A Look Back

The year is almost over. Looking back, the year was very eventful.

2004 was a painful year. My dad was in the hospital and had a pacemaker put in. My grandmother was in the hospital with pneumonia. My grandfather had both his knees replaced. My husband’s grandmother was in the hospital for gall stones and then infection. My mother has been in and out of the hospital because of kidney stones. Both our families suffered the aftermath of 3 hurricanes.

2004 was a joyful year. My sister graduated from college Summa Cum Laude. We got TiVo. My sister got a new puppy. Our friends got engaged. Friends had babies. Friends got married. I learned to knit. My father retired. I went to several concerts.

Looking forward, I hope 2005 brings many joys to my family and friends. I look forward to the wedding of our dear friends who recently got engaged. I will turn 30 in June. I’d like to be able to say that 2005 will include a son or daugher, but only time will tell. I hope to make more fabulous knitted items.

2004 was pretty good to me and my family. We are very fortunate for all that we have. I hope the light shines on the less fortunate in the year to come and that all our hopes and dreams are fulfilled in 2005.

What to Do?

Since I finished Sigma, I have some left over yarn. It’s 100% mercerized cotton. I’ve got almost 3 complete balls at 74 yds per ball. I’m pretty sure I have at least 148 yds. But I’m unsure of what to do with it. Would it be enough for maybe some socks? Colorway is a brilliant light green since I used it for a tank top back in the summer. Hmm, anyone know of any sock patterns that would work with 100% mercerized cotton?

Ribbing Complete

I was determined to figure it out and I got it. It just took some paying attention to detail. Ha! I didn’t get too far, but at least the ribbed hem of the front of Chamomile is done. And it looks pretty good. I’ve also done the first stocking stitch row, so I can say I’ve also switched to the larger needles. Now I’m pumped about working on it. I’ve switched all my current projects to a different bag so they are all together now instead of in 3-4 different bags. With all the traveling I’m doing in the next couple of weeks, it will make it easier to grab my knitting to go.

Front Panel Frog

I had to frog the front panel of Chamomile and start over. I shouldn’t have, but I was frustrated and confused. Of course, this was at 10pm last night. Had I just put it away and slept on it, I wouldn’t be where I am right now, back at row 2. The pattern says to knit in the rib pattern for 10 rows, on the 7th decrease at each end. Well, I did that and got the right # of stitches, but then my rib pattern was all messed up because it doesn’t divide evenly into the # of stitches left on the needle. So I got frustrated and scrapped it. I slept on it last night and it all made sense. I think I can now adjust the rib pattern so that it still works across correctly. I just have to play with it a little. But it all clicks now. Of course, I’m starting over, but at least now I know where I’m going so hopefully it won’t be too big of a pain. And once I reach that dreaded decrease row, I only have to knit 3 more rows, before switching to stocking stitch. I knew I probably shouldn’t have been knitting that late, but I so wanted to get some work done on this project.

Cold Weather = Knitting

Woohoo! I think the cold weather has helped to renew my interest in knitting. I’ve been browsing the web and looking over some of my magazines and keep finding patterns I want to do. I love the Te Rosada in the Winter issue of Interweave. I’m also excited to begin working on my Dolman sweater. But I’m forcing myself to finish my current projects. I worked on my lapghan some last night and am so much closer to finishing this blanket. I’m thinking of donating it to an animal shelter as part of the “Snuggle Project”:http://www.h4ha.org/snuggles/.

I’m moving slow on Chamomile, but at least it’s moving again. I really hate double pointed needles….I think that’s why I put away my one sock. I really need to learn how to knit with 2 circs instead. It may be easier for me and I might enjoy knitting socks. I really like what I’ve done so far with it…and following the pattern, I had no problems turning the heel. I just don’t like the dpns. They are very akward to knit with. So anyway…it feels great to be getting back into the swing of knitting. I’m definitely knitting a lot more now that the weather has cooled off. Today’s high is 57^o^ F. Lows will be below freezing for the next few days. Tomorrow’s high is supposed to be around 47^o^ F. That’s cold for down here in the south.

Chamomile Resurrected

Yep, you guessed it. I’ve pulled out Chamomile. I worked 2 rows during my lunch break today. Why only two rows? Because I didn’t have very much time left after eating my lunch, and because since I’m so rusty on this pattern I had to rip the second row twice. That’s when I remembered why I kept putting off this project…I have to pay attention to what I’m doing. This ribbing pattern requires counting stitches. But it actually felt good to work on it, and I can’t wait to get home and work on it some more. So hopefully I’ll get moving on it.

I’m working on strip 4 of 5 for my country afghan and I have yet to start back up with my socks and my crocheted afghan. Maybe soon. I’m ready to start some new projects, so maybe I’ll get more motivated to finish all my pending projects in the near future.