On the path to more self sufficient living I have a desire to learn more skills, to be able to make and do more things myself, of course. :)
One thing that I have wanted to do for a long time is knit. I have picked it up before, but it was awkward and cumbersome... I felt very backwards. Being one that crochets rather rapidly (in my own opinion... haha) I knew this would take some getting used to. I picked up my first knitting needles years ago only to lay them back down. Last week, I picked them up again and ended up finding it do-able. :) I still am clumsy and awkward, but I have finished knitting my first dishcloth. I will post a picture of that once I weave in the loose ends.
So are you on the path also?
Do you long for a more self-sufficient lifestyle?
If so what are you doing to make that path a reality?
Are you learning all you can about raising chickens?
Are you baking your own breads?
Have you kicked out your urge to buy convenience foods?
Do you have plans for a garden this year?
Do you have land you plan on farming?
Share with me your plans, your steps, no matter how small or big...
Steps or steps... remember a baby doesn't start with giant leaps, it starts with the smallest of steps. :)
Have a wonderful day and learn something new! :)
My Cup Runneth Over...
08:04 - Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - post comment
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My hint of the day.........for what it is worth. I hold my knitting needles with both hands on top, like you have your left one. In the picture you are holding your right one as you would a crochet hook. You might try that and see if it is easier for you.
We raise meat birds and pullets to sell as they get to egg laying age. We have enlarged our garden again this year. We sell at Farmers market.
My hopes for this year are to work on learning to make soap, and cheese. Improve my yeast bread skills.
Marilyn
heritagehill - 08:18 - Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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Hello Chas,
I too have recently { past tree weeks } picked up knitting.My daughter and I both are doing knitting classes in our Proverbs 31 group.I am a experienced crocheter and it has been hard for me to pick up to knitting as it seems to go so slow compared to my crochet.I am almost done with my daughters scarf and will be working on a dishcloth next.I am always looking to learn new skills,and love doing so.I feel so sad for the women I have met who have no desire to learn anything.I pray that they would have a teachable heart and want to learn things to keep their hands busy.Thankyou for being an example of a teachable spirit to all.By your learning you are able to teach.
Hugs,
Rachel
We in house are also doing a few things for self sufficient reasons.
1. we do have chickens, for eggs, can not bring myself yet to killing for meat:-)
2. We also have a garden and I can anything possible.
3. We buy all beef and pork from local farmers. We do take them to local people for processing (cutting up and wrapping).
4. We have been using our dryer less as a matter of fact not much at all. We purchased some drying racks and hang everything. This actually serves a dual purpose as it also adds moisture to the air during the winter months in the house.
5. This is actually a NEW one for us. Hubby and I are going to try and get enough groceries to last for 2 weeks...no running back to the store..I would love to get this down to one visit per month but we will try 2 weeks first:-)
Well my list could go on but...you probably have heard enough. This is a subject that I could discuss for hours.
I love to knit!!! I think it is so fun and relaxing. I have been knitting for about 4 years now. I took a class to get me started and then I just soared! One think I did learn from the class was that if you are just starting out, or you are learning to knir a new pattern, Use wooden needles. They don't slip off of the wood like the do the metal and you can go faster. ( It worked for me any way) I use the metal ones now on all of the patterns that I know really well, BUt on the new patterns I still start out on my wooden ones.
You look like you are doing GREAT! YOu will get addicted though if you aren't careful!
I am knitting dish cloths for my sister-in-law right now. Then I need to finish some things for newborns in need. After that I would like to make a sweater I found. Don't know how that will turn out. I make my own laundry soap. We raise most of our meat and put out a big garden ever year. We also have alot of fruit trees. I can green bean, tomatoes,peaches, pears, salsa, and jellies. I freeze alot of fruits and veggies too. It sure has helped on our grocery bill. I have made all of our quilts. There are several other little things, but I don't want to take up to much room. I enjoy reading your blogs.
I, too am trying to become more self sufficient. I, too am learing to knit. :)
There are so many ways that we can become more self sufficient, even in the cities. Here where I live, we can have chickens and ducks--none flying kind. I am beginning to learn how to raise them now. I also think that beekeeping is a good thing. Raising rabbits for meat and for knitting. Fruit trees, berry bushes, veggie garden, herb garden, canning, line drying (clothes and herbs), collecting water, greenhouse gardens, decorating with all homemade beauties, sewing, candlemaking, the list is endless. If you want a really good site go to www.pathtofreedom.com it is excellent.
Anyway, I enjoyed your post, as you can tell.
Sharon
It's great you are learning how to knit. I don't know how, but I can crochet a bit. I've made a few blankets years ago. I'm wondering if you could crochet a dishcloth instead of knitting it. Do you know if you can? I really don't know the difference between knitting and crocheting in that are the stitches tighter with one over the other? Is that why I hear of knitting a dishcloth versus crocheting one? I enjoy reading your blog. And the quilt that is on your lap in the beautiful, is beautiful. Now if I could quilt me a dishcloth, I'd be in business.
Chele @ homeschoolblogger.com/chelelew
Hi Chas, We only make our own chocolate syrup, laundry soap, household cleaners, etc. Many of which we have gotten the recipes from you, a daily inspiration to me. We are living in a subdivision, so sadly no chickens. My goals are to bake our bread weekly. Bread is probably the convenience food I buy most often. Due to my sons severe milk allergy, we have not bought most other pre-packaged foods. Yes, Yes, Yes, to plans for our garden. Last year my husband agreed to doubling the size of it. I am going to try the veriticle gardening idea. I long for a homemade fence around it, hmmm maybe this year? Yes! We are praying about land and a small homestead. For now I am trying to be Steady at Home (from Crystal Miller) as a goal while living in our cozy home is the burbs. Thanks for asking, I think I will go check out the seed catalog now. Smile.
Prayers goin' up as you asked. The Lords plan - ahhhh the comfort of this truth. God Bless, Cynthia
In Him Will I Trust - 03:24 - Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I'm a crocheter...
Knitting just never works for me, I try it every year, but I can crochet just fine, and so I work with it...lol.
I also have a large garden, with the intent to grow enough to feed us year 'round.
I can, pickle, jam, jelly, dry and freeze lots of foodstuffs ~ I even made ketchup this year!
We are looking into alternative energy to get off-grid
I am restoring my great aunt's treadle machine to learn to sew without power.
I have planted tree, bush fruit, and nut orchards to enhance food production.
I am learning about animal husbandry, my intent is to someday have a mini-farm ~ no mini as in small acreage, but as in small animals ~ mini cows, mini goats, etc.
Wll there's loads more, but I'll stop now before I get on a rant <giggle>
toodles, val
I use to knit when I was 8 years old. My mom showed me how to make slippers because it was so cold in Pa. I quit for many years and I just started again last year and made a lot of dish cloths.
This is a great post, and the comments are even more awesome! Thanks for sharing and all the tips. What a great topic list.
blessings,
Jacque
http://jacquedixon.com
Hey Chas,
Great post today! I could feel the hominess!
Your family verse was like a hug from heaven for me. When my 24 year old niece was losing her battle with colon cancer a few years ago, that verse brought her so much comfort that in our family it is now known as Melissa's Verse and it is on her tombstone. She was a fascinating young woman who was very much into a self-sufficient life-she has been a huge inspiration to me. We had a deal that she was going to get well and teach me to knit. When I am ready, I will learn in her honor. You work out all of the kinks so I can run to you with my knitting issues, okay?
Many warm hugs for you and your precious family today,
Brenda
Anonymous - 10:59 - Thursday, January 15, 2009
self sufficient
Chas, I enjoy reading your blog. I have 6 kids, but 4 on a regular basis. I like to crochet. I am inspired by your blog, and look forward to reading more on what you are doing to be more self sufficient.
Welcome to the Journey of our lives here at our place on this Mountain, our Heritage Acres Homestead. My name is Chas and here you will find my thoughts, my ideas and my accomplishments of my life as a Christian wife to my Sweetheart of many years, and as a Homeschooling Moma to my 4 beautiful blessings. We are making the most out of what God has abundantly blessed us with! Truly, My Cup Runneth Over...
I hope you enjoy your visit here and come back soon!
On the path to more self sufficient living I have a desire to learn more skills, to be able to make and do more things myself, of course. :)
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