Knits For Sanity

It's Been TOO Long!

It has been way too long since my last post.  Frankly I haven't been posting enough lately.  I'm turning over a new leaf starting Monday.  I am going to post more often again.  Well I hope I will anyway.

I have a finished object to share!  Remember the gorgeous pink Bam Boo yarn I purchased at Beads and Beyond awhile back?  This week I turned that yarn into a new fall scarf pour moi!

As you can see, it is not really long.  That's okay though because it's supposed to be more of a fashion statement than something to keep you warm.  Here is a better pic after blocking.

The yarn was a little difficult to get used to knitting with.  It split A LOT at first.  After awhile I no longer had a problem.  This yarn is so soft and silky.  I just love it!

While purchasing the Bam Boo, I saw a similar scarf made out of it at Beads and Beyond.  I liked it so much that I asked the owner, Dawn Kress, for the stitch pattern that was used.  She emailed me a link to different rib stitches.  Thanks again Dawn!  I tried a couple different stitch patterns but ended up using the Mistake Rib Stitch for this scarf.  What I like most about it is that it's reversible and 3-dimensional.  It's very neat.

Here is a closer look at stitch pattern.  You end up with a column of knit stitches, a column of moss stitches, a column of purl sitches, and another column of knit stitches.  Look closely!

I finished the scarf last night and spent the day working on blankets for The Preemie Project.  (Go check out the new website.  Click on the link!  It's almost finished so go easy on me.  It still needs a ton of work.)  We have an upcoming donation of pumpkin hats with matching booties along with Pumpkin themed blankets for Halloween.  This donation will be made to The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) on 10/21/2005.  Then we have a donation of regular items around 11/1 to the UIHC.

With the upcoming donations I'm going to be very busy cranking out as many pumpkin themed blankets and regular hats, booties and blankets as I can.  I'm also trying to get some bereavement items done too.  First on the list is the dozen small Pumpkin Themed Blankets I've planned.  If need be I'll be sewing more to fill in the gap.

My mom and I stumbled onto some great craft sales last weekend.  What's better than a sale?!  Ohhh I L-O-V-E a good sale.  YES I do!  We found flannel to make the blankets below at 50% off.  great deal!  The best part about this is that a sale allows us to be able to purchase more and thus support more families and infants.

The blanket in the front was blanket stitched all the way around.  I hope to use the blanket stitch on most of the blankets I make.  I think that it adds a nice "special" touch to them.  That will have to do until we get a decent sewing machine with decorative stitches.  It's amazing how easy the blanket stitch is.  I looked at it once and picked it up earlier this week.  It's SO simple.

We also picked up all of this at 10 for $1.00.  Regularly they are $.29 a piece.  Looks like I'll be doing a ton of blanket stitch!  This should last awhile.

Here's one other blanket that I finished up today.  It's for the 11/1 donation.  I love this flannel print.  It's just so sweet.  This flannel was purchased with a gift card donated by Jennifer Casa.  Thanks Jennifer! 

Lastly, after working on a few more Pumpkin Blanket I plan to cast on a Jester Hat with this Bernat Softee.

This is my favorite yarn to use for the preemie items.  It's so cost effective and extremely soft.  This colorway is so cute too.  I'll post a pic of the finished hat tonight.  Have a great Saturday Night!

Feelin' much better, thank you!

Thank you so much for all of the warm comments the past week.  I'm back among the living.  A swollen, sore throat is all that's left.  That virus really knocked the wind out of me.  I was so incredibly tired and weak.  My strength is back and I'm feeling so much better.  Thank you!

In the aftermath my life is total chaos.  I had to make myself a list last night of the things to get finished.  Plus having a list always makes me feel better.  At least I shouldn't forget anything that way.  Here's my list:

#1 Stitch Marker Mania

I had wanted to get the markers I made for Stitch Markers Mania sent out last week.  Yeah that didn't happen.  I had previously two sets with one to go.  If all goes well these will hopefully go out in the mail tomorrow.

Here is Set #1.  I love that little sheep charm! 

Here is Set #2.  I had to include the yarn ball and needles charm.

This was my last sheep charm.  That calls for a trip to my LYS for more!  I'll use just about any excuse to go there.

Back to my list...

#2 Prepare for appointment with U of I Nurse Manager

I have an appointment on Thursday afternoon with the nurse manager of the NICU at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  We are going to discuss the upcoming donation to their unit.  I need to prepare the things I would like to discuss.

One of the things I would like to do is to take in examples of the types of items that The Preemie Project can offer.  I also wanted to start this last week.  Being sick can really mess things up.

I've been making a list of the items we can offer and checking it off for the items I need examples of:

-Hats (I already have a couple in different sizes to show)

-Booties (I already have a couple in different sizes to show)

-Blankets: -crocheted/knitted example and sewn examples

I have some excellent crocheted examples that arrived about a week ago.  Thanks Cathy!

What I don't have is some sewn blankets.  I started working on sewing some blankets late this weekend.  The only time I've used the sewing machine was for a class in 8th grade.  That was along time ago!  Thankfully my mom has been giving me some basic sewing lessons.  It's beginning to come back.  We managed to finish 5 tiny blankets between the two of us.  I won't deny that my mom did do most of the work!

Four of the blankets will be for little boys and one is for a little girl. 

The boys blankets were made using two pieces of thin flannel.  My mom and I weren't quite satisfied with how they turned out.  Mom said, "they're not special enough" and I totally agree.  They'll make great burb blankets once the babies go home. 

The other blanket was made from two pieces of fleece and has satin edging all the way around.  I like putting two pieces of fleece back to back but all future blankets will probably only have the edging on two sides. 

Since we aren't crazy about putting the flannel back to back, we're going to try flannel and fleece together instead.  I think it'll work great.  We're going to put the satin edging on as many as we can.  We have a lot of fabric to use up.

Once I know enough to be able to work on the blankets by myself I should be able to get a lot more finished.  I plan to put a blanket with each hat and bootie set I've already knitted.  I would like to do more but we'll see how it goes.

-Bereavement and Burial items

I have examples of crocheted and knitted outfits.  I unfortunately do not have a good example of a boy outfit.  I also need examples of burial wraps and buntings.

I have to show off the gorgeous gown my mom just finished:

She really did such a great job. She used this pattern.  I think that it is one of the best knit gown patterns on the net.  At least it's the cutest one that I've found. There is a bonnet and booties to match but they are still in the works.  It's so pretty. 

I think she is going to change the ribbon to pink or purple for a little girl.  It's too feminine for a boy.

I didn't even come close to completing my goal for Internation Crafts Charity Week.  I started last week trying to find patterns that worked for a boy.  Then I became sick so early in the week that I was never able to get started.  Now I have too many other things to work on. 

The Preemie Project volunteers did an excellent job for the week.  I'm still working on totalinf up the items they completed but so far it is 31 items from only twelve people.  That's so fantastic!  I'm excited to see what the numbers add up to.  Great job everyone!

That's enough of my list for my nurse manager appointment.  If I continued this post would be extrememly long.

#3 Finish my Super Secret Project

I've been working on this project whenever I can.  It's starting to look like it will not be finished by the deadline.  Either way I should have some pics to show this weekend.  Can you stand the suspense?!\

#4 Work on Sockapal-2-za socks

I'm also behind on these. AHHH!  I won't take a progress pic because, well, my progress is pathetic.  It's going to be down to the wire with these. 

Seeing as I'm behind on everything, I better get knittin'.  I also have to catch up on my bloglines and email.  It's going to be a busy week.  Better busy than boring!   

My Current Sanity

My current sanity has grown so large that it's beginning to make to a bit crazy.  I somehow managed to get a bunch of projects going.  I usually only have many three max.  My growing number of projects is starting to stress me out!  My knitting time is supposed to make me sane, not stressed.  Actually it's not the number of projects I have going, but the unusual fact that I'm working against deadlines for most. 

The good news is that I will have one project going towards to FO album very soon.  Oh and even better is the fact that I can't wait to finally use it.  So, here is my progress on my felted tote:

This was going to be a great pic until the Big Toby decided to flop down on top of my tote.  Of course I had to stop and give him lovies before getting a good pic.  Hey believe me it could be worse.  At least he wasn't attacking the tote!  Toby has a strange habit of randomly attacking either skeins of yarn or items on the needles.  He's more likely to attack yarn that's not moving than yarn that is.  Strange kitty!  He's pulled many skeins out of my knitting basket next to my bed.  Gotta love the little monster!

Here's a proper pic.  I've really made a lot of progress since I posted about it last.  I have around 25 rows left on the tote.  Then I have to knit the straps.  Next comes the stinky part, felting.  Anyone who has felted before knows that it's literally a stinky progress.  I'm not a huge fan of the smell of wet wool.  It smells like wet dog to me. 

It'll be great once it's dry!  I'm planning on taking it with me on vacation late next week.  I hope that it'll be the perfect bag to tote my knitting around in.  It should be big enough.  We will see...

A lot of packages came in the mail last week.  You've already seen the donations so here's what arrived for me:

Thank you secret pal!  I ordered these from Amazon.com with the gift certificate my SP sent me.  It took me long enough to decide.  I've be lusting after the Vintage Knits book forever.  I'm not planning to knit anything from it soon.  I have marked at least half of the patterns as something I would liek toknit in the future. 

I've really enjoyed looking through Knitting on the Road.  There are so many cut esock patterns in there.  I was finally able to choose a pattern to use for Sockapal-2-za. 

Here's two hanks of Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock yarn.  Oh the first Lorna's I've ever had in my possession!  Love it! 

I originally ordered this yarn with a pair of socks for myself in mind.  I had to face facts.  I do not have enough time to knit a pair of socks for myself right now.  I have too many projects going on at once. 

I decided instead to use this yarn for my Sockapal-2-za pal.  This is one of my projects with a deadline.  I figure that getting started early means less pressure in the end.

  I hope she likes this yarn as much as I do.  Who wouldn't?!  It's so pretty!  (Has anyone notice all of the pink and purple in my life?  This situation is getting serious.)  So I should be casting these on soon.  Stay tuned...

I have another project that I started recently.  It's super secret so I cannot divulge any info about it.  Sorry!  I'll will keep you posted on the progress.  When I say progress I mean how much of it is finished.  That's all I can say without giving something away.  I will have plenty of pics once it's safe to post about it.  I promise.   

I'm still working on donations for The Preemie Project.  I haven't finished putting sets together.  I'll hopefully have updated totals soon. I did start my first burial gown.  I'm using this beautiful pattern.  The gown is crocheted.  So it took me last night and tonight to really figure out the pattern and get it going. 

I'm using Bernat Softee Baby in White.  I just started the skirt.  I'm crocheting really slow right now.  I just don't quite have the hang of it yet.  I definitely prefer knitting to crocheting.  I couldn't find a knit burial gown pattern that I like better than this one.  It's so beautiful.  Plus crocheting goes much faster than knitting.  The more gowns I can make beofre 9/1/2005 the better. 

I really want to make a large contribution to our first hospital donation.  It's very important to me that I can contribute a lot.  It's stressing me out a little.  I might have to put all my other knitting projects aside in the last few weeks before the donation.  That way I'll be able to get as much finished as I want to. 

The Preemie Project volunteers are doing such a great job.  I appreciate every last one of them.  We're up to 47!  I still can't believe it.  This is just so wonderful!

Thank you Laura! Finally Some Knittin Pics too...

I've had the longest, best birthday this year.  This past year I've learned that even when times are tough, life can still be fantastically enjoyable.  Starting this knitting blog was one of the best things I could have done for myself.  It has given me something to pass the time, but more than that The Knits for Sanity blog has led me down some great avenues. 

I don't think I would have started The Preemie Project had I not started my knitting blog first.  I found my inspiration for The Preemie Project in the people I've met through my blog.  I have cultivated some wonderful friendships that I cherish.  You all are such a wonderful support system for me.  You help me to keep plugging away at each day with a smile adna positive attitude.  I'm amazed at what I've discovered in our knitting community.  It never ceases to amaze me.

So I have another special friend to thank.  Laura of Seeking SAkNITY, with whom I obviously have A LOT in common, sent me this thoughtful birthday gift.

She sent me At Knit's End and Kaalund Expression in Poinsetta.  Laura, I was so touched by your thoughtfulness. I love everything.

This is the prettiest yarn in my stash!  It is the most beautiful colorway in beautiful tones of red.  It is 100% Kid Mohair and SO soft.  I will definitely be making this with it this fall.  (the shawl version) 

Laura, thank you again for this gift.  I'm so touched and I loved the card!  It's adorable!  Thank you again to everyone who thought of me on my birthday.  (emails/e-cards/everything)  Every sentiment meant a lot.

Okay on to my knitting!  Now I actually have some progress pics.  Can you believe it?!  I've really only stuck to the first rules I gave myself:

- Half of my knitting time will be for The Preemie Project  (I've been very good about this one.  I've actually probably been devoting more than half my time.  Can you belive that?!)

I haven't been so good about the second, newer rule:

-Any Preemie project knitting will be devoted to knitting hats and booties to match and finish the sets that are half done.

I have been doing this some of the time.  My mom, Linda, has been working on the pink hats to go with the booties I've already finished.  I think I've finished most of the sets that I can.  I need to go to the store to get some more Bernet Softee to finish them.  So instead I've been working on sets in Purple and Green.

With my mom's help I was able to finish 8 more sets.  I've even been stitching up booties!  It's actually sometimes a good break from knitting. 

I've been working really hard on The Preemie Project lately.  Exciting News: I recently purchased the domain names www.thepreemieproject.com and www.thepreemieproject.org  EXCITING! I think this will be so much better.  Now I'm working on getting web hosting and creating a brand new website.  The new website will be so much better.  Just wait and see! 

Janette and I are still working on getting a MI chapter started.  I have had some response from knitters in Michigan.  It's been enough to make me think that it is going to go well.  I'm just hoping that we can figure out a way to get more support from the MI community. 

Now that we have two chapters, the new website will have separate pages for them.  I think that this will make the new site a lot easier to natigate.  I've also been cooking up ideas for the IA chapter of The Preemie Project.  Thank goodness that I have so many great volunteers with fantastic ideas.  Awhile back Libby suggested that I contact local retirement homes about knitting/crocheting items.  I've decided that it's finally time to act on this.  I'm going to look into it tomorrow. 

There is so much more that I've been working on for The Preemie Project.  I'm too sleepy to give all the details now.  However, before I forget I want to thank Libby for donating her original pattern, Mockrib and Eyelet Preemie Hat.  Go see how adorable it is.  Thanks for being so crafty Libby! 

Okay one last thing before bed.  It's 2:52am already and I suppose 10 more minutes won't matter.  I past the point of no return.  I have a pic of the felted tote I've been working on.  FINALLY!

Yep, I still have quite a ways to go on this.  Hopefully I'll make some progress this week. 

What happened to my Branching Out?  I've pushed it aside until I finish the tote.  I really want to finish it soon so that I finally have something to carry around my knitting in.  I'll pick up my Branching Out again once it's finished.

Oh there's more to say!  The new Knitty is up and it's a man's issue.  What a great idea.  There needs to be more in style patterns out there for men.  I also got my Stitch Marker Mania pals today.  So I'll be sending out some beaded stitch markers this month.  I'm still thinking about my Sockapal-2-za socks.  I'm probably going to use a pattern from Knitting on the Road.  Now I just have to purchase the yarn.  I'll probably go with Koigu.

My Iowa Chicks Knitting secret pal received her last package.  My pal was Adie.  I had a lot of fun shopping for her.  Here's what I sent her the past month:

   

   

I also sent her a bookmark.  I enjoyed being your pal Adie! 

The creator of Iowa Chicks Knitting has started an online store with ICK items.  They are really cute.  Here's what one of the Tee's looks like.  There is another Tee plus a tote bag.  Here is the link to the store.  I am going to have to get something next month. 

Oh and I found a new recepient for the Jeager Vest.  Remember what happened to it?  Now I wish that I hadn't frogged it.  I showed the pattern to my cousin, Joe, this weekend and he really liked it.  So that's going to be his Christmas present this year.  At least I have one gift figured out already. I need to start figuring out my long list.  I know that I am going to have a least one afghan.  I should probably start that soon. 

Well that's all for now!  I definitely went past another ten minutes.  That's what I mean y the point of no return.  I get so tired that I'm almost no longer tired.  Yes, it's past 3am on Wednesday and I'm still posting this to Tuesday evening.  Hey tt's still like lake on Tuesday evening to me!

I'm going to sleep in tomorrow and hopefully get some sun in the afternoon.  I hope it's sunny tomorrow!   

A Big Thank You! Some Progress Pics too

I've had birthday fun all week!  Sometimes I wish that my birthday lasted longer than just one day.  Birthdays are so fun!  Thank you again to everyone for the birthday wishes.  I really wanted to thank everyone by email but, well, my back won't let me.  It hasn't quite recovered from the lack of sleep I got last week.  I'm being very diligent with my exercises.  Hopefully that, along with the magic of my spine therapist, will help me to recover soon.  I just need to regain some the strength I've lost being sedentary.   

Anyhow, thank you again!  You all made my week so wonderful. 

I received a surprise present in the mail on Friday.

One of my very special blogging friends, you know who you are, sent me Last-Minute Knitted Gifts!  This book has been on my wishlist for over a year.  I have looked at it so many times but always decided to get yarn instead.  Thank you my special friend!  You really made my day.

I've already been searching through the book.  I have a long list of projects I want to knit.  So here's MORE projects added to my already long list:

-felted potholders (christmas gift)   

-Baby Bonnet (Preemie Project-going home gifts)

-Lovable toys (The Preemie Project)

-silk camisole (next spring for me)

-Men's Cashmere Scarf (chritmas gifts for cousins)

-Ombre Alpaca Blanket (Possible christmas gift)

-chevron scarf (christmas gift)

-Hourglass Sweater (Late summer early fall for me) 

So that's more added to my list.  I probably won't get to many of them.  my eyes are much too big!  Oh, my special friend who sent me this book, YES I will do the hourglass sweater knit along with you.  Let me know when you're going to sign-up so I can order my yarn.  It'll be fun!  Thank you again for the book.  I LOVE it!

I really cleaned up in the knitting book department this weekend.  I finally redeemed my Amazon.com gift certificate from my secret pal.  So I want to thank my secret pal for these books: At Knit's End, Vintage Knits, and Knitting on the Road.  Thank you secret pal! 

I also signed up for The Crafter's Choice Book Club.  I got 5 knitting books for $30!  (That includes shipping)  I only have to buy one more in the next year.  I was surprised to find that they actually have some good knitting books.  I got some for myself and some for my secret pal.  I'm just going to tell you what I got for myself for now.  I wouldn't want my secret pal to find out who I am already! 

-Scarf Style   -Special Knits (Debbie Bliss)   -The Knitted Teddy 

I am not going to need to buy another knitting book for at least a year!  If I have any problems finding something I want to knit I give you permission to...well I don't know what...do something bad!!   

I have been knitting!  What ever happened to my Tartelette Shawl?  Well, I think I may have finished it.

This is a horrible picture!  I apologize.  I wanted to take it out on the deck in the daylight.  Of course I kept forgetting. So this is the only one I have for now.

I'm not sure if I'm happy with the size of the shawl.  I think it needs to be a bit bigger but I ran out of yarn.  I think two additional hanks would make it a size I would be happy with. 

However, there is a problem.  I ordered the Tartelette almost 3 months ago.  I'm betting that it'll be impossible to get more of the same dyelot now.  Often times I buy yarn with different dyelots that look exactly alike.  Should I risk it and order two more hanks?    I suppose if the yarn didn't match I could always use it to make a scarf to give as a christmas gift.  Hmmm..I'm going to have to think about this one.

Once my shawl was finished I started my felted tote.  Sorry I don't have any progress pics. I'm being a BAD blogger tonight!  To give you an idea of my progress I've used one skein so far.  So I'm a fourth of the way there.  I will post a pic tomorrow.

I have a good excuse for being a BAD blogger.  I have family visiting again this weekend.  My cousin Joe and my grandfather are up from Kansas for the weekend.  It's been such a great visit. I haven't seen either of them for over a year.  My grandfather hasn't come up here to visit for at least 8 years.  I love seeing family!  We were supposed to go to Kansas for Christmas but were unable to because of my leg.  I was still pretty much bed ridden at that point so traveling 6 hours was totally out of the question. 

We've spent the weekend at the Iowa City Jazz Festival in downtown Iowa City.  My older brother Greg, who is also living in Kansas, helped organize the event.  We all sat and listened to bands the past two nights.  We had beautiful weather so far this weekend too.  It has finally cooled down!  So of course I've spent the whole time knitting and listening to great music.  Very relaxing!

My grandfather is a hige jazz buff.  He played the saxophone for many years.  Greg is also a jazz musician.  He plays the tenor saxophone.  Greg know pretty much everyone in the music scene in our town.  My grandfather has wanted to meet them all for so long.  I think that he's really enjoying it.  Tomorrow Greg is playing in the festival with many professional jazz musicians.  Since he graduated from college two years ago I haven't heard him play.  I'm excited.  I'll be taking pictures and posting them tomorrow night. 

Lots of pics and knitting progress tomorrow...            

Branching Out With Frustration

Today started out as a nice relaxing day.  Not like last night when I started my Branching Out and had to frog the first repeat twice.  That was mildly frustrating.  I was paying to much attention to The Aviator and not eough attention to the pattern.  After frogging it a second time I was able to complete 3 repeats before going to bed.  At least i was satisfied with my progress.

This evening was a whole other story.  I had a relaxing afternoon working on my tan out on the deck and whipping up a preemie hat for The Preemie Project.  That was nice leisurely knitting.  This evening definently wasn't.

I had worked about an addition 2 or 3 rows on my branching out when I realized that there was a mistake in repeat two.  I didn't want to leave any mistakes because it will probably end up being a gift.  I frogged down to the mistake but had trouble picking the stitches back up.  AHHH!  So I just frogged the whole thing.  No, I wasn't being very patient.

Trying to get it started again was even worse.  I frogged the first repeat 3 times!  Now this was just ridiculous.  I was creating a problem for myself by yet again paying more attention to the TV than the pattern. 

Finally after frogging the first repeat 3 times, I was able to get it going.  Who'd have thought that just paying attention to what I was doing would make such a big difference!?  So yes, it was my own fault.  I was finally able to complete 4 repeats before typing up this post:

Just think, I would have probably completed 8 or 9 repeats by now had I just payed attention. 

The color is distorted in the picture.  That's what I get for taking a picture in an almostly completely dark room.  No, I haven't been the sharpest tac in the box today. 

I'm using Knit One Crochet Too's Doucier et Soie in Snow.  The pattern only takes one skein.  I got this yarn from FuzzyMabel.com back in mid-April.  It's taken me this long to finally get to it. 

My list of future projects is so long that I've stopped choosing any more all together.  I am going to have to squeeze a super extra secret project in here soon.  My last project added was Clapotis.  Does anyone know of a very soft, warm and pretty yarn to use for this?  I'd love (need) any suggestions.

I'll be branching out again tomorrow.  I need to make myself known at the knit-along message board.  I joined ages and ages ago.  I'm also going to work on the Jaeger Vest with pics tomorrow and my list of possible Christmas Gifts.  It'll be a busy day but hopefully one free of frustrations. 

A Couple New WIP

(First, I apologize for not responding to everyone's comments lately.  I appreciate them all!  Hopefully I'll get to them all tomorrow.)

With my Sirdar Cardi officially on hold, I had no trouble finding something to keep me busy.  Here's the new projects I started recently.

The Softest Baby Blanket:

-Yarn: Plymouth Geisha in white (5 skeins)

-Pattern: Simple on US10.5(stockinette stitch with garter stitch border)

-For: baby gift for BF's brother (they're having their first child in July. EXCITING!)

I casted it on late last week.  About 1/5 of it was completed when I took this pic two days ago.  Now about 2/5 is completed.  This is going really fast on those big needles.

US8 is the biggest size I've used in a couple of months.  It makes it odd to use big needles.  I feel like I'm knitting with drumsticks!

The texture of the Geisha is why I call the blanket "the softest."  I love knitting with it. I may have to make myself a shawl with it this winter.  I can't get over how soft it is.  the only down side is that it's handwash.  I know, not the best choice for a baby.  I can't help it, I couldn't resist!

Tom's Jaeger Vest:

-Yarn: Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4-ply

-Pattern: Jaeger Mens Collection-Lennon

I haven't made as much progress on this as I hoped for.  Maybe I shouldn't be too harsh.  Afterall, it is on US2 & US3!

I think I figured out how to change colors.  I'm going to use the intarsia method.  There is a great online tutorial at KnittingHelp.com.  It's an excellent site for the very beginner to the nearly advanced.

Now I have to wind a bunch of balls of each color.  Hopefully I'll figure out how to keep them from getting intangled.  Do any of my wonderful readers have advice, tips or tricks?  I'm thinking of using closepins to wind the balls onto.  I read that this method works well.  We'll just see, won't we?!

I've also been knitting more hats for The Preemie Project.  I'm focusing on red, white and blue colors.  They're fun for the July 4th holiday.  Here's a few of them.  Most of them still need the pompom on the top.

The motivation to knit these hats comes from the yahoo group I recently joined. (Bears and Blankets)  It's a group of charitable crafters who mostly support children.  They're having a contest to see how many partriotic hats we can each make. 

This week I found out that knitting is definently the SLOW POKE way to go!  Since the contest started a little over a week ago I finished 8 hats.  Before finding out everyone else's results I thought I had a pretty good number.  I was surprised to find that someone had finished 40!  If only I knew how to sew...  I still love the motivation!

The Preemie Project is my "baby."  Ideas are constantly brewing.  I've been excited to see things begin to fall into place.  We continue to receive great support.  I can't wait to be able to make our very first donation.  It's very exciting for me to see things start happening.  Thank you to everyone who has shown their support and enthusiasm!

I try to not talk a lot about my personal life on my blog.  One thing I have blogged about is the nerve injury I suffered last Aug. during surgery.  Many of you know that the injury led to a chronic pain condition in my left leg that I've had ever since.  I've basically been in the dark for 10 months about a prognosis.  I didn't even know if things would ever go back to the way they were. 

Anyhow, I just want to share some GREAT news.  I had a doctor's appointment last Friday, and they told us that the nerve has grown back a lot.  As if that wasn't enough good news, they also told us that I should begin to feel much better by the end of the summer!  I'm so happy that I just had to share this with everyone.  It's really nice to not have to worry about the future so much.  Thank you to everyone who has "listened" to me babble on about this situation.  Every now and again it's just nice to have someone with a different perspective "listen."  Hopefully I can return the gesture.

Sirdar Cardigan on Hold

I made a good decision last night.  I decided to put the Sirdar Cardi to bed until the fall.  There are a couple of reasons why I came to this decision.  It has taken me longer than expected to finish it.  I thought it would be finished a couple weeks ago.  Now it's starting to get pretty warm and I think summer is here to stay.  The worsted weight wool yarn I'm using makes the cardi too warm for the summer.  So, even if I were to keep plugging away on it I wouldn't even be able to wear it. 

I also have a long list of projects to complete.  Some of them are gifts, which means I have a deadline for them.  I need to start them now so that I'm not rushed later.  I also need to concentrate on knitting for The Preemie Project.

Thus I came to the decision o put the Sirdar Cardi away for the summer.  I'm not going to frog it.  Oh no, I still absolutely love the pattern and I think it's going to be really cute.  I just won't even be able to wear it.  Even if it was cold enough to be able to wear it I still wouldn't have time to finish it because of other projects.  Okay, I'm being really redundant now.  So, here is the Sirdar Cardi.

A it is now, I have finished:

-the back

-the right and left front

-started the first sleeve

I'll be excited to finish this one in the fall.  For now it's onto other fun knitting projects.  Here is my revised list. I hope to get these projects complete in the next two months.  Then I want to start on Christmas gifts.

-The Preemie Project 

-Boyfriend's vest

-Baby Blanket for gift

-Two Baby Bobbi Bears (Emma and other)

-Felted Knitting Bag

-Chevron Tank

-Branching Out

-Clapotis

-Tartelette Shawl

I've got to get knitting!  I have to many project to complete.  It seems like all of the sudden I'm not getting as much knitting done as before.  I'm actually busy which is great.  I'm putting everything I have into The Preemie Project.  It is my saving grace and my sanity.  I have received some great feed back and I cannot wait to see this project flourish. 

I wanted to thank everyone for their kind words.  I'm having a rough time but staying very positive.  I appreciate the support I receive from all of you.  I've been very touched.  Unfortunately I didn't receive a prognosis on Thursday.  I'm disappointed but I think that only time will tell.  For now I have a lot of time to knit.  So I really can't complain!  =0) 

Cleared for Take Off!!

Thank you everyone for your well wishes.  I appreciate them all.  I'm sorry that I have not been replying to comments with emails.  I've had to cut way down on my computer time.  So, i've been trying to reply to comments on people's blogs.  That way I can still get my blog reading done. 

Speaking of blog reading. I have a bunch of that to catch up on.  I've had to fight for computer time lately.  Everyone in my house wants to park themselves at it for hours.  =0)  So, I choose to use it when everyone is gone during the day.  It's so peaceful.  I like my alone time.

My back was still bad late last week so I went to the doctor on friday afternoon.  She diagnosed me with weakness causing pain.  Basically, my back muscles have gotten weak from a lack of activity.  My leg injury keeps me off of my feet unless I'm in the pool.  I can only get up for a few minutes at a time.  I'e adjusted to it but it has taken a toll on my back.  I've been doing exercises to strengthen my lower back and arms but I never focused on my upper back. 

Now to the important part.  I apologize for that non-knitting content.  I asked the doctor what activities I needed to avoid in order to get rid of the back pain.  The activities I'm able to do and do everyday are knitting, beading (not everyday), computer.  I asked about knitting first and I explained how I sit when I knit.  The doc said that it should be find as long as i sit with back support.  OH YEAH!!!!!!!!  I was SO happy!  At that point I hadn't knitted for almost a week and I was so bored.  She did say that ai need to cut down on computer time and that I shouldn't bead at all for awhile unless I'm feeling better. 

What good news, huh?!  So like I said I was cleared for take off.  I started knitting right when I got home on Friday.  I picked up this hat I had been knitting for The Preemie Project.

  The yarn from Cindy's donation.  Cindy this knits up so cute.  I'm planning on knitting up some socks to match today or tomorrow.  Oh so cute!  I love knitting baby items.

Now that I'm receiving yarn donations, my next goal is to get together a local group to knit items.  I'm also going to use the yarn to give people who want to volunteer but can't afford the yarn.

I also did some work on The Preemie project website this weekend.  Take a look at the homepage for the changes.  I think it makes more sense now.  I've also added a lot to the list of things that can be donated.  I added things like teddy bears, dolls, diapers, baby wipes and clothing.

Here's another hat for The Preemie Project.  I knitted this one up on fdriday night.  I used Bernat Softee Baby.  That yarn is my fav. cheap baby yarn.  It is so soft and the skeins are SO HUGE.  They have a bunch of cute colors too.  If only my walMart would carry them all!

I've also been working on my Sirdar Cardi.  I just want to get it done!  I think the pattern is really slowing me down.            

It seems to be taking forever.  I finished the back a couple weeks ago. Here's the left front that I finished this weekend.  I started the right front yesterday. 

If you look carefully you'll see a lump under the top of the piece.  can you guess what that is?  Yep, it's Miller the monster.  He's about a year old.  He has been so crazy lately.  He runs and jumps all over the house.  He goes crazy and attacks his two brothers out of no where.  My mom and I got him a toy to use to tire him out.  My boyfriend has been playing with him every night while we watch TV.  He will play for hours!  It's really hilarious to watch and he is hours of entertainment.

He loves this thing.  He flips all over the place to catch it.  I hear him at night running up and down the stairs with it.

As you can see Toby isn't interested sitting in the backgroung just watching.  Oliver tries to catch it every now and then and then lays down again.

This is what Miller does when BF stops playing with him:

He practically begs him to keep going.  It's really cute.

So BF keeps going until Miller gets tired out and falls asleep. He looks so cute when he's sleeping.

I apologize for the amount of kitty content.  I can't help it!  They're so CUTE and I LOVE 'EM!! 

The Headless Bear

  I've been following the PT's orders the past two days to the best of my ability.  Now when I say to the best of my ability, I mean that I'm weak and I give in easily.  Go a whole day without knitting?!  That's unheard of!  Isn't it?!  She has also told me to lay off of the beading and cut back on my computer time too.  I've since discovered that it was the beading and computer that were doing the most harm.  Although I may have just convinced myself of that b/c I can't go a day without knitting.  That's an exaggeration.  If the pain ever gets bad enough I'll stop.  So I guess that when it hurts too bad to knit I'll know that I have a real problem.  =0)

  Seriously though, the beading and computer time are worse for my back.  So, I'll keep this short.  (thank goodness for that huh!?)  Since I haven't been able to knit as much, all I have to show for my efforts the past two days is a headless bear.

 

Okay, it has no arms either.  I'm getting there though.  The yarn is caron simply soft and it knits up nicely.  It's going to be a cute bear when it's finished.  Maybe tomorrow I'll have some finished pics.

I finally have all of the yarn for my boyfriend's vest.  The backordered yarn arrived in the mail on Monday.  Now I have to figure out how to carry colors.  Is there a good online tutorial out there? I haven't found one yet.  As I've mentioned before, this vest is knitted on US2 and US3 needles.  It's going to take forever.  My BF already has plans for the next sweater I'm going to knit him.  I have a very common problem - too many projects going on at once and not enough time.  At least I'm not the only one.