The Flax lace washcloth turned out nice. I hope it will be as fine as one I use knit in Euroflax Linen. This is Fibranatura Flax a much less expensive yarn. The soap pictured is handmade by Catie. So, I am being double treated with a lacey handknit washcloth and luscious handmade soap!

We are heading into hurricane country tomorrow morning. Where we are staying Sunset Beach, NC is currently under mandatory evacuation!! This should be lifted before we get there tomorrow afternoon. Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hanna should become a problem for that area late tonight or very early in the morning. We were there in 2003 for Hurricane Isabel. It was a voluntary evacuation so we stayed. They have to do that because of the bridge access to the area. It has to be tied open when there are high winds. Once they do that there is no entering or leaving Sunset Beach! We really need this vacation and no one needs a hurricane!

She gets my vote!

A Sidetrack From Sweater Knitting

I really love the one linen lace washcloth I have so when I got some Flax for 50% off at Sereknity a local shop I started another. The pattern is Double Eyelet Rib pattern from the 365 Knitting Stitches a Year Calendar, June 14. The yarn is Fibranatura Flax. It sheds a bit but I hope that stops after washing. The pattern is working up very nice and it's in "PINK" aren't you surprised!

Yes, my Estes Vest and Twisted Rib Cardigan among other things are all coming along.

How about some knitting?

Leaf Lace Shawl by Fiber Trends, finished. Knit with Rowan Kid Classic, 4 skeins. I actually ran out of yarn at the bind off row. I used the crochet bind off which is rather tight so I lost the 'points' at the edge. I still love it and hope to wear it to my sons wedding!

Now on the needles is the Estes Vest in the current issue of Interweave Knits. There's a center large cable down the back and smaller rope cables on either side then the hexagon cables on either side of those. It's knit in Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky and is obviously knitting up quickly. The little bear is a part of a magnificent wooden flute carved by Jack at Appalachian Flutes . He is Robin's wonderful husband!






Also I am knitting on the Sundance Twist Rib Cardigan from the Classic Elite 'City Park' booklet. Sundance is a cotton/microfiber blend. Here's a photo, mine is chocolate brown. The vest and the cardigan had back measurements of 21 inches for the medium. That's way too big. I had several rows knit on both only to frog and start over to knit the small. Yes,, they are both brown but very different shades. I know I'm boring but turns out that when I bought the yarns it was the only color available in the amounts I needed. Plus I got the Lamb's Pride for $5 a skein! I wasn't going to pass that up. Check here MyPollyWogs and she's a wonderfully nice gal too!

We are on the Upswing!

My husbands skin graft took very well. He is now walking and even taking a shower. Ahhh, the little things we take for granted! The next step is possibly what they call 'compression garments' to prevent scaring. Not that he is worried at this point about that at all but burns can create a thickening type scar that can cause problems themselves. We've been blessed by so many friends and strangers praying and we truly believe that was the reason for his quick recovery. It didn't seem time was passing that quickly while in the midst of it but now able to look back it's obvious that this could have been a much lengthier healing time. Thank you Lord!

A miracle maybe?

We are home already! Larry had his skin graft yesterday. We left here Sunday eve. and stayed in a hotel because check-in time at the hospital was 6AM. That 5 day stay the doctors anticipated didn't hold up I guess! We do return on Friday and he is on bed rest with his leg elevated with bathroom privileges on crutches only.

The graft was on his right calf and a small one on the shin. His arms, hands, belly and left leg are now bandage free and he's peeling like crazy! The graft and donor site are still pretty painful but he's got medication for that. We are certainly thankful things are going well and pray for a good report on Friday.

The Lord is at work! He has heard lots of prayer on this man's behalf!!!

We head back to UVA Medical Center for a skin graft to his right leg tomorrow. Had thought we were on the mend and most places are but they discovered at the check-up on Wednesday that his leg was not healing. The hospital stay is actually longer than for the initial burn so we will hopefully return home in 5-7 days. Then back to normal. This kind of thing can make one appreciate 'routine' and even 'boring' when it comes to everyday life!
Without a doubt the prayers have gotten him through and will continue to do so.

Life Update

I know when I read a blog and then there's nothing for a while I do wonder. When I started this thing I wanted it to be all about yarn and knitting needles! It still will be but I won't be around for a few weeks. My husband was badly burned last Saturday 07-19 involving a huge smoker (the $3000 size smoker/grill). He was airlifted 2 hours away from our home to the University of Virginia Medical Center. Thankfully he does not have 3rd degree burns that require grafting. He is actually home now which is a far cry from the 10 days to 2 week stay they first proposed. His burns were on his face and neck, both arms from his biceps to his finger tips, his belly and thighs to ankles. He's obviously covered in bandages. Mobility is difficult and his legs are presenting with some swelling now that we hope to get under control. His face is looking really good now and we are thankful for each day that another area is healing.

That said we know of another mom in the knitter community that has a 10 year old son with extensive burns needing skin grafting all over his body! He was taken from our area in Virginia to the Shriner's Children's Hospital Burn Center in Ohio recently as well. When my husband is hurting he calls out "Austin's" name and prays for him. Please remember him in your prayers too. GOD is GOOD!!

It's all 'ruby bright'! The second Leaf Lace Shawl by Fiber Trends just because I have the pattern and I have the yarn. 4 skeins of Rowan Kid Classic on a size 9 needle. It's knitting up fast and pretty! (and I dislike mohair!) I might wear this to my sons wedding in September.

Cookie A's 'Twisted Flower Socks' in Louet Gems fingering. A beautiful pattern as are all of her socks, tedious but not difficult. Should I wear the socks to the wedding too? Shall I take a vote?

Then there's my new knitting spot. My rocker from Cracker Barrel Restaurant. Don't you buy your furniture at restaurants?

Friends

My Siamese, Rosie always walks along with Nellie our Greyhound. An unusual pair! My dog was labeled 'cat friendly' so we were able to take her. Although if she sees a cat that doesn't live with her in her house, "Be afraid, very afraid" and I'd hope they can run fast!

Lutea Lace Shoulder Shell from Interweave Knits Summer 2007. Sounds like a European girls name so I'll say that 'she' is finished. Terrible picture, it's late and no sunlight to help. It's 2nd Time Cotton from Knit One, Crochet Too. I like the denim look.

Off to see what's next! I think it will be something in cotton. The 3=Button Wrap mentioned below with about 12 inches already knit is getting canned! I don't like it.

Sunday's Song

I will bless the Lord forever

I will trust Him at all times

He has delivered me from all fear

He set my feet upon a rock

I will not be moved

And I'll say of the Lord

You are my shield

My strength

My portion

Deliverer

My shelter

Strong tower

My very present help in time of need

Whom have I in heaven but You

There's none I desire besides You

You have made me glad

And I'll say of the Lord

by Hillsong United

Alright, Already!!

A certain SOMEONE was bugging me to post this future project of mine. I got the yarn recently at Knitters Knook. Her fabulous 40% off sale! When I'll start I'm not real sure. I just counted the things I want to knit that I do have the yarn for and it was 5. A low number in comparison to some of you crazed knitters! It's a Mission Falls pattern from this book pictured. It's a neat book too. One cover is the 'Hers' and flip it over and the 'His'. The colors in the pattern picture weren't available so I chose these. The body will be the red. As you may remember I am trying to change from my typical autumn choices. I did have the dark green as the body choice but the same certain someone reminded me that I'd knit a dark green sweater already. I'm loving the red!

It's a done deal! I like it but the process was not enjoyable. Problems with the pattern and yarn. It fits OK, not as loose as thought it would be. No buttons, didn't want any. Could be that I forgot to knit in the button holes and wasn't going to take it out at that point! It's a nice color and I'll wear it often.

The sweater mentioned in the post below is currently being put together. That's a pain and I can only endure it in portions! So, why not start something new? So, yesterday I start not one but two new knits. This one is the 'Lutea' summer top with lacy shoulders from Interweave Knits Summer 2007 issue. The yarn is Knit One, Crochet Too's, 2nd Time Cotton. I am not crazy about the rolled waist but not going to start over either. This is the second attempt at a tank style top. The first one at just a few inches I could tell that it was going to be way to big. Then thanks to Ravelry I found this pattern knit in the yarn I had on hand AND I had the magazine issue too!

It's Happening!

I'm approaching the finish line with my Traveling Cables Cardigan. Sleeves are almost complete.

Now I need to go make a list of what I have to start next and decide which one that will be. Maybe another fast cotton tank. I've got 'Knit One-Crochet Too' 2nd Time Cotton in the color "Glacier" for that. Just a simple tank and I'll do it in the round.

Something finished, to complete and to begin.....

I wore it last night to our local Stitch & Pitch at the Salem Avalanche game. A fun time with crazy knitters gathered in the stands.

The yarn for the tank is Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed and the pattern was an old Sirdar leaflet # 5872. See the May 19th post for a picture of the original. The yarn was great to knit and I'd definitely use it again.

A beauty from my yard.

Today Knitters Knook a local yarn shop had a wonderful sale. I went with a list. Got one thing on it, Green Mountain Spinnery's Sylvan Spirit a merino/tencel yarn for one of their vest patterns. Then, unplanned I put together several skeins of Louet Riverstone for a Mission Falls cardigan that is Fair Isle on the sleeves with a solid body! So when I got home I started back knitting my Karabella cardigan so I can get it finished to start something new! The body is sewn together and I am half up a sleeve!

Tasha Tudor 1915-2008, a Legacy

Tasha Tudor passed away yesterday, very sad for her admirers although she certainly lived a full life. Her accomplishments are astounding. She was an independent hard worker striving for the simplicities in life and determined to live them. She never wavered and allowed worldly influence to crash in on her simple ways. Hardly simple I should say because she lived with meager means by choice. Family, books (as an author and illustrator), gardening and handwork were her joy. Surely everyone has a Tasha Tudor book in their home! Her hands were always busy with chores or relaxing to handwork with thread, fiber and fabric. Her popular and of course simple Truly Tasha Shawl is here.

I missed out of the local gathering for WWKIP World, Wide Knit in Public Day. They met at a beautiful Duck Pond and had a grand time knitting and spinning. Me, I had no good reason not to go, just didn't BUT I knit. I made great progress on my Karabella Traveling Cables Cardigan, got the collar knit and sewed and the shoulder seams and casted on for the sleeves. It's a rich burgundy unlike the photos. All that after almost giving up and turning it into a vest! I had forgotten to knit in the button holes and wasn't about to take it all out! I have some ideas for the front plackets anyway. Also directions for the collar just did not make sense to me nor to the gal at the knit shop so I did it my way (it turned out fine). My local knit shop encouraged me to press on! Their great gals!

I'm happy with it again and hope the sleeves go fast and I can wear it come the first chilly day in the Fall.

Simple to do and healthy for you!

During the summer months I usually have a jar of sprouts growing in the kitchen. It's simple. I found the 'Sprout Jar' at my local health food co-op but any jar will do. I bought a bag of

Zesty Sprouting Mix by 'NOW FOODS'. You only use 2-3 tablespoons seeds at a time so the bag will last and last. My salad is spring mix, cherry tomatoes, red onion, banana peppers (you put those in everything, right?), left over tuna and some feta cheese. I used some olive oil and a bit of juice from the banana pepper jar for dressing.