Need I Say More?

 After a really bad couple of hand days and nights, my hand was feeling well enough to knit a few rows tonight. I might finally finish my new shawl this week. It might be that I had started wearing my Maxi Fingerless Gloves while sleeping again.  

4th Avenue Street Fair

 We made it to the 4th Avenue Street Fair today.  My find of the day was a pair of Calla Lily earrings made from Pennie’s from the 1960’s.  Kate Hast is a very talented metalsmith.  She is also the owner of Le Duc Jewelers.  You can find her work on line at Le Duc Jewelers. There you can sign up for her newsletter to see where she will be at or order online.  She will be at the 4th Avenue Street Fair until Sunday.  She is on the eastern side of the street towards the back.  

I was also very pleased to see that the local Lavender Oaks Farm has opened a Brick and Mortar store located at 347 East 4th Street. The shop is called The Lavender Manor.  This is at the corner of 4th Avenue.  They have all things lavender of course. The lavender is grown on their farm.  Plus a tea room with all things tea.  

This was my shopping splurge today.  I do use the lavender in my knitting room and boxes to ward off evil little bugs that eat yarn. The hand cream is wonderful. The lip balm just because it’s dry in the desert southwest and they had peppermint.  You can shop online at Life under the Oaks. They also have a news letter and events at the farm.  Check out the current details online. Events change with the seasons. 

More Progress

 I did something that I have never done before.  I typed up most of a new pattern before I have finished knitting the sample. I have to admit that has a lot to do with my recent hand surgeries and the slow healing process.  There are still a few tweaks to do. The sample to finish.  A bit more editing.  It will definitely take me longer to finish the knitting.  Then it’s picture time.  I am thinking some time in April with any luck.  Then there are 3 more patterns in the pipeline.  Just maybe I am getting my mojo back. 

I also have hit my walking goal 10 days in a row of a minimum of 5,500 steps.  I think my current decluttering efforts have a lot to do with the high numbers. I also tend to get a lot of steps cleaning house.  Also it is easier to walk with hand pain than knee pain.  

Patterns Leaving

 Today I tackled over 20 years of accumulated knitting patterns.  On this first cut I got rid of almost all the lace patterns.  Also patterns that were aspirational at the time, as I will have the skills to knit these some day.  Well a long story shortened, I have the knitting skills and I no longer want to knit them.  I emptied three 2 inch binders plus took some out of 3 inch binders.  I will bring them to the next knitting guild meeting so other knitters can pick and choose patterns that were published pre Ravelry days by indie designers   I even had to start a second bag to accommodate all the knitting patterns that are leaving.  Next on the agenda is to make a second cut as to what I can realistically make.  This should cut thing’s further, however that will take more time.  So today I cleaned off 8 inches of shelf space.  John and I are happy about that.  

To be filed under they don’t make things like they use too. The television we bought when Eric was no longer able to go on vacations about 15 years ago, died this week.  John picked out a great model, don’t ask, because I don’t know. I stayed home for that shopping trip with all that new technology. I really did not want to break the store.  I do know that it is about the same size and has a better picture quality than the old one.  I sat and knitted while I watched them install it. 3 technicians and John.  

A busy but wonderful day.  

Shopping from My Closet

 I have finally lost enough weight and inches to start shopping from my closet.  I can’t wait to see where that takes me.  What style trends can I start with clothing that I bought when my daughter graduated graduate school.  I now have more energy because of the weight loss and as a result I am doing yet another round of deep cleaning. 

Leaving this time are lace knitting patterns.  Those who know me are quite understandably happy. Quilting patterns. Also patterns for outfits that I will never make that are back in style.  Not to mention all the things that went into recycling. Did I mention that the Goodwill box is overflowing? Less is turning into more.  Less time to find things. More time to do things. More open space.    A win- win for me.  

This week I might even try my Lucet for the very first time.  A kind artist at the renaissance fair in Phoenix showed me how to do it. Now it is my turn to try it. My right hand is still wonky so wish me luck.

I got some bad food last Saturday and landed up with a mild case of food poisoning, but have finally fully recovered.  It was a rough couple of days.  We have all been there.  

TTFN

The third time is a charm

 Today it took 3 tries to find a pair of pants that fit.  The first 2 tries got way to big.  I will try shopping in my closet to see if I have smaller pants that fit before I go shopping again. Wish me luck. Also I have almost filled another box of clothing that has gotten too big for Goodwill.  

Old School

 I spent the afternoon catching up with plying yarn.  This is some art yarn plyed on my Louet Victoria.  100% wool plyed with Little Flowers by Crystal Palace Yarns.  It will go into a hand woven scarf.  No tears or deleted words involved.  Just relaxing joy.