So...this journal was just supposed to be *knitting* related

For the most part I *journal* on another place. This was just supposed to be for my knitting related stuff...but as always real life seeps into knitting life.

Besides giving birth in November 2007, (thus having a 5 month old...which seriously impacts knitting...) we found out my husband has bleeding in his brain. Well we found out June/July of last year, but it happened again in October, and the follow up from March isn't great.

More specifically a cavernous malformation between the 3rd and 4th ventricle on the brain stem which did burst in October and is now slowly leaking and clotting. This is causing his eyes to be unable to function (focus, lazy eye, he has double vision constantly). It is also causing hydrocephalus. So we might be having brain surgery.

I didn't want to say something at first because it seems like a cry for help. It isn't. It's just why my responses are slow.

I'm looking on the bright side. I'm knitting him cigar gloves for next winter, which means he has to be around to use them right?

OK I fail.

So I cast on socks on DPN's and I'm 2 inches into the cuff.

I liked DPN's for small circular projects.

I AM STILL going to try 2 circulars though...just on longer needles.

BTW socks are in Monster Mash by Hill Country Yarns. No super soft...but not to darn bad.

I hate socks. No...not really...but they seem to be fighting me

Granted it's probably somewhat my fault. Instead of choosing a simple sock I wanted to learn 2 socks on 2 circulars.... Hell 2 socks on 1 circular would of been fine too.
I thought I'd avoid the second sock syndrome...I'd keep gauge uniform...I'd...
BLIMEY.

First off I tried it with some worsted weight, which although nice I got to like 10 rows and thought "holy crap this is a thick sock..."

I have sock weight yarn...I can do this. SO I frog the worsted weight.

So now I need to figure out how many stitches for fingering weight... ok...so I think this other pattern will do but..wait..my size 4 circulars are a bit big on this....I'm a loose knitter. I need 2's probably....
No problem..I have...wait...no I dont.

Ok I go to the store.
2 sets of size 2's 16 inch circular's...different colors so I can tell which needle is which...PERFECT.

I get home.
I cast on.
I knit one row...
I see my ladders.

I HATE 16 inch circulars. I end up stretching the damn thing out cause I just cant...they arent long enough to get my damn needles together....

ARGH.

So now tomorrow back to a DIFFERENT store (this time a knitting store instead of a craft store.) to buy 24 inch size 2 circulars.

Then I need to return the other two needles...or donate them.

I hate 16 inch circulars.

The 36 inch circulars I'm working on Jule's pants with...Now THOSE rock...lots of space to knit.

le sigh.

YEAH!

My weekend of knitting. Between my MIL coming to visit (had to see the baby), and our bathroom being torn down, I managed to find time to knit (and even cast on 2 new projects.)

First up.
Socks.
I know myself, I would succumb to second sock syndrome. I needed a good way to do both socks at once. So I found the book 2 socks on circulars. I couldnt find cat bordi's book but I will probably hunt that down at some point since I'm a book whore.

I cast on, messed up, cast on again, and...got the hang of it. I am only 4 rows into the ribbing (doing a very basic pattern for the first set).

Now they are cuff down, so toe up is my next challenge. There is the Silvers Sock tutorial which I will probably read through at some point.

Second project:
Husbands cigar gloves.
Now that I am knitting again, everytime he see's me knitting he starts coughing *cigar* in my ear. I think he thinks he's being cute. (he is) :)
So I grabbed the yarn (and the pattern) and today during a break I cast them on. June is father's day, so let's hope I can get them done in time. Although...Summer..San Diego...he probably wont be wearing them until Fall.

Fawkes - the sock pattern that got away.

So just getting back into knitting and I run across this pattern Fawkes. Only the site is down and I cant find it....anywhere.

Argh.

I hate circular needles.

I have a set of knitpicks. I find the...metal to bee too pointy. I dont want to get rid of them beacause I hear they are amazing for lace work, but I havent DONE lace work yet...I asked my husband for a set of the rosewood for mothers day/anniversary/etc whatever my next gift is going to be.

I even circled it in my magazine... to avoid the confusion.

I've started delving into my luscious yarn collection. I need to use it in order to buy more...sayeth the husband.

Oh...and I hate hate hate magic loop knitting. I much prefer my double points.

Oh. I want this.

I want this.

It's lust.
In a yarn.

So it is literally a year since I've really picked up my needles.

Let see to sum up.
I got pregnant (yeah). I had a very sick pregnancy (boo). I have a beautiful baby girl who is now...16 weeks old.

So. Onto the knitting.

I'm in the process of finishing a 2x2 rib scarf for my stepdaughter.
I'm working on the knit hat I started for my husband over a year ago. I've promised him cigar gloves for Christmas this year (maybe our anniversary if I can finish by then). And I've been working on a pair of pants for my daughter.

It's gonna be busy.

Where I'm at...in my knitting frenzy.

I've got serious knit project ADHD.

I HAVE to finish up some projects, before I can go on...and start another. I started the Daisy sweater from Knitty.com I have several friends who have baby girls (in fact one is turning 1 in March, another in September...) so I'd like to be able to give this to one of them.

Other projects on my needles.

Fetching for my friend Kara, done in black/white malabrigio. An altered Fetching done for ME, in camo colors.

A kitty cat, which I have to say is bothersome. I already KNIT it, but I got cocky (who me no never) and the body is too long....I've already stuffed and sewn him and rather frog him and re-knit, I decided he was a present for some cute child, and I would knit another one for my friend Bari's birthday. Which is who the original kitty was for....


I have a beautiful patons wool ease scarf in Harvest for.. I *think* either my mom or dad. Possibly daddy for fathers day.

I have a black/white scarf for my husband (which BTW was started in NOVEMBER....)

I also have a list of projects TO start a mile long including a sock tutorial (yes I want to do a tutorial first), lizard ridge blanket, Kiri shawl.... another calorimetry and a clapotis.

Finished Objects this week so far:
A hat in Cascade Magnum in a brown/green/orange rust color. According to the husband, it is the warmest hat EVER, and could sustain his entire body in negative 20 degrees.

A felted bowl in...Cascade Magnum same color (can you tell I have some of this yarn).

The real reason for knitting in the Magnum BESIDES that it is damn quick and easy, is that I have some SERIOUS birthday yarn stash coming in, and if I don't clean out some space (and let's face it Magnum takes up a LOT of space), I might have to go buy another Tupperware container, which... in turn could drive my husband over the edge to throw me or my yarn out.

Tomorrow I am taking a fetching to work (probably kara's) because if I DARE take the damn baby sweater to work there will be rumors for MONTHS.

So my husband lovingly put up with me talking about knitting (hey I put up with his high end gaming, guns, and motocycle talk....) over dinner tonight.

And at one point he turns to me and says something to the effect of "so you dont wash the wool because you dont want to make it angry...."

I took a pause.

Right hun. Don't agitate the wool...it's baaaaaad.