Needles, etc.

Well, this mess doesn’t look like much, does it?  This is try 1, of 3 tries, at beginning a new pair of toe-up socks using a beginning method new to me.  Have you heard of Very Pink Knits?  Staci is a knitting teacher who writes patterns and shares techniques through YouTube videos.  Anyway, I tried remembering the video directions and had problems.  So then I tried just doing my own cast-on, which worked but I felt that I had failed my “test” so I pulled it out again, watched the video again and then got started over.  I know have the toes almost done but it is time to watch the third video about how to finish up the short rowing on the toe. Then I will have the easy time doing the foot.









And here is the new yard I got for my next sweater.  I am going to repeat the last sweater, this time with a yarn that matches the pattern.  I know that it will be easy and just the right thing to work on while Mother and I are visiting later this month.











I did get an owl completed except for her eyes.  I can’t seem to find the fabric I’ve used for the pupils so for the time being I am pretending that she just had her eyes dilated. 


















I did buy a little more fabric this week: flannel for receiving blankets.  This pair I just love so I bought enough for at least 2 blankets.














I didn’t get as much done this week as I had hoped but I have started feeling better.  Today I tottered around without the cane (it felt a little lonesome all alone in the corner).  But I was glad to have it close at hand because a couple of times I thought I was going to need it.  My daughter, the nurse, said she thought it may be bursitis although I thought that only happened in the shoulder.

We have no plans for this weekend so I am hoping that I will have a lot of sewing/knitting time.  And it would be all right, to to have a little antiquing time, not that we need more stuff. 

Have a great weekend and see you again on Monday.

Gari

I am sharing this link at Patchwork Times.

Taking A Class Worked

Would you believe that this is all I got done on the sewing front?  And, since the applique stitches are not even started, no machine was used in getting him this far.  I’m telling you now, don’t start knitting and for sure don’t buy yarn.








I did, however, have to buy fusible as all I had were the very small leftovers from other fish and/or chickens.  And look at how large the pieces are for this fish.  Only one dealer carries the brand I use and the company only sells wholesale.  My dealer never buys much and frequently there isn’t any.  So I called, made the lady go look on the shelf and then bought all they had.  This hobby is not easy.






I worked really hard getting that heel made and then the full foot but then I had to wait for the toe until Saturday’s class.
















And lookie, lookie, I have a sock.  It looks a little misshapen because it hasn’t been blocked but I can tell you that it fits fine.  The sad thing is that it took me from 10am until 4pm to get it done.  I made a mistake fairly early, had to pull everything I had done that morning and start on that toe again.  However, that is how we learn and the toe came out GREAT.   Now I need to finish the second of the pair: I am currently knitting the gusset.  Once that is done I will only have the foot, toe, and then the Kitchner stitched end.  I have to say that is a little tricky but I will get it done.







And to prove I can get something done, here are my tube socks, not only done but on my feet.  I wore them to Pizza Hut, where they keep the place freezing, Friday night and my little feet were toasty warm.  I had a close-up picture but really had to use the one where Abby had to butt in; she is almost as cute as my new socks.






And lest you think that my day at the yarn shop only included a lesson and knitting, here are the additions to my still small yarn stash.  I have plans for most of it but won’t start anything until I have finished the one or two I already have in process.







Lastly, I have to share my Norfolk Pine.  We bought this last Christmas because we didn’t have room for our regular tree.  It survived the winter, looking a little droopy, and then came out on the deck in the Spring and it has thrived.  Can you see the new growth?  I am so proud of it and have promised it that we will find a better place for it inside this winter.  I have never been able to keep one of these alive for a whole year so I am really excited about it.  And the Christmas cactus has grown a lot as well as the Poinsettia we have now had for 4 years.  None of them are going to be excited about returning to the house but we will wait until the last minute before subjecting them to dry, stale air.  I don’t blame them for wanting to stay outside all year.

Sunday, just as I was getting ready to cut fabric for the Deck-Ade The Halls, DH came to tell me he wasn’t feeling good and he would feel better if I was in the house where I could check on him.  I spent part of the day playing games on the computer but then decided it was time to print some patterns, both quilting and knitting.  Once he is feeling better I am going to get back in the groove: I need to see things being accomplished ………. besides socks. 

Have a great week.  Gari