Category Archives: knitting

No knitting

Posted on by
Reply

I did not knit one stitch yesterday.  It wasn’t because I didn’t try.  I just got into other things.

My lunch time involved eating quickly so I could run to the computer fix-it shop to pick up Mr. Aitch’s old computer that we gave to our daughter.  The video card died so we had it replaced.  I will take the computer back to her soon.  She’s going on vacation so she doesn’t really need it right now.

On Sunday I updated my anti-virus program and had issues with it.  After cleaning and knitting on Monday,  I tried to get some help with the anti-virus program.  Got it uninstalled and reinstalled then went to bed.  Last night I noticed my Spam filters weren’t working and the Spam toolbar in my email was missing.  I tried to get help from the website but didn’t have much success.  Mr. Aitch and I watched a movie and I couldn’t knit the mittens since it has color work and needs my full attention.  I tried yet again to get the Spam filters working and discovered other issues.  I will get this thing fixed tonight.

Maybe I can knit during lunch today.

Oh, I almost forgot…I’m wearing my Lace Hem topping today.  Love the fit and color.  I got a compliment on it already.  =)

You are worth it

Posted on by
3

When I was in 8th Grade Home Ec (I’m a year younger than dirt), we made basic A-line skirts.  I found this lovely suede cotton and begged my mother to buy it for the project.  I don’t remember how much it was per yard but it wasn’t that expensive.  She was looking at the $.79 a yard fabric and I was looking at the $1.29 fabric or something like that.   My Home Ec teacher just so happened to be in the store at the very same time and overheard our conversation.  She told my mother that she should reconsider her decision and allow me to get the suede cotton.  If I didn’t like the fabric, I wasn’t going to wear the skirt.  She also reassured my mother that she would make sure I didn’t ruin the skirt.

Well, my mother decided she would get the fabric for me.  And I didn’t disappoint.  In fact my sister and I shared this skirt throughout high school.  By the time I graduated, it had seen better days.  But it was worth the cost of the fabric.

Which brings me to my point.  If you are going to spend the time knitting or sewing something, get the good yarn or fabric.   Get enough so you can play with it, get the feel of it, practice with it, swatch it.  Then go for it.

Life is too short to knit something out of yarn you don’t like. It takes a lot of time and effort to knit.  If you don’t like the yarn, you won’t wear it.  Rip it out and knit something else out of it.  Or give it away.

You are worth the “good” yarn.

And speaking of yarn…I made some substantial progress on my mittens last night.  I’m altering the pattern by making a slit on the palm so the top part will fold back and expose the fingers.  Not sure if I will make fingers or just add an extension for fingerless mitts.  I may also do the same for the thumb so the recipient can text while still keeping their hands warm.

Maybe I’ll even get a picture of my progress.

FO: Lace Hem Topping

Posted on by
4

I finally finished the Lace Hem Topping as shown on the July 2008 cover of Creative Magazine.  It took several tries to get the crochet edging so it looked good and laid flat.  I should block it again but it can now go into my FO folder!  

FO- Lace Hem Topping

 

FO - Lace Hem detail

 

Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima in heathered pansy  

Needles: US 6  

Crochet hook: E  

Size: 38 (medium)  

Modifications: Many.  I used a lighter weight yarn (DK) instead of the worsted weight the pattern called for and also a smaller needle to get a gauge that would relate to one of the sizes.  I used the size 46 (X-Large) directions for everything but the size 38 (medium) for the length.  

It was a great knit even though I got frustrated and had to rip back to the armhole shaping and reknit both the front and back.  I made the armholes too long and couldn’t live with them that way.  I think it took longer to reknit the second time and learn how to do the crochet edging than knitting it in the first place. 

As much as I’d like to knit on the Ms Ida Chain Link mittens or start one of the five baby sweaters in my queue or start two secret projects, I really need to declutter and straighten up the house.  Mr. & Mrs. Aitch’s B&B will have guests (even though they are family) coming this Friday night: 

  • Beds need to be made.
  • Floors need to be scrubbed or vacuumed.
  • Islands and counters need to be cleared.
  • Bathrooms need to be refreshed.
  • Laundry needs done.
  • Knitting needs to be out of reach from toddlers and dogs. 

OK, maybe moving the knitting will be the last thing I do Friday evening but I want to do the rest of my list this morning so I can devote the rest of  the day and upcoming evenings to knitting.

Is knitting hazardous to your health?

Posted on by
1

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.