Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Knitting and Reading

Emmy's Plain Vest is done.  I knit this on size 8 needles with a light worsted weight soft wool.  I cast on 90 stitches.  When it came time to make the armholes, I knit 17, bound off 10, knit 36, bound off 10, and knit 17.
The next row when I knit to the armhole, I cast on 22 at each armhole.

She is pulling herself up now!


  and reading Blueberries for Sal!



Working on finishing up the other Plain Vest - this one should be a bit bigger.

Reading...
Making it a priority to read the Bible every day
Getting so much out of Radical - it is challenging me in so many ways.  One area specifically is how Jesus calls us to care for the poor (or the needy - those that have any needs really).  Our family lives in luxury compared to the rest of the world.  As our income has gone up we have been guilty of adjusting our standards of living - not in the right direction.  Jesus commands us to care for those that need food, for example.  Knowing that children are hungry, malnourished, and lacking makes it necessary that I do something.
The author, David Platt, talks about how 150 years ago Christians didn't think there was anything wrong with slavery.  He wonders if in 150 years Christians will look back at this time period and wonder how people that called themselves Christians could have lived in relative luxury when so many were in dire need.   
I wonder if our family should even be concerned saving? Do we need this or that?  How can I even think about buying a new outfit when many women have not enough food to nourish their pregnant body, for example?  
 I am praying for God to lead our family down a more radical path in serving and can't wait to see where we are going!

Finally, I am reading a super fun book - Greenhorns - the next generation of American farmers.
Farming is in my blood and while we are just providing for for our family right now, maybe someday we will have more land....
The book contains 50 essays from 50 different farmers that "are passionate about improving the food we eat through sustainable and humane farming practices.  Their inspirational stories speak to the challenge and rewards of earning a living off the land, embracing risks, and feeding local communities - all while maintaining a profound respect for the earth."

Perhaps there is some connection between feeding the poor and small sustainable farming practices....

Looking forward to all of the sharing today at Ginny's Yarn Along!

Warm wishes,
Tonya


(The winner of the last week's vest is Mama Isle. - Just let me know your mailing address when you get a moment.)

25 comments:

  1. I am trying to knit a plain vest. I was so proud until I got to the armholes...I don't know how to cast on the stitches for the top of the armhole. I watched some videos but I guess I need to be shown...just enjoy stopping by your blog and especially seeing your pictures. Thanks for the inspiration. Carrie

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  2. I really admire David Platt for taking this stand. I've heard him speak and his message is a truly convicting one. I have felt called to live more simply and I know my faith has had a big part in that.
    You know I have an Emmy too:)
    She turned 14 in March. I haven't heard of any other Emmy's before :) Your Emmy is adorable. I love her vest / cardie. What a great pattern!

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  3. The vest is adorable and she looks so lovely in it!

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  4. Eek, your little Emmy is getting SO big and is so super cute! I think I would love that Greenhorns book. Nice work on the vest too. Hope all is going well this season up there for you and the fam.

    :)Lisa

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  5. I love the vest. It looks so sweet. I like your connection between sustainable living and feeding the poor. Something to think about for sure.

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  6. Hi Tonya,

    Look at your sweet Emmy in her beautiful vest. Soon my sweet little one will be looking as cute as Emmy with your vest.

    Thanks so much !!

    I will send you an email with my address.

    warmly
    Ilse

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  7. Oh dear, Tonya- what a sweet little girl in her vest! I love this pattern, and have thought to make it for my littlest. :)

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  8. Your little vest and little girl are both adorable. I'm also trying to read the Bible everyday, cover to cover for the first time, and have to admit i'm finding the old testament quite hard work. I've never heard of David Platt's 'Radical' before but I'm definitely going to put it on my reading list now.

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  9. Awwww, now this is just the cutest ever! Lovely sweater on a lovely girl.

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  10. Love those plain vests--I have knit a few myself!
    That book, Greenhorns, I will have to look up. Sounds like something I would really enjoy!

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  11. I've recently found your blog and am enjoying it so much. I've been searching on the blog for the pattern for Emmy's Plain Vest, and all I can find is the one for the side-button vest. Is this front-button version also on the blog somewhere?

    Pauline in New York

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  12. The vest is adorable! It looks so sweet on Emmy ~ the buttons are great, too! And I have to say,
    I love the name Emmy ~ our girl is Emma, but we call her Emmy a lot of the time. ;)

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  13. I am in the middle of reading Radical, just after finishing "Kisses From Katie" and am just blown away, humbled and inspired and excited about living differently. Your daughter is beautiful and just looks all wrapped up in love wearing that vest.

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  14. oh my goodness your emmy in her beautiful vest, completely adorable.

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  15. The vest is so cute and your daughter is adorable! I love the colour you've picked for the second vest.

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  16. Oh yes so much to think about. Emmy is beautiful and I love what you knit for her!

    xo,
    Ang

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  17. did you write the pattern for the little vest? is it for sale? it is so sweet!!!!

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  18. Blueberries for Sal is one of the best little books, isn't it? Have you read "Strawberry Girl"? Fabulous. Louise Linsky wrote a lot of regional children's books. There is even one about my area of the country!

    I love the vest and the Princess wearing it is growing like a weed.

    Has Thomas selected his college yet? Or did I miss it??

    Enjoy these summer days. It is in the 40s here again tonight! Bleh!

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  19. Oh, both those books sound good! In fact, having time to read sounds good !!!!!!!!!! I so agree about being challenged by our attitude to the poor. Too often, I am tied up in the shortfall in my own wants, and not thinking about others' needs :(

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  20. THe vest is very sweet and the books sound quite interesting!

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  21. An inspiring blog post - in so many ways. And your baby model is ADORABLE. She knows how to rock the sweet vest :-)

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  22. Emmy is so sweet in her new vest - and look how she is growing! These babies and their growing!!

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  23. Wow, Greenhorns sounds *right* up my alley! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Thank you for sharing about it.

    What a big girl, pulling herself up to see the world better. :)

    Aubrey

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