With Needles in Hand...

Another scarf

2009-02-15T08:50:00.003-05:00

Finished another scarf last night. This one is another gift but I love how it came out. Was an easy pattern to memorize. I just have to block it. Took me a week only because I didn't knit on it every night. But probably could easily complete in a weekend.

Works been a bit busy as I am in the final stretch. Three weeks notice is now down to the last one. I'm excited but there's still a bit of wrapping up to do. I know it will never be complete and there will be things I have to leave without finishing but I want to make sure I do the best to make the transition smooth. What's making that a bit tough is the desire to have me start new things. So the best I can do is spec out something new and leave the work for someone else to complete.

I'm glad it's a three day weekend. I have so much to do... but I can enjoy the weekend anyway!

February

2009-02-08T09:56:00.007-05:00

Wow. Every time I think I'm going to keep up with this, time flies away from me. January was a rough month for both mine and Isaac's families, and I didn't get to do much knitting or anything really. I did manage to get a new job though... it still is a bit unbelievable to me that that happened but for some reason everything was in alignment and the job literally fell into my lap. My last day at The New School is Feb 20th. Two more weeks. Sometimes I can't believe it all.

I did finish one project for the Facebook Scarf Exchange. This was for my exchange partner, Lisa. I loved working on it though for some reason it took real concentration on this lace pattern. It wasn't hard to memorize, but no matter how much I thought I knew it, I'd end up messing up and having to rip out. I do like how it finished and it was the first project that used up two skeins in my stash. Two down, 98 to go to reach the 100 mark for the year! hahaha Not sure I'll end up getting there, but it's worth a shot. I certainly have enough to use up!

Now I'm trying to finish the pair of socks I started in January (one down, the second half way done) and then a few more small things to finish up as well as the sweater for Isaac. Trying to plan my projects better so there's less on the needles and more actually finished! It will be interesting to see what I can actually do in one year's time (11 months now!).

Early morning rush

2009-01-04T06:44:00.006-05:00

Love the early mornings the best. It's so quiet in the city and I feel like I can get so much more done. The streets are empty at this hour so I can really enjoy my Sunday morning. Time for tea as well.

With Isaac still away my time is all mine so I've been doing a lot of knitting. I'm determined to knit down the stash this year. I've got socks planned and scarves and a few sweaters. Some are WIPs, others are new items. All use yarn I already have. Goal is to use 100 skeins and 24 projects by the end of the year. I know I have at least that much yarn. I have one finished project for 2009 - a pair of socks that I finished up on Friday. Although I did start these around Thanksgiving but put them aside for other projects. Like how they came out. Now on to other projects. Keeps my mind off of other things.

New Year... new knitting

2009-01-02T13:50:00.006-05:00

As I finish up working on a pair of socks I am excited about all the new knitting to be done in the coming year. Time to clear out the stash of yarn in the apartment and in the storage unit to make room for more. I ended 2008 with a few good projects but there's still too many on the needles at once. The lure of the new seems to always entice me away from what I'm working on at the moment. Unless the project is for someone else. Then I have no trouble completing it. This year I'd like to perfect more techniques that I attempted last year (entrelac, fair isle, intarsia, modular) and put them into practice. I also want to get back to more of the needlework I had been doing before knitting took over.

Knitting and Stargate...

2008-09-13T21:27:00.006-04:00

Been doing a lot of knitting lately. Mainly because Isaac has been gone for weeks and he's not here to watch baseball with. So, I've pulled out the Stargate DVDs and started with Season 1. Makes the nights pass quickly and the knitting move along because I don't need to look up to know what's going on. I've done this before.

So, I spend time on Ravelry a lot looking around for things to do and thinking one day I will actually get to do it all. ha... not sure that will ever happen. I did finish two shawls, a pair of socks, a cowl for the winter... and have a few others on the needles. Different things in progress for me or someone else.. all depends on how I like it when it's done. But it's not the finished product that keeps me knitting, it's the knitting itself. Relaxes me from tension at work, takes away worries and keeps my hands nimble. If I could only do it while doing everything else like walking - I just can't manage that yet.

Ravelympics come to an end

2008-08-24T07:00:00.007-04:00

I managed to finish two of the three projects I wanted to do which was surprising even to me. The crocus shawl with beads took much less time than I anticipated, especially once I got used to putting on the beads. But the pattern was clear and each row put me closer to the end. Even when a row took 20 minutes to complete! Blocked it and it looks good, but I could have done a better job on the points. Maybe I'll block it again to see if I can get them to lay flatter. Even if I don't, I really enjoyed this knit and the result.

My second project was just a simple cowl for the winter months. I used two yarns and combined them so the handpainted one would be a bit more subtle. Plenty left over so I'm not sure what to do with the remaining - may be enough for some fingerless gloves, I'll have to see what can be done. Not a great photo of it, but I was hurrying to get it posted as a completed project in the olympics.

Now, on to other projects. I'm trying to finish up some of the WIP's I have and use up yarn in my stash so I suspect I'll be making many more socks in the weeks to come. Especially since Isaac will be gone again for awhile and I'll have hours alone to myself in the evenings. I did join NY Cares to do some volunteer work - mostly I plan to go to the Charity Knitting nights for the Purl Foundation but maybe I'll find some other projects that are interesting as well. Thank goodness there are friends to go out with or else I think I'd go nuts with him gone for so long.

Let the Knitting Begin

2008-08-09T11:55:00.008-04:00

Hooray! Time for the Ravelympics. The knitting community at Ravelry signed up for different "olympic events" each with a knitting theme. The rules were simple. You had to sign up for an event before the 2008 Beijing olympics began. Swatching (training) was allowed before the start. All projects must be completed by the time the flame gets extinguished. I've begun two of my projects for Team Swiss.

The first is for the Lace Weight Long Jump. I'm knitting a beaded shawl for this one. This is the first time I'm using beads and so it's a bit slow going, but I'm loving the results. The pattern is Crocus Pocus from Susan Pandorf . I am using yarn in my stash for this but did have to go out and buy the beads. I found mine at a local shop in NYC, Toho Shoji. Never would have thought of going there if it hadn't been for the Ravelry community. Love them!

My second project is the Gloria Cowl for the Cowl Jump. This one is basic stockinette for the most part and I've combined a hand dyed yarn with a solid to soften the color changes a bit. I am also signed up for a third event but I won't begin that until the cowl is done.

Now that my cleaning is done for the day I'm going to relax and get back to my knitting! Hooray!

Knitting Portugese style

2008-07-12T10:29:00.003-04:00

I decided to try a new style of knitting yesterday that looks like it will be easier on my hands and wrists. I usually knit continental but I've noticed the wrist movements have been taking a toll on my hands. I read about Portugese knitting style and checked out a few youtube videos, but decided to purchase a DVD from Andrea Wong along with the little pin you use to tension the yarn. I'm glad I did. The instructions are clear and the filming spot on for learning the technique. My own tension is a bit looser than when I knit continental but it's pretty even and the purling is really smooth. And the toll on my hands is less so I think I'll be putting this into practice!

Happy 4th

2008-07-03T16:18:00.005-04:00

Soon to be July 4th so time to update. I've been knitting quite a bit, though at smaller intervals because my fingers go numb right now. Right now I'm working on Cat Bordhi's book New Pathways for Sock Knitting. Love the cast on method to do a gauge swatch!

Here's the shawl I'm also working on and the socks I just finished.

Knitting...though slowly

2008-05-16T09:11:00.003-04:00

I'm still knitting, though it's a long and slow process as my RA has returned. And my hands feel thick, stiff and unwielding. I take lots of breaks to avoid them from getting all numb. Hopefully the medication will start to bring greater relief but for now it's only slightly better.

Since I am back to wearing the Handeze gloves for comfort I thought I'd work on knitting something pretty to go over it. So, I pulled out some sock yarn and started on some fingerless gloves. Will be a bit wild, but fun in the end. I might actually make some fingers, but only 3/4 at the most. Beats the heavy wool ones I use at work. If this comes out okay I will probably go down to a lace weight and make something more airy for the summer.

Knitting and Ravelry

2008-05-03T09:37:00.009-04:00

I love Ravelry! I joined the community last Fall and am now spending time poking around on it. I love how it all intertwines between groups and patterns and yarns and books and ... it's like knitting nirvana.

I've been knitting more lately. Keeps my hands more nimble, though I have to stretch them often. My RA came back on me. We thought I was in remission and for three lovely, wonderful months I was both off all medications and feeling quite normal. April changed all that. What is it T. S. Eliot said, "April is a cruel month." It was for me. Not as bad as the initial onset of the arthritis, but painful enough, especially since it was not something I thought I'd end up still having. I had such hopes that I truly was over and in remission. I can't knit for hours at once, but I can still take out the needles and get some things done. Which I have been.

I've been working on two projects. First is a lace wrap that I plan to make for myself. It's a pattern from Folk Shawls called Kimono Wrap. The pattern is easy to read once you have it set in place and I will be working on this one during lunch breaks at work. In fact, it's sitting on my desk right now waiting for me to take it to the park! The other project in progress is the Perfect Choice Sweater from Artyarns Lacy Little Knits book. I have the back done and half of the front. It knits up quickly and the yarn for this Silk Rhapsody feels incredibly wonderful. So, between the two
I have one project on tiny needles while the other is on bigger ones. I think I also have a pair of socks on needles. Not sure if I have to pull them out because I think I knit them a bit too big they will end up falling down. I'll knit more socks over the summer since they are light and portable.

Summer is over

2007-08-28T11:56:00.000-04:00

Wow. It's really been awhile since I posted any progress. I've made a number of things, mostly socks, and I've taken up with my needlework again as well. It's really helped me through the rough times. I can always turn to the yarn and the needles to give me a feeling of accomplishment, love, comfort. I still miss Dad tremendously and tear up every time I think of him. Does that ever go away? Life feels so out of sync still. Even my knitting and needlework is a bit off pace - I start much more than I finish and I lose interest. I'm trying to correct that by keeping my projects in tow, but I always love the excitement of the next thing to come. And now summer is over and the fall is about to begin. I love the fall and the crispness of the world.

Knitting weekends

2007-02-24T14:53:00.000-05:00

I've been spending more time knitting on the weekends than the weeknights lately. Partly because it's been so cold and knitting inside with a good dvd is always a great way for me to relax. Knitting and Stargate... some of my favorite moments are with those two things combined. I finished another pair of socks and a scarf for mom...just have to block the items. I try to put in some other stitching time too, though since i don't want to only knit... too many kinds of needlework for me to learn and accomplish.

Time moved on...

2006-12-20T09:28:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. Too much going on that I just couldn't think about putting anything down into words. The saddest of all things was that Dad passed away in October. It came on suddenly though it wasn't a total surprise since his health this past year was not at its peak. We were fortunate that we had him around for the past five years since I am certain that had circumstances been different he would not have survived the heart attack five years ago. But, it still pains me to not have him here. Especially now as the holidays are only a week away.

I did get to knit him one final present. It was meant to be for Christmas but I knew my time was running short. I knit feverishly - obsessively - hoping to get it done in time. I did finish in time, but he never saw the finished product. He was already almost gone by the time my hands knit the last stitch -he was no longer speaking but only communicating through squeezes of the hands. He will forever wear those socks which both saddens and gladdens me. Dad loved to watch me knit and I loved making him things - wrist warmers and vests mostly. He'd make comments and when I started knitting socks this year he thought it funny. I guess it is. It is much cheaper to buy, but they are so much fun to knit. And quick. At least fairly quick. I love how they turn from a tube to a sock. I goofed on his socks though. I was doing a pattern on the leg so that the cuff would not be too tight and cut off circulation but then after turning the heel somehow I only did ribbing. Both socks were alike so things matched, and no one will really ever know but to me I goofed. I thought of ripping it out and fixing them, but I knew that time was running out and I didn't want to lose precious time. I did finish them in time for him to wear them while he lay in the hospital bed at home. And although he couldn't respond in words I know he felt the warmth and the love that was put into the socks. They kept his feet warm and comfortable in his final days. I still cry as I miss Dad. I wonder when or if that will ever stop.

I've done some knitting since those socks, but not nearly enough. I've got a scarf to finish up and there's so much on my to-do list that I want to accomplish. Slowly I'm finding comfort in knitting again. Right now I read about it and dream about it more than I do it. Maybe because I knit so feverishly I tell myself that I can't imagine knitting relaxingly. Maybe it's just the busyness of work (which is very busy) or the holidays approaching. Maybe it's because I think I'll never make something as important and with as much love as I did those socks. And maybe it's because I no longer have Dad to watch me knit and chuckle at the marvelous things that come off the needles.

Sunday sports....

2006-09-10T18:04:00.000-04:00

Ah... football season. There's something about it that makes me want to stitch - cross-stitch mostly. We sat down for the Jets-Titans game today and I felt inclined to take out my stitching which has been sitting in our living room for some time with barely a stitch change. My pumpkins. I love working on this and I love how it looks and especially since it's about halfway done, I'm really going to make this my top cross-stitch project. It will end up being a pillow and was designed by Donna Vermillion Giampa of Vermillion Stitchery. It was originally published in Just Cross Stitch magazine. I stopped getting the magazine years ago, mainly because I wasn't stitching much, but kept all the designs I loved the best. Donna's pillows are some of my favorites and she's done other fruit, vegetables and flowers. She designs in whole cross stitches, which usually makes things blocky, but because there are a number of color changes it blends really well. Another designer who I love the work of and who designs similarly is Maureen Appleton of The Heart's Content. The big difference is small... Maureen's work is done over one thread and can be done on 40 ct silk gauze or similarly small count per inch fabric.

I have also been knitting - trying to work out a pair of socks that fit better than my first attempt. I am using the method as taught in the book Crazy Toes & Heels Sock Book. It's wordy for a knitting book and overly descriptive but overall it's been an interesting experience. I made one goof (calculating how long the socks should be before starting the gusset) and so I ended up ripping out over 2 inches of knitting. Considering it's knit at 9 stitches per inch on tiny (size 0 - 2.0 mm) needles it hurt to have to pull it out. But, if I didn't then I'd end up with a sock 2 inches longer than my foot! I'm also knitting both socks at the same time on the needles so they end up being exactly the same, so it was 4 inches of knitting I had to rip out! Overall, it's coming out well and I like knitting socks. They are an extremely portable project and when things get a little less busy at work, I'm hoping to take it along and knit during lunch. On the days I actually take lunch, that is!

But, I love the fall. This is my favorite time of the year coming up. Lazy sundays doing needlework of all kinds, stew or roast cooking, cup of tea by my side watching football!

Last friday off

2006-08-11T10:43:00.000-04:00

Well, it's the last friday off. Heading out to mom and dad's for some r&r in the pool. Should be a great weekend. Bringing some knitting and the purse I'm finishing for my niece. Once it's put together I'll take a photo. Awhile back I took the Muppet Personality Test and this was my result! Not surprising I would say! :)

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know.
You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems.
Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green.
Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

Been Busy....

2006-07-29T09:49:00.000-04:00

I've been busy working on various projects. I've got a sweater about a third done - it's called Rose and it's knit in the round. I'm doing it in mercerized cotton - probably not what I'd knit with again. It's a beautiful beet red and has a scalloped edge. I'm also working on a cocoa shrug but trying to figure out a pattern on my own. I've started this one a few times until I got the edging right. I've got most of one sleeve done, but I think it builds too quickly so I'll probably take it out and re-do it as well. Needs to be a bit more gradual I think.

Been also taking out the needles and thread so I'm no longer just knitting. The first is an experiment in punch needle. I find this a fun and easy kind of stitching. And I figure a good way to use some of the many threads I have on hand. The second is a needlepoint bag that I'm making for my niece for her birthday in August. Started this last night during baseball and it's moving along very fast. It's only a few inches square to do and five or six colors so it's moving along quickly. I'll probably finish that this weekend.

I had some days off from work to do all of this, which is good. I needed both the break from work and the time to get back into the swing of things. There's nothing more enjoyable to me than some kind of needlework... well, almost nothing.

Vacation Knitting

2006-07-19T10:54:00.000-04:00

Ahhh... nothing like knitting on vacation. Actually, I'm away at a conference but at nights I end the long day by knitting. Started on a pattern called "Rose" which is similar to the Knitty.com pattern Soleil but it has sleeves and there's some other slight variations. I think I now started this one 5 times. Not because it's difficult, but because each time I wasn't happy with how the lacy border was laying. It's knitted in the round, so my tension is a little different and the border has a wavy edge so keeping that flat was a bit tricky for me. I finally settled on casting on using a larger needle so that the cast on would be looser. Usually I cast on using two needles, but since this is in the round I didn't do it that way. Now that I think of it though, I could do this with the new Options needles that I'm using. After casting on, I could just disconnect one needle and pull the cord through! Now I think of it. I'm in the second pattern repeat so I won't be doing that at this time, but maybe next time... :)

Fridays off

2006-06-16T16:47:00.000-04:00

Summer Fridays. Just love them! An extra day off on the weekend to knit and stitch and enjoy! I'm working on completing the Harry Potter scarf, but at the same time, needed to do something fun and easy. So, I started a quick and easy shrug. Took me awhile to get started, as I couldn't get the gauge and then when I did start, I kept on doing it wrong. So, I had to pull it out twice before getting the increases in the right places. But, it's going quickly and if it comes out nice I think I'll end up modifying it with different stitches/yarns.

I'm also working on another sock but this time I'm trying out a new heel. I haven't gotten that down just yet, so I need to practice it a bit - it's a short row heel and it's a bit confusing to me, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I love knitting socks. Just so simple and quick. And in no time they are done. Perfect for me since I'm a great starter, but a terrible finisher! :) Always the allure of the new project!.

Those Harry Potter scarves

2006-06-04T09:47:00.000-04:00

Still knitting away on Harry Potter scarf #4. Seems to take forever but that's probably because I've done this already. Round and round I go on this scarf... a bit boring, but now that it's getting longer I'm feeling like the work is worth it. The end result is so cute and I know my niece will love it. The best thing is it is a perfect project for tired nights. The only thing you have to do is count rows - the rest happens automatically. I'm a little over half way done and my goal is to finish it in the next two weeks. I know I can do that so I'm not worried as each night I get one section further along. Once knit all that's left is weaving the ends and the fringe.

I organized my stitching and knitting things so I have just the projects I am working on easily at hand. I like to do many things at once but that then leads to too many started, not enough finished. So, my goal is to only work on what's in my current baskets and only when something is done and out will I start on something new. Not as easy to do as it sounds as it's always fun to start something new when it's exciting and different.

I did start stitching again which is making me very happy. Picked up working on a pillow I started oh so long ago. I don't even remember when. I've done about a quarter of it and just love the colors in this piece. All the yellows and oranges - colors I love since they're so sunny and warm feeling. I was planning on going into the office today to do some extra things, but instead I think I'll stay home and work on this piece. It's a bit of a gloomy day so it's perfect for stitching - have a cup of tea, watch a movie and stitch away. I can always work a little longer on Monday! :)

Back to stitching

2006-05-29T07:44:00.000-04:00

I'm looking forward to being able to stitch today. I picked up a piece the other week and was able to start working on it again. It's a silk guaze project over 40 ct silk gauze and I haven't worked on it for so long becuase of not being able to easily see the holes. But, now that I have my new glasses, I have no excuse. I still gravitate to my knitting because it's easy to do and carry - everything in one bag - whereas stitching requires taking out the threads, scissors, just more room overall.

We went to visit friends this long weekend and I did take knitting along - starting a new pair of socks. I tried knitting them on two double pointed needles, but I found that the second needle kept knocking into me and disrupting my rhythm. So, I took one out and went back to the one big circular knitting. Of course, this one is not very long, so it *just* makes it, but for now I can manage. I'll have to get one that's longer in this size to make it better. So, since I find the two needles too awkward, I won't be able to knit two socks at once. Unless I can figure out how to do it on one big needle! But that's okay, it goes fast enough that I don't mind knitting one at a time.

Time for some tea.

motivation...

2006-05-20T07:42:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile since I posted, but that's because my knitting time has been curtailed a bit. I've been working on Harry Potter scarf #4 and am about halfway through. I switch off with a tank I'm doing from the class I took and keep thinking about starting a new pair of socks and maybe a shrug which I found online. Work is just busy and I've been having to deal with a lot of extras for that and I've just been tired. Excuses, excuses I know. oh well. Some of it is not being really motivated enough. Spring fever is what I blame - the nice weather and wanting to be out doors. So, nothing really new to show for now but hopefully soon.

One Sock, Two Socks, Red Sock, Blue Socks

2006-05-09T20:13:00.000-04:00

Well, the pair of socks are done. Not the most beautiful and certainly not the most perfectly fitted socks, but here they are. I did pretty well starting the second one so the stripes would match so I'm pleased with myself. I knit the first one using four double pointed needles and the second one with the Magic Loop method and only one big circular needle. Personally, I like the circular one better as I could knit it more to gauge and at a faster pace. I plan to knit a few more pairs, and want to get into some patterns and learn how to tailor the sock better so it will fit the ankle better. And it would be neat to do some felted slippers... Afterall, Christmas will be here before I know it! :)

I'm also working on Harry Potter scarf #4 - the Prisoner of Azkaban scarf in Ravenclaw colors. Once this is done, I'll have two more to do for another niece. They're good knit while watching TV projects as it's just stockinette and the only thing to count is the rows. Very relaxing, totally not challenging, but lots of fun, especially when the scarf gets to a decent length.

Another week, another Sunday

2006-05-07T09:01:00.000-04:00

Here it is another sunday and I haven't done much in the past week. I did get a second sock going - this time on a single circular needle. I had been reading about it and found a reference on how to do it on the web. For me this sock has knit much faster. I can manage the knitting with the big loops on each side much better than the four-five double pointed. And I feel I have better control over the stitches that would normally be from one needle to the second. I've gotten to the point of the heel and have turned the heel for this second sock. I still need to reference the steps here as it hasn't quite registered on my brain what is really happening, but I think with more practice I'll eventually be able to "see" it on its own. Kind of like learning a cable pattern. I like knitting the socks though... small, simple and you see progress quickly. Now I'm just doing basic stockinette on it so that also helps. Here's the progress on the second sock.

Another thing I finally did this weekend was order my new glasses.. bifocals. My doctor recommended the progressive lenses since I work on the computer most of the time so we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping that with them I'll be able to do more stitching as well since I can't see the fabric so well anymore right now. I've got lots of things still in progress there that I'd like to return to...

Projects in progress... that's another thing entirely. I've got way too many in the starting phase that I have to move them to finishing. Last year I did pretty well finishing up a few things. I hope to do better this year.

Well, time to make some tea and start the day. I have to spend a few hours at work today, but after that the day is mine so I'll knit on my sock more today. For me there's nothing better than relaxing with tea and needlework, well, almost nothing! :)

Knitting Class

2006-04-29T09:01:00.000-04:00

I went to a knitting class at The Point with Iris Schreier from Artyarns. It was my first time at the store and my first class in a long time. The store was very cute and the people there just lovely. I work fairly close so I'm going to have to check it out on lunch or afterward some more. There were 6 of us in the class and we knitted, chatted and learned some new techniques for three hours. As part of the class we got the pattern for the Silky Tie Wrap and the P90 tank. We first practiced on the supermerino - it was like butter sliding through your hands and over your needles. I'm thinking maybe the next vest for my Dad will be made in this. Thankfully it comes in solid colors as I don't see him wearing something variagated.. at least not in the bright colors. Then it was time to move on to the Regal Silk which was even nicer. In the class I used size 7 (right) and started the pattern for the wrap, but when I got home I picked up size 6 (left and started just a swatch. I like the swatch with the 6 better so whatever I do, the wrap or the tank, I'll use these needles. Both patterns start with a center increase diamond so that's what you see here. The class helped me understand the structure behind the modular pieces and I can spot how and where to make my increases without using any markers which makes it go much faster. On to practicing backwards knitting some more so I can be more comfortable with that as there's a lot of turns when doing modular knitting. But it is fun to try all of this.

A Rainy Sunday

2006-04-23T15:05:00.000-04:00

It's Sunday afternoon and raining. Perfect day for doing some kind of needlework. I finished my first sock this morning. It's not pretty, it's not perfect, but I did manage to get it done. Quite the adventure it was having to learn a few new things to create the heel flap and then to actually turn the heel. It was a bit of a chore dealing with the four needles - I've knitted cuffs that way, but it felt different on the sock. At some point I'll make the mate for this sock, but for now other things have my interest. The yarn is Lion Brand Magic Stripes yarn, so the stripes happen on their own.

I've been playing around with a technique called modular knitting. It involves short row shaping and I started to teach myself how to knit backwards so I wouldn't have to turn my needles around so often. I did a test swatch and then decided to just make it into a headband. Same yarn as the sock yarn because that is what I had on hand.

For now knitting has been my needlework of choice. I am enjoying the process of creating something again. I think it also has to do with the fact that it's harder for me to see close up and the lighting in my place is not great, so stitching is something I've put on hold. But, I feel that calling out to me again and so I'll have to make plans to do some again.

Other projects I recently finished were Harry Potter scarves for my neices. Three down, three more to go... They are fun when they are done, but a bit boring to knit since it's only stockinette and in the round. But, when I can concentrate on it, they go quickly.

Well, that's it for now. Back to the HP scarves and the 4th movie which I'm finally watching. Helps get me in the mood to knit the next scarf. :)