Friday, November 26, 2004

No Shopping Today

What a madhouse the mall was today. I drove out near the mall and immediately turned around to come home. It didn't look like an area I could handle. I'm planning to venture out to three stores tomorrow. Two of them should be okay to reach. The third one could be tough. I'd like to make it to a few more but I'm thinking that would be pressing my luck.

One place I will be visiting, because I haven't been in two months, is my LYS, Knitting Sisters.


I need to pick up two circular knitting needles in 40 inch length. I'm planning to try the Magic Loop again. I'm confident about it this time. Experience has made me more comfortable.

I also want to see the new yarns and books they've received and to say hello. Usually the visits are quite pleasant, so it's hard to not to smile just from the mere thought of going. I'm tempted to just dance.


My son wore his hat yesterday and today. He asked that I knit a scarf for him. Since he's appreciative of my knitting, how could I say no? I started the scarf Thanksgiving Day and I'm hoping to be done by Sunday.

Crazy as it sounds, I've never knit a scarf before. I don't wear scrarves very often and knitting them, other than the DNA Scarf and the Multidirection Scarf, did not seem appealing. Making one for my child, at his request, has been quite rewarding.

The hat has a K2P2 border, as does the scarf.

***Unfortunately, this yarn does not photograph well.
IE: I really need a new camera.


I didn't use a pattern for his hat and I'm not using one for his scarf. I've learned quite a bit by doing these projects on my own and knitting them has been great.

I asked Hubby if he would like for me to make him a hat. He said that he would, so I'll be continuing in the Men In Hats' KAL. Just have to pick out a yarn for him and decide if I'll use my own pattern that I make up or if I'll use one someone else designed.

I'm also hunting for yarn for an afghan for my mom. It needs to be washable and machine dryable as well. She wants it to be really soft, so the hunt has begun. I'm still trying to decide on a pattern but I'm thinking of going with an Aran design.

For tonight, however, I'll be knitting the scarf and contemplating patterns for Hubby's hat.

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Happy Thanksgiving



I finished my son's hat for the Men In Hats' KAL last night. I was so excited when I finished it but was too tired to post.

He's too excited about the hat.

This is his still photo...


and this is the one where he's jumping up and down, as you can tell from the quality of the photo.


Nothing like a positive response to a handmade gift.

I'll be checking with hubby later to see if he wants a hat. If so, there will be another addition to the KAL.

We're gearing up to do our Thanksgiving rounds. Gotta visit the family on each sides. Hoping to get to do a little knitting or crocheting.

I've been truly blessed in lots of ways and today is such a good reminder.

Hope everyone has a Wonderfully Blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Monday, November 22, 2004

Three Babies / I Want a New Digital Camera

I mailed the three hats out today. That made me feel really good. Three babies will have hats that were knitted with love. They may not be the best looking hats in the world but I sent my warm wishes and prayers with the hats. Hopefully, they can be used.

Here they are before being enclosed in the mailing envelope.

***Warning, pictures are horrid.




It took me at least twenty shots to get pictures of all three of them. The camera kept rejecting the picture. I'd press the button. It would say "Focusing." Then it would just stop focusing or even attempting to acquire a shot. This is not the first time it has happened. Of course, these multiple presses of the shutter button teamed with focusing drains the life out of the batteries. The pictures are also horribly dark. I also had to hold the hats at strange angles to get the camera to take a picture so the hats look lumpy. Guess what I want for Christmas.


I've cast-on for my Men in Hats beanie. I'm making a hat for my son. In case you wonder if he is even interested in what yarn I use or my knitting, he snuggled up with the skein and his Nerf football while on the way to Grandma's house.


Later, he snuggles up even closer to the skein...

...until finally he was only holding the skein and has released the football.


He'll get lots of wear out of this hat.

Sunday, November 21, 2004

Three Hats Finished

I finished three hats to send. Each one is different and done pretty much with me making it up as I go. Actually, the first one started out being from a pattern but I improvised.

My son put one of the hats on top of his head. I think he just likes anything I knit. I told him I would be making him a hat next.

Hubby has the digital camera with him so I can't post pictures of the finished hats until tomorrow. Hopefully I'll remember to get the camera and to load the pictures.

I'm exhausted, still, and in pain, still. I'm doing lots of research and trying to help myself feel better.

I'm not looking forward to Thanksgiving. Usually it's so hectic and that is so draining. I'm hoping for a quiet day. With a little luck, I'll get to bake something, and to enjoy a peaceful day.

Of course, I expect to knit something too.

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Mailing hats

The first hat was finally seamed.


The second hat, almost finished, is also pink, but it's for a preemie.


I'll be washing both of them and mailing them out tomorrow. Hopefully they will arrive in time to be sent in the package for Special Needs Babies. I intend to do more to be mailed later but these need to go out NOW!

In other hat news, since I'm already set to knit the hat for my son, I'm joining the Men In Hats-Along. It starts Monday, November 22 and this is a KAL I'm sure I can handle.

One of these days I really will knit my DNA Scarf. Right now I'm just in hat mode and also into finishing up those projects that require seaming...and those that may be feeling abandoned.

With the pain and fatigue I'm experiencing, I'm not getting a lot of knitting or anything else done. I'm refusing to let this get me down but I am a little frustrated. The new medication isn't really helping, so now I've been referred to a specialist. I'm hoping this is a step toward feeling better.

I've made a little progress on my Klaralund sleeve. I took it to my Knitting Guild meeting for Show-And-Tell and got lots of wonderful compliments. I also took my Fair Isle Sweater, the one that's been waiting in the wings for months, to ask for advice. I could not believe the compliments I got on it. I got great advice, lots of encouragement, and they couldn't believe I was considering frogging to start over.

The DNA-Along will probably be long over when I actually get around to knitting the DNA Scarf but the finished scarves from it so far are lovely. Take a peek.

Another AMAZING THING, possibly just amazing to me, was a shawl/stole one of the members wore to our Guild Meeting. She had actually spun her dogs' hair and then knit a shawl/stole from the yarn. It looked like a fur stole. It was beautiful. I've heard of people knitting items from dog hair yarn but I had never seen it before. I don't think it's something I'll ever do but it was really gorgeous. I was sorry I didn't take my camera.

I stayed a little later after the meeting ended and spoke with two other members. One of them, K, pulled out her SNB Nation and we flipped through it. We discussed some of the projects and different knitting books. I really enjoyed that. We exchanged e-mail addy's so hopefully we'll keep in touch.

Local knitting buddies...I like the sound of that.

Sunday, November 14, 2004

Hats, Hats, and Hats

I knit a few additional decreasing rows on my little pink hat. Hopefully, I'll get it sewn shut today. I had planned to sew it up on Friday during my lunch break but somehow left my yarn needles at home.



I pulled the yarn for the blue hat but have been remiss about starting it. I will be starting it today because I need to mail the hats out this week.

Since kids are really, really bad about keeping up with their hats, and since my son's blue hat is missing, I have decided make him a hat too. KR has given rave reviews to Denimstyle. Therefore, I used it to knit my first project, an afghan for my son. His hat will be in the Denimstyle as well but in blue to match his coat/jacket. There will be enough yarn left to make at least one other hat, so I may make two to give him a spare.


I went shopping with my mom on Thursday. I came home with a new book.


Much to my dismay, I also came home barely being able to walk, so I think I'll be catalog shopping for Christmas rather than strolling through the malls.

Maybe that's a good thing.

Wonder if my parents would like for me to make them hats?

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Status Quo

Life has been hectic with family responsibilities, work, and health issues.

I took on a few duties for our upcoming Family Reunion and the duties seemed to multiply before I even realized what was happening.

I've picked up some kind of virus or something that has my stomach going berserk. Mix that with pain and fatigue, add a dash of irritability, and a pinch of a nagging cough and you have a picture of my current situation. It's not an ideal situation, in any way of thinking, but at least the stomach and coughing situations should fix themselves soon. That's my hope anyway.

Although I finally have batteries for the camera, I have not taken any pictures. I'll try to resolve that today.

In the mean time, I'm going to lie down for a little while.

Sunday, November 07, 2004

One hat down, at least two more to go

I finished one baby hat, except for the seam to close the hat. It was a flat pattern but I knit it in the round. It's not especially fancy; it's actually quite simple, but I'm pleased.

I started the second hat this afternoon. I think I may rip it out, though, because it looks like it will fit a 7 lb baby instead of a preemie. I may try a different pattern too but I'm not sure.

For some reason, I was dying to use the dpn's, so I did. I think I'm going to retry learning the Magic Loop Method because the needles just seemed to be way too long. It seems like knitting on a circular would be so much more comfortable.

I'm liking the hat knitting. I really am.

The pain has been indescribable. I'm going to give the medicine two more days before I call the doctor.

Saturday, November 06, 2004

Started First Hat

I started the first hat for the charity donation today. I wanted to start last night but I had accidently left the necessary needles in the car and was not willing to go back out to get them. Funny what pain and fatigue will keep you from doing.

I started the first on in pink. The second one will be in blue. If there is enough time, there will be a white one which may or may not have a little stripe or pattern with the leftover pink or blue.

So far it looks sweet, but big. If the first one is too big, I'll probably just give it to someone who can use it. I'm not frogging it. For some reason, I feel a little sentimental about knitting it. Maybe baby hats will be my thing.

I started to crochet the hat but my head has been hurting so badly that I figured I'd better stick with knitting a little longer. I do have my crocheted hat patterns ready and waiting, though.

I'd post a picture of my WIP but the batteries in the digital camera are dead. I thought I still had more batteries but they seem to have run-off with red and white tape measure. I'll replace the batteries tomorrow. Fortunately, I have more than one tape measure.

I began the hat at a family gathering. I was intrigued by the conversations going on around me where people were discussing knitting and crocheting. A few thought that I was crocheting. A few even said they may start their crocheting again.

Another said she had learned to knit when she was a little girl but did not have time for it now. I assured her that she did. I told her that if she WANTED to knit, she'd find time for it. She just doesn't want to knit, or crochet, and that's fine. I don't want to weave baskets. It's all about what each individual enjoys. I think some of them just enjoy talking.

I picked up the UFO, also known as "the tie." I can't remember which row I'm on. I've spotted an error. To the frog pond it shall go. I'll start it again later this month.

I also managed to pick up the new VK. It had some pretty items in it. It's not my favorite issue, but like most knitting purchases I make, I'm not disappointed.

Lately, I'm dreaming of knitting the Faroese Flower Shawl...What a dream!

Someday the dream will become the reality and I'm excited to know that day is coming. I don't own the yarn for it but I know that eventually, I will. I do have the pattern. Looking at it for a moment helped to take my mind off of the pain in my head, neck, shoulders, and back.

If only knitting could take ALL the pain away.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

No Heavy Lifting

I was right. I had knit the sleeve longer than it was supposed to be before changing stitch patterns. I've tinked back to an area that I didn't like, several inches, and I'm reknitting to the correct stopping point. Once I'm there, I'll start the hats.

I've been dropping stitches like crazy. I think I'm just distracted.

The pain is getting worse. I made the mistake of lifting a box yesterday that was full of files, felt a slight strain, then undeniably sharp pain. The new medicine isn't working. At least I'm still in a good mood.

Some friends are moving into a new house. The architectural design is not like anything I've ever seen. It's sort of dome shaped. They have two dogs which my child adored. It made me really want to move and think more about getting him a pet.

On my lunch break, I picked up food for me and another person in the office. I stopped at store that sells yarn and was once again annoyed with the customer service. I have a purchase that I made from them about a week ago that I'm returning. I'll order it somewhere else. They don't deserve my money or my time.

I'm looking forward to my next Guild meeting. I've still got two weeks but I'm so excited. I'm going to try to remember to take my Fair Isle sweater this time so I can ask questions. I may load it into the trunk this week to avoid forgetting it.

No pictures today as I'm not quite sure where I put the digital camera.

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Sunny Skies



Intersting day...

It was so beautiful outside today. I wanted to sit outside but I was too tired. I thought it would be a good day to hit the store to pick up a few school items for my son. I was too tired.

I am, however, in a wonderful mood.

The doctor thinks I need to just sleep for a few days. He suggested I go somewhere by myself, where there are no distractions and just sleep.
I have more tests to do and will try to get those done tomorrow.
They also gave me a new pain medication as Vioxx has been taken off of the market.

I've been too tired today to even knit. I knit one row, possibly two, while at the doctor's office. It has occurred to me that I need to measure my sleeve as I may be past the point of where I'm supposed to be using the stockinette stitch. Of course, at the doctor's office, I looked in my bag and my tape measure was nowhere to be found.

In "feeling good about my knitting news," upon seeing my sleeve as she entered the room, the Physician's assistant did exclaim, "How Beautiful!"

I'm surprised just hearing that didn't take away all my pain and fatigue.



Small rant...

I voted today. The line was short when I got there and most people were pleasant. I heard on the radio where people were complaining of problems. Do we really live in a Democracy when people can't vote, votes aren't counted, or votes are counted improperly?

Just so you know, that was a rhetorical question.

What I thought was really cool was they had a little mock voting area for the kids. I didn't have my son with me but I am a little interested in who he would have chosen. They had pictures for them to choose, so they knew which person it was, in case they got confused.

Can't wait to see who won in their mock vote.

Monday, November 01, 2004

Surprises

When I went to pick up my son from school today, all the prizes had come in for selling magazines for the last fund raiser. He has no clue but I am so excited for him! One of his prizes is a phone, so I know he'll love that!

When we got home, the FCEK Holiday edition, the Winter Interweave Knits, and an envelope form Rowan were in my mailbox. I wasn't expecting any of these items yet, so I was pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, the FCEK was damaged, but I'm still happy it has arrived.

I was able to get an appointment to see my doctor tomorrow. He's usually booked for weeks at a time so this almost NEVER happens.

I set my VCR last night to tape Monday's repeat of DIY's Knitty Gritty. Digital cable makes this a little tricky to do. I forgot one step and ended up taping a half hour of The Weather Channel.

A few of the people at work want me to start working full-time, so there is a slight possibility that I will have a steady income sometime in the future, if I can handle the job...and if they can get approval for another full-time person. The "if I can handle the job" is a partial concern since my duties aren't exactly clear. I've also been struggling with health issues, so I'm a little nervous.

In knitting news, my sleeve is still, slowly but surely, progressing.



Progress is progress, no matter how small.