My closest friend in Norway is moving away tomorrow. It might be just for a year but more likely it is for good. I have had many moves myself over the years and many good friends move away but it is still very sad to say good bye. Funny that her moving seems to have inspired a big knitting craze, because not only had we both moved from the US to Norway, married Norwegian guys, had kids the same ages, etc etc we also both love to knit and that is what we did nearly every time we got together as we chatted up a storm. So the needles would fly and our we could chat about everything under the sun for hours. So I suppose this stack of yarn I bought over the weekend is an attempt to cheer myself up.
Sebastian joined me on an the train to downtown. It only takes 5 minutes to walk to the train and then the ride is 12 minutes. We were going to go to the library but we never ended up getting there. We did some window shopping, went to see what was at the toy store, and found a couple of summery sweaters for me and socks for him. The most fun though was going to the yarn store together. I blew my entire birthday gift card from January on buying yarn for making Sebastian's long list of winter gear that he wants.
I picked up this new PT pattern book with some great tradional Nowegian Selbu inspired patterns. The colors my dear son picked out were far from traditional and are making the knitting ever so much fun.
So this is his sock so far. Aren't those great colors together? The best part about it is that for now, when he grows out of hand-knitted socks I can use them! He is growing like a little weed and has feet nearly as big as mine so I am knitting these in my (our) size.
I can't really say that the knitting will begin to fill the gaping hole the departure of this dear friend will make in my life, but they do say that knitting is therapeutic.
Actually, it is hard to find time to dwell on anything sad with my children around! Summer vacation started today and my little one doesn't even have time to get her face washed after her lunch before she runs off to play. I only caught her in the camera here, but she was playing in a little tent with a friend when I took this and the house was filled with giggles.
I'm so sorry that your close friend is moving away. It was so hard this last time that I moved. I had made such good friends that it was hard to leave. But now I'm close to my daughter and we have became closer than ever.
Posted by: Jewel | June 22, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Oh so fabulous summer vacation has arrived! And always sad to say goodbye to good friends. Fortunately there is knitting and the lightning fast net with skype to keep in touch!
Posted by: ingermaaike | June 22, 2009 at 07:32 PM
summer vacation started today for us. i am so happy.
so sorry about your best friend. i bet you will miss her. that sounds like a very special friendship! i do love those knits.
Posted by: kaite | June 22, 2009 at 08:30 PM
It will be a beautiful sock...they are so useful in the cold winter!
Posted by: vadjutka | June 22, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Emily - so sorry to hear your friend is moving away. It's always so sad to see friends go. Thanks goodness we have email, cell phones and text messaging to help stay in touch!
Posted by: susan@tickledpaisley | June 22, 2009 at 10:18 PM
that is unfortunate that your very good friend is moving away...
really like the red & turquoise color combo you are knitting !
happy summer vacation to your family !
Posted by: saganaga | June 22, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I love the red and turquoise too.
Knitting can be so comforting.
Posted by: Michala (kayla coo) | June 22, 2009 at 11:19 PM
I'm so sorry your friend is moving away. I do love your knitting though. Have you seen the Great American Knitted Quilt? It is just gorgeous and when I go to the States next I am going to buy it and everything I need to make it. I have to leave something American of me here in England. Well more than my mouth that is! (Yankee accent still after all these years). Lots of Love Patti xxx
Posted by: Patti | June 23, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Sorry to keep saying this; but it seems everytime that I see a picture of your little Lilly.... she has grown all the more! What a cutie! So, she seem's tall... are you or your hubby tall? Just wondering.
So sorry that your friend is moving, it's hard isn't it! Dear friends are hard to find, and to keep close... but the dearest of friends... never stray very far! So, you'll keep in touch! Hang in there! Keep those knitting needles moving. You do such lovely work! Bet your mom is proud of you!
Posted by: Jean C. | June 23, 2009 at 01:12 AM
Sweet! The sock colors are great! Isn't wonderful when boys are creative and young enough to like any color combination before they start only picking manly/guy colors? I'm sorry your good friend is moving away. I hope your days are filled with new friends and activities to fill the void.
Posted by: Michele C | June 23, 2009 at 02:21 AM
that is the really "sucky" part of being a foreign wife and befriending other foreign wives.... you or they eventually move on to somewhere else... and the hole that is left behind is painful...
knit away, and luckily, we have the internet now, which makes being isolated so much easier....
Posted by: jan in nagasaki | June 23, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Such lovely girl you have! :) She is so pretty!
I have nominated for you for one lovely blog!
Posted by: meltem | June 23, 2009 at 09:18 PM
Hi Emily!
Your little one is such a pretty little thing.
I am sorry to read of your friend that is moving. It definately is not easy when that happens.
My wish for you is sunshine....lots of smiles....and lots more giggles in your house.
Take care.
Lois
Posted by: Lois | June 24, 2009 at 05:41 AM
So sorry that you feel sad about your friend moving away. I know the feeling of saying goodbye - it's the hardest thing in the world!
But what cheerful yarn you bought! Super! I cna't believe how intricate the pattern looks - it must take you ages to knit these socks!
Ohh, and how fun it is to have ahouse full of giggles! I loved your post, Emily!
Posted by: ArtMind | June 24, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Oooh the colours in the socks are gorgeous! I love turqoise and red together. The yarn shop sounds great. And I sympathise with missing your friend. At the end of this year we have a huge move planned and I cannot imagine my days with my dear friend - I feel sad already. Hope the knitting helps :-)
Posted by: lily boot | June 24, 2009 at 12:29 PM
That smile is a sunrise! Really lovely!
Zepequeña.
Posted by: Zepequeña | June 24, 2009 at 07:59 PM
What a beautiful little girl! I agree...how could anyone ever be sad with such a beautiful smile in the house.
Posted by: donna childree gotlib | June 25, 2009 at 12:14 AM
you are the queen of colour. i love how your knitting colour combinations are just as pleasing as your sewing projects!
enjoy the summer. hope you'll have fond memories of your friend and know that "once a friend, always a friend"!
Posted by: lucy | June 25, 2009 at 01:13 PM
ooh, children always remember us that life goes on... even when a dear friend is moving, look on the bright side and think of all the great moments you had toghether!
Posted by: fleurfatale | June 25, 2009 at 02:58 PM
i am looking at your blog for the first time and i love your knitting and baboushkas. my daughter looks the same age as yours, they giggle and giggle and giggle don't they. hello from australia :)
Posted by: pen | June 27, 2009 at 01:07 AM
This post makes me miss knitting. Why don't I ever do it anymore?
Posted by: Jennifer | June 27, 2009 at 01:11 AM
friends are precious...you were blessed to have her near for a time. what a darling picture of your daughter....there's a lot of joy in that face.
Posted by: jacquie | June 27, 2009 at 07:06 AM
boy after my own heart, i love those colors!
Posted by: mary jane | July 01, 2009 at 06:26 AM
Your daughter is a little princess! is very happy.
She rememberme, the girl child in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia.
Posted by: Marcela | July 23, 2009 at 07:03 AM