still knitting

So begins November. 

 I finally finished Rockefeller!!! I know ... but I was working on the skirt but then I got yarn for Seanair and I just wanted to finish something in the midst of so many WIP. So ...












And I have Seanair (the link is to the Ravelry page as the errata is noted there. There is no indication of the errata on the Knitty page - unless I totally missed it which is entirely possible) well under way. I'm not sure how I feel about the alpaca with this pattern though - the fuzziness of the yarn is obscuring the stitch definition some. The 50 Shades of Grey variegation is subtle enough that I don't think that that is an issue. Hmmmm ... what do you think?

Most accurate representation of colour & texture

I had my annual breast MRI on Tuesday - I actually fell asleep during it and the start of the last scan woke me up with such a start that the poor tech thought that there was a problem. I also got my flu shot. I am around so many diseased and disease carrying people that, especially never having had any issues resulting from it, I always get it.
Completely unrelated, I am fighting off a low-grade cold. Pounding back vitamin C and tea laced with lemon & ginger infused honey. A combination of knitting & napping will be the agenda for the rest of the day.

Kyle is doing his own thing ... learning life lessons as young men will.

Amanda is very happy with a nice young man - he is lovely to her and they are exponentially adorable together.

Woodstock Fleece Festival - The Day

Helen and I had a blast!!! Neither one of us bought very much but we found what was needful and lovely and touched so much more!!!







Shouts out to Lori and Carol - awesome to see you ladies again!!

Helen found a perfect worsted weight for a hat for her grandmother - Malabrigo. She also purchased another knitting project bag and some koigu for fingerless mitts.

I fell hard for some Studioloo - the colours in Vintage Sundress sung an irresistible siren song to me (and my feet), then I saw "eat your greens" and knew that I had to have it to swatch up for another Sweet Spot strip.





We petted an French Angora rabbit and had some close moments with Halifax, a very loving (and lovable) alpaca!!

I had swatched for Seanair Friday.

Very Loose

Still loose

Apparently I am a much looser knitter on circulars. I started on the recommended 4mm needles and finally achieved gauge on 3mm needles! I cast on for while Helen was in class for the afternoon. With that time and the drive home and DVR watching last night, I am off to an excellent start!!














Today I am revisiting my Rockefeller shawl - I really hope that I can finish the 2^nd (and final) wing today.

I have been coveting starting the Color Affection shawl but between not being able to completely commit to a colourway and having a lightweight shawl on the needles I've talked myself out of purchasing yarn.

This is a Madelaine Tosh Merino Light colourway that I've picked out that I keep going back to.

Okay ... back at it; I am really excited about finishing a project for myself!!

One Wing

I have been knitting but also taking some time to just enjoy my last week or so of time off and the absolutely fabulous weather we've been having. Granted, it's been quite warm some days but that sure beats chilly & rainy!! It's Summer and I love it!!!

I spent my entire Friday knitting and
ripping, let's call it swatching, doing some serious maths to make sure that my 36g of orange would last for both wings. I totally did it - numbers don't lie!!! - but I ate up the Malabrigo Velvet Grapes. But I can deal with that, I've got Julie on the case!! I'll have to wait for the new skein to continue - if there is a significant difference in dye lot I'd rather it was on the entire left wing than just half of it. If you want to see all of the progression pictures, I have them on my Ravelry project page.





No worries, I have been working on my Family Pendragon SweetSpot strip and I can jump right back into Beth's Drops sweater.

I am healing very well on all counts! My stomach still feels tight and if I stretch/twist a bit too much I am reminded that there is still healing to be done. I still put the Bio Oil on; can't hurt ... My toe still has a numbishness to it and while I can walk it's a careful placing of foot to ground and I'm careful not to roll off of the ball of my foot. There is still some swelling on the top of my foot, but I feel good about how both surgeries have gone. Next week is filled with doctors appts to get followups done and return to work permissions and modifications sorted. I'm scheduled to go back on the 13th - I'm looking forward to it. No, really I am. I would love to keep staying at home but needs must and I miss the people!!!

Block Party

Beth's Drops 85-11, front

Well, last night was blocking night. I really do enjoy blocking - seeing what you've knit transform and unfurl into what it's meant to be.

Westknits Rockefeller Clue 2

I also swatched for a new strip for my next SweetSpot afghan. It's Family Pendragon, Fae Lite colourway.

I'm not sure if I am going to have an official Ravellinic Games project ... I have these 3 things on the go and am going to be casting on a new project for Elise. I think that juggling these will have me quite busy enough without adding a self-imposed deadline that will put a halt to progress on one or more of these.





Saturday was beach day. My sister came up with my niece and we headed to Wasaga. Now, I did give some thought to walking in sand but perhaps I didn't think it through as thoroughly as perhaps I should have. Not that it would have mattered - I'd've gone anyway, but still. Damn - walking on the extra fine & shifty sand of Wasaga took a whole lot of concentrating and slow, deliberate movements. I didn't wreck anything but I am back to feet up. It was a gorgeous day and totally worth it!!

Westknits Rockefeller Clue 2 SPOILER!!!

I was on a mission today - I was doing Clue 2 until it was done. YATTA!!!!

It definitely needs blocking. I had blocked the inner ring (clue 1) last night, tonight I'll block it all out.
I am somewhat concerned about the orange - I don't know what it is, it's a bit of a heavier sock weight and I don't know what I'll do if I run short. Fingers crossed; I'll cross that bridge if I have to.

Now, back to Beth's sweater for 6 days. I know, that'll be awfully boring for you, maybe I'll have to start something new. For you ... not me.

edited to add: 6.5 hours of knitting. Not real hard core, but quite steady with a few breaks.

Drops Like it's Hot

Beth's sweater is growing with the ease that every knitter knows when the yarn is perfect for the project and you are loving both! I'm just past the armhole shaping on the front.





And the ayes have it - with a landslide of 63%, is the winning colourway. And it's lovely. The brown/purple is Malabrigo Velvet Grapes - a perfect nod to an Autumnal Garden. Actually Linda, the intensity of the oranges reminds me of the Portulaca that my mother always planted. The first 1/3 went quickly. I'm going to finish Clue 1 today so that I'm ready to hit the ground running tomorrow.

 

My surgeon is on holidays until the 31st - amazing since I'm supposed to have a 2 week follow up not a 4 week follow up. But my family Dr. is awesome and between her, her nurse and I we took the cast off and decided that I will just be a very, very good girl and (mostly) stay off of it and try to get in to see the surgeon when he gets back. I think that the bruising is mostly from walking on the partial cast, it doesn't really hurt. I'm taking 81mg of aspirin from the previous surgery - it doesn't seem to be helping the bruising, or maybe it would just be a lot worse if I wasn't taking it. Hhhhmmmm. Anyway, it doesn't hurt a lot but it does ache deeply so I just stay off of it and up as much as possible.
My stomach is feeling good - not that I can really do anything remotely strenuous anyway, but if I reach and/or twist too much or the wrong way I can feel that it's still healing.