Where have I been??

No where! just messing around with Ravelry...it is soooo addictive! I keep finding groups I like and talking to people I like! and then what happens???? I end up spending all my free time reading and posting and reading ans posting and.... get the idea?

Oh, my hands? In the peeling stage...wish the finger tips would start! It's like you burned your finger tip, the blister has dried up but the peeling has not started or they suddenly are all callused...something like that only involving all tips!

Did you get to hear or read Mr. Obama's speech! If not, go here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23691239#23691239

I thought it was great! I listened to lots of the talking heads and I think they were not listening to the speech but looking for lines they could argue or endorse. Reading or listening to the to the speech as a whole gives one lots to think about, feel about, search inside yourself...so much more that the news snippits.


His Nibs is outside working again on the van...rain delay. Sure hope he has it up and running by Thursday...have missed way to many days due to van sickness! So why didn't we used the Saturn...you guessed it...broken!

I know another reason Elizabeth Zimmermann called the a Surprise Jacket...it's because she probably was surprised so many of us made it through knitting the whole thing and decided to make more! I finally got it going and then ... the pain... i can't rip it because I am not talented enough to get it back on the needles! That means I have to unknit it...so many rows! I have a good college education... why can't I read???? Good thing I made another copy before I started so I could make notes so as not to repeat the same mistakes. One good thing about continental style, I don't make any accidental yarn overs. Now if I could just get one way of holding the yarn I might finish the baby jacket before the end of the year.

Enough of this chatter...I have to eat my salad before it wilts!

What to do after 1 AM

Type...answer messages, make messages for others to read at a reasonable time of day, read others blogs...

And "Why", you might well ask, "aren't you knitting or at least crocheting or painting?"

Answer: my hands are not well. I discovered why my hands keep breaking out in tiny little blisters which cause much burning and itching! I am allergic to my pain med, which according to Dr. Jones, has put me beyond the pale. Anyway, I have been pretty quiet over the weekend and doing mostly just messing with the computer, The yarn moving over fingers gave me little else to do besides this and sleep.

DH just put on poker after dark so will have to stop...at least until it is over or I fall asleep!

A Meme...

Loom Knitting Meme!
Posted by Denise on Thursday, March 6th, 2008
Filed in Knitting Without Needles · 2 comments

Just for fun…a loom knitting meme.
What have you made with your loom? lots of booties, baby hats, slippers
What do you do knitting/fiber related? dabble with round looms, bond knitting frame, knitting needles, crochet hooks
What I’ve made on my knitting looms and what I have done knitting/fiber related:
Afghan - no
I-cord - no
Garter stitch - no
Knitting with metal wire - no
Shawl - no
Stockinette stitch - yes
Socks: top-down - no
Socks: toe-up - no
Knitting with camel yarn - No--Joann's doesn't carry it.
Mittens: Cuff-up - no
Mittens: Tip-down - no
Hat - lots
Knitting with silk a fine strand with wool for socks - no
Moebius band knitting - no
Participating in a LAL - no
Sweater -no
Drop stitch patterns - no
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn - also called "free", my favorite yarn, followed closely by "sale"
Slip stitch patterns - yes
Knitting with banana fiber yarn - no
Twisted stitch patterns - no
Knitting with bamboo yarn - no
Charity knitting - yes
Knitting with soy yarn - no
Cardigan - no
Toy/doll clothing - no
Baby items - YES!
Knitting with your own handspun yarn - no
Slippers - yes
Designing knitted garments - no!
Cable stitch patterns - no
Lace patterns - no
Publishing a knitting book - no
Scarf - no
Teaching a child to knit - no
Knitting to make money - no
Buttonholes - no
Knitting with alpaca - no
Fair Isle knitting - no
Dying with plant colors - no
Knitting items for a wedding - no
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…) - no
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) - no
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn - no
Holiday related knitting - yes
Teaching a male how to loom knit - no
Bobbles - no and I don't intend to as I don't like them
Knitting for a living - no
Knitting with cotton - no
Knitting smocking - no
Dying yarn - no
Knitting art - no
Fulling/felting - no
Knitting with wool - yes
Textured knitting - yes
Kitchener stitch - no
Purses/bags - no
Knitting with beads - no,
Swatching - yes
Long Tail CO - no on a loom but yes on knitting needles
Knitting and purling backwards -uh, no
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn - yes
Stuffed toys - no
Knitting with cashmere - I wish
Darning - no
Jewelry - no
Knitting with synthetic yarn - of course
Writing a pattern - yes
Gloves mittens are warmer! - no
Intarsia - no
Knitting with linen - no
Knitting for preemies - yes
Short rows - no
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers - no
Pillows - no
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine - no
Rug - no
Knitting on a loom - duh, yes
Knitting a gift - yes
Knitting for a pet? - no
Shrug/bolero/poncho - no
Knitting with dog/cat hair accidentally or on purpose? - with 2 dogs, what do you think
Hair accessories - no
Knitting in public - yes
!Knitting with buffalo yarn - no
Knitting with pygora - no
Dyeing with food dye/drink mixes - no
Dyeing with chemical dyes (acid, etc) - no

With my answers, your assumptions are correct, I really have just dabbled!
Play along if you like.

Wheelchair knitting...

Ok, you have a knitting bag but it's on its own wheels. You have your MIL's but it has a wooden handle which won't fit. Ahhhh. Recycle. Take one of those plastic bags your DH brought home and use it....lovely idea, it's waterproof, not quite long enough to drag on the wheel. Has it's own nicely enlarged handles. Ok, so you don't transfer to the comfy chair....you seat is comfy enough and the arms are really set better for knitting and you don't have to put it on the seat beside you where the dogs want to lie or on the floor where you have to almost fall out of the chair to reach. Yes, and it's good for on the go as you can knit in all those long lines or long speeches. What a deal! And "they" feel sorry for me? Ha. They have to stand around sifting from leg to leg, holding coats (mine go over the back of the chair...and twittle their thumbs while I am constructive and happy....oh, works well at doc's office or any other place where "hurry up and wait" is the order of the day!

I used to knit in the car until Oscar decide he had to see and either sit on my shoulder (dog who thinks he is a parrot?) or under my right arm on the arm rest. Either way, knitting is OUT if he is in the car.

May you have a better, better day!!!

Who was that person...

I think I was blogging in my sleep! Then I feel asleep. Woke up a couple of hours later, thought it was afternoon. Computed away before starting to count my stitches. Count did not come out right so started again....next thing I knew, it as 3 p.m.! So maybe when we really need sleep we should count lots of stitches (don't try to knit, or you could end up on mid row) instead of sheep!

Let's see. Ate, drank, sorted laundry, called Dr., can I knit now? No, one more business call, then you can knit the rest of the day.

Tomorrow is PT and then if I have been a really good girl and we don't get lost, Shabby Sheep time. It is just a weee bit of our beaten path to home but.... Well, if there is a yarn shop close to you or you routine, don't you just have to go visit???? I mean a real knitting shop, not just a craft store???!!! I mean all the others I have to go out of my way, but this???? And the reports of the store and people are great.

Him, the Chauffer has said he will be Keeper of the wallet (credit cards and money) before we enter! Says visiting is ok but yarn level must go down and there are enough patters and needles for god knows how many people to work! It's hard to be good but I will try and let you know how I did tomorrow!

I survived yesterday..

or is it really yesterday if you have not gone to sleep...phones too busy, finally ripped out completely (knitting, not phone), recast on before going to caucus...what a zoo...the turn out waayyy underestimated! Got back home about 10:30 and watched returns with hubby and ate dinner. He 's gone to sleep now....I've not, pain. But while at the site of the caucus and waiting for people to move us around and waiting to sign in and waiting....anyway I did get 4 rows done and if my eyes can unblur enough, I will stop updating all my computer stuff and get back to knitting...well, counting to make sure I am still spot on and then knitting again.

How do you know if it is Election day in Texas?

Easy! Every two minutes you have people calling from the candidates or their supporters requesting your vote! And making sure you will caucus. Texas has both primary and caucus voting...so I get to vote twice. Now the other candidates for other offices are calling!!! Don't they know I have stuff to do?

Subject change: Don't try doing more than two things at a time with a huge cup of fresh hot coco! The resulting scream hurts DH's ears, the dog steals your scone, and the resulting red burn marks on you thumb, belly and thighs from the spill makes one very unhappy (dog not fazed as he liked my scone)! Nooooo, I was not trying to knit at the same time...yarn was safe.

I think I might be better served by giving up the knitting for the day and watch my EZ Glossary until it runs out or it is time to go caucus, come home and watch the results.

'Nah...so I keep goofing up...one learns from mistakes and mishaps. Right?

Learning curve?

OOOOOOKKKKK, no one has answered me...probably knitting fast...I went searching other places and people...EZ says the pass 2 over is fine...or you can slip one, k 2 tog, pass s1 over resulting stitch..

And then I lost my stitch...used marker on line and not pin on stitch.

Yack, ripit, ripit, ripit...will I ever get this right...will I ever get this right??? EZ said to do the baby sweater first and think of it like a swatch. This has got to be the biggest swatch I've ever made!

BTW, is there any reason why you can't or shouldn't do the way I questioned?

Probably not. But you are doing EZ's pattern. Try both of her ways (that will make you crazy enough) before branching out on your own or this sweater could take you longer than it has taken me so far! (And the men in white coats are close to me now!)

Think: trying both, you have to knit and frog it at least once or twice to figure out which way you like best.

I am so tired of froggiing! I will leave it more experienced/faster knitters to try my questioned way and let me know the answer!

A fellow knitter said I might be a bit anal (shut up DH).

I picked one. Now have to decide to go back to the cast on or knit it off back to my last mistake.

UUUUUUUUUURRRRRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Did you say you can hear me from there? sorry.

Frogged...

I am about frogged out...NO, NO, that can't happen!!! What about perserverence? What about tenacity???? What about.... Ok, I give in....I'll take a break, play with the dogs, comfort His Nibs. Then I will get stuck in it again! I promise.

Yuck!

Never, I mean never watch EZ & Meg's dvd "Glossary" while casting on. 1st your count will be off (frog it). 2nd, you'll realize you are making 10 the hard way (ribit x 3), Ok, you've got it going again...until you realize you can't count, So after 4 rows, you try to fix it...EZ&Meg did it so easily....you are not them! Frog #4. By now your sick husband's stomach is void of every thing, his temperature makes him want to keep his eyes closed and his mind is telling him that sleep will save him...he finally goes to sleep and stops flopping like a fish out of water. It's 5 something a.m. You have frogged this thing enough times that your mind says: "Sleep, go to sleep you fool! It will still be there in the morning. Hopefully then you will be able to count and get past 5 rows and will be skipping along like everyone else. Besides, you're only following your MO, frog 3 or 4 times before you ever get it going right!"

So here I am after about 4 hrs sleep. Called the dentist to say DH/driver sick, see you when he is well. And I am back to casting on.

I have done my finger warm ups; ready to start again! Yeah!?

Oh,I figured out something....if your arthritis start bugging your fingers while knitting, stop at the end of a row. Get on line and type a while by answering mail. Your fingers have stopped the repeatative (sp) motion and gotten all fingers exercised so should feel better as you return to knitting!

joseph's coat of many colors

'have had to do some work other places (you can't knit all the time...well, you can but DH/puppies and the bill collectors start  hammering on your door and you have to eat in order to lose weight) but have been gently persuaded to knit the Surprise Jacket...the question is which surprise jacket, the adult or baby.  Well, Elizabeth Zimmerman (and it is her pattern) suggested the baby first, so will do, probably.  The yarn is a free (as in no $) acrylic of many colors...like a color wheel on a string...sort of my crayon colored rainbow.  Well, kids, I've got to pay bills so I can get started, again.  I am going to test myself by doing it using the Continental/German style of knitting as it is all knit and no purl...by the end of this sweater and the next (I think I will have enough practic from both)  'might even have enough yarn to do both baby and adult sizes...maybe even do hats to match sweaters!  'have to do more other stuff so I can get back to my challenging project as I want to be able to keep up with the Knitty Gritty group KAL (knitting all along) project!  Pant, pant, pant!!!  Say prayers!  Have you ever tried to knit and type at the same time???  I will back to you all later. 

early day

Alarm at 6am, take meds, now awake. So, what to do, get on computer and catch up on mail.  Lisa, my friendly butterfly, has talked me into joining the Knitty Gritty group who are knitting the surprise baby jacket by EZ.  I want to do a larger (adult) size but am thinking about doing the baby size for practice as reading the pattern, I am finding areas of confusion.  Of course then I have to find out if any of the great, great nephews are of the right size or hold it until there is a new baby on the rise that will eventually be able to wear it!  I do have some chunky red, blue and yellow yarn that was intended to be an afgan that never happened (had great idea, loved the yarn...really crayon colors...see what I mean, just an excuse to buy the yarn which was on sale).  Well, I'll think about it while going to and waiting for dr.  Large (might fit me or mom) or small (would have to wait and see if baby could wear or hold for new baby), that is the question...to practice or go for it...well, I gotta get dressed for dr so I better stop mucking around here.  Will make decision later...

how do you like it...

Have I made this block easier on the eyes to read and see?  Is this a gentle, inviting place to visit?  I know, no project pictures...well, they are coming as soon as I get the roll finished, developed and put on disk.  Be patient.

it's a new day

and I am feeling better.  'have been wondering around in ravelry  and having a blast look at others works of art, techniques, and wondering; when my head stops spinning' where will it land!  

Joy, another night of good sleep...I'm on my way...I know I'll be at the Texas caucus on the 4th. Voting done early.  I never knew so much about how we do things in Texas as I have learned this year.  Obama, like JDK, gives me hope and a desire to delve deeper into things because he says I can, I should, be an active participant if I want change and some politicial involvement and meeting others who are more involved, learning from them, this is a good thing.

Started reading a bit from  Knitting without tears...well, skipping around...found a watch cap Charlie has wanted forever!  Just have to learn the pattern (EZ says difficult but way important) well before I start as I want this project to be worn more than the others I have made for him that I would like to donate to good will but he won't let me!  Though he doesn't wear them, he still wants to keep them.  

Today I am going to start watching EZ Glossary for the first time.  This is just a preview as I have been told, repeats and pondering are necessary!

Gotta go...E Z movie time!!!

sorry, did you miss me?

You know what it is like to have to drink a gallon of liquid followed by a gallon of water and then the day after...well, I DO...and involve no sleep for 2 days!  finally crashed out about 2 am and slept til 2 pm today.  'feel better now.  Just have to take med to counteract effects of pain meds and repeat test in 2 months.  Woopee!  Does it sound like  fun ... well, Uck, Uck!   

Enough of that!  I got exciting mail!  My copy of Knitting Without Tears arrived along with the DVD A Knitting Glossary by Elizabeth Zimmerman!  Of course I have not been feeling well enough to read or watch either but...the night is young!  I know most knitters are well aware of her but I was not one.  So when I became aware of her, I asked a question of a friend, which would you by if you had to watch pennies so you could spend dollars and you have a stash of yarn flowing out of you craft room!  She say the Glossary was  perfect, soooooo.  The book just said, you've been there, you've done that, so by it, stop it now!!!  Just looking at the back of the video of Knitting Glossary lists such things as 13 ways to cast on (huh?), 7 ways to cast off (OK, I know at least 3), 15 Icord variations, Entrelac (not a clue, have to watch), Bavarian Twisted Stitch (never heard of that on either), Two-end Kniting (somehow I don't think that means what I think it means), Armenian Knitting (oooooh, I've seen it, can't wait), Steeks (this one I've heard of, asked about, got confused about, now I vill learn it, YEEPEE), EPS (this is another one I've heard of but don't understand, but want to learn), and MORE...she said MUCH MORE!  Can my brain absorb all of this!!!  and I have not even looked at the book jacket yet! 

The postman must have known that I needed a lift ad this was surely it or have you noticed?  

Well, I gotta go now.  I hope all of you (any of you?) have such a good day something wonderful to brighten you day!  

Toodles!

icky poo day

tell me again why a colonoscopy is a good idea?  Why is the guck you have to drink have to taste sssssooo bad!  And if you have been watching salt like I, for oh so many years, does it also have to be so salty!!!  And why must one have to drink so much of it!!!  I know, it so you can get saddle sores for sitting on the silver saddle for so long (sorry, hard plastic)!!  Well, at least I have gotten a few more rows done on the soldier scarf and have started a snood that I hope to have finished by Thurs. for the PT tech who likes to beat up on my and laugh at the same time...she says it's me but how could that be?  Well, I hope you have enjoyed the day and the Oscars.  Toodles!

this day a waste...

have to drink liquid draino

how do i do it...

'got talked into being a Texas Precinct Captain....this being the first election I have really been passionate about since Kennedy and Kerry, but didn't get all that involved in either.  Now I am and scared I will mess it up but since when have I let a little think like that stop me!  NEVER! Well, hear we go again...taking the long walk off the short pier in the sure knowledge that so far I have managed to not drown...I may have to paddle harder but...Looks like I will be reading while knitting.  Talk to you when I come up for air...the email package has arrived!

woof

got up early, read mail, checked out the groups i got into last night, or wanted to, ate breadfast, got dress, went to house party for obama...then we all went to early vote, tried to check out a new doggie shop...no one home until 4 but i think it might be a doggie day care.  wonder if a couple of days there would help mysy go further in the comfort level with other dogs and new people.  puppy school is helping but it's over this week.  did get 4 rows done at house party and thank god, found some other people in my precint.  yes, people, there a some democrats in tx!  SURPRISE!  ok, now's the time to check mail one more time and then i'm putting this evil thing down...i keep finding groups chock full of interesting stuff!!

got mail

gone a while...excitment...got dvd from Darrel Crow with basic techniques for adapting oil techniques to acrylics...had to watch....now all the taping i did of Bob Ross will come into play!  I THINK I CAN!!!  but will have to wait as by the time I finish all my email catch up and finish my investigation of r and, oh, eating dinner...oh and then there is tomorrow house party for obama and then early voting...dogs and dh need attention too.  After play with BR and Darrell, i may have to (mind bending arm back) buy another lesson on painting flowers...but then i want some more EZ books and dvds...ok, charlie, NO MORE YARN! until I make a dent in what i have that seems to be somehow leaking out of my craft room.  waiting for EZ knitting without tears and a knitting glossary...and still have to work on my solder scarf project.  next week is a disaster waiting to happen and I wonder if spit out a snood by thurs...never know if don't try.