Trucking along

 So, we are waiting for the biopsy to happen. We could be waiting for up to a week, which is not easy; but there is nothing we can do about that. Husband is showing signs of stress, although he may not admit that he is worried. He has the classic signs and symptoms of someone under stress. I am so trying not to show my own worries, and to support him while we play the waiting game. 

Knitting helps. I am continuing to work on the blanket. Only have three more panels, then can crochet it on to the back of the other blanket. It is going to be really warm, and I think it will also add some weight. I am only using 4-ply wool, but having said that, it is really warm wool. Most of it is merino, which is so nice to work with. Some of it has alpaca in it as well. It's mostly what I have acquired in my stash from doing Iona, and other items. Blankets are actually quite addictive to knit. Well, for me they are, as I am already planning on doing a ten-stitch blanket. I have cast on one so many times, maybe it is time to actually cast on, and complete one. But, first, I really need to get a few things off the needles. I know, I've been saying that for months now, and I am trying not to have too many going at once. But then, how many is too many?

Not a happy post

 I need to write this here, because I really can't say it out loud to my husband. I am feeling scared, which under the circumstances is understandable. My husband went to the hospital yesterday with severe stomach pains that he thought was an ulcer. Turns out it is severe acid reflux. But, while there, they did  scan to check there wasn't something wrong with his stomach. The scan showed two growths in his kidneys. He had a second scan and it confirmed the growth, and they think it might be cancer. He is to go for a biopsy, we don't know when yet, and we see what path to take from those results. I am trying so very hard to keep it together, but inside I am falling apart. I cried in the shower this morning, because I knew it would be better there than anywhere else. I need to support my husband, and falling apart is not going to help.

Progress on blanket

 So, here is a picture of the latest square I have completed on the blanket. The yellow, and the green are what I call accent colours. The green will be used just as the yellow has been. It shows ow a colour looks when it is paired with something different. Because each panel is nine squares long, the fifth square is the middle one, and I feel it is good to use both accent colours together, so break when I start the next four squares. 

Picture, as I said I would

 Here is a picture of the blanket I am currently working on. Can't say I am really working on a pattern any more. Really just going with what I feel like doing. I am enjoying the journey of trying different colour combinations, and how they look together, and how having them in different order can change how they look. I actually enjoying working with colour like this. 

Another blanket

Yes, I am knitting another blanket. Call me crazy, but I decided that the log cabin blanket I made earlier needed backing. To do that, I have decided that I will knit another blanket, very loosely based on the log cabin, and crochet the two together. This will make it reversible, and quite warm. I got the idea of backing the original blanket from a video I had seen. I know it would be easier to just buy a blanket and sew the two together, but I don't have a sewing machine, and I so much prefer to knit something. This blanket I am currently working on is just a fun project, so I am playing with different combinations of colours. I would not call it a log cabin, but I suppose it follows those design aspects of a log cabin. I will post a picture when I have knitted  a couple of more panels, and you can be the judge.

No single sock syndrome here

I am so glad to actually get this pair of socks finished. This is a real easy pattern, called tubular spiral socks Can see me doing this pattern again, as it is such an easy pattern to make. I usually suffer from single sock syndrome, but not this time. it has been a while since I last made any socks, and I came across this pattern in my pattern stash, so decided I really should make them. This might even put me into a sock making mode, lets hope it doesn't mean I have only one sock done, though.

 

Mystery pack of wool

 I had a delivery earlier in the week of wool that I actually don't even remember ordering!!!!!  It is 5 ply wool, but the only project I have for that ply is already on the needles. I do remember ordering the wool for this particular project, but twice?!?!? When I haven't even done it once, so don't actually know how it will work up??? So, until another project comes along that used 5ply, it will have to go in to my stash. Or I can just leave it here in the lounge to remind me it is there - like I'm gonna forget that?!?!

Ib the project that I unpicked because of problems, it is back on the needles, but I am not working on it as much as I did the first time. I really do want to finish it, as I like the vest, and I bought the wool for that particular project. So, it will sulk for a little while, and I will work on it, and I will complete it. Let's hope I really do like the blasted thing once it is finished!!!! 

Sleeveless vests seem to be my thing at the moment. I have another two going for my husband. One is a little boring, but I will continue with it, as it will look good once it is finished. Hope he isn't in any hurry for it, though. Anyway, he already has one that I recently finished for him, so he should be happy for a little while yet.

Now I am depressed

 I have been working on the Lakemoor Vest. Really had been enjoying the pattern, done in two colours. Got the back completed without any problems, started the left front, and hit problems. I did the first part easily enough, but for some reason, I just didn't get the shaping right. Thought I would press on, because it should still work out. After all, I had followed the instructions. I did the right front, again following the instructions. But. . . when it came to doing the side section that is when trouble really hit. The pattern does not tell you whether to start on a wrong, or right side, and no matter how I tried to work it, things just were not coming out right. I could not get the right side to be the right side of the work. I tried on both fronts, and it just would not work out. So, it has come off the needles, and I am sulking. It looks so nice, and I bought the wool especially for this pattern, too. I think I am going to need to pick someones brain to help with this problem. because I really do want to do this vest. But, it is going to sit in the naughty corner until I am ready to face it again, and will hope that it will behave second time around. 

Shingles vaccine

 Got my free shingles vaccine today. It's the first of two shots. Still need to get Tetanus shot, Whooping cough and measles. Arm may be just a little sore after all this, but I would rather be safe. I have had whooping cough as an adult, and really would rather not get it again. I don't remember ever having measles as a child, but I do remember getting the chicken pox. For some reason I blamed the storm that the Wahine went down. In my child's mind, they were linked, as I remember that storm very clearly. Funny how as children, we can link events with something that happened to us. My two sisters and I got the chicken pox at the same time, I remember the three of us having to stay in the bedroom, and it was sunny; so we really wanted to be outside playing. 

You can tell winter has finally arrived - for this week anyway - it is a cold, dreary day here. I declare it an inside day. Even the washing won't get dry if I hang it up outside, so will be putting it through the dryer. Thank goodness we have the dryer, I think I would be truly lost without it, especially on days like today. At least I have a good excuse to carry on with my knitting, and reading. Not that I need much of an excuse for doing either of those things.

I finished something!!!

 I really enjoyed knitting this vest for my husband. He helped pick out the colours, and although you wouldn't know it - looking at the picture - he is actually happy with it. Weaving in all those ends after sewing it together was a pain, but I got it all done and dusted. I know it still needs blocking, but if he wants to wear it, I am not going to stop him. It is supposed to be loose fitting, as it allows something thicker to be worn with it. It is called Cappucino Vest, designed by Janette Mana. You know the best thing about it? I used yarn from my stash, and some a friend had given me - before it disappeared into my stash. How good is that?!?

As you can see, the back is slightly different than the front. I changed the order of the colours only a little bit, and took out a couple that weren't really working. Most of the wool I used is Ashford Tekapo, which I really like using.

I LOVE Fantails

 We had three fantails flying around the front door this morning. We have had two for a while, and I had thought we might have another one. It is so nice to see them fluttering around, and they are just so cute. When I whistle at them, I swear they whistle back!! Fantails are a good reason not to get rid of all the insects we have around  the house, because I know they are looking for them. 

On the knitting front. I started a vest for my husband, but had to unpick it - after I had gotten all the way to the shoulder shaping - because the bottom of the vest was bugging me. It kept curling, and I was ot happy with it. So, I unpicked the whole thing - or my husband did for me as I was at work - take note that this is a pattern done in strips of 6 rows of a colour, one row to break it, then another 6 rows of another colour. I had used 12 colours in all, so it meant a lot of colours for my husband to handle. Anyway, I started it a second time, still was not happy with the bottom, and have started it a third time - don't they say third time lucky? It seems to have worked for me at least, as now the bottom is no longer curling.  I just have to remember what I I did when I do the back of the vest - don't really want to have to unpick it all over again.