#1 takes to the Road

My longtime friend #1 got a motorcycle!
Although I can't see her face, I know there is a H U G E grin on her face.



#1 is a great lady. We've known each other almost 19 years. We've had lots of fun together. She was so excited when a friend connected her to a person trying to sell his motorcycle. The bike was perfect for her 5'4" frame. She took her brother to view the bike and got his approval. She made it happen.  Of course, she took a motorcycle class so she could get the appropriate license. It all happened quickly as good things often do for good people.

Safe Travels!

Mags, Bits and Frogging

Once again, knitting patterns for men are left off of the two most recent issues of Cast On and Interweave Knits. This is becoming a habit. I ranted about this before.

The Tit Bit can be found on Knitty.com. It's a really easy knit and a great way to help someone who needs a better option for a breast. I gave #1 the option of yarn color and texture. The best yarn for the pattern should be soft! I used Art Fibers. I knit two Tit Bits in one night. My special note: only use an i-cord for the nipple if you want a really prominent nipple. I fixed both of the ones I made.

Time for the Elbac to go away. The pattern doesn't hold any interest to me. It's be awhile since I last picked it up (almost 2 years ago). The only think I like about the project is the color of the yarn.

Update on #1's Medusa Hat

Thanks for sending my friend, #1, your thoughts, prayers and healing light. Her surgery went quite well and her recovery continues to be amazing. She's recovering nicely at her parent's house through this week.

I'm just about finished #1's hat. The Medusa Hat pattern is by Tracy Bonkers and is found in Handpaint Country. My experiences with this hat are blogged here.




I'll be finishing the hat with an inner skull hat attached to the Medusa Hat. It will be softer on her head and will keep the edge down.

Now, go hug someone you love. You never know when they might not be there to hug.
Go, right now.
Hug them.

Day Two of being sick

I've not been feeling well the last two days. I called in sick on Monday and left work early on tuesday. It started with stomach problems on Sunday and kicked in on Sunday night with the sniffles and the sick day high blood sugars. Today was the second full day of that adventure. I am not a good sick patient. In fact, leaving me alone to sleep is probably your best option. Just ask knitSB. I didn't go to my weekly KIP (knitting in public) tonight.

Our 17 year old cat Hunter died over night. She was a lovely cat and a great mouser. You probably knew that by her name, didn't you.

The shawl was well-received by my boss today. The colors are perfect for her. The special gloves were delivered and need a little snugging up in the cuff. I'm thinking some elastic should do the trick, don't you?

I was able to knit two repeats on #1's Medusa hat. That means I only have one more repeat before I start knitting the turning section. This is the fourth section that needs knitted. Once I join all the sections I have the extra long ends to bring to the front and knit into two-stitch I-cord. This will take some time. Two concerns that I have and am preparing for are: 1 the hat will be too big. My guage has been a challenge because I'm mixing 6 different yarns of different fibers, weights and companies. I'm pleased with how it is looking and am ready to knit an inner skull cap to help it fit better. 2. the little i-cords are to look like little snakes, as the name implies. I hope to be able to get them knitted so they look right without distracting from the overall design. I left extra tails to ensure I have enough yarn for them.

I will take pictures before I put it together. You need to see this :). I haven't been able to find a picture of thecompleted hat outside of the book. I don't believe that I could be the first person to knit the Medusa hat from Handpaint Country.

BTW: the EPS class that I was to teach at the LYS was canceled due to low registration.

Medusa Update

It's time for an update on the Medusa Hat that I'm knitting for #1. It's been much easier to knit the second of four parts to the hat. I find this true for most things that require you to make multiple pieces. The first is the longest because I'm learning the pattern. I expect the last one will be pretty quick to knit.



I do like the pattern, once I sat down and just tried the pattern. If I knit it again, I would knit it in the round so the "nop" bubbles show up better. I do like the bubbles for me but not the i-cords so much.

Notice the difference in the tails (or is that tales ;) n-cubed?) I hope that it will make enough difference on the 2 st i-cord.


Hi YarnaholicBeth (wavewavewave)

Medusa Hat

I completed and delivered the shawl for #1 and realize that she needs a hat. I recently shaved her head for her after her third round of chemo. It just made it easier for her to care for her hair. She laughs that her hair continues to grow during the chemo. She wasn't expecting that to happen. I wanted to make her a hat that has been in my queue for a number of years.

You can see my progress in my vlog post.



Handpaint Country is one of the books that KayInNewMexico suggested I look at as a new knitter.
I'm hoping to be finished with the first of four pieces Tuesday at knitting. Just three more to knit and lots and lots of small i-cords to knit. (Did you see all those ends!?)

I'll give you updates.

I really enjoy posting these video blogs. Are you enjoying the videoblogs?

Completed #1 Shawl!

The knitting has been completed! I'm very pleased with the knitting. I used Malabrigo Lace weight yarn and matched it with the pattern from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle.

This shawl is a "prayer shawl" for a good friend of mine that I affectionately refer to as #1. She just completed her 3rd round of chemotherapy. They expect that she'll have up to another 8 rounds before she's completed her first attack on the breast cancer. As I write this, the shawl is soaking before I block it. My hope is to deliver it friday.

She's asked me to bring over my clippers so I can shave her head to help with losing her hair.

Update on #1's Shawl

Shawl for #1

My summer knitting has changed focus to knitting a shawl for a good friend recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Her favorite color is purple! I have some Malabrigo Lace yarn in "Purple Mystery." She decided on the Stóra Dimun Shawl from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle. I want to complete a gauge swatch for this because I'm using a laceweight yarn instead of the sportweight called for in the pattern.

I feel that knitting this shawl for #1 and sharing this with you will create wonderful healing energy. My goal is that she'll be able to wear this during her chemo treatments and keep her warm and surrounded by love. I hope you'll be willing to share with me.

Expect a few more video posts for the progress.