Pumpkin Sunrise

I have been furiously knitting the barnacle cardigan  this week.  I had a brief hiccup when I realized that the design of the sleeve was using up too much yarn.  So I ripped out the sleeve and redesigned it.  Now it tapers down the whole length of my arm and I have plenty of yarn!!  One sleeve is done and the other sleeve has about four hours of knitting to go.  Today is the day it will be done.  phew.  I must say I'm excited about wearing this one.  The fit is wonderful, one of the many reasons top down construction is my favorite-I can try it on as I knit.  I'm a little giddy thinking about how it will look and feel after a wool soak.    Still thinking about how to fasten the top, either it will be hook and eye or tiny snaps, not sure yet. My reading is calm and mildly entertaining.  I bought this book at a book sale and it's been sitting on the shelves.   Prayers for Sale  is a string of short stories wo...

So while I was at my knitting classes last week, the shop received a partial order of Malabrigo yarns.  I tried and I tried to resist purchasing yarn.  You see, I have lots.  I do!  But I didn't own this beautiful skein of Malabrigo sock in the turner colorway.  That is how I justified the purchase.  I have a funny feeling that every time I teach, I'm coming home with yarn. My daydreams consist of new projects to knit while my current projects linger around calling my name.  This sweet little skein is destined to be a cowl.  I'm itching to cast on but so far have controlled myself and have been focusing on finishing up my sweater (I'll save that conversation for yarn along). I spent six weeks daydreaming about a clean coffee table and a clean kitchen counter and it became reality this weekend.  I love everything in its place and having order.  But I do miss the kids.  They are both getting busy and I'm not sure if there'll be...

That my friends is a very bare empty coffee table!!!  As you may recall my daughter was briefly home for two weeks during the semester break but my son has been home for six long weeks.  Six weeks of neat piles of books and papers.  Funny when they are my piles I think they look fine :) So today my husband whisked him back to his campus while I went to church and prayed for an ankle miracle.  Seriously though, I am seeing improvement and the pain is tolerable but I wanted it to be better yesterday.  I am an impatient sort. Yesterday while knitting my first sleeve I came to the realization that I would not have enough yarn. So I ripped it all out.  I rejiggered the pattern so hopefully the sleeve will be long enough.  I'm optimistic and enjoying the challenge. Laundry is nearly done, the kitchen is clean and a cup of hot green decaf tea is waiting for me. How was your weekend? Joining Amanda

The list that brings me joy: -fluffy comforters and quilts during this cold snap -knitting the sweater that is near completion and dreaming of wearing it soon -an ankle brace!! -woolly socks and warm mitts -sliced cucumbers for a snack that echoes summer I had so much fun teaching my first knitting classes.  I loved seeing what colors were chosen.  If only you could have heard the thinking going on after the cast on!  I take for granted what I can do with my eyes closed.  Teaching others to knit became a moment of stillness in time to stop and observe.  As they left I wondered which ones would continue the knitting as their craft.  Some? All?  Would they be the kind that pick it up and put it down over and over until the "aha" moment, r be like me all those years ago, stubbornly determined to get it.  Pushing myself to continue and yes there were many many tears shed because that is how I get-emotional. I hope you have a lovely weeken...

Thought this week I'd show my progress on my citron shawl . For me it is compelling knitting, and it's not boring knitting.  I love this shawl and this mystery yarn is just as nice.  I am on the fifth ruching and I hope I have enough yarn to get to nine sections!!  It all depends on how much yarn I have, the vendor said 1000 yards.  Let's hope she was right!!  I posted yesterday about my sweater  and the sleeve is knitting up so fast compared to the never ending body. I finished my book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time and it was a very good book.  The main character is a boy with autism and he decides to investigate why his neighbor's dog was killed.  I found it fascinating to see the world through his eyes and his experiences.  It is a somewhat sad book in that he's misunderstood and yet you see how much he overcomes with life's challenges with his many coping strategies. His parents were real and even though the...

Thank you for all the well wishes!  I am feeling much much better.  I woke up yesterday with significant improvement so much so that I decided to wait on the RA doctor for now.  I really do not want to take any more medicine-I am on many for my arthritis.  So it's been a lot of sitting in hard chairs and resting my foot.  I think my back and ankle when crazy over the weekend, hence the pain. Once my body settles down I am going to incorporate some gentle yoga to increase my flexibility.  Walking just isn't enough anymore. Onto the knitting! I am happy to report that I finished the body of the barnacle sweater .  I started the first sleeve and decided to use two circular needles instead of dpns.  Not my usual way but I thought why not?  Something different.  I am using a  chiaogoo needle and a knit picks needle .  The chiaogoo set is a recently acquired set and I do love them.  The ends are very pointy and the join ...

This weekend could have been a wee bit better!  I'm having "issues" with my body.  I sprained my right ankle twice in the past six weeks (yep uncoordinated) and the second time hurt enough for us to do a quick run to the ER this morning to check to see if it was broken, and it wasn't.  I'm having lots of nerve pain.  Lots.  So sometime this week I'm hoping to see my arthritis doctor who never ever fails to cure me.  Wish me luck!! I've been wrapped in puzzles to whittle away my time and I snagged that new notebook that looks so much like my planner.  It's still empty of words.  I have such a difficult time making the first mark in a notebook.  Do you have that problem?  I keep looking at it and daydreaming what it could contain. How was your weekend?? Joining Amanda