the long weekend was much needed and totally packed, but simply wonderful. the bro was in town again with the future sis-in-law and there was a whirlwind of barbeques and lunches and dinners out with family and friends. I don't think I ate one single meal at home the entire weekend. somehow, tho, I did manage to relax, get sleep, and even get the body of my next gift endeavor finished.
this is the baby pea pod cardigan from ik. I'm making this for my friend's unborn baby, who is either a boy or a girl - no one except the radiology tech who did the ultrasound knows which it is... I'm debating if I should just finish this with neutral wooden buttons now (well, when the sleeves are done) or if I should wait until the baby is born and put little pink buttons on it if it turns out to be a girl. but knowing me, I'm not going to be able to wait until december (when baby is due) to give this to her.

anyway, baby clothes! so fast! I love it. I'm making this in the smallest size, so it really flew off the needles. I had a hard time watching mad hot ballroom while starting the lace panel (what's with me and watching dancing while knitting?), which kept messing me up, and there seems to be a missing yo in the first few rows, but I couldn't bring myself to try to fix it by the time I realized it was there. trying not to let it bother me too much.

so, I've been thinking more about this whole selfish knitting/gift knitting thing. I know, you're all thinking "still?? haven't you got something better to do?" the answer is no, of course I don't. if I had something better to do, I'd already be doing it.

anyway, I love the idea of my handmade gifts being used by someone else. I love going to my friends' houses and seeing their babies sleeping under the quilts I made them. actually, aside from the quilts, I don't think I've ever seen any of my gifts in use... but it really doesn't bother me that much, now that I think about it. I guess I really, truly love the simple act of giving things away. it's actually what keeps me going while I knit or sew or whatever - the mere thought of "when I give this to so-and-so..." makes me really happy. and judging from the number of things in my FO gallery that are for other people and the staggering number of UFOs that are for myself, I'd say the joy of giving is greater than the joy of having something pretty for myself, even though I really really do want cute stuff for me.

actually, I was talking with wendy when I finished orangina about how I felt like I wanted to wear it everyday because I loved it so much, but then I felt so weird leaving the house with it on. I likened it to having to read your short story outloud in class. there's something painfully embarrassing about it even if it's something you're proud of. is it just me? I feel like it's so attention seeking to be all wearing something I made like "look at me! I knit this myself! I'm awesome! don't you want to be me? I feel pretty, oh so pretty...!" there are people that can do that and feel totally secure in it (and rightfully so, because why shouldn't you be proud of something you worked hours and hours on?), but I'm not one of those people. when someone oohs and aahs over something I've made, I get really self-conscious and feel so inclined to point out all the mistakes even though I hope no one notices them on their own. what's up with that?