Still here, still crafting, kind of

I know it has been over a month since I last posted.  I would apologize, but I am not going to.  Per my High School English teacher "never start off a letter (blog) with an apology.  I will, however tell you what has been happening in my life.

I have been knitting.  I have completed one sock and the second one has 3 rows of ribbing on it.  I have stopped working on the sock right now in favor of my Radian Yoke sweater that I started last year.  I am determined to finish it so I have a new sweater to wear this spring/summer.  I have also managed to get all my hanks of yarn wound into cakes (thank you babe, for the swift).  That is all my crafting I have been doing though.

Life got in the way.

The first of March, I ended up taking my mom to the ER with breathing issues.  She thought she had pneumonia.  Nope................Atrial Fibrillation.  She was in there for 4 days and got sent home.  They could not get her heart into normal rhythm even with shocking her.  Found out, she has been like this since 2008!

The week after she got home, hubby, myself and our 2 friends headed to Las Vegas for a little R&R.  It was fun AND we managed to come home with some $$ this time.

The day we were driving back from our R&R, my mom went back to the ER.  Extreme shortness of breath and lots of edema on the legs.  (thank you son, daughter and daughter in law for the care you gave her while I was gone)  Congestive Heart Failure!!!!!  St Patrick's day was spent in the ER and then onto a room to see what they could do to get her back on her feet.

All sorts of tests were done on her and the thing that helped her the most was the drainage of her pleural effusion.  They got 2 liters of fluid off her lungs.  (it came to 48 ounces total).  She is breathing better now and feels so much better.  She is not in Rehab to get her strength back so she can return to her independent living apartment.

This has been a wild and crazy road for all of us.  So far, this month, she has been at home for a total of 7 days.  She should be returning home in the next 7-14 days.  Lets hope, this is the end of it.  I don't think she could tolerate another set back at this point.  I was totally convinced that we were going to loose her last weekend.  I think she felt the same way.

So now you know why I have not been blogging and the knitting has not been worked as much as usual.  My evenings are spent at the hospital/rehab center and once I get home I eat and go to bed.

Hopefully I can post a picture of my finished sock soon and I am just about done with the body of the sweater, so there would be another photo op.

Happy Crafting!

YoP

Not much to report this week.

I am still working on the test knit and am just about done with it.  It is so pretty and I am truly enjoying the pattern.  My blocking wires came in on Friday so I went to my LYS to get them and managed to walk out with 3 lovely skeins of yarn.

One of the skeins is a lace weight with 1094 yards in it.  I am looking for shawl patterns to make this into.  I have already wound it into a cake and in the process managed to turn my fingers the same color as the yarn.  I have never used hand dyed fiber before so this will be  first for me.  I have never used lace weight yarn before either.  If any of you have sure fire methods to 'set' the color into the fiber, please let me know.  I will want to do that after it is finished so the person it goes to will not have to fight with it each time they want to launder it.  The fiber content is silk and seacell if that makes a difference.

No photos this week as I am very busy getting ready for my cousins visit today.  I have not seen him in 14 years and am making sure everything is 'just right' for his day visit.  Hopefully there will lots of photos next week for you all to gaze upon.

Happy crafting!

YoP update

I feel bad that I have not updated more often these past few weeks.  It's not that I don't want too, or that I don't think about it. It has to do with time and the things I am working on.

I did finish the hat and mitts for my DIL's b-day and she was quite grateful for them.  They went to Las Vegas for their birthdays and I knew that it would be chilly up there in the evening.  She said they came in quite handy and fit fantastically.

Remember, I had told you that as soon as those items were done, I was going to start on the Rowan book and pick out a top to make with some of my very special Blue Heron Metallic yarn. Well, that didn't happen.

This happened

 It was a test knit from our very own econnard.  I have test knit for her before and her patterns are so much fun.  Not terribly complicated at all.  This pattern is Zigzag Ripple Cowl.  It was an quick knit and is quite warm and comfy.  I did this in a worsted weight acrylic (Impeccable by loops and threads)  It has not made it to it's permanent home yet but should be there shortly.  Of course, it won't be needed until next winter again.  (we are already in the 80's here)

So than I was going to start on the sweater but got sidetracked again by this.

 I made a pair of lovely red variegated socks for DIL for Christmas and she loves them.  Then she reminded me that she never wears matching socks so she needs another pair that would totally be obnoxious with them.  So, off to my stash I went and found this lovely fiber that will not match the other in any way at all.  I was going great guns on this when I was asked to do another test knit from econnard.  How could I turn her down when I saw that it was a lace/cable pattern.  Here is a bit of a sneak peak at it.

It is not finished yet and of course no blocking has occurred on it.  So I am sure, this picture is a bit yucky to all of you.  But the yarn I am using is super soft and wonderful to work with.  Once we are allowed, I will show it to all of you in it's completed glory.  I still have a bit left to do on it to finish it and am hoping to be darn near done with it by this evening.  Since today is a holiday and I have nothing planned, I am going to knit my little heart out.

I go a wonderful Valentine's day gift from my wonderful enabling hubby this year.

It is my Beka Swift.  I have wanted a swift for some time but really didn't like the umbrella types.  I needed one that would sit on top of my craft table.  I had a choice of a couple.  The Amish swift and this one.  I have used the Amish swift before and it was not a pleasant experience for me.  I had researched the Beka and talked to people that had it.  In all the reports from owners, I only had one complainer.  I love it!  I am able to wind up a hank of yarn in under 5 minutes.  I was using the handlebars of my bicycle before and it was a royal pain.

So what is on the horizon for my crafting?  

Doll Clothes for AG doll (uses up lots of 'scrap' yarn) 

 Nope, haven't even started on this

Lots of socks.  Hopefully at least 6 pairs made 

 5 pair done and one more on the needles

Fingerless Mitts for me (one is done but needs a partner)

This is completed.  I have one more pair to do for Christmas present so am not worried about that at this point.

Scarf for me to match the hat and mitts I am making  

Not seeing this happening too quickly at this point.

2-3 sweaters for adults  

Still have a WIP on this and have another picked out to do.  Doubtful this will be completed by the end of this YoP

1-2 sweaters for children 

DONE!

Complete GB afghan 

Done!!! 

dishcloths for gifts again this year 

Yup, finished 12 of them so far and gifted all of them.

I have updated my YoP list to reflect where I am.  I am thinking that once I complete this test knit I will finish up the socks that are on the needles and then..........................probably work on the sweater that is on the needles before I cast on the 'special' sweater I have in mind to make for myself.  That is..............unless I get caught up in another test knit.  I love doing them and I think next year my YoP will reflect test knits to be added in.  In fact, I was invited to do another test this today..................................I refused.  I really must get some items finished for others before I do another test knit.

So that is it for today.

Happy Crafting!

Finished items and more

 I was quiet last week and I apologize for that.  But I had a special project going and didn't have the time to stop and blog.  Today I am on the downside of the project so thought I would touch base with all of you to let you know what is happening in my crafty corner of the world

 In the above picture you can see on the left a pair of fingerless mitts.  These are going to be gifted to on of my DIL who is having a birthday this week.  She saw my mitts and told me that she thought about just taking them and seeing how long it would be before I noticed they were missing.  Then she reminded me that her birthday was coming up quickly.  So, out came the sock yarn and needles and off I went to make her the mitts and a matching hat.  I am happy to report that I was able to match the stripes on the mitts and that is no small feat sometimes.  The hat is not quite finished but am hoping it will be done by the end of the day.

Also, I bought the volume #55 of Rowan book.  There are several patterns in there that I want to make for MYSELF!  I received it yesterday from Jimmy Beans and have already picked out 4-5 projects that I want to make.  Once I am done with the hat I will be casing on one of the projects right away.

Hubby and I went to Costco last weekend and I saw this craft table.  I fell in love with it and realized that it would help with my storage issue.  I had yarn spilling out all over the place from the cubbies I have.  He was nice enough to go back and get it for me and we put it together.  It is really really big and I am very happy with it.  On the right hand side is all my sock yarn.  It may not look like much, but the shelves are so deep that I have them double stacked in there.  On the left hand side is my yarn that needs to be wound into cakes as well as all my needles and hooks.  I have asked for a swift for Valentines day and Hubby said that he will be happy to get it for me.  The table is large enough for it to sit on it.  This is the swift that I am wanting.  I have heard several people say that they love it but the trick is to put clothes pins just about where the yarn sits so it doesn't fly off while winding.  I had thought about an umbrella swift, but just didn't find one that I truly wanted in the price range I could afford.

That is about all from sunny Arizona.  Our weather here is wonderful and I feel so sorry for all the people being hit with the sub-zero temperatures right now.  I have lived in those places and it is no fun having your pipes freeze, not being able to get out of the house because of snow and ice, having to wear several layers of clothing in the house just to stay.  We may have 115 degree temps in the summer but my motto is.................you don't have to shovel sunshine.

Happy Crafting!

YoP update for the new year

I have no real excuse for not posting for the past couple of months other than I was so busy trying to finish all my Christmas knitting/crocheting that I didn't have the time to even log onto my computer or download pictures or even TAKE any pictures.

But I finished all my Christmas knitting/crocheting just in time.

The Green Bay afghan got finished at 1pm on Christmas Eve!  It was given as a gift at 4pm that same day.  Talk about a close call!  My BFF loved it has uses it all the time to keep herself warm.  She has some medical issues and she is always cold so this was a much loved and will be a much used gift.

I didn't get photos of the other gifts that got made but here is a list of them:

2 dishcloths (I had others already made so only needed 2 more to complete the season)
2 pair of socks
Peacock earrings and necklace set (I know it is not fiber related but I had to make some anyway)

That is about all I made.

Let me tell you....................I made a pair of mink socks for my mom and she is in love!  She said they are the warmest things she has ever had on her feet.  They are short socks as she likes to wear socks to bed and that is what they are for.

The other socks I made were from Panda Cotton and for my DIL.  I have made socks for everyone else in the family and she has made comment that she has never received any.  That problem is now taken care of.

The afghan was a bugger to to do.  I was not as professional on it as I should have been but it took me a loooooong time to do it and by the time I was done I was totally sick of green and gold!  It is huge too.  It fills the top of her king sized bed.

So now what do I work on?  I was working on my Radian Yoke sweater when I was notified that my fingerless mitts almost went to a new home.  Yup, my DIL saw them on my kitchen counter and decided that they would be a perfect thing for her to have.  She also reminded me that her birthday was coming up at the end of January. (I can take a hint)  So I pulled out my sock yarn and started on them.  I also realized that I would have enough yarn to make her a matching slouchy beanie.  One glove will be done by today and hopefully the other by next weekend.  The hat doesn't take but a few days so it will all be done before the 30th!

I looked at my YoP list for this year and have discovered that being 'fague' is a good thing.  Lets see how I am doing.

Doll Clothes for AG doll (uses up lots of 'scrap' yarn) 

 Nope, haven't even started on this

Lots of socks.  Hopefully at least 6 pairs made 

 4 pair done and more ready to go

Fingerless Mitts for me (one is done but needs a partner)

Yup, did that and now doing another pair for DIL

Scarf for me to match the hat and mitts I am making  

This might happen before the year is up

2-3 sweaters for adults  

Trying to finish the one I have started now

1-2 sweaters for children 

Yup, finished one already

Complete GB afghan 

Done!!! 

dishcloths for gifts again this year 

Yup, finished 12 of them so far and gifted all of them.

I feel pretty good about the list this year.  Of course things always seem to get added on around Christmas time.  I have a request from my Grand Daughter to make her a pair of pink slippers with blue fluffy trim.  REALLY?  I will have to look into this but not until her mommy's mitts and hat are done.

Hope you all have had a blessed Christmas/ Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Boxing Day/Twelfth Night or what ever it is that you celebrate this time of year.

YoP with photos

Another week and I have finished another project that is to be given to a special person on 12/25/13.  I can show you what this is, because the person getting the gift does not read my blog.  WOOHOO!  How sad is that?  I mean, why doesn't she read my blog?  I read hers.

Meet unnamed sock monkey.  Not the best photo of her but I was in a hurry to get it taken and posted.  This is the first 'toy' I have ever made.  It is crocheted and I am not sure toys are my calling to make.  This was my 'present' from my DD last year for Christmas.  Each year we buy each other a 'craft' to do for the next year to be given to us at Christmas.  Two years ago I got her a counted cross stitch to do for me and guess what.......................I just got it this week.  LOL She had some major issues with coffee spilling on the cloth, miscounting the stitches, her cat running off with the floss, etc.  But I am happy that I got it.  Now I need to frame it.

Last year I got her a 'magic quilt' picture to do for me.  According to her, I will receive it this year as it was 'really easy' to do.  We will see.

I have been telling you that I have not been very successful at stash busting this year, as planned.  Well, I guess I should show you my latest acquisitions that I obtained

This is the yarn I got while in Vegas.  This is 1200 yards of a textured DK weight fiber.  It is hand dyes and I love the colors.  I really like the way the pinks go from light to dark and back again.  I have not found the 'perfect' pattern for it yet, but have narrowed it down to about 5.

Then last week I was watching Jimmy Beans Wool Watcher when this

Came up for sale.  It was 55% off what I pay locally for it.  Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton.  I have already made 2 sweaters out of this same brand and they are wonderful.  I can wear them all summer long.  Even when it is  115 outside.  I was so excited to obtain this.  I think I might have squealed as I bought all 5 skeins that they had for sale.  Yup, this is probably one of my favorite yarns to work with.  

After I finished the Monkey, I was at a loss as to what to work on next.  I did back up on the Green Bay afghan and have done several rows on that.  But  that is kind of hard to take with me on the run.  So, I went through my WIP's and decided to go ahead with my Radian Yoke Sweater that I started several months ago.  I was not sure I liked the yarn or the color that I was using at the time.  When I pulled it out of my craft closet and looked at it, I fell in love with it all over again.  So I will continue on with that.  It is now in my bag and travels everywhere with me. The afghan gets worked on when I am home for long periods of time but the sweater is my traveling project.  I know most of you think that is a strange traveling project but..................my bag I got off of Etsy is large enough to carry the in progress sweater as well my knitting tool box and 3-4 skeins of extra yarn.  Plus I have all my personal belongings in the bag too.  That thing is HUGE!

Next week will be a busy week for me and hubby.  I have returned to the gym and go three days a week after work.  Then we have a retreat next Saturday with set up for it on Friday night.  After set up on Friday night, we will prepping food for the retreat with our BFF's.  Sunday will see us going to church and then coming home for a much needed nap.  Looks like the afghan will be ignored for most of next week but the sweater will be well on it's way.

We had our retreat meeting today and one of the ladies said to me "I thought I would see you today and you would be knitting.  But I don't see any knitting with you".  At which point I opened up my 'magic bag' and pulled my sweater out of it and proceeded to knit away on it.  She laughed so hard, she almost fell off her chair.  HEY!  I got three rows done on it and there are 334 stitches per row.  That's something!

I am going to apologize now for next weekend.  I doubt I will be posting next Sunday.  I am serious about sleeping most of the day.  We have to be at the retreat center at 6:30 in the morning and we don't get home until well after 10 in the evening.  That makes a loooooong day for this old lady.  And then to be back up Sunday morning at 6:30 to make 9 o'clock church.  Yup, I will be napping a lot next Sunday.

So until the next time I post..............

Happy Crafting!

YoP

Here I am.  Back at the blogging and still dark.  But I do have news!

I finished one of the Christmas items yesterday!  I am so excited.  It turned out lovely and everyone that has seen it (other than the person that it is for) has loved it.

Tonight I have the second Christmas project that is over half done, sitting out and ready to be attacked when I get home from work/gym.  Hopefully that one will be done before the end of this week.  Then I have one more 'secret' item to complete for the 'big' day.  The last item will take a bit of time to complete but I still should be able to have it done in plenty of time before Christmas.

I am itching to start on sweaters and more socks but have promised myself that I will NOT cast on anything else until the last two projects are done and stored in a hiding place until 12/25/13.  I do have a sweater on the needles that I started a few months back and that just might be the next item I will complete.  

As for stash busting.........................................Not happening.  I purchased 5 more skeins of Cascade ultra pima this week and will turn those into a sweater for myself too.  So I have purchased over 10 skeins of yarn in the past two months.  I just hope I live long enough to use it all up.  LOL

As for news from the family front..  My mom had a stomach virus that knocked her off her feet for a couple of days, but she is much better now. 

My Daughter was laid off from her job on Friday.  She is searching for a new one that pays enough for her to meet her needs.  I am sure something will come along for her soon.  She has a very positive outlook right now so that is a big plus.  Nor to mention several leads from family and friends.  As long as she stays positive I think she will have a job in no time. 

Hubby and I are both doing well.  We had a busy week last week.  We were only home a couple nights out of the whole week.  On Friday night, we both were in bed by 9!  Had to kind of laugh because, that is the night we normally stay up until at least midnight.  It is the time where we watch all the shows we have DVR'd and I get a lot of crafting done.  Not so much this week. And the weekend was filled up too with me helping my mom on Saturday and on Sunday we taught our adult catechism class all morning.  After that it was time to eat lunch and then get some groceries.  THEN........................crafting time.

Happy Crafting!