Wisdom teeth? Who needs 'em!

I remember having my wisdom teeth taken out when I was 17.  I was in the 11th grade and taking U.S. history from Mr. Killian.  He was the high school baseball coach and I had expected him to be mediocre at best as a teacher.  My apologies to all the coach/teachers out there for underestimating him.  He was funny and quite engaging while trying to cram a bit of history into a bunch of teenagers.

The day I was to have my teeth out, we had a history test.  The thought of trying to take the test a week after the rest of the class and after being in a fog for a few days seemed risky, so I asked to take the test early, on the morning of "the procedure".  When I finished the test and went to turn it in, Mr. Killian said, "Kay, I'm a bit worried about your grades."

Gasp!  I was a good student, as in graduated fourth in my class of over three hundred, so a problem with my grades was, in a word, unacceptable.  I gulped and said something like "Really?"

He replied, in the most serious tone possible, "Well, with having your wisdom teeth removed, you may not be as wise and your grades could suffer."  After a second or three for that to sink in, I laughed, probably a little too loudly, and he wished me luck.  I survived, both the tooth extraction and the history test.

Today was my daughter's turn to have her wisdom teeth removed.  Even though she's 23, it was a bit difficult to watch her leave the waiting room on her own and then wait for them to let me know she was done.  She did fine and wasn't too incoherent when I saw her, although she did ask for a smoothie* about five times.  I'll sleep in a chair near her room tonight, just in case.

All that to say, knitting hasn't been too high on the list this week.  I am almost done with the Lawrence sweater and it will hopefully be a finished object by next week.  I also am working on a pair of Rosamond socks for a KAL (Knit-A-Long).  Details to follow next week!



*I made her a banana/mango/orange smoothie a couple of hours ago.

Socks and a Sweater

My family celebrates two birthdays this month, my older daughter and my husband.  My daughter just turned 23 and she requested dinner out at Miyo's.  She loves their Asian cuisine, especially the sushi.  We had a very nice dinner with two of her friends and her aunt and uncle.

Next week, my husband has a birthday.  Last year, for his 50th, we did a Star Trek themed party.  This year will be much more low-key, probably a family dinner.

On to fiber!

FO's

I finished this handspun this week.  It's a superwash BFL (blue faced Leiscester) in shades of pink, blue and purple.  It's a three-ply, worsted-ish weight.  I'm not sure yet what it's going to be, maybe a hat or fingerless mitts?

WIP's

Lawrence Sweater

Yarn--Cascade 220, colorway 9572
Needles--US 8, 5mm

The Lawrence sweater is making slow but steady progress.  I split for sleeves last night--yay!  It should move a bit faster now, with almost 100 fewer stitches per round.

 

 

Ankle socks for me

 

Yarn--Four Seasons Gründl Hot Socks
Needles--US size 0, 2.00mm

 

I started a pair of socks for me, using the same yarn I used for Janie's socks.  We can be matchy-matchy!  This is the first time I've made socks on size 0 needles.  It's taking longer but I like the fabric it creates.

 

I cast on 64 stitches and did 20 rounds of ribbing before going to the heel.  The heel is worked over 32 stitches.  I'm not sure yet how many rounds I'll need for the foot, but I'll keep you posted.

 

 

 

Podcast Corner

 



This week's podcast is Knit1HeartToo.  It is hosted by Wendy and Sheila, podcasting from Massachusetts.  They are both moms and knit for themselves as well as their families and friends.  Don't let their silliness fool you; both are talented knitters and produce wonderful items. 

Here's a quote from their blog page. 

"Knit 1, Heart too" grew out of something that we both have in common. Wendy has been a heart failure survivor since 2006 and Sheila is mom to an amazing boy who not only survived a serious congenital heart defect diagnosed at birth, but later survived liver cancer and two liver transplants. We know a lot about hearts and that it takes a lot of heart (and courage) to survive. And we knit with a lot of heart, too.

These are amazing women.  Sheila is a phlebotomist and Wendy is currently a stay-at-home-mom, having left a career as a lawyer.  Love this podcast!

February already?

It's February already?  There are two family birthdays this month, my husband and my older daughter, and I haven't done a thing to get ready.  My husband, Andy, is pretty happy with a nice dinner either at home or at a restaurant.  My daughter will be 23, so she is making plans with friends. 

It's been a mild winter so far and I noticed today that a few bulbs are starting to peek through in my garden.  I also saw some daffodils already in full bloom, just a few miles from home.  Goodness, spring is coming early!

On to fiber projects!

FO's
I have two finished objects this week!

The Ashton Shawlette
by Dee O'Keefe
Yarn--Gerschubie Fiber Arts, Cottage Sock in the Picot colorway
Needles--US 5, 3.75 mm

I love how this shawlette turned out.  It's my first attempt at a lace shawl and I wasn't sure if I would make it through, but here it is!  Most knitters know that blocking is nearly miraculous in it's ability to bring out the best in finished projects, especially lace, and this shawl proves it.

Pre-blocking:

Blocking:

Even Andy was impressed.  He's normally very polite when I show him my projects, but this time he "ooo-ed" and "ahhh-ed" quite a bit.  I wore it to church Sunday and he pointed it out to several people with a "Do you like Kay's shawl?  She made it."  Thanks, Sweetie!

Icy Water
by Muraka Mari
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore DK in colorways  515 and 256
Needles:  US size 4, 3.5 mm

I also finished a pair of mittens for my younger daughter.  It's a pretty colorwork pattern and should be very warm for Janie's small hands.  I haven't blocked them or taken a final picture.  If I can get them back from Janie, I'll take one. 

WIP's

I'm down to two current projects, finally!  The Ashton shawl and the mittens had both been hibernating since last fall and I'm glad to have them finished.  Now I can focus on the ones left on the needles and my spinning wheel. 

I'm still working on the Lawrence sweater, although it has taken a back seat this week.  I also started a pair of socks for me, in the same yarn as the ones I did for Janie.  We get to have matching socks!

My spinning has been slow but steady.  I started a pink/purple/white superwash braid a couple of months ago and just finished spinning the singles today.  I'm spinning it on my Louet Hatbox wheel, which is a very compact travel size wheel.  Now I need to set up to ply the yarn, hopefully into a three-ply.

Podcast Corner
One of the first podcasts I found was The Knitmore Girls.  This podcast is hosted by Jasmin and Gigi, a mother/daughter team.  They are charming and funny and I so enjoy hearing about their projects.  The podcast started in 2008 and has been going strong ever since.

Both Jasmin and Gigi are experienced knitters and I like knowing which projects they find challenging and which ones they can breeze through.  Their show segment "When Knitting Attacks" is a light-hearted look at the week's uncooperative knitting.  It's encouraging to know that even the best knitters sometimes make mistakes.

They also talk about spinning and sewing, as well as reviewing books and other fiber art supplies, like yarn and needles.  The Knitmores can be counted on to give their honest opinions and recommendations, both good and bad.

Check out the Knitmore Girls!