A much needed break...and the cutest little lamb you've ever seen.

Whew.  It's been a helluva fall.  I know it's been so long since I've posted, but I really did need to take a much needed break.

I was more burned out than I have ever been and was truly just worn down to a nub and had nothing left after what was a very very emotionally draining summer.  Not only was my day job stressful (and that's an understatement), I was putting way too much pressure on myself in the knitting realm as well.  And after a long day at work, I was coming home and forcing myself to knit so that I could finish up some designs that needed to be finished and I finally had just had enough.

So, knitting and I broke up for awhile.  During my time away I had time to examine my relationship with knitting and how it can sometimes border on the unhealthy.  While it has always been my passionate pastime, during this time of discontent it became my crutch, and many things in my life suffered because of it.  I used it to shut out the frustrating parts of my life, but in the meantime I also shut out the good things as well.  I could go on....but I won't.  Who wants to rehash all the gory details? I sure don't. I'm in a better place now and that's all that matters.

So, now that I'm back, I'm slowly easing myself into things.  And I'm reminding myself that knitting is supposed to be fun.  And if I'm not having fun, what's the point?

Okay, so, before knitting and I took our break, I made a cute little lamb costume for my new niece for Halloween.  I didn't follow a pattern per se, but I did take a look at the Child's Lamb Costume by Margot Stevens (Rav it) for inspiration.

And I think it turned out freaking adorable, if I do say so myself...

I used Knit Picks Swish Bulky held triple stranded on size 17 needles...and afterward my hands hurt so much I wanted to cry.  But it was all worth it after seeing that cute little face all bundled up in handmade wooly goodness!

I think my most favorite part was the tail...

*sigh*  I miss my little lambie.