No title, just me again
I still haven't decided if I really want to maintain this blog. I had no idea that it was last July when I posted the last time. Don't know that I could ever "catch up" on what's happened in my life, so maybe I could just pick up and go on. I do need a way to document my projects because those little Quilt or Knitting notebooks haven't worked out for me. I am quite good at making something, giving it away and then remembering that I didn't take a picture of it. It's hard to go back and ask the person I gave it to to send me a picture, so I don't.
The other problem that bugs me about maintaining the blog is I keep having difficulties getting pictures to post. And I don't know how to edit the sidebars. And I don't really want to take the time to figure it out.
Finished Socks!
Here's my Sockapalooza 4 finished socks! No posting here lately, so much going on. Maybe after vacation I'll get all the news organized...I have harlot pictures! finished items! Started items!
But we're leaving tonight for China....wow.
Actually we're stopping in London, then Ireland on the way. We plan to arrive in Beijing on August 9th. I'll take pictures, especially of the wedding, and the Great Wall, of course!
Sock Details:
Koigu KPPM, size 2 Addi Lace needles, Embossed Leaves from the IK Favorite Socks.
Lessons learned: The second sock went better. I learned a lot about lace knitting. Fun! I've a new pair started already (for me!).
See ya all in about 3+ weeks!
Weekend Knits
I'm not really sure about dishcloths. I do love to use. the. handknits. but I also hesitate. I usually feel that they should be gifts, not kept for my own use. That's why many of mine are "practice dishcloths". If I try a new pattern and make a lot of mistakes, I often just continue on with the learning process and then knit the pattern again. This weekend, I finally finished the mid-monthly dishcloth for this group.I had problems with the pattern; I just wasn't getting the p2tog-b. I had to check out some instructional websites and then try and try it again.
Above is my first try. I didn't like the border too much, so I changed it for the second try, below:
I did 5 rows of seed stitch then 4 rows of stockinette; I also increased the seed stitch side borders from 3 to 5 stitches. Much nicer. Color is Ecru, yarn is Sugar and Cream cotton.
Next, I was itching to make another "ballband" dishcloth. (Mason-Dixon Knitting). Then I got started on a new slip stitch dishcloth pattern from Creative Knitting. I'm not taking progress photos of dishcloths.
Next topic (tomorrow?): Sockapalooza! (Yeah!, I heard from my sock pal!)
My socks have been started; they aren't for the faint of heart, no matter what Alison says.
Hello again.
I keep on telling myself that it's way past time to post to my blog, but I usually feel like it's too much bother, no one reads it, and I have nothing to say. All true (except my daughter's-in-law are regular readers), but still. I also have nagging thoughts about continually forgetting to document what I'm knitting or sewing. I think about the multiple items I've given away and never taken a picture of... anyway....
Earlier this week I received notice that I had passed my CDE exam successfully! I wasn't surprised that I passed, but it was a great relief to get the official letter and permission to use the credential. It is important to our clinic and a job requirement; since it's budget season for the hospital, it's helpful for the administration to recognize that all the clinic providers are certified! Other than that, we're trying to keep a low profile. I don't know what else we can cut!
Knitting has been lean here in terms of anything noteworthy to show. BUT, I still would like to post my version of Yarn Harlot speaks! I'll aim for getting to that over the weekend...
Stressing and Studying
Yes, wordless Wednesday illustrates my kitchen table study spot. Over the weekend I used a coffeeshop and my office, but in the evenings I have to be home on doggie diuretic duty. I have trouble concentrating at home. I can distract myself with almost anything. Even though I need quiet and a coffeeshop isn't quiet, I can much more easily force myself to stay focused. Nothing staring me in the face and I purposefully don't take along any knitting, for obvious reasons.
So I'm stressing. The plan for tomorrow is to hole up at the coffeeshop. Besides, at the coffeeshop there is coffee. The elixir of life. Here's to getting it done!!
I'm fantasizing about how good I will feel when this is over. Whew! First on the agenda is a nap.
Rowan Cork!
I was at a "sit and sew" at the LQS on Saturday night. This one is called "Stash Busters" and is an opportunity to work on a project of your choice with a teacher present to help with any problems or give advice if needed. It's fun because all the attendees participate by helping anyone who need it! Anyway, during the course of the evening, I wandered through the yarn shelves and stumbled upon some Rowan Cork, which I thought was discontinued (it is). They had more than 1 ball, so I found enough for a small project I'd been wanting to make that specifies Cork. Anyone out there used the stuff? It's a substantial worsted weight, a braided yarn of 95% merino and 5% nylon. It's a dream to knit. The fabric is soft and fabric-like. I'm not really sure how to describe it, but I am finding that it will be perfect for the item I'm making. Can't say more right now.
See?
And here are some visitors that we've had over the past week or so.
Dumb mooses. They eat the good stuff, like the lilac bushes and apple trees. Shoo!
Check this out if you like dishcloths. I joined the KAL. During the first week of the month, several lines of the pattern are given each day. I was told that this one is "Just in time for Easter". The idea is that the design is a mystery until the "reveal" as the pattern emerges...fun!
And on the work front: I'm being a procrastinator of.gigantic proportions. It has to stop.
