Day 3

 I have been knitting for 3 days now. Not more than an hour a day.  Just what am I going to do with the other 23 hours? Just kidding, I am starting more projects around the house that have been neglected. I am using U.S. size 11 knitting needles to make it easier on my hand.  I have some fabulously soft 100% cotton yarn that I am using.  This is the start of my holiday knitting for charity this year.  Yes, I knit all year long to make sure as many kids as possible get gifts. 

As you can see I am working on a broken rib pattern.  This is one of my favorites to knit.  It takes a little counting so it is not boring.  If you would like to knit along with me, just cast on in multiples of 4 plus 1 extra stitch at the end of the row.  Then it’s knit 2 Purl 2 across the row ending with a knit 1.  Repeat this row until you have the desired length or run out of yarn if length is not that important. Cast off in the pattern for a nicer looking finished piece.  Use the knitting needle sized for your yarn. If you are a loose knitter go down one needle size. If you are a tight knitter go up one needle size.

If you knit this scarf for Operation Gratitude it should be 4 to 6 inches wide and be 48 to 50 inches long.  It should be made of nice washable yarn.  If you do use super wash wool, please label its wool content. Also include a small card say that you made this for them and appreciate their service.  You can get the mailing address off the web.  

Yes this is really 3 days of knitting for me. I am starting off really slow.  Really, really slowly. It should take about 7 to 10 days to finish.  I am using knitting as part of my physical therapy for my hand.  This scarf is going to the Flowing Wells SD Clothing Bank. 

A Rest Day

 Do to yesterday’s over use of my right hand it was a rest day.  It was also very cold by Tucson standards so we decided not to go out to lunch in 50f weather.  We still only do outdoor dining and I thought it was a little too cold, even with a heavy coat, mittens and a blanket for my lap.  We did wait until it warmed up this afternoon to the mid 50’s to dash out and resupply my fresh fruit and vegetables.  It’s supposed to be even colder tomorrow, with a chance of snow depending on where you live.

Even my small looms have not been warped. I was voted down 2 to 1 on starting a weaving project. Knitting will have to wait until I can hold a U.S. size 19 knitting needle in my right hand.  Spinning is going very slowly.  

Basically I am bored out of my mind and in pain.  Not a very good combination.  I am trying to keep an even keel, but I don’t think that I am succeeding in the effort.  

TTFN

Over Done

 I over did my hand before lunch. I guess I am not up to hanging a full to the top load of wet laundry.  Nothing else got done today.  

Right on Schedule

 My recovery from this latest round of hand surgery is right on schedule.  It is always slower than I want.  I am doing the usual post surgery hand therapy several times a day.  Now that the stitches have healed, I am also working on minimizing the scar tissue. 

I am at the stage where I have big plans for the day.  These plans go as scheduled until my hand gets tired, sore or both.  That usually means stopping progress dead in its tracks for a rest until my hand feels better.  John and I used team work to make an awesome turkey chili for dinner.  I love how the onion is cut in perfect squares.  He is also on opening cans and bottles right now.  The best part is we only made 1/2 a pot so it’s a 2 night meal.  

I also managed to wash and fold almost 2 loads of laundry and get it put away. I say almost because I ran out of bend in my hand to finish folding the socks.  I put off load 3 until tomorrow. 

Tomorrow I plan on warping the loom before every chore but starting laundry.  If I wait until I finish my chores, my hand is too tired for precision work.  That way if my hand is too tired to spin, I can always weave while watching television.  

Ready for Wednesday

 My hatchback and back seat are loaded with fiber and yarn to give away tomorrow at knitting guild.  There is not any room to put anything else but my purse and drop spinning for tomorrow.  Everyone knows that it is coming.  It seems to me I go through this cycle a lot.  Like every time I have hand surgery.  Yes, I seem to have a lot of hand surgery.  I seem to get more realistic as to what my hands will be able to to. Thank goodness I did not choose Pottery.  So I send it off to people who will enjoy it.  

The antibiotic is really kicking me in the behind really well. Instead of warping my loom I rested most of the day.  Since my Thursday has been rearranged I guess I will try then.  

TTFN

A Little Progress

 The stitches came out today. My hand is still sore. No schedule date for the next finger.  No knitting for a while yet.  So tomorrow I will warp a loom with a 12 dent heddle. Take some Cascade lace weight yarn and weave myself a shawl.  I have a truly awesome idea in my head. It will be a one of a kind creation.

I also listed several books and magazines on Ravelry for sale in the Destash and ISO Library group.  I will add more. All books are 1/2 the retail price plus postage.  Other things will be added when I take their pictures.  

Not to Plan

 The day did not going according to my plan.  I got up early to go to an out doors artist market and museum activity.  By the time I was finished with breakfast, it was raining. So on to plan B.  I went through my fiber closet and decided want I no longer wanted to spin.  This will be divided between two friends. The extra empty bags will go to the knitting guild. 

Well one thing lead to another and I decided to go through the rest of my inside yarn stash. The net result is more craft bags leaving the house for other people to knit charity projects.  One empty 36 quart tub. I also managed to get both larger suitcases in the cleaned out spot.  The smaller one is stashed in the larger one and tucked into the corner of my closet.  This took one thing off John’s to do list.  

Did I mention the best part yet? I guess not.  I will be having a stash down sale in different areas of Ravelry.  There will be books, weaving shuttles, 2 Turkish drop spindles, knitting kits and yarn.  Most will be priced to sell fast.  These are things not suitable for Bookman’s or Goodwill.  I hope to start listing things tomorrow.   My excuse for today is the antibiotic wiped me out.  After this morning’s cleaning spree and lunch I took a nap.