Saturday, February 27, 2021

The First Blanket of 2021

 This is the first block blanket that I completed this year.  I crafted six out of the nine blocks. Seed the blocks together.  Added a three round crocheted broader.  Washed and blocked it today.  Considering that our humidity was about 1% for most of the day, I did expect it to dry faster than it did.  I did make it reversible with one Tree of Life block face up on each side.   


Friday, February 26, 2021

One Blanket Down

 I finally finished knitting one blanket. It will get washed and blocked tomorrow.  I am a third of the way through the next blanket in the basket. I have 2 inches to finish knitting on the first strip. Then I will start the next strip. This is the first of two blankets with 3 different size 8 inch blocks.  Yes, I have another one of those too. We as knitters either have to standardize what an 8 inch block actually is or all use the same rulers. My take on an 8 inch block is 8 inches wide by 8 inches in length. On the next 2 blankets I have six different sized  8 inch blocks.  So I will be knitting a lot of strips. Sewing them together.  Then adding Crocheted boarders.  

I also started spring cleaning today.  I started in the kitchen.  I cleaned for 1 1/2 hours and napped for 3 hours.  I am sincerely hoping that this is still the surgery recovery process. If it’s not I might have to admit that I am not 30 anymore.  

I need to get a good nights sleep.  Tomorrow we will be hunting down tree killing mistletoe and removing it.  Since we have a dumpster bag we will also get some junk out of the garage. The word of the day tomorrow is Zenning.  

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Just Another Night in.....

 It’s never good when arthritis pain wakes me up at night.  I must learn to sleep through throbbing pain in my joints.  I really need the sleep. Just waiting for the aspirin to kick in.  I have in been knitting less than last year.  I am really trying.  I really hate arthritis. 

Monday, February 22, 2021

Not All Eight Inches Squares Are the Same.

 I spent most of the day battling a migraine that started at 1:30 am and lasted until after 3pm. I only got 2 loads of laundry washed and dried, but not folded  I also made dinner using a new pan for indoor grilling. The chicken came out great.

 I did come to a decision on the blankets. If all the blocks in a project are different sizes, yes it’s very hard to get a bunch of people to knit the same size 8 inch square. You would be surprised at the difference in all the 8 inch squares.  So if the squares are really off I will use one or two squares per stripe. I will then knit each stripe 36 inches long and the sew the stripes together. Add an edging and I will have a finished blanket.  No redoing any squares. This will be a real time saver. 

I am going to try to get to sleep early.  I have a lot to do tomorrow.  

Sunday, February 21, 2021

The Mission is Finishing a Whole Lot of Blankets.

 Ok, this started out really simple. I found a basket with four unfinished blankets, I decided to finish them all so I could have the basket back. Well nothing is simple around the Karobonik household. Today I found two more bags with at least four more blankets that were in progress. Time to finish a whole lot of blankets, I found a new way to Zen the house  

I used to knit a lot of baby blankets, when Eric was with us. There used to be a lot of aides who were either pregnant or had a family member who or was pregnant, so I was always needing baby blankets to give as gifts. After we lost Eric, I put all these projects aside. Well I need the space now. So the only solution is to finish knitting the baby blankets up and turning them into lap blankets. I will try to donate them to the Assisted Living for Seniors where John’s dad use to live. I will also try to give them a few shawls, I think I have more than enough for myself.  After all how many shawls do I really need?  

On to blanket assembly and knitting.  I will share finished blankets here.  


Ahead of Schedule

 I decided in the beginning of January that 100 knitting projects was a reasonable amount of knitting for 2021.  About one project for every 3 or 4 days. I am trying not to over use my hands.  At the same time I am trying to finish my UFO’s and do a major stash down.  At the same time making sure I have at least 5 dozen hats for the Flowing Wells School District Clothing Bank.  I have a lot of knitting wishes for the year. 

To that end I choose a basket with three partially finished blankets this week.  I finished the fourth missing square for the first blanket tonight. I will sew together the blanket tomorrow.  Then add the edging by picking out the 3 main colors and adding a Crocheted boarder. Then it will be washed, bagged and labeled.  I have started a box for a local nursing home for the blankets and shawls.  

Tonight I pick up the second blanket from the basket. I decided not to make a whole bunch of squares, but instead make 3 strips. I am doing this because the three blocks that are finished are different sizes.  So as long as the strips are the same length, I should be golden.  This means less sewing too. That is the problem with having a blanket project made by so many different people.  The thing is that even though five other people worked on the  two blankets I an knitting the majority of the squares.  Note to self never ever do this again.  

I will also go stash diving tomorrow to find stash yarn that will go with the second blanket.  I am really hoping that I will not have to buy yarn to finish the second blanket.  I do have a lot of cotton yarn in my stash. Wish me luck. I am hoping to find dark blue and purple.  A turquoise blue, and medium blue and purple.  I already have the white, I just pulled a cone out.  

Well it’s time to call it a night.  

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Toggling Knitting Projects.

 Right now I am toggling between three knitting projects. I have 2 in the den. I am knitting squares for a blanket and am knitting hats for the kids.  Hats are for when I don’t need to pay attention to what I am knitting.  The squares are a little more precise so they are worked on at other times.  I am still working on the long scarf when I am on zoom.  

For those keeping count I am on hat 18 for the year or 1.5 dozen hats.  

I see more knitting in the next few weeks while my foot heals.  My feet don’t like cold weather so the tendons are inflamed.  So that does limit my walking time.  I am doing the right exercises for my foot. I have been here before.