Family Foot-Warmer Slippers

Last May I bought a skein of yarn at a garage sale for 25 cents. I really liked the color; I wasn’t sure what I would make from it. After looking at patterns for chunky yarn slippers, I decided to make a pair. However, I could see that I would need more yarn. Fortunately, Walmart sells Bernat Softee Chunky yarn. They didn’t have pale antique rose in my store, but I was able to order online for in-store pickup. Total after tax was $2.47. For less than $3 I could have a new pair of slippers and learn more about knitting.

The color goes well with my robe.

I used Anne Baron’s Family Foot-Warmer Slippers pattern, a free download pattern. This pattern uses 2 strands of regular yarn or 1 strand of chunky. I learned how to use markers for a small pattern change and knit through the back loop. The pattern change creates a middle “seam” down the slipper.

They do fit. I am little disappointed that they are “airier” than I expected. They will be great when wearing a pair of socks, but by themselves I am not sure they will be warm enough.

I have decided to go back to knitting dish cloths for awhile. I found some patterns different than the one I learned on. I bought some yarn at Meijers on sale last week. It will be a few weeks before I have time to devote to knitting. I like dish cloths. They are fast and the gauge isn’t as important. It was nice to have a knitting project (the slippers) during the cooler times at Gulf Shores when I stayed inside. It’s getting nicer outside here, so the dish cloths may not get much attention.

Habits

I read fairly often  Gretchen Rubin's blog which originally centered around happiness but has branched out to other aspects of life. Her newest book Better Than Before discusses the formation and changing of habits. I haven’t read the book yet; the blog posts discuss personality types and how each type is motivated to create and maintain habits differently. It is important to understand one’s self to know how best to approach making changes in habits and routines.

Maybe because I have been focused on the subject of habits via Rubin‘s blog and upcoming book, I picked up on a link in another blog to an article about the poet Mary Oliver and her remarks about habits. I think her remark is profound, but I haven’t yet teased out its importance for me.

“The patterns of our lives reveal us. Our habits measure us. Our battles with our habits speak of dreams yet to become real.”

I think we all have aspects of our lives we know we should change. These battles may have better outcomes if we understand the nature of habits and how they are tied to our personality type. What are the patterns of my life? In what ways should I change these patterns/habits? I plan to read Rubin’s book eventually; meanwhile, I will do a little introspection to understand what my patterns reveal and my habits measure about me. I took Rubin’s personality quiz and was somewhat surprised by the answer. It is making me rethink my approaches to life, how I see reality and relationships.