HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

KNIT ON!

Pre-Christmas Ill, Right on Time

I am sick. I am dog sick, not just 'sick as a dog' but dog sick. I have the flu according to my doctor, who has graciously called in some antibiotics for me and which my loving neighbor is going to get for me on the way to purchase groceries. However, I am not alone in the sick. Hubby has the sick as well, as does Sniffles, and even Haro (although Haro claims he is turning the corner on the ill and is thus proclaiming himself better).

Despite the ill, I have indeed knitted like the wind and finished up with a hat and one fingerless mitt I will now have to sew up and the second mitt is begun and is looking more like a swatch than anything else, but it IS a mitt, or soon will be. The scarf to match is just going to have to arrive at some point after Christmas, maybe by Old Christmas on January 6th; although, to be quite honest, it will probably be by Valentine's Day. One gift will not be given at all because it is no where near completed. *insert large, sad sigh here*

Knitting, even though I have been sick, has been a joy, a release for all of the illness that currently inhabits this ol' body. No matter how badly I am feeling, once a few rows are knitted on a project, the better I feel, at least emotionally.

One of the side effects of this flu is that I cannot hear. Both ears are stopped up and one is probably infected. This means there is quiet and stillness during the knitting that otherwise would not be there; the knitting would be accompanied by the noise on the TV or radio. Hubby is looking at this with a wry smile and he keeps trying to help me listen to my favorite shows by turning the TV up quite loud. I can hear it, sometimes, but, if I had my druthers, I would just knit, right now, in the stillness of my own head. However, I do miss hearing conversations and what is being said to me.

I hope your all holiday gifts are finished and ready for their recipients and, just in case I don't make it back before then: Have a wonderful Merry Christmas!

Progress Has Been Made

I don't know about you, but sometimes I need something to boost my spirits when I am stressed. So, I am sharing with you one of my favorite spirit-boosters - Shemar Moore. There are several things I could think of knitting for him!!!!

Still knitting like the wind, but not feeling quite so over-whelmed. That will probably happen next week. So far the hat I need to have done for my mother-in-law is growing and should be finished this week, if not tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am going to finish up my Christmas shopping if at all possible and the wrapping of presents can begin along with the much-needed knitting.

Knitting. Like the wind.

A Test

I am trying things out because I am filling up places to hold pictures quickly. I may have to just start downloading them to Box.net or to some other place. The only problem is that I am going to have to begin paying some place it seems, and I do not have my first paycheck yet!

Seasonal Countdown and Time Consciousness

Things have been strange for me here at the Lexington homestead. Ricyos's father passed away Friday morning after a brief battle with cancer. It was a big surprise for the family, and everyone else. Only four or five weeks ago Ricyos's dad had to have a quintuple heart bi-pass and some scarring was found on his lungs. The scarring turned out to be cancer that had spread from some place else into his lungs. (Only within the past week had the doctors discovered some cancer cells in his stomach where another doctor had diagnosed a “bleeding ulcer” years before.) Having lost my own Dad 4 years ago this past year, I knew what the family was beginning to go through, and, for the first time in a long time I was able to be there for someone else and not my own family. It did not cause me to 'feel good' as some people would say, but it did let me be grateful to help someone else through this tragedy. Personally I would not wish losing a family member, especially one of your parents, on my worst enemy if I had one!

As usual, when stressed any more, I turn to the yarn and needles. This time I discovered that the knitting has again taken a different perspective and changed its place – going ever upwards on the needed-for-life scale as I currently know it. Having the massive amounts of knitting to do wasn't a drag or drudge, but it was a necessary part of having my day and hours filled. Knitting helped the burdens to ease and the time to pass in peaceful rhythm, and, for the first time this Christmas season, there was time for me to actually sit and think about what I would like for Christmas in the swag department.

So, for those of you who have asked I send you to http://www.knitpicks.com and the pattern collections with the following list:

Knitting Classic Style, by Veronik Avery
2-At-A-Time Socks, by Melissa Morgan-Oakes
Knitted Socks, by Anna Tillman
More Big Girl Knits, by Jillian Moreno & Amy Singer
Knitting New Mittens and Gloves, by Robin Melanson

I also need some 42” cables for the Interchangeable circular needles. I also need U.S. 5 replacement tips.

Subversive Knitting ....... *GASP*

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Nailed 'Em - Radical Knitting

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

Some History and a Link

As most know, I am a member of Ravelry as NotAfraid2Knit. Big surprise, right? Well, one of the groups I am a member of there is JWS Knit and Natter led by the indomitable jmcarlisle who posted some wonderful information about Aran stitches. I am posting it here with permission. I hope you find this as interesting as I do.

Basket stitch = the fisherman’s basket for abundant catches.

Irish moss = symbol of the gifts of the sea-carrageen moss, a delicious food harvested at low tide.

The Link = the eternal link with those who have left the islands.

Diamond = represents success, wealth, and treasure derived from land and sea.

Honeycomb = tribute to the bee and hard work; considered lucky for fisherman to see a swarm of bees.

The tree of life = symbolizes the hope of Aran islanders for strong sons and family unity.

Trellis = represents the pattern of the small stone walled fields of the west acting as protection against the wind.

Double zigzag = the marriage lines suggesting the ups and downs that make life worthwhile.

And here is a link to a creative knitting site you might find interesting:

http://www.creativeknittingmagazine.com/newsletters/creativeknitting/index.html

You can also click on the title to go to the site as well. Happy knitting today y'all.

It Has Arrived

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

All My Rowdy Friends Are Knitters

OK, not all of my "rowdy" friends are knitters.... I have just been listening to a lot of country music today.

The nice line of dogs you see here is usually the site I see when my "secretaries" wait for something to do like be petted, help mom with important character decisions; decide on yarns, needles and a good next project. When their services are not called upon they take naps.

Today more stitches were put down on The-Wonderful-Sweater-Called-Clark. The back is nearing completion at a much faster pace (probably because I am working on it). I should be able to cast on for the front by the end of the week, Thanksgiving withstanding. Knitting is the continual thing that helps me relax and lately I have needed relaxing for various reasons.

There is good news on the job front: Two places have responded positively to my resume and said they would be notifying me again soon! *swoon* I am so pleased. I hope the hours work out well and I get paid for training because I could really use it. Yes, I know - I sound like a broken record on that front. Maybe everything is going to open up soon.

A job also means something even more splendid: More yarn!!!

My Mind Roams Today

There are moments when all you can think about is being someplace else. Some place where you feel as if you have escaped into a quiet place to rest for a while. It doesn't have to be a place far away. It can be quite near. Like the cafe' at your favorite bookstore. Yeah, I'd like to be at Barns and Noble's right now sipping on a cafe' mocha and munching on a sugar cookie surrounded by books and people that I don't have to talk to if I don't want. Tonight, though, I would also be surrounded by yarn and knitting needles and books on knitting because this is a knitting night. Yessir, a full-fledged knitting night.

DH has gone to his tai chi practice and I am alone. Instead of making me feel all depressed and itchy to have company, I feel as if I am actually getting a good treat. I measured The Wonderful Sweater Called Clark against its recipient and feel good about how it is turning out. Tonight I am going to concentrate a good portion of knitting time upon said wonderful sweater and, once I find my Interchangeables - Hubby has put them somewhere - I am going to cast on a sweater for him.

Yes, I can mention knitting projects here without worry he will find out. He looks at my knitting and all of its many projects as almost a disease. It is a good disease as far as Dear Hubby is concerned, but a disease none-the-less.

As if the plans for knitting were not enough, I have spent a wonderful hour roaming Ravelry.com and seen so many projects I would like to undertake one day.

All in all, this has been a yarn-filled day more or less. SS came over for lunch and while he was here he helped me de-tangle a couple of masses of yarn. According to him, de-tangling yarn and other things is a stress-reliever for him. I, personally, consider it a miracle and will help him de-stress sometimes (although unintentionally).

Today I re-discovered a pair of nice worsted weight fingerless mitts, a hat, as well as the worsted weight pair of socks I made for myself. I wish I had had these this past Friday! Perhaps my hands would not have gotten so cold! (I am now determined to make myself some mittens for such occasions; I am just not sure which yarn to use from my stash.)

!@#$$%$%$&!!!!!!

Bobby. Bobby. Bobby. You really aren't that trendy right now. How about picking up some knitting needles for a good sweater and if you don't like pants, how about a skirt?

Wonky. Weird. Wundernuts!

Things are...unusual here. A wonderfully good friend has recently discovered his father has cancer and today it was told how long he could expect to have his father around. It isn't as long as anyone would have hoped.

It has also made me remember all of that long year when I was with my Mom and helping her as much as I possibly could and making mistakes as I did so. A lot of old memories have returned and it hurts.

Isn't it odd how some pains never truly go away or are 100% healed? Grief is like a scar that never completely closes. It is always ready to tear open a little and bleed. In my long years of overcoming the grief of the losses I've suffered that fateful pair of years, I have discovered nothing makes it completely all better, but there are a few things that make coping a little easier to do. For me one of those things just happens to be yarn. Since all of this has begun with our dear friend I have found myself planning projects as well as working on all of the current WIPs lying about. I wish I could just spread the peace of knitting a little further into this situation, but I can't, and the memories I have, though bittersweet, are my memories and I can stand them...now.

X-Post Library Thoughts

http://www.kentuckymountaingirlnews.com

Picked up the knitting needles again...finally!

I am not exactly sure why, but I haven't been knitting like the normal fiend with needles and yarn I usually am. It isn't that I haven't had ideas or that there aren't projects to complete, because there are: I just haven't been knitting. The tug of the knitting needles didn't actually finally hit until a couple of days ago, but then my shoulder was so very ugly because of the recent fall that the thought of working with yarn or doing anything requiring me to move my right shoulder even the tiniest bit made me sweat.

However, the doctor's visit told me I did not have a broken shoulder, but a cracked collar bone and there could be some deep tissue damage I need to get checked out later on in the week. Oh, and the x-ray showed that I had broken my arm at some point in the past three months and it was now virtually healed. The odd part is - I didn't think of myself as hurting enough to actually go get it checked out, which now has my doctor worried: If my pain level is high enough that I can't tell if I have a broken bone then something needs to be done differently, and this means different meds and such. The only thing is that, currently, my meds are to the point where I can have a normal life and think through the days instead of having them just blur in a drug-induced haze. I like that - having a life.

But I digress....

So, today the arthritis was acting up and my hands were sore. I had not really thought about knitting until Hubby brought home something from Church (yeah, today was sort of a bad pain day in other joints than just my shoulder) that said we were collecting children's' hats, toys, etc. for a Christmas drive. Suddenly I knew how I wanted to get started on this - a child's hat. When I cast on for the wee thing it felt wonderful and right. Luckily the shoulder is healed enough that small knitting projects aren't going to bother it, and now, after only a couple of hours, the little thing is forming nicely. I can't knit at my normal speed because of the arthritis and shoulder, but it feels so good! It is as if I haven't had anything sweet in ages and suddenly have been given something from Swiss Colony as a treat!

The little hat is being made out of self-striping sock yarn and there is also some yarn left over from small knitting projects, also in sock yarn, that have me already planning on the next little hat, probably a little larger for a bigger kid.

You Are Chess

You are brilliant and shrewd. You can often predict what people will do in the future. You thrive in complex situations. You deal with contradictions well. You can have many streams of though going on at your mind at once. You keep track of things well. You are very patient. You have lots of endurance, even when your energy dwindles

What Board Game Are You?

Knitting a New Direction

For the past little while I have either been too sick or too hurt to knit. Now that the shoulder is better I have discovered I am going to have to knit some more dishcloths because my stash is down and am digging into the ones I made for my sister.

Today I put a dishcloth on the Swiffer head and used it on my floors because I didn't want my dogs to get sick from the Swiffer wet pads. The floors aren't as clean as I want them, but they are actually better and tomorrow and the day after give me hope I can actually get things looking even better.

It is Halloween, so HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

For the first time in many years, DH and I are going to go out and have a drink with some friendsd and the Thriller dance downtown. Looking forward to it actually.

On the goofy side, below is what is suggested on those quiz things about what I should be (other than my own strange self of course), and I find it so not me, especially the part about people being scared of me!

You Should Be a Werewolf

You are seen as a bit tough and quite unpredictable. You follow your impulses. You see Halloween as a time you can go a little crazy. You love to scare people, and people are quite scared of you. You tend to be intimidating - and not just on Halloween!

What Classic Halloween Costume Should You Wear?

.........!

I might be a little daft. With the hat and fingerless gloves that match the socks I made for myself there must also be a scarf. Last night I began it. Yeah, I might have a few problems with wanting matching things. Maybe this yarn just makes me feel like being silly. Will produce pictures eventually.

The MoJo Has Returned!

Since last posting and wondering whether or not the knitting mojo was down for the count, I can honestly say - no it isn't! Since then I have finished a pair of fingerless gloves to match my socks as well as a hat to match. I have begun a friend a shopping bag, and the sweater that was forever on the shelf has actually been re-packed into a knitting bag and will have the back of said sweater finished, with luck and work, tonight!

The knitting mojo has returned, and it has given me a peace that was lacking for the past several weeks. It seems everything has fallen back into place, and instead of working or not working on things as the case may have been - even getting resumes out have begun to be easier to get out.

One thing that may have had my mood down is that a couple of weeks ago I went for a job interview and everything was perfect as long as the person hiring did not see me. I had all of the skills required and had the perfect phone voice for the position of receptionist ... until I went in and he saw the wheelchair. Suddenly he wasn't certain there were any positions open at all. Despite knowing this was going to happen, it still hurt. It just possibly hurt more than what I let myself realize, because, since then, it has been hellish trying to get motivated to do anything, much less submit resumes and set up job interviews.

Hubby was encouraging and told me to just keep at it and everything would eventually fall into place. I am trying to do that very thing, but I am also realizing I need something exceptionally positive in my life in order to just keep going with this current project of getting a job.

Having a disability makes it practically impossible to get a job. If you happen to be on crutches potential employers view you differently, but more toward human; when you show up in a motorized wheelchair, whether or not you can do the job, the potential employer sees reasons why you can't do the job instead of looking at the resume he was so excited about earlier.

Thank God I have knitting again!

No Knitting. Loss of Mojo?

Sadly, I must herein admit I have not picked up the knitting needles at all in two weeks...or more! Yes. Yes, I am very ashamed to have to admit this atrocity, but I must be honest with everyone. To put it bluntly - I just haven't felt like it. I haven't felt like picking up the needles and one of several projects and watching them come to life in my hands. Why? I don't know. It just wasn't...there. Know what I mean?

However, today is a lot cooler than yesterday and my hands are beginning to feel a little...empty. Could it be...? There might even be a little itch in the palm.... Or is that a 'skeeter bite? No, it is a different sort of itch.

Pray for me fellow knitters as I hopefully return to the fold.

Hmmmm.....

Tomorrow night is the night of my actual sleep study. Should I take some knitting with me, or just the book I am reading? Any input?

Looking Ahead and Feeling...Strange

Things are beginning to hop in the ol' brain of late. Stories are going down and knitting progresses wonderfully, although a little slower than was previously expected.

On the writing front, a new novel is in the process: phase one, to be exact, which is research. To read more about that, you can go over to The Kentucky Mountain Girl News and read all about it.

The new novel is going to be set in the Civil War era. More correctly, it is going to be set in the antebellum period before the war actually started. It is going to be a romance novel this time, but I am very into the story that is roaming around in my head. It may be a three-part series - part one before the war; part two during the war; and part three after the war, at least a little bit. Can I possibly pull off a three book series? I know I can do it, but, still, it makes me nervous. But, I really do love the story that is here inside my head.

And, of course, it is leading me to knitting projects centered in that era. Does anyone know of what things were actually knitted in the Americas during this time period? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated at this point.

Sorry, you have to go over there to find out about the festival....

http://www.kentuckymountaingirlnews.com

ST. ANDREW FESTIVAL Knitting

This weekend is our Church's festival. So, in preparation for it I am only taking one thing with me to work on, OK, maybe two: the wonderful sweater called clark, and my soon to be finished very warm socks for winter.

ST. ANDREW ORTHODOX CHURCH is a member of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Metropolitan PHILLIP, Primate.

Antioch is one of the five original Apostolic sees of Christianity. The disciples of Our Lord were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26).

*Services are offered in English, and all are invited to worship the Undivided Trinity.

If you are in the Lexington, KY area, check us out. Here is a schedule of the entertainment:

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE


SATURDAY

12:00 PM St. Andrew Slavic Dancers
1:00 PM St. Andrew Arabic Dancers
2:00 PM McTeggart Irish Dancers
3:00 PM Choir Concert (in Church)
4:00 PM St. Andrew Arabic Dancers
5:00 PM St. Andrew Slavic Dancers
6:00 PM Choir Concert (in Church)
6:30 PM St. Andrew Arabic Dancers
7:00 PM St. Andrew Slavic Dancers

Church Tours – 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM

SUNDAY

1:00 PM St. Andrew Slavic Dancers
1:30 PM St. Andrew Arabic Dancers
2:00 PM Greek Dancers
2:45 PM Lexington International Dancers
3:30 PM Choir Concert (in Church)
4:00 PM St. Andrew Arabic Dancers
4:30 PM St. Andrew Slavic Dancers

Church Tours – 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM



ALA CARTE ITEMS


KIBBEE $ 2.00
CABBAGE ROLL $ 2.00
SPINACH PIES $ 2.00
GRAPE LEAVES
(Vegetarian) $ 2.00
(with Meat) $ 2.00
PIEROGIES (3) $ 2.00
GIBANICA $ 2.00
TABOULEH $ 2.00
FATTOUSH $ 2.00
HOMMOUS $ 2.00

SANDWICH ITEMS


CHICKEN SHISKABOB $ 6.00

KEFTA SANDWICH $ 6.00

FALAFFEL SANDWICH $ 5.00

KIELBASSI SANDWICH $ 5.00

GYRO $ 6.00

St. Andrew Orthodox Church
1136 Higbee Mill Road(just inside Man O'War at Clays Mill)

SCHEDULE:

Saturday, Sept 27th - 11am to 8pm

Sunday, Sept 28th - Noon to 5pm


FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT:

Middle Eastern, Slavic, Irish and Greek!

Choir Concerts and Church Tours...Silent Auction...

FREE ADMISSION

For Information call: 859.223.5091 or 859.277.1763

Clay Aiken is gay? Who would a thunk it?!

Yes, I know this isn't knitting related, but when reading over the headlines today this one made me cackle out loud. Click the header/title above and you can read the entire article for yourself. Let me know if it made you chuckle or not. All I can really say is, Clay, buddy, it's about time you...ah...set the record...straight.

Get Froggy Wi'It!

Yesterday was one of the most productive days yours truly has had in quite a while. It is a wonderful thing to report that all the floors were swept and the kitchen and hall were actually mopped. As an added bonus, the dishes in the sink were actually cleaned and most put away. Dear Hubby felt like crap yesterday because of a virus, so he did not complain about me getting house-work done - he just wanted to sit and doze in front of the TV. It takes a lot to keep him from work, and since he did not go to work yesterday I am positive he felt like absolute crap. However, today he did make it to work and I actually made it to the sleep study initial interview today. This leads me to think - today is a good day!

Yes, there was tons of good house-work done yesterday, but there was also knitting accomplished. The wonderful sweater called Clark was actually brought out of the darkness and frogged back to the point to where proceeding again makes more sense. Why was it frogged? Because it calls for a ridge across the chest. In the picture you don't see ridges at all, which makes me look at this sweater and think how masculine it looks; it does not look masculine with the ridges across the chest. So, frogged what little I had of the front and then frogged the back down to another point and am going to work from there.

The wonderful sweater called Clark was not the only thing I picked up, but also continued to work on my worsted weight socks for myself for this winter. Since there will be a good amount (I believe) of the yarn left over, I am thinking I shall not waste it; there should be some matching fingerless mitts for me for this winter as well. And, just possibly, a toboggan that matches, should there prove enough of the yarn left. Yeah, it could be a little over-board, but, why not? The yarn is in variegated purples and pinks, girlie to the umpth degree, and I am having a ball doing what I am doing. This project for myself is making me happy.

AVAST!

Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day! So talk! And don't drop no stitches!

A Non-Knitting Sort of Day

Haven't picked up the needles at all today, although I should. I really, really should.

I began some worsted weight socks yesterday. They are in gaudy variegated purple acrylic yarn. They are going to be for my boots for when the weather turns cold. Since I have the "one sock syndrome" I am working on two socks at once. Two sets of US 8 needles. This pair, because they are for me, are going to be tube socks because of the difference in size of my feet.

I am SO very excited!

A Gray Sky Makes Me Want Bright Colors

You know, I am going to have to sit down and just knit myself up some dishcloths because when it comes to needing a new one I keep going to the stash I made for one of my sisters! I am being a bad knitter because of this, you know.

So, today I am setting a goal for myself of making up at least three dishcloths for myself this week and putting them in the kitchen for me to use so as to leave my sister's dishcloths alone! I am determined!

The preemie cap from sock yarn is finished, almost. I still have to sew it up. It is amazing how small it is. The next hat project is going to be a newborn cap. It is something I should be working on, especially for one of the local hospitals and for my Church - there are suddenly a lot of pregnant women who will be delivering babies very soon. It would be wonderful to give them something for their babies. Besides, one should never let the plethora of knitting projects deplete. There should always be projects out there to do.

One of the said newer projects is one I am going to be knitting for myself: socks. However, I am not going to be making them out of sock yarn, but out of worsted weight yarn for those really cold winter days for when I have to get out. My boots are warm, but it would be nice to have something going up the remainder of my leg underneath my skirts.

Yes, I am one of those crazy people who wear skirts even on the coldest of winter days. There is a reason, however: Since I am in a wheelchair for a good portion of the time, it is much easier to wear skirts than pants, and, to be quite honest, I find pants to be far colder than skirts! Maybe it is the heat my legs generate beneath the skirts. I also want to knit myself a good winter skirt. The first one I have in my head is quite plain, and then I'd like to do an "over-skirt" like was worn in the 1920's in the winter. This is mostly inspired from watching the TV movie Coco Chanel. Plus, I just love vintage fashion. Sometimes I wonder if my fashion sense is anything "modern" at all.

There is also a small purse I'd like to make for myself. I need a small "shopping purse" to use when I am out and about this winter when all I really need to take with me is wallet and keys (and a small notebook of course).

Plus, all of the Christmas presents I need to settle myself down to making. This is all very important, you know. It is already mid-September.

DH and I didn't make it to Georgetown to Stone's Throw either this weekend because of the gas price hike that happened.

Currently yours truly is working on a preemie cap out of left-over sock yarn. I rather enjoy short projects, although, to be honest, I am going to have to get my butt in gear for that sweater!

You can find details on the preemie cap here through Bev's blog...

http://bevq.blogspot.com/

FO Picture Time!

I give to you Punkster! Not only is Punkster the newest, latest hat to come off of my very happy needles, but he is also the first thing up on my Etsy store. In fact, he is the only thing currently listed at the little Etsy store until I can get more pictures posted. Go check it out and give me some love if you like. I could use it.

http://handyworks123.etsy.com

In other news. I am tired again. It snuck up on me today. The BP isn't down exactly, but it is lower than what it was on Friday. Hopefully the current tired may just be weather-related because it is gray and rainy looking outside minus the rain.

FO!

Finished another hat. Pics will soon follow.

I am beginning to believe I am hat queen or something! Why does DH need so many hats?! Although this one, honestly, I wouldn't mind selling!

Finishing Question

Here is an "in progress" picture of one of the "lace-like" scarves which is now finished. However, I have a question: Should I weave in the ends before or after blocking?

I have never had one of these projects before and I really do need advice.

Also, I just have to post this...just because....

For the most adorable of captions, please go to Disapproving Rabbits.

Hi Y'all!

Finished two "lace-like" scarves for the silent auction and have another hat almost finished.

The tam I was working on for DH has turned out to be absolutely wonderful! As soon as I download the pictures I will post them here! I am really proud of that one!

I've Been Tagged!

Here are the rules from No Reason Needed. She is the tag-er in this case LOL!

These are the rules which need to be passed on:
1). Link to the person who tagged you on your blog.
2).Post the rules of the tag on your blog.
3).Write 6 random things about yourself.
4).Tag 6 people at the end of the post.
5).Let each of the people know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6).Let tagger know that your tag entry has been posted.

6 Random Things About Me

1. Sunshine makes me smile. It doesn't matter if it is in the cold of winter, as long as the sunlight is bright and bathing everything in its sunny happiness there is a reason for me to smile.

2. Instant human - just add coffee. Coffee must come at least once a day. Because I am the only coffee drinker in my household I use instant coffee, but that doesn't matter. There should be ONE cup of good hot coffee in the day, preferably in the morning. On really bad days there should at least be TWO cups of coffee.

3. My special treat to myself is a cafe' mocha from Starbucks at the Barns & Noble with a Sugar Cookie. It really doesn't matter how bad the day or week has been if there is a cafe mocha double with whip cream and a sugar cookie is placed before me. If a day ever comes when those two things don't brighten my day and make things special, you know it has been a horrible time for yours truly.

4. My dogs and my cat are family. When I am sad, they comfort me; when I am happy, they play with me. When I am afraid, they protect me. I share with them all of my secrets and they never tell one single soul. And, 1/2 of the time I prefer their company over people (sometimes even the husband).

5. Books are one of my deepest joys. Reading books, exploring new worlds or past worlds and times through words gives me peace and let's me escape this mundane life of mine better than any movie could.

6. Writing is like composing music. Sometimes, when the writing is going exceptionally well, typing on the keyboard is almost like creating music. It was more melodic when the keyboard was a typewriter - the click clack clack made its own sort of music and let me escape into the melody of the words like nothing else could.

I am tagging

http://drunkenmonkeyknits.blogspot.com/
http://heidelblogging.blogspot.com/
http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/
http://ruthlessknitting.ruthlessediting.com/
http://ricyos.livejournal.com/
http://cynicalbeauty.livejournal.com/

Silent Auction Update

Two scarves are finished now for the silent auction. Should I make some dishrags for the silent auction?

On the lace - do I weave in the ends before blocking or after?

Tid Bits

Still working on the scarf. The further it goes the more I am falling in love with it! The fabric flows like cotton candy and looks so very wonderful! However, I am concerned I might have to go back and get some more mohair because I have made the scarf just a little wider than originally planned just in case someone would want to use it as a babushka (scarf worn during liturgical services).

Was supposed to go to the doctor today but WHEELS, which is the wheelchair transport company here in Lexington was running an hour behind schedule. This forced me to reschedule the doctor's visit for next Thursday at 8:45 a.m.! No, I am not exactly happy about that, but there simply isn't anything else to be done. *sigh*

Now that the day has been thrown totally off-kilter I simply don't know what to do with myself!

The Sky is Gray

Yesterday, with all of its productivity, also extended to the scarf I promised to make for the Church's silent auction. Much to my surprise, it has lengthened considerably and feels so soft and flowy that it is actually going to be very difficult to give it up for sale/auction! I feel like such a bad person! As soon as my phone is charged I will take a couple of pictures of it to show how long it currently is and, with luck the stitch definition it has. This is encouraging me to try something more difficult, but not very much more. Lace, I think, will be undertaken in slow, gentle, baby steps.

Lace in a Month?

My Church is having its annual festival a little early this year. Instead of the first weekend in October it is going to be the last weekend of September and I agreed to do a scarf for the silent auction. It was "hoped" I would knit a lace scarf. I'm fudging it. Beautiful mohair on large US 15 needles with a garter stitch. It looks beautiful! I can't wait to see it blocked! Shhhhhh. Let's not tell too many people, shall we?

Oh, and by the way, it was my birthday so there was much celebrating and silence here, for which I apologize. However, all posting should resume it's normal posting times. For further details of the birthday extravaganza you can check out The News if you are curious. All I can say is - I SURVIVED! And had a blast!

Oddly in Flux

Over on The News is a big long entry of stuff that is going on with me inside the ol' k'noggin' and spirit. This leaves less unwanted materials in my inner person, so I am better.

On the knitting front I am knitting like the wind. I have completed one tam and am working on the last one for at least a week. It is the prettiest of all and is on tiny US #2 16" circulars. It is going to take a while to knit, and I need to work on it every day in order to have it finished by August 22nd when it is leaving for its new potential home.

Yesterday I even took it outside to knit and be warm and just enjoy the great outdoors. The tam really enjoyed it. We're going to do the same thing at some point today. Tams need fresh air like everyone else.

It's Picture Time!!!

Here is the roving freshly spun and hung to dry!



Here is the pretty new (slub) yarn balled loosely, waiting for me to put it on some needles.



And here, are the tams that are about to drive me completely crazy!







My favorite dishrag for my sister.



And this is the new roving being worked on.



This is moving along so much better than the purple-roving-now-yarn. You just have to start learning somewhere.

Seeing all of these things here shows me just how productive I have been despite feeling as if I haven't done anything!

There is Life Outside of Yarn?

My Darling Hubby is wanting a sari silk hat so badly he went to a local Indian merchant friend of ours and got some scraps of old saris and began cutting the remnants into strips and binding them together, then twisting them to make a sort of rope. Bless his heart, but he expects me to knit this into a hat for him. I told him it would actually be better if it was crocheted into a hat, but he wants it knitted. At the same time he keeps telling people he needs a hobby. Since crocheting makes my right hand swell and hurt for several days afterwards, it would be nice, I think, if he would learn to crochet. Presently, DH is putting up a semi-good fight at not learning to crochet, but I believe I sense him wavering since he sees me having such a good time with yarn and is wanting a hobby.

Isn’t it amazing how seeing someone knit something and getting the most enjoyment out of it can encourage someone they need a hobby that gives likewise pleasure? When will said people realize the ONLY way to get such pleasure is to actually sit down and work with yarn, and *gasp* knit (or crochet) something themselves? This is my take on it at least.

Began another tam last night. Yes, I know I said I was going to work on something for myself when the *last* tam was finished. The only thing is – the 22nd of August is coming up rather quickly, and if I am going to have four tams ready for possible purchase I sort of need the four tams to present, you know? There are two done, and this is the third one, and, to be honest, the best looking one of them all. I hope it gets sold, and if not, I hope I can find someone who would really like to wear it. When it is finished I’ll make sure and put a few pictures in here of everything.

I Need a Yarn Room

Between the stash of fleece purchased yesterday and more yarn, likewise purchased yesterday, for a couple of new tams, my little corner of the living room is now officially full. Is it going to be possible for me to not purchase any more fiber or yarn until there is a little more room for it? This makes me say YES, but my heart trembles in fear, or perhaps a secret knowledge it won't actually last. It is just quite possible I have indeed reached my first point for a "stash busting" exercise and I am totally lost as to what I should do!

Yes, I know the tams need to be finished first, but there is also several pairs of socks I would like to finish before cold weather - this is August you know - and there is a top and two sweaters that need finished before much longer. So what do I do? Do I put everything on the needles and just begin working on them, one day for each project? I am open to suggestions at this point me lovelies! HEEELLLPP!

Spinning

Doing more spinning today in between writing. This is a routine I am rather enjoying.

Dishrag swaps and Spinning = Perfect Day

Today has been an odd day health-wise. I don't know exactly why, but I just simply haven't felt well. My BP did go up a little, but it is back to normal now and I am a little on the tired but antsy side. Hopefully this will pass soon.

To help get over the whatever-it-is feeling I relaxed into some spinning. This time the wool is close to falling from my fingers the way it does from Beth's, but, possibly, there are a few more spinning sessions I need to just let it flow the way she does. Either way, I am quite pleased with how the spinning of this particular batch of roving is turning out.

There is a dishrag swap going on through Stone's Throw. My dishrag/cloth is finished and I am selecting the treat and goody I am going to be sending with it. I just adore these things. The last person didn't tell me if she had received her package. I guess it doesn't matter, really: I had such a blast playing it the last time!

A Need Discovered

I need two more hands.

With two more hands it would be much easier to get ALL of the knitting I would like to do done, as well as begun.

Does anyone else wish they had two more hands for knitting or some other task?

Dog Owners Will Understand

My First Official Yarn - Pictures to Soon Follow

more cat pictures

Last night while watching So You Think You Can Dance I loosely balled up my first spinning project, now properly single-ply and ready to make the hat the roving was intentionally spun for. I am so proud of myself! Seeing the yarn, even its imperfections, was beyond satisfying. I have new roving which I have already begun to spin and it is doing much better than my first attempt, and it makes me feel so ... accomplished knowing I am doing this myself.

Since this is my second spinning project (with a drop spindle), the procedure is working much easier and is a lot more "even" than the first go, which is to be expected and sought after. It is SUCH an accomplishment to me. Unlike knitting, which is its own sort of accomplishment and satisfaction, spinning is a different sort of relaxation and peaceful pursuit. It is too bad I won't be able to take the spinning with me tomorrow to the test appointment.

According to the procedures I have to take three doses of Gas-X today and be NPO (no food or drink) from Midnight on. Since I will be NPO this also means I won't be eating anything until after the test is done. As to what exactly is going to happen tomorrow is unknown, I am not at all sure how to prepare myself for relaxing while waiting on the test to begin. I am assuming I will be lying down so I don't believe I will be able to take any knitting with me. Le sigh.

I have pictures of the roving-now-yarn in my camera-phone, so will take it off this weekend and put up a picture of my two beautiful balls of fantastic purple, handspun yarn!

more cat pictures

The knitting has been progressing magnificently recently. The dishcloths for Sister2 are finished as well as another tam, which I am going to try and sell. There is another tam getting ready to go on the needles and the the magnificent sweater called Clark is there, curling his finger at me seductively. Ahhh, this has been the perfect knitting summer so far!

There is a big medical test for me on Friday. I'll let everyone know how it turns out later. Right now I am just doing the required preparations for the thing, which I will try and remember to post tomorrow. They are kind of odd

Dishcloths Everywhere!

Thank you to everyone that commented here on the blog and through e-mail about what has been going on with the blood pressure problems.

Just to settle your minds, I want everyone to know I am not just "letting this go" by any means. I am indeed taking my blood pressure medications and keeping up with what it is running during the day, as well as making sure to keep the doctors' appointments and everything else that goes along with this sort of development. I have come too far to simply sit and not do anything about it. I have finally reached a point in my life where the pain is tolerable, and this means I want to enjoy the rest of my life as much as possible.

Since the doctor said to knit, I have been doing exactly that - knitting like the proverbial wind! Right now I am working on some dishcloths for my sister in Florida. She is coming up to Kentucky for a family reunion (I won't be able to go because I need to stay close to the doctor right now) and I really want them finished for when she comes by to visit me. Because she lives in Florida I have selected some Lily cotton that reminds me of sand and sea and am knitting them up for her as quickly as possible. Hopefully she will enjoy them. I know I am enjoying knitting them for her.

There are so many projects in my head to knit that I am seriously considering keeping notes in a notebook and not just on Ravelry.com. I mean, there are so many!

Sunshine Outside My Window. Fiber Waiting To Be Spun. Knitting On Short Needles. Life In The Knitting Lane.

I have been sitting here for a while trying to figure out how to describe my weekend. It has been superb. A weekend that will never ever come again. I suppose I could go in great detail, but then I am afraid I wouldn't be able to describe it in proper fashion with the necessary words of glory and praise. So, I will just leave the weekend in all of its expanse alone for the moment and just concentrate on the fibery goodness portion.

Saturday, after tai chi, DH and I went to Stone's Throw, of course. We were able to glimpse Megan and the childrens as well as hubby, and then spend wonderful time in the store surrounded by fiber and yarns. DH picks on me for just going into the shop to simply feel the fiber and plan projects as well as just visit with Beth or Megan or both depending on the happenings in the store at the time; however, DH understands just how much I love it. The fiber. The yarn. The knitting needles, spindles, niddy noddies and so many more wonderful tools.

Right now Beth has a wonderful loom in the "soap room", which was once called the "nap room" or "meditation room" (I think DH misses the nap room personally). I can't wait to see it in operation! Anything to do with fiber has begun to fascinate me, as well as history and fiber properties. DH says, or hints, I am crossing some threshold, but, for the life of me, I can't figure out what kind of said threshold it could possibly be. Seeing fiber, thread, becoming fabric thrills my heart in that deep down good way that actually means CREATIVITY.

Before now the mere act of knitting, of creating something beautiful and useful has been all that I have needed to give me great peace and happiness. Now, it seems, not only does this wonderful peace and happiness occur in the actual knitting process, but in the planning stages, choosing of yarn, and even fiber now.

My hands, head, and heart are choosing fibers that work well and are enjoying the working with the items. It is as if my hands have sight of their own and by touching the yarn is easily put with this project or, sometimes, kept from a project because of said properties. This wasn't apparent to me until yesterday when I was telling Beth the flaws of Maizy yarn I had discovered: It practically melts!

Maizy was used for the main top of a tam for DH. The lower section of the hat was done in bamboo and the bottom was a good grade of cotton. The cotton and bamboo get along fantastically, but recently the Maizy section of the hat just melted and then proceeded to unravel. Maizy doesn't wear well at all for garments. DH went so far as to say the top of his hat looked as if a mouse had eaten the very top!

Now, you have to understand: DH LOVES the tam. He wears it every day. He knows where it is at all times. He washes it by hand and lets it dry flat. He takes care of the thing better than a lot of items I have given him. He was upset when he told me about the hole he had discovered. He also wanted it fixed ASAP.

When removing the Maizy yarn it wasn't difficult to see just how worn it looked and felt. The bamboo section was absolutely perfect, considering all of the wear and tear it has gone through since its original completion date, and, though there was some wear, the fibers of the bamboo yarn was still very strong.

When I was describing the wear and what I wanted to get to fix it with, DH told me I had changed and was crossing the threshold mentioned earlier. Then, when I was talking to Beth, it was easier for me to see what DH was talking about. It is as if a new level of language has opened up for me. I am no where near as knowledgeable as Beth and Megan, but I understand more now than what I did before, and it is knowledge that has been obtained through working with the fibers and different yarns themselves.

Now I want to know more, but am not rushing out to buy books or look up things on the Internet. This sort of knowledge I want to learn because of the craft itself, and so, through the crafting of garments and thread is how I feel it is to be learned, with a few well-placed questions (OK, more than a "few" probably) here and there to those more in the know than I am.

Isn't life wonderful in the knitting lane?

Numbers....

Hello all. It has been a while since I have popped up here, but I have a good excuse. Numbers.

Being knitters we all understand the importance of numbers, however, it is even more important when the numbers happen to involve your blood pressure. A week ago yesterday I had a pretty bad headache and still went on to school. The headache became worse so I had the EMT/security guy take my BP mostly because of a nagging little voice that wouldn't leave me alone. My BP was 200/100 at that time. I thought it was probably because I had the headache and if I just went back into the library and finished some work that it would go down. A friend, MN, came and "encouraged" me to go back and have my BP taken again after I told her my left arm felt heavy. The BP had shot up to 230/140. This prompted me to call DH and we went to the ER.

Things became a little hairy a couple of times, but I was able to go home. Sadly - my BP hasn't gone down the way it should have even after having taken my high blood pressure medication for over a week and a "water pill" (which I hate). It is running 120/100+, which isn't good.

This has prompted me to withdraw from school for about three quarters and concentrate on myself. My heart must work extra hard because of my arthritic body as it is, and I would really like to concentrate on losing even more weight, getting my body back into as good a healthy condition as possible.

According to my brand new doctor, knitting is an excellent way to get the BP down. This doesn't really sound like news to me, but it made her feel good to tell me, and now I have an actual *health* reason *why* I should knit! Does it make me weird this thrills me to no end?

I don't feel well, though. I feel as if I am weighted down all over and I am so tired!

Tomorrow I am making a short trip to Sullivan to withdraw from classes, and already it is a big emotional deal for me. I keep telling myself I am only withdrawing for a short time, not forever. It doesn't help that I was supposed to have graduated in December with my A.S. and a job while working on my B.S. in the paralegal program.

So, yours truly is going to throw herself into the joys of knitting, being a homemaker, and a part-time employed person...as soon as the BP is down, of course.

Today, after tai chi, which went by far too fast for me, we went to Fava's for breakfast, where we did heartily, and then, of course, I went to Stone's Throw. Beth was not there, but Megan was, which meant there was yarn which could be purchased. And it was. I am probably going to have to slip some money from DH some way in order to make due with everything I need to do this beginning of the month. Part of me regrets having spent the money for the yarn, but there is this other side of me that is relieved there is new yarn in the stash, plus good knitting mojo was passed along to me from Stone's Throw. The knitting mojo was much needed.

Yarn has, completely and irrevocably, become my stress reliever. When something goes wrong I pick up the knitting needles and knit quietly for an hour or two. DH is being a grumpy bastard - I pick up the knitting needles and knit quietly for an hour or two. The nerves need to be settled before class - I pull out the knitting needles and knit quietly for as long as is possible. There is a brief that needs to be written and is being troublesome or a a story item that isn't working out - again, knitting needles and knitting. How is it then possible for me to walk into a store that provides such beautiful yarn and roving and walk out with nothing? Impossible. It helps, too, that I don't have to ask DH for any funds for purchasing of said materials. He would, I think, but he would grumble and fuss for a good week. (It is very rare he will purchase yarn for me and not grumble about how much it costs.) It must be a guy thing. Ok...SOME guys' 'guy thing', if that makes any sense.

*sigh* So, pinching pennies and putting in what I make into the bank and life will go on. The bright side is - there is yarn. New yarn. Yarn that is patiently waiting for me to pick it up and do something absolutely beautiful with it. Oh, and roving. Beautiful blue and white roving. AND, Megan also told me how to "set" the thread once it is spun. I am happy. Broke, perhaps, but happy.

The Best Laid Plans....

With all of the planning I did for the wonderful knitting projects absolutely nothing has been done toward them. Why? Because of a very bad reaction to a medication I was trying out for my arthritis from my rheumatologist Wednesday.

It was a patch of pain medication called Flector Patch(tm), which is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug); it's medical/drug name is diclofenac epolamine topical patch. It worked wonderfully for the knee pain I was having on Tuesday night when I got home from class, but Wednesday morning brought nausea, stomach pain, weakness, and a few more icky side effects. It was serious enough to keep me from going to my class Wednesday night. This means Monday, when I get to Sullivan, I will be doing my absolute best to try and find out what assignment is due on this coming Wednesday.

Yesterday was a little better, and today I am feeling almost perfect (for me). There is still some lingering weakness, but the stomach pain and nausea are gone and I am close to being hungry again. For Mexican food. Yeah, I am such a weirdo when it comes to getting over icky days. When I get hungry from something like this it usually has a flavor...like Mexican, Italian, pizza, or Chinese.

Tonight is Game Night Part Deux. I think it is the perfect time to take along some knitting, don't you?

Into the Future

I can actually say that today I have rested my hands for the obligatory hour, and a little longer because there was nap involved. Even though it is late all I have done is sleep and rest and thought of knitting projects to fill the coming days. I am going to be a very busy little girl with classes and all.

Signs of Addiction

I was just looking around my living room. There are two very large boxes, one completely full of yarn and one on its way to being filled. Yarn in paper bags. Yarn in plastic bags. Yarn in several different WIP bags. And a traveling yarn project bag in my book-bag for school. Could it possibly be I am addicted to yarn and knitting? Could be.

Along with the yarn was books. Several different books of varying shapes and sizes that my brain is itching to read. Books and yarn. How easily they go together.

Welcome!

I would also like to welcome No Reason Needed to the realm of favorite blogs. Carol, your blog has made me smile and I really needed one today.

Nhyan!

DH has been going to a local shop to get his hair done. It is a dread shop and when the owner saw the tam I had made for DH he wanted me to knit some more, but I haven't been inspired until recently. This past Saturday DH went back to the shop and he told the owner about the pink lemonade I had made for myself and there is a request in for two of those as well as any others I can possibly finish. If all goes well, I am going to work on those this week and get them finished so DH can take them to the shop and bring me some money home.

While I was making the pink lemonade tam for myself DH kept telling me I was wasting my time because no one would want to purchase that particular color scheme. It made me feel awesome when two of them were requested! I just need to grab one more larger skein of cotton for the tams and I am set. I am going to Michael's later on in the week if at all possible, and to the mall to see if I can't sell some purses my mother-in-law has made.

Where has this break gone?!

Socky Goodness

It is amazing how I have found myself picking up the needles now that there is more time. Amazing isn't it? On Monday I found a sock I had begun last year and have already gotten it half-way finished. This pair of socks is for myself so I am not worrying about putting a heel in. Did I hear several people gasp?

Yes, I know, it is most easy to make a sock without putting in that pesky little heel, but there is a reason for my seeming madness - my feet.

Because of the arthritis my feet are "different" to say the least. They are different sizes, very wide, with "unusual" toes to say the least. Since this pair of socks is just for me, I am not worrying about putting a heel in because I just want to grab a sock and put it on and not worry about whether or not I have a right or left sock. Make sense? Therefore I am making myself tube socks.

The knitting of tube socks is virtually a mindless task and this is actually helping me get my head back into pre-quarter gear. Oh yes, there are other projects on the needles, but the socks are my easy knitting task for the day or evening, whenever it is I decide to pick them up. They will probably be the knitting I will take to the doctor's office with me tomorrow and do a little knitting-in-public. Easy. Easy to transport, and extremely bright. I am happy with my little sock project. However, the socks for Dear Hubby is going to be a real pair of socks, including the heel.

FO

My new summer tam! Wove in the ends last night! *happy dance of joy*

Knitting Needles and Stress

see more dog pictures
Isn't this just the cutest picture?!

I finally brought out the knitting needles for a hat for myself this time. I wanted to play with a tam idea I have in my head. If it works out good for me I'll incorporate it into all of tams I am supposed to be knitting for the dread shop. To be quite honest, there hasn't been anything much happening on the knitting front due to finals and the mock trial on Friday. Once this week is over I can breathe and knit and clean my house for an entire two week period before classes begin again.

Such is the life of a student.

There are also two dishcloths for Sister2 finished with pictures forthcoming. Knitting has saved me over for the past couple of weeks to give me some semblance of peace inside my head where I didn't have to think over much about law or computers. (I think I hate CSC class.) Having that tiny little space of different thought has helped me tremendously to be a civil human being, as well as potassium and my pain meds.

more cat pictures

The Needles Return

All last week I dreamed of knitting. In my dreams I knitted sweaters, scarves, hats, and even a very interesting skirt I may actually try to do. The pull of the knitting needles was so exceptionally strong that I actually pulled out the needles and began working on some dishcloths I had promised Sister2.

The dishcloths weren't what I was actually wanting to begin on, but short projects are important right now because this week and next are finals for me and I don't have the brain cells left for doing much more than dishcloths, and perhaps a hat.

There is some lovely cotton thread I am going to be using for the summer hat. It is pink, yellow, green, and a lovely sand color with purples that are going to combine to make a beautiful chapeaux for yours truly. The hat is a treat to myself for actually completing this quarter, which has me practically brain-dead at this moment. (This quarter has been little else than stress after stress.)

Knitting? What knitting?

I was shocked to discover I had not up-dated here since April! I was even more shocked to realize I haven't picked up any form of a needle since April! Just last night I glanced over at my coffee table and saw my stash box and felt the familiar itch in the palms of my hands. It is time to pick up the sticks again! It will also help my blood pressure.

Yet Another Hat

It has been several days since I have updated here, but, as usual, there have been other things getting in the way of the knitting - most notably the Eastern Orthodox Pascha, or Easter! Our service was this past Saturday beginning at 11:00 p.m. After the service all of us who remained broke fast with a glorious pot-luck feast! It was magnificent!

This pretty little gem was finished several days ago, but have just now gotten around to taking (a very blurry picture) of it. I think it quite cute.

The next thing on the knitting agenda is, hopefully, going to be the short-shorts from Sexy Little Knits and the wonderful sweater called Clark. I want to see the sweater together and looking good. However, I am seriously thinking of going back and re-doing the sweater. My mind keeps thinking of something else I could do to make it even more dashing. There is also another part of my brain that would very much just like to follow the pattern without changing it, which I may also do.

Hubby took off work today because of Pascha and he is sitting in the floor playing the X-Box. I hadn't realized until today he had given up video games for Lent. He is having a wonderful time, so I came in here to make up-dates and go through a few things on Ravelry and other places. Tomorrow is class, but today is just for rest and relaxation, and, of course, this means knitting at some point!

Knitting is Good for the Soul

My nerves have been all a-jangle today. Why? Have no clue. Well, I do, but it is best not to delve too deeply into deep dark pits. Yeah, I figured you would catch the meaning.

So, in order to solve the nerves problem and still stay married and have friends and some semblance of sanity, I have turned to knitting. The projects are all progressing quite nicely, and I am hoping the hat I am lovingly calling "riveletts" will be finished some time today. As always, I will post picture(s) when hat is done.

Tam!

Finally have a picture of the newest tam for Hubby. Sadly, you can't see the stitch definition because the only camera I had to take a picture of the hat with was my camera phone. *sigh* I am going to have to locate Hubby's camera and get a new card for it for all of these knitting projects. He doesn't use it, so why just let it sit there, forlorn and alone and unused? Right? Right!

Something Else Going Onto the Needles

As if there wasn't enough going onto the needles, here is one more - terry short-shorts from

Sexy Little Knits by Ashley Paige. These cute little shorts just look adorable!

In order to pull it out from the needles, Soft and Thick Chenille is going to be the yarn of choice this time.

Sweaters in Summer and Other Projects

Recently I told Cheyenne that his sweater (the wonderful sweater called Clark) would probably be put on the back burner until about September. Since I have said this, and almost decided it, of course, the sweater keeps calling to me and encouraging me to finish it before moving on the any more projects.

Recently added to the needles has been a pair of shorts for myself from Sexy Little Knits and also a hat for myself, or someone. About the only project I have not actively put on the needles is my lace project. *sigh* The lace scarf isn't going to be finished by Pascha; however, it will be finished by the end of summer. (So let it be written! So let it be done! sort of thing.)

For Those Who Knit and Love the Yarn Harlot

This was ganked from The Heathen Housewife herself, Shelly Kang. She went to one of the lovely Yarn Harlot talks and there the group got together for a song! Check it out!

Quickie

I haven't forgotten I need to write an update about the Yarn Harlot's visit to Lexington, but, sadly, classes are also present and require a good modicum of attention.

Did finish Hubby's latest hat and will furnish a picture just as soon as possible.

Off to class!

Knitters Are . . . Smart

According to Yarn Harlot herself, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, we knitters are smart. She told me this tonight, along with about two hundred other knitters, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers here in Lexington, KY.

I have read many posts by Ms. McPhee, and several of her books, and found them entertaining to say the least. They have made me smile and nod my head in agreement and understanding, however, in person, this woman is an entirely different creature in that she is hilarious! We laughed heartily and even though Hubby went with me, even he understood some things and laughed just as easily as the rest of us (us knitters, that is).

Once her talk was over, the Yarn Harlot had a lot of books to sign and personalize. I was happy as a girl in a yarn shop could possibly be with a free pass to purchase anything she wanted! Hubby pushed me up to the desk and was just as happy as his wife, or so it felt. Perhaps I was just giddy beyond expectations surrounded by so many other like-minds.

Anyway, after getting my happy little book signed I found myself famished so Hubby and I, and Cheyenne and Sniffles went to The Regata to grab some food. (It was a little expensive, but well worth it.) There was a wait at the restaurant, what were we expecting on a Saturday night at Joseph-Beth's? And, as is the custom, we received a pager to let us know when our table was ready.

And this was our pager:

just happened to be our pager.

And this was our pager when we were alerted about our table:

It really does take so little to amuse me sometimes. Hubby even commented with a happy, understanding and loving gleam in his eye, "Honey, you're a little weird sometimes." I had to agree, of course, what else was I supposed to do - lie and say I'm not?

Now we are home and I just had to share with you what a wonderful, happy day that was today.

Yet Another Hat

Hubby is wanting another hat, so here is the beginnings. I swear, my man loves his hats, especially the ones I make.

The wonderful sweater called Clark is on hold at the moment because every day for a week he has asked me how much I have done on it. When I had told him recently I had not done any on it he said, "I'll be bald by the time you finish this hat!"

Projects forward!

Last night I began on Hubby's hat...again. Today he has asked me no less than three times if I have worked on it; each time I have been honest and said I haven't. He truly enjoys the things I make him, and this makes me deep down warm-as-toast happy.

S much knitting.....!

There is so much knitting I am behind on - part of me wants to feel almost panicked because of it, but there is another part of me that is sincerely thrilled about it all!

Let's see.... There is the sweater for Ricyos. Hubby needs a new hat and keeps asking me about it every day to see if I have started on it or not. Sister2 needs her dishrags ASAP. And the lace yarn is just laying there viewing me with shameful...fibers...wondering why I am neglecting it so. The new sock yarn is forlornly pining waiting to be put on needles. Oh, and the beautiful purple roving is nearly spun but I just can't seem to find the extra time needed in order to pick it up and finish it!

I know knitting and fiber work is now my truest of hobbies simply because I do not feel over-whelmed by all of it waiting for me to get to it. Knowing it is there and working on what I can in the time I have fills me with peace and such a deep joy. However, it would be nice to have all day to knit and about six more pairs of hands in order to get it all done.

Knitting Woes

You know, I have a brand new project on my needles and I haven't had time to blog about it?

Arthritic Hands

The weather here in Kentucky has been absolutely horrible and has caused my arthritis to REALLY act up. Still, I have managed to knit a little, mostly on Hubby's newest hat. He wants a true Jamaican tam. So far so good. I found the basics of a tam on Ravelry, and now I am adapting it. Hopefully it will turn out nicely.

Technical Difficulties

I am afraid Blogger and I are having technical difficulties: I need to upload a picture in order to sort of explain the article I was going to write; Blogger keeps telling me no. So, as soon as I can upload the picture, I can tell you a cute little story. Sadly, I need to picture to do so.

On the knitting front, however, things are finally progressing nicely. With my last final out of the way, there is a lot more time left to knit, and to write, which makes me a lot more relaxed. The wonderful sweater called Clark almost has a front now. Just a few more rows and the shaping of the neck and it will be finished! Excitement abounds! And Saturday, if all goes well, and I am praying it does, I will be able to go to Stone's Throw for my sock class and simply enjoy myself with Beth and other knitters for a while. Poor Hubby has been relegated to running the store while we knit. This pleases me tremendously - he is doing his very best to get me to that class, and since Gabby has eaten the toes out of his socks, well, he sort of needs some more.

Bright Sunlight and Knitting

Today is one of those days where I am not feeling all that perky. My stomach is nasty and my head doesn't feel well, still (although I can gladly say it is better). Shane, a.k.a. Ricyos, is coming in this weekend and I really want to have at least the front of the sweater done for him so he can get an idea what it is going to look alike. At the same time there is this huge part of me that really wants to cast on for the back, then arms, so I can look at it eventually and say with pride, "It is finished! And it is beautiful! And I did it!" Yeah, a wee bit of the arrogance there, but, truth is, if you can't have some pride in what you do, why should you do it at all?

It would be wonderful if I could combine my love for knitting and writing to make a living out of it, this would be fantastic. A lot of knitters probably feel this very same way. Is that really such a bad thing? I don't think so. You have your two ultimate loves together, helping you make a living. What could be wrong? At the same time there is part of my brain that goes, "But wouldn't you get tired of knitting after a while because you wouldn't just be knitting for the love of it, but for other reasons, as in putting food on the table?" And, yes, this is a concern. Still, I want to try it, and I believe I will, but, for now, I knit on the wonderful sweater called Clark and be happy with feeling physically better right now.

What is it about snow and knitting?

Yesterday, while it was snowing, I simply could not keep my hands off of the wonderful sweater called Clark. It called to me with a siren's song of yarn and loops, and I answered that call. Today the front of the sweater should be near completion. Then I will cast on for the back.

There is something about the sweater, now that I see the ridge pattern in action that makes me wonder if I shouldn't change it? I want to, but there is a big part of me that wants to see the completion of this part of the pattern. Since it is my first sweater, and I have already changed the pattern somewhat, I think it would be good just to finish the sweater with the remainder of the pattern.

My hubby, Kolbar, looked at the wonderful sweater called Clark last night and asked me if it would be cheaper to purchase the yarn for the sweater than to get the roving, spin the yarn, and then knit the sweater. The answer, of course, was "Yes." I showed him the yarn I had for his sweater and he said, "Go ahead and make me the next one out of what you have, and then we'll get some more yarn. I'd like some Seventies style sweaters." My entire being, on the inside smiled. Now that the sweater is looking more definitely like a sweater, he is curious about having one and wanting one!

I am also going to begin casting on for my lace scarf project for Pascha. So this will mean I will have three projects going on soon - 1) the wonderful sweater called Clark; 2) the lace scarf; and 3) dishrags for Sister2. I am going to be quite busy on the knitting front here soon, and it thrills be to the depths of my toes!

The Beginning of a New Idea

Slowly something has been dawning on me: There are a lot of knitters out there with arthritis in their hands. A lot of them have said, "My hands are so bad I can't knit any more and I really miss it." When I say I am still knitting they always ask questions and I always answer. Since this has been happening a lot recently, I have seriously been considering working on a knitting book for arthritics. There are a lot of little tricks out there some people have I don't, and that I do but others don't. Wouldn't it be nice to collect some of them together? The only true problem, question I have is What kind of patterns should be included in the book? They need to be simple, for beginners as well as for sore hands to warm up with, but not so simple as to get boring. I am open to suggestions at this point.

Dishcloths Ahoy!

Six of these wonderful dishcloths have been done for my lovely Sister1. She said she needed some and did not have the time nor the inclination to do them herself this time. Always being a happy knitter, it was a joy to sit and work on these little projects of an evening. They were quickly done and one of those less thoughtful projects, unlike the wonderful sweater called Clark.

Since these little beauties are done I will turn my full attention back to the wonderful sweater called Clark. We are at the point to where we begin shaping. A little nervous I am, but I am excited about the progress made so will head on and see how difficult (or not) this truly is!

Update

Had a nasty fall Sunday in a shoe store trying on shoes. Hubby tried to catch me, but I was too far out of reach. Hit my head on a metal shelf. Went to the ER Sunday. Slept most of yesterday. Mostly awake today since Noon. Sore and painful, but otherwise OK. Will update more later on in the week when I am feeling better.

Perfect Knitting Weather

According to the weatherman we here in Lexington were supposed to have an ice storm. God provided and we have had sleet and freezing rain off and on all day. The interesting part is that we are supposed to get snow, too, later on in the evening. It is perfect knitting weather to be curled up next to the couch and knitting.

Last night there was a lot of work done on the wonderful sweater called "Clark" - so much so that I think I have reached the 17 1/2 " mark. Now I begin working on shaping the shoulders and preparing to begin making the back. Since this on is working up so quickly I am seriously considering beginning another one in a beautiful yarn called "Aran fleck" from Red Heart. Yes, I know, it is acrylic, but the people I am making the sweaters for are allergic to wool and most natural animal fibers. Sad, I know. Still, the yarn is beautiful and I am really looking forward to putting a project of it onto the needles.

As far as planned projects are concerned, I am also planning on putting a lace scarf on the needles. It will be my first lace project and I am making a scarf to wear for Church at the Pascha service, which happens in April (Pascha is the Eastern Orthodox Christian service of easter). Having it blocked before Pascha will be one of the hardest challenges. I am thinking of using Mist Heather from KnitPicks.com. As for the pattern, well, I haven't quite decided on that yet. I do like Divine Lace, also from KnitPicks.com, as well as a couple of others. Sometimes there are a lot of decisions to make in the knitting world.

It seems I am a busy knitter of late it appears. Oh, that reminds me, I need to get some material to line my pretty little pink purse! I also want to put some nice fun yarn around the top that will, hopefully, just add the perfect touch.

Knitting Makes Us Smile

see more loldogs are funny dog pictures!

Yesterday and today have been horrid homework days, but it was FINALLY accomplished which makes for a happier me. Because of said homework I didn't knit at all yesterday on the dishcloths for my sister or the wonderful sweater called "Clark" which did not help my mood any. So, in honor of having accomplished something wonderful I gives you a happy picture and I goes knit now.

A Poll and the Wonderful Sweater Called "Clark"

Last night I was able to sit down and actually measure the current length of the front of the wonderful sweater called "Clark." Eleven inches! At 171/2 inches the pattern changes and I need to be very aware of it. I must admit seeing the length in terms of measurement made me smile and proclaim it proudly to Hubby who just smiled and nodded like he usually does when I am talking excitedly about knitting.

Luckily for me Hubby doesn't make fun of me for knitting, but he does like to poke the occasional joke, mostly because he can and usually I can make a joke right back to him. My knitting has actually gotten him to thinking about picking up a serious hobby again. We both beaded for years, but he doesn't want to bead again, I don't believe. He has mentioned painting D&D figures again (yes, we're geeky like that as well), but he hasn't made up his mind, and he is watching the process and progress of the wonderful sweater called "Clark" with interest. Do I think he will pick up knitting? No, he doesn't want to knit--he has proclaimed that several times in the recent past. But, he does like the practicality of the knitting hobby because when an item is completed it is quite useful whether it be a sweater, a dishcloth, fingerless mitts, or something else: it is useful.