Thursday, October 25, 2012

IHSW Recap

Hmmm...late again. But I know you guys forgive me! I am still backlogged with all the things I threw aside for the last few months but I'm happy to say, I've been stitching a lot more. Eh, the closets can stay messier for a few more days...right?

I did not have as much stitching time as I thought last weekend though. The closer I get to the weekend, the more plans were made and next thing I know, I'm was in full blown social mode.

However, last week, I started a knitting class for the Trixie Cowl. I had seen the model at my local knitting shop stitched up in Smooshy sock yarn. Let's just say I'm the only one in the class psychotic adventurous enough to do the same which means I have been knitting my little heart out trying to keep up with the class. Holy cow! So.much.knitting! And I am still on the first phase! But it's coming along. I can't wait to get to the stockinette part so that I can see the stripey effect this variegated yarn will achieve.
Right now, I am working on the lace section and it requires more attention. I even created a little spreadsheet to help me keep track of the rows in the pattern which not only makes me the overachiever...but the nerd in the class. So far, I have 21 out of 30 inches stitched...almost there. Then it's onto the stockinette.

Since I was distracted with the knitting, I didn't stitch as much. I managed to finish the "M" pumpkin and start on the "U". Perhaps this weekend will show some more progress when I take a break from knitting.
The one dangerous thing about taking a class at a knitting shop is that I see models of things I want to knit and buy fabulous yarn that I have no idea what to use for. As much as I enjoy knitting, I still don't feel very adept at it. I'm no good at fixing my mistakes and my hands also get crampy after a short while. Does anyone else have that problem?

I have been trying to be kind to myself and allow the time to just relax and putt around my apartment. Now that the weather is cooling down and the nights are getting longer, my urge to hermit is great. This can be dangerous because I can then hermit indefinitely (outside of work; rent still needs to be paid somehow) so I am being conscious to be social. I spend one day/night a week with the beau (do I still call him that?) and so last night we went to dinner and I tagged along to his chorus practice. I really enjoyed this because while he practiced, I knit and got free entertainment out of the whole deal. Nice! The men in the chorus are very friendly and I chitchatted with a wife that always goes to the practice to catch up on her magazine reading or work on her own needlework.

This weekend is shaping up to be a quiet one and I am hoping it stays that way. There is so much home stuff I want to do. Crockpot cooking, start on big closet re-org, farmers market, knit/stitch and go to the gym. I have the feeling I will be distracted by the World Series. Go Giants! I hope they continue to play well.

I just realized I forgot to take a photo of my TUSAL jar. I'll try to remember for the next post.

I hope everyone is having a good week!

Until next time...

17 comments:

Barb said...

I hope you do have a great week-end! Love that little pumpkin project!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Knitting can be quite hard on the hands and wrists. I do several things to help. One of the biggest factors is the knitting needles you are using. If you're not doing it already then try using circular needles instead of straight needles. You can just knit backwards and forwards on them as if they were straight needles. The next thing is what they are made of. I find that Addi turbo needles are the smoothest of all and your work just glides across them. It's amazing how both these factors help - I know as I get very sore hands/wrists with the wrong type of needles. The circular needles help tremendously to take the pressure off your wrists as the weight of what you are working on is in not pulling down on your wrists and arms. I hope this helps Valerie.

Giovanna said...

Very nice knitting and stitching - that cowl looks gorgeous. I hope you have a very relaxing weekend.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Why don't I remember that you knit?! Loving the cowl! Smooshy is a great yarn to work with.

Carol said...

Ooh--pretty!! I love the green yarn that you're using, Valerie--it looks so soft and cozy. Glad you're enjoying your extra "free" time and getting in some stitching, too. Pumpkins is looking great--love the white one. And it's nice to hear you're still in contact with "the guy" and enjoying his company now and then.

Enjoy your weekend--I'll be rooting for your Giants for you!

Deb said...

I hope that you can keep the weekend a quiet one and do all the things that you want to do. Sometimes it's just nice to stay in, but then again it's great to get out too. And I'm not liking the Giants at this point - they're killing our Tigers!! :o)

Margaret said...

Nice knitting project! I keep dreaming about taking a class somewhere, but I never take action. One of these days. Love your Pumpkin WIP too -- it's so pretty! Hope you get to do all the home-y things you want to do this weekend. Glad you had fun hanging out at the chorus practice with the guy (the beau?). I used to be in a chorus -- I don't think my voice can handle it anymore. Too rusty.

cucki said...

beautiful knitting and stitching..
hugs cucki xx

Christina said...

Oh Valerie, I wish you lived a wee bit closer and you could teach me how to knit. I'd love to sit and knit/stitch with you, although I fear we wouldn't get much done! :0) buying wool is as addictive as buying cross stitch charts. My mum knitted a couple of blankets for me to give to friends who were expecting and I was like a woman possessed trying to choose the wool! Lol.

Anonymous said...

Pumpkins are so sweet. I love the little white one.

Have a wonderfully relaxing weekend.

:-)

Anonymous said...

Your knitting looks great. I like the color.

The pumpkins are coming along nicely for this time of year.

Go Giants!

Have a great weekend.

Anne said...

Oh wow! You've taken up knitting! I've knitted before but could never follow a pattern!! Plus I always loose a stitch somewhere. Lovely colour you chose for your cowl. It'll look great for the cold season. I'm all about the hermitting too now that the rain has come and it's so chilly out!! Cute pumpkin design! Really love it!

Julie said...

The knitting looks wonderful, such a nice looking yarn, how lovely you are meeting like minded people and learning.

Have a lovely weekend!

Dani - tkdchick said...

That is a beautiful green for your cowl. A little progress on your pumpkins is better than none right?

Sally said...

Beautiful cowl. Love the colour you're using.

Nice progress on Pumpkin.

Melanie said...

Looking good!!!! You got a lot done on it and the color is so pretty.
My hands don't usually get crampy when knitting unless I knit for hours without stopping. (And I don't usually have the attention span for that to be honest.) I hold the yarn in my right hand so my 'problem' hand, the left, has less to do, which I'm sure helps.

I'm already feeling hermity too because of the shorter (darker) days. Trying to keep up with an hour on the treadmill every day to help combat that. (Which sounds like a lot but it really isn't when you've been hermiting aka SITTING all day. I should do TWO hours on those days to make up for it!)

Hope you had a nice weekend!

Catherine said...

Love your projects! And sounds like you are keeping your options open with the guy....