Thursday, June 25, 2009

Once Upon A Mattress

A funny thing happened on the way to my marital separation. The Mister heard me say I no longer could sleep in my marital bed. He had a conversation in his head and decided to relieve me of this burden by taking our entire bedroom full of furniture to a consignment shop. He proceeded to off load the contents of at least 20 drawers on the floor (albeit neatly) and reveal any number of dust bunny families and under bed storage containers to the light of day. Horrified is the only descriptor I have for my reaction.

With the help of friends, we painted away the blues and washed that man right outta my hair. The result is a clean organized room with a fresh perspective. Years before, on the eve of Mister's lay-off, we had planned to redo our bedroom and I had purchased all new bedding, pillows,and lampshades. We shelved those plans following his job loss. Off the cupboard shelf they flew and for the cost of 2 gallons of paint I have an airy new space. It is calm and makes me smile, where once, sadness was filling all the empty places. When my yarn is all sorted and placed away, I will be ready to face anything.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Bitter Lemon Aid


When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! I have always enjoyed the sentiment. Heather grew these lemons and she is going to help me organize my stash closet today. I will take before and after photos. I am supposed to be down sizing. Why does that have to include my yarn stash??
It does not even sound reasonable to me. So with the aid of my lemon growing friend- I will try to be ruthless. Now that leaves a tart and bitter taste...

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Market Bag- Super Simple



















This Market bag was inspired by the pattern in the Knit Calendar. I changed the handle to a knit on continuous I-cord. Super easy to knit in the round and ever so practical.

100% cotton yarn
Size 9 and size 6, circular needles

Cast on 75 stitches.
Knit one row and join in the round. Careful not to twist the stitches and place a marker for start of row.

Begin pattern stitch: YO, K2tog all around. Continue in established pattern until bag is desired length.

Switch to smaller needle and knit 6 rows. Do a 3 needle Bind off. This is the bottom of the bag.

With smaller needles, pick up 78 sts around the top of bag.. With bag laid flat, mark 6 sts on each side of bag with st markers. There should be 33 sts on the front and back of the bag. Knit 5 rows ending after the 6 sts marked at one end. Bind off 33 sts, knit six and place on a stitch holder. Bind off 33 more stitches. With the last 6 sts begin your I-cord. Make this 6 st I-cord the desired length. Attach the handle on the live stitches with a 3 needle Bind off. Weave in loose ends. I double stitched the base of both handles for strength. All done. Enjoy.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Hats Off!!!


I dropped off 30 hand knit hats for the Hatbox foundation. This organization provides hats for chemo patients of all ages. I was inspired to finish my blue wool cap. Here it is.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Coping Skills


A glass a day keeps the Doctor away. Wine therapy is my favorite.
To all of my friendly therapists and enablers, thank you!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

What a Difference a Day Makes



Knitting related and life relating. That is the goal of this blog. I so appreciate the readership and try not to stray too far off in any direction. However, there has been a fork in the road ahead of me and it has created changes never before explored. Never before anticipated. Never desired. Some knitting has come unraveled.

After 30+ years together, my husband has left me. He informed me of his decision on June 1st. He moved out on June 9th. Oddly, I feel shock, sadness and the mysterious comfort of purpose . I remain here in our home with the space vacated by his departure. It was jarring to see his empty closet, missing stereo, empty medicine chest, etc. Coming into the house, my son and I were cautiously taking in the changes and processing his absence. I thought how much different it would be if he had died and left no empty spaces in our physical home. A shirt to smell, his pillow beside mine. Little things, weird none the less. When you have spent a lifetime considering the needs of another human, it is hard to turn off the brain and the heart.

So, you have not heard from me since May 30th. June 1st began my new reality. Just one day between altered worlds. I am thrilled to have been commissioned to knit a Four Seasons throw in Black for a friend. Victorian mourners wore a black armband at the very least when they suffered a loss. Jewelry, clothing, even nightclothes all in black. Knitting with black Manos wool at this time and in this place seems appropriate.

If only I had a black dog that shed black hair...