It turns out that I like to create and I like to work with my hands. While I would love to be able to paint masterpieces or produce sculptures to rival Rodin, I have found that it just isn't in the cards for me. At the same time, I found a medium that is... knitting.
Knitting challenges me to decipher code, it lets me work in a strict pattern so I know exactly what I will create or I can choose to improvise my own combination of patterns so I can be surprised at the result. Knitting let's me refocus my mind - taking me away from any craziness going on around me (and with Poppy and Sweet Pea that can sometimes be a lot) and narrowing my thoughts to the task at hand. And finally, at the end of my project, I can then share the fruits of my labor with those I love most. I find comfort in the fact that a piece of me will be with the person who will be wearing or using something I made even when I cannot be there with them.
Here's a little something that was going to be a baby gift but turned out to be big enough to fit Poppy. Looks like I'd better get back to actually knitting something for the baby! If you like this hat, the pattern is in a book called Oneskein by Leigh Radford (shown below). Happy knitting!