Friday, July 11, 2008
Ugh, Ugh, Ugh
Once the meds kicked in, I was able to knit, so all was not lost. I finished the orange Marigold socks, and cast on a pair in Opal Rainforest yarn. I love the colors in this one: blues, watermelon pinks, and yellow. No pics today--I'm not up to that.
I had such a nice time with my granddaughter yesterday. We spent a lot of time together because her mommy was napping for a while, then went out for the evening. For some reason, Baby was in cuddly mode, and she's really starting to talk now. I asked her for a kiss, and for the first time she put her mouth on my cheek (she can't quite pucker yet) and said, "Mmmmmmah!" Instant Memaw puddle! I gave her a bath later and popped her in her jammies, and we snuggled a while before she went to bed. She's growing up so fast, and it's so much fun to see, but oh how I miss that tiny baby!
I just finished listening to "The Age of Innocence" while I was knitting today, so it's on to another book. I didn't make it back to Henry James, and I don't think I could take that today. I may have to go with Jane Austen, probably "Pride & Prejudice." I just downloaded "John Adams" the other day, but given my loopy mental state, that might be too heavy as well.
Off to check Plurk one last time before shutting down.
Ugh, Ugh, Ugh
Once the meds kicked in, I was able to knit, so all was not lost. I finished the orange Marigold socks, and cast on a pair in Opal Rainforest yarn. I love the colors in this one: blues, watermelon pinks, and yellow. No pics today--I'm not up to that.
I had such a nice time with my granddaughter yesterday. We spent a lot of time together because her mommy was napping for a while, then went out for the evening. For some reason, Baby was in cuddly mode, and she's really starting to talk now. I asked her for a kiss, and for the first time she put her mouth on my cheek (she can't quite pucker yet) and said, "Mmmmmmah!" Instant Memaw puddle! I gave her a bath later and popped her in her jammies, and we snuggled a while before she went to bed. She's growing up so fast, and it's so much fun to see, but oh how I miss that tiny baby!
I just finished listening to "The Age of Innocence" while I was knitting today, so it's on to another book. I didn't make it back to Henry James, and I don't think I could take that today. I may have to go with Jane Austen, probably "Pride & Prejudice." I just downloaded "John Adams" the other day, but given my loopy mental state, that might be too heavy as well.
Off to check Plurk one last time before shutting down.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
You Ask For A Miracle...

Now really, I find these awful. I was going to do some sort of cable or ribbing so I wouldn't keep making plain ol' stockinette socks, but it would have been like pearls before swine, or some such metaphor. These didn't even rate a ribbed top. Plus, they were horrible to knit. I thought I'd overdone it for SOS and ruined my hands, because they would hardly work. But it was the yarn, not my hands, because as soon as I cast on these:
...ahhhh, it was like buttah.I have no idea what the Ugly Sock yarn is. I bought it at least five years ago. I had actually started knitting a sock, but I kept stopping and starting (I wonder why?) and the gauge was all wonky in different parts. So I ripped it out and rolled it up and it hadn't seen the light of day until SOS called.
Now, in the picture, they really don't look so bad. But trust me, in life they look like someone threw up a meal of grape jelly, mustard, spinach, and red Kool-Aid. None of those colors alone is bad, but together? Blecccch!
The orange socks are Marigolds by Pamela Wynn, and they're a free download on Ravelry (thanks, Pamela!!) Hers are yellow, but I like orange marigolds, and this yarn is perfect. I'm thinking about digging up some clear beads for the leg part so I can have dew on my marigolds. (The Ugly Socks have driven me to new heights of creativity in an attempt to get them out of my brain.)
Aren't the stitch markers adorable? You can get them here at Wee Ones' etsy shop. I've sworn off looking anymore, because the monkeys were the second set I bought, and I have three more custom-made sets on order. I don't really need the markers for this pattern now, but they make me so happy that they're staying. Again, the Ugly Socks have taken their toll. I need all the fun and pretty things I can get!
As you can see in the sidebar, I've succumbed to Plurk.com. Don't ask me to explain it. You just have to check it out, and you won't really understand how fun it is until you join and start collecting friends. So jump in!
I went to the Pilates studio this afternoon for a session of Gyrotonics, and I feel pretty good, but tired. Gyrotonics is not so much a workout as gentle stretching and loosening of the muscles, with just a little strengthening thrown in. It's perfect for me because my muscles are so tight, and I need gentle work because of the Fibromyalgia. I haven't taken ballet since February, and I want to get back to it this fall, but I need to get some strength and endurace built up. I feel a little soreness starting to creep up, so I'd better get away from the computer and move a little.
But first, I have to check Plurk!
You Ask For A Miracle...

Now really, I find these awful. I was going to do some sort of cable or ribbing so I wouldn't keep making plain ol' stockinette socks, but it would have been like pearls before swine, or some such metaphor. These didn't even rate a ribbed top. Plus, they were horrible to knit. I thought I'd overdone it for SOS and ruined my hands, because they would hardly work. But it was the yarn, not my hands, because as soon as I cast on these:
...ahhhh, it was like buttah.I have no idea what the Ugly Sock yarn is. I bought it at least five years ago. I had actually started knitting a sock, but I kept stopping and starting (I wonder why?) and the gauge was all wonky in different parts. So I ripped it out and rolled it up and it hadn't seen the light of day until SOS called.
Now, in the picture, they really don't look so bad. But trust me, in life they look like someone threw up a meal of grape jelly, mustard, spinach, and red Kool-Aid. None of those colors alone is bad, but together? Blecccch!
The orange socks are Marigolds by Pamela Wynn, and they're a free download on Ravelry (thanks, Pamela!!) Hers are yellow, but I like orange marigolds, and this yarn is perfect. I'm thinking about digging up some clear beads for the leg part so I can have dew on my marigolds. (The Ugly Socks have driven me to new heights of creativity in an attempt to get them out of my brain.)
Aren't the stitch markers adorable? You can get them here at Wee Ones' etsy shop. I've sworn off looking anymore, because the monkeys were the second set I bought, and I have three more custom-made sets on order. I don't really need the markers for this pattern now, but they make me so happy that they're staying. Again, the Ugly Socks have taken their toll. I need all the fun and pretty things I can get!
As you can see in the sidebar, I've succumbed to Plurk.com. Don't ask me to explain it. You just have to check it out, and you won't really understand how fun it is until you join and start collecting friends. So jump in!
I went to the Pilates studio this afternoon for a session of Gyrotonics, and I feel pretty good, but tired. Gyrotonics is not so much a workout as gentle stretching and loosening of the muscles, with just a little strengthening thrown in. It's perfect for me because my muscles are so tight, and I need gentle work because of the Fibromyalgia. I haven't taken ballet since February, and I want to get back to it this fall, but I need to get some strength and endurace built up. I feel a little soreness starting to creep up, so I'd better get away from the computer and move a little.
But first, I have to check Plurk!
I Gave In...
Socks: Finally finished The World's Ugliest Socks. I thought I'd never get them done. Not only are they hideously ugly, the yarn was terrible to knit with. I thought it was me--that I had ruined my hands by knitting so much. But no, it was the yarn. So now I have this awful pair that won't fit anyone else. They'll have to hide under the boots this winter. More later, when I have pics.
But the socks I'm doing now--ahhhh, these are a treasure! Can't wait to show photos of those. And wait 'til you see the adorable things I got from an etsy seller. I can almost guarantee you'll want them too.
In other life items, we've been moving furniture. Now that four of us are crammed into this tiny house with all our guitars, yarn, looms, wheels, power tools, baby rubble, and life's flotsam and jetsam, we are constantly trying to figure out a workable arrangement so we can sit and relax without having to climb over a wheel, or move a couple guitars out of the way. It's looking a little better, and the sunroom has now become the sit 'n' knit room. That's really nice because it's so much brighter in there and I have my little corner fixed up already with the knitting bags and baskets arranged just so.
With all the furniture-moving and rubble-clearing, I had hardly any time to knit this evening. And it's way past my bedtime. I'd stay up for a while, but I'm trying out a new program at a Pilates studio tomorrow, so I'd better get some rest.
Friday, July 4, 2008
SOS'08: Sick of Socks
So here are pairs four, five, and six:

At least I can turn a heel now without having to read the directions as I go. I still goofed up on the last pair and had a yarn-over in the wrong place. I'm also learning that the later in the evening, the faster I knit--up to a point (1:30AM seems to be my cut-off time.) And I hate ribbing. It makes my hands hurt. Perhaps if I learned another way to knit it would be better, but I can't take the time to relearn everything!
I've worked my way through a number of audiobooks as well. There was "The Johnstown Flood" by David McCullough, which was like listening to a terrific suspense story. I had heard of the flood, but never realized what actually happened. As usual, it was more a man-made disaster than a natural one.
Then there was "The Poisonwood Bible," which I've read about seven times, but still love. Every reading (or listen) brings out new subtleties that I missed before. It's really such a tour de force that you need to read it more than once. I also listened to "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton, again something I had read before, but enjoyed hearing even if the ending is a bit of a downer. I'm working on "The Wings of the Dove" by Henry James right now, but it's hard going. Honestly, he used fifty words to say what only needed five. I keep thinking, "Get on with it!" I may have to give up and retreat to Mrs. Wharton--I'm going to download "The Age of Innocence" next. And I'd love suggestions. I've been sticking to classics because I don't want to hear sex scenes or bad language, so if you know of any good books without smut, please pass on the info.
So the knitting goes pretty fast when I have something good to listen to. Otherwise, the house is still pretty much trashed, though I did do laundry. I need to clean the bathroom and just get some clutter cleared up. It's amazing how quickly it piles up.
It's raining again, so I still haven't done any outside work. I need to stake the hollyhocks ASAP. They're tilting a bit!
The result of Missy's cooking:
THAT, I will have you know, is what's left of one of my handwoven towels. I made a set at least six years ago, and they're still good as new. Or at least one of them is.
Last, but not least, here's my "Caturday" photo. It's a bit of a cheat because it's not actually one of my cats, but I've been too busy getting sock pictures done to try to take cat photos. And this is so cute:
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Love that expression!
EDIT: Oh, for cryin' out loud. I forgot it's only Friday. Well, I'm early for Caturday.
SOS'08: Sick of Socks
So here are pairs four, five, and six:

At least I can turn a heel now without having to read the directions as I go. I still goofed up on the last pair and had a yarn-over in the wrong place. I'm also learning that the later in the evening, the faster I knit--up to a point (1:30AM seems to be my cut-off time.) And I hate ribbing. It makes my hands hurt. Perhaps if I learned another way to knit it would be better, but I can't take the time to relearn everything!
I've worked my way through a number of audiobooks as well. There was "The Johnstown Flood" by David McCullough, which was like listening to a terrific suspense story. I had heard of the flood, but never realized what actually happened. As usual, it was more a man-made disaster than a natural one.
Then there was "The Poisonwood Bible," which I've read about seven times, but still love. Every reading (or listen) brings out new subtleties that I missed before. It's really such a tour de force that you need to read it more than once. I also listened to "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton, again something I had read before, but enjoyed hearing even if the ending is a bit of a downer. I'm working on "The Wings of the Dove" by Henry James right now, but it's hard going. Honestly, he used fifty words to say what only needed five. I keep thinking, "Get on with it!" I may have to give up and retreat to Mrs. Wharton--I'm going to download "The Age of Innocence" next. And I'd love suggestions. I've been sticking to classics because I don't want to hear sex scenes or bad language, so if you know of any good books without smut, please pass on the info.
So the knitting goes pretty fast when I have something good to listen to. Otherwise, the house is still pretty much trashed, though I did do laundry. I need to clean the bathroom and just get some clutter cleared up. It's amazing how quickly it piles up.
It's raining again, so I still haven't done any outside work. I need to stake the hollyhocks ASAP. They're tilting a bit!
The result of Missy's cooking:
THAT, I will have you know, is what's left of one of my handwoven towels. I made a set at least six years ago, and they're still good as new. Or at least one of them is.
Last, but not least, here's my "Caturday" photo. It's a bit of a cheat because it's not actually one of my cats, but I've been too busy getting sock pictures done to try to take cat photos. And this is so cute:
.jpg)
Love that expression!
EDIT: Oh, for cryin' out loud. I forgot it's only Friday. Well, I'm early for Caturday.