Fancy Rags

My first cables (ish)! A diamond pattern cotton dishcloth. Definately qualifies me for the 'fancy rags' award.

I want to make the Cleo Clutch or some variation of it, so that meant biting the bullet and attempting a cable. As with most things it wasn't as hard as I anticipated. Though I am a spacy knitter and am forever losing track of where I am. I need to work on that.

Yesterday I started working on a test piece for a shibori felting experiment. I will post results as I progress with it. Should be interesting...

All this is in preparation for the arrival of a kilo of Blue Faced Leicester and a load of acid dyes I am eagerly anticpating. counting the days...

posted by Unknown at 2:13 pm | | 2 comment(s)

Warm Feet and Warm Heart

Proof positive that I spend way too much time online. Last week my internet connection went down for 48 hours and to fill the time, I finished a pair of socks and made a felt painting.

Perfect English spring/summer socks. Cotton, Wool blend. The pattern is SpunMags Basic Rib Socks Super comfy - I love 'em!

Buddha Mama felt painting. In all her sacred wisdom, holding her belly. The base is blues and greens wet felted, and the picture is needle felted. A piece long time in my head, finally made real with the carthartic with the whacking and smacking to shock the fibers of the mat and the poke-poke-poking of the needles.

Many a tear realeasing love and sadness are fixed firmly within the fibers of this piece. It is destined for a special place in my collection.

posted by Unknown at 3:46 pm | | 1 comment(s)

Pinwheel Sunburst

Made this for a knit along at Sewing Mama's - Mother's of Purl forum. (c'mon over and play with us!) The pattern is from
here.

Made from leftovers and odd balls from my bag. And lordy lou is it bright! Not my usual style, but I like it.

The edge is just a stockinette decrease to shape a triangle. I knit off the circulars onto straights at each section. It was a PITA to join the yarn again for each section, but I couldn't figure out how to get the stockinette going the same way as the body of the blanket in that shape any other way. If some enlightened reader knows a trick for this, please share. I like the effect but hated the work. I am a lazy knitter for sure. For extra body and texture I did a quick double crochet around the edge.

posted by Unknown at 11:03 am | | 0 comment(s)

I love my work

I love my work. Just love it. It is hard to get going on days when I feel really crappy, but I manage. And I am always happy that I did. I have never once come back from a class or a birth thinking that the time and energy spent would have been better served by me lying in bed at home. I come back from my work having gotten back in touch with what I am learning so deep in my soul. The place of peace and strength I so often lose sight of.

I am so grateful to have my work.

posted by Unknown at 10:04 am | | 0 comment(s)

Labyrinth For A Dear Friend

Getting back to my poor neglected machines this weekend. I re-recylced an old thrift store bargain skirt, (I have lost so much weight since the first recycle, thus requiring another go.) and made a quilt square for a group quilt to give to a dear friend who has recently discovered that she has cervical cancer. This friend is one of the absolute most generous, compassionate, and loving people I know. A group of friends (many of whom only know her online, including myself) are making quilt sqaures to make a quilt for her to wrap around her during her care and recovery. We can't be there in person, so this quilt is a big hug from us to her.

Labyrinth to symbolize the journey into the unknown world of life threatening illness. I know that she will find the grace needed to meet whatever challenges and lessons this brings. And praying that upon her return she is healed and whole.

I love you, KR!

posted by Unknown at 9:47 am | | 1 comment(s)

Its Raining Its Pouring

So much for the better weather. Last weeks sunshine was a teaser. Yes, I know I need to be patient. Everything in its time, right? Ugh. I want it NOW!!! ::stomps feet and sticks out lower lip::

My yoga class starts this morning. It is pouring out. This type of weather kills me in the fibro pain department and all I want to do is curl up in bed and wimper. I have been looking foward to this class for weeks and today I just simply don't feel like going. I will go, and I am sure I will be happy that I did. But dang, its going to take everything I have to get my arse out the door. blah blah blah.

UPDATE: Well I went. It was a nice class. I was the youngest person there by 20+ years. (and I am nearly 40...) which is fine by me. I asked for a gentle easy class because of my fibromyalgia. And gentle it was. Easy it was not. We barely did any standing poses, only 2 simple sun salutations, and mostly lying down poses. I AM IN EXCRUTIATING PAIN. Seriously. I can hardly walk. I started crying in class because it was so hard. (Just a couple discreet tears, the waterworks didn't flow until after class) I used to have a really strong yoga practice a few years ago. Even just a year ago I was able to do a fairly vigorous Ashtanga practice. But now I can barely keep up with the senior set. I was shaking trying to hold simple poses and forget balance with this farkin' dizziness. I can't point my toes or my legs go into spasm.

I am trying not to be discouraged. I know that it will take a bit of getting used to and that it will get easier...I hope. Fibromyalgia is weird stuff when it comes to exercise. But it is hard. Really hard. I came home and threw myself into my study and homework in an attempt to keep my mind off the pain. That worked for a bit, but now that the kids are home from school and they need to do be up and active I am having a very hard time. I hate this. I really really hate this. I am not sure how to cope with this.

posted by Unknown at 8:47 am | | 0 comment(s)

World Wide Knit In Public Day

Alright all you fiber-freaks, time to fly your flag. 10 JUne in WWKIP day!!! I would love to organize a local KIP, but I am teaching a course that weekend as luck would have it. Not to worry though, I am officially making a pledge to KIP more often. I used to KIP all the time in Portland where fellow knitters were plentiful, but have been more in the closet since we moved. Time to change that!

posted by Unknown at 12:26 pm | | 0 comment(s)

Perfect Timing

I have been working on this lap blanket here and there for several weeks. The idea was to have it done by the time the weather was nice enough to sit outside and enjoy a cup of coffe in the morning. As luck would have it, I finished this last night, just as the weather has (at least for a couple days) shifted in the right direction. Perfect timing!

Simple diagonal lace pattern, perfect for late night insomniac knitting binges. I used a big ol' skein of Aran Wool blend that I picked up at a charity shop for £1.



And in a sweet little twist of fortune, a friend went to Naples for a few weeks last month and brought us a one of these little beauties.

Perfecto!

posted by Unknown at 10:19 am | | 0 comment(s)