Category Archive: Knitting
These two babies thought I needed watching, or maybe they just know that after clean-up comes dinner. By the time I fixed meals, went to the gym, cleaned a stall, and watered the hoop house, I had used up my energy for the day, so I am spending the evening knitting. It may be another week before I get back to the sewing machine. I had wanted to finish a quilt this month, but ……so far it hasn’t happened and I’ll be out of town for the weekend.Easy impossible socks
With this lovely spring weather, I started the day weeding, then putting bulbs in this front area. After that and some hoop house planting, it was lunch and a few errands. And so goes the day so quickly
So tonight I was able to sit down with “impossible girl” socks. They are so very easy, it is the girl who is impossible, not the socks. I love how fast they are working up. The yarn was on one ball and when I rolled half of it off, one side is a bit redder and the other has more blue tones, but not terrible different – sister socks.
Impossible socks
I have finally started a new pair of “impossible girl socks”. The designer, Madeline Gannon, says they remind her of the “Impossible girl” on Dr. Who in a BBC series. So the socks are not impossible, the girl is. I need to look for a label for the yarn as I can only tell you that it is wool with a bit of nylon.
I entered fleeces in the spring fair today. This is my first time to enter a fleece, so I will watch the judging over the next 2 days as she explains her judging of each fleece. I also signed up to take a class on the use of coats on the sheep. It will be an educational week.
All over eyelets cloth
This washcloth pattern is called “All over Eyelets’ by Janet Nogle. It measures 8” square and very easy to knit. However, I started it 3 times, before I was happy with the size I was making. Janet often posts “swatch” patterns. This one I liked, but also wanted it to be usable. The cotton fiber is leftover without any identification on it.
I worked in the garden this morning, pulling many weeds. I planted a few more tomatoes and cauliflower plants. I still have more tomatoes sprouting and beets and celery to plant.
As time goes by socks finished
“As time goes by” socks are finished! I wished the toes had ended on a dark color, but that is one of those things one doesn’t know when starting.
Then we went to a book signing at Whole Foods with author RIP Esselstyn from Engine 2 foods. We were quite sure we would freeze to death before it was over, but we didn’t. It was interesting, however, we didn’t buy anything. When I buy a cookbook, I use 1 or 2 recipes and I wasn’t about to put out 25.00 for that. I can get plenty from the internet now.
As Time goes by
(Photos can be difficult to get.) I have been working on a pair of socks named “As Time Goes By” and the name is so appropriate for today’s post. I flew to Wash DC for the Celebration of Life event for my sister-in-law who is at the end of her Alzheimer’s journey. She was so active and her entire life was lived to bless others. Maybe her genes knew time would not be as long for her, as she had what seemed like boundless energy. If she saw a need, she was there with a helping hand, from offering child care to a mother who was trying to get more education, to mission service while working a full-time job, where she was able to share her love of baking. She loved people and you never saw her without a smile that said “you’re special to me”. And somehow she always had time for you. At family gatherings when they would come to visit, she always made a stop at Costco and brought more than enough food for everyone. (even though it was a potluck and she was only bringing drinks). Hospitality was her game.
On the plane I worked on my “As Time Goes By Socks” by Susan Burzynski. This was a Ravalry free pattern, cuff down, that I am making with Knitpicks “Felici” yarn in Sprinkles colorway. I did not get finished but am ready to do the toes. I am home now, so it’s anyone’s guess when they will actually get done. Hopefully, this week. But even that will depend on if emergencies arise.
Meanwhile nothing exciting happened at the farm. Animals were cared for and no one new emerged. Maybe this week, we will see a new face or two.
Give your loved ones an extra hug. Life only seems long to the young.
Time goes by socks
I have now completed two pattern repeats on “As time goes by” socks. I think I will need 5 repeats, so 3 more to go. This name just seems so appropriate as the time has been flying by.
The big equipment fellows finally came back this week and are once again working. They left the machine here all winter, so I can only assume it was too wet to need it. They are now removing dead trees and blackberry brambles. Then we can plant pasture
Another unfinished project. The iris didn’t get weeded much last summer, but they are still volunteering to come back up and give us a show of beauty this summer.
Time blocks
It seems my life is currently measured in 4 hour time blocks.
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6 AM: feed babies, check everyone, and let them outside for the day.
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Home to a selected project for an hour and a half before prepping breakfast
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10 AM: feed babies, sheep check, and give mothers food and fresh water
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Home to normal daily activities such as laundry, minimal housework, etc
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2 PM: feed babies, again the check on everyone
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Usually by this time, I need to take a rest or at least find an activity that sits me down
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6 PM: feed babies, feed adults plus water and close the doors for the night.
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Family time, worship, and maybe knitting time
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10 PM: feed babies, last check on everyone plus any needed water
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Home to drop until 5:30 AM time to prepare bottles again.
Bottles babies are a lot of extra trouble, and it only lasts 2 months, but on the other hand, one does have to delegate the time blocks so they don’t get away. After the first feeding, I try to use that hour plus to sew, quilt, plant, or check on my seed growing for the hoop house.
Since we are still doing renovations to the barn, that takes supervision and choices as well during the day. Today, Mary came over for some quilt help and we were both tired enough, we rested while visiting after feeding babies.
Tonight after the 6PM feeding, I was able to get some knitting done, but at this time of day, I am slow. 
I am knitting this lovely pattern found on Ravelry, using the yarn at the top of this page. It has a 20 row repeat, but only on 12 stitches on each sock. The rest is all knitted and therefore goes quickly.
Here is today’s “cuteness” photo
Stem cell therapy
No photos, however, we spent the day at Seattle Stem Cell clinic, getting questions answered on both sides concerning therapy. DH has decided to participate in the self funded studies. He will go in for the draw on March 22 and stay there for a three hours until they are able to do the lab work and inject the cells back into his body. I don’t fully understand their numbers when they say it is 60-80% effect, -seems like a big range – but one is plied with so much information, it’s difficult to think of all the questions. They did say that for diseases like this that are a downhill progression, they have found that a booster each year is extremely helpful. They have found stem cell therapy very effective for balance, coordination, mental slowness tremors, and other Parkinsonian effects which I have now forgotten. It will take 4-6 months after the procedure to see results. We decided it was worth trying as there is no physical downside.
The usual 65 minute drive home took 2.5 hours in the rain on a Friday afternoon. I must remember no more Fridays in Seattle, but I took the first appointment they could work us in. (And if our offspring are reading this – we are spending your inheritance as a trade-off for having your father around longer and healthier.) We are on the research side of this and not only do we want the help, but we want others to be able to get the help as well. This disease now affects 1% of the population and is becoming apparent at a younger age. I will keep you posted as we learn more.
For those of you who were interested when I showed socks made from Felic yarn, Knitpicks has some Felici sock yarn on sale for 30% off.
And now I’m off to get some rest before the next lamb feeding.
Mary came over today and we enjoyed catching up on each others lives. We started by having a fast food lunch and came back to knitting for me and crocheting for her while we chatted. As you can see, I got a very few rows knitted on my next pair of socks, but start, I did.