Stasia's Place Of Grace

Sunday, June 01, 2003

 

Thankful for...

Some Updates Since Original Posting - They Appear In Red

As it turns out, Jeff did get a severe spinal headache after his spinal tap. Having been through it myself (from epidural steroid injections for my spine) I felt horrible for him! Last week, he had not one but two epidural blood patches injected to plug up the hole that was leaking spinal fluid.

There's not a whole lot to be thankful for about this experience except that it is over! And for that I'm truly grateful! Now we are just awaiting test results on the cause of Jeff's neuropathy... but today Jeff is outside putting in fence posts, so I think he feels pretty good.

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Lots Happening Outside!

Baby Bluebirds In Nest Box That Jeff Built

Mama Bluebird Feeds Babies After We See Them

Pinecones Growing Quickly!

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Fibery Stuff

This is the Shaped Scarf from the book "The Knit Stitch", made in Berroco Monet which was on special at KnitPicks.com. It is quite thick and squishy, and will be nice for fall and winter. I think I prefer making this scarf in a more ribbon-y, or mohair-y yarn (Berroco Glace, or Trendsetter Dune which is the yarn used in the book).

This is a very simple scarf made in "something FX" by Berroco - I lost the label and now I can't remember the name! Found it: it is Berroco Mosaic FX, color 4619. Eros by Plymouth is a similar railroad-type yarn. (You need two balls of the Berroco, but only one of the Eros, per scarf - tho' it comes out to about the same cost.)

I cast on 36 stitches on a size 8 needle. I then knit 4 rows of garter - I should say, 4 ridges of garter stitch (8 rows). On the next row, when I inserted the needle as if to knit, I then wrapped the yarn 3 times around the needle before bringing it through, instead of once. Then, on the next row, I just knit the actual stitches and let those extra wraps drop - this is called a drop stitch pattern, and makes for a lacy effect without a lot of work. Then I go back to the garter stitch rows. N.B. I have run out of the Mosaic FX and the scarf isn't long enough. Therefore, I'd advise getting three balls or casting on only about 28 stitches instead of 36. It is a bit wide - about 8", where 4" to 6" would have been fine.

I was lucky to find this color of the Berroco yarn at Ruhama's, as it matches a blouse I'd gotten for my sister-in-law's birthday dinner next week. The linen blouse and purple T are from Coldwater Creek. I think the scarf will dress it up a bit, and the yarn was only $10.

Maybe I will make one for my sister-in-law as well! We already got her a Dale of Norway Learn-To-Knit kit for a gift - I'm hopeful that even though she has Down's Syndrome, she'll be able to learn the skills.

We're going to the Japanese steakhouse, which is where Becky's had her birthday every year since I've known her (about 12!) Last time we were there, she caught a flying shrimp in her mouth and everyone applauded. She was beaming for the rest of the evening. Becky is quite a fun young woman in her early 20s - she loves to dress up, to listen to Celine Dion and Cher CDs, and to compete in Special Olympics. She has an incredible sense of humor - her favorite joke is to show you a tiny box and tell you that there is a three-piece chicken dinner inside. When she opens the box to show you three corn kernels, she cracks up!

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It's been a rough couple of weeks, with Jeff traveling to Toronto and then having to undergo all the medical tests and the treatments to fix up the problems caused by the tests. The dogs have been really well-behaved for me, though, and the weather is improving every single day, so life is good and I'm getting over being tired. I've been grateful to have all these simple scarves to keep my hands occupied while my mind was thinking about other things.

My new-to-me Schacht Mighty Wolf loom was delivered by the delightful Adam and Andrea Mielke, and I have heard that their father has been sneaking rides on the Honda motorcycle (for which Adam and Andrea traded the loom) when Adam is off working.

I'm so grateful that this trade worked out well for everyone. The Mighty Wolf loom is beautiful and is finally housed in my fiber room as of last night. It will be warped as soon as I finish and assemble my new Lendrum Saxony spinning wheel which Fed Ex just dropped off - a 10th anniversay present from Jeff. I can't wait to try it, and the loom, out! I received great service and extras from Charlie at Woodland Woolworks, from whom we ordered the wheel. It is Cherry, and a left-hander, so I won't have to twist while I spin right-hand-forward!

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I hope you are having a great nearly-summer weekend! Last night, we had crabcakes and the first corn on the cob of the season for dinner - it was fantastic!

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