The real reason I have no small talk?

My Friday involved yard work and cleaning out the drain on my washing machine. After such less than pleasant tasks, one which involved me laying on my hard floor taking out and putting in screws as well as grossness...
I figured I would allow myself some down time over the weekend, Saturday in particular.  Unsurprisingly, I have knit.  What is surprising is that it has been almost entirely on one project:

This is the Elemental Shawl by Renee Leverington  It is a mystery knit along from a designer that I have consistently enjoyed for years.  I have just started clue three, clue four came out yesterday, and there is one more clue to go.  I am using Ella Rae Rustic Lace Quad in Everest and rainbow peacock seed beads (that you can't see in the photo; it's overcast).  I just keep knitting.  The lace is intuitive, the beading uncomplicated.  It needs to be put on a longer cable at this point, but I would have to stop knitting to find one.
I've also put a few rounds on my first Autumn League Pullover done in KnitPicks Mighty Stitch in Ash pulled from the yarn stash.  It's an easier project to knit in bed than the lacework.

I did get out the bits and bobs I plan on putting on my themed Julgran sweater that I really haven't done much more than cast on.  Really need to work faster on that.

Throw in a few loads of laundry and watering my plants...and that is my weekend.  And to be perfectly honest, it's been rather awesome.  I am a homebody.  I am also that person who will have cookies and other snacks on offer if you show up at my door....but you will also have to carry the conversation.  That is, unless we get on to politics, religions, history, crafting (of any sort) or gardening...then you will probably wish I would shut up. :-)

My knitting isn't all gray....

It does seem like it right now though.

The yarns at the top and bottom of the photo are destined to be Autumn League sweaters. Not fancy, but comfy pullovers that I can throw in the washer without worry.
The project in the middle is Elemental Shawl by Renee Leverington, being worked in Ella Rae Rustic Lace Quad in Everest.   I'm only just starting clue 2, but it's been a highly enjoyable knit so far.

Then there is the knitting not quite cast on yet:

The ball of laceweight is Northbound Knitting in their Artemesia colorway that is going to try and be a Carrollton Top once I manage to cast on the endless number of stitches, (I did math for the gauge I liked and have to go up a few sizes).
The pile of KnitPicks Diadem DK I pulled from the yarn stash, I think is going to become a Modesty cardigan.  I'm thinking I will likely forego the button closure.

Gothic Angel MKAL starts in October...and the yarn I have picked is gray, but not here yet.

And just to prove my knitting hasn't been all bland, my vanilla (okay maybe a little bland) socks in one of Potion Yarns hand painted sock blanks, I really love her yarn too...she is also quite charming.  Yes, I am still working on them, but knitting progress has been slow, I've been tired.

Speaking of tired; I posted a photo of myself earlier after a bout of insomnia and my son politely letting me know the makeup wasn't really hiding anything, but having to go out anyway (grocery shopping must be done)...and then posted the worst one out of the set.  I had meant to post this one:

The one where I didn't look as wide eyed crazy scary.  Ah well.  On the upside there is now  Halloween candy within arms reach:

I foresee a relaxing Saturday evening filled with podcasts, knitting and chocolate (and an earlier bedtime). 

Knitting, Sewing and a Quick Personal Update

I felted a bag!  And it looks like a bag! Not something that feels like it should have fangs and googly eyes!

It's the Big Boho Bag, (one of my favorite movies for scale).  It's simple, black and will actually hold my wallet as well as my knitting, not just one or the other.
I also cast on a dress, because that back lace panel!

Knitting up in KnitPicks Dishie, Jalapeno colorway.  It's actually been a really lovely knit.  It seems like it's going to be a slightly fancy tee shirt type dress that will get lots of wear.  I adjusted the gauge (and did math) so the cotton is working up in a way that is less stressful on my hands than usual while not being see through.
I may have splurged just a bit and gotten the Dolores kit...and her matching Rhinebeck outfit. 

At some point in the near future she will even get cast on.  Yes, it's a bit silly, but she's wonderful!

I got fabric for project bags.  I cobbled a design together in my head, still need to draft it out.

And celestial glow in the dark fabric for pajamas because it will make them awesome:

As to the quick personal update:

Husband is still away for work.  It's been seven solid months with no official end date in sight.  I may still avoid any conversation that involves being emotionally honest about how I am doing.  Meltdowns do not get laundry done nor bills paid.  An emotional breakdown is tentatively planned for no earlier than mid 2019.  I may have time then.

Helping both kids through yet more college paperwork and setting up their business stuff, (Daughter is now experimenting with yarn dyeing as well).
Always calming endeavors.

There is a reason I knit.

Speaking up...and also I grew an avocado

So, I was scrolling through Instagram this morning when I came across a post from Isabelle (@fluffyfibers)  It got me thinking; why shouldn't we be allowed to openly express our views and be makers?  What is wrong with taking the stand that people are not things and we should speak up for those with no voice (to badly paraphrase Sir Terry Pratchett)?
Isabelle is far more eloquent than I, so I highly recommend reading her post.

Craftivism is a thing.  I have participated.  It is not fringe behavior, nor is it really edgy or even new.
There are millions of knitters and crocheters and weavers and spinners in this world. Many of us are already connected on some platform or another. We are global. What sort of change could fiber artists make if we came together on that sort of scale? What could we accomplish if we joined with other makers?

I personally think making societal change and knitting socks at the same time would be amazing.

Also, avocado seedling!