Happy End of The Year!

I for one am so glad this year is finally ending. It's really tested what little strength I have in a lot of ways. The journey is never over until it's over, but I totally want to dig my heels in for a respite about now. There have been so many blessings I'm thankful for, Many MANY! But honestly, this year has sucked in so many ways too. That's life, we gotta do our best and try to go on. Don't mind my babbling. I'm just exhausted beyond measure right now. Just please 2011, please be better.

I did want to update the last of my 2010 Knitting on the blog though. I didn't knit as much this year but I sort of remember enjoying most of it anyway. The fibro and auto-immune issues have put some obstacles in my path over and over again (ow, ow, OWWW! Bad part of the year for SURE!), but I just can't stop doing what I love. (And now spinning is added to the fun! One good part of last year!)

Feather & Fan Fingerless Gloves By Kollage
Knit Picks Essential Kettle Dyed Sock Yarn in Bordeaux
Size 1 needles.
Ugh! What a LOVE/HATE relationship these were!! I started them sometime in the spring I think. They went to CA with me in May, (they travelled well at least.) I've carried them around to several knitting meetings, they sat in my bag for MONTHS, it felt like it was time to get them done. Around November I begrudgingly took them out and set out to finish them once and for all. This is a super EASY pattern, I just didn't dig it I guess. I love the finished result, I just didn't enjoy making them. Then on glove #2 things went a bit haywire, my stitch count got off, my thumb was too long, then too short...you know, knitting CRAZINESS! But, I took deep breaths, tinked when necessary, fudged when necessary, and got them done. Yay me!

My Last Beech Wood Cowl (for awhile anyway).
Cascade 220 Superwash Paints in a purple colorway (couldn't get it right on camera to save my life).
Size 6 needle.

**EDITING POST BECAUSE I REALIZED I HADN'T POSTED THE OTHER COWLS! Fibro Fog Brain! :P

Here are my other Beech Wood's:

Yarn: Madenlinetosh Vintage

Yarn: Mountain Colors Weavers Wool Quarters In Wild Raspberry

Madelinetosh Vintage

What can I say, I made four in a very short span (my aching thumbs do protest quite loudly now). I do love this pattern. Simple yet so pretty when worn. My daughters look great in these, I see a couple more in my future (at some point.) With my thumb (hand, wrist) pain lately it seems like all that sock yarn in the stash is going to get to rest a LONG while, it's sport or worsted for now until this pain lets up.
Weekly NO Knitting Breaks = NO FUN!

I did also whip these up for an Aunt of mine:

Just a basic hat and fingerless mitts made out of Plymouth Boku Yarn. Not the softest stuff, but I do love the colors! I used two skeins for these.

And one of my last knits (Oops! Crochet!!) of 2010:

Pattern: Square Shell Coasters made for my swap partner Mary Jane.
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Glamour
This yarn was hard on my hands, not soft as I would've liked but they're just coasters so it worked. I would never use this for something next to the skin though.

My yarny New Years plan is to try (once again) to knit from the stash as much as possible. This grasshopper has played and it's time to get to work and rebuild & save again. Besides the closet is seeming to overwhelm me again, I wonder if it's time to let some of that acrylic go - or try a different kind of storage?... in any case, I hope to make a dent in what's already there. (And take a bunch to our knitting group yarn swap).  Next year feels like a de-cluttering kind of year. I just hope my legs will hold me up long enough and my arms will cooperate.

Happy New Year and many blessings out to my fellow bloggers and knitting buddy's. Many thanks too for all your prayers for my FIL and family. He's still in ICU, we know he's very ill, but we continue to pray and love him. ♥

Do-Overs and Spinning

Wish they were for real when it comes to living a year over again. 

Overall, we've had many blessings this year, but it's definitely had major challenges as well. Being a grown up sure isn't what we think when we're young. 

Our latest challenge has been my FIL recently becoming ill with lung cancer and is now going back and forth to the hospital for various reasons. He had his first chemo treatment recently, but has been in for pain in his chest, swelling, possible pneumonia, and now he has a fever.  It's hard to explain to your children that someone they love so very much may not be with us a whole lot longer but that we have to continue to pray for them no matter what. Around the holidays it's even tougher. 

But we're holding onto hope. Always gotta hold on. And Pray.

I figure it's also time to document my spinning for this year. Next year I hope I see some progress and growth. What I don't want is yarn that looks like something I can buy at a LYS that's manufactured. I totally want the barber pole effect in a nice soft lofty yarn and many colors! 

I'm loving my little Ashford Joy wheel, she spins wonderfully when I get my groove going, it's just THAT part isn't as consistent yet! I know I need to practice more, my legs and fingers haven't been as cooperative as I'd like. Sometimes after I spin for a bit my legs feel like jello, weak as a new born calf. This auto-immune thing I have seems to have weakness in my arms and legs as a regular symptom anymore. It really stinks. But, I do enjoy it when I get some good spinning time in. It's just a price I have to pay to do what I love.

Here's my first round: 

Frabjous Fibers - Hand Dyed Blue Faced Leicester Top - Cabbage Rose colorway - 4 oz. (Bought at LYS).  I did this around summer time I believe and since I don't keep track of things very well I can't remember my approximate yardage on this one. I'll need to remeasure. I believe it was around 160 yds.

OMgosh, it was so hard to get the colors in the picture accurate on this one. But I love just looking at it. I'll never knit it up since it's my first, it holds a special place in my heart. It's thick, thin, and badly plyed (I didn't realize how tired I'd get doing that - should've saved it for a day when I had more energy and less overall pain.) But I love it. 

Here's my second: 

Yarnadoodles BFL Combed Top - Tea Time colorway - 4 oz

I finished this one recently and tried to take my time with the plying this go around, but still, it has it's 

thick and thin spun spots that make it individual. 

I managed around 232 yards this time. It's funny, but I just like to pet and look at my own skeins. It makes me smile. I doubt I'll knit this up anytime soon either. I just love it. 

I did try navajo plying on some Louet Coopworth I spun when I first got my wheel. That was fun, but I still need a LOT of practice in that department too. My Joy is weighted so the "spin back" happens when I forget where my feet are on the treadles. I'm not crazy about that, but it's getting easier with practice. It was really evident in this type of plying as I had to keep rearranging my hands and the fibers every now and then. 

I don't know what I'd do without my knitting or spinning. It's my sanity in these tough days. I'm waiting on some more fiber to spin that I ordered from Etsy (my own Christmas present). I can't wait. I just hope my legs hold up. I may need to look into an electric spinner one day....

Happy Spinning and Knitting! And please, if possible, keep good thoughts for my FIL and our family. 

Catching Up

I've been a really slow knitter this year as well as a really slow blogger. Seems I can spend time on Ravelry daydreaming everyday and watching what everyone else is up to - but marking my own progress hasn't been as exciting as it used to be, here or there. Maybe it's because I'm not really knitting anything super duper outlandishly special, but basic necessities, gifts, and simple things.

Here we go with my Simple Parade:

Patterns: Waffle Hat & Noro Fingerless Mitts 
Yarn: Bernat Mosaic in Spectrum Colorway
This yarn is a bit softer than Noro (and machine washable). People have complained of it pulling apart easily but I didn't have that problem at all, just one knot which happens to the best of them. I knit the mitts pretty tightly too so if it was weak, I would've known it. (Maybe there was a bad batch out there). These are for my Auntie for Christmas. She's awesomely Knit-Worthy, she uses everything down to the last thread! ;O)

Next:

Pattern: Hats From The Heart
Yarn: Berroco Jasper
Size 8 needles.
A great Ravelry Buddy sent me this yarn awhile back because I was admiring her hats. I started it (barely cast on) and it promptly got put in (one of) my UFO bags for the longest time. Now that my hubby is golfing come cold weather or not (he has a driving range near his work) I want him to at least be WARM out there. This project was perfect. The Berroco is very soft but I'm going to have to be careful with the care of it. I can see that it will pill quickly since it's loosely spun. Kind of like Malabrigo Worsted.

Onto:

Patterns: Oops. I'm not sure.
I made these for a friend who's expecting a new Grandbaby in the family and I can't remember what patterns I used. I got them done early even though we weren't going to send them out until closer to the due date, I just hate waiting on things for too long or I'll forget.
Yarn: Bernat Cotton Tots - One skein did both projects. I went with a neutral color since we don't know if it's a boy or girl.

Next:

Pattern: Plain Basic Socks (My Favorite)
64 Cast On - Size 1 Magic Loop
Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy Sock "Crock-O-Dye"
I made these for my Freezing Cold Cousin in Montana. I really enjoyed knitting with this yarn, it's really soft and has a great feel. I may get some for me one day since I have another coupon for my LYS. She wears a lot of black and browns, neutral shades, so I wanted to go crazy with color and look what I ended up picking out? It just shouted at me that it was HER though. Too funny! I must knit her some PINK socks soon.

And:

Scarves for The Special Olympics 2011 to send in for my state. These aren't due until mid January, but again, I'm crazy about deadlines. I hate them. If I know it has to be done, I get it done ASAP. I only managed to get two done, I actually had to return two skeins because I just couldn't cope with using the Red Heart again. Until they've been washed a few times they're stiff as a board, it's just too hard on my hands and I've been having enough trouble with hand pain recently, it's just not good to push things when you hurt that bad. Although I'd love to do more, I figure two is better than none.  

There has been some simple Christmas Knitting that's been done and I wish I could've done more but I can't post those right now. At least I know I'll be back blogging before the year ends - I hope! 

Happy Knitting! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Too many Blessings to count this year but here's a few:

My Mom getting through another cancer surgery. 

My Husband still doing more than I could imagine because of my health issues 

and never once complaining.

My family pulling together to get each other through tough times.

My friends being there to listen and care.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy day. 

Whiskers On Wednesday

Yep, yep, yep,

Time for a nap.

ZZZZZzzzzzzzz
Sasha & Sophie

Whiskers On Wednesday (and some Knitting!)

No Kitties. Just ONE of the things that's left in their wake. Just about every morning. What do those cats do all night?

Some knitting has been done recently:

Pattern: Petunia Socks By Jeanne Cotter (My blog buddy)
Yarn: Joann's Sensations Bamboo & Ewe
Mods: All I changed was to use size 1 needles and add stitches to compensate.
This pattern looks great in a hand-dyed yarn like she used, I've slowly swayed to more striped or solids over time but I think they came out nice. Comfy yarn as well, has a decent softness to it.

Pattern: My Plain socks. 64 st cast on.
Yarn: Paton's Kroy Jacquards in Fern Rose colorway.
Size 1 needles
These are the socks that gave me a major reality check. I was so excited to be on a roll with socks once again that I over-did it trying to get these done. I think the combo of very small needles, being out of practice for a few months, and wanting to keep going, gave me Repetitive Stress Injury. My doctor thinks there's some slight carpal tunnel in the mix as well. All I can say (besides a few bad words) is OWWW!

You just can't ignore pain. If it hurts in the slightest - STOP!!!! My thumb/hand/wrist hurt so bad, I can't say how panicked I was thinking of all the yarn in my closet. I can NOT knit when I want to, but to HAVE TO stop, geez, that's TOUGH! I took a week off (staring longingly at my knitting), and now have to take frequent breaks.  I HOPE I've learned my lesson. I never thought my hands would quit on me. Never. Don't take things for granted, take care of yourself.

Note: This yarn is tough as iron too, that may have been part of the problem. It's also slightly itchy but will probably wear forever. Not a favorite of mine needless to say.

Pattern: My Basic Socks. 64 st cast on.
Yarn: Knit One Crochet too Ty Dy Socks
Colorway: 1713
Size 1 needles.
These are for my Mom's Birthday coming up soon. This yarn was a tad splitty when casting on, but after that it was fine for the most part. And soft?? VERY! I got these done with LOTS of breaks and little pain so I see another pair working it's way to my needles very soon. I've got the "sock-bug" once again.

My picture taking/editing abilities need major work as well. Happy Knitting! And Happy WOW!

My Blog Is Not Forgotten

Yet. And I hope to revive it once again.

I've posted before about how sad it makes me when bloggers I enjoy "disappear" or "retire. I have so many I read on google reader but it's still sad when they're gone.  I totally understand how it is tho. Time gets away from you, life just gets more (insert: challenging, crazy, busy, scary, etc.). That's how it's been for me (again, I seem to have more blog crisis's than average.)

My gallbladder problems are still not resolved because all those expensive tests they put me through say it's perfectly fine. Yet my constant pain says: "what the ??" It could be stress related, I've tried to calm down about my Mom's health issues, but seriously, they've taken their toll on me. That finally dawned on me when all the tests were saying things look "okay". Except for a small hiatal hernia, my insides look okay. This added to my already existing fibro pain and anxiety really sucks frankly. Thankfully, my Mom's health is looking up (again), so I'm really trying to just chill a bit. My mind says to do one thing, but my body responds in other ways I guess.

Despite the terrible fatigue (why do GB attacks have to happen in the middle of the night?) and pain (oh, lots of pain), I've still been knitting and practicing my spinning. Some things are for a Christmas swap I'm in so I can't post those for a bit. (Yes, I'm very early, but that's probably part of my GB issues too!). As usual, when I don't feel good, I wonder WHY I keep knitting when it's driving me so batty.  Then something gets done and I'm a very happy knitter again.

My Mitered Baby Blanket
Yarn: Bernat Baby Jacquards - Florals

I got the instructions from a really nice knitter on Ravelry, KnitWeir (Donna). She made this up herself and was kind enough to share her notes with me because I was totally besotted with her blankets.
Pink. Pink. Pink. Little Rosebuds. = LOVE.

I love the way her blankets look almost like a quilt. The squares were easier than I thought they'd be, I whizzed through them. But the simple garter stitch border about killed me. I had to rip and re-do about 5 THOUSAND times. So much that I finally had to ditch the old yarn I was using and start a new ball. That alone proved how bad I'm feeling these days. But, I hung in there and FINALLY got her done! Love it. I'm saving it for a grandbaby of mine one day. (WAYYYY in the future!).

Christmas knitting is always so stressful for me, it's a self-imposed heck I put myself through because I'm too picky and too indecisive. I spend so much time figuring out WHAT to make, then I knit it and am not in love with it, etc. It's a never ending drama for my crazy head, so I'm TRYING to just let it go this year (breathe, don't panic). Whatever I do happen to make (out of sheer luck) I'm trying to keep it SIMPLE because frankly that's all I can handle. When a simple garter stitch border can kick your a$$ets, it's time to knit to RELAX, not to put the pressure on.

I'm so good at thinking logically, but DOING is a whole other story! I've scraped about 4 Christmas things already. Oy.

I also managed to get these done quickly:

Maine Morning Mitts
Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn (Cranberry?)
Needles: Size 6
I love this colorway, it just makes me happy, sort of fall like and Christmas-y. And Rose-Bud-y too! I do love my roses. Hobby Lobby's yarns are so soft and squishy, love these so much.

Some simple mitts for my cousin:

I made her a pair of black ones for work out of Caron Simply Soft a few years ago. Well, they're pretty pilly now and obviously very loved, so I found a new yarn and made her an extra pair for work.

Yarn: Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted
(This yarn is new, I found it at Joanne's and it's supposed to be Anti-Pilling. We'll see how they hold up for her. I hope better than the CSS.)
Pattern: Noro Fingerless Mitts 
I used size 5 needles and these came out a bit loose. I like using size 4's for this pattern normally so they're more snug. (Brain Fog Strikes Again).

I made a scarf too but don't have pictures of it yet. I'm just behind on everything anymore, even my picture taking!  Someday I'll get to that and the Christmas stuff. One thing is for sure: Knitting has caused many of my headaches, but brought me peace as well during this rough year. Many Thanks to my friends and blog buddies for your good thoughts and comments and still hanging with me here! (((hugs)))

Whiskers On Wednesday

This is appropriate for The Big Guy and myself lately. I've been under the weather for almost a month and a half with terrible stomach issues. Our 21st wedding anniversary was on September 2nd and he did what he always does: He took care of me.  That's love.

Happy Late Anniversary Big Guy. I Love You for too many reasons to count. I promise we will celebrate someday soon! (As soon as I find out what's making me so sick so I can eat again! I never thought I'd be so excited to see a Gastro doctor!)

It's That Time of Year...

This morning I dropped my (oldest) baby off at HIGH SCHOOL and The Big Guy took my other baby to MIDDLE SCHOOL.  BIG BIG DAY for us as parents thinking back to years ago dropping them off at Kindergarten. I'm sad that time has flown by like this, but at the same time, I'm so glad they're back. They missed their buddies, and I think were more than ready to go back.  It won't seem like that by the end of the week (I can bet), but we still had a good start and that's awesome. I had so much fun those years of school, I sure hope they enjoy it as well.

On the knitting front I am getting some things done. With my Mom's health ups and downs it's been my comfort and companion. She's doing much better now (Thank You for all the good thoughts and prayers) and life is getting a tiny bit back to normal around here.

I got a couple of hats done for my friend Mona's expected (and I think first) Grandson:

The first one came out sort of big! So I made a second one a bit smaller. Baby's do grow after all!

This was the scarf I almost LOST at the hospital the day my Mom had her latest cancer surgery:

Pattern: Gathered Scarf
Yarn: Yarn Nerd (overdyed for a more vibrant fuchsia pink color)
Needles 4 and 7.
Mods: Did 8 repeats in the ST st section, and only 6 of the garter.
Thank goodness the lady at the hospital found my bag on a chair and put it aside for me. We had dropped my Mom off for her surgery, then left to go get lunch and to run by a book store. I thought someone had PICK-POCKETED my KNITTING!!! I was fit to be tied, but, turns out I'm just the same old scatterbrained girl this summer.

On my own health front, it's still up and down (mostly DOWN), now they say I'm exhausted due to a b-12 deficiency and "possibly" an under-active thyroid.  So more blood gets taken and still: not any real clear REASONS (except fibro) for how lousy I feel all of the time.  Insomnia is still a problem but now that I have to take my daughter to school, I guess it better work itself out pretty darn soon! Watch out other morning drivers! I'm on the road again!!

Well, getting up early has it's advantages, I got a lot of housework done already and need to go switch the laundry now. Can't wait for my Babies to get home! Happy Back to School!! & Happy Knitting!!

Whiskers On Wednesday

BLOCKING WIRES? WHO NEEDS BLOCKING WIRES??

"WE MUST HOLD THIS SCARF DOWN FOR MOMMA" - Sasha & Sophie. 

(Excuse the mess, I always block on my bedroom floor, not always on BettyBoop, but any towel. My kitties are COMPELLED to ALWAYS help in the process)

In my House:  "No Knit is complete without CAT HAIR".

"AND I'LL EAT THOSE PINS SO THEY DON'T RUN AWAY TOO" - Sasha.
(This was awhile back, again excuse messy chair in bedroom - I TRIED to keep it covered but between cats and kids...that was a big big funny).

Happy Whiskers On Wednesday!

A Great (Birth)Day

I've started counting backwards now (so Birthdays aren't so painful) but I always love a reason to have cake!

Here's my Birthday (& next Anniversary, Christmas, New Years, & Valentines) day present:

My Ashford Joy DT along with fiber to practice on from The Woolery in Frankfurt KY.  I'm really glad I went in person and tested out different wheels before I bought one. I thought I had my heart set on a Kromski Fantasia (and almost just ordered it). It looks really cool with it's more "modern" design, but after trying out several there in the shop, the Joy was THE ONE.

She's awfully pretty, very petite, and quiet as a mouse.  Great travel wheel.

She's hoping her new owner practices more and keeps her busy. I'm really enjoying spinning but realize just how much practice I need! Well, at least I know she'll be patient with me.

A BIG Thank you going out to my blog buddy Dawn for the fluffy goodness and other birthday goodies (my lotion was already in use and didn't make it to the photoshoot!)! I've been having so much fun picking up different fibers and can't wait to try these out too! Thanks for thinking of me! ♥

Off to spin some more.....Hope everyone had as great a day as I had. :O)

Drive By Prayer Request

When will I get back to blog land? I hope someday soon.

I'd like to ask for prayers and good thoughts for my Mom today. She's been having some serious health issues again and my being so far away hasn't been easy. Thankfully I have family that is taking very good care of her right now but the future has some unanswered questions in it and I hope this is the open door to make some positive decisions for my Mom's overall health and well being.

Many Thanks! ♥

California Dreamin

Fresh Cherries from my cousins tree. They picked cherries for DAYS from this tiny tree!

Watching my nephew play baseball. League champs!! What great summer fun!

Monterey CA. Aquarium and Deck. My daughter the mermaid. She LOVES the ocean. (which was very cold BTW).

Guess where?

I didn't get drenched but the kids and The Big Guy did! I sat on a rock at a gorgeous spot amid tons of tourists and found....solitude and profound peace.  Got a mega dose of the beauty and spirituality of this magnificent place. I hadn't been here in 20 years. So glad we went.

Can you see why? Miss You California. ♥

Testing Testing

Trying to test some fidgeting I'm doing on my blog.
If you could please see if you can post comments I'd greatly appreciate it!
If you have trouble please let me know!

Frequent Yarn Miles (?) I Wish!

I went through TN, AR, OK, TX, NM, AZ and CA but only bought yarn in TWO of those states! Wish I could've made stops in each place, I love "trip" yarns, they bring back memories each time I come across them in the stash or knit them up. There are some I have from years ago that I still can't part with. But, when you have a trip that long and a schedule to stick to, that yarn shop better be "RIGHT OFF THE INTERSTATE"!

From Nashville TN:

Some Noro Aya, ShiBui sock yarn, and Koigu Kpppm.  This store (Haus Of Yarn) was amazing! What a shock of color when you first walk in! They have a wall in the back of Koigu and other sock yarns that almost made me hyperventilate! I wanted to HUG it all!!! Thank goodness this store is somewhat close to me, I'll be back there one day I hope. It's worth the drive.

I tried out a couple of spinning wheels while there - a Schadt Matchless and a Ladybug. The Matchless was smooth as silk, the ladybug - not so much. But shop models can be a bit loose here and there I've heard. Ladybugs get decent reviews, I'd like to test one more to make sure.  I was hoping I could stop by a store or two in Memphis but the timing didn't work out for that going west OR east. Maybe one day.

CA Stash:

From Classy Knits in Bakersfield on the way home: Muench Touch Me (can't resist the PINK...er...and I may already have some of this colorway). Berroco Sox with the shiny bits in it and some Sidar Tinkerbell (so soft!).  Just impulse buys. This shop was "okay", not enough sock yarn for my preference but generally a decent variety.  They did have a whole wall in the back with sale items, yarns, magazines and patterns. Had I had more time I would've loved to have browsed through those.

Generally these trip "stops" are like "Nascar pit-stops" for us, I literally run in and run out as fast as my fibro hurting legs will allow me. The family "says" they don't mind, but I feel bad making them wait too long. As often as I've made them do this over the years, I think they're really good sports. (And making a fast get away helps the wallet too.)

A skein of sock yarn from Janna's Needle Art in CA:

Anzula Handpainted Sock Yarn, it doesn't have a colorway listed but it's the color I've been stuck on all year. Couldn't pass it up. That's all I found there...but it's a nice shop.

From "Swatches" in CA: Two skeins of Malabrigo in Ravelry Red and Rayon Vert and a skein of Ty-Dy Socks. This shop is small but very friendly and welcoming. Can't go wrong with Malabrigo either.

I found these items in CA too, a pretty (knitting?) bag from Ross. Some tiny size straights and DPN's I found in a couple of thrift/antique stores. I found the pattern books and the cute little sheep salt/pepper shakers there too. I just love treasure hunting. That was a fun thing to do amid the other stuff we had going on while there.

All in all I think I did better than I have in the past. I practiced a lot of restraint and considering my closet space, that was a good thing.  Too many things to knit, not enough time....

Happy Knitting! More pics coming soon...

99 Bottles of Beer On The Wall....

No, we didn't sing it all the way to CA and back, but we thought about it! Ours was a 4 day, 3 night trip there and back, so it made for some long days in the van. But, I enjoyed seeing the scenery changes as we crossed each state! We know that from the interstate you don't see everything that is gorgeous about each place, but still, summertime is a great time to do this type of trip.

The greenery of TN and AR.

The Giant Cross in TX.

This cracked me up, but I'd be the first one in there if I had to be! I can't remember if this was in TX or NM.  These things get to be a blur when you're on the road!

AZ, gorgeous colors and views.

Still in AZ.

Boy is that a change of scenery for us!

Tehachapi - CA.

And at the end of the Rainbow: HOME.

It was so nice to be back in CA. I miss my family, my roots, my friends. I guess my name should've been  "Dorothy" because to me "there's no place like home". ♥

More pics of the trip in the next post.
Happy Knitting!