been engaging in my annual flirtation with Storygraph (an app for tracking your reads and sharing with friends), except this year I really do plan to stick to it - yes, really. I think I’ve finally figured out that the key to getting the most out of the app is to use all the features and connect to other readers there. That way you see more recommendations and suggestions tailored to your likes and dislikes. It becomes less of a chore and something you have to remember to update, and more of a valuable tool to help you curate your reading life and stop that slight between-book slump that for me often signals the start of a month-long reading hiatus. You can find me here if you’d like to say hi and to see what I’m reading.
Taking some time out over new year did bring up some uncomfortable feelings around rest. I’ve never been very good at doing nothing and for many years have prided myself on my abilities to multitask. It’s only recently though that I’ve come to realise how essential rest is and how much we need to work at it. This article by Jodie really summed it up for me and I highly recommend a read.
A random thought to leave you with: I was listening to an interview the other day where they were talking about dealing with criticism and I heard a quote that really stuck with me. I’m so sorry - I can’t remember who it was but whoever it was, was clearly very wise.
If someone is pointing at you, three fingers are pointing back at themselves
I know we often say that when people are being critical of you (or someone else) their comments often say more about them than you. But this neat little saying really struck a chord with me.
I hope it helps you too.
On that happy note I’m going to wrap up and deal with family matters. My younger son has had exams this week so we have lunch date for donuts and coffee - definitely something I don’t want to be late for.
I think it is our own minds, but when stepping out of that “I’m always there no matter what” role, we have to let people know! When I got to the bedroom I stay in there was a little card propped up on the bedside table that said, “Sometimes Nanas just need a little time for themselves.” 😊
As 2023 neared its finish and 2024 approached, I decided that I needed to build more rest into my life. I picked the word REST as my word of the year. And I announced to my family that I was prioritizing that for my life, explaining that I don’t have the energy I had when I was younger and as disappointing as that is I need to honor it. (I am also doing things to increase my energy levels, like developing a yoga practice, walking, eating healthier). I was proud of myself when right smack on the first week of the new year I was asked to babysit my infant grandson for a bridge week between my daughter returning to work and his daycare starting up, and I told her that I would, but that I would let her and her hubby handle the before and after work hours (they also have a toddler) to help me get the rest I need to keep from getting sick. So I started my new year keeping to my vow of building in rest, after learning my lesson the hard way in December and getting a nasty virus that took me out for a few weeks.
Anyhow, long story to support your idea of rest!