A Place for Everything

And everything in its place?  Well, it seems unlikely that I will ever be that organized, but I am making progress.  Today's proof is a new cabinet for my sewing machine.  Up until now, when I wanted to sew, I was using a tv tray as a table, and while I was able to make it work for some things, it was not ideal.  There is so much I like about this new piece.  It allows me to have a proper place to sew, it offers storage for various sewing tools and accessories, and it can close up and keep everything protected and out of sight.  


It might take me a little time to organize everything in it, but I am already using it for sewing.  I finished Eva's birthday blanket, and I love it.  


I first saw this blanket pattern over at Grumperina's, and I bookmarked it immediately.  I read the tutorial and thought it might be something I could make, so I bought some fabric.  I washed, ironed, and assembled, and then it was time to pack and move, so it sat.  One day I decided I had better get going on it, so I even managed to do most of the sewing on my old tv tray setup, including making the binding.  I finished the blanket the other day after I assembled my table, and I love it.  I think it is cute, and can see more of these in my future.     

Avoiding Monkey Limbs...

...in the form of battling start-itis.  Yeah, The good news is that I have the bodies and tails of a couple of monkeys for the babies finished, and that is nice progress.  However, for now, I am having trouble getting myself to sit down and work on the arms and legs.  Ah, it will be all right, just as long as I can stop myself from giving in to those start-itis urges.  

I do have wonderful justifications for each of the potential projects.      

• Doorstop Chicken--We could really use one for the front door when Bruce wants to prop it open, and it is adorable
• Tea Cozy--I do not have one, the weather is changing, and they are so pretty
• French Press Cozy--Again, I do not have one, the changing weather, and the pretty
• Bender/Nibbler, Guardian of the Bum Fodder--Really, I do not need more justification than that, but also, our home has two bathrooms, and neither has much for storage room 
• Slippers--My current pair is in need of replacing, and while these would not be the slippers I would wear full time, (my annual new pair of slippers has returned to Costco, so I will probably buy them next month or get them for Christmas) these would still be great to have in the rotation and for snuggling up on the couch, or while weaving, or really, just whenever, because after all, the weather is changing.

I have the patterns for all of these projects, and I probably have the yarn for all of them, (maybe not for the tp cozies, but probably) and they are all totally practical, right?  Ah, but I am not casting on for any of them.  I will settle down to finish the monkeys soon.  I may just need to find the right Netflix marathon pairing.  Oooh, brilliant idea:  knitting-pattern-Netflix-marathon-pairing-algorithm.  You're welcome.  

There is no real need to worry that I will abandon the current monkeys, Celestarium (making very nice progress on that edging), or other gift projects in pursuit of any of the above right now.  I kind of got over it while I spent some time nurturing hurt feelings/grieving/processing a difficult situation.  While that is not a good pattern to get into, and I need to be careful about such things, occasionally, there is a time and place for it, and it might involve whiny music and circus peanuts.    

Coming Out of the Dark

Well, Stacey certainly had it right when she commented on the darkness of the yarn for my Celestarium.  It is not a project I work on in low-light settings or when my eyes are tired, but I think it will all be worth it when I am done.  I am hoping to finish it by the end of the month, but that is not a deadline.  However, I do have some deadlines approaching, so I am trying to keep going on those projects.  I call myself over 50% done with the Christmas knitting, but I cannot rest on those accomplishments.  

Besides Christmas knitting, I have decided to take on making things for a couple of birthdays.  I have almost completed sewing a blanket for Eva's first birthday next month, and I am weaving a blanket for Katie's birthday in December.  As it has been National Spinning and Weaving Week, it seemed the perfect time to get the yarn on the loom for her blanket.  

I didn't quite need sunglasses for this, but almost.  I think it should turn out to be interesting and something she will really love.  The blanket will be two woven panels sewn together, so it should be a nice size for her.  I have some ideas for adding some visual and textural interest beyond the bumpity yarn, but I have not decided anything just yet.  For now, I am just glad to have the loom set up and ready to weave.  

It is so nice to have a room for crafting, especially when it comes to weaving.  I could get started on it without worrying about being in the way of anything else, and being able to stop and come back to it if needed and it not being an issue.  

Stars in My Eyes

That sounds a lot nicer than saying I see the charts for Celestarium in my sleep, doesn't it?  It is also a better topic than my recent navel-gazing.  I've been trying to figure out what I want to do about blogging.  Short answer--I want the experience to be better, so I am going to work to do better.  That starts with being more active, and if that means shorter posts and more in-progress photos, so be it.  You can also look forward to the return of my reading and commenting.  I have checked in here and there and keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers.  

Anyway, we were talking about Celestarium, right?  Well, that is something nice to talk about, because I have finished the body of shawl.  That's right, I have beaded my last bead.  I got out a pile of lace books and looked at edgings until I found the one I think I want to use.  It is from Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller, and Wave Lace seems like it should be nice.    

Sorrry, I Was Looking at Sweater Patterns

Lately, I have heard many complaints about the weather.  For some, it has been an early return of autumn, and for others, the burning resurgence of summer.  Whatever your weather whine, I think we can all agree it is because I have been looking at sweater patterns, cardigans, actually.  I have also been making decent progress on knitting Christmas presents, and we all know that does not help things.  

However, since the damage is already done, I am opening the floor to suggestions for lightweight cardigan patterns, even down to laceweight.  In fact, I think I might want to focus mostly on laceweight.  I think maybe nothing in the negative ease department because I want a looser feel and do not like things stuck in my armpits.  

I do not have any pictures of the current knitting, so we'll close out the unofficial end of summer with two pictures from the 4th of July.  Hope you have been having a lovely long weekend if it was available to you, or have been watching EverySimpsonsEver whenever possible.  

      

Remedying a Lack of Refrigerator Magnets

Because what else is there to do while you have too many caregivers for one patient?  A tonsillectomy etc for the son really did not require for so many of us to spend so much time at his home, but we did.  There really was a limit to how much Shark Week and Headline News and accompanying commentary I could stand while the boy slept.  Did I mention that he is thirty-two, and completely capable of caring for himself?  We could tell he was ready for some time to himself by the time we all left.  

In addition to Taki's surgical adventure, we have had a great deal of other life stuff in the mix.  From babies to big kids, and from animals to other mostly routine medical stuff, we have been more than a little busy and preoccupied.  Of course, that is the stuff of life, and we are all hanging in there. 

That has not left much time or concentration for Celestarium, so I knit these tiny refrigerator magnets for Taki.  I liked knitting them, they were a nice distraction, and were not too demanding.  When I was able to knit the last three in one day, I knew it was time to be home.  That being said, we will be back to help him a bit this week, but really, only as much as he needs.  We will see how well he does with a ride in the car and a trip to the store and take things from there.  

This week looks to be another big one, and I am going to do my best to take it a day at a time at most.  I hope everyone else has a good week.  What are you all up to these days?                

Tour Time

Well, the Tour de Fleece has been great for helping me get back to my spinning.  I finished spinning the green fluff I started last year.  The spinning went well, and the dye that transferred to my fingers and hands as I spun let me know that finishing the yarn was going to take eleventy-bazillion rinse cycles.  Actually, it took a few more than that, but I like the finished yarn, so it was worth it.  This is a three-ply, and the fiber is superwash merino.  I know superwash can be a bit of a coin toss, but I like this.    

At a certain point I felt like I was never going to finish, and my Celestarium was sitting at about 33% completion.  So, I decided to get something tiny on the needles, and now I have a little fat cat and ice cream cone magnets for the refrigerator.  

I guess I will take a dive into the fiber bins and see what wants to be spun next.  I suppose it would be helpful if I found my little scale so I can better divide the fluff, but I won't let that hold me back from getting something on the wheel.  I haven't really given much thought to what I will spin next, but I know the stash holds many wonderful possibilities.  

I hope you are all having a joyful July and your time on the Tour has been smooth.    

I Remember It Like It Was Interesting

Sure, there are plenty of stories I could tell about our recent adventures, and while they were full of drama and emotion over here, they would likely be very boring to read.  So, how about we go for a quick recap?  Sprinkle emotional/physical strain/drain/breakdowns throughout, and we have:  look at lots of houses, offers and counteroffers, mortgage stuff, boxes, real estate peoples, final steps, packing, gonna happen/not gonna happen, plumbing, final-final steps, lawyers, not gonna happen/gonna happen, closing, trucks, moving, plumbers, cable/phone/internet/contractors, air conditioning, house-sitting, babysitting, plumbing, unpacking, setting up, organizing, the crud, and life.  Yep, it really happened, and we are now in our new (to us) house.  Really, that is what is important.  Sometimes the difficulties did their best to overshadow the goodness of getting this place.  We have lots to do to settle in and make this house our home, and of course, there are always home maintenance and repair tasks to attend to, but it is good.  

It comes as no surprise that this process offers many opportunities to evaluate many areas of life--finances, what kind of home we want to have, the value of "stuff" and all of that, wants vs needs, etc.  It also showed me a lot about people and relationships.  I discovered some people who are more in our corner than I knew, and a greater closeness in our family than one might guess.  That has been wonderful, and it continues to warm my heart, encourage me, and steady me when I am feeling shaky.  Of course, it has not been all rainbows and unicorns and hugs.  Although these small amounts of somewhat negative feelings ranged from unpleasant to sad to alternately annoyed and chuckling bemusement, they cannot compare to the good.  I discovered some people who I thought were ready to be there for us are not in that place.  I discovered a few people do not hold us in much esteem, and that has caused me to consider why these relationships exist.  Let me see if I can explain.  The typical response to learning someone has become a new homeowner would be to congratulate and if you see the house to say something complimentary, right?  That is mostly what we encountered, but then there were those few others.  The ones with their backhanded compliments, who said they were surprised the house wasn't as bad as they imagined, or said that if we could get a house they are going to get a nicer one or maybe buy a couple and flip them, or wondered aloud just how we were able to get a house, or asked for the nickel tour and spent it pointing out any flaw or maintenance needed.  Then there were the comments and looks that saddened me, but more for them than me.  Apparently, we have some people in our life who, well, it would be grandiose to say they keep us around to feel better about themselves, but clearly, they feel at least a twinge of discomfort for us to experience this sort of improvement in our circumstances.  Oh, well, that sort of thing is just so odd to me.  

Speaking of people and relationships, I have been poking in here and there keeping up with you all as best as I could.  I know many of you have had a lot going on--major life changes, death and loss, illness and injury, sadnesses and worries, and I have kept you all in thought and prayer.  I have also cheered for the successes, and oohed and aahed over the things you have been making and growing.  I have also missed out on a lot, and I hope to get back into the swing of reading and commenting, emailing, and blogging.  There is a lot of new in my life, and it is challenging for me to establish a new routine, but I am working on it.  I have missed everyone.  Thank you for hanging in there with me.               

Don't Choose the Colors for Your Doorstop Chickens Before Closing

Yes, it is true; we are engaged in a quest for different housing.  I won't pretend that we are so unique and special to be the only people to ever do this and find the process a bit stressful.  That being said, we have had some adventures, and it has not even been three months.  

Three times so far we have encountered law enforcement pursuing/investigating on the same street where we were looking at a house.  Not only that, but at least three other times we have seen stories on the news of violent crimes on streets where we had been looking.  We try to keep our sense of humor about us, so if you need to borrow a cup of stabbing, well, just follow us.  Oh, but try not to follow too closely; we have already been rear-ended.    

We have been very close to purchasing a home more than once.  We have wondered sometimes whether some people really want to sell their houses. We have witnessed the power of photography in listings.  We have discovered that you can sell what you cannot give away.  We have seen some very nice houses in some very bad neighborhoods.  We have been fortunate to discover some things about potential neighbors that assured us that was not where we wanted to live.  Flying that flag, plastering your car with those bumper stickers, and the extension cords you have running to get electricity from empty homes?  Yeah, we probably should not be neighbors.  

We have also been through the gamut of emotions.  While there are many great things about a bigger place, it also feels weird to think that we would be more than about three steps away from each other.   We have lived here for about sixteen years, and I am feeling the anxiety of the change.  The move from being in a somewhat rural spot to living in the city will be a bit of a difference.  Although, really, we are probably talking about a less than twenty-mile move.  

Anyway, this process is likely to continue to keep me away, but I am trying to pop in to lurk here and there when I can.  I suppose there will be a spot of time when you will not be able to reach me as we do the actual moving and the transferring of services and all that, but I will try to keep you updated.  If things continue as they have been going, we really are much closer to really doing this than I can think about right now.              

Marvelous Miters

The timing of the winter games worked for me.  I used the event to help motivate me and as a general guide for a progress and completion timetable.  If you recall, I was knitting a baby blanket, and I finished it.  Final assembly and edging took place on Monday, and I was finally able to get photos yesterday.  Now I just have to write a note, wrap, package, and get it in the post.  

The pattern is Mitered Crosses, and it is a simple, lovely design.  I hardly had to pay attention to what I was doing.  Row after row of garter stitch kept my hands busy and productive whether my mind was empty and incapable of thought or full of all the things.  Knowing that this was just a baby blanket and that I only had to complete nine blocks allowed me to see the progress and keep going.  

Knitting this also reminded me of how nice project monogamy can be.  That isn't to say that I have changed and will only knit one project at a time from now on, but it can be the right way to go sometimes.    

POP! The Final Chapter

Well, it took a little over a year, but now I have a new blanket.  Now that it is finished, I am able to look back and reflect a bit.  I remember the many places I worked on squares.  Given the length of time I took from start to end, most places in my 2013 probably have a square tied to them.  I can even point to a few of them and recall what was happening at that moment in my life as I knit those particular squares.  

Of course, knitting each block was only the first part of the adventure.  I had a few moments of feeling stuck as I contemplated the sorting and joining.  As I did not want to allow the opportunity for dread or over-thinking to set in, I spread a sheet out on the living room floor and just started playing.  First, I sorted by colors and considered math.  Then there were color questions, and possibilities of deliberate patterns or designs.  Finally, I settled on an arrangement that I liked, and I rolled up the whole thing and set it aside for the day, as the process had been exhausting for me.  Over the course of the next few days, I crocheted the squares together.  I clipped together chains of blocks with my Clover locking stitch markers, joined that strip to the previous, unclipped the stitch markers, lather, rinse, repeat.  Once all of the squares were together, I blocked again and considered the edging.  I briefly bumped up against the idea of i-cord, but decided upon crocheting around instead.  I had just a little bit left of the Universal Yarns Classic Shades in Rainforest, and most of it was quite similar in color, (with the exception of a section of bright green that I cut out) so I used it, and quite like the effect. 

As soon as I finished, I curled up under it and took a nap.  The only thing left after that was to wait for the right weather and take some pictures, so that is what I did yesterday.  If anyone is feeling jealousy or ill will toward me for having the weather for a blanket photo shoot, you can take comfort in the fact that there was much mosquito harassment.  

They Doubted His Powers

Maybe people will make a bigger deal out of Groundhog Day next year, eh?  I sure wish I had been able to celebrate it more, but a small celebration can be good, too.  The weather shutting things down for a few days can be good, too.  It reminded me to watch out for being ruled by busyness and to look for the difference between the urgent and the important.  

Today, I am remembering to take a moment to take joy in the little things in life.  Things remain rather rough around here, but life is like that sometimes.  I think the stress of it all is reflected in a flurry of little online purchases I have made over the past week.  I have a couple of sewing machine feet, some knitting needles, and about 1500 beads on their way to me.  As far as stress-shopping goes, that really is not too bad, and I have some plans for most of what I bought.  I even intend to use most of it soon.  Well, soon-ish, and the sewing bits might be more telling on where I am on the lunacy end of things, but it is not as bad as it could be.  

One of the things I plan to make soon from the recent purchases is either Celestarium or Southern Skies.  They are the reason for the bead purchases, and yes, I did order enough beads to make them both, but I do not know that I will.  I still have not bought either pattern, and have not decided whether to knit with or without the YOs.  I ordered a set of faceted ab beads, and a set of clear silver lined seed beads, and am not sure which I will use.  If I wait for both sets of beads to arrive, I should have plenty of time to decide, as one set is projected to be delivered some time in March.  Then again, the tracking for one package showed it out for delivery yesterday, 100 miles away ten hours later, and then showed up today, so whatever happens could be a mega-mystery.  While we wait, I am entertaining thoughts, opinions, and advice on which shawl to knit, which beads to use, and the YO/noYO issue.


In the meantime, I am knitting.  This time it is a baby blanket, and I am making nice progress with it.  Garter stitch is good, and the size of the squares is just right for me.  They do not get too big as to be in the way, but they are large enough that each block completed means substantial progress on the overall piece.  I have a plan that could put completion within a week, but this is a no-pressure, no-stress, and no deadline project, so if it takes a bit longer than that, it is fine.          

Dispatch from the Patch

Just when it seemed we were out of the danger from the cold, a leftover piece of it jumped up and bit me.  Actually, it was a patch of ice I was not even thinking of watching out for because the danger of ice seemed like it should have been gone.  Yeah, I fell, but it could have been much worse.  I was carrying my nephew (he's 20 months) at the time, and I am just glad that he was unhurt.  I was carrying him on the left and I managed to fall to the right.  Now I have a somewhat sad elbow and shoulder, but it is not too bad.  I am doing the resting and icing and that is helping.  It has limited me from doing much beyond Netflixing, but there are worse ways to pass time.  Anyway, somehow I have found a comfortable position on the couch and gotten some real sleep in acceptable quantities for three nights in a row, even.  Yeah, I'm surprised, too, but quite pleased.  

So, you ask yourselves, and quite rightly, "Why is she bothering to blog if she's just lying about on the couch not doing anything?"  Well, you see, before the fall, my sister found a picture of something and gave a not-so-subtle hint that she would like me to make it for my niece.  Since it is unbearably cute, super easy, and takes almost no time, I made one.  I think I will make more.    

Sweet Three-Toed Sloth of Ice Planet Hoth

Ah, it is another of those weather-induced opportunities to dig through your bin of handknits and wear them all.  Some of us are so bundled up in handknits that we could make those fiber festival goers look like their special ensembles of everything they've made in the past year is really just the secret wink to other knitters that they think it is.  

We are staying warm and doing our best to take it easy here.  The cold temperatures are probably helping us take a break from things since the best choice is just to stay home and wait for the weather to change.  

Life has continued to be full.  We traveled a bit last month on a journey that was too long and too short all at once.  Being home is good.  I am finding myself a bit unsettled with what to knit, so I am working on different things here and there in hopes of completing something soon.  

Anyway, I did manage to finish a number of knits and weaves for gifts, (don't want to steal credit--the purple blanket under baby Eva was knit by my grandma, not me) on time, even.  You can spy some of them here amongst my photo collage of some bits of life from the past six weeks or so.  

          

Just Keep Knitting

The gift knitting is well underway.  I have one to show for now, a modified Hermione Hearts Ron (replaced the lace panels with plain purls between the cables) hat for my nephew.  Everything else has been Goldilocks syndrome around here--too long, too short, and the next one had better be just right, or somebody is getting a gift card to go with her book.  I have ideas for other gift knits, but am keeping a relaxed attitude about it.   The next thing to get to is another Jumbo Gnome, and I am looking forward to that.  

Anyway, more than a few of my not-so-favorite things have converged as of late.  It is difficult because they are troubles for people I love, and I cannot fix any of it.  They are not things to mention here, or really anywhere, I suppose, because they are not my things to tell.  I am doing a lot of processing and not a lot of sleeping.  So, for right now, I am just peeking in, reading blogs, and just not up for commenting.  I am thinking of you all often.  

Modeled Shots Soon

Exciting times are here, and by that, I mean it is new niece time.   At 8lbs, 6ozs; 21", our Zelda Lambiekins (they are still working on the name) is a bundle of of lovey snuggliness.  The whole family is doing well and so happy.    

  

No Tricks, All Treats

Feeling good feels good, and doing good feels good, right?  Help Stacey do more good in her NMO fundraising efforts, eh?  Would you like an added bonus for doing good?  There are prizes, so you can donate early, donate often, and spread the word.  And hurry, because this year's fundraiser is almost over!   

The Knitting Can Wait

While the son-in-law is busy with a work thing, we are super-pleased to have our daughter back in town visiting.  We took the opportunity to have a little bit of family fun.  It was wild, weird, and fun, and I think the first time we have done something like this since the kids were, well, kids.  The Georgia Aquarium was the destination, and it was wonderful.  

I planned on knitting during the car ride, but I also planned on sleeping the night before, so there you go.  You will have to wait a bit longer to see what I have been knitting.  For now, I present you with a few photos from the aquarium.  

Maybe I Need That Video

Getting it on the warping board was just one step; getting it on the loom takes a bit longer.  Perhaps the new video from Interweave, Life After Warping is what I need.  I have had this on the warping board for weeks now, just waiting for the time and concentration needed for the next step.  Well, those perfect circumstances are not going to just present themselves, so I need to grab some time that I think will work and get going.      

Hi, Funny Bunnies!

Well, it took a few tries, but I finally made some little bunny-blanket-lovey-bits.  I experimented some with the numbers and shaping, and like the results.  They are quick knits, but you wouldn't know it with my start-to-finish time on the first one.  For some reason, I had trouble with the portion of the pattern for working the ears.  I finally did something that seems to work, but I still find myself a bit puzzled that I could not make sense of those directions when so many other people have knit from this pattern.  Anyway, I think there are at least two more of these in my very near future, and I am fine with that.  Right now, the hardest thing about these is not giving them to the babies right now.  If I do that, I will need to make or buy something else for Christmas, and I really want to watch that I do not overload myself.  

Pile of POP!

Well, it would seem that it is that time again.  The season has changed, and it is time to take another look at the state of the Pop! Blanket.  We see that we have another sixteen squares in their unblocked, curling glory.  I know you have been wondering, wishing, and hoping that I would show you how these look before blocking, so this must be your lucky day.  Actually, there are more than sixteen in the pile, and I have knit even more since I took the photo.  I have been knitting a bit here and there in spare moments, and while it feels like I have not been doing much, the little bits add up to real progress.  Oh, how I forget to remember that!  

Anyway, I had left this project alone because I needed the break, but it has sat for long enough.  Speaking of enough, I wonder how many squares I should make.  I have been working on this for so long, it seems like I should have a huge blanket when I am done.  Then again, how big of blanket do I really want?  The other question I must ask myself is whether I am just trying to get out of working on this any longer and wanting to be done.  Letting a project sit undone for too long is not my favorite, but this is the time of year when there are other things I could be making.  On the other hand, it is also getting to be the time of year where having a new blanket will be wonderful.   

From Gnome-More to More Gnome

Sometimes when life stresses me, I knit many small things.  This time, I had the idea of knitting large things.  It was a thought of knitting several of the large things to help with something even bigger.  Then it became clear that my involvement in the situation would not be helpful.  Still, I had the pattern, I had the yarn, and I wanted to make it.  Then another bit of difficult news arrived, and it took several attempts to get the tension on my stranded knitting under control, but focusing on that helped.  Soon, I was planning making more for every gift-giving occasion through the rest of the year.  Of course, I have thought better of that, seeing as how most of the birthdays in the family fall between now and Christmas.  It's not like that will not keep me from making more as gifts, just not one for everyone.  Besides, not everyone wants a big gnome.  No, really, it's true; I just don't always figure it out in time.      

For now, I have one large gnome completed, and I love him.  His future is still up in the air; he might be a birthday gift for someone, or he might live here forever.    

No Longer a Lack

A couple of years ago I was at a local knittogether, and the topic of unexplored knitting techniques came up between some of us.  Two of us discovered that we had never even attempted entrelac, and we decided that we should do something about our lack of entrelac.  Well, the rest of 2011 was already claimed, and there was something about 2012 that wasn't going to work, so we decided on 2013.  Add in this, that, and the other, and it was August, and we finally got down to it.  Helen chose the garterlac dishcloth pattern to help her with a blanket square project.  Since I did not want to just knit a swatch, I decided to follow in the footsteps of many a beginner and knit a scarf.  Well, at least that was the plan unless once I got past the learning I decided it wasn't something I wanted to do.  

I chose KnittyOtter's Entrelac Scarf and Tutorial, and it worked wonderfully for me.  I kept going long past the point of caring, and by the end, I was back to enjoying the process.  I adore my scarf, and have learned something new, too!   

Awesome or Awful, August is Over

Yes, another month has come and gone, and once again, I find myself thinking it has been both very long and very short.  The fact is, a lot has been happening, and I have even had an increase in my knitting.  

I do not know where "putting together a shed from a kit" falls on the major life stresses list, but it is probably pretty high up there.  This adventure has been going on for far too long, but the construction has only been for the last week, and we are still not quite done.  However, we are carrying on, following the directions, taking it step-by-step, and hardly throwing any temper tantrums.  We have had some good help, and that has made all of the difference.  I will say that the shed crew might have used their allotment of jokes about not being able to get it in the hole, the sack of nuts, and size/measurement, but as long as they are helping, I really do not mind.  

It seemed the babies had avoided the rounds of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease sweeping through daycare, but we were wrong.  It has not been fun, but there are certainly worse things to endure.  For example, putting together a shed.  

In the midst of shedding, plague babies, and various terrible things, I found another opportunity to make more tiny things.  I heard from a dear friend from long ago from whom I had not heard in quite some time.  I wanted to make something for him and could not decide what it should be.  After spending too much time looking at patterns for hats and thinking about scarves, I switched gears and decided to make small things.  I knew I could make them quickly and could leave the other things for another time.  Besides, these are fun and maybe a bit silly, and life should have more of that.  

         

Blocked and Folded

Now the only thing left to do is deliver the finished piece.  Yep, I am done with the Lilac Leaf Shawl, and I am really pleased with it.  I could have finished it sooner, but I agonized a bit about just how many repeats of the center chart I should do, and then I procrastinated a little about the garter-stitch-kitchenering.  Since this is not for me, I was a little unsure about what finished dimensions to shoot for, and I could not remember just how much Jaggerspun Superfine Merino blooms/grows in the blocking process.  After some smoothing, measuring, draping, and guessing, I settled on one last repeat, and it was the right decision.  The finished measurements of 75" x 20" seem like a nice size.  

As I said, this is not my shawl, but something I am donating.  Recently, the newsletter for the lys put out a call for shawls, and I decided to participate.  The request comes from a local chapter of a veterans' organization collecting gowns for the Marine Corps Ball, and they are hoping to pair wraps with the gowns.  I have not decided whether or not I am going to make any more for this, but I have thought about perhaps weaving something.  I just hope what I have done is appropriate for the occasion and fits with what they are seeking.        

Not Quite VocabuLARRY, but Just as Scary

It has been a time of quickly knitting a collection of tiny things, and I think this selection is particularly spectacular, although the rushed photo is not.  The zombie and the clown are contenders for topping the favorites and/or creepy list.  The release of the Tiny Pets collection meant that I had to include some of those, and the gnome is the obvious choice for rounding out the set.  These are a gift for the daughter and son-in-law as they move out into their first place.  Yeah, this is another opportunity for me to put lessons learned into practice, leaving worry and anxiety aside, and focus on hope, growth, and positive potential.  After all, both methods yield results, but only one is helpful.  

Lace to the Rescue

Sometimes, lace is the right answer, especially when I don't know the question.  This is certainly one of those times.  I have been needing a bit of a break from the POP! Blanket squares, and this is definitely a departure from that project.  I had tried this pattern (Lilac Leaf Shawl) before with handspun, but I was woefully under-yardage for it.  That mistake was my own; (actually, it was a series of mistakes) combine that with the fact that many knitters have needed more than the listed amount, and I did not get very far with it last time.  

This time I have more than enough, and the lace is flowing off the needles effortlessly and swiftly.  There was a moment when I applied the tape measure to check my progress and the lace refused to grow no matter how much I knit.   Then, as I approached the end of the first cake of yarn, it finally released about ten inches of growth.  I am nearly done with the project, (only about 7700 more stitches to go) as I already knit the other end and it waits patiently in the yarn closet until it is time for grafting.  

Once I finish this, I want to get something new on the loom.  I need to have some success after something that did not work as planned.  I might show you later, but it needs to sit and think about what happened before it is ready for photos.  

Before we get to that, I will show you what happened with my Tour de Fleece, but that will wait for another day, too.     

Learning is its Own Reward

At least that is what I am telling myself, but it feels a bit hollow.  I tackled some new-to-me weaving techniques, and in many ways, the venture was a success.  However, my efforts fell short, quite literally.  On the upside, my grandma gets a new scarf.  On the downside, that was not what I was trying to weave.  

This was my first attempt at indirect warping and using a warping board.  I actually need a real warping board, because my inkle loom does not accommodate a warp long enough for, oh, let's say, a full sized scarf, but I thought it did.  I think I had calculated correctly, but that was when I was winding the warp incorrectly, and I did not re-check measurements when I fixed that error.  At least that is what I think happened.  Maybe I made some other mistake, but that does not change the fact that I need a real warping board.  I researched them and considered diy-ing it, but figured that between any equipment needed and the time and materials, I would probably be better off buying one.  Then I found a used one for a reasonable price, but just before I had saved enough pennies, someone else bought it.  So, I went back to my other choices, and I think I might have a winner.  

Anyway, now that the scarf has been off the loom for a bit, I do feel better about it all.  I did well with the indirect warping method, and am glad to understand it so that I can use it for other weaving projects.  This was also my first time using two heddles to weave, and that went quite well.  It allowed me to use some beautiful laceweight alpaca to create some wonderfully fine, drape-y cloth.  It also helps that I was able to give the scarf to my grandma, and I think she likes it.      

Dipping My Toes In

Since I had a skein of sock yarn already in cake form sitting in the knitting bag next to the couch, and, it is summer, (as I have been reminded) I decided to knit socks.  I do not remember what the previous plan for this yarn had been, but now they are Circle Socks.  I think I got the pattern idea from Squish adding it to her queue.  I made a few changes--knit them toe-up, fewer total stitches, Sweet Tomato Heel (youtube link), fewer pattern repeats, and added a little bit of ribbing at the top.  

I really like them, though I cannot get a good photo that shows the colors right to save my life.  The pattern is easy, and the texture is nifty.  I like the Sweet Tomato Heel, and it was good to learn something new.  I also learned that I should not work it over 2/3 the stitches if I am making socks for Bruce.  These are his socks, but my nephew has already tried to steal them.  Maybe I will knit a pair for him next.  Then again, his dog loves to eat socks, so maybe not.  Besides, I just checked the calendar, and it is Tour de Fleece time.  Yikes!  

POP!

Just popping back in because I have a photo, or something.  Yeah, two more sets of sixteen POP! Blanket squares.  These are the third and fourth sets, if you're keeping count.  Actually, that remains true even if no one is counting, but that is a different topic.  As far as knitting goes, that is pretty much it.  Life goes on as it does, the seasons change, and the fact that I have not blogged each bit of it is something for us to all put in our gratitude jars.    

Anyway, there have been some really nifty and exciting things happening.  For example, my nephew, Harrison, had his first birthday in April.  A month from now, it will be time to celebrate the first birthday of my niece, Madeline.  And before the year is up, Harrison will have a new little brother or sister.  The due date is 11-12-13, and the appointment to discover the branding of new baby is sometime the first week of July.  

I have been thinking about the next knit, and I am just not sure.  It has been quite some time since I have had lace on the needles, and socks seem like I good idea, too.  Then there is the 2013 Entrelac thing.  No, I won't be combining it with either Forest Path Stole or Entrelac Socks, but what I will do next remains to be seen.  In the meantime, I will keep knitting the blanket squares.  It feels like quite the accomplishment that I have kept up with the end-weaving part of the project.  I was trying to recall just how many squares I planned for this blanket.  I think I might have decided on 100, so that means I am over halfway there, but still have plenty more to go.          

Did They Know It's Called Baby Lace?

My mom went to make bottles for the babies and came back to find them celebrating joyously.  Victory was theirs; they had found a hidden prize and their determination and efforts had finally paid off.  They were waving their quarry in the air, cheering and poking their little fingers through the lace.  It's a good thing I love them so much.  Now I just have to figure out if and how I can repair the damage.  Yes, there are nupps, yes, there are many broken ends in the yarn, and only a couple of the marked areas are pulled stitches.  

   

Oh, Honey!

Well, it may not be particularly original, but I love my new Honey Cowl.  It came off the needles, went onto my neck, and has spent most of its time there.  I'm ready to call my first attempt at knitting from unspun silk a success, and I have something useful to show for my efforts.  The experience of knitting this was good, and now that I have some experience with it, I would be confident to work with unspun silk away from home.  I would still keep the process of peeling and stretching to make the yarn as a home activity, though.      

It Might Work

With the exception of the excitement of Surprise Senior Women Orthopedic Surgery Week, and no, you really do not want to hear any of those stories, we have continued with resting and a lot of downtime.  Then my gmail wouldn't work, and I decided I needed something new to knit.  

Silk seemed like a good choice, so I grabbed some that I dyed with my nephew and started peeling layers and stretching it out to what I hoped would be the right diameter.  Then it all seemed like it might turn to crackers on me, but I kept going, and maybe it will work.  Either way, I should have something to report soon.    

Tired of the Lions; Ready for the Lambs

Poor Brucie has some sort of plague, and we are into week two.  I believe he is on the mend; it is just not happening as quickly as either of us would like.  This has kept me out on the couch and up and down taking care of him, and my sleep schedule set to random.  By Monday, I was just flat worn out and slept most of the day, and then I realized I was not feeling so fabulous, and I kept telling myself that it was just a lack of sleep combined with high pollen levels, but I began to worry that I had contracted a case of plague-light.  Really, I did not feel too terrible, but I certainly did not feel great.  

So, when I haven't been sleeping through the television shows that interest me, I am knitting through crap programming or reading.  Last week I finished my Lady Violet's Dinner Gauntlets (Jimmy Beans Wool Downton Abbey Mystery KAL).  I like that I now have this pair of long gauntlets, the knitalong was enjoyable, and the pattern was simple.  You're only getting a blocking photo of one, but super-swear that I have finished both and laced them with their i-cords.    

After I finished the gauntlets, I was not really up for figuring out a new knit, so I worked on more squares for the POP! Blanket.  When I had the second set of sixteen done, I blocked them.  I even took a crappy cell phone pic and tweeted it, but then somewhere in the midst of possibly coming down with this crap (denial? me?) I managed to delete it.  Such is life, right?  Anyway, the first thirty-two blocks are waiting in a bag, and I have knit four more.  The good news is that I have been knitting the center circle with the second colorway (Rainforest) of Classic shades, and it looks like it is working well with the first (Watermelon).  

In other news, it is time to find a new feed reader because Google Reader is going away on July 1.  I was sad when they decided to get rid of iGoogle, but now that they are ditching Google Reader, I am starting to take it personally.   

As if that were not enough, we are having septic tank troubles.  Best-case scenario is that it just needs to be pumped.  If there are tree roots in the lines, well, that is not what we want, but someone will be out to work on the system on Saturday.  I hope things stay well enough until the repair/maintenance work is done.  

I meant to get this post up this morning, but a stabbing ear pain drove away my denial and to the doctor.  I have respiratory crud and an ear infection.  On a more positive note, I was able to knit one more square for the blanket during waiting times.  

And Then February Almost Finished Me

A bunch of boring things happened, but, apparently, they were a bit more than I could handle.  Oh, but it is all good, because I have more to share for February Finish.  

Yep, I finished Bauble.  I could probably work on getting a good photo of it from now until next February and maybe not come up with anything much better, so here it is.  None of the photos really get the color right, so maybe squint and shake your head quickly and that might be it.  I really like it, but think that it is probably a gift.  I owe (my own weird decision and imagined obligation) a shawl and need to decide between this and a Swallowtail.  Anyway, I omitted the beads because I did not think they really added much and was not sure if the yarn would hold up well to beads.   

The yarn is Malabrigo Lace in Jewel Blue, and I still have 26g left of the second skein.  I am thinking cowl--either Kuusk or Wavy Feathers.  

  

Inspired or Insane

Maybe it was the success of the last blanket that inspired me to try another, or maybe I had destroyed that part of my brain that tells me blankets are a bad idea.  Whatever the cause, when I saw the offer of a free pattern from Tin Can Knits, I chose the POP! Blanket.  Then, because I do not want to contract norovirus, I chose a yarn other than Noro.  Yes, the brand and the ailment are bonded in my brain for many reasons, not the least of which was the time I contracted it from a gathering of knitters.  I really do not hate all Noro yarns, but I am weird.  Anyway, for this blanket I am using Classic Shades in Watermelon (and perhaps Rainforest and Tropics) and Sheep(ish) in Grey(ish).  

While I am only twenty-five blocks into the project, I do not yet hate it.  This works very well for on-the-go knitting, and I can complete a square in a relatively short amount of time.  Each piece looks a bit terrible when it comes off the needles due to the curling nature of the stockinette, but I blocked the first square, (as the pattern directs) and it worked out the way it should.  

My squares are a bit smaller than those in the pattern are, but I like the way they feel, so I am not changing anything.  I have not decided just how large I am going to make this blanket, but I do not think I am giving it to a baby.  Then again, I am not very far into the process, and baby-sized may be all I can handle.  As an extra bit of motivation and inspiration, I wove in ends and blocked fifteen more squares, and I really like what is happening.  It even takes the sting away from just how many more I need to knit.  I have been trying to make sure that I keep up with weaving in ends so that part does not become too overwhelming.  



I also bought more yarn so that I do not have yarndage troubles.  I think I may have bought a bit more than I will need.  There is a small story behind that.  At first, I only bought one ball of the Classic Shades in case I did not like knitting this pattern or found that the yarn would not be a good match for it, but since it all seems to be working, I needed more.  I went to the yarn store to get more of the Classic Shades in Watermelon, but they had one fewer than I needed.  I So, I looked at other colorways to find one that might work with it, and I chose Rainforest and Tropics.  Yes, that is two, and I only needed one more ball of yarn, but this gives me the option to make a really big blanket if I so choose.   

I Win at February Finishes

Having a reputation as one of enormous ego and a legendary sense of self-importance, I know it does not come as a shock to any of you to read that I have declared myself winner and champion of February Finishes.  If I do not complete anything else, I will still be victorious.  In fact, it is possible that I hold the title for next year, so great is my accomplishment.  



My extraordinary skills and gifts do not extend to getting a good photo of the finished piece.  For all of the fanfare, I can only present a nighttime blocking shot.  I was going to go outside for the little bit when the sun was shining over the weekend, but the odor of whatever a neighbor was burning kept me inside.  

Anyway, the pattern is the Shetland Tea Shawl from A Gathering of Lace, and I love it.  It is not a difficult knit, if you have enough yarn.  That was the trouble for me.  I ran out of yarn, was able to acquire a little bit more in the same dyelot, but it was not enough, and there it sat.  Finally, I bit the bullet and ordered a few more balls of the Brown Sheep Naturespun Sport in the Ash colorway in hopes that whatever dyelot arrived would be close enough, and I think it works.  If it does not, I hope that you will support me in my delusion that you cannot really tell where the change occurs.  Anyway, it is pretty, it is big, (about six feet across) and I managed to finish it just shy of four years after the start date.  I win.          

Block After Block

Well, there is only one more Christmas gift to show you all, and it was a doozy.  It was one of those ideas that nearly did me in, and had its hooks in me before I knew what had happened.  Since my mom found the pattern, she earned a portion of the credit and the blame.  

When the idea first struck back in September, I thought I would make these for everyone I know who loves Legos.  I would make one for the newest nephew, (the original plan) one for my younger brother, and then for the other two nephews.  My mom (she knows how to crochet) was going to help make blocks, too.  This would be a family effort, and so special.  It was going to be my go-to baby blanket pattern.  I was going to make one for Kitten's Elizabeth, and then for each of her other boys.  I have friends with little ones who go crazy for Legos, and I was going to make them for all of those kids.  Oh, I wasn't going to do it all at once, but maybe one every couple of months.  It all seemed so reasonable.

The little blocks that make up the blankets are so quick and easy to make that I had finished (even had the ends woven in) the first twenty in no time at all.  Then by the time I had thirty done, I was losing the will to live.  At this point, it was also apparent that Mom's crocheting, well, we will just say she would not be able to help with this.  Somewhere between blocks thirty and fifty-five, time stands still, with the exception of that brief moment at forty--the halfway point.  Amazingly enough, once I hit sixty I was back on a roll again, and soon after that, I had finished all eighty bricks.  I set them aside for about a week until I had the uninterrupted time at home to assemble it, and then I was done.  I was amazingly pleased with it, and I think I could make this again, but I just do not know when I will be ready to tackle the challenge.  

Anyway, the blanket was a big hit, and my younger brother was visibly jealous.  The baby chewed on it, but I did not get a good picture of him with his new blanket.  He was a very blurry boy that day, but I hope he loves his blanket for years to come.    

More Than a Little, Less Than a Lot

You probably guessed that I did not make all of the things for Christmas that I planned to make. Some plans changed, and when I re-assessed others, I saw that I was going overboard, so I crossed them off the list, too.  Overall, I did well with completion and went into the New Year with only one incomplete.  Yeah, it was the one I mentioned in the last post, but that was enough to motivate me to finish it.  

The last of the Christmas presents completed is a scarf I wove.  It is an easy-peasy plain weave with Knit Picks Imagination in the colorway Looking Glass.  The scarf is so soft and pretty and I think it is just right for my ever-cold sister-in-law.  I hope she likes it.  

You may recognize this yarn from my Color Affliction.  I do have a complaint about this yarn--it sheds like mad.  As in, wearing something made from it makes it look like you have too many pets.  Multiple cycles of tumble dry, no heat, yield full lint traps.  It is really rather ridiculous, but at least I knew what I was in for after the Color Affliction adventure, and I pretty much used up all of the yarn.   

Something else to tell you about the weaving of this scarf--I was able to use new tools!  I bought the boat shuttle at SAFF, then I bought this cheap little drink mixer, and now I have a bobbin winder.  It works so well, I love using the boat shuttle, and I feel super-smart because real bobbin winders are expensive.

Next up, we have the garter-stitch-scarf-of-never-ending-ness.  Of course, all garter stitch scarves feel that way to me, but I really like this and enjoyed knitting with my handspun.  The sister-in-law liked it, too, and her husband liked his new socks.  I knew he had been wearing the pair I gave him in October, so I felt confident in this gift choice.

Then one of them pulled a stunt that makes me feel like I might never knit for either of them ever again, but it happened during a time of stress, so I am just trying to let it go and not think about it.  If I do find myself thinking about it, I am trying to reframe it and put a more positive spin on it all, but time might be the best treatment.  Feeling like I might never knit for someone again sometimes just means that I have not finished processing an event, and that is the best way I can think of to deal with the negative feelings.  It is really a much better option than telling someone whatever pops into my head.  This makes it all sound much bigger and serious than it is, and I have gotten way off-topic, but that is nothing new around here.        

Maybe we can bring this post back in order a bit with something cute.  I knit this sweet hat for my niece.  The pattern is Ruffled Cloche from 60 Quick Baby Knits, and if you knit this pattern, I will note that you can work this in the round from the start.  It was hard to get a picture of her wearing the hat, but it was a hit with everyone.  Her mom hopes it will still fit at Easter.  If it does not, I am probably willing to knit another, but I am not making any promises today.  

Finally, we have the gift that tried to kill me, but that will have to wait for another post.      

Coming Out of Hibernation

When I cannot find the focus to figure out what to knit next, there is usually a lonely abandoned something waiting for its time.  No, not that piece on the loom that just needs a little bit of finishing but then requires delivery.  No, not the Jimmy Bean's Wool Downton Abbey Mystery KAL, because I am waiting to see what happens with the provisional start before I go on any further.  Maybe I am just stalling, but I do not think that is the case, because I started the second mitt and have knit it to the same point as the first.  Besides, I have not set that aside long enough to consider it abandoned.  

For this go around, it was Bauble, and it seemed as though no one wanted me to work on it.  Each time I settled in to work on it--comfortable, charts visible and propped up nicely, all necessary supplies within reach--something would happen.  Mostly, it was the ringing phone.  I suppose that if I am ever feeling lonesome and want someone to call me, I could try using this shawl to bring about this type of attention, but I do not think it would work that way, and besides, I am not a fan of speaking on the phone, and want to finish this before that has the possibility of happening.  

The interruptions have kept me from making as much progress as I had hoped, but I only have fourteen more rows on the main chart, and then it is time for the edging chart with beads, and I think I have figured out which I will use for that, if I ever get to that point.  This seems to be one of those knits.  

Terrifically Tedious Tuesday

Not every day can be a fancy day, and that is fine with me.  I just finished a very basic weaving project, and I am about as pleased with it as I could be.  

Sometime last year, I decided it was time to weave some kitchen towels.  I have needed new ones for a while and have had way too much dishcloth cotton for far too long, so this seemed like the perfect solution.  I warped for four with some plain, white, dishcloth cotton.  I used a little bedspread weight crochet cotton for about the first and last inch and then variegated dishcloth cotton for the rest.  After that, I just had to cut them apart and then fold and sew hems.  I used a different colorway for each towel, and I really like how this project worked out, and if they show themselves to be useful, I plan to weave more.     

The Fastest Slowest Day of the Year

Saturday was a big day, my thoughts and feelings are still all over the place, and every time I try to write about our daughter's wedding, I fail.  Instead, I will just share a couple of pictures from this very special day.