Coming Up To Breathe

Breathing is good. Not coughing is also good. Breathing and not coughing at the same time - really good. My advice? Get plenty of rest, take your vitamins and wash your hands alot. You don't want what's goin' round. There were five people out at work last week - that was just in my department, and that's more than half of us. I was, as previously posted, too sick too knit for a while. But now things are back to normal, whatever that is. Except for the fact that Oldest Son totalled his car last week. It's a gift from God that he walked away with only a scratch. Now, if we can just get him beyond thinking that he's invincible.....which is a very bad way to go through life.....

On a lighter note, I've made some serious progress in other areas of my life - namely knitting. Knitting is, after all, therapy. I made a baby beanie for a co-worker's baby (due March 1st). I didn't use a pattern, just the basic hat recipe that's in my head. And would you believe this is the first time I've done I-cord? Guess I never had a reason to before, but there it is, in all it's cuteness on top. I'm going to make another one, bigger and with primary colors. Them babies grow so fast ya know?

I'm down to the bottom ribbing on the baby cardigan. Then all I have to do is sew up under the arms and put buttons on. I LOVE THIS PATTERN. There's something incredibly satisfying about it that I can't put my finger on. Maybe it's the fact that it starts looking like a sweater almost immediately. I'm going to modify the pattern a bit for my next one though (wait, didn't I just say I LOVED it?), and eliminate the underarm seaming. I can't see any reason why, instead of putting the body on waste yarn and then knitting the sleeves, you couldn't put the sleeves on waste yarn, knit the body and then go back to the sleeves and knit those in the round, so there's no seam at all. Seems like a no-brainer but we'll see. I'm all for being un-seam-ly.

I also got a start on Nathan's fingerless gloves. We went back and forth on how to incorporate the teal in the gray, and finally decided on striped cuffs, and teal on the ends of each finger. I think it'll be pretty cool. And I'm sure he'll wear them since he had a hand (unintentional bad pun) in the design. GO SHARKS!!

The next project I'm anxious to start is EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket. This intrigues me intensely. I bought the instructional DVD from Schoolhouse Press - and I'm really looking forward to knitting along with Meg Swanson sometime soon. Worth noting: I have no socks on the needles at the moment! This is highly unusual, but I made a promise to myself that I'd finish some things before starting another pair of socks. My next pair will be done with one of the following yarns: Fleece Artist (Lagoon), Socks That Rock (Scottish Highlands) or Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (Watercolor). How about I show you my choices? (in the order stated).

The other knitterly thing I made progress on was washing the baby blankets, hats, booties, etc. that Strands of Love (our knitting ministry) has compiled in the last few months. Before we can donate, it all needs a good wash and block. We have at least three big bins of items to donate, which we'll be doing soon (I hope). Knit on sisters!

Too Sick To Knit

I've been sick all week with the coughing crud and most of the time I haven't even been able to knit. That's adding insult to injury as far as I'm concerned. All this "down time" and all I can muster is a lie down on the couch, most of the time vying for precious real estate with the dog. I did get some knitting done before I started feeling really awful but I don't think there's enough progress with anything to post an up-to-date picture. Other things I have missed this week: dinner and a concert with my best buddy; girls night out with a group of friends; yoga; and three days of work - though the jury is out as to how much I really missed that - ;-)

The Turning of The Heel and Random Thoughts

Progress folks. My goal yesterday was to get the heel turned. Tada! I've been working on the gusset today, almost done with the decreases.

I am sick. Started with a sore throat yesterday and now it's moved south and it hurts to cough. So much fun. I can't complain though, this is my first bout of germs this winter (hope it's the last). I'd say it's a good day to knit. But, I'm really bummed because I'm supposed to go to the Chris Tomlin concert tonight and I don't think I'm up to it at all. Just the thought of getting presentable to go out has me stymied.

I taught two high school guys to knit this past week - it was ever so much fun, and they were good students. They "crashed" our knitting ministry meeting, coming with the daughter of one of our members. It was a fun evening. Who woulda thought.

Since my brain does not appear to be working in a cohesive manner right now (maybe I shouldn't be knitting a gusset)...this post is coming out as random thoughts. Or maybe it's just that I'm thinking in a logical manner, just not on one subject for very long. Has anyone seen my attention span?

I've added more to the sidebar - figured I needed to keep track of all my UFO's - if it's staring at me from the sidebar perhaps I'll pick it up more than once every two months (could I possibly be talking about my Aran sweater?)

And here is progress on the baby cardigan. The front sections and the back are on waste yarn and I'm working the sleeves even. I'm not sure you can tell what's what in this picture, but my hand is on the left arm (gosh isn't that where everybody's left hand is supposed to be?) Kind of like looking at an ultrasound - "that's the foot??? I just don't see it!"

Carry on....I need a lie down and a knit.

I Think I'm Having Twins!!!

I decided to see if I could figure out the right starting place in the dye sequence for sock #2 to match #1 stripe-wise. Voila! I'm ever so proud of myself. Now if I just keep to the same tension as sock #1 they should be twins...maybe not identical...let's call them fraternal (just like me...:-)
I have managed little knitting time this week because of deadlines at work, but I'm still making progress.

I think Tatty wants to learn how to knit...she's always sitting half on top of me (it seems) while I'm knitting on the couch, ever so interested in what I'm doing....

Happy Feet

I received my swap socks in the mail yesterday - thank you Sue!! She packed them in a clever little quilted pouch. Here are my feet modeling them - love the colors (I am a green girl). Wore them all over the house last night. I've never felt Austermann Step - very yummy on the feet for sure! So thank you thank you again! I promise to have "my end of the bargain" done soon.

In Praise of KnitPicks

Tada! One swap sock finished. I'm hoping to have sock number two done in the next two weeks. This probably seems like a long time to some, but there is the (more than 40 hr) job, the house, teenagers, critters, and they all seem to want a part of me. So a sock in two weeks is good! I'm very happy knitting these socks - it's a fun pattern, and the yarn is great - nice and soft and it doesn't split (hate that).

Those in the "know", know that I am a die-hard fan of Addi Turbo circular needles. They are a dream to knit with but not cheap. KnitPicks recently came out with their own line of circulars, and I took the plunge and tried them (after listening to much word of mouth). Well. Nice pointy tips, smooth joins, supple cables. And half-to-one-third the price of Addi's. Oh boy. The ones I ordered arrived this week so I switched mid-sock. Okay I still love Addi's, but it's nice to know that if I find I don't have a particular size needle for something (is that possible?), that I can buy them without breaking the bank.

Here's another UFO. It's going to be a baby blanket someday, maybe in about 13 more squares. Don't have a clue how it's going to be seamed together, but one thing at a time. Each square has a heart on it - clicking on the picture might give you a better look. I can't get back to working on this, though, until I make Nathan's gloves. Especially since it's 28 degrees these days.... He's decided that he wants some teal mixed in with the gray since he's a big Sharks fan. So I had the pleasure of shopping for some teal-ish yarn online tonight (this is allowed on my "knit from my stash" restriction because it's for an existing project). I ended up getting KnitPicks Gloss. I don't need that much of it, so I plan to get another pair of socks out of it too. Oh yeah, and while I was there I figured I may as well order some more of those needles.....;-)

Swap Sock Progress

It was a real luxury to knit for an extended period of time today. I know there was plenty of work to do around the house - let's face it - there always is and always will be - BUT today I was determined to make sock progress, especially since I know that Sue has finished my socks - aackkk! And here is said progress :-) I tried a new heel flap with a garter stitch edge, which creates a super easy edge from which to pick up gusset stitches. I like the look of it too, I think. I will try to get a good close up picture to post tomorrow. It's been a while since I knit something other than a "vanilla" sock so this has been lots of fun.

UFO Update

Well I got rid of one UFO, but not by finishing it. It really is okay to stop making something that is just....not.....working. Life is too short to knit something that makes you grumble. It could be the yarn, it could be the pattern, it could be the needles, who knows? Doesn't matter. Rip it out! So bye-bye Magic Loop Socks, I hardly knew ye..... In this case I think it's a combination of yarn and needles. KnitPicks Dancing needs to be knit at a denser gauge than I was using. This yarn has now been sent back to the stash farm, where it will no doubt have fun visiting old friends and meeting all the rookies in the bin. And one day it will pipe up and say "this is what I want to be." Why are you shaking your head - of course yarn talks to you! You can't hear that?

In it's place is something I started a few days ago and I'm totally loving it. A new thing for me - top down raglan baby cardigan. At one of our social knitting events (which we've made a regular thing now at my friend Nancy's house) Dee (Nancy's MIL) was knitting a really cute baby sweater and I had to have the pattern of course. Turns out it's a pattern she's been using since the 50's, something she typed up back in the day and has been churning out sweaters ever since. At our next meeting (last Friday) she had the complete sweater (wish I had taken a picture!) and I had pattern in hand. After a few questions for clarificiation and with the FO as a visual aid I was ready to go. It really is quite simple. Here's my progress:

I also need to report that I've decided to totally re-do Nathan's fingergless gloves. The second glove was coming out decidedly smaller than the first, and while I could attribute some of it to the first being stretched a bit from being tried on, it was really bugging me. Especially since I know the first is a bit tight on him (no matter how much he says "they're perfect"). So I will go up a needles size on both cuff and body. I may need to buy another ball of yarn but that is not against the "Knit From My Stash in 2007" rules. Whew.

Happy New Year everyone - I'm going to go knit!!

Sock Swap

Today I cast on the socks I'm making for Sue, my sock swap partner. She is almost done with mine so I must catch up!! This picture doesn't show the colors well - this will make some really fun striped socks. It's OnLine Supersocke 100 and the color is Summer. I thought it would be fun for Sue to have Summer on her feet during the cold Winter...:-) Hope she likes it!

And here it is, in a gauge swatch - I was planning to do the swatch through one complete set of color changes but there are ALOT! And I'd really just like to start the socks! Click on the picture to get a better view of the colors.

Caps To The Capital

Our knitting ministry at church, "Strands of Love," recently shipped off 137 baby hats in support of Save The Children and Warm Up America's national project, Caps To The Capital. Save The Children is collecting caps from all over the country and they will be shipped out around the world to places where infant mortality is high. Just keeping a newborn's head warm significantly increases his or her chances for survival. For more information about the program and the Save The Children organization, go here: www.savethechildren.org. The main force behind this project (for our group) was Connie, who brought it to our attention and crocheted the majority of the hats. She is an amazing woman and I am blessed to know her...:-) You'll hear more about Strands of Love in future posts - I may even give it it's own blog!

UFO Countdown

Socks were born at 9:14 am today. They will have their first Eucalan bath soon. I'm a bit disappointed that the toe tip color doesn't match, after I took the time to figure out the right spot to join yarn (I needed more than one ball for each). But now I suppose the wearer can name one 'Left' and one 'Right' and know the difference. The glass is always full...:-)

UFO #1 down. How many more to go?

Knit From My Stash 2007

In the past few weeks I've taken a hard look at my stash. Egads. Enough for eternity, it seems. I went so far as to take pictures of it all so I could keep track of it. It took up 60+ pics on my digital. I found things I forgot I had. Merry Christmas to me! Here are a few of my favorites.

Pic #1 is Cleckheaton Country Silk in sage. It wants to be a vest.

Pic #2 is Brooks Farm Harmony (mohair and silk) in earth tones (H30). It's not sure what it wants to be, but there should be enough for a shawl. There's Buster doing a good job of holding down the bed and guarding my yarn.

Pic #3 is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Watercolor. I can't wait to make these. But there is much ahead in the queue, alas.

Pic #4 is Rowan Tapestry which is having an identity crisis. It was purchased with the intent to be a moebius scarf. Since I haven't successfully mastered the moebius cast-on yet....we'll just see about that.

SO....the challenge is to knit from my stash in 2007 according to the rules posted here: http://wendyknits.net/stash2007.htm. I am determined to do it because

1) I have no more room for yarn in my house.

2) I have no money in my wallet for yarn.

3) I have some absolutely gorgeous yarn that would really make some people happy if it was in wearable form.

4) I really do want to enjoy the experience of knitting with this absolutely gorgeous yarn.

UFO's (unfinished objects) are of course, part of the stash. So let's start there.

1) Debie's Christmas socks: I am 10 rows from toe decrease on second sock - should finish today.

2) Nathan's fingerless gloves: ribbing started on second glove.

3) Heart blocks baby blanket: for a baby due in April.

4) Magic Loop socks: still haven't finished these from the class I took in October. I've decided I'm not crazy about the yarn - glad it was cheap.

5) The ever-present Aran project: Not sure how many years it will take to finish this sweater, but I thoroughly enjoy knitting it, whenever I can find a block of (undistracted) time.

SO, off I go! Happy New Year!!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

Okay, Christmas may arrive - the tree is up! No lights on the house yet...not sure if that will happen. The one person in the family who likes to go up on the roof is recovering from shoulder surgery so.....we'll see. Christmas shopping is 95% done which is an amazing feat. Now comes the fun part - wrapping everything while I watch Christmas movies, saving "A Christmas Carol" (the one with George C. Scott, which I think is the best) for Christmas Eve.

Christmas knitting: aaackkkk!!! Will I get done? I'm thinking yes, if I don't get distracted with things like laundry, cleaning the toilet and feeding all creatures great and small. Progress on sock #2 (see previous post): about 3 inches done - should go pretty fast from here on out though, since I won't be making the heel three times - ha!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Halfway to Christmas

I'm sooo happy to have finally finished the first sock of this pair. I did the heel flap and heel turn THREE times. Not because I screwed up, but because I was going to run out of yarn (I realized after heel turn #1). Okay I guess that's some version of screwing up. So I ripped back and knit flap and turn again, with a contrasting yarn....kind of liking it.....but in the meantime I had put a call out to socknitters everywhere (via socknitters.com forum), and an angel sent me more of this discontinued yarn (KnitPicks Landscapes in New England Foliage). My first preference was to not have contrasting heels and toes, so when the yarn arrived (and I confirmed that it was a beautiful perfect match) I ripped back heel #2 and thus began heel #3. Whew! When I got to the point of toe shaping, I gave the giftee the opportunity to see her sock in progress and try it on to make sure it was going to fit. She happily took me up on the offer and I am pleased to report that it's a perfect fit and she loves the yarn. It's also reassuring to know that my calculations do work! So without further ado, here is sock #1, which will now wait patiently for it's mate. Must get cracking, only 10 knitting days til Christmas!

Some sock specs: KnitPicks Landscapes in New England Foliage; standard heel flap & gusset; round toe shaping. This was the first time trying this toe shaping method and I love it. I think it's more attractive than the square-ish looking toe you get with the "k2tog/ssk decreasing at the sides" method, and there's the added mega bonus of no kitchener-ing!!! Plus, I think it looks really cool with the self-striping yarn - you end up with
a bullseye at the top...:-) Here's a close-up of the toe, just for kicks...:-)

Critters of the 2-legged and 4-legged Variety

A gratuitous picture of my son Nathan and the pup, Tatty....also affectionately known as Tattabrat, among other things. She does love her couch time.

No knitting pics today - I'm working on Christmas presents, so don't want to spoil the surprise...:-)

For the Boys

About a month ago I received a request from Sara, who is putting together Christmas boxes for two units serving overseas (her husband's unit of Navy Seabee's in Afghanistan and her brother's Army unit in Iraq). She wanted to include some scarves for her husband's unit since it is getting pretty cold there now. So...I put the group to work! That group being Strands of Love, the knitting ministry at my church. In just a few short weeks we made 18 scarves! I even had some friends at work wanting to help, and I can't thank everyone enough for coming through. So thank you to: Debie, Linda, Torey, Joan, Carol, Carol's mom, Janet, Bobbie, Sandy, Connie, Pam, Emi, Nancy, and Dee. I delivered the scarves to Sara today and she is so very grateful! Please keep the soldiers in your prayers, that they be kept safe and most importantly, that they come home soon!

Long Time No See

I'd just rather be knitting, folks. Keeping the blog updated is too much like work. But at the same time, I like having progress pics here and seeing finished objects.

Here is the latest baby blanket I finished, for a co-worker's new baby. A combination of pink/white variegated with a strand of plain white, and it came out looking like cotton candy. Too bad the picture is a bit washed out. I designed the blanket - which isn't hard - I mean, it's just a big swatch!

Work in progress #1: toe-up, two-at-a-time socks using the Magic Loop method (one long circular needle). I learned all three things at once - nice to know I can still learn new things because I am an old dog. These are for me and so they are on the way back burner.

Work in progress #2: Nathan's fingerless gloves, made from a beautiful heather grey Cashsoft DK. I finished a good portion of this first glove waiting in the hospital during his shoulder surgery. Gloves really do not take that long. What takes long is starting the second glove....

I have another WIP that I can't post because it's a Christmas present....sshhhh.....

Ruffles Have Ridges

Finally...two pictures at once! These hats were made from a free pattern I got at a LYS. Really quick and really cute. The pink one will be donated and the multi-colored one is for Miss Molly's precious head. It matches a sweater I made a couple of months ago and have yet to seam up. Bad auntie. My excuse is that it's not winter so I have plenty of time. I've started a third one, it's a pink cotton-candy looking yarn. That one will also be donated. That's it for now. I do have other things to take pictures of but that will have to wait. Miss Tatty needs a walk before the fireworks really start!

A Basket of Fruit

Finally. Look, it's a picture.

This is my first attempt at knitting fruit. Hopefully you recognize it as a strawberry. We are making fruit and vegetable baby hats for a Breastfeeding Week event. One of the organizers is a knitter and she had the idea to hand out baby hats with a "nutrition" theme. So I'm going to attempt a blueberry and a pumpkin after this. Wish me luck! These are not good to knit while you're hungry.

More Frustration

Somebody give me a drink. I've spent the last 45 minutes trying to upload more pictures and every time blogger freezes up on me. I've tried a couple of different ways, even tried different pictures, to no avail. I need a break.

This is one reason I don't update my blog very often.....aarrggghhh!!!!!!!