I Took the Plunge

 I added 2 magazines and 1 book to The Ravelry Book And Destash Page. . If you are not a member of Ravelry it is free and easy to join.  All my prices are the price and United States shipping in one easy price.   My books listed on EBay are not selling.  So if you have been looking for the following books or magazines act fast as I only have one copy of each.  

Jean Greenhowe’s Toy Collection. Double knitting yarn $10.00

The Complete Guide to Yarmulka Design 3rd edition $15.95

Inside Crochet Issue 107 $13.75

I take PayPal on Ravelry.  While there take a look at my patterns for sale under Sheri Karobonik Designs.  

More UFO Progress

 On my poncho I made it to the next project change.  I am checking every few rows to make sure everything is even. So far so good.  

On my scarf for my knitting guild, I have 40 of the 60 inches needed to complete my scarf. Hopefully by Friday it will be ready to weave the ends in.  

I did not work on my hat or other scarf today. 

I think I will start shopping for a more comfortable chair for knitting. I slide out of the current chair which leaves my back sore   

Below is a partial picture of he poncho.  

Feeling Stuck

 It has been a little over 2 years since we lost Eric at the same time this ugly COVID19 epidemic, then without a name began it terrible wrath.  I am starting to feel stuck.  We are mainly at home. Shopping is no longer relaxing as it once was.  Shopping is now in and out as quickly as possible and staying away from people. Avoiding crowded events.  Not even going to out door events because of the crowds.  All because we can’t see this thing that has killed millions worldwide.

I don’t understand why people will not get the vaccines.  I don’t understand why wealthy countries and multi billionaires will not show some decency and help pay for vaccines in countries that are not doing well finically. They can’t take the money with them.  What’s a few billion to help their fellow man.  It is also much better than spending the money on space toys. 

Then there is this terrible me first, the hell with everyone else attitude among the elite and power brokers.  The money is not trickling down but this terrible attitude is.  Greed is not good.  We are all in this together on this planet.  There is no where else to go if we let these power brokers ruin it. Mother Earth is crying out in pain.  The weather is worse than I have ever seen it   But the people who are supposed to be doing something about it could care less.  

When we go for a walk on a beautiful sunny day, it only makes me sadder at all that we have lost   This pandemic is as bad as any world war.  Our Doctors and Nurses are beyond exhausted  yet we still have people who refuse to take care of themselves. With the exception of a few thousand scientists there is no mass worldwide effort to end this   No fill up this card with coins to help vaccinated other children in schools through UNICEF. This includes everyone doing their part. Wearing your masks in public. Not having large gatherings. Getting vaccinated. Only we as a worldwide effort can end this.  I really need us to end this   This is not how I planned to spend my retirement years, stuck at home. Stuck in life with no direction to go to escape this pandemic. 

I am tired of being stuck   

UFO’s Progress

 Today I worked on 2 UFO’s.  One was a charity scarf for and older child. Once the scarf is 60 inches long it will be done.  That way it can be folded in half and worn in a stylish fashion. This should be done by the end of the weekend.  

The other is a poncho knit in linen with lots of lace.  I started it when Eric was in hospice.  I have learned that there are 2 things in knitting that don’t go together, lace work and hospice.  I finished the first side, it was something besides a rectangle that the pattern had called for. I had to  Tink* the first half. Today I finally found my rhythm, it only took 2 years and a quite room. I almost finished 1 pattern repeat.  A week or so of quite knitting time and it will be finished.  *Tink is knitting backwards, in other words ripping out the 1st half.

I also have to say that the photos look great  under the Ott light.  They came out nice and crisp.  Also my attempt to shrink the sweater was a total failure.  It shrank about 8 inches in length and not enough in the width.  I put it in charity.  I am done with it.  

UFO’s

 Well now that my knitting room is more put together I find myself looking for unfinished projects in bags, in the hiding place I put them. So from now until the end of the year I plan to finish as many of the projects as possible.  With the exception of charity hats which I knit when John is driving and charity scarfs that I knit when watching television, no new projects will be started.  I have started stacking the bags at the sides of the temporary work table and I don’t want to lose the table.  

This comes with a heads up. There is a good possibility of a lot of new knitting patterns that will be released next year.  I know of 2 without even looking in the bags.  

I have also figured out why some people only have on project bag for knitting   Am I headed that way? Don’t be silly, of course not. 

Wish me luck because I am so good at starting knitting projects, but so awful at finishing them. 

The Next Step

 This is my next step in my knitting room.  I now have a sturdy table and a new Ott light.  The Ott light even has 2 compartments for stitch markers, a total design for knitters.  I will be getting a different table so that I don’t have to pull the table out to get to my roll aways.  

It’s been a long time since I have had a hideaway for fiber crafts.  My spinning hideaway disappeared with   John using the front room for his 3D printing and a new neighbor putting up an 8 foot wall which destroyed my view of nature.  I can now turn on my audio book, music or have silence while working with the door closed. An added benefit is that when I am working on a project, I don’t have to put everything away before meals. 

I added the step stool as a foot rest.  It’s nice to sit in a comfy chair and put my feet up while knitting   I have a few pictures to put up too. That also takes time. 

I have a couple more upgrades planned. Everything takes time and consideration.  So I am taking baby steps in this redesign. 

 Today was a busy but fun day.  Well almost.  A house issue slowed down my start.  Then it was off to Bryn Walker for some smaller sized tops. Yes the tops that are too big are starting to go into the Goodwill pile. Then off to the post office to drop some outgoing mail in the mailbox.  Then off to Joann’s for an Ott light for my new work space.  

Then there was a very brief check in with my friends at Grandmas Spinning Wheel.  Then it was time to get my 6 month supply of soap at Tracy’s shop Artemesia,  the only winter favorite not in stock was gingerbread, but I got some pumpkin spice soap instead. If you are not in Tucson go to byartemesia.com  If you are in Tucson you can visit her shop at 6538 East Tanque Verde Road.  It’s in the same plaza as Grandma’s Spinning Wheel. After you finish shopping stop by a Tucson favorite of mine, Savaya Coffee.  They roast their own coffee and brew their tea by the cup.  It is well worth waiting for the tea to be brewed.  

Then home to do some cleaning and organizing.  I rested by starting a new charity scarf while listening to an audio book. . So my active UFO’s are 2 different charity Scarfs, a charity hat, a new pattern and too many more to list. Since I made a couple of small upgrades the knitting room is more comfortable.  

I have a busy day tomorrow. Also the cold weather of winter will arrive.  Burr.  

Masks

 Masks. What could be more controversial in this day and age. Yet it was weird at the super market today. Only about 10% of the people were wearing masks.  Half of these were store employees.  John and I decided to divide and conquer today.  John stayed in the bakery area to get his bread sliced. The only people in that area wearing masks were John and the employees.  Forget about social distancing, they were packed in like sardines. John moved over to the cheese area to get space.  

On the other hand I went to the produce and fresh fish area. Almost totally deserted.  Everyone was wearing masks and keeping good social distancing. By the time I filled the cart with fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, John was just finishing up.  We meet up at the milk section and John just wanted to leave.  His only comment was no more Sunday afternoon shopping until the stores were less crowded.  This will be about May when the Snowbirds  and college students leave town.  

My very unscientific take on this is that people who choose healthy foods tend to make better health care choices.  You also have to remember that we had 6,000 new cases of COVID19 reported yesterday with only a few ICU beds left.  There is also a new variation of COVID19 out and about.  

So my take on this is wear your masks. Choose a healthy diet.  Get your vaccines and boosters. Avoid large indoor crowds and if in Snowbird area shop really early in the morning.  

10,000 Plus

 Today was absolutely awesome.  I had my best walking day since the third quarter of 2019 when I got sick and needed major surgery.  It has taken a long time to get close to my daily step count. I need to thank my cheer team of John, my taller half and my daughter Teri.  Teri surprised us with a membership at one of my favorite garden spots in Tucson, Tohono Chul Park.  There is a lot of landscape that reminds me of Tucson in the 1960’s and even when I moved back home in the 1990’s.  I got 4,000 of my steps there today.  

In that time Fitbit even developed a new watch award for 10,000 steps.  My Sensi watch did all kinds of fancy things.  I hope that today was not a fluke and is repeatable.  I would love to be able to walk a couple miles at a time again.  I know this is a major step that took a long time to achieve.  So it is on step at a time until 2 miles in a walk. 

Another Outdoor Dining Spot

 We found another out door dining area with excellent food. It is the Tea room at Tohono Chul Park just west of Oracle, off Ina Road. Just follow the signs.   The portions are huge.  Most is locally sourced, some even grown on the ground of the park.  Don’t forget to visit the park after your meal.  

Also if you are looking for a scenic out door area for a wedding in Tucson be sure to check it out.  They have areas for small intimate gatherings to larger areas.  

My Thursday

 We had lunch at a new to us restaurant with lots of outdoor seating.  Teaspoon is in Casa Adobes Plaza. They serve breakfast, brunch and lunch.  The food was excellent, everyone loved their meals.  A definite go back in my book.  While we’re we’re in the plaza waiting for out table we went to Bryn Walker for a few smaller pieces of clothing.  The scale is not moving much but the inches are coming off. A new top and a few pairs of pants.  I am hoping it will be at least a couple of months before they start falling down.  All in a smaller size.  

I just read that the COVID19 numbers are rising post thanksgiving holidays. So I will be spending a lot of time at home. If you have not had your 1st vaccine please consider getting it, once you have COVID19, you have to wait until you recover to get your vaccines.  If you have not had your booster please get it as soon as possible.   Would like to start going to in door events.  I am so tired of staying home.  Only you can make that possible.  

My junk food plan is working.  I have not touched or eaten any of if.  I am no longer hearing but we can’t have it because of you mom.  It’s a win win.  

Lunch with a View

 We went out to lunch today. We sat on a huge black and white granite rock to eat our picnic lunch.  We were just up stream from this area. If you are ever in Tucson, pack a picnic lunch. Take the Sabino Canyon tram up to stop 8. Hike in less than 5 minutes.  You will need sturdy shoes. Find a rock to sit on.  Enjoy your lunch with wonderful views of nature at her best.  If you feel like a good hike it is about 3 miles up hill.  

This and That

 Ok, so I got a little tired of the whining that people could not have holiday foods because of me in my house. So I went to Whole Foods and got a bunch of vegan holiday treats.  I don’t plan on eating any of it.  Instead I got myself a nice piece of soft goat cheese with lavender.  It was wonderful with my big thick salt free crackers.  I paired it with a serving of dates which are a low glycemic food.  It was much more satisfying than their sweet treats.  So I won the treat wars.  

I did manage to get caught up on folding laundry if you don’t count the load that went into the dryer at bed time.  

I am feeling a lot stressed out by the newest variant of COVID19, Omnisomething.  Right now I feel as if it is never going to end snd I will be spending my retirement years at home.  No traveling. No knitting or spinning with friends.  Just the next 20 years stuck at home.  I am sure I can not convince the anti vax morons just to get their dammed shots.  I think getting the vaccines and protecting yourself, families  and community is a very intelligent thing to do.  I just can’t fix stupid so I am stuck at home. 

Happy Holidays

 A good day was had by all. I enjoyed some nice girl talk and knitting outside this afternoon.   

A Redesign?

 A friend gave me a possible solution for the too big tank top that is not a tank top.  I will have to get my quilting safety pins out tomorrow.  

A Tank Top? Well Maybe?

 This is the result of dropping a few sizes between the start and finish of a knitting project and a poorly sized pattern.  I only lost 4 inches around my rib cage.  If you use the right computer program or use the right charts in a design books the calculations will be done for you.  No need to randomly do it by hand anymore. It is a simple pattern by Bernat called the Garter Stitch Tank Top.  Even if I had not lost 2 sizes the finished object ie the tank top would still not look like a tank top. Please note in the picture that I am wearing a real tank top under the sweater. You might notice a slight difference.  After trying it on, the picture is below you can see that it does not resemble a tank top, but rather a sweater with capped sleeves.  

After I finished the knitting the pattern and tried it on today I realized that the pattern was photoshopped.  Plus it was tucked back around the waist to make it fit the very slender model.  Now I have no problem with slender models.  After all knitters come in all shapes and sizes.  What I do have a problem with is deception in pictures representing the finished hand made item.  When I think of a tank top, capped sleeves are not what I have in mind.  When it is a simple pattern without shaping, I don’t expect the picture to show shaping in the waist.  When I spend as money on yarn to knit 1 tank top as I do to buy 4 or 5 from tank tops from Chico’s or J.Jill, I expect the finished top to fit the description.  When I spent hours knitting a tank top I expect it to look like a tank top.  

My recommendations would include the narrowing of the shoulder as the sizes get larger.  Being a larger size does not mean that we are built like professional football players like linebackers.  Never ever photoshop a pattern picture to alter the finished look of knit wear.  I have no problem with photoshopping  it the background or lighting.  Show the finished knit wear in all sizes.  For goodness sake eliminate the many colors in the pattern instructions, it does not work well for low vision or older eyes.  Also speaking of low vision or older eyes nothing below a 14 pica please.  We don’t want to waste money on photocopy blow ups or pull out a magnifying glass just to read the pattern. 

Please note my picture was photoshopped to trim out some of the background. The picture of the sweater was not retouched.  

If any of this is not clear to the people at Bernat Yarns, please email me and we can talk about this at length.  Thanks for listening. 

Extra Feet

 We have a couple of pair of extra feet for the week.  We will be relaxing and having fun family time.   Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Trying to get in sync

 I have spent a lot of time since my last post not being in total agreement with my body.  Unfortunately my body won, so I rested Whether I liked it or not. Except for an afternoon nap I think I’m back on track. But then again naps are kind of my thing. 

I did finish my 25th scarf and 89th project of 2021.  Maybe I should try to finish all my UFO’s by the end of the year.  We all know the odds are stacked against me because I love starting new projects.  My knitting needles hate being empty, they get cold. Well wish me luck.  

I Plan…

 Okay my body and I are at odds.  I spent a lot of time sleeping.  I did fold yesterday’s laundry and clean out a Fibber Maggie and Molly worthy cabinet that has been on my list for while.  I was to tired to knit tonight so I binged on jigsaw puzzles on my iPad.  I finished 5 tonight, some were partially done.  

What Happens When The Fall Cores Are Done

 We are almost done with our fall cleaning spree.  We only have a few things to do.  This will give me time to finish up the bits and pieces of projects that are almost finished.  A few rows here. Weaving in the ends.  A Kitchener finish for a scarf.  Fixing my stitch markers.  Maybe even spinning and weaving.  I want to see empty project bags.  

The Goal is Insight

 The end is in sight. I have gotten to the minutia of the cleaning spree most of the check list is gone.  Right now the devil is in the details.  My body has decided that I have over done it and I am taking involuntary afternoon naps.  I hope to finish tomorrow morning. If I get up early I will start with the fridge and laundry.  I have decided to take a few days off doing laundry.  I guarantee that it will wait for me.  

Well I think it’s time to call it a day.  

Over Achieving

 I know that I have been over doing it when I reach my weekly exercise goal by Tuesday by 3:30 pm.  My goal is 30 minutes of exercise a day over 7 days.  That is quite reasonable. 155 minutes in 2 1/2 days not so much. I did 95 of those minutes today, so far. I still have 2 rooms to put back together.  No wonder I am exhausted.  Off to mop another floor.  Ok, I gave up and left the steam mopping to John. I think I will rest for a bit and then put things back together again.  I am glad that all of my fiber storage drawers are on wheels.  Rolling, rolling, keep those drawers rolling.  

After a brief rest I put 2 rooms back together.  We only need to add a table and chair to make a temporary office space.  The space will have the pantry so course that means it has its own MK Snack area, minus the drinks.  I landed  up with a total of 138 minutes of cleaning time, for the day. Ok, it’s 2 hours and 18 minutes.  Is it any wonder that I was too tired to do much knitting tonight?  

I have also crossed out a few of tomorrow’s chores, because being the over achiever that I am today the work is done.  I really think it would be wonderful if my body let me sleep tonight.  Wish me luck. 

Busy.

 It’s been busy and I am exhausted.   Night all.