the corner

Here it is, December 11th. 2013 and I'm still waiting for energy!  I haven't knit even one sock since I finished last years Christmas presents.  I had such high hopes for loads of socks for this year.

I can say that I am feeling better, but that is because I got rid of a major stress situation.  I never realized stress could cause extreme pain, but it can.  Get rid of pain and the exhaustion goes away.  I was sleeping 3 out of 4 hours daily, no kidding.  Now I'm not sleeping my life away.  I do have more energy and my concentration has really improved to the point I am reading more complemented novels.  Still not quite up to knitting just yet, but close I think.

Post Surgery

Surgery was on the 25th of March and all went very well.  Now I'm just trying to get my energy back and then will address the other issues that came up when I got the CAT scan ~ re kidney issues. 

I haven't gotten much of any knitting done since I got out of the hospital.  My tension just is the pits.  Just like when I had my tendon surgery a year ago.  Knitting along and then look at what I've done and woops, loads of big loops just hanging on the needles!  Time will correct that.  I don't have the energy level to sit at either machine for any period of time, so that is out for now.

I was grounded from driving for 2 weeks, after surgery.  That was really hard on me ~ not being able to go when I wanted.  Well, my first trip was to UPMC NW in Seneca (south of Oil City) for a blood test.  That is about a 40 minute drive and after the first 20 minutes I was starting to hurt.  Now I know I'm not in any hurry to go anyplace more than 5 or 10 minutes away!  Yesterday I ran errands and was totally exhausted and sore by the time I got home.  I really do want to go places and do things, I just don't want to wear myself out and then hurt!

Oh well, not bitching, just complaining!

Christmas gifts

I went to Mary & Eugene's sons house for Christmas Day dinner.  I took yarn with me and asked each person there which yarn they wanted a pair of socks made out of.   I had purchased 25 skeins of yarn at a big discount, so I had 5 100 gram balls of 5 different colorways.  They all chose their yarn.

It took awhile for me to make the socks, but they are all done.  I made Mary's socks on the 72 cylinder and then switched to the 60 cylinder for the balance of the socks.  They all turned out great.  Six pairs of socks + one pair of tube socks (on the 72) for Mary.  I've learned that you really shouldn't save up socks, made on the CSM, for kitchner!  CSM socks have 3 times the number of stitches to kitchner as a hand knit sock!  It took me forever!

I've hardly been out of the house, other than doctor's appointments, since the first of the year.  What with the weather and my being so tired, I've been staying home.  The CSM knitting has had a temporary set back.  I just don't have the energy to sit down and knit a sock on the CSM, since finishing the Christmas gift socks.

 I have knit 3 squares from the booklet The Great American Aran Afghan.  I have decided on the 4th square, but don't quite feel like starting it yet.  My goal, at first, was one square a month; I think that will continue to be my goal.

 I started a shawl called Circles Within Circles from the Cast On magazine.  I found errors within the chart for the CWC so I redid the graph in Stitch & Motif Maker.  Once I get all the way through the 28 row repeat it should go faster, but it is a long rectangular shawl.  I'm using my Elsebeth Lavold yarn, Silky Wool, for the shawl.  I'm getting gauge, so mine will be the same width of about 2 feet, but I don't have enough yarn to make mine 91" long, which is fine!  I don't want one that long!  Mine should end up at about 5 feet long (60") because of the amount of yarn I have available.  That is the approximate length I had planned on anyway.  The one in the magazine is made using a natural color linen, which would not be all that warm.  I want mine warm and am using a rust tone color.  The pattern is showing up beautifully.  If a person wanted to make it using crochet cotton it would make a beautiful curtain.  I keep eyeing my short, but wide, bathroom window!  I must be out of my mind!  Anyway you look at it, although this is not a quick knit, it is good for sitting back, relaxing and knitting to keep the hands busy.

CSM progress

I now have finished 1 pair of sleep tube socks, 2 pair of picot hem socks and 2 pair of basic hem socks.  I have a pair of socks almost totally finished, just one toe left to kitchner for that pair.

The machine is all set up for another pair, I just need to decide which yarn to use.  I've really expanded my sock yarn inventory.  I've been watching the sales and buying yarn that way.  I also bought 9 skeins of Barocco yarn from my Meadville yarn store.  Yesterday there were some beautiful skeins of Opal sock yarn at the Meadville store and I really wanted to scoop every one of them up and take them home.  I didn't, but only because they aren't in the budget!  I have spent this month's budget for yarn related items!  Next year's budget has been increased!  Hey, with a CSM you know you are going to be buying more sock yarn!  I more than doubled my 2012 yarn budget for 2013!

I've been using only my 72 slot cylinder and will soon try out the 60 slot cylinder.  The 60 will take a thicker yarn and I have some yarn I'd like to try on that cylinder.

I admit I haven't knit as much on the CSM as I'd like, but I was on some antibiotics that really blew a full month for me.  I was totally wiped out by the meds.

I bought an electric cone winder that I love.  It only has one draw back.  It is so touchy that you can't wind directly from a store bought ball because of the tension.  So, I wind it on my Royal winder first, then from that ball I am able to wind it with the cone winder.  It makes such a difference, knitting off the cone when using the CSM.  Also, Ann in Ohio gave me a gift certificate that I used to buy a Yarn Buddy.  Wow, that is so wonderful.  I love it.  I can use it for any hand wound or Royal wound ball plus it is great for the CSM.  I don't have to worry about the cone falling over as I crank away!

The Yarn Cabinet

As I have acquired more yarn I've just been sticking it into the cabinet, by catagory of course.  Then I received a large shipment that was bagged.  That gave me the incentive to make my yarn inventory cards before putting the yarn in the cabinet.  From there I decided to bag my sock yarn by manufacturer.  Out came the 1 gallon zip lock baggies and the sorting began.  Now all of my sock yarn, that is in balls, is in baggies and have inventory cards made!   Then, looking at the Yarn Cabinet, I decided to start on the worsted weight yarn!  Now most of that is bagged and have inventory cards made!  Progress. 

I think the next step will be the skeins of both lace weight and fine sock yarn!  The process is slow but rewarding.  By the time I get these two done I'll be through the bulk of it.  At this point 4 of the 9 cubes are organized, of which one is not carded but is just for the 2 Classic cardigans from KP and also my beautiful skeins of discontinued lace weight turquoise variegated yarn from Knit Picks.

I also updated my books list and added two books to my Ravelry library.  I did notice a couple of patterns that need to be added to my Ravelry library.

Organization makes it so easy to find what I want and the unexpected discoveries are great!

Socks on the CSM

It has taken me almost 2 months to get up the courage to try an actual sock.  I didn't practice on heels, like you are supposed to.   On 10/23 I decided to make a sock.  I got the picot hem done and the leg.  When I got into the heel I got confused and screwed up!  So I took it off the machine and undid the heel portion, putting the live stitches from the last row of the leg on ravel cord.  Late that night I re-hung the sock.  Wednesday morning, the 24th I re-attempted the heel and it came out fine.  So then I did the foot and toe.  Now it sits waiting to be kitchnered.  So, today, the 25th, I made the 2nd sock!  I need to remove the waste yarn and kitchner that sock also.  They are both the same size, which I'm told can be a problem, sometimes.  I tried on the 1st sock and it fits!

Now I'm watching the ribbing videos!  Not that I don't like the picot hem, I do, but I don't think David will want picot hems on his socks!  I'm not a fan of mock ribbing, so that really isn't an option.

I love my circular sock knitting machine!

I do need to put another pair on needles though, so I'll have something to do with my hands when I'm listening to audio books or just relaxing.  Of course there are other things I can knit, by hand. Heaven knows I have more than enough yarn that is not compatable with either of my knitting machines.

Two Pair of all hand knit socks are done!

On October 12th I finally finished the 2 pair of socks that I started clear last February.  The Schoppel Wolle yarn, that I bought in DC, made up a bit big, but once washed they fit perfect!

Of course I will probably keep a sock on needles for my to-go project, since I'm totally lost without my knitting.  But, from now on I hope to be making all my socks, Sharon #1's socks and David's sock on the CSM.  Heaven knows I have more than enough yarn waiting and calling to me!

Tomorrow I plan on trying my first "heel" on the CSM.  I figure that if I take it really slow and am really careful I should be able to do it!  Of course I will have to take lots of notes so the 2nd sock will be the same!  I have my machine all set up with the cast-on sack and waste yarn portion done.  Now it is just put in the ravel cord row and switch to sock yarn.  I would try it tonight, it is 9:30 pm., but my eyes get tired and I want to be refreshed and ready to go at it tomorrow.  Crossing my fingers!

Progress is wonderful

I finally finished one pair of my hand knit socks that I started last February and have begun the 2nd pair that I started at the same time.  I had knit the cuffs, by hand, with the thought of knitting them on the flat bed machine.  But when my hand was so painful I just put them aside.  The ones I'm working on now are black and blue and I purchased the yarn in DC when visiting David.

Now, as to the CSM (circular sock machine) I've made some real strides there also.  I've made 3 cast-on sacks and the last one I incorporated a new technique.  The 3rd one, finished today, went so great and is perfect!  Now I need to make a draw string (I-cord) to go with it.  That will be a breeze as I haven't had a problem making I-cord on the CSM. 

On 9/23/12 my tension and speed finally came back to prior surgery levels.  Now I can knit anyway I want ~ machine or hand ~ with no problem.

Life is great, even if the weather is grey and gloomy!

It has been awhile.  Thumb surgery turned out great.  My tension is still a bit off, but that is temporary.  I bought a circular sock knitting machine and am still trying to get the process working for me.  Finished the Horizon Scarf and ordered the book that it is published in. 

Not much doing in my knitting world.  I'm still working on a pair of hand knit socks that I started in Febuary!  The tension is not consistant so I have to keep tightening it up.  Now I think it is to tight!  They probably won't fit me! 

Now that I've spent all that money on both the flat bed knitting machine and the sock knitting machine I've got to get my tail in gear and start knitting on them! 

Doing some knitting

It has been 5 weeks since I had my thumb tendon operated on.  That was 6/20/12.  I am doing quite well, but knitting socks is out of the questions at this time.  The tension has to be "just so" and a bit tight and that still is causing discomfort, called pain.

I am working on a scarf called Horizon Scarf by Kate Jackson.  She hasn't published the pattern yet, as it will be in her up comming book Kate Jackson Knits.  It is a beautiful scarf.  Even though I still don't knit a lot of stitches per day, I am making progress.  Since I''m using a size 8 circular needle and the tension is loose it doesn't make my thumb sore.  At least I'm knitting!

Edited to add that the book is called Sunday Knitting and will be out on 9/22/12.  I've ordered my copy.

Lazy Days

It looks like I'm in the lazy days syndrome.  My wrist isn't getting any better, actually worse.  I can't knit more than 1,000 stitches a day without it becoming painful.  I need to get back up the the hand specialist for a talk.  I don't want surgery because I worry it could make it worse.  It looks like I'll be doing very little hand knitting in my future.  I have some socks on needles and occasionally work a few rounds on them. I'll be hand knitting some lace and some worsted weight, to use up my stash.  I know I'm  going to miss the comfort I get from hand knitting but at least I will be knitting.  I think my spinning wheel might help with the rhythm of hand knitting that I will miss.  But of course my right foot always wants to continue the rhythm after I go to bed!

I was on Ravelry today and discovered the Hansen Crafts mini spinner!  It also comes with the WooLeeWinder level-wind flyer.  I'm familiar with the flyer, but had never heard of the mini spinner!  I don't have a problem with my Ashford Traditional wheel, but I sure would like the flyer attachment for my Ashford. 

It seems like every time I turn around, lately, there is some new "knitting want" I encounter.  They are always expensive items!

I really need to make the long swatch for my cardigans, on the knitting machine.  One swatch, various settings.  Since the cardigans will be straight knit I took the ribber off of the knitting machine Wednesday.  That thing is heavy!  Now all I have to do is get the yarn ready to swatch.  It will require dividing the hank in half, making one ball.  Then using my scale, to make 2 balls from the one ball so I can run the two strands through the machine at the same time.  Once I get the tension I want I will have to re-calculate the sweater pattern, as a flat pattern, not in the round.  That isn't a problem, the problem is me!  I just don't have the incentive to do much of anything lately.

I did make a loaf of bread Wednesday, using my new bread machine.  I should never try to talk on the phone, or even answer it, when I'm in the middle of something!  I had to throw the first batch out because I didn't put in the right amount of liquid!  Once I started over I realized my error!  Another thing I learned was don't believe everything the book says!  It said that you could use butter straight from the fridge.  Wrong!  I even softened it with the first try, but all I got were flour covered lumps of butter!  I knew better!  With the second batch I melted the butter!  That works!  Then there was the salt - I knew they wanted more than I like, but I followed the instructions.  Next time I'll decrease the amount of salt a bit.  Trial and error.  At least I got a nice loaf of bread.  Oh yes, then there was the clean up of the pan.  Well, I did that right, thank heavens, but when I went to wash the beaters I could only find one, and there are two!  I hunted and hunted and couldn't find that darned missing beater.  About 1/2 hour later I was looking at the bottom of the loaf and it dawned on me - it was still in the bottom of the loaf!  I'm learning!  Just wait until I try to make Puff Dough!  That should be real interesting!  That is all by hand, no machine with that.  It is very time consuming.

Now I'm hungry!

Miscellaneous Updates

Everything seems to be moving along pretty good lately, just a few minor bumps, but that's life.

I made David 3 pairs of socks on the knitting machine.  He called and wanted to know how long they take to do, on the machine!  Then sent me pictures of sweaters!  One was a fair isle from Land's End.  I googled Men's Fair Isle Sweaters and there was the sweater, same model;  that is how I found out it was from Land's End.  I clicked on it and wow, it was on sale for 39.99.  There is no way I could buy even just 1 skein of each color for that price, so I bought it!  I'll be mailing it soon, along with the 3rd pair of socks and a scarf I made for Melissa.  I copied off the pattern and now I just have to take my Jamison & Smith yarn sample card to match up the colors, should I ever decide to make matching socks or vest or something with that pattern sequence.

I decided to make a key hole scarf for a friend but was to lazy to get up and look for my pattern.  So I found a similar one on Ravelry and changed that one a bit.  Actually, the original pattern was one Richard's mom had made in the early 70's and written the pattern on an envelope.  I have that envelope and one of the ones she made.

Then I saw a link, on Ravelry, for a Pinwheel Purse.  I've seen them before, but never had the pattern.  So I immediately printed the pattern and made the pieces.  Now I'm almost done putting it together.  I just used some left over sock yarn.

One of the gals from the Meadville group invited me to join the Titusville group that meets every Wednesday.  So, yesterday I went over to see what that group was like.  They are a great group of women, and so fun to be around!  I don't know if I will go every week, but I will be going quite often since they are so nice and it is so close! 

With the price of gas going up I have already curtailed my driving about as much as is possible.  I only budget $50.00 a month for gas and by the time I go to Meadville twice a month and (shame on me) up to Waterford to Marge Butler's yarn store occasionally I just seem to go through a tank of gas!  I will be going to the Franklin knitting group this Saturday, so there is another out of town trip.  Also, I do try to go visit one friend just south of me at least weekly.  With this new group here in town that will help, on the gas situation and while out to go there I can run my errands.

I got my final 2 windows installed today, from Window World.  They were here almost 3 hours for just the 2 windows and it got down to 52* in here by the time they finished!  The windows really look nice though, so I'm happy with them.  Originally I bought 6 for upstairs.  I got the double hung that tilt in so you can wash both sides from inside.  I mean, after all, how do you wash 2nd story windows from the outside!  I got the same for the main floor but with the e-gas in them, for the main floor bedroom and front room.  The rest of the windows will be fine, as far as I'm concerned, at least for this year!  I'd really like a garden window in the kitchen, but then I wouldn't be able to really look outside to the back yard, from the front room.  Besides, that would cost at least $1,800.00 and I just can't justify paying that much for a window just for plants!  Now I just need to re-install all of my main floor blinds and put the new blinds up on the 6 upstairs windows. 

Monday night I decided to run over to Subway and grab a sandwich.  Just a quick trip, no need to lock the storm door to the back porch, just the door into the house.  When I got home, maybe 10 minutes later, I sat down and ate 1/2 the sandwich and watched some TV.  After awhile I started to feel cold and looked at my Atomic Clock and it said it was only 59* in the front room.  Well, that didn't make sence.  Then I thought, oh no, the furnace has quit again!  I'd just had it fixed on the 24th of January.  Well,  no heat!  I played with the thermostat, turning it up and down, but no "click".  I went down the basement and checked the furnace and the pilot light was on.  I couldn't figure out what was wrong.  So I slept on the couch in the front room, which is the warmest room in the house, with my extra electric blanket.  Tuesday morning I called my contractor/friend and he came over.  He couldn't find anything wrong!  Then he checked to see if the wires were getting power - nope!  He came upstairs, to the back porch and checked the electrical box.  The switch for the furnace was in the off position!  I asked him what would cause that to trip and he said there was no reasonable explination to account for it to trip.  Did someone come onto the enclosed back porch, through the unlocked storm door and throw that switch?  I'll never know, but you can bet that will be the last time I will leave that door unlocked, even to be gone 10 minutes.  We both laughed when I said:  "When something won't turn on, plug it in, dummy!".  We both felt very foolish that the switch wasn't the first thing we checked!

So, I've had some interesting times lately, but I'm still smiling and am now warm. 

Progress is great

I finished the Cardigan on New Years Eve!  All washed and blocked and looks great.  I really wanted to get it done so I could get to my finishing touch projects.  As of 1:00 AM this morning I now have finished off David's socks that needed the toes and kitchner done, one pair of socks, for me, kitchnered and Sharon #1's Pop Up Paws kitchnered.  Basically that leaves just the side-ways sweater that needs finishing touches. 

Off the knitting topic, I got my kitchen electric problems fixed this last week, gave my recliner away and was given a very comfortable couch.   When I found out my friends were going to get rid of the couch I was excited to be able to get it!  Finally I can lay down to watch tv when I'm just to tired to knit and want to watch the end of a movie before going to bed!  I had to move all my furniture around several times until I was finally satisfied with where everything ended up.  I admit the arrangement looks weird, but it suits my needs and I'm happy.  I had to move my smaller couch into the bedroom, for the time being.  It is backed up against the foot of my bed!  Hey, I've found it is sort of nice to have a place to sit while putting on my shoes and socks!   

My next project is getting 2 new windows put in and starting on the upstairs.  I need to straighten out my 2nd floor attic, now that the electrical problem is fixed.  Then I can clean up the Pile It bedroom and move my single bed in there, from the large 2nd floor bedroom.  Then I will get some guys over to move my 1st floor bed and dresser to the large up stairs bedroom.  This project will take some time because it isn't as easy as it sounds to get everything in order.  I sure hope I find a few things up there that I've been looking for!

The Steek

Years ago, when I attempted my first steek, I knew nothing about steeking.  There was no internet then, only word of mouth help.  Wasn't good help.  Today we have such an invaluable tool to find our answers.

When I saw Murial's cardigan I knew it was the pattern I'd been seeking for years.  Of course I had to download it; a free pattern from Knit Picks.  It is knitted in the round and I knew that it would have to be steeked!  Oh my.  Much to my surprise the pattern is written with so much detail, on steeking, that my fear evaporated instantly.  Today I steeked.  Wow!  I have decided to put in buttonholes, so now I had to find the proper button.  I have lots and lots of buttons.  I got out my container of buttons that are all sorted and on lengths of string.  I found two different buttons that would work, one a light green and the other a dark green.  The dark green will be perfect!  Antique buttons with a shank.  I say antique because they are from my MIL's stash and probably as old or older than me!  Now all I need to do is put the cardigan on and note the bust point, for a button, so it won't gap.  I will knit the left band first so I can count the stitches to be able to figure where the buttonholes will be placed.  Ah, math!  Glad I do like math!  I will also place markers where I will attach the buttons and put in a stabilizer, between the front and back of the band, for extra stability when sewing the button on.

I can remember reading Elizabeth Zimmerman's note about steeking.  "Cut on basting, then lie down in a darkened room for 15 minutes to recover.  You will never fear to cut again".  That was from page 61 of Knitting Without Tears.  In another quote she suggested a glass of wine and a cold cloth on your forehead.

I was feeling very confident when I did my steek because of the instructions with the Classic Lines Cardigan  pattern.  The band will fold over and cover all of the steek. 

It all worked just like it was supposed to.  

Round and round I go

My cardigan is progeressing, wonder of wonders!  Both sleeves are now on holders to eventually attach to the body.  12,210 stitches in each sleeve, which is nothing compared to 44,676 on the body, just to get to the point where I can attach the sleeves!  Oh my!  I'm at 11,016 stitches now, on the body, which represents about 1/4 of the way to the sleeve attachment.  Sure doesn't look like that much!  I've recorded a bunch of Christmas shows on tv that I can watch while I knit.  Those I don't have to watch so close, so I can get a lot of knitting done while they play.

I'm thinking ahead and have decided to hem the sleeves before attaching them to the body.  Because it steeks I will do most of the body hem, at that time also.  Just won't hem the front portion at that point.  I just want to have as much of the finishing work done, as possible, when I finish all the knitting.  I've been thinking about the sweater that I've still got to finish.  It has so many ends, that I have finished off and think maybe I'll use the same technique on it as the Classic Cardigan . . enclosing the edge in a self facing to cover all the front edge.  Something to think about as I go round and round.

Remembering the past

I started the Knit Picks Classic Lines Cardigan last night.  This evening, while working on the first sleeve I remembered that it used to take me 3 days to make one sleeve of a sweater.   Of course those sweaters were aran, not 2 strands of lace weight yarn.  I am enjoying this very easy knit, round and round!  This sweater is sure bringing back the memories, even though it isn't an aran.

Finally getting my WIP items under control.  Still have two projects to kitchner, David's socks to add the toe to, in a different color yarn, since I ran out of the pattern yarn.  Hey!  Size 14 feet don't take kindly to 100g of sock yarn if you make the leg portion longer!  Ouch!

Went to the doctor today and had two more probable basil cell carcinomas removed.  Already have had 3 removed over the last 3 years.  One of the two today was very small but since he was removing the other one he decided we might as well have it removed and biopsied also. 

My stash is growing!

Sweaters and more sweaters

Along with everything else I have on needles I've got one sweater almost done.  It is one that was designed by Marge Butler and I just have the final sleeve to do, besides of course the band & hiding lots and lots of ends.

Today I ordered yarn for cardigans.  Yes, multiple cardigans.  There will be one in green tones, one in rust tones and one in blue tones.  

I always have so many projects on my needles.  It gives me variety and I can knit what I feel like working on.  I even mended a couple of socks last week!  Today I wanted to finish my latest pair of socks, except for the kitchner.  Only problem is I'm tired and have the blaaaas.  Maybe I'll get the foot done, never can tell.  I tend to save a bunch and do kitchner all day.

I haven't knit much this year, as I went on vacation and then my friend was sick so I spent a lot of time just going to see here daily.  Then I got sick and couldn't knit, my gauge was way off.  So I read and slept alot.  I was doing good to even be able to concentrate to read.  Even though I haven't done a lot of knitting I have been buying yarn!  I stayed on a "no new yarn" diet for quite awhile and then the dam broke!  The Yarn Vault,  Marge Butler and Knit Picks love to see me coming!  Now it is knit fast, for Christmas for Sharon #1, since she is the only one I knit for, besides myself and David.  Poor David will be getting only one pair of socks this year!   I keep looking at Argyle patterns for him, but haven't found much.  There is one vest I think he would like, but then I have to decide on the colors.  Oh well, maybe someday.

How time flies

It's been over 2 months since my last post and not much has changed.  A few new things on needles and Mary is still registered in a nursing home to get physical therapy but currently in the hospital with an infection.  Then Dick, a dear friend, broke his leg and has 3 broken ribs.  He is in a different nursing home!  I guess the running and stress was to overwhelming for me and I came down with something.  I don't know what it is but it has kept me home.  I was supposed to go to Rheinbeck NY yesterday and here I sit! 

I have a tendon problem in my left arm but it is not from knitting.  It is from reading!  I hold the book in my left hand.  Now I am setting the book on my TV tray/stand and it seems to help.

So, here I sit, sort of enjoying a quiet early weekend, eating club crackers to make my stomach happy.  Wish I could find some diet 7-up.  Don't want to go all the way out to Walmart and couldn't find any in town.  Weird.  Maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough.

The Summer Read-A-Thon hits again

Last year I went through a period of time without knitting.  Looks like I'm in the same rut this year.  Of course this is not intentional but circumstances seem to dictate what direction we journey.

This summer has not been smooth, since returning home from my wonderful Alaskan vacation with Sharon #1.  We had a blast.  The first 5 weeks after I got back I was on the road to Erie 6 days a week.  My friend had come down with GBS while I was gone.  Now it is 5 days a week to the Oil City nursing home/rehab facility, where she is receiving physical therapy.  As a result I'm not doing much besides visiting her AND the house isn't getting messed up since I'm not here to make much of a mess!

I have done a few rounds on the Neibling and re-vamped the way I handle the pattern.  Previously I had the pattern charted and printed out on 2 sheets, taped together.  Now I have separated the big sheet into 8 sections of 10 stitches per section.  I bought some small receipe cards, 2 1" x 3", and using double sided scotch tape, put each section on a card.  I punched a hole in the top right corner of the card and used a 1" ring to hold the set together.  The cards hold 3 rows of pattern, so right now I'm working on round 99 which is the last round on the 1st set of cards.  I have rounds 101, 103 and 105 on the next set, ready to use. 

I've found these little cards great to write my daily to-do list on, for when I'm out and about.  They come in packages of 200 and I have all the extras punched and on a 2" ring.  I thnk big!  I bought 2 packages!  Also you can't buy just one ring!  I bought one set each of the 1" and 2" rings.

Oh yes, I also decided to put stitch markers every 10 stitches, within each pattern repeat, of the Neibling.  I know, more stitch markers to have to move!  But, darn it, I was having problems with the pattern.  This fix has eliminated that problem and now I'm only putting in a safety line after every 4th round.  I was inserting one through every plain row. 

I've decided that since returning from my vacation I've lost my (mind?), no, just my morning schedule!   I used to get everything taken care of in the morning, before noon.  Then, just before going to bed I'd go on the computer and check everything one last time.  Now I'm  not using my time efficiently and this has got to stop!  Starting in the morning I'm going to try and get back on schedule.  Of course the running to be with Mary has been part of the mess up of my schedule and I think the heat is another reason.  Of course I wouldn't give up going to cheer Mary on, but I do need to get some order back into my life.  I've made myself a reminder list, so I'll try to stick to it.

So slow

I ended up making more Pop-Up-Paws, so Sharon #1 will be receiving a pair made out of the same yarn I used to made her heavy V-neck sweater.  I made myself a pair out of the same yarn I used to make my heavy V-neck sweater.  I didn't get to the post office until yesterday, to mail David's sock and Sharon's Pop-Up-Paws. 

Now I'm back to the Herbert Neibling doily and put another sock on the needles for David. 

I did get one of the felted slippers put together and ready to felt, but the 2nd one is still in pieces.

I'm trying to stay away from buying more yarn.  I have such a large stash of sock yarn and miscellaneous yarn that I need to use up.  I guess it is time to design some quick projects to knit up and set aside, to sell next winter, for Christmas gifts.