Riddle Me This

There has been so much talk amongst so many in the family about limiting carbs, but I just bought fifteen pounds of potatoes for Thursday.  And you know what?  There probably won't be any leftover mashed potatoes.  Ah, but it's all good.  I'll make the S'More Pie and Squash Casserole on Wednesday, and the mashed potatoes just before we go on Thursday.  Maybe I will make gravy, but I haven't yet decided.  This year my brother is bringing in a turkey from a barbecue place some friends own, so we'll see how that goes.  

Everything seems to be coming together for a good time.  I think we have our wild cards limited to three, and probably only one of them would cause enough of a disruption to be a real problem.  I think that's pretty good for a family.  That being said, I help out in the kitchen and with kiddos, so that usually means I have a great time.  

Now, I just have a bit more time to lie about like that sack of potatoes and do as little as possible.  I'm really just so much more tired than I would like to be right now, but I'm not worrying.  I probably just need to rest a bit.    

Who are You Calling Chicken?

Not me, surely.  You've got to be brave to play Wii tennis and baseball with the 5-6 year niece-nephew crew.  Yes, it has been an afternoon of auntliness here.  We had a good time, and the good times kept rolling so long as they were constantly being entertained and/or fed.  I kid.  They're good younglings.  They ask Alexa to flip a coin to settle disputes and to set a timer for taking turns.  

We even managed to end the visit without tears.  They left without taking all of the weaving treasures they discovered; instead, they were satisfied with snack size M&M's, and I got to finish knitting a small chicken.  If that's not a successful day, I don't know what is.             

Petrified, I Tell Ya

 
Be afraid; be very afraid.  When we're talking about knitting sweaters next year, I should be afraid.  I have last year's NaKniSweMo sweater sitting around here with probably less than three inches of it knit hoping it will have its time.  And, if I'm being sensible about this, it should.  But, hey, friends on the internet bullying encouraging us to knit sweaters next year is not the time for being sensible.  

I think I'm supposed to blame Cheryl for this adventure, but Squish is upping the crazy for me.  She reminded us of the Less is More pattern from Amy.  I kind of feel like this is my kind of crazy and that I should do it.  I also feel like it might be a terrible idea, and I should do it.  I also feel like it is too complicated for me, and I won't be able to do it, but I'm also having some trouble concentrating right now, so perfect time to sign up, eh?           

Making Good Use of My Time

We went to go see the new movie, Fantastic Beasts:  The Crimes of Grindelwald today.  We liked it, but probably need to see it another time or three.  Also, why can't the next movie be here now, because we have questions.  Follow up question, why isn't there a book for us to have already read?

I won't bother to ask why the popcorn and drinks are so expensive.  We enjoyed the movie and had a nice time, and that makes it all worth it to me.  I hope you did something nice with your Saturday.    

So Much for Plans

Today, due to vomit headache.

Wanderings

We've been out in the world, far from home, but we are back now.  It was a pretty good trip, if I do say so myself.  The only thing I missed while I packed was a pencil sharpener, and that bothered me much more than it should have, but that's just me.  We won't even think about the ways that I overpacked.  

We had a relatively laid-back adventure, but it still took a lot out of us.  Now there is laundry, unpacking, and Thanksgiving prep.  Also, and quite importantly, it seems we're all well enough to go get out flu shots!  So, fingers crossed for us that we can cross this very important healthcare to-do off our list!  

Desperate, but not that Desperate

It's the last night of the trip.  I finished the last bits of knitting I planned to complete, and I cannot sleep.  The son is snoring on the couch, and Bruce's PLMD is really going.  So, here I sit, listening to and watching them while I try to figure out what to do.  

I can hear a bit of rustling from the knitting bag, a crying out for attention, if you will.  I'm tempted--I could be making good use of my sleeplessness, and it is getting colder.  Those mittens will have their time, but the middle of the night, knit by headlamp while everyone else sleeps is not that time.  I'm just going to eat clearance Halloween candy, listen to podcasts, and maybe scroll twitter.  Don't judge me.   

Sheepy

I like these little sheep so much, that it could make me question why I didn't get the pattern sooner.  However, things can work out in their own time, and my not having it let me receive it as a gift.  Anyway, when I sat down to knit these, I decided to go for a colorful flock to start.  

While I did pack well with my knitting for this trip, little sheep ended up being the sum total of my knitting.  One of these has magnets inside and will be surruptitiously placed on the side of the son's refrigerator as we leave.  I wonder how long it will take him to notice it.  Last year I left the small, magnetic, knit turkey in the cupholder in his car as we left, and even though we clued him in to its being and location, it is still in the car.

UM...You Might Want to Look Away

I hadn't played in a while, but it seemed like a good idea to give it a go. I might have been wrong.

1. Notification :: Text
2. Vote :: Early and Often
3. Simmer :: Boil
4. Biology :: Chemistry
5. Constant :: Companion
6. Nail :: Polish
7. Filter :: None
8. Curls :: Natural
9. Sensation :: New
10. Strap :: On

I Never Knew Her

I didn't know whether to bother digging into the past to pinpoint when I knit it.  It was years ago for someone I had never met, with just a person in common.  Anyway, she was getting married, and it seemed like the thing to do.  Over the years I heard some of the high- and lowlights of her life, but over the last bit, the updates have only been of the latter, and this last bit has lasted longer than many had guessed, but now it is over for her.  

I don't know if she ever wore the shawl, if she liked it, if it made the cut as she packed and moved from state to state, or if it still exists in the home where she lived.  If it is still there, will it go to her mom now, will it go to her daughter, will it be thrown away, or shoved into a box that no one can ever get rid of or open?  

I don't suppose I'll ever have answers to those questions, I'm certainly not owed them, and I don't think I really want to know.    

When it's Hard to Face the Day

Maybe it is time to put a new face on things. 

Raggged

I did another WAL over on Yarnworker, and I felt like I was behind from the start.  We wove rugs and covered two different patterns.  The two selections from Handwoven Home are the Two-Color Krokbragd Rug and the Fabric Stash Rag Rug.  Well, I didn't have all the materials for the Krokbragd, so I went for the Fabric Stash Rag Rug.

It was a fun weave.  My biggest stresses came from my own error following the pattern, but it worked out just fine.  Then I had another oopsy and could not continue weaving, and it actually made my previous mistake something that worked very well.  I like it so much, that I haven't put this on the floor to be used.  I need to get over that. 

 As always, I learned a lot through this process.  I want to weave more rugs, and maybe even get a temple.  I enjoyed this weave-along so much and learned enough that I decided to tackle a bit of Krokbragd, but that's a story for another day.   

How Much Are You Really Going to Knit?

I am, of course, talking about packing knitting for a trip.  It's always the same questions, always the same plans, always the same ideas.  Why must we make this so complicated?  I suppose it is not for the "monogamous" knitters.  They just bring the current project, and possibly whatever is next in the queue.  But that's not me, so there is rumination, wishful thinking, superstition, and good intentions "helping" me decide.  I mean, for a moment, we will even set aside issues of space, and it really doesn't simplify things much. 

So, what am I thinking about when I think about packing my knitting for a trip?

• The UFOs
• How many can I quickly remember?
• Can I find any of them?
• Do I want to finish any of them?  
• Bringing nothing but these will definitely make me finish one or more. 

• The Teeny-Tiny Mochimochiland patterns  
• How much stuffing do I need?
• Physical or electronic patterns? 
• How many different colors of yarn should I bring?
• Should I try to knit all of one pattern or a variety of different patterns?
• Wouldn't it be neat to knit one for everyone I see while there and one for everyone I miss while I'm away?

•   Gifts 
• What if I only work on gift knitting?
• Gosh, I don't have much gift knitting planned this year.
• If I really keep at it, I can make something for everyone.
• Maybe I should just skip gift knitting this year.

• How Much Do I Think I Will Really Knit?
• There are about 16 hours in the car, round trip.
• Oh, but I could be driving part of that time.  
• Then again, I might just be sleeping--I'm already very tired.  

• Superstition
• If I bring a lot of knitting, there will be no traffic problems.  
• If I bring my knitting with me everywhere, we will stay so busy doing such fabulous things that I will not have time to knit.  
• If I have my knitting, my mental wellbeing is assured to be stable.  

Hrm...maybe I should just bring the Kindle and its charger.      

Better in Real Life

Before Washing

So, in keeping with catching up on some of the things I did during my blogging absence, I present some of the least-impressive-looking weaving I did.  These are the linen face cloths from Handwoven Home.  

After Washing

After Washing

It was another WAL over on Yarnworker.  I was not particularly interested in the pattern as I looked at it in the book, and I considered skipping it, but I am glad I did not, for several reasons.  First off, I always learn so much doing her weave-alongs.  Second, the more I weave, the more I improve.
Third, I have never woven with linen and was happy to have the support.   Linen may never become my favorite fiber to weave with, but the effort was worth it, to me.
   

Anyway, these are not particularly impressive looking pieces.  They do look better in person, as I just could not take a decent photo.  Washing them transformed the pieces so much.  They softened a lot and have been put into use here at home.  That makes them a success in my book, and I think I might weave more of these.

 

Now, We Wait

There was only one thing left to do, and I did it.

   

Time Passes

Five years ago, I was knitting this hat at the hospital, waiting for my niece to be born.  

Today I baked a cake for her 5th birthday.  

    

Swatchy-Swatchy!

I've been weaving more this year, and learning so much.  Just like knitting, over and over, weavers are advised to swatch with new yarns and colors before starting a large piece.  Similar to the whole, "Take time to save time; check gauge."  Well, now I have these new tools to help me follow that wisdom.  

The gauge will be a quick way to check yarn for sett.  The Swatch Maker Weaving Looms will be great for sampling, trying out colors, and, well, swatching.  I can't wait to try them. 

Beginner-ness

I'm good at some things, and being good at them adds to my enjoyment of doing them.  However, there are also some things that I've worked at over the years without gaining great skill, speed, or ease in doing them, but I keep at them.  Drawing is one of those things.  I do love collecting the supplies.  I have so many pens, pencils, paints and markers.  I have paper, notebooks, and sketchbooks.  I have instructional/guide/how-to books to help me along, and now I have a new one.  Ah, another opportunity to revel in my beginner-ness!  Keeping joy and learning in life is always good.  

  

Can't Stop

The first ball for the Knit Ball Pit worked up so quickly and easily, I was soon working on the next, and the next, and the next.  It is possible that, on occasion, I knit little things as a bit of a stress reduction technique, and to paraphrase what others have said, 2018 has been quite a decade.  I have something else to show at a later date, but for now, I showcase my Knit Ball Pit.  

They really work up quickly.  I've used nearly an entire bag of polyester fiber stuffing.  Sure, these are only the begininnings of what their final forms will be, but for now, I'm just knitting the balls.  I've knit most of these while phonebanking.  We're almost to the big day.  I'm doing all I can. 

Little Bits Here and There

It certainly has been a bit since I checked in here.  Actually, that's not true; I have been here several times, though I have nothing but half-hearted, barely started drafts to show for it.  Life has been challenging.  There's been the personal stuff that isn't particularly interesting or unique, but it still takes its toll.  Then there's the big stuff happening in the world that has been rather a lot to process, but there are many people fighting the good fight, and we each do what we can.  So that's us caught up then, eh?  Yeah, this is why I have so many discarded drafts.  Perhaps we should move on to something I have made.  Yes, that's probably best.  

I set a Ravelry goal of knitting sixty things this year.  While that seems rather ambitious, and in some ways it is, it is not as unrealistic as it might seem.  I planned to knit a teeny-tiny-mochimochiland item each week.  I even had a blogging plan to go with it, but you can see how well I did with that.  Anyway, some weeks I have knit none, and some weeks I have knit more than a couple, so it is all working pretty well.  This summer I knit these from the Doggie Treats collection.

If only I were making as much progress on my Goodreads goal.  

But wait, there's more!  I've been knitting for the community project--The Knit Ball Pit!  You can see in the picture above the first one I knit, but it needs decorating.  I hope to contribute many more for the children.      

Now, with Music (volume up!)

So, have you been listening to any Christmas music?  I have, and that's what brought on this idea.  The whole thing is a bit horrible, in that, part of it has helped reinforce buying weird things on clearance and keeping them forever (well, and also the fact that I am not good at this, but, whatever).  You see, I found these little bells that I had bought years ago for a few cents in the clearance bin.  Anyway, I heard a song, and soon I had a plan.  I don't think I have a future with stop-motion animation, but I still think this kind of works.  So, here you go; turn on the sound.
 

Tiny Knits Away

Since some far-away-family continues to have a hospital adventure, I wanted to send a little Christmas cheer through knitting.  It wasn't hard to find some Christmas-themed patterns from Mochimochiland.  Narrowing down the selection to a manageable few was, especially knowing the (often bigger) challenge of getting them in the post was yet to come.  However, I managed to just start knitting and that helped with the decisions.  First up--Christmas trees--one for the hospital and one for the house.  Then I knit a snowman, but it had to wait a bit for its embellishments.  After that, it was time to try something new--the Special Little Snowflakes (currently free with any $5 purchase) pattern.  After that, it was just time for photos and the post office.  Pro tip:  The photo session is extra challenging when the tiny knits are all so close together and they all have strong magnets inside them.  As it turns out, the post office was the easiest part of this.  I know, right?     
Now they're all on their way, and I can only hope they help to brighten the days!       

Tree Up

 
Yesterday was Mom's birthday, so I put up the Christmas tree.  I'll probably add to it this month.  There are some new pieces already this year, as well as some missing ones that I've given away since last year.  That's how it always goes.  

In keeping with the theme of things going the same way as usual, I just received confirmation that a package I mailed arrived.  Yeah, I boxed up and addressed that knitted Thanksgiving meal and it went on our North Carolina adventure and I didn't get it out in the post until this week.  I'm terrible and I know it.  Anyway, I'm told it will make it's next journey to the hospital tomorrow.  I think I'll knit a Christmas tree next and maybe I'll even get it there in time.  I won't box it up the same way as the last package, so that should help.

UM...Unobligatory

NaBloPoMo was fun, and I made it. Not posting yesterday was both weird and nice, but I'm back. How will it go after this? Eh, does it even matter? Anyway, I'm still going, might have some spinning to show soon, and one day (not soon) I will finish the sweater. For tonight, it's that time again--take a peek.

UM
1. Run out :: Now
2. Whisperer :: Crazy
3. Collide :: Worlds
4. Worth :: Less
5. Fuck :: Me
6. Mild :: Mannered
7. Chapped :: Lips
8. Hope :: Eternal
9. Itch :: Scratch
10. Face :: Off

Not Even Close

Of all the unsurprising things to happen this month, the "dnf" status on my NaKniSweMo cardigan is least surprising.  But, hey, this isn't actually a race.  I can still knit the sweater.  It's not as though my yarn, needles, and pattern disappear at midnight.  Still, it is a little disappointing to have only completed 44 rows.  Yes, the rows before the increases.  Oh, well.

While I might currently lack the objectivity to assess what I have accomplished, I do know it has been a very full month.  I'm plugging away at the laundry from our travels and trying to get ready for next month.  December is nearly here, and it is never empty.    

Countdown

As you know, we sometimes have to go to the doctor all the way down in the 'ham, and that's a bit of a drive.  So, when an appointment is scheduled at the right time and we feel up to it, we like to visit Trader Joe's.  It's not a store we have locally, so it is a fun treat.

Now, truth be told, we mostly pick up junk food, so it's probably a good thing we aren't any closer and don't shop there more often.  It's not all we buy there, but it truly is the bulk of it.  At least we finally stopped buying a bottle of wine every time, because we don't drink, and we don't have much occasion to give a bottle to someone.  That being said, that hasn't always stopped us.  We're weird, and we know it.

Some of our favorites are seasonal items.  We're mental for that saltwater taffy.  One of our nephews loves the firecracker bar (chocolate with something like pop rocks and spiciness) so much.  That's another thing we like about going there; we can bring things back to others that they can't get otherwise.  My mom has never been a tea fan, but she would like to drink tea.  I made her some white ginger pear that she liked, so we brought back a box just for her. 

Anyway, on our last trip, we apparently went on just the right day, because the Advent Calendars had arrived.  We picked up a pile for nieces and nephews, and now we can finally give them to the little ones.  Here's hoping they make the countdown to Christmas more fun.  

          

 

Be It Ever So Humble

There really is no place like home, and it is good to be here.  We've unloaded the car, but unpacking will have to wait for tomorrow.  For now, I'm sipping some tea with honey, and then it's shower and bed.

     

Disconnected

Well, I don't know when this will post, as I have no innerwebs right now.  All on a night when I can't sleep.  Oh, the injustice of it all!  

Today began differently than expected and it stayed that way.  We rolled with it pretty well, and then when one of the shifts in the situation renewed itself, we took the opportunity to go be silly and touristy--we went panning for gems.  

It has actually been a bit of a running joke for a few years now, complete with a hand/arm motion mimicking the activity.  But this time, we finally decided to just get out there and do it.  And you know what?  It was fun.  It was silly.  It was gimmicky.  And getting out there and doing it was a bit of a remedy for some of the ailments of the day.  

We've yet to fully identify all of our treasures, but I think it's pretty safe to say that we are now bazillionaires with riches beyond imagination.  No, no, stop--there's no need to be jealous.  You know us, we will share the wealth, and all will experience an improvement. 

If Only it Worked

Remember that cold I mentioned the other day?  I only had one rough night of it back then, but there is one lingering annoyance--the coughing.  While I do admit that I do not particularly enjoy it, it seems to be even more bothersome/worrisome for everyone around me.  So, now, I am taking OTC preparations that do not make a difference in my coughing, but my doing so seems to please others.  Oh, well, that's just how it goes sometimes, eh?    

This and That on a Saturday

Since it is Small Business Saturday, and we were so close by, we popped into a yarn shop.  It was quiet when I first entered the store with a lesson happening at a table, and busy by the time I left with some younglings (tweenies?) getting needles and yarn with grownups who seemed doubtful that any would stick with it.  In between, I bought some beautiful blue merino/cashmere/silk fiber, a boat shuttle, and some bobbins.  I considered just getting more of the fiber, but I decided to go ahead and get the weaving stuff instead.    

We also made it out for a bit of touristy sightseeing.  We had read about the Greensboro Massacre and stopped by the marker.  If you feel so inclined, you can read more (and see it, too--there is video) about it.  We found the inscription on the sign rather lacking.  

Tomorrow promises to be a big day, starting with car-packing-Tetris.  I'm not sure just how we will get it all arranged.  I'm beginning to think volunteering to bring back someone's Costco list might have been a bit ill-advised.  Ah, but we'll only have to travel with that for a few hours, and then we can rearrange the car again (and again).      

More Turkey?

Yeah, I know many people are tired of turkey already, but I just can't get enough.  I don't think it is just because we don't have access to the leftovers, either.  That being said, there are no leftovers here, so I am left with the knitting of tiny turkeys.  There could be one more after this, but this is probably the last one.  Now I just need to stealthily stick it on someone's refrigerator on the way out of town.
  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!  I hope that giving thanks, today and every day, makes your life better.  

Hotel Life, and the Wi-Fi is, Well, it's Free

We've reached the point in our travels where we get to/have to stay in a hotel.  I have mixed feelings about it all.  But right now, I'm just glad to be off of the inflatable MRSA mattress (you don't want to know) and now only have to worry about waking Bruce with my coughing.  All the rest, I just try to put out of my brain.  Now, I'm going to try and put everything out of my mind and get some sleep.    

UM...Yeah, it Really is All I Have Right Now

Yep, it's time to take a peek into my endlessly fascinating mind.

Unconscious Mutterings 

Sprain :: Ankle

Hesitation :: Lost

Navigator :: Lincoln

Supplied :: Denied

Wow! :: Really?

Breaking :: News

sigh :: Ugh

Justice :: Delayed

Everything :: Tired

Chapped :: Lips

No, You Cannot Have the Clothes I'm Wearing

Since I am not most excellent at the sewing machine, I am easily impressed when I do something and it turns out well, even if it is a simple sewing task.  For example, I recently altered the length of my husband's overalls.  I started with an old pair that he wears when working in the garage or when doing yard work, and when I didn't destroy those, I moved on to others.  I'm pleased to have accomplished this task, and he is pleased with the changes.  Not much of a story, is it?  Since you stuck through my saga of simple alteration, I'll give you a bonus "Tale from the VA" story.  

On Halloween, Bruce had an appointment at the BVAMC.  Before we left the hospital to go home, we grabbed a water and a coffee for the drive.  Bruce is wearing overalls.  A man approached and said, "Let me ask you one question."  What followed was not what we expected, but instead was a series of brain teasers.  He then began to talk about the coat he was wearing and all the places in the world he had worn it.  Then he asked Bruce where he got his overalls.  Bruce told him the name of the store where he bought them.  Then he asked to borrow them.  He said he just really needed to borrow them.  We tried our best to just kind of laugh it off and make our way to the shuttle to the parking garage.  Guess who else got on the bus a couple of minutes later.  Usually, those buses are full and there is a line of people waiting for the next one.  This time there were only five passengers--Bruce and I, one man in front of us, and the brain teaser and a buddy toward the back.  Soon he started up again, asking to borrow Bruce's overalls.  He then began to complain a bit more loudly that he couldn't believe that Bruce would not lend him the overalls.  The man begins to make requests that the bus driver might drop him off somewhere besides the parking deck, which of course the driver cannot.  All the way there (it is a short drive, but seemed longer) he would again express his dismay and disbelief that Bruce would not lend him the overalls.  While having the bus nearly empty was not good in that he had almost nowhere else to direct his attention, it was good in that it allowed us a quick exit, and we did.  You just never know what kind of adventure awaits you at the VA.     

Packing Problems

I'm facing the perennial dilemma of the knitter preparing to travel--what yarn belongs in the bag and what should stay home.  I know from past experience that I rarely knit as much as I think I will, but the danger of not having something to knit is not a good feeling.  The fact that many a trip has come and gone during which I didn't pick up the needles once will not convince me to leave it all home.  I have to bring something, even if it is only for the sake of magical thinking that it helps with traffic.  C'mon, you at least secretly believe in it, too.  

So, I begin with the car knitting.  That should be easiest, right?  What requires a minimum of accessories, no charts, and an easily followed pattern.  Large swaths of stockinette are always good for this.  This is usually the easiest knit to decide upon in the packing process.  

Next, come two dilemmas--tiny knits and UFOs.  I reason that the tiny knits are quick, don't require much yarn, something I enjoy making, and are nifty little gifts to leave as a little surprise to people we visit.  However, if I haven't decided which tiny knits I will make, it means taking small amounts of many colors.  Fortunately, I can carry the patterns digitally, so that doesn't take extra room.  

The UFOs are also tempting in that I tell myself that I will totally finish at least one when I'm away from home and the rest of the stash.  However, sometimes the reason the project is unfinished is either some problem I have forgotten about and not yet solved, or I just don't like knitting it.  However, if it is, for example, a pair of mittens, and I do finish them and have a need for them, well, it would be illogical to leave the project at home right?  

It's about this time that the travel knitting bag is overflowing, and I know I need to scale back a bit.  I could make a decision, or I could just go about packing other things and pretend that I have plenty of time to figure out what is right.  Or, maybe I should just leave the knitting at home and bring the EEW5 and some fiber.  Afterall, I do have a car adapter and a battery pack, eh?

        

That's Taters, Precious?

At least that was what I was thinking when I was nearly finished making this tiny dish of mashed potatoes.  It was a quick knit, assembly was easy, but it was iffy until I added the little pat of butter on top.  The assembly and finishing details really do make a difference with these little knits.        

Bits and Pieces

Blergh.  I think I'm coming down with a cold.  Actually, I hoped to be well in its grips by now so that I would already be on the upswing early next week.  Now I'm hoping that it's not going to be much of anything and that by Monday this will not even be a memory because I'll be so busy.  

I have been doing a bit here and there.  I've finished spinning what I would guess (ripped it in half and then that half in half, but no weighing, so, whatever) is about one-quarter of the fiber I started yesterday.  I think I might even have some nice yarn when I'm done, but there's still a long way to go.  My knitting isn't much to show.  When I'm not working on the Featherweight Wrap to knit, I'm off in Mochimochiland, and as it is there unwritten, "Some assembly required."  Oh, yeah, I need to find the rest of the pieces before I can begin assembly.  Ahem.  But maybe some medication is in order first.
  

    

  

Right Round

Yeah, I'm spinning.  I needed to give the fixes on the EEW5 a go, and there's no other way to really do that than to spin.  I'm trying to follow through on what I learned in my Stupendous Singles class, so it's all kinds of new around here.  Maybe mixing together so many new elements isn't a good idea, but there you go.  It's not going super-great thus far, but I'm just going to keep going and hope for the best.  I really like this special fiber, and I want to make some nice yarn.

   

Twill Be Done Done

Ta-to-the-dah!  I finished the Twill Be Done weave-along.  I tried something new and learned a lot.  If you're on the fence about joining in on one of Liz Gipson's weave-alongs over on her Yarnworker site, I would encourage you to give it a go.  I like the answer she gave about the schedule.  Basically, she said that some people weave ahead, some follow the schedule to the letter, and some weave in their heads.  For me, weaving the pattern helped me to learn even more, but I think I could have learned quite a bit weaving in my head.     

The pattern is for a table runner, but instead, I used my warp to weave two placemats because I think that it will get more use that way.  I certainly see the errors and where I need to improve.  I might want to try using a temple to help me with draw-in, or maybe more experience will be enough.  The changes that happen throughout the process from having the woven piece under tension on the loom, to off the loom, and all the way through washing and drying cannot be underestimated.  I like these pretty well.  Now I just need to make the move from looking at them to using them.

    

I'll Totally Finish This By Month's End, Right?

I finally cast on for my NaKniSweMo Featherweight Wrap to Knit.  It really was deciding the color that was holding me up on this.  Making decisions like that has been an issue for me lately, but I went ahead and picked one so I could move forward with this.  Then there was a brief interchangeable search.  I did manage to round up several wayward interchangeable components and (somewhat) returned them to their proper home.  Thinking back, I don't remember where the cable I was seeking had been hibernating, but I did find it.  I could have begun the sweater without finding it, but eventually, it would be a problem to work the sweater on the short cable length I had used to knit the sleeves on the previous sweater.  

Anyway, I'm (barely) on my way.  Impressive, no?  I hope to curl up on the couch with the project and catch up on some shows, but this is a time of many interruptions around here.  If I make a bit more progress, it could be a good companion to other goings on, but for now, it's fits and starts.  One day, I will have a new black cardigan.  I feel rather doubtful that I will finish this month, but soon I think I might have opportunities for some good knitting time, so there is still hope.        

The Waiting is Over

I loved my first Electric Eel Wheel, (the fourth version) and I love my EEW5 even more.  However, hiccups happened, but most were resolved quickly.  One issue I faced along with other spinners, was that of wearing.  Those spinning thinner yarn at a higher speed seemed to come across this issue more frequently.  I noticed that it was happening on mine, but kept going, because I knew it would be fine for a while, and I wanted to keep spinning.  Replacing hooks could be a bit of a patch, but not a good longterm fix, and that wasn't the only part with the wearing.  The Ravelry group is great, and following the example of others, I used wire to wrap the hooks and other parts, and that helped, but again, it was a patch.  It didn't stop me from spinning, and I have already spun wonderful yarn on my EEW5.  I kept peeking in on the EEW group on Ravelry from time to time and knew they had been working on a solution.  Maurice spent a lot of time problem-solving, and I received an email the other day to let me know that the replacement parts were ready.  Now it is time to apply the fix.  

 

UM...Nothing to See Here

It's been a long time since I've played along with Unconscious Mutterings, but when it popped into my inbox, the time seemed right.  Besides, nothing I'm working on is in a photographic state right now, so instead, you get to look into my endlessly fascinating mind.  

1. Prayer :: Wing
2. Rerun :: Daily
3. Blue :: Monday
4. Chat :: Bot
5. Boycott :: Everything
6. Design :: Feature
7. Paste :: Copy
8. Backspace :: Delete
9. Connections :: Webs
10. Reality :: Bites

Not Great, But Maybe Not As Horrible As I Think It Is

It's not looking great for the home team on the Twill Be Done piece, but I reserve judgment for now.  I've made it through the twill-y bits and clove-hitch knots at the beginning and am now chugging along on the plain weave center portion.  So far, I see a few problems, but some may be less problematic after finishing.  Possible problem one is that I think my beating in the twill-y bits is not wonderful.  I'm a little less concerned about that as things look different under tension.  Also, I am learning something new, and that is likely to show.  Another problem is that my twill-y bits didn't seem to show up very well so far.  The color mix might not work well.  I don't find it to be ugly, but rather unfortunate to go through the effort only to not be able to see it well.  It actually looks better in this progress picture, I think, so maybe it's not so bad.  However, looking at the picture, I'm pretty sure I also have some outright mistakes in my pick-up, but I'm moving on and just trying to get something done.

Besides, that, it is going well, I think.  I had a nice rhythm going working the clove-hitch knots, and am glad to have learned another edge treatment.  I might make placemats or towels instead of the runner.  I guess I'd better check the warp length and make some decisions.  After all that, the plain weave seems a bit boring now, and I'm ready to get back to the pick-up sections and see if I'm improving.    

What to Do When There's Nothing You Can Do

Late Monday night the phone rang with news of a relative far away hospitalized in ill health.  She's too far away to visit, so what to do?  Well, I do the crafty stuff, so I guess I make.  The problem is, I don't know just what to make.  Maybe some little bitty things from Mochimochiland, like the Thanksgiving turkey and pie, or would something woven be better?  What do you think--weird little stuff or something useful/practical?  She definitely needs a new embroidered handkerchief or two.  I'll finish adding the bamboo to the one with the panda.  I'd like to get something to her soon, so I'd better hurry.  I guess getting my NaKniSweMo on the needles will have to wait.  Then again, if I cast on, I'll have it cast on, right?  Guess I better decide on the color, eh?  Which do you think I should choose?  What?  I'm not avoiding things.

      

It Might Help if I Could Stay Awake...

...but catching up on sleep probably needs to happen first.  Life has been very busy lately.  If I cannot figure out a better way to take care of some of the new stuff on the list, I'm going to have to find a new way to do everything else.  Until then, the "everything else" is suffering a bit.  Today was a bit of a breather, and that was nice.  I managed to tackle some things around the house, weave a little, and play with markers and pens a bit, too.
Something else I thought would be good for today was watching weaving DVDs.  My collection grew by two during birthday season, but I haven't had the chance to watch them.  The problem is that when I sit down to watch most anything, my eyelids get very heavy.  Since I'm trying to get my sleep schedule back on track, I am avoiding naps for now.  That means I need to set these aside for now.  I'll get to them eventually, and then I will be an expert, for sure, eh?  

Warped and Waiting on a Wednesday

Perhaps you noticed my stalling on the start of my Twill Be Done.  You would be forgiven for thinking it was just a poor attempt at trying to stretch a small amount of content into several blog posts. Sure, that's certainly a plus, (ok, not the poor part, but that's kind of how it goes around here) but it's not what was happening.  I was just trying to finish the last project and life was not cooperating, but I finally made it happen.  I now have a new cloth for the coffee table, and I think I like it.  It was also nice that I finally got around to using the 15 dpi reed, and although I do need to try out some different, smooth yarns with it, that will have to be later.   

Anyway, I finally have the warp on the loom.  After the last project, setting this up with the 7.5 dpi reed seemed super-quick.  I hope to get weaving on it soon, but for now, it must wait and wonder whether the colors will work.  I really don't know if they will, but I've made it this far, and I'm going for it.  The blue will be the main weft and the yellow will be the twill-y bits and clove-hitch knots (yes, more new stuff!).  My picture is still a bit off on the color, but not by tons.  Really, it's the variegated warp that has me wondering, but worse case scenario, I only learn new things and have ugly cloth.  Stacked up against everything else in life, how is that even a concern, eh? 

If Squish Thinks I Can...

That's right, I'm sleep-deprived and suggestible, so I'm NaKniSweMo-ing it, and so is Stacey!  I'm making another Featherweight Wrap to Knit.

Now I just need to decide the color and get knitting.  Should it be black, beige, or purple?  Of course, I need some sleep first, or counting all those stitches to cast on just isn't going to work out well.  Night-night, all.  If you have time, please put my yarn, pattern, needles, and stitch markers in a project bag and set it next to my purse.  Tomorrow starts early and will be long.  

 

Almost Makes Me Want to NaKniSweMo

I finished a sweater last month.  Yes, I finished it last month, but I started it way back when--January 25, 2015, to be precise.  After I picked it up to work on it, I was pleased to discover that I could figure out where I was in the pattern and just how close I was to finishing.  I was most of the way done with one sleeve, and then all that would be left was the second sleeve.  Upon binding off that first sleeve, I was free to try on the cardigan without the entanglement of needles or trailing a ball of yarn, and I felt good about it.  It really was inspiring.  Then we had some cooler weather, and I wanted to finish it so I could wear it.  The closer I got to completion, the more I thought about knitting this pattern again in this same yarn in other colors.  I considered small modifications.  I even thought about NaKniSweMo-ing it.  That thought didn't last long, though, but I do have a new sweater.   

Of course, now that it's done, we have a warm-up and increased humidity, but that happens.  I'll have plenty of opportunities to wear this sweater in comfort, but I didn't wait for that to attempt a photo shoot for it.  I just kept setting the timer on the camera and posed over and over and hoped that something would turn out alright.  By the time I came in, I had taken 336 photos, and I didn't like any of them.  However, the Google Photos Assistant created an animation from some of the photos, so that's what you get. 
  

Details:  
Pattern--Featherweight Wrap to Knit
Mods:  M1R/M1L instead of YO increases
Yarn--(sit down--it's scandalous) Woolike (85% acrylic 15% nylon--told you it was scandalous)
Color--Chocolate
Verdict--Would knit again (or not, I don't knit many sweaters)

I think this cardigan will work well for me.  I like the way it fits through my armpits.  I'm weird that way.  I may not really be describing it right, but I just do not like clothing stuck up in my armpits.  There is a similar (both in name and appearance) cardigan pattern that was popular a few years back, and I really wanted to knit it, but it seemed like it would do that, and I don't think my body shape/size was a good fit for it either.  Anyway, I was glad to find this pattern, because I would like a few cardigans in the wardrobe.  This is a nice, basic pattern, and I can think of some simple modifications I might make if I were to knit it again, such as changing the length and perhaps decreasing a bit more on the sleeves.  If I feel really adventurous, maybe one day I'll spin to knit one. 

Happy Birthday, Eva!

When the birthday girl is this sweet, going to a birthday party at the infamous children's party place doesn't bother me a bit.

Ah-ha! (I hope)

As I mentioned previously, I'm participating in a weave-along over on Liz Gipson's site, Yarnworker. We are weaving Twill Be Done from Handwoven Home.  Some of the terminology and skills were intimidating to me when I read the description, but the opportunity to learn grabbed me.  The first bits were simple--things I already knew.  Then I began to feel rather stupid.  It was time to learn to read a draft for a floor loom and create a drawdown chart.  I knew what the first thing was, in that I had not really understood how to do it and only felt more confused each time I tried.  The second thing could have been anything, but I hoped to learn.  When it came to reading the drafts, it all seemed counterintuitive, upside down, and backwards.  Now might be the time to confess my rather poor sense of direction.  I think there is a connection.   

Finally, after several viewings of the video lessons and reading of the passages, I think I had a breakthrough.  Once I understood that the drawdown is like a charted representation of what the weaving pattern will look like--kind of like a colorwork chart, I was on my way.  Then I had to get out of my head and try to just follow along step-by-step without understanding what I was doing.  About halfway through the first twill pattern, I could follow what I was to do, and then coloring in the next was a breeze.  

I like the relaxed format of this weave-along and feel like I can keep up with each week without too much pressure.  We'll see what happens--next week looks to be a doozy.