New knitting tool

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I am not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Manhasset music stands.

Mr. Aitch is a retired music/band teacher.  He used to play piano, saxophone. clarinet, trumpet, and flute on a regular basis and owned all of those instruments of torture (just kidding) at one time.  We still have the piano and he plays his saxophone in the college/community jazz band.  He practices at home between rehearsals. As of now all rehearsals and concerts are on hold because of, well, you know.

Anyway, the point of this was to tell you about my new knitting tool. I wanted a way to watch videos or read books on my iPad while knitting.  I tried to prop it up enough so I could see the screen and not hurt my neck but no matter what I did, I was not comfortable.  When I mentioned my dilemma to Mr. Aitch, he suggested his music stand.

Voila!  It was perfect…almost.  It was a bit too tall even when in the lowest position but it was something we had and it worked…until he needed it to practice.  Then I was out of luck.

So I did some research and found the perfect solution for me.Manhasset 48CA music stand, knitting stand

The Manhasset 48CA stand is the same stand but the concertina size so it’s shorter than a regular music stand and designed for those who sit when performing.  This is great as I can sit comfortably in my favorite chair and watch videos, read, or listen to a book or music and knit!  No more straining my neck to see over the stand when Mr. Aitch is talking to me.Manhasset 48CA music stand, knitting stand

The stand is a sturdy metal and heavy so it would not tip over though it can be moved.  The height is adjustable and the stand can be tilted from almost verticle to horizontal as desired.  The lip is wide enough for books, pens, pencils, note pad, and/or an iPad.  Manhasset 48CA music stand, knitting stand

I love how all my knitting necessities fit nicely on the stand.

Have you taken something unusual and made it fit your needs?

 

I’m bored

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With many schools closed for a few weeks, children will get bored.  I know my grandchildren will be home for an unexpected vacation from schoolwork though some will have access to remote teaching, online classes or whatever the counties/school districts are calling it.  Not all children can think of something constructive to do with their newfound “free time.”

I’ve come up with some ideas for my grands when the “I’m bored” statements happen to escape their mouths.  None of these suggestions include looking at a screen and most of them can be done alone.

This list includes:

1. Paint nails or do nail art on your toes.  Acrylic paint will work for nail art as long as a clear coat of polish covers it.
2. Clean the top of your dresser.
3. Clean under your bed.
4. Make a bracelet.
5. Make your bed.
6. Write a note to someone you haven’t seen for a while.  Friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents.
7. Make a card…birthday, holiday, get well, thinking of you.
8. Practice a new language such as sign language or Spanish.
9. Walk 1,000 steps.
10. Do 30 jumping jacks.
11. Do 30 sit-ups.
12. Write in a dedicated notebook or journal about gratitude.
13. Relax with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.
14. Paint or draw a self-portrait.
15. Color a picture.
16. Write a book report about the last book you read.
17. Ride your bike/scooter.
18. Draw on the driveway with chalk.  Ask Mom or Dad first.
19. Pull weeds from a flower bed or garden plot.
20. Play hopscotch.
21. Jump rope 100 jumps.
22. Make a paper chain to count the days till an upcoming event: party, birthday, special trip, last day of school, vacation.
23. Clean your bathtub or bathroom sink area.
24. Learn how to sew a zipper pouch.
25. Knit a scarf, hat, mitts.
26. Work on a jigsaw puzzle.
27. Play a board game.
28. Build a Lego house or castle.
29. Learn a new origami figure or teach someone how to make one.
30. Measure something: the back porch, your bedroom, or any room or furniture in your house.

I’m sure you can think of other activities as well.  Do you have a game plan for “I’m bored?”

THSS II Sailing School

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I’m finally back on track with Helen Stewart’s The Handmade Sock Society Season II from 2019.  I last posted about these socks in November.

I made some headway on them while traveling then life happened and I got sidetracked.  Does that happen to you, too?

Anyway, now that the Ruana and quilt are finished (along with some other projects I’ll post about later), I’ve picked up the fifth sock pattern and making great progress!

The yarn was from our trip last October called Gloomy Gus.  I love how the blues and greens flow into each other.

Sock one is finished (except for the kitchener stitch toe) and the ribbing for the second sock is done.  I’m hoping these will be in my sock drawer by the end of the week.

Are you working on any WIPs (works in progress)?

Ruana update

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My sister-in-law finally received the ruana I was making for her.

No pics of her modeling it but here is the finished neckline area.

And the tag with all the essentials. most importantly the 65,644 stitches!

The finished size is 48 inches wide by 60 inches long.  I had a dream that it was so big that it dragged on the floor but in reality, it reaches mid-thigh.

I’ll see if she can send me a photo of her wearing it.

Now, back to some sock knitting!