Saturday evening

Okay, football has taken over the season. 'nuff said

Started a glove (why do I keep typing mitten?) in 3 ply Kroy -- black and silver. Really looks good, even if Raider colors. For this family, should be orange and blue. Sorry, not in stock. I can do one row of corrugated ribbing at a time ( 2 colors, knit in rib) on size 0s, and then need to put down. "Only" 5 more rows to go on the ribbing. Then the "fun" part -- the glove itself. The burgundy/black or burgundy/grey just didn't do a thing for me. That's the problem when you have LOTS of black, silver, and grey in this weight of yarn! I really don't have too many other colors to add to the mix.

Have finished the first repeat of one pattern for Serena's sweater. Row by row...

Christmas is almost here! Doesn't seem real.

Saturday whinges

I've decided that only a fellow fiber person would appreciate the gloves. Right now I'm trying to persuade myself that I really don't want to start a pair. Hm, traditional colors? I don't know yet.

Did 2 gauge swatches on the caramel yarn, both are just a hint undersize. whine. The yarn is sport to dk, I think that is my first problem. It is written (the Rogue) for Aran weight, 4.5 st per inch. Why did I think it DK? Because I WANTED it to be? One option would be to carry along a strand of sock yarn. It will then looked marled, not sure that's the effect I want.

The wind has kicked up with a vengeance. Temps are supposed to be miserable by tomorrow.

Oops

My, has it been THIS long? Sorry Serena.

Still wheezing after Wednesday's asthma attack. Just moving around sets me off. grumble.

I've been charting a Scottish Glove pattern, I think Serena and I are the only ones worthy of them, and I don't know if she would wear them. Fine sock yarn, 84 sts around... An old pattern, gauge isn't given.

Graduation sweater is about 4 inches along -- 24 rows. Which means, I think, that I need to check row gauge, and make some pattern changes! I want to buy a digital camera, so I can show off!

Why are cars racing up and down our street? There are children along here!

I got some yummy yarn in the mail from Webs, and it is nice enough that I'll probably buy some for Serena. There are several choices, which do you think she'd prefer, http://www.ardithkeef.com/yarnroom/Patternbooks/DaleGarn/116/15.jpg,
or http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/rogue/detail.php
or http://www.ardithkeef.com/yarnroom/Patternbooks/DaleGarn/116/12.jpg

Howard did shopping today, and I don't know what he bought. That's all right, I bought him stuff earlier in the week, and I didn't leave home to do it!

decisions...

Hm, Serena's graduation sweater was of worsted weight yarn, and I've been trying to recreate it in sport. I think the stitch patterns will be lost, because I'll either need lots of "free" space (purls between patterns), or more patterns in there. Right now I'm leaning toward knitting 2 strands of the sport weight, and see if that will come closer to the worsted weight. If I guess correctly, that will mean a difference between 400 sts around and just over 200. A bit of a difference! Hm. I guess I'll do some swatches and decide.

I just agreed to take on the Association newsletter. I think I'm nuts. We'll see. I'll have to find out just how to do it -- hopefully soon!

While Jodi is gone, I'm also typing up the January newsletter here, and the bulletins. Are we having fun?

Here's the front of the sweater. I took a pattern from SweaterWizard, tweaked it, and here is the result, needing a bit of refinement as to the way it is presented for your delectation. Sigh. It was taken in a hurry. I hope it will generate some interest in Knitting 102. Or whatever I call it. I figure that from this simple project people can learn: changing colors, grafting, increases, decreases, reading a pattern... anything I'm missing? 

ah, the back of the baby sweater, to be used for a class demonstration. To learn increases, decreases, changing colors... all in a short period of time. Brave, aren't I! 

Wednesday blather

We got a text message from Nathan on Sunday morning that he and Kim were in the ER, she was having severe abdominal pains. If you remember, Howard and I were both bleary/bleery? from his sleep study the night before. By late afternoon, it had resolved that Kim had appendicitis, very rare in her family. They were able to do a laparascopy, and she came home Monday. We drove up to help entertain Tucker (their dog) and keep him off her. I managed to finish the baby sweater, start a scarf for my dad in qiviut, and not much else.

Got home tonight, to very little desire to do anything. I know I need to change the sheets. I know I need to ... fill in the blanks. I'm tired. I'm wheezy. I don't care.

Wish I knew what was in the air between here and St. Cloud that sets off the asthma every freaking time! Or, if you prefer, from St. Cloud/Sartell to here. There were 3 areas that set me off on the way home. Whoopee. Have I mentioned lately that I really don't like asthma?

I'm glad Kim is doing better, Howard showed her how to cross stitch/back stitch/French knot today. She was doing a FANTASTIC job, really tremendous for a first project! I was impressed! I hope she enjoys it!

groggy thoughts

Howard had his sleep study last night, the technician told him he will probably be a good candidate for the cpac (or however it is spelled.) If he can sleep soundly, and waken without a headache, actually refreshed, what a delight! I know he has not had a GOOD night's sleep in a long time. I guess the report now goes to a neurologist, who makes recommendations, and then forwards it to Howard's gp. I can hope! Wouldn't THAT be a nice Christmas present!

However, with him gone, I didn't go to bed until after 2, and he got home at 5:30. I'm a bit bleary. Hah! bit?

Did manage to get the loom sleyed and tied last night, as well as finishing almost both of 2 baby sweater sleeves. I cut off the yarn for the contrast color, to realize that I'd mis-counted, and needed one more repeat of it. That was the point I decided to call it quits. Today will be the other arm, and maybe the body? The hood and bands would be all that is left. I'm going to try to get everything to the store early this week, to start people thinking about classes in January.

Today, we need to work together some more, and figure out the brake. It is NOT holding. I can advance the loom without releasing it. sigh

Happy Birthday Howard! This is his almost complete sweater, just steeked, and popped on, to prove that it was "wearable" by his birthday. The fatigue is not feigned, he had spent the last 2 days laying a ceramic tile floor at Nathan and Kim's. I used Sweater Wizard to create the pattern, knit in the round, set-in sleeves. 

The back of the coat, I really like the fun from having the tabs, don't you? 

Kim in my Turkish Coat! No, she doesn't look happy, but I am when I wear it! 

Hm, Friday?

Well, no further on Howard's sweater. Delighted that Serena has a new job, to start in a week. Actually, THRILLED!

Howard saw the doctor yesterday. He has an ingrown toenail, antibiotics for a week, then remove part of the toenail, and retard growth Thursday. He has either a frozen shoulder or a bone spur in the shoudler, PT for the next few weeks, then referral on if that doesn't help. He has a sleep study for apnea tomorrow night. Poor man!

The jacket Kim is wearing is my own handwoven, the whole thing is Bartlett worsted for the warp. The brown is alpaca. The pink variegated is from Valentina Devine, and was purchased at Maryland Sheep and Wool. I loved it, but had no clue what to do with it, so it sat until I wove it up. Then I wondered... again, what to do. When Dianne came over break, she helped me vision, then put it together. The fabric is heavily fulled, but so comfortable!

When Nathan and Kim come for Christmas, I'll put up pictures of the cocoon of my handspun/handwoven!

Tuesday?

Sheesh, what a day so far! At least, I haven't burned anything. Of course, unless it has finally happened, the pictures aren't on my web page either, but not for lack of trying! I'm going to have to write Barb soon, if I can't get it done!

You know Howard hurts when he makes his OWN doctor's appointment! Thursday morning. Hopefully he will get some relief for his shoulder and thumb, and also get his toes taken care of, he has 2 ingrown nails -- both big toes. Still no date for the sleep study.

EEEKKKKK!!!!!! I feel as if I'm still on pred, and the squirrels are running races in my brain! It would be nice if they would slow down! So far, they are being nutty.

Saturday grogginess

Nathan and Kim took us out to dinner last night, to thank us for the work in the kitchen. Very nice place, Timberlodge, I think.

This morning, after precipitation all night, their is white stuff coming down. It is supposed to end soon, but we will go home on major freeways as much as possible, instead of back roads.

Howard and Nathan are attempting to grout the kitchen floor.

While here, I've knit up a scarf out of Fun Fun (wondering about having students make it on larger needles), a purse, 2 wrist warmers of different lengths (the small ones really don't do much good, do they?), and almost finished Howard's birthday sweater. Need to sew in the neck, and do the hems. You will notice (if you are reading this) that I'm still waffling on the hems. sigh

I'm thinking about undershirts, for warmth. A strand of alpaca, and another of silk wool? I need the neck rather high, but don't want buttons on the back. Do I make sleeves too, or ... thoughts? For fun, I brought up some forest green alpaca, a cone of Zephyr silk/wool, and a cone of cashmere/wool, thought about blending them together. The cashmere is more silvery, the Zephyr is cream.

Ha-ha!

Well, the advantage of working your tail off on Thanksgiving is that we didn't overeat! In fact, we didn't have another meal. Well, Nathan, Howard, and Kim all ate around 12. At night. I had a piece of cheese. Sam's smoked cheddar. yum

Happy Birthday Grandma Hewes! Since it is your birthday... Hope you are enjoying it, wherever you are!

Thanksgiving

Okay, today was a celebration of family -- in doing. Nathan got up early, went out and bought a turkey, then came home and prepared it. After we ate, it was all hands on deck to get the kitchen floor tiled. We are still at it, at 10 in evening. 21 tiles to go. Saturday morning will be grouting, then we'll head for home.

While here, I got the main part of Howard's birthday sweater done (hems on sleeves and bottoms to go, as well as tack down the neck edging. I'll try for some pictures from Nathan's camera before we go home. I also did a scarf for a beginning knitting class, and designed a purse. A baby sweater left to go for the class -- that way absolute beginners can do a scarf, next group can knit a purse, and next a sweater.

I've decided that wristers must be only for people that "get" it, if someone doesn't have a clue what to do with one, it isn't a good gift.

traveling

we are in Sartell MN, I sometimes think this town hates me. Asthma kicked in on teh way up here, nebbing is part of my life while here. I find it frustrating, irritating, and debilitating.

On the way up, we stopped at Hancock Fabric in Ft. Dodge, where I'll be hopefully doing some knit classes soon. I came away with 2 balls of a ribbon yarn, 2 balls of Wool-ease for a baby sweater, and 1 ball of Fun Fur. One purse of ribbon is almost done. Need to sew it up, and make the straps. Fun Fur will be next, just to do something mindless.

Nathan and Howard are HOPING to finish tiling the kitchen floor tonight. As they haven't started, I don't know.

Tuesday Musing

Well, it is supposed to be warmer today, but right now it is 48, and damp. I'm cold! Isn't THAT a big surprise. sigh

I have just about decided to try to make an alpaca/qiviut camisole. The lower part fo the back that is always cold thinks it would be great!

When putting a project down for a while, make darned sure you make notes of what you were planning! At THIS point, Howard's sweater is a mass of confusion to me! What in the world did I plan for the hems? I think I'd decided NOT to do ribbing at all, but to do hems of sock yarn (for less weight). But did I? What was I going to use for the v-neck? I think I'll steek it, and then tack it back? oi

Then there is that little detail that the pattern doesn't match the count. I think I can honestly say this is frustrating!

Well, in honor of TC,

Oops, Friday!

I realize that someone checks daily to see if I've written, and I kind of apologize. I'll try to do better.

Got a call last night about 10:30 that Audrey's mother had died. That is 2 in a week for the church.

Right now it is 32 and cool. My feet say COLD!

Not a lot going on today, 7 loads of laundry yesterday, and a general malaise.

I'll forward Rachel's most recent post to Serena.

Does this make you think of going to the necessary? Does me!


Mary who really likes this smiley! or is it the ability to add these?

Sunday night

Hm, tonight we went to bed early. Bill called. Nathan Called. Serena called. Serena said she'd call back, I gather Nathan told her we'd gone to bed early. This is what happens when we do something terribly out of character!

I didn't get to see Nathan's meteor shower, and will admit to being disappointed. Would I have gone outside to see? NO! But I would have gladly watched from the upstairs windows.

Mike came by today -- I suspect Audrey was annoyed when looking at the lawns, because she and Dick came out of the church, stood outside for a while, went back INside, and then came out again. Less than an hour later, Mike was here with his riding lawn mower, hand mower, trailer, and pickup. Poor man looked at the bunch of leaves Howard had raked up and bagged (9 -- 39 gallon bags!) and figured it had to be from the whole yard, not just the tiny area he could see cleared -- less than the corner of the house to the garage. But, he looked in the back yard, and realized, I suspect with a greatly SINKING heart, that he was wrong. He filled the bed of the pickup 6 times, as full as he could, and drove them to the leaf dropoff. He and Dick left after dark. I don't know how many are left, but those two worked like crazy. In the process, of course, all of the mold in the area set me off, and I wound up going up to our room and running both air purifiers. In the process, I chilled, so curled up under the comforter, with sweats, mohair socks, and such on. When Howard got home from the theater (breaking down the set), we went to bed. By the time Serena called, I was warm again, so took off the sweats, and am at the computer, so I can grab the phone before it wakes Howard up.

I'm on scarf #14 -- waiting to see where the excess of this batch will go. 9 of them are promised, some are purely decorative, some are warmth/decorative, only one is plain. But I'm starting to itch to knit something else, so I guess this obsession is finishing. I still want to do some with the qiviut, as that should be used, instead of just sitting here.