It's Time to Shop

I just found out that Michaels is having a huge sale on yarn this week. Up to 55% off their entire yarn stock. This is too exciting! It just so happens I need yarn for several crochet blankets I'm in the process of making. But who am I kidding, even I didn't need yarn for these projects, I'd find a reason to justify spending money on yarn when there's a sale of this magnitude. Time to get dressed and get my lazy bum to Michaels. There's a strange burning sensation in my pocket....oh, it's my debit card. Let the spending begin!!!!

It's Been a Long Time, Been a Long Time

There was a time when I didn't know if I would ever return to this blog. There was a time when much to my dismay, I lost interest in knitting. Thankfully, here I am, blogging and knitting again. It's been a rough few years to say the least.  As much as I didn't think I would, I made it through and am back with a vengeance. It feels good to feel the love for the craft fill my soul again. I'd started to forget how much knitting is a cure all for anything that ails you. I'm so grateful to have my passion again. So in honour of my renewed love for wooly goodness, here are a few pics of what I'm currently working on and some of my recently finished projects. It's so good to be back.

 

Project: Noro Striped Scarves

Yarn: Lion Brand Amazing & Patons Classic Wool

Size 8 needles

Project: Granny Stripes Blanket

Yarn: Red Heart Soft

Hook size I

Project: Neat Ripple

Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable

Hook size H

Project: Giant Granny Square Blanket

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

Hook size H

The Yorkshire Lass Dictionary

Most Knitters label a knit a "Finished Object" when there's absolutely nothing left to do, you're minutes away from sliding your arms into your lovely, new cardigan and walking out the front door. In my dictionary, the definition of "finished" is slightly different.  The cardigan is off the needles, with a few minor details to turn your attention to. Such as, sewing on buttons, weaving in yarn ends, or maybe you still have a sleeve to knit. As I said, minor details. Case in point, 28thirty by Zephyr Style. I was enamored with this jacket the moment I laid eyes on it. The Michelin Man sleeves, the up to your ears military inspired (if you ask me) collar. I had to knit this masterpiece. So I did. Let me tell you, I knit every stitch with a smile on my face. And then I got to the end. Last stitch bound off, it's lovely, I knew it would be! Fast forward 6 months. My lovely jacket still lies in a pile of "finished" knits, waiting for it's buttons and to have it's ends weaved? woven? in. I can't give you an explanation as to why I have yet to truly finish. I use the same procrastination technique on almost every single knit I produce. If anyone out there is reading this, I could use some tips on how to break the cycle. For now, I'll continue to visit my 28thirty in the wardrobe of finished knits. Dreaming of the day when I can slide my arms in and walk out the front door.

Late Night, Early Morning

I'll be waking up to get ready for work in 5 hours. Actually, I'll be waking up in 4 hours so I can call my Niece, Ashleigh, and wish her Happy Birthday. Oh, the sacrifices we make for our loved ones. Ashleigh, for one, is surely worth the extra effort. The childlike (even though she's going to be 14 today) happiness in  her voice when you pay her a compliment, tell her you love her, or perhaps sing her Happy Birthday (at 5:30am--the horror!). So, this post's for you, my dear Niece. I love being your Auntie. I love to watch "National Velvet" with you and eat Almond Bear Claws in the car, in the parking lot at Sprouts. I love to watch you learn to knit. The bonus is you really, really like it. I hope you have a perfect day. May you have every moment of happiness in the years to come. I love you, Auntie

Oh Boy

Webs is evil.  In a lovely way.  I just placed another order.  That makes three orders in two weeks.  That's a little crazy.  I couldn't help myself.  It probably would've been smarter to place one order and save myself some shipping costs.  But the damage is already done, so I can't beat myself up now. Besides, I would have to be mad at myself to be beat up.  I'm not mad at all.  I'm really excited.  This order was 1 skein of Malabrigo Silky in Velvet Grapes, 2 skeins of Rowan Extra Fine Merino Dk in Cream, 2 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky in Navy, and 1 super cute Blue Sky Alpaca Pretty Cheep Project Bag in Periwinkle.  The prices were obscenely low, which is my justification for spending again.  The knitting bug is in full effect.  And I love it.

It's Been a While

I never realized how much I needed technology until I was without it. 6 or so months ago, I turned my computer on and it gave me an error, "Boot disk error".  Apparently, "boot disk" is a vital part of making a computer work. And that's something my computer wouldn't do...work.  No matter what I tried, the computer would not get further than this error screen.  Not being in a position where I could afford to take the computer in to be fixed, I was forced to realize that I was now without a computer.  I couldn't pay my bills online, I couldn't access my email, I couldn't post on my blog, and worst of all, I couldn't access Ravelry.  My computer-based life skidded to a halt.  I was lucky enough to have a cell phone with internet and email access, but surfing the web on a 3x2 inch screen just isn't the same.  Years of personal photographs, videos of my daughter at 5 years old, hundreds of dollars of itunes downloads.....stuck inside a box and no way to retrieve them.  I am hopeful that when I am able to take the computer in to be fixed, they are able to retrieve all my photos and copy them to disks.  I will be devastated if they can't.  I suppose that's the karma of the PC God's laughing at me for never taking the time to back up my information through the years.  A week ago my Mother-in-Law saved the day.  She had purchased a new laptop and wanted to know if I wanted her old computer.  The best part is that her "old" computer is 50X better than mine was.  My technology enhanced life is now returning to normal.  It would have been nice if my return to this blog included photos of recently completed knitting projects.  Knitting....it's a word I haven't said in a long time. Something that was such a huge part of my life has ceased to exist.  There are many reasons why I stopped knitting.  All of them too boring to relay to you here.  What I will tell you is that my knitting slump is over.  I have the hugest stash around these parts, so I could've just grabbed a skein from my knitting room and started a project.  Or hey, here's an idea, finish a project in hibernation.  But in classic "me" style, I went on a yarn spree and am waiting not-so-patiently for my orders to arrive.  Then and only then, will I rejoin the knitting community.  Webs is having their Anniversary sale, so 8 skeins later, I was checking out and giving my visa information.  It felt so good.  But I wasn't satisfied, so I headed over to Jimmy Beans Wool.  That's when the real fun began.  Soon I hope to have some finished or at least in progress shots to show you.  Knitty friends, it is good to be back.

I Still Have a Blog?

Shameful. That's the only word I can use to describe the length of time it's been since I posted on my blog. When I started this blog I never would've thought that at one point it would become such an effort to write a post on a regular basis. And here we are. In fact I can't even say without doubt that I will start blogging weekly or even monthly. That's a lot of pressure you know? Actually it shouldn't be, but for me, little things like that have become sources of stress. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a month or so ago. Since December, the Doctors weren't able to figure out what was wrong with me. They sent me to Physical Therapy (made it worse), put me on far too many pain pills (now I'm lazy and depressed), tried shots in my neck (did absolutely nothing), had me pay hundreds of dollars for MRIs, Catscans & X-Rays (all showed zippo). All the while my symptoms were swiftly becoming much worse. I saw an increase in pain from one week to the next. My energy level was falling faster than my Sister drives a car (that's really fast). It's been beyond frustrating and eventually led to a lot of depression. Every single thing in my life that I once found joy from became a chore to me. Knitting didn't hold one ounce of entertainment. Not to mention the fact that picking up the needles and knitting more than 3 rows wreaked havoc on my neck and arms. Finally getting the diagnosis and starting a treatment plan last month was such a relief. Unfortunately I'm not nearly as pain-free as I'd like to be. I still can't sleep and I still have to pop pain pillers all day. In fact typing this blog post is sending waves of pain across my back. However, the most exciting part is that I've found a little bit of my joy. I am more relaxed around my family. I don't nag them or yell at every little thing. I have started picking up my knitting again. Not just a little bit...a LOT. It's amazing and it brings me such happiness. I now finally have some finished objects to show you. Although it's probably been such a long time since I've posted, that my few readers will have vanished. Even if that's true, I'm still proud to be posting and showing off my finished knits. There's actually even more to show you but I just haven't got around to having a photo shoot. Enjoy.

Pattern: Textured Shawl Recipe

Yarn: I lost the ballband so I can't remember, I think it was something by Plymouth? No, that's not right, I'm not sure what the hell it was.

Made For: Probably Me...the ultimate selfish knitter

Pattern: Bella's Mittens

Yarn: Cascade 109 or 128, don't remember which one. Either way it's lovely yarn.

Made For: Sissy

I don't know if these can really count as a finished object since I only finished the 1st one. The 2nd one is almost done, I just have to knit the thumb. Not sure how I feel about knitting with bulky yarn on size 8 needles. My hands were wrecked!

Pattern: Slouchy Copy Cat Hat

Yarn: Naturally Caron Country

Made For: Who else, Me

I like this yarn. A bit splitty but a lovely sheen and great yardage for the price.

Pattern: The ever popular Fetching

Made For: Me

Yarn: Naturally Caron, Spa

Yarn is a tad splitty but I really like it. This one has even better yardage than the Country and is a little softer.

Pattern: Toast

Made For: Me

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino

Fun, easy, fast. 3 of my favourite words when it comes to knitting.

Pattern: Give a Hoot

Made For: Me

Yarn: I think it was by Plymouth. Garrr I need to start keeping my ballbands or writing it down. My Mum gave me a really lovely knitting journal. I really should start using it. It's sitting right there on the shelf in front of me as I type this.

I made these ages ago but I don't think I ever showed them off. Poor little owls are still missing eyes. I can't find buttons small enough. My Mum had a great idea to sew eyes on with embroidery floss. I like it Mum, I really like it.