Knitting Passion

Awww my llama!

blog fun

OK, so remember when I said that Mary and her family were going to buy yarn for the Stitching for Lyme project?

Well, it’s here! How cool is this? And for anyone that’s ever bought yarn before, you know how expensive some of these yarns are!

I know that it probably arrived earlier, but I was able to finally get to the Post Office this week.

And guess what else was there, wrapped in lime green tissue paper?

Can you believe it? How sweet was that of them to get me a gift? There was a note on the package that said the socks were “To thank you for raising Lyme awareness and because the Knitting Girl was using lime green yarn.”

Now I ask you, how can there be doubt as to the goodness still left in this world?

Mary and Jane - thank you so much. I am so grateful for your kindness and generosity.

(Just so you know, the insecure side of me is terrified that I won’t be able to live up to expectations… but it’s things like this that make me realize that I can.)

knitting, Stitching for Lyme, Lyme Disease, yarn, socks

So my Relief Society President calls me…

“Hi Keri, are you home right now?”

“Yes, what’s up?”

“Can I drop some stuff off with you?”

“Sure come on over.”

I’m thinking she’s returning my bowl from Thanksgiving.

Heh heh… I was wrong.

This is what she brought:

And this:

Oh, and this:

Apparently all this belonged to one of the ladies that moved out of our ward, and when Ranae saw it, she knew exactly who would appreciate it the most.

Yeah, I think she was right.

knitting, yarn, Relief Society

OK, ok, I know it’s annoying to go back and read all these i reverse order, but I had to say this last thing.

This Macbook has iTunes built-in and it has a remote. You know what that means, don’t you?

That’s right! It’s a giant iPod! Podcasts anywhere, baby!

OK I’m done. No seriously!

podcasting, macbook

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that this computer has built in podcasting software and a mic. Now that I have no more excuses… haha I guess we’ll have to see…

podcasting, macbook

So this here nifty computer has a built in webcam. Heehee! Here’s me and the Baby. In sepia tones, no less!

pictures, macbook

Well Apparently Holly Burnham is psychic because now I have a new computer! I’ve always been a PC gal, so I’m learning as I go. Like how to make a link to Holly’s comment… Well if you care to look, it’s under the post “I’ve been such a slacker.”

And she likes my blog! How cool is that?

Holly Burnham - you have made my night. Yay!

Now can you suggest I win the lottery? (I’ll split it with ya, winkwink.)

PS: Visit Holly’s site at http://www.knittinghaven.com

knitting sites, macbook

Everyone who wants more info about Lyme Disease must go here.

It explains everything, has pictures, and shows why I am involved in this cause.

Seriously go see it. Now.

Lyme Disease

Well I managed to get 2 different shadow knit patterns done. Now I just have to get them on the computer so I can email them. One is Tick lengthwise, and the other is Tick other… wise… um, yeah my brain is completely gone. Tallwise? I give up.

I am seriously thinking about doing a podcast. I just can’t seem to get my point across with just words. Especially when I start to write something, then get distracted, and totally… wait what was I saying again?

The trouble with podcasting is finding a set amount of time that I can have some decent quiet in which to record it. I really don’t think THAT’s going to happen, so forget it.

I am also thinking about taking a class at CCSN. (Community College of Southern Nevada) As if I didn’t already have enough on my plate, right? But I feel like I need to do something just for me, without the kids or Josh. Although I don’t think that’s going to happen either, because of the money factor. What’s the money factor, you ask? Oh, well, there isn’t any. Money, that is. Even with my work at home stuff, I just can’t seem to make enough. Oh well. I guess that’s everyone’s lot in life.

knitting, patterns, podcasting

This is brief story of how Lyme Disease affects people. Denise is also a knitter.

“My name is Denise and I contracted Lyme Disease in 1995. I didn’t even feel the “bite” because Ticks have a numbing agent, amazing! But within a few days I felt like I had come down with the flu, those achy feelings, fevers and feeling fatigued. Many people think one has to have the classic Bulls Eye Rash to have Lyme but the simple truth is that less than 50% of people who get infected develop any type of rash.

“Little did I know about Lyme Disease even though I am from Long Island, NY. My so-called “flu” didnt go away so I was at the mercy of seeing a myriad of doctors during a course of 5 long suffering years. None of them diagnosed me with Lyme but told me it was “all in my mind.” My body ached, I had stabbing pains in my legs, even lost the use of my legs for over a year in which I was crawling around on my hands and knees just to use my bathroom.

“There were times when I wanted to give up but being the stubborn lady I am, I kept pushing to find an answer to my “mystery illness” and after doing extensive research I actually diagnosed myself with Lyme but needed medical proof which I finally received.

“One of the things that kept me going during those dark years was knitting and crocheting as I was bedridden most of the time but was able to use my hands. So thank goodness for the world of yarn, hooks, and needles. These tools got me through my darkest days.

“To date, I have been in remission for over a year and plan on donating my work to this wonderful cause. Thanks Keri!”

Lyme Disease, Stitching for Lyme, knitting, crochet

HUGE thanks to Mary and her family for their donation of yarn! They donated yarn to the Stitching for Lyme cause, and as soon as we get some items knit up, I’ll post pictures. This means we can donate 100% of the proceeds from the items made with this yarn, rather than deducting the cost. Woohoo, I say! Woohoo!

Thanks again to Mary and Co., we all really appreciate it.

yarn, Stitching for Lyme

I haven’t posted in two days!

I have no excuses… I just haven’t been able to get on the computer in a while. The reason? Josh loves his World of Warcraft. He’s been working a lot of overtime this week to make up some hours, and so I haven’t bugged him to get off the computer. That’s how he relaxes, so I figure he’s earned it.

I have many plans though. Wanna hear some? Well too bad, here they are anyway.

1) Some time this week I will be doing a review of The Knitter’s Bible:Knitted Accessories by Claire Crompton.

2) I will be posting pictures (I know, I know but I really will I promise!) of my WIP’s.

3) I will also be posting another pattern for a Lyme item. This time a hat with matching mittens. Our favorite little bloodsucker Tick will be gracing them with his presence. (Yes I actually named him.)

4) I will be designing a shadow-knit pattern with Tick in it. I won’t post the actual pattern because I’m going to be submitting it to publishers and authors for publication.

So that’s all for now. I had a lot more I wanted to say, but it all went out of my head while I was looking for the link to shadow knitting. I’ll just have to post it later!

World of Warcraft, shadow knitting, Stitching for Lyme

I know yesterday I just said I wasn’t going to post the Christmas gifts, but I decided that I would change my mind. If anybody finds out what they’re getting, well then, so be it. Being the sheep that I am, I must tell you all what I have “on my pointy sticks.” I know everyone uses that phrase… that’s why I’m a sheep, ok? These are in no particular order.

Unfortunately I haven’t worked on this since the last time I posted this picture. Just for fun, lets see the first two blocks I did:
This one is duplicate stitch…
And this one is intarsia…
Both methods are the first time I’ve done either one. So I think they turned out pretty good!

Umm… I actually only have a couple rows of this one. I started it and then got distracted. I am too ashamed of the lack of progress to even post a picture.

I would say I’m about 65% done with this. I have almost finished one sleeve.

Haha, fooled ya! This gift consists of a knitted washcloth, a crocheted soap-saver/hand mitt, and 3 bottles of bath-type stuff. I have to do the washcloth still. The fabric is made out of microfiber yarn, so it really works well. I’ll post a pic as soon as I take one.

I’m about 25% done with this. It’s making such a cool self striping pattern. It’s in my car or else I’d post that one too. Ah well.

As you can see, I don’t get a lot of knitting time lately. Although I have another person to teach.

Speaking of which…

I have asked my sister to take pictures of me knitting, so online lessons are on the way!

I’m also spinning, cleaning, working online, blogging, cross-stitching, assembling, caring for children, cooking, running errands… I’m a little busy. Although listing that stuff out and then realizing that I also do a whole bunch of stuff I didn’t list is very validating. I feel better now.

knitting, being busy, WIP

I want so much to share what I’m making people for Christmas gifts, but I have 2 roadblocks:

Yeah… I am so tired, so I can’t really say anything else, I suppose.

Actually - my brain is fried.

Night.

knitting for Christmas

I’ve decided that I’m going to knit some socks with my handspun wool. I’ve knit socks only once before, and they were Marie-Sized.

However, they turned out so well, that I would absolutely try them in a size that would fit me. I just haven’t had the time, yarn, or need to make myself some socks.

Until Now…

I have all of 3 pairs of toe socks which are on the decline, and a couple pairs of tall black socks to wear with skirts, and that’s really it. I want some simple, warm socks to wear around the house, and I have yet to find actual wool socks in Target or Wal-Mart. So it’s up to me. Expect socks next. Maybe I could try to use that Jaime Baby yarn I got at the 99 cent store…

Wow… I really need to vaccum…

knitting, socks, hand spinning