Tangled Yoke Cardigan - Planning

I -LOVE- the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. I think it's beautiful. I've been daydreaming about it... and now I have the yarn. I got the Rowan Felted Tweed in 'Herb'.

I swatched... and I am only getting 22 stitches to 4 inches with size 4 needles - it's supposed to be 24 stitches to 4 inches with size 5....

Now, I am debating between 38 and 42 inch sizing.... I am between those sizes. I don't want negative ease, but I don't want it to be too large either... I measure myself at 39 inches. So, I am thinking if I do the 42 inch with the gauge I'm getting now, it might work out? Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I also have a super long torso - I figured this out this weekend when my finished (yes, I finished it) Wicked was too short.  Way too short - so it'll get ripped back out.  BUT, when measuring my torso again and comparing to finished measurements of the TY cardi... I think I need to add 2-3 inches to the torso....

*sigh*

I have poison ivy for the second time this summer.  My husband managed to get it and bring it on into the house.  I even took a round a prednisone and it did nothing for it.  I still itch.

Also, I hurt my arm.  I asked one of the docs today at work about it, and he said I really needed to REST it.  I am a knitter - I can't rest my arm!  Plus, I'm mid-room of stripped wallpaper!!!  So, yes, I'm supposed to be RESTING my hand.  ugh.

I haven't felt too great this week.  I'm going to go watch The Office knitty-less... how sad.

Wallpaper Stripping

I haven't been blogging because I was on call all last weekend, worked overtime during the week, and then my mom came up this weekend. I've been busy.....

This afternoon I was stripping wallpaper and found written on the plaster...... this! JD Bryant, December, Feb 1906. This was in an upstairs bedroom. I had to take a photo and share it. I keep wondering who this man was, what was he doing, working on the house? And why did he feel the need to name and date the plaster? Did he do the plaster work? So very interesting.

Oh, and one knitting note... I bought Mason-Dixon knitting this weekend, and it's such a blast. It's so hilarious, and I love it!

FO: Short-Row Hat

I finished the short-row hat last night. It was a nice quick knit. Lots of fun to see how it turned out, with such unique construction.

Yarn: Karaoke Yarn by Southwest Trading Company (50% Soy Silk, 50% wool) just slightly over 1 skein... from my secret pal! :)
Needles: Addi Circs #7 (I even use circs when I knit flat)
Pattern: Short-Row Hat by Veronik Avery
Things Learned: Three Needle Bind Off

I should also give you all an update on Max: He had those stitches taken out, and went back outside. He's a lot happier now that he's back outside. I hate to put him out, but he has been out for 10 years and prefers it, plus he is still incontinent. We are giving him pills twice a day to hopefully stimulate the bladder.

Slow Progress

I am still working on the Short Row hat.  It's actually a quick knit, but I didn't knit on it all week.  It's fairly simple, too,  but if you lose your place....  be prepared to be confused.

I was so tired this week when I got home from work.  I did finish my book "The Tall Pine Polka" by Lorna Landvik.  It's a weird book, and I didn't like it at first, but I grew to like the characters.

Oh, and all you knitting gurus... what's a cable "flare"?

We interrupt this knitting blog....

... for a little rant.

Please support your local libraries.  Taxes to build these libraries, enhance, and add to these libraries are good.  Sure, no one likes to dish out extra money, but everyone in this world has a right to education.  I am blessed, as I can go to the local bookstore or log on to Amazon and buy any book I want.  Not everyone can.

Growing up, we were poor, barely making ends meet.  The books I read all came from the bookmobile.  We could not afford books, or even to drive to the library every time we wanted a book because we lived 30 minutes away from the nearest one.  But, the bookmobile came to my house once a week.  I'd give her my list of things I wanted to read, and she'd try her best to get me those books.  I'd check out 10 books at a time from the bookmobile!  I credit that bookmobile for most of my childhood education.

So before you complain about taxes supporting the local library.  Just remember, that little drop in the bucket is going to go towards educating the youth that will be building the world around you when you are growing older.  That library is enhancing the knowledge of your whole community.  It's giving everyone equal opportunity to learn.

Doesn't that sound lovely?  A world where everyone has access to knowledge and inspiration.... access to something as wonderful as a book.

New header and a short row hat sneak peek.

I've changed my header to a picture of lazy Molly.  This picture always makes me laugh because she looks so bored.  I don't know if it'll be my permanent header, but I was tired of the default picture.

A little short-row hat sneak peek

 

I Love Lazy Holiday Weekends!!

This is my first official holiday off.  When I worked the floor (and night shift), I worked pretty much every holiday.  So, I'm really soaking this weekend in.

I'm still on a Ditty Bop high.  Been singing and dancing all weekend.

I am still working on my Wicked sweater.  It's just miles and miles of stockinette from here, so I'm not really motivated.  I needed something more inspiring....  Started a sock, and did the cuff, and was also uninspired.  So, I started the Short-Row hat by Veronik Avery.  It's amazing.  It's this cute hat knit FLAT.. constructed into diamond patterns with short row shaping.   I am doing mine with the beautiful Karaoke yarn my SP sent me.

We also now have firm dates for our trip to Fort Recovery in Tortola, BVI.  I am so excited....  and our flight is like 10 hours including layovers... so lots of knitting time.  Come on, November.

The Ditty Bops!!!!

My husband and I drove up to northern KY last night to see the Ditty Bops on their farm tour!!! It was the best show, and everyone there had such a good time. They are going to local farms while on tour, helping raise money and awareness. They have an Earthbox with them in their van, which is growing some pretty good looking (legal) herbs. At each show, they raffle off an Earthbox with the proceeds going to The Growing Connection.

If you don't know who the Ditty Bops are..... they have a video blog:

http://thedittybopsvideos.blogspot.com/