As our shop and others continue to be affected by the pandemic and the availability of yarn, dye, tools, etc., I'm always supremely grateful when we get a large restock of gorgeous skeins. Tosh, like other dyers worldwide, has been affected by COVID-19 in a myriad of ways. Dealing with mills being closed, then only being able to work at half capacity, then having shipping issues, then not having the right dye powder for all the colors, then dealing with social distancing and staff shortages.... these are the type of things that every business in the world has been dealing with. Not just yarn dyers. Everyone. So when we are able to get 7 huge boxes of yarn that looks and feels just as awesome as it always does, I'm just elated. And then when I see the new Tosh Merino Light skeins up close and get a chance to photograph them I think about all that went into making these beauties and the hardships that everyone invovled is dealing with just to get these in our shop, in our hands, and on our needles. Things I did not think about 11 months ago.
And, oh, this yarn is gorgeous.
And I know that everyone is going through these types of hardships and much much more everyday. We don't share every little detail, or even one percent of life's frustrations, do we? We know that nearly everyone else is going through such turmoil a lot of the time. But I just see these skeins and I think about little successes. How people are now getting vaccinated. How I imagine that people are smiling back to me behind their masks, just when I pass them on a walk. How my kids are back at school in person and come excited back in the door every day to tell me about how the principal made a balloon animal for Henry's half birthday, or how the science fair is coming up and all the changes to making it work so the state judges can do their jobs virtually. All little successes.
I have been thinking a lot lately about my little wins - tracking them like mental tick marks so I can go back over them when I feel stressed or sad or when things seem like too much. These little wins keep me thinking that things might go back to "normal" in 2021, even if it's a new post-pandemic normal. That I might be able to see my friends and family whenever I want. That I might be able to put my kids safely on a school bus again. So as a robin is a harbinger of spring, these little fibery wins are a hint at a better 2021. Perhaps with more hugs and exhales.
Tonight I'm going to cast on a new project and consider that a little success too. How about you? Can you share with me one of your recent wins? Big or small, I want to know.
I was able to order a new pair of tactical boots and got the right boot in the right size in less than 2 weeks from Puerto Rico. This seems silly but it is a really big win to me. And I really needed the new boots.
Posted by: Cindy Carpenter | January 13, 2021 at 12:32 PM
I set a goal of making 1 pair of socks per month - that was before I learned I am going to be an aunt. Goals change - but I'm going to keep with it - so far I'm 2.5 socks into one pair - yes, I had to rip one out completely because I can't count. But I'm nearly finished with one pair and I know it is possible! Now onto baby knitting!
Posted by: Sarah | January 13, 2021 at 01:07 PM
Hi Allison - in recent events, it is a task to find something good, but I did. I studied Asian medicine about 20 years ago and never finished the program, but I just returned to finish up. I also enrolled in a nursing credential with Hospice, and all on Zoom. I made myself get very excited about knitting hats, mittens and socks for everyone which I started to do. We will survive, keep knitting and crocheting, everyone.
Posted by: Denise | January 13, 2021 at 01:22 PM
Going to try to get a handle on my psoriatic arthritis with new meds from the rheumatologist and CBD oil and knit more socks. May start knitting baby blankets and put them away for future — three granddaughters and one grandson— Years yet but I want to be ready!!
Posted by: Renee S. | January 13, 2021 at 01:23 PM
Finished a sweater for granddaughter in record time. After I had her precise measurements, I was able to create a custom fit first run, no need to redo. Now, on to creating a hoodie for her sister.
Posted by: Virginia Harnischfeger | January 13, 2021 at 01:24 PM
Every day seems to bring a new problem. Over the weekend, my teenager was diagnosed with cellulitis on her face (probably from a zit she messed with). Then I realized that weird area on my lower eyelid... was probably infected. So I saw my doctor Monday. Sure enough, also cellulitis. We don't share pillows, blankets, towels or clothing. I have no idea how we both have the same skin condition. Yesterday I had a job interview. It went fine, but the skills assessment did NOT. I think I've lost my statistical analysis skills since leaving my epidemiologist job 10 years ago. Today I was able to help my 2nd grader navigate an online standardized testing issue that my husband, who is an IT professional, couldn't figure out. Just had to click an arrow button LOL! I also filled up two blessings boxes in my neighborhood today. My city has 80 blessings boxes. You can leave non-perishable items that would be a "blessing" to someone. Hygiene, pet food, people food (canned or boxed). I left cereal, applesauce, instant potatoes, instant beans, canned beans and fruit, etc.
Posted by: Jessica | January 13, 2021 at 01:44 PM
Thank you for such a thought provoking post. I really appreciate your positive attitude. I guess the wins, little and big, are always there, sometimes we just don't notice them. I hope for a little extra knitting time tonight and I will ponder my personal wins. Thanks
Posted by: Denise | January 13, 2021 at 01:55 PM
One of my little wins lately was making the best batch of chili that I've ever made.
Posted by: Nicole S | January 13, 2021 at 02:15 PM
I started the Fiadh sweater with the green special dye Rios from you and it’s gorgeous! I’ll try to remember to take a picture and send it. My brain isn’t always working when I get home. . I’m almost finished with the first repeat. It’s pretty slow with working but it’s coming along! We’re about to switch to to new semester so the next week will most likely be quite wonky. The other major win... I got my first Covid vaccine yesterday!! I’ve had no side effects! Just a sore arm like a regular flu shot. Let’s go antibodies!! We will find out tomorrow how our next semester will start. We’ve been virtual since the week after Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Dana Snyder | January 13, 2021 at 02:37 PM
One of my little wins was helping someone who is dealing with a lot of chronic health issues, faith issues, a spouse with health issues, and an adult child who needs a new job by the time the current one ends. She’s been down on herself for not doing everything perfectly and we went back and forth on the fact that none of us is perfect and we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and go back to tackling whatever we need to tackle. And I offered ideas that helped me, both with health and faith issues and she was appreciative of ideas she hadn’t yet tried. A little win, but I was just glad to offer ideas in case they might help. If she was a knitter I would have said, “Knit more, worry less.”
Posted by: Diane | January 13, 2021 at 02:43 PM
Allison,
Thank you so much for your "Positive Attitude", you have just made my day!
Thank you for sharing your ⭐Wins⭐!!
Today, I needed this!
Warm Happy Virtual Hugs to All!!
My Knitting keeps me going... You keep me in Knitting Supplies!!"
That is my Win Win!!⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks You 😊
Posted by: Karla | January 13, 2021 at 02:57 PM
I recently completed my first pair of socks EVER! I’ve been knitting for over 50 years, sweaters, hats, cowls, and shawls but never socks. I finally found a tutorial that worked for me. Knitting has been a Godsend for me. First Christmas without seeing my family in Defiance, Ohio or my husband’s kids. Tough all around! I will come to your store some day!!
Posted by: Therese L Black | January 13, 2021 at 03:27 PM
I just got my 2nd Covid 19 vaccine yesterday. Very grateful to be able to receive this. During winter break I was deployed to Randaillia ER and though I was dreading it- it wasn't the worst and the staff was amazing!!
Posted by: Natalie | January 13, 2021 at 03:56 PM
I found a pattern for a pullover for the many skeins I have gotten of the Opal Monet Garden series. It will be about 5 skeins, and it is stripping/coloring the squares perfectly as I go. It seems like it is going to fit. AND I got my cataracts removed and I can see how beautiful the colors really are. Big win. I figured now was a good time to do eyes, because I wasn't going anywhere else.
Posted by: Mary Cast | January 13, 2021 at 04:04 PM
My biggest win lately is being able to return to work in Healthcare billing yesterday after suffering only mild COVID-19 symptoms. It was definitely not how I intended to finish 2020/begin 2021. I took this last week on 'couch' arrest to knit, cross stitch and sleep as needed
Posted by: Morgan | January 13, 2021 at 08:26 PM
My decades long battle with insomnia has become quite horrific the last few weeks. I can only sleep about 5 hours a night, maybe 30 minutes at a stretch. Last weekend I slept 8 hours one night and only woke up once. It was glorious. I haven't been able to repeat it since, but it was a small victory.
Posted by: Kathy Faulk | January 13, 2021 at 09:35 PM
My big win today was that the power came back on after an 18 hour outage due to a huge wind storm. The gratitude I feel for having warmth and light again is amazing, and I’m not going to be so quick to get upset over daily inconveniences and frustrations.
Posted by: Marilyn | January 14, 2021 at 02:38 AM
Thank you Allison for sharing your positive energy--so happy the kids are back at school. Be safe wishes.
Posted by: Kathy Robbins | January 14, 2021 at 09:56 AM
My little win is that I've been successful going for a hike most nights of the week even if it is a small one. Last night's big win was that I was able to sneak in a 6.2 mile hike on a Wednesday! It was an easy(ish) hike, so it only took a couple of hours, but to have those couple of hours AND to have the energy to even attempt it on a WEDNESDAY, well, that's a big win in my world.
Posted by: Julie | January 14, 2021 at 10:27 AM
My most recent win is finishing the Snuggle Down Cowl in time for my son’s birthday. I’m rather new to the kitchener stitch, and that pattern has you stitch up 148 stitches around the cowl. It took me almost 6 hours to do, but I did it and it looks great!
Posted by: Anne B | January 18, 2021 at 11:16 PM