I guess I never really thought about how much you use your shoulders. Of course I have heard about baseball players throwing out their shoulders, and I dated a guy MANY years ago that had his baseball career ended in college due to shoulder problems (he was a pitcher) and have had friends tear their rotator cuffs, but I never really gave it much thought.
Until mine started to hurt. And I lost range of motion. So I had x-rays and have seen my doctor and am now going to an orthopedist next week. And what is going through my mind? This had better not interfere with my knitting. After all, it's my right shoulder, and I'm right handed. But I knit continental and I'm a left hand thrower (I know, it's weird, but that's how I knit). I'm thinking I may be okay with whatever happens.
Knitting wise, one sleeve is done on the Tangled Yoke and ready to be attached and knitted with the yoke, and the other is pretty close. I am ready to get to the interesting cabling on the yoke, because I for one and really bored with the stockinette. I also cast on a pair of of Tyrolean Stockings http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tyrolean-stockings this past weekend. I am almost done with the leg of the first one. Worsted weight on 3mm. Pretty stiff right now, I am interested to see how they soften up after washing.
Gardening, well I have harvested 2 fingerling tomatoes. First veggies of the season. The garden tarp has come in quite handy and so far has gone up three times in the past month. Thank goodness we put it up on the 4th of July because we had hail ranging in size from nickle to quarter size. And nothing got shredded in the vegetable garden (we won't talk about my roses or my hosta).
Reading, well I have a couple books that I am reading, but nothing finished to report today. Enjoy your week!
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
July Already?
Oh my, July 1st already. Half of the year is past. Whoa, how did that happen?
Before I forget to post this, books read since December 15th, 2009:
22. Casting off by Nicole R. Dickson
23. Frill Kill by Laura Childs
24. Sweater Quest, my year of knitting dangerously by Adrienne Martini
Okay, so what have I been up to? For one, baseball and more baseball. The boys are on summer break and with both of them playing ball, we have at least two practices a week and up to four games a week. Now, I am not complaining, because can we just say PRIME KNITTING TIME? I have been working on three sweaters, my Acer cardigan, my Tangled Yoke cardigan and my Bohus. And throw in there my Par 5 socks, which I have finished and kitchnered one toe. Seriously, I have had those socks finished for a couple of weeks, so what is the deal with kitchnering the toes? Maybe tonight I'll get the other one done and cast on a new pair. That way I can start something new, and not the new sweater that I bought yarn for this week.
The new sweater, honestly I wasn't planning on buying any new yarn. The boys have been at Vacation Bible School this week at a friend's church (since ours held VBS at night which doesn't work with baseball practice) and I had a doctor's appointment near the church and needed to kill about an hour and a half. So, I thought Knitty Cat is nearby, let's stop in and look around since I haven't been in there in ages. Oh boy, she's now carrying Amy Butler fabrics (which I was good about and didn't purchase, although if she would have had Anna Maria Horner I think I would have gotten into trouble). Well, I picked up a Jean Moss pattern book and ended up purchasing Araucania Ranco for a sweater and the coolest buttons which look as if they were made for this sweater. I haven't cast it on, yet....
Gardening - well the corn is actually looking good and may hit knee high by 4th of July. I also have tomatoes and jalapenos on the plants. ALTHOUGH, I have aphids. I am not happy. They are on the tomato plants and I am using the dish soap and water method to go after them. I don't know who is winning yet, but the 2 pots on the deck which look the worst have new aphid free growth. The battle is on, and I am determined to beat these bastards.
I went to the Estes Park Wool Festival. The boys had 2 baseball games that Saturday which were canceled due to the heavy rains we were having. So, I decided to hop in the car and drive myself up to Estes. So I plugged in the Ipod and drove. I believe the only time it didn't rain was when I was going out to the car with the drum carder I purchased. Thank goodness for that reprieve, a wet drum carder would not have been good. I was on a mission to buy a fleece and ended up buying two - a Jacob fleece to knit a sweater for my son and a CVM. I debated processing the fleeces myself, but ended up shipping them to Morro Fleece Works to have them made into pin drafted roving. I'll spin them when I feel my skills are at the level I want. DH did give me crap about buying a drum carder and not processing the fleeces. Imagine that.
I am going to do the Tour d Fleece this year and my only goal is to spin every day and work on my skills. I am still frustrated and hoping for this beautiful handspun that friends of mine produce, but they have been spinning for years. I need to have patience....
Well, that's it for now. Happy July everyone!
Before I forget to post this, books read since December 15th, 2009:
22. Casting off by Nicole R. Dickson
23. Frill Kill by Laura Childs
24. Sweater Quest, my year of knitting dangerously by Adrienne Martini
Okay, so what have I been up to? For one, baseball and more baseball. The boys are on summer break and with both of them playing ball, we have at least two practices a week and up to four games a week. Now, I am not complaining, because can we just say PRIME KNITTING TIME? I have been working on three sweaters, my Acer cardigan, my Tangled Yoke cardigan and my Bohus. And throw in there my Par 5 socks, which I have finished and kitchnered one toe. Seriously, I have had those socks finished for a couple of weeks, so what is the deal with kitchnering the toes? Maybe tonight I'll get the other one done and cast on a new pair. That way I can start something new, and not the new sweater that I bought yarn for this week.
The new sweater, honestly I wasn't planning on buying any new yarn. The boys have been at Vacation Bible School this week at a friend's church (since ours held VBS at night which doesn't work with baseball practice) and I had a doctor's appointment near the church and needed to kill about an hour and a half. So, I thought Knitty Cat is nearby, let's stop in and look around since I haven't been in there in ages. Oh boy, she's now carrying Amy Butler fabrics (which I was good about and didn't purchase, although if she would have had Anna Maria Horner I think I would have gotten into trouble). Well, I picked up a Jean Moss pattern book and ended up purchasing Araucania Ranco for a sweater and the coolest buttons which look as if they were made for this sweater. I haven't cast it on, yet....
Gardening - well the corn is actually looking good and may hit knee high by 4th of July. I also have tomatoes and jalapenos on the plants. ALTHOUGH, I have aphids. I am not happy. They are on the tomato plants and I am using the dish soap and water method to go after them. I don't know who is winning yet, but the 2 pots on the deck which look the worst have new aphid free growth. The battle is on, and I am determined to beat these bastards.
I went to the Estes Park Wool Festival. The boys had 2 baseball games that Saturday which were canceled due to the heavy rains we were having. So, I decided to hop in the car and drive myself up to Estes. So I plugged in the Ipod and drove. I believe the only time it didn't rain was when I was going out to the car with the drum carder I purchased. Thank goodness for that reprieve, a wet drum carder would not have been good. I was on a mission to buy a fleece and ended up buying two - a Jacob fleece to knit a sweater for my son and a CVM. I debated processing the fleeces myself, but ended up shipping them to Morro Fleece Works to have them made into pin drafted roving. I'll spin them when I feel my skills are at the level I want. DH did give me crap about buying a drum carder and not processing the fleeces. Imagine that.
I am going to do the Tour d Fleece this year and my only goal is to spin every day and work on my skills. I am still frustrated and hoping for this beautiful handspun that friends of mine produce, but they have been spinning for years. I need to have patience....
Well, that's it for now. Happy July everyone!
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
June
The garden is in. And, I might be losing the corn. What can you do? I grew seeds in the house, and then transplanted them in the garden. And then the wind blew. And blew, and blew. I'll give it some more time, and I may even plant some seeds out there. But what is the adage, corn needs to be knee high by the 4th of July? Last year it grew too slow, and here I thought I was ahead of the game. Oh, this veggie gardener is learning a lot. But, I still have beans, lima beans, peas, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, white eggplant, acorn squash, yellow squash, greens, basil, chives and spinach. Oh, and jalapenos and pumpkins.
Knitting - well I am on a sweater quest of sorts. I have several sweaters in my queue this year to knit. The first one I hope to have off the needles is my Acer Cardigan by Amy Christoffers. This is a relatively new pattern and I am knitting it out of Dream in Color Classy in Midnight Derby, which is a gorgeous kettle dyed midnight blue. I am looking forward to wearing this with a white Tee and dark washed jeans. I started it on May 27th and I am 25% completed. I am almost to the arm holes so I can split for the fronts and the back. The next sweater in line might either be color work or intarsia, or a Bohus. Not sure yet, but some sort of color work is high on the list.
I am teaching knitting again at String in Highlands Ranch. I am going to be teaching a three part cast-on series, and going through as many cast-ons as we can cover in each session. I taught a three hour version of this a few weeks ago and my "students" gave me the feedback that covering as many cast-ons as I did in one setting kind of over whelmed them. So, I am splitting it into 3 two hour sessions.
Spinning, well, I need to concentrate on my spinning. I received a sampler of various fibers in a swap and I need to find time to sit down and spin. I'm thinking if I shoot for 10 to 15 minutes a day I will end up spinning for more than that and get some consistency going. I also have some nice braids of fiber to spin, plus some carded fleece that I need to spin. I was debating going to Estes Park next weekend to buy a fleece, but I'm thinking I have a lot of fiber already and I should concentrate on it.
DH and I went to San Francisco for four days without the boys. Can you say that we had a great time? We have not been out of state by ourselves since before children. We had so much fun. We rode the cable cars and muni everywhere, had a private boat tour out on the bay, ate good food and saw good friends. Oh, and it was our anniversary.
That's about all to catch up with. Time to take the boys over to the pool.
I signed up for the summer reading program at the library along with the boys. I only have to read four books. Easy peasy.
Books read since December 15th:
19. Silver Needle Mystery by Laura Childs
20. Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
21. Cat of the Century by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown
That's 21 books in 24 weeks. What was it, did I want to read 26 books this year? I need to go back and check.
By the way, I finished my Rockies purple Sasha Skirt. You can see it here on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mountainpurl/sasha-2
The picture is from DH's and my trip to San Francisco. I'm in the elevator in the Queen Anne Hotel where we were staying.
Knitting - well I am on a sweater quest of sorts. I have several sweaters in my queue this year to knit. The first one I hope to have off the needles is my Acer Cardigan by Amy Christoffers. This is a relatively new pattern and I am knitting it out of Dream in Color Classy in Midnight Derby, which is a gorgeous kettle dyed midnight blue. I am looking forward to wearing this with a white Tee and dark washed jeans. I started it on May 27th and I am 25% completed. I am almost to the arm holes so I can split for the fronts and the back. The next sweater in line might either be color work or intarsia, or a Bohus. Not sure yet, but some sort of color work is high on the list.
I am teaching knitting again at String in Highlands Ranch. I am going to be teaching a three part cast-on series, and going through as many cast-ons as we can cover in each session. I taught a three hour version of this a few weeks ago and my "students" gave me the feedback that covering as many cast-ons as I did in one setting kind of over whelmed them. So, I am splitting it into 3 two hour sessions.
Spinning, well, I need to concentrate on my spinning. I received a sampler of various fibers in a swap and I need to find time to sit down and spin. I'm thinking if I shoot for 10 to 15 minutes a day I will end up spinning for more than that and get some consistency going. I also have some nice braids of fiber to spin, plus some carded fleece that I need to spin. I was debating going to Estes Park next weekend to buy a fleece, but I'm thinking I have a lot of fiber already and I should concentrate on it.
DH and I went to San Francisco for four days without the boys. Can you say that we had a great time? We have not been out of state by ourselves since before children. We had so much fun. We rode the cable cars and muni everywhere, had a private boat tour out on the bay, ate good food and saw good friends. Oh, and it was our anniversary.
That's about all to catch up with. Time to take the boys over to the pool.
I signed up for the summer reading program at the library along with the boys. I only have to read four books. Easy peasy.
Books read since December 15th:
19. Silver Needle Mystery by Laura Childs
20. Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
21. Cat of the Century by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown
That's 21 books in 24 weeks. What was it, did I want to read 26 books this year? I need to go back and check.
By the way, I finished my Rockies purple Sasha Skirt. You can see it here on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mountainpurl/sasha-2
The picture is from DH's and my trip to San Francisco. I'm in the elevator in the Queen Anne Hotel where we were staying.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Rocks, Rocks and more Rocks
I have been moving rocks. You know the kind, the landscape river rocks that range between a quarter and a half dollar size, along with the bigger ones around the edge. And, it's not fun. Moving rocks is very hard on the hands, and your knees and back. And this area of rocks has about four to six inches deep of the stuff. So why am I moving it?
For my garden.
You see, I was hoping to get a plot in the open space garden. But, it appears so was everyone else. And, I was too far down on the waiting list. And I want my vegetable garden. Last year I had such high hopes, but to be honest, my best crop was the tomatoes. And this year I started seeds (which are getting very tall by the way). I planted pumpkins, cucumbers, yellow squash, spinach, basil, tomatoes, green beans, peas, catnip, cat grass, corn, jalapenos, strawberries, numerous greens, cauliflower, broccoli, the list goes on. And now I need a place to plant them. And let me tell you, my garden plot from the past seven years just is not going to cut it. I need room for all of this.
So, I'm moving rock, after rock, after rock. And it's supposed to snow tonight, so I worked out there for two hours this morning until I couldn't take it anymore. I still have rocks to move, and then till the soil, amend the soil, place the boundary wood, build supports for the chicken wire to keep the bunnies out, and then, plant my plants. Which are getting tall. But we are supposed to have snow. I may have a jungle in the toy room where the seeds are in the sun before they finally get planted. And can we just say I BETTER BE HARVESTING VEGETABLES BESIDES TOMATOES!
Knitting, well, I'm knitting on a skirt, a pair of socks (okay yes you all may laugh but I am going to turn into a 2nd sock knitter one of these days and finish up some of the pairs in the yarn room), numerous sweaters and a secret project. Yes, I should be knitting, instead of sitting here on the computer at the library.
Another book read since December 15th. Yes, another murder mystery.
18. Motif For Murder by Laura Childs
At least I'm not moving rocks right now.
For my garden.
You see, I was hoping to get a plot in the open space garden. But, it appears so was everyone else. And, I was too far down on the waiting list. And I want my vegetable garden. Last year I had such high hopes, but to be honest, my best crop was the tomatoes. And this year I started seeds (which are getting very tall by the way). I planted pumpkins, cucumbers, yellow squash, spinach, basil, tomatoes, green beans, peas, catnip, cat grass, corn, jalapenos, strawberries, numerous greens, cauliflower, broccoli, the list goes on. And now I need a place to plant them. And let me tell you, my garden plot from the past seven years just is not going to cut it. I need room for all of this.
So, I'm moving rock, after rock, after rock. And it's supposed to snow tonight, so I worked out there for two hours this morning until I couldn't take it anymore. I still have rocks to move, and then till the soil, amend the soil, place the boundary wood, build supports for the chicken wire to keep the bunnies out, and then, plant my plants. Which are getting tall. But we are supposed to have snow. I may have a jungle in the toy room where the seeds are in the sun before they finally get planted. And can we just say I BETTER BE HARVESTING VEGETABLES BESIDES TOMATOES!
Knitting, well, I'm knitting on a skirt, a pair of socks (okay yes you all may laugh but I am going to turn into a 2nd sock knitter one of these days and finish up some of the pairs in the yarn room), numerous sweaters and a secret project. Yes, I should be knitting, instead of sitting here on the computer at the library.
Another book read since December 15th. Yes, another murder mystery.
18. Motif For Murder by Laura Childs
At least I'm not moving rocks right now.
Monday, May 03, 2010
It's May
First of all, let's start with the books I have read before I forget what number I'm on, so books read since December 15th:
14. Photo Finished by Laura Childs
15. Bound for Murder by Laura Childs
16. Days of Gold by Jude Deveraux
17. How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron
So what have you been up to? I went on a few trips during the latter part of April. The first trip was to Yarnover. I am a member of the Minnesota Knitter's Guild and I attended this annual event. Yarnover has been held for the past 22 years. It is a one day class and market event. They bring in numerous teachers such as Meg Swansen, Cat Bordhi, Lily Chin, Beth Brown-Riensel and so on to teach classes at this event and you can sign up for a 3 hour morning class and a 3 hour afternoon class. There is also a market with indie yarn dyers, local shops and farms who bring in fiber and other goodness. I took 2 classes, one was 7 Ways to Make or Break a Sweater with Margaret Fisher and Photographing your Stash with Franklin Habit. Both classes were good, however the class with Margaret was a bit below my skill level. It was aimed more towards newer sweater knitters. The class with Franklin Habit was great. He knows his stuff and is a very good speaker.
The following week I headed off to Atlanta with Leanne and we attended Stitches South. We took an excellent Intarsia class with Jane Slicer-Smith and an informative Knitting Ergonomics Class with Carson Deemers. We enjoyed spending time with Susan and Liz from Fine Points and of course bought items from them. We bought scored some Sanguine Gryphon yarns (we hit that booth first at the market) but mine were for gifts. All in all a good time.
So projects. I am on an Intarsia, Rowan, Jane Slicer-Smith, Habu and Maggie Jackson kick right now, along with knitting with Louet linen. Three of my top projects are coats, one being a Rowan, mid-calf length Intarsia masterpiece. Can you say not travel knitting? Let's just say I have PLENTY of projects in the queue and that I want to wear.
My garden. Well, I am expanding the garden in the back yard and I planted seeds that are inside until at least after Mother's Day. With these snow pellet showers we have been having, I am not putting anything in the ground yet. So, I have lots of seeds sprouting. The radishes, cauliflower, broccoli and greens have sprouted. I am still waiting on the cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, spinach, etc. I also planted some flower seeds, but where these are going in the yard remains to be seen.
Well, that's about all for now. Can you believe it's been a year since I retired?
14. Photo Finished by Laura Childs
15. Bound for Murder by Laura Childs
16. Days of Gold by Jude Deveraux
17. How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron
So what have you been up to? I went on a few trips during the latter part of April. The first trip was to Yarnover. I am a member of the Minnesota Knitter's Guild and I attended this annual event. Yarnover has been held for the past 22 years. It is a one day class and market event. They bring in numerous teachers such as Meg Swansen, Cat Bordhi, Lily Chin, Beth Brown-Riensel and so on to teach classes at this event and you can sign up for a 3 hour morning class and a 3 hour afternoon class. There is also a market with indie yarn dyers, local shops and farms who bring in fiber and other goodness. I took 2 classes, one was 7 Ways to Make or Break a Sweater with Margaret Fisher and Photographing your Stash with Franklin Habit. Both classes were good, however the class with Margaret was a bit below my skill level. It was aimed more towards newer sweater knitters. The class with Franklin Habit was great. He knows his stuff and is a very good speaker.
The following week I headed off to Atlanta with Leanne and we attended Stitches South. We took an excellent Intarsia class with Jane Slicer-Smith and an informative Knitting Ergonomics Class with Carson Deemers. We enjoyed spending time with Susan and Liz from Fine Points and of course bought items from them. We bought scored some Sanguine Gryphon yarns (we hit that booth first at the market) but mine were for gifts. All in all a good time.
So projects. I am on an Intarsia, Rowan, Jane Slicer-Smith, Habu and Maggie Jackson kick right now, along with knitting with Louet linen. Three of my top projects are coats, one being a Rowan, mid-calf length Intarsia masterpiece. Can you say not travel knitting? Let's just say I have PLENTY of projects in the queue and that I want to wear.
My garden. Well, I am expanding the garden in the back yard and I planted seeds that are inside until at least after Mother's Day. With these snow pellet showers we have been having, I am not putting anything in the ground yet. So, I have lots of seeds sprouting. The radishes, cauliflower, broccoli and greens have sprouted. I am still waiting on the cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, spinach, etc. I also planted some flower seeds, but where these are going in the yard remains to be seen.
Well, that's about all for now. Can you believe it's been a year since I retired?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Can you say Yarn Diet?
Today is April 10th, 2010. And I am on a Yarn Diet. So for the foreseeable future (except for already allotted purchases at Yarnover and Stitches South which will be budgeted), unless someone gifts me yarn, or I have a gift card, there will be NO yarn purchases. Matter of fact, there won't be purchases of much of anything else by me.
Why? In a nutshell Taxes. And the bill is something that is a lot more than I thought. Enough that I will probably look for employment. So much for retirement. But I need to be realistic and I want this taken care of in the most expeditious manner possible. So, I'm getting a job.
So, stash diving will be the order of the day. And I'm starting with my stash of Black Water Abbey. Lots of sweaters waiting to be knit. So today I sorted through the stash. All the BWA is now segregated and in two tubs that I can easily get my hands on.
Now I just have to figure out what sweaters I want to knit out of what color. See, a diet can be a good thing. Goodness knows, I don't need any more sock or lace weight.
Time to look at patterns...
Books read since December 15th, 2009:
12. Keepsake Crimes by Laura Childs
13. Dragonwell Dead by Laura Childs
Why? In a nutshell Taxes. And the bill is something that is a lot more than I thought. Enough that I will probably look for employment. So much for retirement. But I need to be realistic and I want this taken care of in the most expeditious manner possible. So, I'm getting a job.
So, stash diving will be the order of the day. And I'm starting with my stash of Black Water Abbey. Lots of sweaters waiting to be knit. So today I sorted through the stash. All the BWA is now segregated and in two tubs that I can easily get my hands on.
Now I just have to figure out what sweaters I want to knit out of what color. See, a diet can be a good thing. Goodness knows, I don't need any more sock or lace weight.
Time to look at patterns...
Books read since December 15th, 2009:
12. Keepsake Crimes by Laura Childs
13. Dragonwell Dead by Laura Childs
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Been a while
Wow, a month since I last posted. Well, I know I have done some reading because I have books to add to the reading list:
9. Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Childs
10. Double Black, A Ski Diva Mystery by Wendy Clinch
11. Lavender Morning by Jude Deverauux
And I have been knitting, but with a whole lot of ripping going on. You see, I am enamoured with Maggie Jackson patterns. I have her book Maggie's Ireland, and besides drooling over the pictures and wanting to go to Ireland to see it for myself, I love her designs. Mainly because they are unique. I have yarn to make many of her things in the stash (okay so I know that is NOT a surprise) and I recently bought yarn for her most recent design that was in the Stitches West fashion show - a suit comprised of a skirt, tunic and shawl in a light pink linen with angora and silver. Oh, it is pretty.
So I have been knitting and ripping, trying to get gauge with the Maggi's Linen. Sigh...
After reading the boards in her group, I have decided the heck with the row gauge and just knit the number of inches required in each stitch pattern and go with the stitch gauge. And I'm working on another suit first in natural linen, with white and silver. Let's see how it goes. I really want to wear these suits. Oh, I have a coat to knit also, and another wrap and 2 tops. Yes, I like her designs.
Now I just need to knit them.
9. Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Childs
10. Double Black, A Ski Diva Mystery by Wendy Clinch
11. Lavender Morning by Jude Deverauux
And I have been knitting, but with a whole lot of ripping going on. You see, I am enamoured with Maggie Jackson patterns. I have her book Maggie's Ireland, and besides drooling over the pictures and wanting to go to Ireland to see it for myself, I love her designs. Mainly because they are unique. I have yarn to make many of her things in the stash (okay so I know that is NOT a surprise) and I recently bought yarn for her most recent design that was in the Stitches West fashion show - a suit comprised of a skirt, tunic and shawl in a light pink linen with angora and silver. Oh, it is pretty.
So I have been knitting and ripping, trying to get gauge with the Maggi's Linen. Sigh...
After reading the boards in her group, I have decided the heck with the row gauge and just knit the number of inches required in each stitch pattern and go with the stitch gauge. And I'm working on another suit first in natural linen, with white and silver. Let's see how it goes. I really want to wear these suits. Oh, I have a coat to knit also, and another wrap and 2 tops. Yes, I like her designs.
Now I just need to knit them.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
How can it be almost March?
Okay, how can this be? It's the last week of February. Now granted, my butt has been glued to the television ever since the Olympics started. I love watching the Olympics and it's hard to find a sport in the winter games that I don't want to watch. I've even watched some of the USA curling games. So yes, I like them all, especially the Alpine events.
And, I participated in the Ravelympics and already have been awarded two medals - one for the event hat half pipe and one for the event cable. And I am finishing up my Cavendish today, so that will get me a medal in event WIPS dancing. So, not too bad. I have been trying to get a lot of projects finished this month. So far I have finished projects totally over a mile of yarn. (Not that puts even the smallest dent in the stash...)
And, I participated in the Ravelympics and already have been awarded two medals - one for the event hat half pipe and one for the event cable. And I am finishing up my Cavendish today, so that will get me a medal in event WIPS dancing. So, not too bad. I have been trying to get a lot of projects finished this month. So far I have finished projects totally over a mile of yarn. (Not that puts even the smallest dent in the stash...)
Speaking of the stash, I am off to Stitches West this week. Meeting up with the girls that flew out to California today. I don't care if it rains all weekend, I'm going to have some fun. Yarn, a knitting class, a fashion show, and hanging with friends, who could ask for more?
I am still keeping up with the reading, as a matter of fact I am at the library right now.
Books read since December 15th:
7. Chamomile Mourning by Laura Childs
8. Dropped Dead Stitch by Maggie Sefton
See a pattern here? Almost all are mysteries. I love mysteries.
Monday, February 15, 2010
A sad farewell
I miss Cochise. He was a beautiful, golden, Maine Coon cat who came into my life in April 1995. He left us on February 13, 2010. Bye buddy. You were a good friend.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tedious and boring
I'm not a swatcher. I'm one of those knitters that jumps right into projects on a wing and a prayer, hoping that the finished, washed and blocked object is what I originally wanted. And for the most part I end up with what I wanted. Not swatching, well it's probably that I don't have much patience. Now, don't get me wrong, I can sit and knit for hours. I can untangle the worst tangled up mess of yarn and not throw it away. I just want to start the project when I want to start it. And not knit a tension square, that needs to be washed and blocked.
But I have been doing a lot of ripping out lately and it is not because the project as finished is not what I want. Rather it is because I'm not liking what I am turning out on the needles. I think I have ripped out 4 sweaters recently. I knit and knit, and then look at the sweater and say, nope, not liking what I am seeing. Not this sweater in this yarn. Or not the feel that I was going for. A lot of dissatisfaction.
So, I'm doing some tension squares with different needles that I might use on some projects. And stick a needle in my eye, it's boring!!! Well, at least I'm not ripping.
Books read since December 15th:
3. The Jasmine Moon Murder by Laura Childs
4. Swine Not? A Novel Pig Tale by Jimmy Buffett
5. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
6. One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel
But I have been doing a lot of ripping out lately and it is not because the project as finished is not what I want. Rather it is because I'm not liking what I am turning out on the needles. I think I have ripped out 4 sweaters recently. I knit and knit, and then look at the sweater and say, nope, not liking what I am seeing. Not this sweater in this yarn. Or not the feel that I was going for. A lot of dissatisfaction.
So, I'm doing some tension squares with different needles that I might use on some projects. And stick a needle in my eye, it's boring!!! Well, at least I'm not ripping.
Books read since December 15th:
3. The Jasmine Moon Murder by Laura Childs
4. Swine Not? A Novel Pig Tale by Jimmy Buffett
5. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
6. One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Cinderella and Chili
I started reading when I was very young. Before I started school, I could read. I was enamored with books. I would ride my little blue bicycle to the library and check out books. As many as I was allowed to take home. I always participated in the summer reading program, usually finishing the required number of books in record time. You know the programs, read 5 books or ten books. I would read 20 or more. Books took me to places I had never been. And books taught me most of what I know about knitting.
I started knitting when I was 5 years old. I knew how to do the knit stitch, and I knit miles of garter stitch. Then my 3rd grade teacher taught me how to purl. We were allowed to bring hobbies to school on certain days to work on. And of course, I brought my knitting (by the way, my friend brought her crocheting and that's when I learned to crochet. She was making a ripple afghan.) Anyway, back to my story. Luckily for me, my teacher was a knitter too. She took the time and taught me how to purl and the door was opened. And I started checking out knitting books from the public library. I learned almost everything I know about knitting from those books I brought home. I poured over those books. I knit clothes for my dolls. If a store was going out of business, I would talk my parents into going in, and I would go look to see if there were any knitting needles on sale. I probably had a complete set of needles by the time I was ten years old in every size. Nothing scared me about knitting, because if I made a mistake, I ripped it out. I learned a lot of things by making mistakes and reading those books. You know, I never took a knitting class until I was 40 years old and went to Stitches West. And wow, who would have known they offered knitting classes?
Anyway, why am I thinking about this? My recent project reminded me of a book I checked out when I was a child. I would often check out books by the Brother's Grimm. And I loved Cinderella. In the book, Cinderella gets a blue dress from her fairy godmother. And that dress was trimmed in ermine. Oh, did I want a dress like that. And a floor length cape. Oh, a girl could dream....
So, in the past week, I cast on the Shawl of Cables from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2009. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-shawl-of-cables I had purchased some Alpaca with a Twist Highlander and in colorway 0096 Birch. And when I cast on the shawl, that's when I noticed it. I was knitting my cape, well shawl in yarn that looked like ermine. And it took me back. Back to my little blue bicycle, and checking out books, and Cinderella's blue dress trimmed in ermine, and imagining being a princess. Hmm...
I still love libraries. I'm sitting in one right now. With my sons. A great place to be.
Books read since my birthday:
#2. The Purrfect Murder, A Mrs. Murphy Mystery, by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown
And what does chili have to do with Cinderella? Well, nothing really, except I made white chili in the crock pot today. And it's at home finishing up. I really don't even like chili, but this is white chili. And I threw a half can of chopped jalapenos in it. The boys said it was good, but hot when I gave them a taste test before we left for the library. And, I'm thinking I might like this chili.
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken, cut into small pieces Soy sauce (to coat chicken, about 2 TBSP)
48 oz jar Great Northern Beans
14-16 oz jar salsa (w/ corn & black beans works great)
8 oz Monterey Jack Cheese
8 oz Pepper Jack Cheese
1 soup-sized can of chicken broth 1-2 tsp cumin (to taste)
Directions: If you have time, coat chicken in soy sauce and bake at 350 until cooked through.
I would add the jalapenos.
I started knitting when I was 5 years old. I knew how to do the knit stitch, and I knit miles of garter stitch. Then my 3rd grade teacher taught me how to purl. We were allowed to bring hobbies to school on certain days to work on. And of course, I brought my knitting (by the way, my friend brought her crocheting and that's when I learned to crochet. She was making a ripple afghan.) Anyway, back to my story. Luckily for me, my teacher was a knitter too. She took the time and taught me how to purl and the door was opened. And I started checking out knitting books from the public library. I learned almost everything I know about knitting from those books I brought home. I poured over those books. I knit clothes for my dolls. If a store was going out of business, I would talk my parents into going in, and I would go look to see if there were any knitting needles on sale. I probably had a complete set of needles by the time I was ten years old in every size. Nothing scared me about knitting, because if I made a mistake, I ripped it out. I learned a lot of things by making mistakes and reading those books. You know, I never took a knitting class until I was 40 years old and went to Stitches West. And wow, who would have known they offered knitting classes?
Anyway, why am I thinking about this? My recent project reminded me of a book I checked out when I was a child. I would often check out books by the Brother's Grimm. And I loved Cinderella. In the book, Cinderella gets a blue dress from her fairy godmother. And that dress was trimmed in ermine. Oh, did I want a dress like that. And a floor length cape. Oh, a girl could dream....
So, in the past week, I cast on the Shawl of Cables from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2009. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-shawl-of-cables I had purchased some Alpaca with a Twist Highlander and in colorway 0096 Birch. And when I cast on the shawl, that's when I noticed it. I was knitting my cape, well shawl in yarn that looked like ermine. And it took me back. Back to my little blue bicycle, and checking out books, and Cinderella's blue dress trimmed in ermine, and imagining being a princess. Hmm...
I still love libraries. I'm sitting in one right now. With my sons. A great place to be.
Books read since my birthday:
#2. The Purrfect Murder, A Mrs. Murphy Mystery, by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown
And what does chili have to do with Cinderella? Well, nothing really, except I made white chili in the crock pot today. And it's at home finishing up. I really don't even like chili, but this is white chili. And I threw a half can of chopped jalapenos in it. The boys said it was good, but hot when I gave them a taste test before we left for the library. And, I'm thinking I might like this chili.
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken, cut into small pieces Soy sauce (to coat chicken, about 2 TBSP)
48 oz jar Great Northern Beans
14-16 oz jar salsa (w/ corn & black beans works great)
8 oz Monterey Jack Cheese
8 oz Pepper Jack Cheese
1 soup-sized can of chicken broth 1-2 tsp cumin (to taste)
Directions: If you have time, coat chicken in soy sauce and bake at 350 until cooked through.
I would add the jalapenos.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Challenges
I heard an interview the other day that got me thinking. It was an interview of Barbara G. Walker. You know The Barbara Walker of A Treasury of Knitting Patterns fame? Or Knitting from the Top? An amazing woman, who sleeps 4 to 6 hours a night. And she is going to be 80 years old on July 2nd!
In her interview she stated that she didn't learn how to knit until I think she said 35. It was her practice to learn something new every winter. She would go to the library and basically give herself a course on a topic. For instance, she studied architecture. And one of the winters, she taught herself to knit.
And I was thinking, what a wonderful thing to do. Take the time, when the earth is taking a rest, and learn something new. For you see, I have been a bit of a procrastinator in the past few years. I think it started when I was beginning to get burned out at work, and it spilled into my personal life. Which is strange for me, because in the past when I wanted to do something, well, I just did it. I decided to go to grad school and get an MBA and I did. I thought I could pass the CPA exam, so I took classes while working full time and took the exam and passed. I decided to become an attorney, and went to law school at night for 4 years while I was working 50 hours or more a week, and I finished and passed the California bar, one of the 3 hardest bar exams. So I have a history of taking on challenges and meeting them.
But somewhere in the past few years, things have changed. It's not like I haven't wanted to do things, because that certainly is not the case. It's just that I have had ideas, with little or no follow through.
So, I am going to borrow a page from the formidable Ms. Walker, and take on a challenge. I have signed up for photography classes, both through the local community college, and through the camera store, and I am going to learn about photography and how to take pictures with the new camera this winter. I am also doing another project, one that will cause me to do research at the library, complete assignments and accept criticism. I am not going to say what this project is, because it's something I want to keep to myself for a while. But, I did go to the library today. And I did do some reading today for my project. I have some other things to do to get the ball rolling. I have a starting point. And I have taken the first step.
I have accepted the challenge. Let the adventure begin!
In her interview she stated that she didn't learn how to knit until I think she said 35. It was her practice to learn something new every winter. She would go to the library and basically give herself a course on a topic. For instance, she studied architecture. And one of the winters, she taught herself to knit.
And I was thinking, what a wonderful thing to do. Take the time, when the earth is taking a rest, and learn something new. For you see, I have been a bit of a procrastinator in the past few years. I think it started when I was beginning to get burned out at work, and it spilled into my personal life. Which is strange for me, because in the past when I wanted to do something, well, I just did it. I decided to go to grad school and get an MBA and I did. I thought I could pass the CPA exam, so I took classes while working full time and took the exam and passed. I decided to become an attorney, and went to law school at night for 4 years while I was working 50 hours or more a week, and I finished and passed the California bar, one of the 3 hardest bar exams. So I have a history of taking on challenges and meeting them.
But somewhere in the past few years, things have changed. It's not like I haven't wanted to do things, because that certainly is not the case. It's just that I have had ideas, with little or no follow through.
So, I am going to borrow a page from the formidable Ms. Walker, and take on a challenge. I have signed up for photography classes, both through the local community college, and through the camera store, and I am going to learn about photography and how to take pictures with the new camera this winter. I am also doing another project, one that will cause me to do research at the library, complete assignments and accept criticism. I am not going to say what this project is, because it's something I want to keep to myself for a while. But, I did go to the library today. And I did do some reading today for my project. I have some other things to do to get the ball rolling. I have a starting point. And I have taken the first step.
I have accepted the challenge. Let the adventure begin!
Sunday, January 03, 2010
10 in 2010
Happy 2010 everyone! A new decade. It's hard to believe it has been 10 years since the Millenium.
Like the new picture? DH and I were skiing on this trail at Steamboat Springs the past few days. It was so beautiful up there, lots of new powder and we all had a great time. The boys had fun in ski school, and DH and I had three days of uninterrupted skiing. Can I just say I love ski school?
I'm not setting any New Years resolutions, but I am setting some goals. And I like 10 in 2010. Finish at least 10 pairs of socks. Knit at least 10 rows on a sock a day. Put at least 1o things away when I pick things up when I see the house is getting messy (what am I saying - it is messy). Lose 10 pounds. Get rid of 10 old emails when I start deleting emails. 10 in 2010 is easy to remember.
I started my book reading project and have finished book #1 - The English Breakfast Murder by Laura Childs. I'm enjoying reading her series "The Tea Shop Mysteries." I need to start reading the Bible to accomplish reading it in a year. I have a One Year Bible, which gives you the date and what you are to read. I need to read 12 pages today to catch up since it wasn't with me at Steamboat, and then I should be on track.
Well, I have tons of laundry to do today and I'm thinking I'm going to bake some banana bread. And there is football, reading and knitting on the agenda for today.
Happy 2010!
Like the new picture? DH and I were skiing on this trail at Steamboat Springs the past few days. It was so beautiful up there, lots of new powder and we all had a great time. The boys had fun in ski school, and DH and I had three days of uninterrupted skiing. Can I just say I love ski school?
I'm not setting any New Years resolutions, but I am setting some goals. And I like 10 in 2010. Finish at least 10 pairs of socks. Knit at least 10 rows on a sock a day. Put at least 1o things away when I pick things up when I see the house is getting messy (what am I saying - it is messy). Lose 10 pounds. Get rid of 10 old emails when I start deleting emails. 10 in 2010 is easy to remember.
I started my book reading project and have finished book #1 - The English Breakfast Murder by Laura Childs. I'm enjoying reading her series "The Tea Shop Mysteries." I need to start reading the Bible to accomplish reading it in a year. I have a One Year Bible, which gives you the date and what you are to read. I need to read 12 pages today to catch up since it wasn't with me at Steamboat, and then I should be on track.
Well, I have tons of laundry to do today and I'm thinking I'm going to bake some banana bread. And there is football, reading and knitting on the agenda for today.
Happy 2010!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Confession Time
I have a confession to make. I have a sock drawer. And it is filled with socks. But on to the confession. None of them are handmade. All right, there is a pair of handknit socks in there, but they were made on a sock machine, but not by me. I even received 2 pairs of socks for my birthday, both store bought.
The funny thing is, I have taught sock classes, both top down and toe up. So where are my socks? I'm thinking in the yarn room waiting either to be finished, ripped out, or started. It's not like I don't have yarn to knit, because anyone who knows me, knows that is far from the truth. It may be that I am a sweater knitter and a lace knitter, and that is what I would rather be knitting. I don't mind the small needles, so that is not the problem, in fact I have some sweaters to knit on size 0 and 00. So, what is it? It may be the boredom of knitting the second sock after the first is done. It's definitely not a dearth of sock patterns, because I have patterns and books aplenty. And, it's not that I don't bring knitting along everywhere I go, because I am never found without knitting close by.
So, I have decided to set a goal. You see, my birthday was a week ago, and I was thinking about some of the things I would like to do before my next birthday. And one of them was to knit up some of that sock yarn. Into socks. Not lace, not gloves, but socks. And my goal is at least 12 pairs by next December 15th. So, I cast on a pair last night.
I have also decided to read more. I love to read, and knitting has interferred with the amount of reading I used to do. So, I am going to try to read a book at least every 2 weeks. So, 26 books by December 15th. I would also like to read the Bible in a year.
Lastly, I am going to take photography classes. My birthday/Christmas present was a Nikon D90. I want to become a good photographer. I have signed up for some classes at the local community college, and my camera also came with 18 classes, so I will be signing up for them next week. Colorado is God's country, and I want to take beautiful photographs of it. I also want to take better pictures of my knitting.
And, I am going to knit and finish sweaters. On Friday, a friend told me that I must have such a fabulous wardrobe of sweaters. Little did she know that I do, but they are in various stages of completion. I need to work on that.
So there it is. And it's time to knit!
The funny thing is, I have taught sock classes, both top down and toe up. So where are my socks? I'm thinking in the yarn room waiting either to be finished, ripped out, or started. It's not like I don't have yarn to knit, because anyone who knows me, knows that is far from the truth. It may be that I am a sweater knitter and a lace knitter, and that is what I would rather be knitting. I don't mind the small needles, so that is not the problem, in fact I have some sweaters to knit on size 0 and 00. So, what is it? It may be the boredom of knitting the second sock after the first is done. It's definitely not a dearth of sock patterns, because I have patterns and books aplenty. And, it's not that I don't bring knitting along everywhere I go, because I am never found without knitting close by.
So, I have decided to set a goal. You see, my birthday was a week ago, and I was thinking about some of the things I would like to do before my next birthday. And one of them was to knit up some of that sock yarn. Into socks. Not lace, not gloves, but socks. And my goal is at least 12 pairs by next December 15th. So, I cast on a pair last night.
I have also decided to read more. I love to read, and knitting has interferred with the amount of reading I used to do. So, I am going to try to read a book at least every 2 weeks. So, 26 books by December 15th. I would also like to read the Bible in a year.
Lastly, I am going to take photography classes. My birthday/Christmas present was a Nikon D90. I want to become a good photographer. I have signed up for some classes at the local community college, and my camera also came with 18 classes, so I will be signing up for them next week. Colorado is God's country, and I want to take beautiful photographs of it. I also want to take better pictures of my knitting.
And, I am going to knit and finish sweaters. On Friday, a friend told me that I must have such a fabulous wardrobe of sweaters. Little did she know that I do, but they are in various stages of completion. I need to work on that.
So there it is. And it's time to knit!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Got Gauge?
A funny thing happened on the road of retirement. Or maybe it's not so funny.
My gauge changed.
I used to be a consistent knitter, having to go down one needle size usually when I knit a pattern. I could tell you what my gauge would be with different yarns. Not anymore. Now I don't know what the heck it is. So, now I'm having to swatch for just about everything. Yes, the dreaded swatch. I spent Sunday afternoon swatching Dream in Color Classy. Using, 6s, 7s, and 8s. Yuck! Not my idea of a good time. My modified Forecast sweater from Knitty, Winter 2005 is now being re-knit. Again.
Because, I have been ripping. And ripping. All the knitting I did at the High Fiber Diet Retreat - ripped out. Two half finished sweaters in Dream in Color Classy, ripped out. Two Malabrigo worsted weight sweaters, ripped out. I started four different sweaters for DH, ripped out. Seeing a pattern here? And it's not just worsted weight. So, do I have any sweaters finished since I retired?? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Welcome to the Frog Pond!
P.S. Leanne, don't even mention getting twice as pleasure from knitting the same yarn twice!!
My gauge changed.
I used to be a consistent knitter, having to go down one needle size usually when I knit a pattern. I could tell you what my gauge would be with different yarns. Not anymore. Now I don't know what the heck it is. So, now I'm having to swatch for just about everything. Yes, the dreaded swatch. I spent Sunday afternoon swatching Dream in Color Classy. Using, 6s, 7s, and 8s. Yuck! Not my idea of a good time. My modified Forecast sweater from Knitty, Winter 2005 is now being re-knit. Again.
Because, I have been ripping. And ripping. All the knitting I did at the High Fiber Diet Retreat - ripped out. Two half finished sweaters in Dream in Color Classy, ripped out. Two Malabrigo worsted weight sweaters, ripped out. I started four different sweaters for DH, ripped out. Seeing a pattern here? And it's not just worsted weight. So, do I have any sweaters finished since I retired?? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Welcome to the Frog Pond!
P.S. Leanne, don't even mention getting twice as pleasure from knitting the same yarn twice!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Julie and Julia
I just got back from the movies. Funny, I can't remember the last time I went and saw a movie that wasn't a child's movie. I thought and thought and frankly couldn't remember. I think DH and I went one on a day we had off from work, but it must not have been a memorable movie. Today I went with the girls - Patty and Laura and we saw Julie and Julia. I liked the movie.
Even before seeing the movie, knowing the premise of the movie, it had gotten me thinking. And after seeing the movie, I know how Julie felt, the feeling that you haven't really accomplished anything, and you have started many things, but not completed them. The need to set a deadline. And go for it. And it struck a chord.
Because I have seen some things that others have accomplished, and I have thought to myself I can do that. And I have felt some jealousy, and then I have told myself, they have gone after what they have wanted to do, and are now succeeding. And I also have told myself "You have Not!"
So I think it is time to stop talking and start doing. Because I can't really think of anything I have tried hard for in a very long time, except passing the Colorado Bar exam. And I have some things up my sleeves that I want to try, so I need to try and if I fail, try again. Some I will blog about, and some I'm just going to keep to myself. For now :)
Even before seeing the movie, knowing the premise of the movie, it had gotten me thinking. And after seeing the movie, I know how Julie felt, the feeling that you haven't really accomplished anything, and you have started many things, but not completed them. The need to set a deadline. And go for it. And it struck a chord.
Because I have seen some things that others have accomplished, and I have thought to myself I can do that. And I have felt some jealousy, and then I have told myself, they have gone after what they have wanted to do, and are now succeeding. And I also have told myself "You have Not!"
So I think it is time to stop talking and start doing. Because I can't really think of anything I have tried hard for in a very long time, except passing the Colorado Bar exam. And I have some things up my sleeves that I want to try, so I need to try and if I fail, try again. Some I will blog about, and some I'm just going to keep to myself. For now :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday...
I joined a new knitting group. The sweater club. We meet on Wednesdays at 10AM at String in Highlands Ranch. And, we knit sweaters. And we talk, and eat lunch, and knit and talk. This as my second time knitting with them. I found this group last week when I walked into the store, looking at the yarns for potential projects for classes to teach. Yes, that's right. After about 10 months or so, I'm thinking about teaching knitting again. So while I was in the store, I sat down and knit with the group. On a skirt. Oh well, I didn't have a sweater with me in the knitting bag. They are a nice groups of gals.
I went to Stitch and Pitch with the girls Friday night - Sharon, Sheri, Kris, Robin and Denise. And I saw Judy there, and Cathy (thanks for the book by the way!).
I also saw people from the Denver Knitting Guild. We had a great time, although the Rockies didn't win.
I've been reading a lot, since I now have time. I have recently finished First Family by David Baldacci, Dyed in the Wool by Mary Kruger, and Back to Blosson Street by Debbie McComber. I have been going to the library at least once a week. I got in the habit when I was taking the boys to meet with tutors over the summer. And yes, I read while I knit. I use a book weight to hold the pages open.
As usual, I have many sweaters on the needles. I am hoping fall will bring many finished objects. Can you believe it's only 4 months until Christmas?
I went to Stitch and Pitch with the girls Friday night - Sharon, Sheri, Kris, Robin and Denise. And I saw Judy there, and Cathy (thanks for the book by the way!).
I also saw people from the Denver Knitting Guild. We had a great time, although the Rockies didn't win.I've been reading a lot, since I now have time. I have recently finished First Family by David Baldacci, Dyed in the Wool by Mary Kruger, and Back to Blosson Street by Debbie McComber. I have been going to the library at least once a week. I got in the habit when I was taking the boys to meet with tutors over the summer. And yes, I read while I knit. I use a book weight to hold the pages open.
As usual, I have many sweaters on the needles. I am hoping fall will bring many finished objects. Can you believe it's only 4 months until Christmas?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Where in Colorado is Mountain Purl knitting?
Where did you knit in public this past weekend? This is where I was knitting yesterday. Devil's Head fire lookout is in the Pike National Forest at an elevation of 9,748 feet. We hiked up to Devil's Head yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful day here in God's Country, perfect temperature for hiking. We had a little bit of rain, but mostly sprinkles. Gotta love Colorado!
Saturday, August 08, 2009
A Mile a Month
I've been thinking lately about how much I knit. Now, I know that there haven't been finished objects lately, but, I knit every day. Most of the knitting is doing a repeat on one project, then doing a repeat on another, and so on. So, there is progress, but not completion.
And, since I knit so much, I was wondering just how much I knit. And whether it would amount to a mile a month, twelve miles a year, or would it be more? When you look at it, a mile a month would be 5,280 feet of yarn a month, or 1,760 yards. Surely I knit that much. And if you wanted to knit at least twelve miles of yarn a year, it would be 63,360 feet or 21,180 yards. I think I knit a lot more than that!
So, I am going to keep track for 2009. But, I am only entering the yardage from COMPLETED projects. I counted it up. Right now I have only .49 mile of completed projects for 2009. That is pitiful!
I guess I had better get knitting!
And, since I knit so much, I was wondering just how much I knit. And whether it would amount to a mile a month, twelve miles a year, or would it be more? When you look at it, a mile a month would be 5,280 feet of yarn a month, or 1,760 yards. Surely I knit that much. And if you wanted to knit at least twelve miles of yarn a year, it would be 63,360 feet or 21,180 yards. I think I knit a lot more than that!
So, I am going to keep track for 2009. But, I am only entering the yardage from COMPLETED projects. I counted it up. Right now I have only .49 mile of completed projects for 2009. That is pitiful!
I guess I had better get knitting!
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Sunday Musings....
It's August 2nd and I find that a little hard to believe. Because it's been three months since I retired but it doesn't feel like a quarter of the year has passed.
I have been busy. The boys and I have been together pretty much 24/7 since the last day of school on June 5th. And now, we meet with their new teachers on Wednesday and they go back to school on Friday. We have gone to the pool, and on many walks with the dog. We have been to Rockies games and have eaten out way to often. There were many baseball practices and baseball games, which all ended yesterday with the last games of the season. The oldest's team beat the only remaining undefeated team in the bottom of the last inning 10-9, and I'm proud to say he had 2 RBIs as part of that score. The youngest had his last hit sail into the outfield, and I was so happy for him. They ended up tying, but to 7 year olds, that's the same as a win!
We have been to some beautiful state parks this summer - Cherry Creek, Castlewood Canyon, Chatfield, Eldorado Canyon, Eleven Mile, Golden Gate Canyon, Mueller, Roxborough, and Spinney Mountain. Whether we will go to any more before Friday, I am not sure, but I had fun hiking with the boys and playing in streams and lakes.
Knitting. Well, I have knit, but I don't know if I have one FO to show for it. But that is okay. I bought myself some new tools, wonderful needles and books. I will have time to work on the projects that interest me the most. That is, if I get away from the time suck that is Ravelry. It's so easy to spend hours on the computer, and not knitting!
I also have started to spin. It's not perfect by any means, it's lumpy and bumpy, but it's getting better with each time I sit down at Bella. Bella, my wheel.
I also have a sock knitting machine that needs attention. And my new sewing machine that is still in it's box, yet to be unpacked.
But it's all okay, because I soon will have time. For me. Time to work out, time to read, knit or do whatever I want, even lay by the pool. Drive my new car. Because school starts Friday. I love my boys, but, oh boy August 7th! Who's counting the days?
I have been busy. The boys and I have been together pretty much 24/7 since the last day of school on June 5th. And now, we meet with their new teachers on Wednesday and they go back to school on Friday. We have gone to the pool, and on many walks with the dog. We have been to Rockies games and have eaten out way to often. There were many baseball practices and baseball games, which all ended yesterday with the last games of the season. The oldest's team beat the only remaining undefeated team in the bottom of the last inning 10-9, and I'm proud to say he had 2 RBIs as part of that score. The youngest had his last hit sail into the outfield, and I was so happy for him. They ended up tying, but to 7 year olds, that's the same as a win!
We have been to some beautiful state parks this summer - Cherry Creek, Castlewood Canyon, Chatfield, Eldorado Canyon, Eleven Mile, Golden Gate Canyon, Mueller, Roxborough, and Spinney Mountain. Whether we will go to any more before Friday, I am not sure, but I had fun hiking with the boys and playing in streams and lakes.
Knitting. Well, I have knit, but I don't know if I have one FO to show for it. But that is okay. I bought myself some new tools, wonderful needles and books. I will have time to work on the projects that interest me the most. That is, if I get away from the time suck that is Ravelry. It's so easy to spend hours on the computer, and not knitting!
I also have started to spin. It's not perfect by any means, it's lumpy and bumpy, but it's getting better with each time I sit down at Bella. Bella, my wheel.
I also have a sock knitting machine that needs attention. And my new sewing machine that is still in it's box, yet to be unpacked.
But it's all okay, because I soon will have time. For me. Time to work out, time to read, knit or do whatever I want, even lay by the pool. Drive my new car. Because school starts Friday. I love my boys, but, oh boy August 7th! Who's counting the days?
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