I Was Knit Together In My Mother's Womb

Gee, how could I forget the stats on the cool summer bag?

I used the reversible bag pattern from Debbie Bliss Book #6,  and instead of doubling the yarn it called for, I used Classic Elite Weekend Cotton, which I got at a super super deal. It is chunky, has great colors, and I could use just one strand. I do believe this yarn has been discontinued (which is, I'm sure, why I got it at $2.00 a skein!).

I think if you double up any cotton yarn, you could make this pattern work...you'd want a nice shine to it, mercerized, I guess. That's what I think, anyway.

Here are a few more very cool summer bags...

Rowan Cotton Rope Marrakesh  and Knitty's Itsy Bitsy....

Try a summer bag! I think you could even run on down to Walmart and grab some "Sugar and Cream"  to go and by the weekend, you'd have yourself a new bag.

Mama's got a brand new bag...

How did you spend your weekend?

After all the grad week hoopla, and finishing out my school year, while starting a new job, JR and I decided we needed a weekend away. So, after depositing our son Ben with our daughter's family for their trip to Disney World, we roamed the roads, found some fireworks, poked around here and there in second hand shops, funky stores, and local diners...just enjoying each other's company and making plans for the rest of the summer.

Of course, the trip would not have been complete without some yarn shopping...(my husband is so indulging) ... every Joann Fabrics Store and AC Moore, where I scooped up about 20 skeins of Cotton Ease at a greatly discounted price. Half went to my sister-in-law, and the rest to me....

We stopped at New York Knits, where the honeymoon began it's end. I promised to only be 15-20 minutes...and I was done within the agreed-upon time limit. However, when I looked outside, I couldn't see my husband. Or our car. Anywhere. I waited, about another 15-20 minutes and began to get concerned. I called him. No answer. I looked out again, and he was there. My husband did not look happy. He had waited in the 96 degree day, parked under the shade, until the car began to heat up and he had to drive it to keep the AC going so he wouldn't succumb to heat stroke. I had left my cell phone in the car. He was enough annoyed that he didn't come into the store to get me.

JR said he was annoyed. Knitting was becoming an obsession. It took us another 40 minutes to work out the fact that knitting is an obsession and I could knit if I wanted to...lunch at PF Chang's (where we had an EXTREMELY helpful waiter which made it very difficult for us to argue) helped us decide that I loved to knit and since I don't drink, smoke or gamble, I should be able to knit. And buy what I want within reason. I reasoned it was okay to buy this..

so I could make the cover sweater (ordered the yarn already from Angel Yarns in UK.)

and so I could  make this sweater...

And, I found this fuzzy delight...Great Adirondack Yarn Company ...in the colorway "Gold Feathers Chili Pepper"....

And I thought I was done with the crazy yarn! I just couldn't resist!

After returning home, we finished out the horribly hot weekend in our hot-tub, which becomes a mini pool in the summer...playing ....

Floating Scrabble!

And this week, I will catch up on my blog reading!

Promenade your partner home...at a reasonable time, please!

When I went to my prom, in 1977, I made my dress (which, by the way was a polyester knit blend...and aqua blue). My date picked me up (he had a big blond Afro) with his father's car, we took a few pictures in the back yard while we exchanged the customary boutonniere and corsage, and went to the prom. We had dinner at the prom. Then we danced the night away. If there were garters, they held up our stockings. I think we came home after that, since it lasted until well after midnight. Oh, wait, a few of us did drive to Niagara Falls and walk around, but then we came home.

What has happened? How have things gotten so out of control?

We have witnessed our last prominizing of our kids.

At great expense, they plan for months.... with dress fittings, the tux, manicures and pedicures, fabulous updo's, limousine rentals, dinner at the most expensive, exploitative restaurant in the area (which caters to high school kids that can't afford their salads, yet somehow come up with the money to eat a seven course meal which doesn't even taste good...just because "everyone" goes there for their prom dinner), and no kidding, photo sessions for some of these kids that start at 2:15 pm at a local garden, move to another garden, then another and then end up here for another hour of pictures at 4:00.  To top off the evening, there is the traditional "Walk In" at the prom location, which, I'm not kidding, includes a red carpet and enough paparazzi parents to envy the Oscars. I believe there is  a photographer from our local newspaper present, also. (as an aside, however, our oldest daughter wore a vintage Jackie O style dress we bought for $40, and she and her date arrived at the prom on a golf cart...) Then there are the prom after-parties, where.... I can't even think about that.... If they actually have a garter ceremony at the prom these days, I can't imagine what barriers are abandoned later on!

Every year we have gone through the prom thing, I have resisted, griped, complained, gave my "when I was in high school" speech, and then of course, ended up with all the other parents trying to get close enough to see my movie star son and his date walk up the red carpet, cameras flashing.

This morning, on my walk with a friend, she mentioned that her eighth grade daughter  was asked if she would go in on a limo for the EIGHTH GRADE DANCE!

Is it any wonder, people, why no one seems excited about getting married any more? They've done it all! What's the big deal about a wedding?

I finished the shrug. The lovely, lacey, beaded, beautiful shrug. I wonder if I am  not a shrug person?  I think it says, "Look at my boobs." Are shrugs only for little people?  I do like it, and would have loved to get  a few better images...but, being the photographer and the photographee in the this deal, I did the best I could. I'll have JR take some later.

I did modify this Flower Power Staff Shrug from IK. When I first completed it, as per the pattern instructions, I found it too skimpy for my taste. So, here are my mods.

After attaching the arms, I did one more pattern repeat on both the top and bottom of the shrug. That gave me some comfort room in both directions. Then, I knit a few extra rounds of stockinette. I think 4 rounds instead of the 2 in the pattern.  Finally, I did the ribbing band with the same 10 1/2 needles for a little more stretch, and added a few rows there, also.

I did find this an interesting project, and fun to work, despite the whole lace frustration thing at the start of a lace project. The beading was a great introduction to knitting with beads, and the project went pretty quickly, even with the frogging I did. I would give it  four out of five stars!

From Singapore, via Lisa,  little things really do come in small pink packages! What a sweet surprise, Miss Lisa! Thank you very much!

And the start of a new bag...

  a Debbie Bliss reversible bag, which I am knitting with Classic Elite cotton. Interesting project....

And wondering which summer sweater I'd like to start next...

And, now, for the big surprise...if you have followed my family saga, I am pleased to announce that Ben is home. He is home, and it is a very good thing.

Oh, a garden picture or two perhaps?

A hydrangea, a clematis out of control, and the first hybrid day lily of the summer!

From time to time, we open our gardens for tours...to garden club groups, passers-by, clients, whomever...and we have shared the gardens with many many people. I love a good mystery, and I'm sure that a few years back,  some sweet tourist dropped some columbine seeds in my gardens! I'm sure that it wasn't birds, because they were so beautifully placed when they came up the following spring. And the varieties!  I have always pondered this in the years since, as I see them re-seed and pop up year after year. I never used to really like columbine, until then...and it is a wonderful reminder every spring of how we can bring joy to people in the simplest of ways.

So, speaking of a good mystery....

It's Secret Pal time again!  I've had the best pals. Chris and Shobhana. Shobhana and Chris...and I just heard from my new pal, and she had a request. So, here is my info, new Pal-o-mine:

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I love high quality, medium quality, and yes, sometimes even low quality yarn...depends on the project.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I just learned to crochet...one project under my belt.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

Nada

4. How long have you been knitting?

Since late October, 2003...

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No, I don't think so. Should I?

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I'm not too into scents...they have to be pretty mild or scentless, I guess, which would be senseless.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

I do. My name is Lynne and I love candy.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I sew, I like to make cards and embellish things....I love crafty little doodads of ribbons and beads, stickers and buttons.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Contemporary Christian, Show tunes, Oldies, Ray Charles, Jazz.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?

Pink, Red, Blue, Yellow, pale, bright, black, white.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married, about to be empty-nester...the pets are going to continue to live with us, however.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

To own a bed and breakfast, to plan retreats, to live in a sweet cottage some day.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

I like just about anything in it's place...I love the Rowan line, and I love some Lion Brand, too!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Yarn the squeaks?

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

anything new,

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I have to have lots of different projects on the needles, so I have something easy, something challanging, and always a sock.

17. What are you knitting right now?

A lace shrug with beads, a pair of socks, a crocheted shawl, and a vest for JR.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

I'm done thinking about them.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circulars or short straights.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Yes. Pencils, toothpicks, chopsticks, dowel rods.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

I am, but not enough. I love socks, and I don't even really wear them.

22. How did you learn to knit?

My Mom. And Lois.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

a year old.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Does the animated character have to be an animal or bird?

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Old stuff...fabric, lace, buttons, tea-cups...just stuff.

In honor of getting a new job, I painted my toes and fingers.

Now that I have officially spoken to the official people to whom I need to officially speak, I can tell you! I have been offered a position in my church, which is a very good thing. I am transitioning into this position after thirteen years as an educator, so it is a sad time, yet I look forward to this new challenge with excitement and anticipation.  It just seems like it's the right thing to do at just the right time...it's amazing, isn't it? How, in your life, you can find yourself smack dab in the middle of some amazing blessings....With that in mind, I have some other very exciting news to share soon....but not just yet...stay tuned!

Are we hot enough yet? If you live in Western New York, you're hot enough. And sticky enough.  And cranky enough. If this weather doesn't break soon, I'll never be able to wear my shrug! I figure, if the timing is right, I will have it complete right when the cold front passes through later this week!

Then, what to knit, what to knit....

Has anyone some wonderful summer ideas for sweaters that I haven't yet seen?

I have some lovely summer yarns. Your standard Cotton Ease (thanks to Ms.Pink) in Banana Cream,  a bright, limey Cotton Fleece...now doesn't that sound like a delicious combination?

I'll have a piece of each, please!

Which, naturally brings me to the topic of my last post, which drew lots of attention and comment. I wrote the post as a way to introduce the issue of weight, health and body image because I know it is a particular struggle for so many of us. I did so appreciate each of you sharing your hearts and suggestions. I promise it will be addressed in other posts very soon as I share my honest struggle not with weight, but with body image and health.

I do want to respond to each of your comments and individual emails and I certainly will in the days ahead.

So, today is Monday. What are you doing this week? Think of the name of someone that you want to bless with a kind word or note...and then do it! You want to know what will really make a difference? Have it be someone you don't really like! Honest...it'll make your week!

Last month, I saw my doctor after experiencing a few heart palpitations and shortness of breath, and just a few other general health concerns for a woman my age. After a battery of imaging tests, monitoring, wires and gadgets, blood work and " well, let's take another look at some things" blood work, I was found to have nothing out of the ordinary that would account for my symptoms. Oh, they did discover a minor valve problem which is not the cause of the fluttering, but there was nothing to explain my increased weight, higher cholesterol or  inability to put my (slip-on) shoes on without gasping! I guess, from what I understand, there are some things that are within my very own control. Right. I know this.

Then, two days ago, I put on my tank top. With a fantastic sucky-inny thing super control undergarment for the photo shoot, and then, without.

Now, I'm not into just beating myself up, because I do have a pretty positive self-image. I like who I am. I'm not fishin' for compliments. Nor do I have expectations beyond what is realistic. But I have really struggled with weight/health issues over a lifetime. I can make fun of it, but it is a real problem, when I consider the health part of it.

I've done Oprah's Bootcamp for two days. I've South Beached. I've fasted and I am a  three time lifetime member of Weight Watchers and I've got the booklets to prove it! I've done Kathy Smith, Gilad, Bob Green, Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons. I've Jazzercised. I've danced to ridiculous songs, doing ridiculous moves with a large group of women, I've stair-stepped, power-walked, weight-lifted, Nordic-Tracked, done "Buns of Steel" and "Abs of Steel" ( and I noticed not a bit of difference to this belly which has given birth to three children and had three major abdominal surgeries. In fact, I figured once my uterus was removed, my belly would be smaller!)  I have NEVER gotten the exercise "high" nor have I ever remembered  how good it felt to be fit when I'm at the bottom of my yo yo, eating a bag of Cheetos.

Quite obviously ladies, I have been just too tired out to do it any more! I've spent more hours knitting while watching Fit TV lately than anything else!  I've been way-generous with my servings, choosing instead to wear elastic and "lower rise" pants...I've gotten more accustomed to coming home after work and wearing sweats because I just had to get out of my clothes and "relax." In fact, I've done more relaxing in the past 18 months (since I've been knitting) than enjoying the benefits of movement. I have gained and lost the same 25 pounds for the last 25 years. I am a yo-yo dieter.

Does this mean I really do have to  "stay with the program", "make a lifestyle change" ...eat only this?

 

I guess what I can guarantee is that I'm going to do the best I can do. I want to be the best fifty I can be, too, Oprah. I really do!

Can anyone relate?

A question from a new knitting friend, which I told her I would pose to the bloggers...

"Lynne,
  I have a fun question for you but, you need a little background.  My
Dad has a neighbor who raises sheep for fun and throws out the wool.
So, my Father is now the proud owner of 3 large garbage bags of raw
wool, Dad is going to Frankenmuth, Mi to have it cleaned, carded and
spun, now this is where my question comes in, what weight or how many
grams or guage should I tell him to have the wool spun?  Any
suggestions?
  I have no plans for the wool, so that is another question!  Let me
know if you have any ideas otherwise I might just tell him to see if
the spinner has any suggestions.  It will be interesting to see how
many skeins you get out of 18 lbs. of raw wool.  We may have to plan a
project around the wool!
  Hope to hear from you soon!"

Overnight, the peonies popped.

The Fiery Bolero on a model...

And the knitting went on.

I swear my tank top came under the curse of Rickety Bluetufts.

It was just after Rickety coming to my house that things just went wrong with my tank top. "Rickety Bluetufts and a Series of Unfortunate Events."

I measured and remeasured bust and length as I constructed a simple little tank, using two different patterns. I was trying out the designer in me, I guess.  I don't wear tank tops.

Seaming went very well, particularly after watching a most helpful and timely episode of "Knitty Gritty" on Monday. So after seaming and steaming, I put on the tank. It was big in all the wrong places and short in all the rest. Not wanting to frog it,  I whipped out my sewing machine and eradicated my beautifully executed seams. Now, I have raggedy machine sewn seams.

To address the vast gaping neckline and armholes, which, on a sweaty summer day would droop to my navel, I crocheted an edge, which did pick up some of the slack. Not bad.

And, remembering the fine art of blocking, I was able to gain a few inches in length.

And there you have it. The Cherry Moon Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece Tank Top. Or vest. Moss stitch top and 6x1 ribbing on the bottom, with a 1x1 ribbed edge.

After donning the duds, I came to another realization, my blog friends, which I will share with you  tomorrow!

Would you look at this?

The back of my "Flower Power" Shrug, from IK. I finally got it together and learned the lace pattern (which was a super easy lace pattern...but you know how it takes a few shots at it to get the rhythm going?)  I think it's going to stretch more width wise when it's put together.

This weekend, our community had it's annual Community Wide Yard Sales... I found the most awesome doll...made in 1946, complete with it's own hand drawn and colored matching  gift card!

It's name is Rickety Bluetufts! Interesting. Very interesting...I love it!

Tonight was the very last concert of my son's senior year. JR and I pondered how many years of concerts and open houses, competitions and dance recitals, baseball games, Cub Scouts and graduations we've attended over the past 20 years with our kids. Watching him, It suddenly hit me...  and of course, I forgot my camera, and I never have had a Kleenex with me when I need one, but thank goodness, I had my knitting.

Yes, I actually wiped my tears with my tank top. You gotta do what you gotta do.

I get the biggest kick out of the birds...how, with Spring, they just take right over. My kids always thought I was the lamest thing because I'd get so excited about the return of the hummingbirds or watching the wrens building their nests... last week I was able to witness a nest full of robins as they fledged.

One year, the robins had nested, as they usually did, in  a pergola above the bedroom doors. (they always seem to nest in the midst of the most potential for human traffic, then act like you are in their space)  The babies were getting ready to fledge...they were at that size where one wrong move and the whole nest would be disrupted. One wrong move is exactly what happened and out they tumbled, before their time. I was so concerned for their safety (with the danger of lurking cats about) that I consulted the Internet, my bird books, made a few phone calls to my mom and other friends.... I knew had had to get them back in the nest. No problem...

I scooped them up, one at a time, as the Western New York Robin Militia  was alerted. With dive-bombing robins attacking from all directions, I was able to replace three of the birds...the last one was a bit tricky...like trying to get toothpaste back in the tube. The assault was growing more fierce by the minute as I sent my son to get his hockey goalie helmet and a blanket so I would be protected from their crazed madness.  It was quite a sight, and I'm sure Ben wondered if I would ever go to such lengths to  protect him from danger. I'm sure he also thought his mother was a lunatic!

Yes, Son, in more ways than you'll ever know...I have tried to protect you from the dangers of the world and yourself...and now, you are the last to leave the nest. In a few weeks, my last child will graduate from high school ... and he will never understand how in the midst of the battle for him, I was assaulted from all directions by a sometimes unkind world, misunderstanding people, and my own doubts... I have been the Robin Militia, while at the same time,  I have been the rescuer.  There is something about being a mom that brings out the protective lunacy in all of us. 

Not sure where he'll go from here, but I know that he battles the same fears about leaving the nest as his sisters did....and it will be okay, because the nest is still here.