Wear-A-Hat Night

It is the first Monday after Thanksgiving, and that is Wear-A-Hat Night to Skanky Knitting. I have not been out to knit with the Skanky Knitters lately, but had to make it out for this event.

Same Ol', Same Ol' on a Sunday.

Yes, it is another moebius. It is for my niece. Her birthday is in a few days, and she was trying to steal the one I gave her mother the other day. I may have enough left of this yarn to make a hat to go with the moebius scarf. I might be better to leave that for a Christmas present, though. My hands and fingers are a bit on the sore, stiff side of things. Knitting does not bother them, but I will take it easy.

I think I may be recovering from moebius-fever. I do not feel like I must cast on for another right now. Of course, the most recent one has only been finished for about fifteen minutes. Anyway, it is time for a new week, almost time for a new month, and every day is a new day.

UM...Moving

No, I am not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. Actually, that is a very comforting thought. Anyway, it was moving day for my sister. She just bought a house, and we were part of the moving crew. I am glad for my sister to have a house. I am glad to have been some help. I am glad to be done.

Marathon :: Knitting
Debt :: Drown
Turn :: Down
Image :: Keeper
Sofa :: Sleeper
Envelope :: Seal
Cart :: Norma
Process :: Margene
Question :: Everything
Rumor :: Lie

There Are Worse Ways to Cope

For example, I almost went to Old Navy at three this morning. Then I realized that I might not want or need Lego Rock Band, have never shopped at Old Navy before, and that this is not the best time to take a chance with the budget. Finishing one moebius and then immediately casting on for the next was a better idea. This puts my total of moebii at three this week. I feel like knitting another. I wish these were unisex. Then I could have all of my Christmas knitting done by the end of next week as well as getting the Red Scarf Project very close to its goal.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. It is wonderful to have a day dedicated to being thankful. Of course, keeping an attitude of gratitude every day is best, but it is still special to have this day set aside to celebrate and focus on thankfulness.

I am thankful for indoor plumbing. It makes such a difference.

I am thankful for my nieces and nephews. I learn so much from them, laugh and smile more with them, and look at the world differently when they are with me. I also get to send them home.

I am thankful for my mom. It has been quite an adventure over the years, and we really have a good relationship for all it has weathered. She has done so much for me, and does so much for others.

Wednesday With a Half-Twist

Following sound advice from Cookie and Opal, I have the Traveling Woman waiting for a more appropriate time to fix it. I then took the opportunity to pursue another knitting interest--moebius. That is a different bit of knitting, for sure. I am still knitting and learning, but keeping it simple. I cast-off the first one this afternoon, and then cast-on for a new one at the next opportunity. I think that several people are going to receive a moebius scarf or cowl this year. The next one is likely to be seed stitch or lace.

A Touch Too Little Tuesday

It is so close, and yet not nearly close enough. I have several solutions rattling about in my head. One would be to rip out that extra repeat of Chart A and then continue as the pattern directs. I do dislike that idea. Whatever I do, I should probably wait until after I get more than ninety minutes of sleep. It is a bit rough over here, and I thank you for sticking with me.

Monday Mystery

I do not know how it came to this, but it is time for bed, and I have not accomplished 1/10 of what I had planned for my day. Not only am I not done with the Traveling Woman, but also, this is asleep on my couch.

Lacing My Way Through

This is how it looked when I completed the stockinette section of Traveling Woman, and now I am on to the lace. It seems like whenever I am not sleeping or vacantly staring off into space, I am knitting on this shawl. I think I should know something soon.

UM...When All Else Fails

UM

Grace :: Fall
Shower :: Gift
Alice :: Ask
Purple :: People-Eater
Apartment :: Living
3 :: -quel
Car :: Wash
Pregnant :: Pause
Counselor :: Ugh!
Discretion :: Viewer

Since I am still coming up empty, I am going to cast on for something new. I figure it is time to give this handspun another try. Will I soon have a Lupine Traveling Woman? I hope so.

Pointless Arguing

I finally got around to making the polymer clay weapon for death, and he is complaining. He says it should be bigger. He says I should have made it sooner. I told him it is not a good day to bother me about this. I said that we can re-visit the issue later, but that I am going to bed. He said it would be easy to fix, and that it would only take me a few minutes. I explained to him that it is a bit more involved than he understands. He pouted. I told him that everything is fine, even if it does not feel that way right now, that it would be unhelpful to get in a state about all that needs to be done, and that we will get it straightened out when we can.

Thrice Thankful

It is Thursday, so it is time to remember three more reasons to have hearts filled with gratitude.

I am Thankful for Chocolate

I am Thankful for Knitting

I am Thankful for Friends

Speaking of friends, my Lizzie asked me to make this for her. I was so pleased to be able to do something for my friend.

Pattern: Magnetic Katamari
Hooks: E & G
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Magnets: House-Mates Hardware from Home Depot

Someone's Got a Brand New Hat

Is a newly finished knit a great way to push past the midweek meh, or what? Yes, the second moose has is done. I went down one needle size to a US 3 (3.25mm) to make this one slightly smaller. Bruce prefers the colors on this to the first. I like them both for different reasons, and cannot pick a favorite. I was surprised to enjoy the knitting of a second of these so soon, but I did. I also think that I am glad to be done knitting them for a bit.

This will soon go off in the mail with its partner. A few days later, it will arrive at its destination. And there it will sit for about a month. I have it on good authority that at this house they do not unwrap gifts before the occasion arrives. In this case, it is too bad, as I am sure their temperatures are low enough that a worsted weight, stranded, wool hat would be good.

Speaking of wool hats, I believe I might have a request for a new wool hat. My stepdad has made comments about his dissatisfaction with his commercial hats made of synthetic yarn. I have made him a hat before, but that was a few years ago, and I think that maybe it has been lost. His preferred style of hat is black and plain. I need to find out if he does indeed want a new hat. If that is the case, I am going to try to secretly discover if he is perhaps open to a little bit of variety. If not, I will pick up some black superwash wool and knit the standard issue winter hat. I don't do this for just anybody, but this one is worth it. While I may not think I want to knit a plain black hat, I could find out that he would wear a moose hat everywhere. I already know that he finds them to be amusing.

Not Enough Know-How

It has been interesting to think of the items for this week's Ten on Tuesday. I wondered about which things I would like to learn to do, and which I just wish would come to me by magic. I thought about how much time, effort, and dedication I am willing to put towards these skills. Then, I realized I was spending too much time in my head. I will attempt to tackle some of these at some point in my life. In fact, I have given real effort to some, had passing flings with others, and am currently working on a couple of items from the list.

Ten Things I Wished I Knew How to Do

Play a musical instrument

Fix automobiles
Grow lavender
Speak, read, and write seven languages
Be a better friend
Sew
Draw well
Bellydance
Swim
Not sweat the small stuff

Quick as a Bunny Rabbit Butterfly

When the pattern for Olivia's Butterfly made its way to a friend's Rav queue, it caught my eye. I added it to my queue, and there it sat. Then I remembered that this round we are making hats of all sizes over at Caps for a Cure, and decided to give it a go. It is so quick to make and so cute. I used some worsted weight crochet cotton. I had my nephew try it on with the promise that I would not take his picture in this obviously girl's hat. He otherwise approved of the feel of the hat and its color, and the fit looked right to me.

This puts my total of hats for this round up to three. I just have to remember where I put one of them and then get them in the mail. Gee, that is becoming a theme for me, eh?

Some Assembly Required

Like all amigurumi, at this point I am so close, and yet so far.













Oh, ForForksake, (why, yes, I do quote Mr. Jefferies when appropriate) I have 24 magnets, rather than the required 28! Is that store open right now, and if so, do I feel like going there right now?

UM...Snuggly

Alarm :: Clock
Guest :: Book
Worm :: Spit
Puppies :: Poop
Honor :: Roll
No! :: Ewww!
Stomach :: Ache
Counter :: Intuitive
Waffles :: Syrup
Plates :: Tectonic

Fuzzy Friday

It feels so good to have another finished knit. It feels even better that it is so soft and pretty. I like the choices I made with this hat. Now that I am done, I would say that it is only inspired by the original pattern, but it is just right. I am ready to wrap it up and give it to my sister.

The experience with this hat has given me a much-needed confidence boost. I trusted my instincts, and it worked well. I can become caught up in so much thinking, planning, and researching that it sometimes overshadows the joy available in the things I do. Knitting this hat reminded me that I have some experience and abilities, and it can be good to let them be my guide sometimes.

Thankful Thursday

Taking the time to reflect on reasons to be thankful, and remembering to allow the time to feel and express gratitude are surefire ways to improve any day. Carole was inspired to share three thankful thoughts on Thursday, and has encouraged others to participate.

1. I am thankful for the VA medical system. They have cared so well for my husband over the years. I am amazed at how well they are able to do all that they do. We have scratched our heads at some of the ways they do things, but they continue to grow and change in order to meet the needs of their changing population of veterans.

2. I am thankful for coffee. The flavors, aroma, and caffeine certainly give an extra bit of loveliness to my day. However, it has added so much more to my life. I do not know how many times grabbing a cup of coffee has been the excuse to get together and spend time with wonderful people. Whether we are idly chatting to the accompaniment of clicking needles, pondering deep questions of life, or just taking time out of the day to stop and connect with others, coffee has been there.

3. I am thankful for my husband. He knows me better than anyone else does, and he still likes me. He accepts me where I am, while supporting and encouraging me to grow and learn. That is not an easy balance, but he does it so well. He has cared for me in so many ways. He keeps me from taking myself or anything else too seriously. He appreciates me, and values who I am. He loves me.

A Knitter's Prerogative, aka, Oooh, Shiny!

The flash of inspiration came and went quickly. The mountain of mohair appeared to be in danger. I put it back in the bag, placed it on top of the books, and brought it to the stash staging area in preparation for putting it away. Then, I did not sleep. I almost caught up on blogs and email. Then maybe there was some kind of magic that eludes recall, I had the same pile of mohair back in the living room along with beads and a different book, and I am casting on for something new.

I am knitting the Beaded Cloche from Folk Hats. I remember that my sister liked this hat, and I wanted to knit a gift for her. Well, I am actually knitting a hat that is inspired by that pattern. Of course, I am not using the recommended yarn, and I am making several other modifications, chief amongst them being the fact that I am not pre-stringing the beads. The pattern calls for 910 beads to be threaded onto the mainly mohair yarn before knitting. I knew that was not about to happen. I also figured that I was going to have different gauge, looked at the chart, reduced the initial number, and decided to see what would happen. I know that is risky business when mohair is the main fiber, but I think it is working.

Already, I find myself thinking about knitting another, all the while mentally flipping through lists of potential recipients. Wanting to be able to give the knit to several different people all at once is always a good sign.