It has been almost a year since I last posted in my blog here. Reason? I had hand surgery. NOT for carpel tunnel but for a stuck pulley, and they found a small cyst - benign. Then a tendon snapped. Needles, medications, therapy, taping it: nothing helped. The MRI showed no damage. But the 4.5" scar on my leg proved otherwise. They rebuilt the tendon from part of my leg.
Then more therapy, tons of restrictions, then even more therapy and more restrictions. It's amazing how when you are put on the sideline in your life, you get to join back in and realize you are no longer part of that game. When you are needed to step in for someone else though, you really feel out of place and unappreciated.
On a happier note. I can now again knit. I can now again create, I now again type. I find I missed being here, even if it was just to post a quick thought. I need to write about my journey. It may help someone so they can avoid the missteps I have made aka mistakes. Actually my mistakes usually stay in, unless it's lace, then I frog back.
So here I am again and I will be post more, learning more and sharing more.
Now where are my needles?
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Monday, September 21, 2015
Recovery - aka Driving Mama Stir Crazy
I finally got my gall bladder surgery w/ a hernia repair added! Which made my recovery from 2 wks to 3. First few days the meds kept me from doing much but sleep.
Then I had to do something. Of course it involved sticks and strings. I had figured out a few things to do before surgery and had everything set up. Then it was what do I want to do - really do. Did an Octavia the Octopus from in bright pink, black and yellow. Haven't decided if it's male or female as many octopi are naturally pink. It will go as part of my sales display for my soap and fiber business. Along with my sheep and llamas I've been collecting.
Next project...everyone seems to be doing the Virus Shawl. Started on one but really wasn't not happy with the pattern so I switched to the actually Virus Shawl. Much happier with that pattern. Used Mary Maxim's Prism in black and raindrop. Love how it turned out. One Christmas gift done!
Time to dig. Pulled out the hat I had made for my son from last Christmas. Never got Bowser on it until now. Duplicate stitch as I reallly dislike fair isle in the round. I dislike hats knit flat and seamed too so it was the usual hat in the round followed w/ the duplicate stitch for a done hat! He's happy to have it and does know that it is wool so no washing machine for that unless he wants it to fit his small sock monkey I made him.
Started a sweater for Courtney for Christmas - Ginny's Cardigan in dark green. Courtney is an owl nut so it's the perfect sweater for her!
Worked on a pair of socks. 1st one is almost done. It's blues and beige for my cousin. I added pink because it's my favorite color and not hers to be a pain! So whenever she wears them she will see me when her feet are up! Ha Jessi!
Played around with those coloring pages that are the rage - working out color combos for my fiber dyeing I can start back into again. It's interesting what happens when you add an unexpected color to a grouping. It is either a nice surprise or a dud.
The most interesting thing about recovery is I got my knitting mojo back and now I can't get enough. I am on fire and happy to be back to my knitting!
Now to get the clearance to get the okay to get back to farm life. I could let the chickens out, collect eggs and milk goats but not handle the bucket as I had a weight limit and my does are producers!!!!
ETA: Post opp visit: another week added on the weight limits building back to my farmer carrying weight of over 50-75lbs by December. Staying on a low fat diet. And the taking it easy is done. Now I can get things done before the winter!
So bring on the knit!!
Then I had to do something. Of course it involved sticks and strings. I had figured out a few things to do before surgery and had everything set up. Then it was what do I want to do - really do. Did an Octavia the Octopus from in bright pink, black and yellow. Haven't decided if it's male or female as many octopi are naturally pink. It will go as part of my sales display for my soap and fiber business. Along with my sheep and llamas I've been collecting.
Next project...everyone seems to be doing the Virus Shawl. Started on one but really wasn't not happy with the pattern so I switched to the actually Virus Shawl. Much happier with that pattern. Used Mary Maxim's Prism in black and raindrop. Love how it turned out. One Christmas gift done!
Time to dig. Pulled out the hat I had made for my son from last Christmas. Never got Bowser on it until now. Duplicate stitch as I reallly dislike fair isle in the round. I dislike hats knit flat and seamed too so it was the usual hat in the round followed w/ the duplicate stitch for a done hat! He's happy to have it and does know that it is wool so no washing machine for that unless he wants it to fit his small sock monkey I made him.
Started a sweater for Courtney for Christmas - Ginny's Cardigan in dark green. Courtney is an owl nut so it's the perfect sweater for her!
Worked on a pair of socks. 1st one is almost done. It's blues and beige for my cousin. I added pink because it's my favorite color and not hers to be a pain! So whenever she wears them she will see me when her feet are up! Ha Jessi!
Played around with those coloring pages that are the rage - working out color combos for my fiber dyeing I can start back into again. It's interesting what happens when you add an unexpected color to a grouping. It is either a nice surprise or a dud.
The most interesting thing about recovery is I got my knitting mojo back and now I can't get enough. I am on fire and happy to be back to my knitting!
Now to get the clearance to get the okay to get back to farm life. I could let the chickens out, collect eggs and milk goats but not handle the bucket as I had a weight limit and my does are producers!!!!
ETA: Post opp visit: another week added on the weight limits building back to my farmer carrying weight of over 50-75lbs by December. Staying on a low fat diet. And the taking it easy is done. Now I can get things done before the winter!
So bring on the knit!!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
2015 - The Year of Being Selfish!
It's hard to believe that I haven't written in close to 2 yrs. My, things happen when you have the best intentions!
This is the year of being selfish! Knitting what I want for who I want and not because I'm asked, begged etc by others. Pay me and I will. Don't pay- nada for you!
Started the year out right! Grabbed an idea I saw on Facebook on a knitting group. 12 lunch bags with a month written on each one. Then you put a skein of sock yarn (or two if they are the small skeins aka need two for a pair of socks), staple it and then when the month comes, open and knit a pair of socks with the yarn. I changed it up a bit. I pulled yarn for 12 pairs of socks, labeled the bags and had the kids put the yarn in the bags. That way I won't know what is in there! New Year's Day I opened a skein of Mary Maxim Tropical Tootsies in greens and pink. I love doing it this way!
So that is 12 pair of socks for the year. Pairs for DD#3, DH and DS plus a pair or two for me!
Next on my road of selfishness: Tea Cosies. I love tea pots. I hunt through the Armada Flea Market in the summer for the pots. No, I don't buy everyone I see, just one or two a year that really call to me. With the tea pots comes tea, and to keep it hot, the pots need cozies. So again a new one per month: maybe. I see some cozies able to cover a holiday and a couple of months depending on where the mood takes me. January's will be blue and silver/white. Simple but in line with my feelings of January. The rest of the year is whatever moves me.
Christmas 2015: Yes, you read that right. I am in the planning stage of Christmas knitting. Planned end date Halloween. That way I know I'll have it done. I can work on big pieces, like sweaters, and such, plus the usual hats, mittens and scarves that are requested!
Lastly, stuff for me. I love giving knitted items as gifts and rarely do I knit for myself. That ends now! I will knit for me! I have three sweaters that I have put off for a few years, that will be done before the ball drops on 2016. Not that I bother watching the ball drop. I'm usually in bed with a good book or puzzle around that time. Joys of chronic health issues. Ya do what ya got to do!
Now back to my second sock of DD#3 Christmas present - I gifted her a sock on the needles and the yarn to finish the pair. Get it done and I can cast on my January sock yarn which by the way is a color way for ME! Selfish and loving it!
This is the year of being selfish! Knitting what I want for who I want and not because I'm asked, begged etc by others. Pay me and I will. Don't pay- nada for you!
Started the year out right! Grabbed an idea I saw on Facebook on a knitting group. 12 lunch bags with a month written on each one. Then you put a skein of sock yarn (or two if they are the small skeins aka need two for a pair of socks), staple it and then when the month comes, open and knit a pair of socks with the yarn. I changed it up a bit. I pulled yarn for 12 pairs of socks, labeled the bags and had the kids put the yarn in the bags. That way I won't know what is in there! New Year's Day I opened a skein of Mary Maxim Tropical Tootsies in greens and pink. I love doing it this way!
So that is 12 pair of socks for the year. Pairs for DD#3, DH and DS plus a pair or two for me!
Next on my road of selfishness: Tea Cosies. I love tea pots. I hunt through the Armada Flea Market in the summer for the pots. No, I don't buy everyone I see, just one or two a year that really call to me. With the tea pots comes tea, and to keep it hot, the pots need cozies. So again a new one per month: maybe. I see some cozies able to cover a holiday and a couple of months depending on where the mood takes me. January's will be blue and silver/white. Simple but in line with my feelings of January. The rest of the year is whatever moves me.
Christmas 2015: Yes, you read that right. I am in the planning stage of Christmas knitting. Planned end date Halloween. That way I know I'll have it done. I can work on big pieces, like sweaters, and such, plus the usual hats, mittens and scarves that are requested!
Lastly, stuff for me. I love giving knitted items as gifts and rarely do I knit for myself. That ends now! I will knit for me! I have three sweaters that I have put off for a few years, that will be done before the ball drops on 2016. Not that I bother watching the ball drop. I'm usually in bed with a good book or puzzle around that time. Joys of chronic health issues. Ya do what ya got to do!
Now back to my second sock of DD#3 Christmas present - I gifted her a sock on the needles and the yarn to finish the pair. Get it done and I can cast on my January sock yarn which by the way is a color way for ME! Selfish and loving it!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
What to do When Your Mojo Comes up Missing
No desire to pick up your current WIP? Then don't. That's right: don't touch it. Let it sit where you left it. Okay, if it's where a pet or youngling can get it and "play" with it, by all means put it somewhere safe. But again leave it alone. Lacking the knitting mojo is no different than a writer's block or an artist's blank canvas staring back at them. Best thing for them is to get away from the desk or easel and take a break.
Maybe take a walk. Pick up that book you've been wanting to read - an actually book. The type that has pages to turn and a book mark. Tablets are great but they don't have the tactile experience that a real book gives you. How about that junk drawer that needs reorganizing? That pile of paper that needs shredding. (I admit there is something about shredding junk mail that is very therapeutic). That video game you have been secretly wanting to play: play it. (yes I play video games. No blood/horror/awful concepts, more puzzle/fun type - think Mario or maybe Lego). Watch a movie. I mean actually watch the movie without a project to keep you from actually seeing the movie. It's amazing how hard that is for me! I just can't sit there and watch a movie. I need something to do, but I make myself watch. Even if it's one you've "watched" a dozen times. You would be amazed on what you've missed! (I like Disney, Pixar type).
Try another craft, beading, jewelry making, macrame, the list is endless. The objective is to revive your knitting mojo. Restart the engine that drives your desire to knit - anything. Maybe a small toy, even a swatch of your most luxurious yarn, or a dishcloth, or a finger puppet.
Now that I've said all that, I better take my own advice! Knitting mojo, where are you?
Maybe take a walk. Pick up that book you've been wanting to read - an actually book. The type that has pages to turn and a book mark. Tablets are great but they don't have the tactile experience that a real book gives you. How about that junk drawer that needs reorganizing? That pile of paper that needs shredding. (I admit there is something about shredding junk mail that is very therapeutic). That video game you have been secretly wanting to play: play it. (yes I play video games. No blood/horror/awful concepts, more puzzle/fun type - think Mario or maybe Lego). Watch a movie. I mean actually watch the movie without a project to keep you from actually seeing the movie. It's amazing how hard that is for me! I just can't sit there and watch a movie. I need something to do, but I make myself watch. Even if it's one you've "watched" a dozen times. You would be amazed on what you've missed! (I like Disney, Pixar type).
Try another craft, beading, jewelry making, macrame, the list is endless. The objective is to revive your knitting mojo. Restart the engine that drives your desire to knit - anything. Maybe a small toy, even a swatch of your most luxurious yarn, or a dishcloth, or a finger puppet.
Now that I've said all that, I better take my own advice! Knitting mojo, where are you?
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Swatching...most all of us dislike swatching. But it is essential for knitting/crocheting a quality project. Instead of writing it myself, I'll let Liat Gat of knitfreedom.com tell ya!
Liat Gat
Your devoted video knitting
instructor
First, make it as big as you feel
like. Two inches across, if you want.
Next, make a one-row garter-stitch
edging by knitting the first AND second rows of the swatch, before continuing in
stockinette stitch. Then, when
it's time to bind off (after an inch if you feel like it), bind off knitwise on
a purl row. Voila! A minimal-purling garter-stitch edging! This will help
prevent the swatch from curling.
Third, tie knots in the
tail of your yarn to correspond with the needle size you used on the swatch. For
example, if you used a size 7 needle, tie 7 knots in the tail (see the photo
below). This will help you remember if you decide to try a few different
needle-sizes.
Fourth, block your
swatch: stick it in a glass of water with a little soap for 10 minutes, then
squeeze it out and lay it flat to dry. That way you can see how the yarn will
really look in a finished garment.
Now you can measure your gauge and jot it
down on the yarn tag. This way, when you see a pattern you like, you can say to
yourself, yes, I have a yarn that would be perfect for this! And you'll have the
swatch to back it up!
Dormant
Here it is, Spring! At least it's attempting to be Spring in Michigan. Redwing Blackbirds and few others are home. The frogs are chirping. I don't know if the swans have come back though. I may have missed them flying over.
Spring: green grass, leaves on the trees, birds nesting and nothing and I mean nothing on my needles. Sort of the "I don't have anything to wear" syndrome but as in "there is nothing I want to knit". Really strange thing for me. I see inspiration everywhere, magazines, books I have or am interested in. New yarns in stores or yarn I've spun. Everything getting organized, needles, yarn (by type), hooks, do-dads that go w/ knitting and nothing.
I go into to the office/craft room and I see all this color in clear plastic containters. It calls to me and all I do is say "later", turn of the light and go back downstairs. Totally weird. I have WIPs that need finishing. I have finished or partially finished items that I want to frog - even that is not getting me knittin'.
I have a few things I want to show at a few fairs this year and not even the looming deadline of July is not getting me moving. (I'm knitting a doll w/ a ton of lace work and many, many pieces and I have a schedule I made up and I'm a week behind!) I want to knit. I really, truly do. It's not that I don't like knitting anymore. I just have no desire to knit. I mean I should work on Summer knitting. 3 months ahead just like the stores w/ clothing. No clicking of the needles.
So as Spring wakens the earth...my knitting mojo goes dormant.
Spring: green grass, leaves on the trees, birds nesting and nothing and I mean nothing on my needles. Sort of the "I don't have anything to wear" syndrome but as in "there is nothing I want to knit". Really strange thing for me. I see inspiration everywhere, magazines, books I have or am interested in. New yarns in stores or yarn I've spun. Everything getting organized, needles, yarn (by type), hooks, do-dads that go w/ knitting and nothing.
I go into to the office/craft room and I see all this color in clear plastic containters. It calls to me and all I do is say "later", turn of the light and go back downstairs. Totally weird. I have WIPs that need finishing. I have finished or partially finished items that I want to frog - even that is not getting me knittin'.
I have a few things I want to show at a few fairs this year and not even the looming deadline of July is not getting me moving. (I'm knitting a doll w/ a ton of lace work and many, many pieces and I have a schedule I made up and I'm a week behind!) I want to knit. I really, truly do. It's not that I don't like knitting anymore. I just have no desire to knit. I mean I should work on Summer knitting. 3 months ahead just like the stores w/ clothing. No clicking of the needles.
So as Spring wakens the earth...my knitting mojo goes dormant.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
New Year 2013
The New Year! Woohoo! Resolution time! Time of change or attempting to change one, a few or a hundred things. As in all things change is change or change is failure. It is all how you approach it. Just the word resolution used at this time means 99% failure. I make modifications, adjustments, adaptations...never, ever resolutions.
With that being said, I've had a few thoughts run around my head...I do mean run as it seems hard to pin them down. So let's see what do I have here?:
1. Being more selfish. Being more selfish in my knitting. I have learned how to say no to many
requests in my life.
"Could you help with this fundraiser" - "No".
"Would you mind taking this to so-and-so" - "Yes, it's 10 miles out of my way". etc etc etc.
But knitty/crochet requests I'm really lousy at saying no.
"I love this, could you knit me one for my grandson" "Sure, no problem"
"Oh, when ya knit/crochet hats for the kids could you make 2 more in colors a and b" "Yes, I
can".
Add a granddaughter requesting and I'm dead...I find it sooo hard to say no to them.
So being selfish will give me a chance to knit things I want to knit and not ones that others
want me to knit. There is only one thing that I don't mind saying yes to is a skein of sock
yarn my daughter likes me to see. I get to pick the pattern and set the deadline so it's just
fun to knit socks that way.
2. Knit a few things for babies when the mood hits. That way I don't have the shower or birth
hanging over my head and I have a ready made gift for when the invites come.
3. Christmas knitting starts NOW! Picking the pattern, the yarn in regards to the recipient,
writing all the info down and when the next 25th of the month comes I start a new gift!
4. Burn through the stash. On this I am really going to harsh on myself. I will never be someone
who has 100s of skeins - mostly single skeins of many different yarns, I have a stash that is
larger than I want it to be. I like to buy by project not by yarn. So that helps keep the stash
size down but still the stash is bigger than I like. So knit, crochet, repeat.
5. Burn through the pattern stash. I mean really, I don't think I can knit through all the patterns
I've collected. Be it books, ripped out of magazines, queued on www.ravelry.com, or printed
from websites I have more than I care to admit. So just like stash - clearing them out and
keeping only my favorites. I do this every year and there are quite a few, I'll toss and others
that I keep because I still like them after 5 yrs and do plan on knitting them! Okay, most of
them. Others are meant to be admired and make me happy to look at.
6. Blog more. I love to knit. I love to crochet. I love to spin. AND I love to write. Makes sense
to do more of the last about the first thing! Blogging gets me through the "knitter's block". I
get to brag, share and dream all in one place!
7. Use my project's page, www.knitmeter.com and notebooks. These things are there to help
me keep things happening. Keeps track of where I'm at on a project. Let's me see how far
I've "traveled" with my projects by how many yards (I actually prefer miles) I've gotten
through.
8. Enjoy my changes. If I'm making them, it's because I want to make them!
These are the things that matter the most to me. These are the things that I know I will complete.
So come on, 2013 - hit me with your best shot! I'm ready with needles in my hand! Speaking of which...I didn't just pull them out of my latest project did I? See I do need changes!
With that being said, I've had a few thoughts run around my head...I do mean run as it seems hard to pin them down. So let's see what do I have here?:
1. Being more selfish. Being more selfish in my knitting. I have learned how to say no to many
requests in my life.
"Could you help with this fundraiser" - "No".
"Would you mind taking this to so-and-so" - "Yes, it's 10 miles out of my way". etc etc etc.
But knitty/crochet requests I'm really lousy at saying no.
"I love this, could you knit me one for my grandson" "Sure, no problem"
"Oh, when ya knit/crochet hats for the kids could you make 2 more in colors a and b" "Yes, I
can".
Add a granddaughter requesting and I'm dead...I find it sooo hard to say no to them.
So being selfish will give me a chance to knit things I want to knit and not ones that others
want me to knit. There is only one thing that I don't mind saying yes to is a skein of sock
yarn my daughter likes me to see. I get to pick the pattern and set the deadline so it's just
fun to knit socks that way.
2. Knit a few things for babies when the mood hits. That way I don't have the shower or birth
hanging over my head and I have a ready made gift for when the invites come.
3. Christmas knitting starts NOW! Picking the pattern, the yarn in regards to the recipient,
writing all the info down and when the next 25th of the month comes I start a new gift!
4. Burn through the stash. On this I am really going to harsh on myself. I will never be someone
who has 100s of skeins - mostly single skeins of many different yarns, I have a stash that is
larger than I want it to be. I like to buy by project not by yarn. So that helps keep the stash
size down but still the stash is bigger than I like. So knit, crochet, repeat.
5. Burn through the pattern stash. I mean really, I don't think I can knit through all the patterns
I've collected. Be it books, ripped out of magazines, queued on www.ravelry.com, or printed
from websites I have more than I care to admit. So just like stash - clearing them out and
keeping only my favorites. I do this every year and there are quite a few, I'll toss and others
that I keep because I still like them after 5 yrs and do plan on knitting them! Okay, most of
them. Others are meant to be admired and make me happy to look at.
6. Blog more. I love to knit. I love to crochet. I love to spin. AND I love to write. Makes sense
to do more of the last about the first thing! Blogging gets me through the "knitter's block". I
get to brag, share and dream all in one place!
7. Use my project's page, www.knitmeter.com and notebooks. These things are there to help
me keep things happening. Keeps track of where I'm at on a project. Let's me see how far
I've "traveled" with my projects by how many yards (I actually prefer miles) I've gotten
through.
8. Enjoy my changes. If I'm making them, it's because I want to make them!
These are the things that matter the most to me. These are the things that I know I will complete.
So come on, 2013 - hit me with your best shot! I'm ready with needles in my hand! Speaking of which...I didn't just pull them out of my latest project did I? See I do need changes!
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