My Drum Carder

 I had to clean my Ashford Drum Carder after dinner.  I usually use a needle nose pliers, however tonight we used some of John’s 3D printer tools. I must say that they worked very good. So next time you need to clean your carder find someone with a 3D printers tools.  They made the job faster.  It is so much nicer using a clean drum carder.  

The End of an Era

 I have just finished emptying the plastic box I used to carry all my supplies for craft sales.  I will no longer be spending months of my time crafting for a solo charity fundraiser or taking part in fund raisers for charity. This is not to say that I am giving up all my charity work, just the shows. The shows take up 100’s of hours of preparation and a few hundred dollars or more in supplies, all to spend a whole day selling the items to make somewhere between a few dollars  to a few thousand for the charity. If asked and I have the time I might make a few items.  All the charity work was supposed to lead to a part time crafting career, but I found people only bought from me at charity events and would even call me to see if I would be willing to sell a high ticket item after the event was over and give all the money to charity.  They would even ask when my next show would be so they could get what they needed.  When I offered to sell it to them they would always say that they would wait for the charity event. This diminishes my work as an artist, to tell me that my work is only good enough for charity events and not to buy at other times.   

So I will be doing art for me. Doing what I love. I do have a very wonderful children’s clothing bank that takes what ever I make and finds a new home for my creations. This gives me greater joy than charity sales events.  I am making 1 child at a time happy and warmer.  

I will still teach knitting, spinning and weaving, because this also brings me joy. I will still be designing new patterns, as I like sharing.   I like to see people learn new things. Again this will be on a limited basis.  

The past 32 years has been hard on my body and soul.  I still have some issues that I am working through. I am tired. I have more issues with my body as I get older that need to be taken care of, I am moving slower than I was 3 decades ago and I don’t like that.  So this is the beginning of the me era until my family needs me.  

Ta Dah

 Charity blanket number 6 of the year.  

And the bowl of ends.  

Now off to do more knitting, spinning, weaving, sewing and deep cleaning.  

Done

 The never ending blanket was finished tonight, although I promised a picture it was too late and dark. I did spend 2 full hours weaving in the ends. I filled my tiny scrap fiber bowl up. I will take pictures tomorrow.  After washing I might be able to skip blocking because it looks good and all the edges are straight. 

I found the the blocks for the next blanket are so hap hazard that I will instead use one block for the beginning square of several different blankets. This is the “1” blanket someone left in my knitting basket at guild.  By the way this is a big no no.    I am using very small knitting needles for the next batch a US size 4 or 5. Much to small for a solid blanket. If you are a newer knitter please don’t consider any blanket with knitting needles smaller than an 8.  The yarn is so thin that I am using weaving warp yarn for the next series of blankets.  Thank goodness the squares are cotton.  

It’s time to call it a night.  

The Last Row

 I am finally on the last row of the never ending blanket.  The edging is 3 rows of Crocheted through the back loop.  After that I have a Googleplex of ends to weave in.   After washing and blocking it will go to a charity project.  Here is a small section of the blanket. 

110 Degrees Today

 Today it reached 110f at our house with 1% humidity.  It was way to hot to knit on the front porch or knit outside for that matter.  So instead I went to day 2 of the multi purpose room.  I am getting rid of stuff right and left.  I did not realize that I had 3 similar boxes for hand sewing, 1 for quilting, 1 for stuffed toys and one for repairs.  That was too organized for my own good.  I suspect the hand quilting box was started in 1985.  The stuffed animal box around the time Teri was little and 1983 for the repair box, because it was a prize for something.  

Well needless to say I am going through everything.  This all started because some of my 20+ year old plastic boxes began to break.  I thought that they were good for at least my life time because plastic takes 1,000 years to break down. So I am reorganizing everything.  Some going to Goodwill, a lot to trash and recycling and some to Bookman’s.  With what’s left behind being set up to be useful for me.  I did also find a lot of 12 inch rulers, at least a dozen, I am not sure what’s up with that.  Although I believe a crafter can not have too many rulers.  I will show pictures when I am done.  

I also plyed 2 skeins of super wash wool for summer hat knitting.  . I am trying to keep busy and get organized.  Wish me luck. 

51

 As of today I have completed 51 knitting projects this year. I think I am well ahead of my project 8.3 projects completed per month I projected in January. I am disappointed that I have not used more of my stash yarn up. Well there is always June.  This hat marks my 51st knitting project of the year.  This is also my 28th hat for the year. I should reach my yearly goal of 5 dozen hats knit for the clothing bank in no time.  I have been know to knit more hats in any given year. 

Bye-Bye Bibs

 Today I decided that I am no longer making special needs bibs.  All the supplies are heading to Goodwill with the exception of the cut up bandannas which landed in a dog pillow.  I have been trying to get myself to use up the supplies for charity donations.  After 1 1/2 years of trying John and I talked it over and decided it was time to let go.  Unfortunately for John that means another trip to Goodwill since he brought in a car full yesterday. 

!!! News Flash !!!

 There may be some hope for me.  I am actually knitting a summer top for me. My weight and inches lost is some what stable for now.  I started it this afternoon and have 3 inches of the front knit on the first day.  Shocking, I know.  How long has it been.  At lest a hundred projects ago.  At least a year.  I tend to knit fast.  I am at 47 completed knitting projects for 2021 so far.  My goal is a hundred projects, so I think I can quite possibly reach my goal.  

I have to admit that I still have 1 hat, scarf and blanket on the knitting needles as works in progress for charity. So I did not go completely to the selfish knitting side.  

Still Flared Up

 11 days later I am still dealing with my flare up. I probably won’t get all 14 scarfs done in 21 days. I have managed to complete 10. Which is 10 more than I had before.  I know that they will be needed and loved. 

I have had a few really bad days of just sitting or sleeping.  My body just to tired to move.  The brain fog is mind numbing. I really hope that I have turned the corner.  I have a syllabus to write on spinning silk. Think art yarn.   I hope enough people get the vaccine so we can get past COVID19.  I want to share my knowledge.  

Mother’s Day was fun.  It was full of eating, popcorn, chocolate and a couple of new outfits that we went into the store to try on.  I also have to find time to get my new glasses. They are ready.  I am hoping for a better day, one day at a time.  

The downside if flare ups

 My body and I are not currently on speaking terms.  I have had a major slow down in what I want to do versus what my body will allow. For the past 3 days all I have been able to knit is 6 or 7 yards of yarn at best.  I really feel bad as each scarf represents a holiday present for a child in Tucson.  

To get over this latest Sjorgrins flare up, yes a flare up as I live with some effects on a daily basis.  I must rest.  Which is not always easy.  My bed which was picked out because it was soft and comfortable feels like cement.  Even playing jazz quietly in the background is not working. I wish I had some magic to fix this and everything else that is going wrong in the world. 

I am going to try to sleep again. I don’t know if it is possible but I will try.  My pain level is just below crying. Which makes it hard to sleep.  No more aspirin until 6 am. Sighs.  

I Should Know Better

 It would not surprise anyone who knows me that I was spinning some ecru silk brick while wearing a jet black dress today. I had silk threads everywhere on the dress.  What a mess. I went over to where I have the next dog pillow in progress and tried to get most of the silk off.  I need to coordinate my spinning colors with my clothing colors better.  I might have just as much fiber on me, but at least it would not show up so boldly.  

A Rainy Day

 It was a rare rainy day here. We got almost an 1/8 of an inch of rain.  We also got to see a wonderful double rainbow this afternoon.  My body is out of sync so not much got done.  I still have about 12 inches to go on the next scarf.  So it will be finished tomorrow.  

Free Broken Rib Scarf Pattern

 Project number 37 of the year is finished and in the right bag. This scarf is also scarf number 2 of 14 in the 21 day challenge. Of course projects 38, 39, 40 and 41 are on the knitting needles. They include 2 scarfs, 1 blanket and 1 hat.  I have to admit that I was having a bad body day, so not much got done today.

Project 37 is a Broken Rib Scarf.  The pattern is free.  This is a very easy pattern and  is good for beginners  

Using knitting needles 3 sizes larger than your yarn wrapper suggests.  

Cast on in multiples of 4 plus 1. 

Knit 2 Purl 2 ending in Knit 1.  Repeat this row until your desired length is achieved. Cast off in the pattern. 

More Scarfs Equals Less Yarn Stash

 More scarfs are on my knitting agenda. This bag is full of bulky wool and cotton yarn. Since I don’t need it for sweaters I think I’m going to use the yarn for knitting scarfs.  This is also a great stash buster project.  These will make great Scarfs for the students who need them. I will also have 14 less skins of yarn in the house when I am finished with this bag. I can usually knit a bulky scarf and an evening.

The down side is I will Probably need to start another bag for hats and scarves for the kids. Although Teri and John will agree that this will not be a bad downside.

 

Finished Stuff

 This week’s finished projects. 3 dog pillows for the shelter.  1 hat for the kids. 1 blanket headed to the V.A. When I have a box full.  Pictures are here.  the car is loaded for Monday’s delivery of the pillows.  

Lots of Knitting

 Today we got our 2nd COVID19 vaccine. We were supposed to keep our arms moving. My solution was very Sheri.  I finished knitting the blanket that was the design failure, it still looks good, but you will not see that as the new pattern.  Then I picked up a hat to finish. As usual I cast on the next hat so the stitch markers would not get lonely. Next I picked up a scarf that was only 6 inches long and knit another 24 inches with only 30 more inches to knit.  Pictures tomorrow.

Since you are supposed to rest for 2 days after the COVID19 vaccines, I will see what I can get done tomorrow. I wonder if I can finish a couple more projects?

With over a year into stay at home I started watching Netflix on my pad with my AirPods.  I got to watch my movies while John worked. My iPad rested on my knee while I knit. It was perfect. Why did I not think of this earlier in the pandemic?  Well I had to get John to put in the password. He has been busy. 

A New Use for My Knitting Bowl.

 A new use for my wooden knitting bowl.  Ok, I realize that I am short enough for my feet not to touch the floor in most chairs in my house.  Today by accident I found out that my knitting bowl lets me keep my feet flat while knitting.  This allows better posture.  It works on the couch and chairs.  I will not try this with my ceramic or metal knitting bowls though.  

My socks in the picture are by Sock Panda dot com.  The great thing about Sock Panda is that they give back socks for every pair sold to charity. I have used them for 2 years.  They have subscriptions that make great gifts. A new pair of socks monthly.  

More Zenning

 I spent 2 hours going through all my knitting needles.  I now have 2 full vases less of straight needles. They are now organized by height and size.  I have a dozen less circular knitting needles too.  I also filed the ones I have used since Teri’s last visit and she does not even have a trip planned.  I must have earned bonus points for that.

Next on the list is pairing down my double pointed knitting needles.  I am sure I have a few too many of those too.  As for today I am way to tired to start.  When one reaches a certain age, one, namely me should not sit kris cross applesauce for as long as I did today. I did manage to stretch out my hip muscles and tendons though.  

After dinner I will work on Tinker.  This version will not be the final version.  Since it’s not the final version I will show pictures when it is finished. I am almost halfway through, so I will finish the blanket then send it off to a good home once I have a couple of boxes of hand knit blankets.  It might be a while because it takes mr 6 or 7 days to knit a blanket.  

Below are my knitting needles already for a project.  It is much more organized   

Blanket Number 4 of 2021

 I am on a blanket roll.  I finished my forth blanket of March.  As you can see I ran out of the blue and had to use a similar color. I have at least 3 more blankets on the knitting needles. Since each blanket uses a lot of yarn and I am not tired of them yet, it’s blankets away.  

This is the Modular Baby Blanket by Sheri Karobonik Designs.  You can get it at your local yarn shop,  A plus for going to your local yarn shop is that they can help you pick out the yarn. Any worsted weight yarn will work out nicely.  If for a baby I recommend using cotton or cotton blends.  Any washable yarn will do.  This is also a great stash buster project.

The pattern is also available on Raverly and at LoveKnitting.com with the key words Sheri Karobonik.  

A New Design

 I have a new design under way.  It’s a great pattern in that you can stash dive, use any worsted weight yarn you have. You can even take it to your local yarn store to have them help customize it anyway you like.  Best of all it’s an advanced beginner pattern with enough color changes to keep most knitters happy   The pattern will come with lots of yarn choices   

I also finished a blanket over the weekend and will take pictures tomorrow.