Knitting and Happy Dance

Today was fun. I am more excited tonight ( by now it is really morning ) than I have been in a long time. DH and I decided to get me a digital camera today while we were running some errands. I found one I liked at the first store we went to but In typical fashion thought it best to check out some other stores in our area. We did and learned that the first place we went to had the best buy for our money.

I have spent much of the past several hours learning to use the camera and taking pictures of some knitting and crocheting projects. Below is a picture of the scarf I am knitting for the Red Scarf Project.

It is being made of 2 strands of worsted wt. acrylic yarn on # 15 needles. I cast on 24 stitches and used the knit stitch on the first two rows. The rest of the scarf is being made in a 3 by 3 rib. I will probably knit the last two rows before binding it off. This scarf is working up quickly and easily.

2007 Knitting and Crochet Goals

I have been thinking about my goals related to knitting and crocheting for the upcoming year. This includes projects to finish and do; books and other items to buy; changes to make to my blogs; and new yarns/threads to try.

I would like to finish:

    • Weaving in loose ends on and mail squares for a group project in which I am participating.
    • The scarf on my needles for the Red Scarf Project
    • The pair of socks started last year
    • An afghan for myself started a couple of years ago.

Some items I would like to buy are:

    • A digital camera.

Here is a list of books I want to add to my collection of fiber related books:

    • Any and all of the Harmony Guide to Knitting found here or here

Most of the fiber related tools and books will come from a favorite LYS or nearby bookstore.

I want to try out some of the novelty yarns that I have not been able to purchase while I was not working. The list is long and will change as I explore some LYS’s and other places.

Another goal is to post to all of my blogs more regularly and often. Purchasing a digital camera will make it possible to post pictures of projects while making them and once they are done.

Some of the items I want to make this year are:

    • Scarves for the Red Scarf project
    • At least one more pair of socks after completing the unfinished pair
    • At least a dozen dishcloths for my sister
    • More dishcloths for my household
    • Keeping up with the Monthly Dishcloth KAL
    • Trying out patterns in my copy of the Mason Dixon Book that I have not yet tried.

This list does not include other items made that go to charities. My philosophy is to keep charity giving a private matter, with two exceptions. The first is my support of the Red Scarf project. The second is that I will discuss it with a charity related online group to which I belong.
Some techniques I would like to learn or improve my skills with are:

    • Knitting lace. This might be a scarf or shawl. I don’t know yet, but my favorite LYS will be able to help with this project.
    • Tunisian Crochet
    • Sock making
    • Use of double pointed knitting needles
    • Intarsia knitting and crochet

The year 2007 promises to be a very busy people and fiber filled year. It sounds like fun. :)

What about yours?

Year In Review

I have been thinking about this past year this week. It has been a busy exciting year full of changes. Some of the changes include:

  • I have resumed knitting.
  • We have two functioning vehicles.
  • I began blogging and have five blogs on WordPress plus others.
  • I returned to work as an RN.
  • I kept a Needlework Journal.
  • My yarn purchases were limited with the result that my stash has decreased by a small amount.
  • I now belong to some online knitting and charity groups.
  • My household was introduced and switched to Firefox as its’ default web browser.
  • We also did the same as the above with Thunderbird.
  • We replaced my computer with a more current model and operating system.

It has been a most unique year in many ways. One of my hopes and prayers is that life can settle down a bit in 2007.

Busy Weeks

Life has been very busy in the past month. Some of the things that have happened are:

  • Me returning to work full time.
  • An early winter ice storm hitting our area and leaving a lot of us without electricity for days. Some people were without it for more than a week.
  • Knitting dishcloths in my spare time.

This doesn’t sound like a lot until homeschooling, keeping up with a household and trying to answer email are added to the mix. It has kept me very busy.

Nursing

The transition has finally been made. I have officially been working as an RN for the past two weeks in a Retirement Facility. It has been a time of learning, meeting new people, renewing old skills and learning new ones. It has not been as hard as I feared. The staff has all been very supportive and kind. The other nurses are among the best with whom I have ever worked. They have graciously gone out of their way to make my return to nursing as easy as possible. They have succeeded.

Blog Deleted

I deleted a blog today before posting a note anywhere that this would happen. The blog was:Favorite Links @ http://dcm2.wordpress.com/

It has been replaced with:Fiber Links
Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.

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Another Ball Band Dishcloth

I allowed myself the supreme treat of starting another dishcloth today. I am making it in red and green worsted weight cotton yarn using the Ball Band Pattern found in the Mason Dixon Book.  It is my all time favorite pattern because of its ability to pick up crumbs from my table and counters.

This is not the most exciting project to work on, but it is enjoyable. There is a special rhythm in the pattern and color changes. It is fun to watch it take shape and to see the yarn be transformed into an object of beauty and usefulness.

This one will be a welcome addition to a growing collection in my kitchen.

Morning Fun

This morning began normally with me taking computer time to view a couple of my favorite web sites while my husband was still sleeping. I continued with this until he was out of the shower and getting ready for work.

Making a long story very short, we are dog sitting for a family member for a few days. The dog is the size of a large collie. I will call hime Guest Dog.

He got up a bit early today to inflate a flat tire on the van and to arrange for its’ repair. We had decided to have it towed to a local repair shop for some overdue repairs. He decided to let the dogs go out with him. This should not be a problem. Our own dog knows the boundaries and how far to push them. She has the run of the yards on either side of us with the consent of our neighbors.

Meanwhile, I had retreated to the computer room to work on a blog. At least two of them were in need of some serious work today.

After a few minutes, my husband came in looking for our guest dog’s leash. He was not a happy person. I was very briefly told that Guest Dog went into the yard of a neighbor who would not be pleased to find a dog in his yard. This was not a good way to start a day.

In the meantime, our son, who was already outside, went after Guest Dog. He managed to get hold of the dog’s collar and get him over into the dog friendly yard of our next door neighbor. This was fine for a moment. Guest Dog pulled away from son and would not stand still. My Husband approached Dog with the leash provided by family “just in case you need it”. Guest Dog saw husband approach and decided he was in play mode. That being said, Guest Dog began running.

I watched as my husband ran across three yards chasing this huge dog as fast as he could. Son was also involved in the chase. Our own dog was just standing in the yard watching the fun. Guest Dog was caught before he reached the bushes separating the homes on our side of the street from a small strip mall which has easy access to the main road in our town.

I had the fun of watching the excitement from the front door. It was truly comical from my perspective. I wondered what the people passing by were thinking on their way past our house. My hope is that they had a laugh out of it to start their morning. I know I certainly did.

Once my husband, son and both dogs were inside, our son announced that Guest Dog was grounded from going into the front yard for the rest of the day. So he was.

Today

Good Morning,

It’s the day after Thanksgiving and as usual, i am up early sitting at my computer. This is a good way to start the day.

Yesterday was wonderfully relaxing. I spent lots of time on the computer while my family watched a movie they had been wanting to watch.We all enjoyed ourselves. As the only female in a household of guys, there are movies that they enjoy which are not at all to my interest or liking.

Today will be spent taking care of everyday chores such as laundry, getting a vehicle repaired, doing dishes, and a bit of housework. I will get some knitting done as well as take some family time.

 

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Thanksgiving

Today has been a quiet, pleasant day. We chose to stay home rather than attend dinners with extended family after having discussed what to do at great length. It was easier this way for a lot of reasons. I missed seeing my family.

We made a turkey and pumpkin pies. We nibbled on these items and other food off and on during the day. All of us took some much needed downtime. It felt good to have plenty of computer time.
Our big dinner with all of the trimmings will be eaten on the weekend which is when we normally do a lot of cooking. It will be an easy project since the meat and dressing are prepared.