Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Words, words, words

I know a lot of people don't like blogs without pictures, but I have none today.  So if that's what you came for, sorry!  I will have some as soon as I see sunlight again (which lately seems like never).

I seriously need a mental health day.  Besides some random stress, I've had some health issues.   Friday my heart decided to beat a little, ahem, fast, and oh, be in an irregular rhythm.  It seems as if some sinus medication plus some headache medication together could have been the culprit.  So, they want me to go off everything for sinus, no more headache meds, and no caffeine.  (Beat me now - no Coca-Cola?)  I had the worst headache Friday, and I've been having some severe long-lasting headaches that I believe originate from sinus problems.  I had a cyst in my sinus cavity a few years ago, and there is some question that I could again, so I'm on tons of antibiotics now.  I whined about no meds for my headache, and they gave me something that wouldn't affect my heart.  Also, before it was my choice not to take allergy shots, and now they are saying I sort of need to.

Needless to say, between being knocked out and an irregular heart rhythm, I didn't really do any knitting lately.  I went back to work today and I feel a lot better - so I did start the collar of the Tangled Yoke tonight.

OH! We did house stuff this weekend.  (Well, I didn't, my brother in law did while I was upstairs knocked out.)  We have a new storm door on the side now!!  Hey, progress is progress, no matter how small!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Tangled Yoke Progress Despite A Knitting Injury

I've only got two rows left of this Tangled Yoke chart. While knitting this, I just kept being so surprised and so happy with the loops and turns.

Tangled Yoke Chart

I'm far enough along now that I am fussing over how to do my button band (I had to add rows...) and how I am going to block this. I think I may soak it in cold water for a while before blocking. (I'm not very good at blocking.)

I have been doing all this despite a knitting injury. I have a callous on my middle left finger. I tried to cushion it with a band aid, but it doesn't really help.

Knitting classes have never interested me because I usually like to teach myself most things. I've always been this way in every subject. However, I signed up for a knitting class at long last. I took a vacation day in March for it. It's called "Adapting Patterns". I am supposed to bring a pattern I want to alter in some way and some graph paper. I have no idea what pattern to pick!!! I've thought about The Pewter Coat by Shirley Paden from IK Winter 2006, since it only comes in two sizes. But, I have my reservations since it is a huge knitting investment with both time and yarn/money. Any suggestions on other patterns I might be interested in changing up and knitting?

Speaking of Interweave Knits, I did get the Spring 2008 issue. There is nothing in it, I must admit, that I am burning up to knit. I think it's a good issue, but not one for me. I like the Drawstring Chemise, but it seems to me you need a pretty flat or small chest to wear it successfully. Maybe I'll be proven wrong by some Ravelry folks, but for now, I'm thinking it's a *don't* for me.

One last thing, David Reidy mentioned on his podcast Y Knit.  Y Knit is a new podcast by two guys about knitting.  Their first episode had Debbie Stoller on, and it was a great episode.  I think it will be a new favorite for me!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

From tornado to ice...

Between the tornado, the recent ice storm, and other un-fun events, I have been down in the dumps. Not knitting dumps, just dumps in general.

I have been knitting and buying yarn. To keep my spirits up, of course. I bought 2 skeins of Rowan Handknit Cotton. Any guesses on what I started? (Hint: pink and black) The Tangled Yoke does continue on, of course, but I have limited myself to 1-2 rows a work night. I get tired and mess up, so if I feel tired, I don't knit on it.

I did take some pictures of Tangled Yoke in progress tonight, but they were so dark, you couldn't make anything out. I will attempt to take some other pictures I can share in the near future.

Molly says "Geez, you are boring!" (Sorry, Molly, your owner has to work to buy you premium cat food since you are so picky.)
Molly

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Tornado sirens in the middle of the night

I woke up at 1 AM or so to the tornado sirens. We turned on the TV to see the news, and immediately went downstairs to shelter.

The elementary school roof was blown off, two restaurants are totally damaged, our fairgrounds building is destroyed, several homes are either gone or have no roof. An apartment for the elderly has no back wall.
We were very lucky, we only lost a shutter than we know of. I had trouble getting to work today. My normal road was blocked. Apparently, there was a power line down in an almost flooded road.

I think I may go out and take some photos later. I will post them if I do. It's just so unbelievable. And we are supposed to have these winds again tonight.

Edited to add pictures.... (There are more on my Flickr page)


The Academy Storm Damage

My heart is with the many who lost their lives in several states.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Rip it, Rip it.... Tangled Yoke untangled

So, I started on the tangled yoke chart, and while it's a chart I can handle... it's not a chart I can handle when I'm watching Lost. I know better than to knit complicated things while watching TV. But, I somehow always do it anyway.

So, I took a deep breath this morning, and put in a lifeline... (and put on an episode of Stash and Burn that helped give me courage to rip)

Lifeline for Tangled Yoke

Have I mentioned Sam has started to really love this sweater? He wants to sit on it and tread it.

Sam treading my sweater


After making Sam move, I began to rip it out.... Look at what a mess.

A big yarn mess

And now, my stitches are back on the needle (happily), and I am back to where I started.

While I am not happy I had to rip back, I am very happy that I have gotten to a point where I'm ok to rip things back. Before, I would have fudged, lived with wrong stitches, and just sucked it up. Now, I'm at a place where once I put time into it, I want it to satisfy me. And I can rip back successfully to do that. I think that's progress.

Also, while I had it off the needles, I tried it on, and I believe it is going to look nice. That made taking it off my needles worth it.

Well, I need to go take a break from knitting and my computer. My parents are coming tomorrow, so I need to do some serious cleaning that I've been neglecting.