Two weeks ago I woke up and got ready for work. Things looked a little hazy but I thought it was no big deal. My vision continued to worsen to the point where I had to stop driving. I went to the eye doctor and received the shock of my life. My eyes are healthy but I needed to be checked immediately for diabetes. He gave me some temporary contacts which have allowed me to drive once again.
Last Monday my fears were confirmed and I do have diabetes. This explains the thirst and the trips to bathroom every 15 to 30 minutes and the fatigue that I had attributed to the fibromyalgia. My doctor prescribed a pill for the diabetes and I've already made some dietary changes. As a rule I eat a diet healthy in fruits and vegetables so it hasn't been exceptionally difficult. My blood sugar has dropped from the upper 300's and low 400's to the 160's. I still have a lot of work to do but some of the fog has lifted.
My knitting has been pretty much relegated to the sidelines as I sometimes have difficulty finding the correct line of vision between the contacts and the reading glasses. Each day my vision improves some and the optometrist says that I may gain all of my original visual acuity back and return to my original eyeglass prescription.
I plan to pick up the knitting this week with the hope that I can get the front of Viola finished. This weekend I'm going to the Sheep and Wool Days at Middleton Place Plantation in Charleston. I'm not sure if this is the first one they've had but this is the first time I've had any knowledge of it. We'll spend the day touring the various activities as well as the gardens. There may be a little side shopping trip thrown in the mix, but for now we are going to go with the flow.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Zoe
Today I made a special delivery. Due to health issues I've spent an inordinant amount of time at the CVS nearest to my house. Over the past several years most of the pharmacy staff has gotten to know me by name. Elaine, the pharmacy tech, recently had her first grandson. She joked about what was I going to knit for him, but little did she know that I already had something in mind. Today I made a special delivery for her.
Specs:
Pattern: Zoe from A Treasury of Rowan Knits
Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Denim
Needles: 3 and 6 US Colonial Rosewood
Size: 2-3
Started: March 2, 2008 Finished: March 26, 2008
Mods: The sweater is designed as a tunic for girls. I shortened it to sweater length and omitted the side flaps. I also omitted the two front pockets. I was looking for blue buttons and the only suitable ones we found were the doggie buttons. They add that little extra that was needed.
Once the pollen stops falling I'm planning to make this one of my outdoor knitting spots. It's the bbq pit we had built this winter. Mom has already purchased the fabric and foam for the pillows that will surround it. I'll be doing the sewing and assembly. The grills for the pit are on order. We do a lot of cooking out so I'm sure that we'll be spending a lot of time out here grilling and chilling.
Theresa asked about the floor a few photos back. Yes that is the floor in the new section. It's red oak like the floors in the original house. We can do rugs but no carpet. I have severe dust mite allergies and don't have either in my bed or craft room.
Specs:
Pattern: Zoe from A Treasury of Rowan Knits
Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Denim
Needles: 3 and 6 US Colonial Rosewood
Size: 2-3
Started: March 2, 2008 Finished: March 26, 2008
Mods: The sweater is designed as a tunic for girls. I shortened it to sweater length and omitted the side flaps. I also omitted the two front pockets. I was looking for blue buttons and the only suitable ones we found were the doggie buttons. They add that little extra that was needed.
Once the pollen stops falling I'm planning to make this one of my outdoor knitting spots. It's the bbq pit we had built this winter. Mom has already purchased the fabric and foam for the pillows that will surround it. I'll be doing the sewing and assembly. The grills for the pit are on order. We do a lot of cooking out so I'm sure that we'll be spending a lot of time out here grilling and chilling.
Theresa asked about the floor a few photos back. Yes that is the floor in the new section. It's red oak like the floors in the original house. We can do rugs but no carpet. I have severe dust mite allergies and don't have either in my bed or craft room.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Family Ties
Yesterday was a wonderful day. Having a house filled with the sound of laughter is a wonderful thing, especially the laughther of children. We missed Charles and his family and Billy and the Georgia clan. Billy's children from Aiken; Bryant, Brenna and Jessica, and their mother, Cindy, came up.bRebecca and Isaiah came over. Byron my youngest brother and Isaiah's dad, was here from Greenville. They played games, enjoyed good food and played more games.
Brenna, my niece, is modeling her Retro Redux Shrug. I finished it about two weeks ago. I made it a little longer than the pattern called for in the largest size and it fits her perfectly. She's grown a bit since I last saw her during the New Year holiday and is now taller than me!
Specs:
Pattern: Retro Redux Shrug from LaceStyle
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool
Needles: 8, 9, 10, 10.5 Bamboo circular
Size: Large
Started: February 28, 2008 Finished: March 6, 2008
Modifications: I added a few extra rows in the body length. It fits her perfectly, much better than the original would have.
These photos are of the Carnival Cardigan that I made for mom using EZ's percentage system. She's been wearing it for over a year. I recently bought the clasps and sewed them on.
Specs:
Pattern: Carnival Cardigan made using EZ's Percentage System
Yarn: Noro Silver Thaw, Noro Cash Iroha
Needles: 8 Clover Bamboo circulars
Size: Large
Started: January 23, 2007 Finished: February 26, 2007
Mom loves this sweater and has gotten a lot of wear out of it this winter. I love to knit for her because she truly enjoys whatever I make her. I'm currently working on a sleeveless sweater for her using Hempathy in the cool blue colorway.
The falling pollen is turning everything green and the flowers are blooming. All I can think about are the sweaters I want to knit for the spring and summer. I'm still focused on finishing the current wips but I've gotten to the point where I can start another. Spring fever is in the house!
Brenna, my niece, is modeling her Retro Redux Shrug. I finished it about two weeks ago. I made it a little longer than the pattern called for in the largest size and it fits her perfectly. She's grown a bit since I last saw her during the New Year holiday and is now taller than me!
Specs:
Pattern: Retro Redux Shrug from LaceStyle
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool
Needles: 8, 9, 10, 10.5 Bamboo circular
Size: Large
Started: February 28, 2008 Finished: March 6, 2008
Modifications: I added a few extra rows in the body length. It fits her perfectly, much better than the original would have.
These photos are of the Carnival Cardigan that I made for mom using EZ's percentage system. She's been wearing it for over a year. I recently bought the clasps and sewed them on.
Specs:
Pattern: Carnival Cardigan made using EZ's Percentage System
Yarn: Noro Silver Thaw, Noro Cash Iroha
Needles: 8 Clover Bamboo circulars
Size: Large
Started: January 23, 2007 Finished: February 26, 2007
Mom loves this sweater and has gotten a lot of wear out of it this winter. I love to knit for her because she truly enjoys whatever I make her. I'm currently working on a sleeveless sweater for her using Hempathy in the cool blue colorway.
The falling pollen is turning everything green and the flowers are blooming. All I can think about are the sweaters I want to knit for the spring and summer. I'm still focused on finishing the current wips but I've gotten to the point where I can start another. Spring fever is in the house!
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Mmmmm Alpaca
The lys has all of its' Plymouth Indiecita Alpaca Sport and Worsted weights discounted to $2.00/skein. Of course I couldn't resist.
Joke of the day: Someone told Maureen, the owner of the Hook 'N' Needle, that I buy the discounted yarn to sale on eBay. It's good idea though. I'll file it away for future reference. This has to be someone who's never seen my crafting room.
Some people really need to get a life!
Joke of the day: Someone told Maureen, the owner of the Hook 'N' Needle, that I buy the discounted yarn to sale on eBay. It's good idea though. I'll file it away for future reference. This has to be someone who's never seen my crafting room.
Some people really need to get a life!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Pumpkin
For Isaiah.
Pattern: Pumpkin from A Treasury of Rowan
Yarn: Sirdar Legend DK
Needles: 3, 6 Colonial Rosewood
Size: 5
Started: August 30, 2007 Finished: February 27, 2008
Mods: Omitted the hood.
Wow this took a long time! This project kept getting sidetracked for other things I was working on. It's an easy pattern. I hope he can still fit it this fall.
Monday I was ordered to loose weight. Knitting for me will take a backseat for a while until I rid myself of at least 25-30 pounds. This past summer I successfully lost about 20 pounds only to have a medication change and put over 30 back on.
I'm going to finally devote myself to completing MK Level II. Projects are getting caught up and finished so there's no time like the present. It's almost as if things have to reach critical mass before I'll commit to getting them done and once that happens they just fly off the needles.
Goodies from the beach weekend...
A couple of Lantern Moon bags
and a little stash enhancement.
Pattern: Pumpkin from A Treasury of Rowan
Yarn: Sirdar Legend DK
Needles: 3, 6 Colonial Rosewood
Size: 5
Started: August 30, 2007 Finished: February 27, 2008
Mods: Omitted the hood.
Wow this took a long time! This project kept getting sidetracked for other things I was working on. It's an easy pattern. I hope he can still fit it this fall.
Monday I was ordered to loose weight. Knitting for me will take a backseat for a while until I rid myself of at least 25-30 pounds. This past summer I successfully lost about 20 pounds only to have a medication change and put over 30 back on.
I'm going to finally devote myself to completing MK Level II. Projects are getting caught up and finished so there's no time like the present. It's almost as if things have to reach critical mass before I'll commit to getting them done and once that happens they just fly off the needles.
Goodies from the beach weekend...
A couple of Lantern Moon bags
and a little stash enhancement.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ribbon-Edged Cardigan
Specs:
Pattern: Ribbon-Edged Cardigan Debbie Bliss Special Knits
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino
Needles: 2.5, 3.0 mmm Colonial Rosewood
Size: 12-24 months
Started: January 7, 2008 Finished: February 25, 2008.
Modifications: Worked shoulders using short rows. Did a one stitch full-fashioned decrease at the front neck shaping. No other mods necessary.
I haven't seen any of these made with the ribbon trim. I was going to add the trim but since I haven't found any I'll deliver it without to baby Gabby this weekend.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Skyline
Finished and field tested.
Specs:
Pattern: Skyline by Hanne Falkenberg
Yarn: Hanne Falkenberg Shetland No. 2
Needles: 2.5 and 3.0 mm Ebony Holz & Stein, 3.0 addi Turbo Lace
Size: Large
Started: October 4, 2007
Finished: February 21, 2008
Modifications: None. Prior to blocking I had entertained the idea of lengthening the sleeves. They grew significantly in the blocking process and are 2-3 inches too long. I may attempt fulling it slightly to see if I can reduce some of the length. One side is not longer than the other. I did a bad job of adjusting it when the photos were being taken.
This weekend I was at the beach for the VFW/Ladies Auxiliary Spring Conference and the drawing for the shawl. Remarkbly I won my own shawl and before I could say anything a member of our post had donated it back and a new drawing was held. The winner lives right here in Columbia and is a good friend of my mom. I'm glad to know that it is going to a good home. I was a little agitated at first, no a lot agitated, but truth be told I can always make another.
I finally made it to Knitting Up A Storm in North Myrtle Beach. Dianne the shop owner was very nice and kept the store open since we were on the way. I purchased some summer weight yarns for shells for mom, a skein of sock yarn and a Lantern Moon bag. Mom gifted me with another style of Lantern Moon bag which was a big surprise. If you're in the area be sure to pay a visit.
Specs:
Pattern: Skyline by Hanne Falkenberg
Yarn: Hanne Falkenberg Shetland No. 2
Needles: 2.5 and 3.0 mm Ebony Holz & Stein, 3.0 addi Turbo Lace
Size: Large
Started: October 4, 2007
Finished: February 21, 2008
Modifications: None. Prior to blocking I had entertained the idea of lengthening the sleeves. They grew significantly in the blocking process and are 2-3 inches too long. I may attempt fulling it slightly to see if I can reduce some of the length. One side is not longer than the other. I did a bad job of adjusting it when the photos were being taken.
This weekend I was at the beach for the VFW/Ladies Auxiliary Spring Conference and the drawing for the shawl. Remarkbly I won my own shawl and before I could say anything a member of our post had donated it back and a new drawing was held. The winner lives right here in Columbia and is a good friend of my mom. I'm glad to know that it is going to a good home. I was a little agitated at first, no a lot agitated, but truth be told I can always make another.
I finally made it to Knitting Up A Storm in North Myrtle Beach. Dianne the shop owner was very nice and kept the store open since we were on the way. I purchased some summer weight yarns for shells for mom, a skein of sock yarn and a Lantern Moon bag. Mom gifted me with another style of Lantern Moon bag which was a big surprise. If you're in the area be sure to pay a visit.
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