New beginnings and a new state (of mind really)

Holy crap it's been a ywhile! Things in my life got crazy in 2018 when my mom was getting sick with UTIs and in the hospital just about every other month which we (being my family) did not understand. Everything took a back seat to my mom and her health. I did knit socks for my aunt (Mom's sister), but always forgot to mail them out, whoops. My mom passed away in 2020 (during the height of Covid-19, but not due to Covid. My daughter and I both graduated with our undergraduate degrees. Mine is in Psychology with an emphasis on addictions. Aly's degree is in elementary education. She met the love of her life her freshman year and they got married in June of '22. I went to the wedding in a knee imobilizer due to breaking my knee cap the day before they tied the knot. This past November I moved from the small town in WI where I was living to South Carolina. We recently moved to a town that reminds me of where i used to live and I can't wait to check out the local coffee house. I have been trying to find projects that I need to finish and move from the old place (apartment I lived in with my boyfriend) to new house. Yeah that's not really helping us move things but with my life right now I need a break from reality. As I sit in my living room watching knitting podcasts here is what I am working on: For me: Calligraphy cardigan: Yarn: Miss Bas Yowza Colorway You Rang? For the other half: Vanilla Socks: Yarn: Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock Colorways: Oxblood and Saffron For my aunt (I owe her several pairs of socks) Green Gables socks Yarn: Malibrigo Sock Color: Azul Profonto Will be glad to get my sweater done and my other half's socks done as they are supposed to be an aniversary present and that happens later in the month, ACK!!!

2018 plans.....

I haven't written a post in a while....oops. I should probably say what I've been up to.... Personally... I decided to end a 3 plus year relationship which now I realize I never had time to myself and need it. So it's been me and Mishi for the last few months and I am enjoying it actually. Knitting/Crafting.... Slowly getting into a grove of getting projects started and finished. Current WIPs: -Moody stockings for a co-worker -plain vanilla socks for myself

Going to a gluten free lifestyle

I have been having more "foggy head" moments in the past six months than I care to remember which led me to talking  with one of my best friends from high school (not as close now & to be honest that's ok).   I was talking to her about my forgetting stuff & she suggested that i get my thyroid levels checked.   So last Friday that's exactly what I did.  I had labs drawn that morning and most of my labs were back the next afternooon (some were back way before than).   No thyroid issues but i do have mild eczema and a vitamin D deficiency.    Both being treated.   So what's up with my blog title?   Wheat is a trigger food for eczema flare ups.    I met with a nutritionist yesterday and the meeting was wonderful.   I got some help for me & a little help for my daughter (she thinks she doesn't need breakfast).  When I was in that meeting I mentioned my eczema diagnosis to her & what set off that morning's flare up.   She suggested I go gluten free due to a possible gluten intolerance.   Great not only can I not have regular dairy bye bye every cake i love from the bakery :(.

One gift done!

I finished the cross stitch for my mom, so that means I have 2 gifts done.   I have 5 gifts left to make.   Guess I can alternate cross stitching & knitting to hopefully get everything done.

Cross stitching obsessed

I first learned to cross stitch in junior high or high school (to long ago to remember).   I gave it up because I didn't have time in college.   I wish I hadn't though.    

Anyway, let's jump to now...I have been watching Round the Twist with Carin pretty much since the beginning of the podcast.   She has been cross stitching these really cute patterns.   So a few people I follow on Instagram also cross stitch, yeah do you see where this is going?   I get emails w/ free patterns daily thanks to one of the followers.   Then I ordered 4 (yes 4) of The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's patterns.

  

  +Autumn Sampler

  +Autum Harvest Festival sampler

  +A Very Merry Christmas Town

  +Story Time Classics sampler 

I am currently working on the autumn harvest festival sampler.   I think then I'll work on the Christmas one.

I have a lot of Christmas knitting to do too so I guess I'll see how much I can truly get done.

Good grief it's been a while

Let's see......

Knitting wise it's been a productive 17 months.   I've knit 2 sweaters, 4 1/2 pairs of socks, crocheted a shawl & working on another one.

Life in general....dating someone for a little over a year.   He's a sweetheart & someone I know I can lean on.

Holy no posting.....

It's been a few months since my last post.    Things have been crazy.

John & I started talking about moving in together, which makes financial sense for both of us but my SSI would get drastically cut.

I have almost all of my Christmas knitting done.   I have one dishcloth left to finish but that doesn't have to be done for a week.    I need to block Grandma's shawl for her birthday next month as well as finish Aly's sweater.   Also need to weave the ends in on Cherie's shawl.

Sheep and wool festival 2014

Finally got yarn from fiber optics yarns.   Mom got yarn for a shawl for her (might take her to Karen's shop Saturday to show her the actual shawl).   Mom got the blackbird gradient & then 2 skeins of sock yarn from Lael & Larry at Hearthside Fibers.  I bought a 2015 sheep incognito colander, some sock needles & a fiber optics gradient set in Raspberry to blackberry, & some size 1 chai goo needles to knit socks.

Happy New Year!!!

Staying in & knitting w/ the pup!!

Christmas knitting complete

I've gotten everything I'm knitting done for the holidays.    My aunt's getting the shawl my mom wanted me to knit is now a birthday gift.   

I'm knitting myself a trail blazer jacket.    The back & left front are done.   I need to unseam it tomorrow when I hopefully have the right front done as well.   I got the left front and back reseamed. So now all I have left to do tonight during Grey's & Scandal is work on the right front.

Christmas Knitting 2013

Oh dear it's been a whisk since I've updated my blog.    It's been crazy busy & just plain crazy in my life.

Ok Christmas knitting.....Dad's gift is done.   Clockwork by Stephen West.

Mom's gift is a shawl she saw at sheep & wool in September.   It's on then edging. Aunt Laurie is getting dish cloths.   That's about all I have planned for Christmas knitting right now considering Christmas is a month & a half away!

Garter stitch monogamy

I started Scott's birthday present yesterday. Back in September Dennis & I went to the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool festival. I bought to patterns; both by Steven West. I got the clockwork scarf & daybreak shawl patterns.

I had decided on colors for Scott's clockwork as well as one for my dad. Apparently my brain took a vacation when ordering yarn because I ordered the colors I was going to do my dad's clockwork in. I'm almost done with the first section & it needs to be done by February 4th.

Before I started the clockwork scarf, I got a bee in my bonnet about knitting a Christmas tree skirt. Oh yes, I can now use it as a lap blanket while knitting on it. I didn't expect it to be done before Christmas. I put it aside to knit Scott's gift. I will more than likely go back to it when the clockwork is done.

Christmas knitting oy

I should've been done with my Christmas knitting by now, but in a few days I hope to be with gifts that need to be mailed.

Aly's elephant just needs eyes, dish cloths need to be finished.

Jen's sweater is almost done, body is almost done, just the sleeves& blocking left.

3/4 done

I have 3/4 of my Christmas knitting done. I am on the last little bit of Jenny's sweater. I then have dish cloths to do along with something for my little cousin. Thinking of a blanket for him. We'll see though.

Christmas knitting part 2

Started part 2 ofJen's gift & bought yarn for Aly's second gift. Went to the yarn shop because I left beaded & cabled cuff pattern there. I need to tinkle several repeats cause apparently I cannot read or remember things correctly. _

Christmas knitting

Christmas knitting is in high gear. It's another handmade gift year. Let's see: Aly - stuffed elephant (my daughter is obsessed with elephants) (done w/ the knittking need to put eyes on) Dad - dishcloths Scott - dishcloths Eric - dishcloths Bob & Jill - dishclths Leah - 198 yards of Heaven Mom - 198 yards of Heaven Jenny - Sedona sweater & pair of socks (I think) Will - sweater (done just needs to be blocked) Matthew - sweater (done just needs to be blocked) I will get Jenny's done soon I'm sure. The dishcloths are movie knitting & no big rush since I don't have to mail them out. I think along with the dishcloths I'll also make homemadde hot chocolate mix as well. I will also send a jar of that along with Jenny, Will & Matthew's sweaters & other gifts.

Shawl KAL

Tommorrow starts the shawl KAL and I'm almost done with mine. I am 4 1/2 rows away from starting the lace section. Hoping to get it done by the 23rd. I am hoping to wear it to grandpa's memorial on the 24th.

Shawl & sweater knitting

I haven't blogged in a while due to my grandfather passing away. I have frothed my shawl at least three times, but have finally gotten the hang of it (even with smaller needles than i it should be on at the moment - waiting for my Knitter's Pride size 7 tips to come).Sweater is my favorite pattern to date. I'm doing my second Sedona sweater for myself. It's being knit on US 6 & 7 needles. Coloresy is Cloud in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. I have knit 3 of these so far. This sweater is being modified with a longer body & longer sleeves.

Hospital knitting

I've gotten a lot of knitting in over the last 9 days while staying with my grandfather while he's in the hospital. I finished my mom's Sedona sweater. I started my shawl for the shawrl KAL that the owner of. my lys is starting next month. I'm doing the Eyelets & Lace shawl in Hearthside Givers Star Dust yarn in the Teal we meet again colorway. So far so good. Love the hint of sparkle in the yarn. I was planning on socks for a knitting project, but right now the shawl is like a prayer shawl for me. I'm sure I'll knit a few more of this at some point.

consumed in knitting

I am not much of a monogamous knitted, but lately I have been. The only project I've been working on is my mom's sweater. Think my next project is some slippers. Although the Sedona pattern has become like potato chips. I will probably knit a longer one for myself with a longer collar. Although, I have 3 other sweaters to knit first.