Is knitting hazardous to your health?

Back to Monday… 

We were home from Pittsburgh for about an hour or so and I started to feel a tingling sensation in my left hand, wrist, arm, shoulder and neck.  I had a tingling in my wrist a couple of weeks ago but this wasn’t going away.  Since I was already at the computer, I checked out those symptoms on-line (possible stroke or heart attack) and decided to go to the hospital.  After numerous tests (and I mean numerous), they ruled out a stroke and heart issues.  I most likely have a pinched nerve.  Could be serious but not life-threatening. 

Did I feel a bit like a hypochondriac or stupid by going to the hospital for a little tingling?  After it was all over, yes.  But given my family history and my recent bout with a blood clot in my leg, I thought it best to get checked out.  I wasn’t 100% sure I was alright and I wasn’t willing to risk my life by staying at home. 

Seriously: If you think you are having a medical emergency, get help.  It’s better to feel stupid after it’s over than to suffer permanent damage or even worse, be dead. 

I had a bad reaction to the adhesive pads they used for the heart monitor and I have itchy red welts to prove it!  I’ve never had a reaction to something like that before but I’ve never had those pads attached to my body for that length of time either. 

Lightbulb moment: Can my knitting be the cause of this pinched nerve? 

I did start these at the hospital. 

Knit Picks Ms Ida Chain Link Mittens

 

 And I forgot to mention that yesterday was International Beer Day

The Lace Hem Top is still a WIP.  After I figured out the short row shaping and bound off the shoulders, I was not happy.  I ripped out the last six rows and will attempt (for the last time, I hope) to get it right.  I am a perfectionist and I want this to be as perfect as I can make it.  Mr. Aitch will be out this evening so I can devote my entire attention to finishing this project.

Disaster strikes

I was messing around with my theme yesterday and lost my sidebar.  I think I got everything back in place but I don’t remember exactly what it looked like before said messing around.

I did consolidate all the sweaters in the gallery instead of classifying them by construction.  The gallery is sad but since I forget to take pictures of most of what I knit, it’s the best I can do for now.

I’ve knit several soakers for my daughter’s twins but I have no pictures of them since I give them to her just as soon as I finish them.  Maybe she can take some pictures so I can post them.  For those of you wanting to knit wool soakers for your cloth diapered babies, I use the Curly Purly Soaker pattern.  Love. It.

I managed to get a couple of hours of knitting in yesterday and finished the lace edging on the Lace Hem Topping.  Still not a huge fan of lace though I did get into the rhythm.  As a visual learner, I thought charts would be easier than written instructions and maybe they will once I learn what the heck the symbols mean.

First up this morning is cleaning, deep cleaning the bathroom.  Washing the rugs and shower curtain cleaning.  I might even tackle the linen closet or perhaps a shelf.  After all I have to do something to “earn” my knitting time.

Sell or donate? Pattern decision

I really need to and want to declutter.  I kind of got of track the past week or so but am determined to start back up again by going through one drawer or cabinet a day.

I want to reap some monetary benefit from all this stuff and have a yard/garage sale with but that takes a lot of time (and help).  Do you find it better to donate or hold a sale?

My goal is to finish part of the basement for a proper craft room where I can organize all the many materials I use and to also have a place for my kids and grandkids to be crafty.

I decided to knit different sweater/shell/tank out of the Cascade Ultra Pima. 

Lace hem Topping from Creative Knitting July 2008 issue

It’s from Creative Knitting magazine July 2008 issue and it’s featured on the cover.  The yarn is supposed to be a worsted weight (same problem I have with the Eileen shell from No Sheep for You) but since this isn’t supposed to be knitted as tight as the Eileen, I decided I can use a knitting gauge/stitch converter and still make it fit.  What a FABULOUS tool this converter is!  As it turns out this converted to the exact stitch count for a larger size so I can knit this without having to blindly convert the shaping !

Yarn, patterns, decisions

After much thinking about the yarn I bought for the Eileen shell, I decided to find another pattern designed for this particular weight.  I spent a lot of time last night perusing the internets for a pattern I could use that was: 

  1. Free
  2. Something I already had in my vast collection of magazines
  3. An adaptation of 2-3 patterns
  4. Inspiration

Cascade Ultra Pima Heathered Pansy

I have a few patterns that might work with the four skeins of the Cascade Ultra Pima  purchased so I brought the pattern books/magazines with me today so I can maybe, just maybe decide over lunch which will be the perfect one for this yummy yarn.  The Eileen shell will have to wait for my Knit Picks order to arrive.  If I am super industrious, I could have this one finished before the order arrives! 

Of course I still have to do some decluttering in between knitting. 

Oh, and I almost forgot that today is my sister’s birthday.  Happy Birthday, Jude!