tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693225837257689422024-03-05T01:16:10.874-05:00Two needles Two wheelsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger522125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-83623024687228285042023-12-03T15:41:00.001-05:002023-12-03T15:41:06.600-05:00I Fought the Yarn and the Yarn Won<p> I was casting off a project early this morning. I knit and cast one stitch after another, sure in my faith that my little ball would definitely have enough to finish. All of a sudden, I was down to a foot of yarn, and a foot of stitches on the needle. I didn't even notice that I was playing Yarn Chicken. And I lost. Horribly lost. Really, not even close. Fortunately, my Long Tail Cast On was quite long. I had recently trimmed it down, but fortunately my untidy nature meant that it was still sitting next to my chair. </p><p><br /></p><p>So that is one Christmas present finished object! My oldest son's favorite teacher is retiring this year. He has been in her math class for 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th grades. (Small school.) She has already received a pair of mitts and ear warmer, but he asked if I could knit something special for her final year. I still had three partial balls of the same yarn, so I thought what could be more fitting for a math teacher than a moebius scarf? </p><p><br /></p><p>I also wound in the ends on Color Affection, so that is technically two finished objects! I don't know what dresses I am wearing for court this week, but you can bet that it will have blue in it, so I can show off my latest shawl. </p><p><br /></p><p>The best part of this coming week is that I will THREE FULL DAYS of knitting. My mother is having surgery. (That is not the best thing. That is the worst thing about the coming week.) But it does mean that I will have a day sitting for hours in the hospital, waiting to hear that it was successful. Lots of knitting time. Then I will have another two days in the hospital and rehab center. Lots of knitting time. </p><p><br /></p><p>So many choices to bring to the hospital. Something simple. I want a distraction, not knitting that will lead to swearing. I have plenty of options. </p><p><br /></p><p>Today, it is all about the object saved by the tail, and the other. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-56775188343399624272023-06-25T20:25:00.002-05:002023-06-25T20:25:56.270-05:00I don't need a stinkin' lifeline!<p> I have been doing lace knitting for a while. An important skill with lace knitting is realizing the flow of the pattern. You start to realize where the YO's and K2tog's should be, so you notice when there is a mistake. If the K2tog isn;t where it should be, look back to find the error. It helps the lace work go much smoother. </p><p>But it also leads to hubris. You start thinking that you don't need to take precautions. You can not pay as close attention. You can watch a new movie. You don't need a stinkin' lifeline. And pride like that come before the fall. I have been working on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/ladyknight90/spring-wood-shawl" target="_blank">Spring Wood Shawl</a>. The first graph went fine. As I started the second graph, my counts started to get off. I put it aside for a few months. That probably compounding the mistake, because when I picked it up again recently, there was no correcting. I was only on Row 48, and now hopelessly lost. It was honestly easier to start again.</p><p>With precautions. I have been very careful, and only knitting with low-distraction TV. 28 rows down, and so far ok. But you better believe that I will be using a lifeline before moving on to Chart 2.</p><p>Today, it is all about the repetition. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-91049731240569612762023-01-19T11:19:00.003-05:002023-01-19T12:32:28.580-05:00Wait, that isn't knitting!<p></p><br /><br /> My brother got married last June. He and his wonderful wife already have an established household, so I was a bit stumped for a wedding gift for them. My mother suggested a high quality tablecloth. I did a lot of searching online, and couldn't really find anything that jumped out at me. Then I wandered down the rabbit hole of Etsy, and started musing to my mother that a hand embroidered tablecloth might be nice, and I hadn't done embroidery in a very long time, and I enjoyed cross stitch type of stitching but not the kids of embroidery that my grandmother used to do, so I would have to really look at the stitches required, and where would I find a pattern for that. . . . Then my mother said words I never expected: "Would this work?" And she showed me a kit for an embroidered tablecloth. <p></p><p><br /></p><p>My mother hasn't done any embroidery since she was taught as a child, and has expressed no interest in doing so. So why does my mom have a full kit? As it turns out, it was in my aunt's craft supplies when she died. Mom had kept the kit in her basement for over a decade, thinking maybe someday she would complete it. It was perfect. Correct size and shape. Pretty colors. Cross-stitch style. Interesting pattern. Perfect.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSApQvNKi4GnN6rNyOVjNU-XHd9tabrzYbT1RjZdxQK1kYnOc36N_ODOSYrMWroP7hyqI9m9LNdTdBH-s2yOpuQ0qKv5WN4kVtOEOnvRTthZDAfEFC1o0zrnvyu6ja2mPC6Q-cN_8G6xubllnHP37Y3Acz6TGhX7eRy-A7WTA3xezgQX5517cC2EOwFw/s4032/C85B8425-8006-4581-9611-21A0FB49DB31.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSApQvNKi4GnN6rNyOVjNU-XHd9tabrzYbT1RjZdxQK1kYnOc36N_ODOSYrMWroP7hyqI9m9LNdTdBH-s2yOpuQ0qKv5WN4kVtOEOnvRTthZDAfEFC1o0zrnvyu6ja2mPC6Q-cN_8G6xubllnHP37Y3Acz6TGhX7eRy-A7WTA3xezgQX5517cC2EOwFw/s320/C85B8425-8006-4581-9611-21A0FB49DB31.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>So for the first time in a long time, I have been working embroidery, and I have been loving it. I am loving it so much I started thinking about doing another one for myself, in a different color. Alas hunting down a decades old embroidery kit has sent me down another set of rabbit holes, with little success. Then it occurred to me that I already have the pattern. It is just a matter of putting it onto a tablecloth. I have markers and paper that can be used to iron on a pattern to material. I can just make my own kit, right?</p><p><br /></p><p>And now I have been inspired to pull out my unfinished cross-stitch projects. The last thing I need is more WIPs, but it is a nice alternative to knitting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvz9izCDWJwLsbBhPberShZi_xzREhDR2Y1J9UHnNN4WML4PUJg4Ibyoi64-MRBj_gtbjRJ2kJ558vfwnmMjK5l2CMt5v9P3K4D3nwa0fLum6atjAUQ1XPAI5o4OvNFhAPnfzaIP3t0grJjf8qCgaZRPl3J-Dj4PPQKc15BsY9X3tkpDCmnd7XIXyig/s4032/8E78EC69-9AEA-4F32-86F6-C23DE3F85B55.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvz9izCDWJwLsbBhPberShZi_xzREhDR2Y1J9UHnNN4WML4PUJg4Ibyoi64-MRBj_gtbjRJ2kJ558vfwnmMjK5l2CMt5v9P3K4D3nwa0fLum6atjAUQ1XPAI5o4OvNFhAPnfzaIP3t0grJjf8qCgaZRPl3J-Dj4PPQKc15BsY9X3tkpDCmnd7XIXyig/s320/8E78EC69-9AEA-4F32-86F6-C23DE3F85B55.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Back to the tablecloth. I had first thought to give it to my brother and his wife for Christmas. Well, THAT didn't happen. So my new goal is to have it finished by their first anniversary. </p><p><br /></p><p>Today, it is all about the craft from the past. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-19074163829949690542022-11-13T16:50:00.002-05:002022-11-13T16:52:51.265-05:00A weekend of knitting<p> <span style="font-family: georgia;">This weekend was full of lots of Christmas knitting, but not for a good reason. I have been sick the past week. An evil (what turned out to be) sinus infection has been whomping on me all week. It was all I could do to get through my court schedule, make dinner, then retire to the bedroom to try to get enough sleep to start over again the next day. Nyquil was my only hope for a decent night's sleep. So I finally went to the doctor, which diagnosed the aforementioned sinus infection, and prescribed antibiotics.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The good news is that there has been marginal improvement in my sinus congestion. The bad news is that the side effects of the meds have been to wreak havoc on my guts. So I have spent the weekend snuggled under a blanket, knitting, napping, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My sweetie was hunting all weekend, and the kids were camping, so at least I was alone for my misery and comfort hobbies. (And didn't have to share the bathroom.) I made significant progress on the Ravenclaw scarf. And when everyone came home, I worked on the Teacher Mitts. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It turned out to be a productive weekend for all. My boys worked on Scout advancement, and had fun. My sweetie bagged a large doe, and has been butchering it all day, to fill our freezer with deer meat, and had fun. I knit, and well, didn't exactly have fun, but I survived this illness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Christmas knitting countdown:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 pair kid mitts: finished</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 Ravenclaw scarf: 40%</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 teacher mitts: one down, second cast on</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 Teacher ear warmer (Mrs. Loveless already has mitts from two years ago): finished</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One embroidered tablecloth: This one is hard to judge, and optional for Christmas. . . . This one probably requires an explanation. Next time. There are people in the house that are going to be demanding dinner soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today, it is all about the seasonal focus. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-566601000549690702022-09-18T18:24:00.005-05:002022-09-18T18:36:19.424-05:00Decision time<p></p><br /> This is why I should check patterns on Ravelry before attempting to knit. Because when over 16,000 people have knit the same shawl, surely SOMEONE has some good advice. <p></p><p><br /></p><p>I have been working on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-affection" target="_blank">Color Affection</a>, and everyone and their mother made this shawl years ago. I just started the second color, but I am starting to have my doubts. The inside edge is simply too tight. The part that would rest around my neck and drape around my shoulders is very tight. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNxeE8s3G41GMiMDV-2LTmv2D22VH59L0jzTQzE0GRJ9UsuzqUm3GKZSIOf8Olf6lMwtrzi9jOIG-M6lLvBQEOYzIpWX31aWsWC3V5npzKq7J2cpfU_QbLP2UyyIEasJ__T8anGS9yvsaA1ULaxrjotM-hHLLKnDopNjHtDocYi9Lu1cOEqfj8UBL0w/s4032/F425BA34-32C5-4618-B34F-FA0D8F9A3DF4.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNxeE8s3G41GMiMDV-2LTmv2D22VH59L0jzTQzE0GRJ9UsuzqUm3GKZSIOf8Olf6lMwtrzi9jOIG-M6lLvBQEOYzIpWX31aWsWC3V5npzKq7J2cpfU_QbLP2UyyIEasJ__T8anGS9yvsaA1ULaxrjotM-hHLLKnDopNjHtDocYi9Lu1cOEqfj8UBL0w/s320/F425BA34-32C5-4618-B34F-FA0D8F9A3DF4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>So today, I got the bright idea of going on Ravely to check people's comments. Sure enough, a bunch of people mentioned the followed <a href="https://www.yarnharlot.ca/" target="_blank">Yarn Harlot's</a> advice and added a yarn over at the beginning/end of the row, then dropped in the next row, to make a looser edge. A number of people also change the type of increase to something far simpler. </p><p><br /></p><p>So now I have a decision. Do I plug on? Or do I rip out and start over, with the modifications? I know what I SHOULD do. I should start over. I hate that idea, but I know that it will always bother me. It isn't just an extreme curling edge, the edge is so tight that the increases are puckering. Maybe those puckers will be hidden by my hair, but I would know that they are there. </p><p><br /></p><p>Today, it is all about the dilemma. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-77489269460525360622022-08-24T08:05:00.006-05:002022-08-24T08:06:53.481-05:00Christmas starts in July<p> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At least Christmas knitting does. I decided to gift my children with knitted items, and possibly my Sweetie, so I have started my Christmas knitting early this year. This is particularly challenging as I can only knit when they can't see me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So far, I have one pair of fingerless mitts finished for my youngest son. I am optimistically hoping to add a hat to the mitts, but wanted to get started on others first. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Second, in progress, is a new Hogwarts scarf. My oldest son pointed out that the design of the scarves changed in the later movies, and now that he is in high school (?!?!) he wants the older student design. He identifies as Ravenclaw, but likes to dress up like Harry Potter. So I asked which house he wanted, and he said "both". Of course he did, twice the knitting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then there are the annual Teacher Mitts. . . . I may not have started early enough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Today it is all about the early starts. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-53202048443901898112022-02-02T13:45:00.001-05:002022-02-02T13:45:08.714-05:00So many ends<p> My kids and my sweetie went camping last weekend. Yes, the Boy Scouts are a hardy lot. They camp in January in the upper Midwest. In tents. I am not a hardy Scout. I stayed home. 36 glorious child-free, husband-free hours. Just me and the doggies, snuggled warm and cozy inside. I never even stepped outside, but I did think of my guys as I woke up to single digits outside. </p><p>Mostly, I watched cutesy movies on the Hallmark Channel, and I finished knitting. I had a shockingly large stack of items that I had finished knitting, but hadn't seamed or tied in all those loose ends. One item after another. I kept digging in the knitting bag, and I would find another unfinished item. </p><p>The final count was two ear warmers, one baby blanket and four placemats. </p><p>Today, it is all about the stack of completely finished objects. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-35806340445196583292022-01-02T20:41:00.004-05:002022-01-04T13:54:49.915-05:00So which part do I do now?<p> <span style="font-family: georgia;">My last post was about missing knitted winter gear. Over the course of the last two weeks, my sweetie and I have been cleaning out closets and rearranging things. More him than me. He has had the past two weeks off, along with the kids on Christmas break from school. I, on the other had, have had to work those two weeks. Other than the obvious, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, I worked my job, I am self-employed, but sometimes my boss (that would be me) if very mean. The problem comes in that if I am not working, money isn't being earned. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyway, in the course of our efforts, I found a pair of fingerless mittens, and an ear warmer. My missing winterwear. My ears and fingers are warmer for the finds, but the knitter wants matchy sets. The ear warmers are an adorable pink and gray, but I only had enough yarn to do the one item. The fingerless mitts had a matching ear warmer, two actually, but they were flawed. The first was too narrow to cover my ear effectively. The second had a flaw: the seam in the middle of my forehead. (I had since learned a technique to prevent.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had started the new set with a new yarn. I am almost finished with the new ear warmer. So now what? Should I make the fingerless mitts in the new yarn? Or should I make the new and improved design in the old yarn? I mean, I am eventually going to make both, but it was 27 degrees outside today, so the weather requires that I be as efficient as possible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So what do I work on next? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The second consideration these days is the stash. My beloved knitting group, Knittervention, is having a stash exchange tomorrow night. Bring your unwanted yarn, and exchange with others with their unwanted yarns. One knitter's neglected yarn is another knitter's droolworthy treasure. I have a few things in the bin. Plus, for some reason three people have gifted with me with an elderly family member's stash. "Here is all Grandma's old yarn, some of it is decades old, can you use it?" So I have some of that, plus a few nicer things that we in my stash, but not as beautiful as other things in my stash.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ironically, my sweetie and I spent Thursday cleaning out and rearranging the Foyer closet. He put some things in the new gun safe, and a few more things in the barn. He moved a set of shelves from a corner to closer to the door, and I used those shelves for kitchen pantry overflow. Those items had previously been in my room. My office/craft/workout room. Then I spent Friday cleaning out my room. I went through everything in that room. I went through the yarn. I went through the recipe books. I separated garage sale stack with kid toys and clothes that are nice enough to go to Once Upon a Child. I went through EVERYTHING. There is a lot more room in that room today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Meanwhile, I have two bags of inherited yarn, plus one bin of my stash ready for the exchange. I have told my sweetie that the real challenge is not to come home with more yarn that I left. Or is it? I have so many exquisite skeins, but you can never have too much beautiful yarn. Am I right?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today, it is all about the rearranging. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-27475920128498779622021-12-08T11:13:00.000-05:002021-12-08T11:13:01.996-05:00The Case of the Missing Winter Knitwear<p> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The past few years, I have knit myself several pretty winter accessories. Fingerless mitts and ear warmers, mostly, but some scarves and cowls too. Some matching sets, some pretty singletons.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As the cold winds blow and temperature drops, the consolation prize is I get to wear my pretty knits. If only I could find them. Last spring, I packed these items in a safe place, and at present, I have no idea where. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I checked the usual places, and found mens and boys items. Scarves, hats and gloves abound, but not my pretty items. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I found a random cowl, one well-stretched ear warmer , and my first fingerless mitts, but none of the recent matching gems. I have been wearing my mismatched items out of necessity, but this cannot continue all winter. What is the point of being a knitter, if I am not wearing pretty winter knitwear? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sigh. Obviously, I need to start knitting more. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Today, it is all about the duplication. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-2800875291455115372021-10-24T18:14:00.001-05:002021-10-24T18:14:47.547-05:00Yarn self awareness<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a9riEGGav7l9yYeoEgVojH-l3f8oQdp9bBd9laskGNxiJ3tTfwK8f7UV6HE3vRQGQE4BrgtWLseSDnaENq_RVY9mGzBpWIb0e6Z7gAYVrKySz5Tkr8MHVQZanv4xr1yG8tBQwI51hAUB/s1600/Flawless+socks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a9riEGGav7l9yYeoEgVojH-l3f8oQdp9bBd9laskGNxiJ3tTfwK8f7UV6HE3vRQGQE4BrgtWLseSDnaENq_RVY9mGzBpWIb0e6Z7gAYVrKySz5Tkr8MHVQZanv4xr1yG8tBQwI51hAUB/w240-h369/Flawless+socks.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Since I couldn't decide what to start next this past week, I concentrated on finishing. I realized that I was only a couple inches away from finishing a complete pair of socks. In part as a defense against the Second Sock Syndrome, and in part out of memory preservation, I had been knitting both socks at the same time. I hadn't knit socks for a while, and found my skills as bit rusty. So I went back and forth between both socks, in an attempt to ensure they were identical twins. I cast on the toe, and increased to the foot, then did the same on the second sock. I knit the foot, then did the same. I did the heel, well, you get the point. This is only the second time I have knit two socks at the same time. It seems like the progress is so slow, then all of a sudden, you are only a couple inches away from a PAIR of socks. Just in time for winter!<p></p><p>My guys were away camping this weekend. I would have gone, but my mother is abroad this month, and someone had to stay home with the doggies. (She usually dogsits for us.) 36 child-free/husband-free hours is not a bad thing. Along with my list of cleaning chores, I wanted to break through my knitting block. </p><p><br /></p><p>As I was rearranging and visiting in yarn in my stash, I identified what my barrier. I have really stepped up my yarn quality. With my Local yarn store closing two years ago, and a dear friend hosting a de-stashing party, and some stunning yarns that I secretly bought on Ravelry (Shhhh, don't tell my husband), I have some high quality, truly beautiful yarns. I was so looking forward to turning some of them into beautiful knitted objects, but then I was struck with self doubt. Would this yarn be right for this project? The yardage be enough? The drape/stitch definition be appropriate? I didn't want to make a mistake, and have to risk damaging the yarn by frogging. Quality yarn had made me gun-shy about making a mistake. Once I realized this, it was easy to overcome. For what is the use of having delicious yarns if they are stuck in my yarn room for all eternity? </p><p><br /></p><p>I did my research: I looked at the pattern, other examples of that pattern on Ravelry, other projects with that yarn on Ravelry. . . . then I cast on.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sMVWSi0br0O_O4O_74HgaCXgJOmulRuqVwUDgZgNxSow-P7vk5uPA2_VPyXTEUGBtvb_BqS-_oCWySqdDSGcqtBDmtM8nnQhhLZJ9MI2k5QW4ckjHSdE5FbHxaTdNanmTDvFyL9RmxSr/s640/Illumine+start.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sMVWSi0br0O_O4O_74HgaCXgJOmulRuqVwUDgZgNxSow-P7vk5uPA2_VPyXTEUGBtvb_BqS-_oCWySqdDSGcqtBDmtM8nnQhhLZJ9MI2k5QW4ckjHSdE5FbHxaTdNanmTDvFyL9RmxSr/s320/Illumine+start.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> This is a nice start for the day. I have a new skein of sock yarn and a pattern picked out too. <p></p><p><br /></p><p>Today, it is all about the starts. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-69159068282502281522021-10-21T09:52:00.000-05:002021-10-21T09:52:17.875-05:00The opposite of startitis<p> First things first, a new Finished Object to show off. Radiating Rubies. Started at some point in 2021, and off the blocking pads this morning. And it is STUNNING. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaAu5RY8cA7c9nv3j2Ml1RPOlbWZEgJqK44QcKRKNdq9Q2Dfv6neqZxR3-8NH8d7-OKQlYlApzNhtezdiD7Y6wXsNp_LiWtTn7BXjORu99TIhutlI0FChUiF4nuo6bIIGp0MuxgKdUsg3/s4032/IMG_1996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaAu5RY8cA7c9nv3j2Ml1RPOlbWZEgJqK44QcKRKNdq9Q2Dfv6neqZxR3-8NH8d7-OKQlYlApzNhtezdiD7Y6wXsNp_LiWtTn7BXjORu99TIhutlI0FChUiF4nuo6bIIGp0MuxgKdUsg3/w179-h169/IMG_1996.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbf-l-EGcayONL-ta0QivRsq5yPfT4EAG2MS9eZcdeC1BvjBM4Xg1yy9338zb_GCQI0vn8BPTu-57kPNz1rFUOi9mqt_4SP3Gl0WdtR_VSPGm_i9yMGUooFXIlJvsjmqc46-6ic6xqvzN/s4032/IMG_1997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbf-l-EGcayONL-ta0QivRsq5yPfT4EAG2MS9eZcdeC1BvjBM4Xg1yy9338zb_GCQI0vn8BPTu-57kPNz1rFUOi9mqt_4SP3Gl0WdtR_VSPGm_i9yMGUooFXIlJvsjmqc46-6ic6xqvzN/w167-h170/IMG_1997.JPG" width="167" /></a></div>I just love the miracle of blocking<p></p><p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKj4i528uYt1obwewwG2JK73wuu3ORjWNLurgaZqmGpCRkSqxRUo-ccqh631bHDLAjiagKZpsAsqepi1pjyGze67al_ubYTkwi7YdLlmSObrA5K8vTzrPHVBQ5faimGRcJK7mfLANCePS/s4032/IMG_2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKj4i528uYt1obwewwG2JK73wuu3ORjWNLurgaZqmGpCRkSqxRUo-ccqh631bHDLAjiagKZpsAsqepi1pjyGze67al_ubYTkwi7YdLlmSObrA5K8vTzrPHVBQ5faimGRcJK7mfLANCePS/s320/IMG_2004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>And here you see the close up of the lace pattern. The pattern is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/radiate-4" target="_blank">Radiate</a>, free on Ravelry. The lace pattern itself is not too difficult. The overall pattern is customizable, and I found the instructions of which chart to use when and for how many times to increase stitches as needed a bit confusing. All in all, a rewarding knit. <p></p><p>So now what to put on the needles? One disadvantage of having my elliptical in the same room as my yarn is a find myself staring at all of my beautiful yarns, and thinking about pretty things to start next,. Now that I have finished something an can start, I find myself facing complete indecision. I have a number of things in my Ravelry Queue, already paired patterns and yarns from my stash. This should be easy, but I still can't decide. </p><p>I started one shawl, but after a few rows, I am questioning the gauge. I worked a little on a WIP that has been long neglected, but I am also questioning the gauge. Also, both are not intricate lace projects. I just finished a more complex pattern, so I can start another complex difficult pattern. I am not usually so indecisive about my knitting. </p><p>Today, it is all about the indecisiveness. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-16065955254396148172021-09-29T13:17:00.003-05:002021-09-29T13:17:25.702-05:00Yarn Chicken<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIYtFkhZsDWivh9f8jdly5AkwsyT1zuu-1VLF9aoX5QaikWMM5SfqZbWXelhFbl0hTUhzsgCycDkpfT434fERwqPSm0COELOpR2RmRExlCDb-cPQl_CYrjXgdnpzzp8lZwZ5m0VMzXy58/s4032/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIYtFkhZsDWivh9f8jdly5AkwsyT1zuu-1VLF9aoX5QaikWMM5SfqZbWXelhFbl0hTUhzsgCycDkpfT434fERwqPSm0COELOpR2RmRExlCDb-cPQl_CYrjXgdnpzzp8lZwZ5m0VMzXy58/s320/IMG_1299.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I am nearing the end of Radient Rubies, I did something smart. I started weighing my yarn. Each row, I checked how many grams I was using per row, how many grams I had left, and how many grams I should save for the edging. <p></p><p><br /></p><p>Within only a few rows, I realized that the repeat in progress would absolutely be the last repeat. I checked my yarn after every row. </p><p><br /></p><p>15 grams. Two more rows. 13 grams. Last three rows of the repeat. 10 grams. Six rows of border. 3 grams. </p><p><br /></p><p>I feel pretty confident going into the cast off, but it is a new bind off for me, so I can't be certain enough of the yarn usage to relax. </p><p><br /></p><p>It is a Suprisingly Stretchy Bind Off. That sounds like something that might use more yarnage than your average row. </p><p><br /></p><p>The bind off is as stretchy as advertised, which is absolutely required to form the little points at the tips. But it requires a backward Yarn Over. That sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Just do a yarn over in the opposite direction than you normally would. Except my brain no longer thinks to do a Yarn Over. My fingers do it using muscle memory. And my head can't wrap around which direction I am supposed to be overing the yarn. I literally have to start a knit stich, take note of the direction, undo the almost knit stitch, do the Yarn Over in the opposite direction, then complete the rest of the steps. EVERY BLOODY TIME. I can't even retain the information for more than one stitch. </p><p><br /></p><p>When I think about it, I simply cannot remember which way the Yarn Over is supposed to go. It has been hundreds of stitches bound, and I cannot for the life of me remember the opposite direction. It is excruciating! I have spent hours binding off, and I am still only halfway!</p><p><br /></p><p>Today it is all about the muscle memory vs the brain memory. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-62856131812677594382020-12-14T14:15:00.002-05:002020-12-14T14:15:41.918-05:00Just in time for Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rT5-PO5QbS287e68458ULot9qc8U-5xToi01bYrCxjhKuY_qThWoSUIByHbWu5T2sntkQFIhE8Fe2HZDe7zNeOrOf3-kZ3p9bU_s0xXZfWAngjDyQEq4akHu0IA0LkTcKvxgOkGOjV56/s2048/01599CA7-787F-4878-8C44-3700CB7E3DDB.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rT5-PO5QbS287e68458ULot9qc8U-5xToi01bYrCxjhKuY_qThWoSUIByHbWu5T2sntkQFIhE8Fe2HZDe7zNeOrOf3-kZ3p9bU_s0xXZfWAngjDyQEq4akHu0IA0LkTcKvxgOkGOjV56/s320/01599CA7-787F-4878-8C44-3700CB7E3DDB.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Smittens are finally finished. After a shockingly long time in the queue, they are finally on the way to their intended recipients. I hope my brother and his fiancée enjoy them. I originally had the idea of adding two ear warmers to the gift. One ear warmer is done, but my sweetie chided me that men don't wear ear warmers. He tried on one of mine, and I have to admit it made his hair look ridiculous. The way it popped up on the top beyond the coverage of the ear warmer made him look like Bart Simpson. So I changed my plans to a coordinating hat for my bother. But as you can see, it is still in the contemplation stage. I have yarn, pattern, and needles, but I have not yet worked a single stitch. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVR48B2q6lalJYd0S5R3KPBJFtLOb6PTOkDLeSi92fJ36jpo-PwKLiZUweUNfjraxSo0BjSRMP7n6UNNvt9HekQKZgbZ6BnSMZVcWFmsUqhlRAfcbCf3X6APNNY1N0XSlhTypT5D39CSJ/s2048/DAB24680-65BC-4CDE-B155-FBEF38A72C8A.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVR48B2q6lalJYd0S5R3KPBJFtLOb6PTOkDLeSi92fJ36jpo-PwKLiZUweUNfjraxSo0BjSRMP7n6UNNvt9HekQKZgbZ6BnSMZVcWFmsUqhlRAfcbCf3X6APNNY1N0XSlhTypT5D39CSJ/s320/DAB24680-65BC-4CDE-B155-FBEF38A72C8A.jpeg" /></a></div><br />But, it takes some time to get Christmas gifts to Poland, so the mittens are on their way, and we will see if I can finish the hat anytime soon. <div><br /></div><div>Today, it is all about the Christmas deadlines. <p></p><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-25797855881144660302020-09-25T13:30:00.000-05:002020-09-25T13:30:08.682-05:00From the Bottom of the Knitting Queue<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpT_cqdYLPbDDklBHq_Kp7Ndx30MIqaEcQbGZg5uDZ6QqoSbcqLMbXXBfsvXBBg3zeV98YWxSjVJkq8aQRrV368jR_Pqq-syppQ5DnYFq4qvUig-kyfmmhYbpggXoUGMeQBRByCRBQlbX/s2048/IMG_4811.JPG" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpT_cqdYLPbDDklBHq_Kp7Ndx30MIqaEcQbGZg5uDZ6QqoSbcqLMbXXBfsvXBBg3zeV98YWxSjVJkq8aQRrV368jR_Pqq-syppQ5DnYFq4qvUig-kyfmmhYbpggXoUGMeQBRByCRBQlbX/s320/IMG_4811.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I have really been focused lately on finishing the long-forgotten works in progress that have been languishing in the bottom of the knitting bag for way too long. The hunting mitts was one. This mess is another. <div><br /></div><div>A long time ago, my baby brother asked me to make a mitten for two people to wear when they are holding hands. I did some wandering on Ravelry, and behold! The Smitten. Then he mentioned two mittens for the non-holding hand. Then he realized that there should be a set of mittens for each person for normal wear, with a companion Smitten. When I bought the yarn, there was a cute speckled version in blue/gray and pink/gray skeins, and I got the idea of making an ear warmer for each to match. So one two-person mitten turned into four regular mittens, one oversized mitten and two ear warmers. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I dug everything out of the bag recently, to see where I was. Two pairs of mittens done (except for the ends and a couple thumbs), and the smitten designed and started. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would really like to be able to have all of this to my brother and his darling fiancée by Christmas. THIS Christmas. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, it is all about getting ready for the Season. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-53725593223461337842020-09-10T11:55:00.003-05:002020-09-10T11:55:23.524-05:00Done and done<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVzrYhVa6Ox3oeZdV8GgfdaT_Smxgo0rEeWmIeCuMZG3zB4tgUGkhu21E2haakPr06mrJkdKgJr3c0en6l8lt935_mPq7_72m31ExAa90nhtCv_3LUguViQVy72H5BOy1v175Mh_hvstC/s2048/IMG_4793.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: none;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVzrYhVa6Ox3oeZdV8GgfdaT_Smxgo0rEeWmIeCuMZG3zB4tgUGkhu21E2haakPr06mrJkdKgJr3c0en6l8lt935_mPq7_72m31ExAa90nhtCv_3LUguViQVy72H5BOy1v175Mh_hvstC/s320/IMG_4793.JPG"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWGK5Us1RDXHOGJhZWsQWQ1N8zZxoS5ZVFMjTBoQ1_TjPL8KgxXGDCX5VxophZZD_ETzhCh0FkmTzpoLvkSjd2LNG_LDk2Axq2-SrSHxsk4kqAbbOkX8CBSDLoXBCB9a5dq77db-dHD3D/s2048/IMG_4792.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: none;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWGK5Us1RDXHOGJhZWsQWQ1N8zZxoS5ZVFMjTBoQ1_TjPL8KgxXGDCX5VxophZZD_ETzhCh0FkmTzpoLvkSjd2LNG_LDk2Axq2-SrSHxsk4kqAbbOkX8CBSDLoXBCB9a5dq77db-dHD3D/s320/IMG_4792.JPG"/></a></div>
I have been on a finishing kick lately. I finished my recent shawl, and I finished the hunting mittens that have been in progress forever. This is actually the second attempt at this mittens. These were supposed to have a flap that folds over the fingers. That is where I was having the issues. The first time, the flaps were opposite each other. One showed the purl side and one knit. The second time I was trying to figure out another way to do it, when my sweetie decided he just wanted them to be fingerless, like I have done with all the teachers. Really? Just plain fingerless mittes? I can do that. I can have it finished in a couple days. And lo and behold, finished.
Whew! It feels so good to scratch off another long in progress knitted item.
Today, it is all about the dones. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-79831562740965394322020-09-04T08:17:00.000-05:002020-09-04T08:18:35.183-05:00Pulling the plug <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOoNzsu-402Ti0VbVHP3Qte1JSoq8hIrMi0u74LeumPUNaQgAih61BsXxEBHTheU-yJp8pAj8-xF3eIEcS8UmafC1td-8Pg6Fj06u46axoPVU_BgFLmzohIdDXjaRuSp5kFS5TwtLD1p5/s2048/IMG_4778.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOoNzsu-402Ti0VbVHP3Qte1JSoq8hIrMi0u74LeumPUNaQgAih61BsXxEBHTheU-yJp8pAj8-xF3eIEcS8UmafC1td-8Pg6Fj06u46axoPVU_BgFLmzohIdDXjaRuSp5kFS5TwtLD1p5/s320/IMG_4778.JPG"/></a></div>
I have reached a point where I had to make a decision: I am supposed to end on a garter area of the pattern. So at what point to a switch to garter whereever I am in the pattern. I think I have reached that point. I am supposed to do twelve rows of the lace pattern, then twelve rows of garter. But I only have a teeny tiny ball of yarn left (pretty nice dark, burgandy yarn. No more beige!) and I don't think I can stretch it that far.
Then I remembered that I have a measuring tool. A little gadget where you run the yarn through it, and it measusre for you. It came in a package with my swift and scale, and I think this is the first time I have actually used it.
I know I was imperfectly measuring, but it was still only 38 feet left. Definitely time to switch.
I have been showing an uncharacteristic monogomy towards this project, and I may actually finish within a day or two.
Today, it is all about the final stretch. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-58181262483017326222020-08-09T09:30:00.001-05:002020-08-09T09:30:16.186-05:00A world of beige<p> My boring trial inspired burst of inspiration has led to my first cast on. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZeCCMTMryNjR-GtszpXh4Al4qzlJrr5ca1J7cuoNbNXOmEvO4XJtQSb4eqVcsOxQ6G0OMqKfHk8CmLUzQ6z9lGPmjmsvUgbdMCtwRSNSspSA86UbjuldDJfw65DiAsOvRUs1HfAEcrGS/s2048/IMG_4695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZeCCMTMryNjR-GtszpXh4Al4qzlJrr5ca1J7cuoNbNXOmEvO4XJtQSb4eqVcsOxQ6G0OMqKfHk8CmLUzQ6z9lGPmjmsvUgbdMCtwRSNSspSA86UbjuldDJfw65DiAsOvRUs1HfAEcrGS/w307-h410/IMG_4695.JPG" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I am loving the pattern, and the yarn, except for one thing. There is a lot of beige. I hate beige. Beige is not a color. It is the absence of all color. I see the pretty pink and burgandy, and I know that those pretty colors are coming. For now, however, there is row and after, repeat after repeat, endless stitches of . . . . beige. <br /><br />Meanwhile, I have found something even more dangerous that matching patterns and stashed yarns to keep me amused in court: searching stash for sale. Especially when one person has a bunch for sale, with discounts and free shipping if you buy enough. This could get dangerous. Especially when I am staring at a whole bunch of beige. My immunity is compromised to pretty new colors. <br /><br />Today it is all about the need for colors. </td></tr></tbody></table></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-30428792968680368312020-07-30T11:28:00.002-05:002020-07-30T11:28:16.403-05:00Court timeSometimes I am just stranded in court with nothing to do or think about. Something like a Termination of Parental Rights trial, when my client is incarcerated, in the wind or completely disinterested. I still have to stay in the trial, because there are other parents in these cases that may have a different participation in the trial/case, but if my client is in prison for a couple years, there really anything that I can do on their behalf. <br />
<br />
That is my day today. My client is incarcerated until 2022, so it isn't like he can step up and get custody of his child. So here I sit, at my laptop, listening to witness after witness none of which pertain to my client. <br />
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I can't knit. That would look bad. It would help keep me awake and would not interfere with my ability to listen to the witnesses, but optics matter. So instead I have been looking at a half dozen yarns from my stash, and looking to through Ravelry to see possible patterns that fit the yarn. I discovered a new feature about searching patterns. I can actually just search the patterns in my favorites. I loved being able to narrow the search to those hundred or so patterns that I have already flagged that I liked. <br />
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I now I have my next four or five projects tentatively picked out. That may or may not be a good thing. <br />
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Today, it is all about the future cast ons. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-75597940181002297182020-06-10T13:32:00.002-05:002020-06-10T13:32:12.931-05:00Permission to FrogKnitters are funny. We keep working on something, long after it has told us that it isn't working. We plug away on a sweater for an adult that would be tight on a toddler. We slog forward on socks that are big enough to suit an elephant. Hideous color combinations, combative yarn/pattern combinations, knitters will ignore the obvious forever. We hate the idea of unraveling stitches that we worked so hard to ravel, we continue onward, knowing in the deepest corner of our heart that it isn't working. <br />
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Since the move, I have been unpacking and viewing parts of my stash and WIP's that haven't seen daylight in some time. I have given myself permission to frog at will. If I don't like the yarn anymore, frog it. If I don't like the pattern anymore, frog it. If I am just bored with it, frog it. <br />
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Today, in a corner of my office, I found a half-finished child sock for charity. I tried working on it a little today, but I was hating the colors of the yarn, the feel of the yarn, the tininess of the needles. I wasn't even sure what I was going to do with the socks after I finished them. The yarn store that used to accept charity woolies to ship to an orphanage in Russia has now closed. After two rows, I decided to frog. <br />
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What freedom! I still don't know what to do with that ugly yarn. I may stick it in the garage sale stack, or just throw it into my "charity stash" and think of something else to make with it. For now, it is one less work in progress. <br />
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I found three others partially finished projects stuck in that same corner, but I still like them. <br />
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Today, it is all about letting go. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-35077301552030598452020-05-26T19:28:00.000-05:002020-05-26T19:28:03.145-05:00Too much free time?And just like that, two months pass by without blogging. It would seem like staying home for a couple months would mean I would have plenty of spare time. It. Does. Not. Working from home, while trying to help two kids navigate e-learning is more complicated than it sounds. And my sweetie (who worked the whole time normally, except for a short two week furlough) seems to think that working from home means I don't actually have to work and have plenty of time to clean. Seriously? Flexible work hours doesn't translate to not working. Sigh. Eye roll.<br />
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I did get quite a bit of knitting done, especially in the evenings when I would otherwise be chauffering children to Scouts, sports or other fun activities. Two hats ready for St. Baldericks. (Assuming they have their fundraiser this fall. I can't even predict next week.) A baby blanket half-finished. <br />
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And, for me, a shawl nearly finished. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/ladyknight90/clapotis" target="_blank">clapotis</a>. I started the decrease rows last night. After that, I have to drop all those stitches. Intentionally. That just goes against the grain for a knitter, but that IS the design. The silk bamboo feels dreamy, but the overall shawl is a bit heavier than I expected. Maybe it won't feel like that when draped around my shoulders, but on my lap, it weighs pounds. <br />
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Today, it is all about the weight. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-88559203359979832682020-03-26T18:48:00.001-05:002020-03-26T18:48:41.995-05:00The New Normal<div>
This past Monday was Knittervention, but, of course, we couldn't actually meet. The private room wasn't big enough for all of us to sit 6 feet apart, we might accidently have more than 10 people, and (the deciding factor) our pub, 9 Irish Brothers, was closed. </div>
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But you can't keep a group of knitting aficionados down. We met for community knitting through video conference. It was a little weird. We sometimes would talk at the same time. Long silences were more awkward. (Why does it always seem like we are counting all the same time?) But it was nice to talk to someone other than my husband and children. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH_r30eTM7iCpYPpdxkSCEGOEyOIvwoggYpfacQoRIMTZ6XtwyM6NAJg6nszIJ3K8SRYj6yRoYFOSG1oAyDlcc-iea35KAvpHp2gWjsKKMsFFK18vXhyphenhyphenNtrDHUz_NyOnzl2nMVc2Dnb8Z/s1600/IMG_4326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH_r30eTM7iCpYPpdxkSCEGOEyOIvwoggYpfacQoRIMTZ6XtwyM6NAJg6nszIJ3K8SRYj6yRoYFOSG1oAyDlcc-iea35KAvpHp2gWjsKKMsFFK18vXhyphenhyphenNtrDHUz_NyOnzl2nMVc2Dnb8Z/s320/IMG_4326.JPG" width="240" /></a>I watch the news, and hear the numbers, and I can't help but wonder what I can do to help. I mean, I don't work in the medical field, and I am still working my normal full time job, caring for my children at home, and dealing with a seemingly perpetually grumpy husband (at least these days), but I still want to do something. </div>
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So I started knitting hats for St. Baldricks. I didn't get any done last year. For that matter, the baby blanket that I did make, I never turned in, so I still have it. </div>
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In moving and unpacking, I found yarn that I didn't remember that I even had. Some of it is quite nice, so I have decided to use it for charity hats. I think this ball is enough for two hats, and there are more in the queue. </div>
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Today, is all about wanting to make a difference. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-5784470169568828652020-03-18T18:27:00.002-05:002020-03-18T18:27:50.847-05:00The Training Has Paid Off In the course of a week, life as we know it has changed. Schools are conducting e-learning. Restaurants and bars have closed. People are snuggled at home for the immediate future. My social butterfly friends have been lamenting how they can't go out and have fun. Me? I am a knitter. I have been training for this for <u>decades</u>. I have years worth of yarn. Give me my DVD's and internet connection, and I could quarantine for years. <br />
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Since the kids are home with me too, I should probably include wine.<br />
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In the coming weeks, I should have some great knitting works in progress to show off. <br />
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Today it is all about being a new kind of prepper. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-16246946113970234292020-03-11T12:39:00.001-05:002020-03-11T12:39:38.270-05:00Battle of the SocksThe old sock is a LITTLE fiddly. About two rows out of the twelve row pattern. Not too bad, but enough that it is not really good for briefcase knitting. <br />
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So I started a new sock. Easy, simple, something I can pick up and put down easily. <br />
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I hadn't knit, or worn, hand knit socks in a long time. It may sound stupid, but I didn't have shoes to wear them with. I had a great pair when I was pregnant, but they eventually wore out, and I never really replaced them. Then I saw something similar, but pricey, so I put it on my Christmas wish list, and my husband is generally smart enough to buy from the list.<br />
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With all the cold weather the past couple months, I was so grateful for the cozy wool socks. Why did I ever stop wearing them? I have five pairs of handknit socks, and now I want more. Hence the two socks in progress. <br />
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Today, it is all about knits for the feet in the winter. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-19528759061822790352020-03-04T12:46:00.001-05:002020-03-04T12:46:27.463-05:00Third Time Charmed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ba1esAGkWJHPcf79drlyMaG1rPLQGPweNTBd-kAttqnVLovta6I4x-0winHCsm7LTkX8ZlnK8xKXRhnaBT6ZHv7AmMHl43O5jo9PE9FWj2Fl411-WO7A431TAUDb39fUZV8pxvWipJG8/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ba1esAGkWJHPcf79drlyMaG1rPLQGPweNTBd-kAttqnVLovta6I4x-0winHCsm7LTkX8ZlnK8xKXRhnaBT6ZHv7AmMHl43O5jo9PE9FWj2Fl411-WO7A431TAUDb39fUZV8pxvWipJG8/s320/IMG_4257.JPG" width="240" /></a>My third attempt at the Cozy Cowl was indeed the last. Success! Hurray for math! (Shhh, don't tell sister Anna Maria, my freshman algebra teacher. I would hate to think that she was right about something.) I am now the proud displayer of a soft and woolie cowl, guaranteed to keep my head warm in the bitterest of Indiana winters. <br />
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I was uncharacteristically monogamous to the cowl. Maybe it was the Indiana that seems to get colder and longer every year. Maybe it is just where my mind is these days. So many things going on, so little space in the RAM of my brain to allocate between them. Knitting seems to get the brain power that is leftover after everything else in my life, limiting the level of difficulty these days. <br />
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We are still moving the last of the random things in my mom's basement.<strike> Some</strike> most of the last random items have literally been in her basement for years. I am finding yarn and projects that I forgot I had. Some have been the source of new inspiration, some have been more along the "what was I thinking?" lines.<br />
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I am trying to approach the large, neglected stack of WIP's in a positive manner. I don't want to beat myself up about a single sock that I have been working on for years. I have decided to take them one at a time. Pick up and evaluate it. Do I still like the yarn? Do I still like the pattern? Are the yarn and pattern working? If not, I have given myself permission to frog without guilt. Give away the yarn, if I don't like it. Put it back in the stash if I do. <br />
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I started with a single pre-heel sock. I had remembered the pattern as being too fiddly, and opened the bag with trepidation. To my surprise, I was able to immediately figure out where I was in the pattern repeat, and I did still like the pattern. I will see if the other rows are too fiddly, but in the meantime, it is in my briefcase for before-court knitting. One neglected WIP back in progress, way too many more to go. <br />
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And, I started something new. <br />
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Today, it is all about the new and the old. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269322583725768942.post-6572728242915675912020-01-21T13:50:00.001-05:002020-01-21T13:50:27.770-05:00Called ItI did run out of yarn before it was wide enough to fit around my head. It was looking close, and I really waited until the last row, but it was definitely too narrow. <br />
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So I ripped out again, and recalculated the new width, to have the proper length. Thank God my six grader was there, because rather than just continuing to do trial and error, he suggested the formula. Since I had the total area that the yarn would create in that needle size, all I had to do was find the new width and length that would equal the same area. Brilliant!!<br />
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So, I am still working on the same cowl, for the third (and hopefully, final) time. <br />
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Today, it is a question of whether I am smarter than a sixth grader.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0