My Zoo...

I have nothing to report on the knitting /crochet front, so I thought I'd post pics of the animals hogging my work spot. Meet Calvin. He sleeps with his tongue hanging out. The *Ping* of my camera woke him - hence the one hairy eyeball!



This is Finnegan. He is a big sleeper. We fight each other for space on the couch. Right now I'm sitting with only my right cheek on, and my left hanging off, because he has wormed his way behind me and has pushed me half off. He is part we don't know mixed with part we don't know that either. We've decided the breed is called (affectionately) - "Chicken-Cow". Cow for his resemblance to a dairy cow, and chicken, because, well... he has some urmmm ... issues. He's afraid of many many things. The kitchen floor, for example. Stopping while walking on the leash causes him to howl and jump, although after 8 years he's getting a bit better at this. There's more I won't go into detail. I could write a whole blog about him.

This is Rudy welcoming, or maybe just tolerating Calvin. Calvin is now 4times this size and Rudy only lays next to him when Calvin is sound asleep.
Now I'm off to attempt to finish my already late booties and hat for my neice...and maybe finish her sister's sweater which is now a few weeks past her birthday. Oh well...blame the arm.

What was once lost...

You'll be happy to know - I haven't given up completely. This Tendonitis will not beat me! I thought maybe I could try crochet to see if it bothers my arm - so instead of trying to complete something of my massive collection - I have again, started something new. It's a small crochet headband for my daughter. I can hold my arm in a fashion in which it doesn't move very much and then I'm ok for a bit. How silly is that.? You'd think I would just stop and not cause myself any pain, but I'm stuck now in a pattern (ha ha...little fiber joke) that I can't remove myself from. I need the knitting as an outlet, or stress remover, and now that I'm committed to accomplishing things instead of letting them go; I know I can't stop completely or everything may end up in the attic again. I haven't told that story completely. In short - I'd had a bad bought of mistake after mistake years ago and looked at what I'd finished and liked nothing, and thought - UGH - why bother? I packed it all away for 4 years and haven't touched it since. Recently I'd remembered the calm it brought me and realized why I enjoyed it to begin with. It wasn't the result - the finished product - as I'd initially thought. It was the process.
If anyone has had a similar problem with Tendonitis, write me and let me know what you did about it, and if you got past it. I'd appreciate the idea that there is hope.

Wizard of Blogz

I feel a little bit like the Scarecrow today - you know from the Wizard of Oz? I'm falling to pieces - little bits are dropping off here and there. I've just returned from a visit to the Orthopedic specialist and confirmed my worst fears. I have a combination of an Ulnar neuritis (otherwise known as Cubital Tunnel Syndrome as well as Tendonitus in my elbow. He told me to lay off the knitting for a bit. Just when I was really getting into my New Years resolution of finishing all those old projects I started and dropped when I found something more exciting to make! I think I will listen to the doctor and take it easy...but I'm not stopping all together - otherwise this blog is all for naught.
So sad...
What is a poor knitter girl to do? Big SIGH...

Yarn for Years Past

The other night I was driving home from my favorite wool shop of 15 years ago, and it struck me. The magic was gone. I used to get a feeling there, of comfort and I don't know if it was because I brought my hubby and kids with me (which were somewhat of a distraction), or the bland unwelcoming of the people minding the shop. There was a man in the shop , which was nice, but he was rude to a customer. Overall, I felt let down. It was sad, but it was also a lesson learned for me. I don't need to hang onto it anymore. Weird or not, I felt like going there was going to change me back to what I used to be. Whoops it sounds like I'm getting a little melodramatic here...
I had all these hysterically funny ideas for things I wanted to write about the experience, but now...after the lovely buzz of margarita has worn off...the ideas slid away.
I did manage to come home and finish the hat, but still have to finish the booties. I embroidered a little bear face that came out OK. I'm hoping it will all look much better once I block it.
I received a little gift package in the mail today, a copy of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitters Almanac, and "Socks Soar on two Circular Needles". I've read good things about both. I would also like to see the other Elizabeth Zimmerman book - Knitting Without Tears.
I found my wonderful hand spun wool from Utah!!! I wrote about it the other night, and then I had to go on a huge hunt for it. Now I just need a plan for it for after I'm finished with the rest of the stuff that needs finishing.
It's late I'm tired. No knitting done tonight. Except a small star from the Zimmerman book. I need sleeeeep.

Unfinished Projects; The Giant Knitting Basket

The first issue is an old sweater I knit years ago...you'll recognize the fishy buttons from this project. Both color and buttons were something my Mom tried to talk me out of. I LOVE it. It's me. Only one problem. This was early still in my knitting history and I misjudged the size of the sleeves and made them the next size up because I (DUH) did not realize it was a drop shoulder sweater and those little short sleeves would have been juuuust right. But no, I ripped them and went for the LARGEST size. So they are HUGE. My job- to repair the problem. No small task. Especially when I was too excited to finish and (perish the thought) knotted my loose ends in instead of weaving them! Yikes. I don't think I left enough free yarn to weave them in later. Icky.

Item number two are socks I was knitting for my hubby for Christmas that I never got around to finishing. Well to put the record straight - I was knitting him two pairs. One he received the other he did not. So, this is sock one of the second pair. Knit in Lions Brand Magic Stripes. One pair in Sea Blue this pair in Brown/Blue pattern. Overall I'm not fond of the texture, but I'm glad they are washable.

The third- fifth items. Hats and booties for my new niece. Done from a kit - eh... well it was a bargain I tell you! They are not finished. The booties need their ears and they all need embroidered faces. You'll see. They'll be good, er great, er ok maybe.

And last but not least this nastyish looking thing. It's a sweater from one of The Yarn Girls many books, and my choice of yarn wasn't supreme. It's hard to tell but its a block pattern of knit and purl. Maybe that's why it looks a little inside out right now. Plus it has a roll effect on the bottom and I haven't added the neck yet. Maybe a patterned yarn wasn't the best choice for this, but it's for my other niece and I've got to get it done. The other problem I ran out of the yarn. I'm attempting to use the pink as a neck and binding off inthe original. Not sure how that will look til' I do it I guess.

Oops i have two more sweaters in my basket which I didn't photograph. So next time. Over and out.

So Far so... Okay...

Here it is the next morning. I only got a few rows done on my socks last night after my first post, and today so far, I'm spending my time editing the site. Hubby is already complaining - because there is housework to be done and he is sick of doing it alone. But HEY... he's the one who wants to have people over for some football related thing tomorrow! Anyway- my newest time consuming projects always take precedence over cleaning!
I've got things I want to do here...like get my pics posted! Unfortunately I can't put any of my images up yet because I have to recharge my camera battery first. I'm planning to add in shots of the schnoggie doggies, and a section for my currently unfinished projects, what's in my basket at the moment, and things that have been retired to the attic (ahhh unfinished projects of years ago) which I have made a resolution to finish this year. Oh yeah and a closeted stash that contains yarn I bought to make a woven Navajo rug that I bought in Utah. And a lovely Patons pattern for a Navajo style sweater - intarsia ,I think it was. Way over my head. I'm still scared to start it. Right. Yeah. Oh youth and all the big projects I envisioned for myself -before marriage and kids and general lazyness set in. Sigh.
Even though I discovered a knitting shop I hadn't been to in nearby Marblehead-I need to work with what I have first and clear out some stuff before adding to my stash. Alas - there is only one thing between me and some speedy knitting progress. I have discovered I have a pinched nerve in my right elbow. Sort-of like Carpal Tunnel only in the whole arm. UG. Lots of numb fingers and aches and arm shaking. Ok I'm only (eek) 41, but I'm feeling older by the minute as I discover my body is failing me all over the place.
Enough for now. I can't feel some of my fingers and I have to drink more coffee, take a shower and help my husband clean house. PSTHTHTHTHT! ( a big raspberry on my puppies nose makes him go nutty!) Wheee!

First Attempt Friday

I want to start off by saying I've read so many great blogs in the past few months that I could nearly quit before I begin.
But I'm spurred on by the many options for involvement with other knitters that exist in a place other than the local coffee shop or knitting shop.
I'm currently sitting in my usual spot: my kitchen/family room. On my big green couch on which there are permanent bottom marks from myself and my dogs. To my left my giant basket full of bags of unfinished knitting projects, and dh curled in a chair watching some football thing with Calvin (8 month old Lab mix puppy) while Finnegan (9 year old mutty mix we affectionately termed a "chicken cow" you'll see why as pictures are added) szchnoozes next to me, while emitting noxious gasses. The kids are in bed, and we're debating whether or not we can both stay up late enough to watch an entire movie, or not. If we do I might be able to sum up the energy to continue adding ears to my little teddy bear booties for my niece to match the hat and add the facial details via embroidery. That should be fun. I haven't embroidered anything since uh... I don't know - 1970 something? Maybe? Or finish dh's Christmas socks - one of two pair that I haven't completed. But first let's start with this as an interesting project- something I discovered rather by chance one afternoon called "The Proust Questionnaire". There are actually two of them. One filled out when he was 13 and the other when he was 20.
You can read more about it here
I would like to fill it out as it pertains to me, but this is how Marcel Proust filled out the first in 1884 - I believe. Don't quote me on that one. The second one, shown below was 7 years later.

See below:

Your most marked characteristic?
A craving to be loved, or, to be more precise, to be caressed and spoiled rather than to be admired
The quality you most like in a man?
Feminine charm
The quality you most like in a woman?
A man's virtues, and frankness in friendship
What do you most value in your friends?
Tenderness - provided they possess a physical charm which makes their tenderness worth having
What is your principle defect?
Lack of understanding; weakness of will
What is your favorite occupation?
Loving
What is your dream of happiness?
Not, I fear, a very elevated one. I really haven't the courage to say what it is, and if I did I should probably destroy it by the mere fact of putting it into words.
What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?
Never to have known my mother or my grandmother
What would you like to be?
Myself - as those whom I admire would like me to be
In what country would you like to live?
One where certain things that I want would be realized - and where feelings of tenderness would always be reciprocated. [Proust's underlining]
What is your favorite color?
Beauty lies not in colors but in thier harmony
What is your favorite flower?
Hers - but apart from that, all
What is your favorite bird?
The swallow
Who are your favorite prose writers?
At the moment, Anatole France and Pierre Loti
Who are your favoite poets?
Baudelaire and Alfred de Vigny
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Hamlet
Who are your favorite heroines of fiction?
Phedre (crossed out) Berenice
Who are your favorite composers?
Beethoven, Wagner, Shuhmann
Who are your favorite painters?
Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt
Who are your heroes in real life?
Monsieur Darlu, Monsieur Boutroux (professors)
Who are your favorite heroines of history?
Cleopatra
What are your favorite names?
I only have one at a time
What is it you most dislike?
My own worst qualities
What historical figures do you most despise?
I am not sufficiently educated to say
What event in military history do you most admire?
My own enlistment as a volunteer!
What reform do you most admire?
(no response)
What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Will power and irresistible charm
How would you like to die?
A better man than I am, and much beloved
What is your present state of mind?
Annoyance at having to think about myself in order to answer these questions
To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Those that I understand
What is your motto?
I prefer not to say, for fear it might bring me bad luck.


That is it for one night. I have so much more to think about adding here - images, etc. and I'm already fretting what I might be *not* doing when working on this.