Author Archives: Patti_is_knittinginflashes

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About Patti_is_knittinginflashes

Living and crafting between the hot flashes

So where was I?

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Yes, I remember. I fractured my humerus over Labor Day weekend (September 3rd). I’m out of the sling and going to physical therapy twice a week getting strength and motion back. It’s a long process but I see lots of improvement.

I finally picked up my knitting needles last week “thinking” I could knit another 1898 hat for a charity event. All knit, no purl. I could knit about 15-20 rows on the headband section before I had to stop and rest for the day. Slow going to say the least considering I completed one of these hats in 2-3 days in the past! It’s going to take some time to get my knitting skills back.

My next knitting attempt will be this sweater for Pepper. Maybe I’m just more motivated to knit this than the hat. We shall see! Truth be told I don’t usually buy individual knitting patterns but I’ve been eyeing up this sweater for a year (since we decided to actually get a puppy) and finally decided that Pepper was worth it (plus it was on sale at the time). I didn’t have any superwash DK yarn in my stash and “had” to order some (in Rhubarb). It should arrive today! I know I could adapt the pattern and use a worsted weight yarn but I don’t have the brain power at this time to do the math.

Formal training with Pepper will end before Christmas. We’ve learned so much and even though we have more to do, it’s time for a much needed break. One armed training was not fun but I’m able to use both arms now. Miniature Schnauzers are headstrong PLUS she was the alpha dog with her siblings, a tough thing to overcome for her.

Have a great week. I’ll be back soon!

I’m bored

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Have you ever thought the day was wrong or that it feels like a different day? It’s felt like Sunday for the past seven days.

I “fixed” my tennis elbow issue just like *snap*that. How? Last Sunday I tripped, fell, and fractured my right humerus. I may have damaged the tendons and rotator cuff, too.

Mr. Aitch took me to the ER. X-rays showed a fracture. Went to an orthopedic surgeon, had an MRI, and am waiting to see the surgeon again next week to tell me how long I have to wear this fancy sling. Or if surgery is in my future.

I can’t knit. Can’t sew. Can’t cook, clean, sleep in bed, or do much of anything. I can’t drive either. Training Pepper is on hold. I can’t even get a glass of water by myself. Brushing my teeth is so difficult. I’m typing this left-handed and it’s slow going.

I’m trying to be a good patient but mostly I’m just trying. It’s so hard for me to not be doing something, anything with my hands. I have a long wishlist of books to read in my online library so I should be all set. Well, sorta.

Fortunately, Mr. Aitch has taken over everything to run the house and keep us nourished. He’s excellent with the grill but will soon need to go to the market. Please say a prayer for him. Or two.

1898 Hat with two color band

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I love the 1898 Hat by Kristine Byrnes. A commenter asked me how I knit the two-color headband section.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention as I had a limited amount of yarn for a hat so I adapted the pattern to my needs. I made a slight modification to the pattern by using two colors for the band.

***For a two color band:
Using provisional cast on, CO 12 stitches in Color A, 3 stitches in Color B, and 12 stitches in either Color A or B, leaving a 20 inch tail. (If you prefer to seam instead of graft the ends together, use your preferred cast on, but leave the same length tail.)
Set up row (WS): Color B Sl1, k11, pm, sl3 wyif, pm, Color A  k12*  Make sure to twist the two colors to avoid a hole. 
Start back of headband:
Row A (RS) = Color A Sl1, k to marker, sl m, Color B k3, sl m, Color A or B k to end.
Row B (all WS rows) = Color B Sl1, k to marker, sl m, sl3 wyif, sl m, Color B, sl m, Color A or B k to end.

Any questions regarding the original pattern should be directed to the designer, Kristine Byrnes. This modification is for a two-color headband.

But I don’t play tennis anymore

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My knitting has been sidelined for a while. The Curaçao Diamonds did number on my left arm. I really love those socks but the fingering weight cotton blend yarn and US #1 knitting needles were too much for those muscles especially since I hurried through the second one.

I looked up my symptoms and self-diagnosed tennis elbow. Rest and a combination of heat and ice are the only things that will help.

Once my arm feels better, my knitting queue will include seamless slippers (requested by my other sister-in-law), some baby hats (from super soft stash yarn), and a new sweater for Pepper. The slippers will likely be Frankensteined while using up odds and ends of worsted weight yarns. Pepper’s sweater will be from my yarn stash, too.

And speaking of Pepper, she is the star* of our training sessions! We’ve gone to two so far and she and I are learning how to communicate better. 

*Never mind that our sessions are one-on-one with the trainer!

Happy knitting!