I'm completely putting down the needles for a few days to see if my aching wrist gets better with some icing and stretching. I'm seriously ill about this too, but last night my poor hand felt very stiff, like a set of guitar strings pulled too tightly. It was even difficult for me to make dinner. I need to listen to my body and let it mend itself. I'll be making a doctor's appointment if these home remedies don't help.
The vacation projects are officially on hold right now. I'm hoping that I'll be OK to do the Ravelympic projects, even if I have to change them to some even more simple patterns.
Oh well, it's less than two weeks before I hit the beaches in Cancun where I'll have complete rest from typing. But right now, I'm totally disappointed.
Ouch!
My wrist hurts and it's bumming me out.
I'm not shocked since my job has included lots of typing and data entry for the past 20 years. There are times when my wrist gets sore then heals on its own, no biggie. But due to some less-than-ergonomic knitting sessions last week, no breaks and holding my needles with a death grip, all of this activity has produced a dull ache in my right wrist which has completely dampened the fun in my crafting sessions. I'm not at all happy about this turn of events at all.
I'm trying to rectify this situation by exercising my hands, icing, making sure I'm sitting correctly, knitting with as little motion as possible, wearing crafting gloves and although my discomfort isn't getting worse, it isn't getting better either. I guess there's only one solution...taking a break. I have three small projects for the Ravelympics and two to complete before I go on vacation then I guess I'll have to slow down or stop...even if it's for a few weeks.
I don't want to slow down! I've got my knitting mojo back, I've reorganized my Ravelry queue for goodness sake! I have projects lined up with reasonable timeframes to complete them. I'm feeling confident that I can complete 2010 goal of pushing my skills. Sigh...
Hopefully a break will allow me to heal completely. I have two other things I'm going to try on my own, a nightly ice dip and a little weight strengthening (very, very, light weights). If I'm still hurtin' then I'll have to see a doctor. Now that would be a major bummer.
I'm not shocked since my job has included lots of typing and data entry for the past 20 years. There are times when my wrist gets sore then heals on its own, no biggie. But due to some less-than-ergonomic knitting sessions last week, no breaks and holding my needles with a death grip, all of this activity has produced a dull ache in my right wrist which has completely dampened the fun in my crafting sessions. I'm not at all happy about this turn of events at all.
I'm trying to rectify this situation by exercising my hands, icing, making sure I'm sitting correctly, knitting with as little motion as possible, wearing crafting gloves and although my discomfort isn't getting worse, it isn't getting better either. I guess there's only one solution...taking a break. I have three small projects for the Ravelympics and two to complete before I go on vacation then I guess I'll have to slow down or stop...even if it's for a few weeks.
I don't want to slow down! I've got my knitting mojo back, I've reorganized my Ravelry queue for goodness sake! I have projects lined up with reasonable timeframes to complete them. I'm feeling confident that I can complete 2010 goal of pushing my skills. Sigh...
Hopefully a break will allow me to heal completely. I have two other things I'm going to try on my own, a nightly ice dip and a little weight strengthening (very, very, light weights). If I'm still hurtin' then I'll have to see a doctor. Now that would be a major bummer.
My interview with the Knit Dangerously Blog
In a previous entry I mentioned joining a great Ravelry group called A Year of Knitting Dangerously. Its purpose to encourage timid knitters to put on their "big girl pants" and face those challenging projects which according to the description "there's no crying in knitting"! Thanks to my bestest cyber-buddy, Tilandra, I have the super-sweet 2010 Vogue Knitting calendar in which I've organized and detailed the knitting adventures that I will embark this year...yay!
I was interviewed by one of the mods from the YKD group, AmyGlassNeedle. Check it out and "meet" me. :)
http://knitdangerously.blogspot.com/2010/01/dangerous-knitter-interview-meet.html
P.S. Her blog is very cool, btw. :)
I was interviewed by one of the mods from the YKD group, AmyGlassNeedle. Check it out and "meet" me. :)
http://knitdangerously.blogspot.com/2010/01/dangerous-knitter-interview-meet.html
P.S. Her blog is very cool, btw. :)
Knitted Gifts: Setting the Record Straight
The following is the longest post ever. Usually I try to keep it short, so as to not indulgently ramble on, but I had to get my soapbox out and to get this off my chest. Hopefully if you’re a knitter you’ll take the time to read and leave a comment with your own opinions on the matter.
I love knitting for others. Since I learned to knit about two years ago, only a few of my completed projects have been for me and those I’ve presented with knitted gifts have been more than gracious and stoked about their presents. My daughter wore out the first pair of socks I made and has demanded more. She’s been known to sleep in the first hat I knit for nights on end and when she sees me casting on something new, she always asks, “What are you knitting? Can I have it?” (She is 11 though and I’m sure there will come a time when a hand knitted garment from Mom will be the…worst…thing…ever.)
My best friend, Ericka, has also enjoyed her hand knit gifts. There’s one hat that just didn’t come out how I liked it, I felt it looked obviously handmade, but she chastised me one day when I teased that she only said she liked it to be nice. “Excuse me? You don’t tell me if I like something or not!” This past weekend she made my evening recounting the numerous compliments she’s received on that rolled brim hat and basket weave scarf knit out of the same yarn. Someone even asked if I sell my wares. I grinned from ear-to-ear.
Then there’s my brother and mother. Both have requested specific items (hats, gloves, and a shawl for Mom) and have lovingly worn these items that I made them with pride.
So why do I need to set the record straight? There are others, beloved friends, teachers at my daughter’s school, even virtual strangers who don’t “get it”.
I'm not there yet...
I pretty much know my own knitting skills. I don’t mind a challenge, but I’ve had requests for projects that I know are way out of my league and will be for some time. I’m not ready for a sweater with six different types of cables (or any sweater for that matter) and when I am, it’s going to be that famous Central Park Hoodie…for myself. All others will have to wait in line for something that complex.
Time is a most valuable thing…
I work full time, am a mother full time, a part time housekeeper and cook. There are errands to run, shopping to be done and groceries to purchase. I love staying at home and relaxing, there’s reading, playing on my DS, television to be watched but I’m not a hermit…yet. I’m still like to catch a movie, go out to dinner, and get some fresh air. Knitting is on the top of my list as a great stress reliever but as much as I’d love to, unfortunately I don’t have endless hours to play with my yarn. Did I mention that I’m a rather slow knitter with quite a few projects in my queue? I might not get to your request for quite some time (try next year).
It’s the thought that counts…right?
I think this is what burns me the most. I have several friends with very discriminating tastes. Basically, they’re picky. I’m not mad, there’s nothing wrong with that. I have a few things I’m picky about as well, purses for one. However, if I have an inkling that someone might not enjoy what I knit for them, that it might get thrown in the back of their closet, that the item might never be worn, said person is not getting a knitted item for me…period. For one, see the above paragraph, my time is valuable. Plus, at the minimum a very basic hat is going to take a few hours to knit and if there’s any complexity to the pattern at all, sometimes many more. I don’t knit to sell my items and I usually don’t even request that a person purchase the yarn. But trust me, I’m not desperately combing the streets, “Please, I need to knit you something and I hope you’ll wear it at least once!” I don’t require the spoilee to think my gift is the next best thing since sliced bread, just a give a showing or two, wear it once or twice (even if it's in the privacy of your home. I won't know the difference) and show a bit of gratitude.
This is especially true after a recent incident. One of my neighbors was going through chemo treatments and lost her hair. I thought I’d whip up a really soft, cotton chemo cap in a lovely shade of lavender. It turned out really large so I worked out a braided cord to make a drawstring so she could make it fit and in the end I thought it was very pretty (pat on the back). When I presented her the gift bag (in a matching color no less), she kind of looked at it blandly, thanked me and said, “Oh, you made this for me because you heard I’d lost my hair, huh?” She even hinted that the hat might not look right without hair on her head (which totally defeats the purpose of a chemo cap, btw). My feelings were hurt. It was as if I’d been snooping about, when her illness was common knowledge. Granted, she’s older and I’m sure she wasn’t feeling her best, plus it’s normal for her to be difficult at times. Still, I really thought she’d appreciate wearing something pretty to her therapy sessions instead of a bland hat. Oh well.
Edited to add: My neighbor did wear her chemo cap and she looked lovely in it. I should have given her a break for two reasons (kind of mentioned above, but obviously I wasn't feeling it then). First and foremost, she was sick! Second, as my mother reminded me, she is always sourfaced even when she wasn't sick. So I'm glad to add, that she's recovered very well and continues to be her grumpy self. I don't know if she loved the hat, she could have hated it, but she wore it once and that's all the gratitude I need.
Don’t talk to strangers...
Again, see the above. If I’m not close to the person (unless it’s charity knitting), if it’s a friend of a friend of a friend, a co-worker that only converses with me in passing, they aren’t getting my knitted items. Like I said, I’m not even accepting offers of being paid right now (maybe one day). How do you calculate the time spent on a project? What would one charge? Sometimes I’ll see a hand knit piece and incredulously turn my nose up at the price, but I get why, I really do.
It’s just….I can choose my own yarn, in my favorite color, and make it myself. ;)
Rant over. Soapbox put away in storage.
I love knitting for others. Since I learned to knit about two years ago, only a few of my completed projects have been for me and those I’ve presented with knitted gifts have been more than gracious and stoked about their presents. My daughter wore out the first pair of socks I made and has demanded more. She’s been known to sleep in the first hat I knit for nights on end and when she sees me casting on something new, she always asks, “What are you knitting? Can I have it?” (She is 11 though and I’m sure there will come a time when a hand knitted garment from Mom will be the…worst…thing…ever.)
My best friend, Ericka, has also enjoyed her hand knit gifts. There’s one hat that just didn’t come out how I liked it, I felt it looked obviously handmade, but she chastised me one day when I teased that she only said she liked it to be nice. “Excuse me? You don’t tell me if I like something or not!” This past weekend she made my evening recounting the numerous compliments she’s received on that rolled brim hat and basket weave scarf knit out of the same yarn. Someone even asked if I sell my wares. I grinned from ear-to-ear.
Then there’s my brother and mother. Both have requested specific items (hats, gloves, and a shawl for Mom) and have lovingly worn these items that I made them with pride.
So why do I need to set the record straight? There are others, beloved friends, teachers at my daughter’s school, even virtual strangers who don’t “get it”.
I'm not there yet...
I pretty much know my own knitting skills. I don’t mind a challenge, but I’ve had requests for projects that I know are way out of my league and will be for some time. I’m not ready for a sweater with six different types of cables (or any sweater for that matter) and when I am, it’s going to be that famous Central Park Hoodie…for myself. All others will have to wait in line for something that complex.
Time is a most valuable thing…
I work full time, am a mother full time, a part time housekeeper and cook. There are errands to run, shopping to be done and groceries to purchase. I love staying at home and relaxing, there’s reading, playing on my DS, television to be watched but I’m not a hermit…yet. I’m still like to catch a movie, go out to dinner, and get some fresh air. Knitting is on the top of my list as a great stress reliever but as much as I’d love to, unfortunately I don’t have endless hours to play with my yarn. Did I mention that I’m a rather slow knitter with quite a few projects in my queue? I might not get to your request for quite some time (try next year).
It’s the thought that counts…right?
I think this is what burns me the most. I have several friends with very discriminating tastes. Basically, they’re picky. I’m not mad, there’s nothing wrong with that. I have a few things I’m picky about as well, purses for one. However, if I have an inkling that someone might not enjoy what I knit for them, that it might get thrown in the back of their closet, that the item might never be worn, said person is not getting a knitted item for me…period. For one, see the above paragraph, my time is valuable. Plus, at the minimum a very basic hat is going to take a few hours to knit and if there’s any complexity to the pattern at all, sometimes many more. I don’t knit to sell my items and I usually don’t even request that a person purchase the yarn. But trust me, I’m not desperately combing the streets, “Please, I need to knit you something and I hope you’ll wear it at least once!” I don’t require the spoilee to think my gift is the next best thing since sliced bread, just a give a showing or two, wear it once or twice (even if it's in the privacy of your home. I won't know the difference) and show a bit of gratitude.
This is especially true after a recent incident. One of my neighbors was going through chemo treatments and lost her hair. I thought I’d whip up a really soft, cotton chemo cap in a lovely shade of lavender. It turned out really large so I worked out a braided cord to make a drawstring so she could make it fit and in the end I thought it was very pretty (pat on the back). When I presented her the gift bag (in a matching color no less), she kind of looked at it blandly, thanked me and said, “Oh, you made this for me because you heard I’d lost my hair, huh?” She even hinted that the hat might not look right without hair on her head (which totally defeats the purpose of a chemo cap, btw). My feelings were hurt. It was as if I’d been snooping about, when her illness was common knowledge. Granted, she’s older and I’m sure she wasn’t feeling her best, plus it’s normal for her to be difficult at times. Still, I really thought she’d appreciate wearing something pretty to her therapy sessions instead of a bland hat. Oh well.
Edited to add: My neighbor did wear her chemo cap and she looked lovely in it. I should have given her a break for two reasons (kind of mentioned above, but obviously I wasn't feeling it then). First and foremost, she was sick! Second, as my mother reminded me, she is always sourfaced even when she wasn't sick. So I'm glad to add, that she's recovered very well and continues to be her grumpy self. I don't know if she loved the hat, she could have hated it, but she wore it once and that's all the gratitude I need.
Don’t talk to strangers...
Again, see the above. If I’m not close to the person (unless it’s charity knitting), if it’s a friend of a friend of a friend, a co-worker that only converses with me in passing, they aren’t getting my knitted items. Like I said, I’m not even accepting offers of being paid right now (maybe one day). How do you calculate the time spent on a project? What would one charge? Sometimes I’ll see a hand knit piece and incredulously turn my nose up at the price, but I get why, I really do.
It’s just….I can choose my own yarn, in my favorite color, and make it myself. ;)
Rant over. Soapbox put away in storage.
Hey! It's 2010!
I just realized that I haven't posted this year. It's 2010 which is great, but shouldn't we have hoverboards by now? What's up with that?!
Not too much has been going on in my world except the daily grind that was the same in 2009. I'm currently working on a couple of projects to take with me on vacation (which is exactly 1 month and 1 day according to the ticker today). One of the projects is in line with my fearless knitting goal for this year and so far I'm totally in love with it.
However, on the frustrating part of knitting let me say I curse the pattern that's Odessa. Yes, see that little hat over to the right in the WIP section? Deceptively simple looking, no? For some reason it's been getting the best of me, but I'm going to tame that beastie, perhaps cast it on for the tenth time soon (literally). I shall prevail as a few beads and yarnover stitches will not defeat my more than adequate knitting skills for a pattern of that level.
Hmm, I can't think of anything else worthwhile to post right now, so I'll get back to work.
Not too much has been going on in my world except the daily grind that was the same in 2009. I'm currently working on a couple of projects to take with me on vacation (which is exactly 1 month and 1 day according to the ticker today). One of the projects is in line with my fearless knitting goal for this year and so far I'm totally in love with it.
However, on the frustrating part of knitting let me say I curse the pattern that's Odessa. Yes, see that little hat over to the right in the WIP section? Deceptively simple looking, no? For some reason it's been getting the best of me, but I'm going to tame that beastie, perhaps cast it on for the tenth time soon (literally). I shall prevail as a few beads and yarnover stitches will not defeat my more than adequate knitting skills for a pattern of that level.
Hmm, I can't think of anything else worthwhile to post right now, so I'll get back to work.
Craft Night
I've almost given up on trying to infect my friends with the knitting bug. It's cool. Hobbies can be intensive so it really has to be a personal decision whether to invest the time and money into a new one. Still, I don't really have anyone to knit with. I could head up to my LYS, but I thought it would be nice to have some close buddies to enjoy some designated knitting time with.
So I've settled for the next best thing....Craft Night.
Two of my good friends, Ericka and Perrin agreed to get together once a month to work on any craft of our choosing, rotating between our cribs. We had our second Craft Night this Saturday at Eri's house and it was a blast!
Ericka cooked a delicious dinner of Chicken Florentine Ring (a Pampered Chef recipe), tossed salad and a white wine sangria. I know, friends don't let friend knit (or craft) while drinking, but who can resist sangria? Really? For dessert we had a divine cinnamon streusel cake with ice cream and apricot preserves. To...die...for. Then before I went home Eri made me hot chocolate with Irish creme! I ate/drank like there was no tomorrow, seconds, thirds, I lost count.
Oh yeah, we crafted as well.
I worked on the second mitten for my brother, who's been waiting on his hat/mitten set since before it was actually cold (hopefully he'll get it before it gets warm again). Then I cast on for the Odessa hat, which you can see listed in my works in progress on the side of my blog. Yup, I'd frogged it before and started over on Saturday, only to get home and try to knit at 2 a.m. in the morning. Obviously if one shouldn't knit under the influence, they really shouldn't do so under the influence and sleep deprived. I'm sitting here at work determined to cast on that darn hat once and for all!!!
Ericka did a little brainstorming for a scrapbook project. I'm determined that scrapbooking should be her hobby of choice. She has mad journaling skills, is crafty in general and is great with photography. As a matter of fact, I haven't taken a picture on vacation, which we usually take together (see Cancun ticker), in years. My best friend can't be pushed into anything, so with gentle prodding and purchasing of some scrapbooking materials as a gift, I think she might come around to my purpose for her. Mwah, ha, ha! Seriously, once she gets started she's going to make the most awesome scrapbooks ever!
Perrin, who is the crafting goddess, worked on repurposing a purse made out of wood. She was sanding and priming it so that she can design and paint it for a customer, bringing win over whatever me and Ericka were piddling with. I keep encouraging her to open an Etsy account because her stuff is fabulous, especially her jewelry which is simply stunning.
It was a night full of fun, food, drink and lots of talk of men, celebs, movies, etc. Next month is my turn to host so I have to get a menu together. :)
So I've settled for the next best thing....Craft Night.
Two of my good friends, Ericka and Perrin agreed to get together once a month to work on any craft of our choosing, rotating between our cribs. We had our second Craft Night this Saturday at Eri's house and it was a blast!
Ericka cooked a delicious dinner of Chicken Florentine Ring (a Pampered Chef recipe), tossed salad and a white wine sangria. I know, friends don't let friend knit (or craft) while drinking, but who can resist sangria? Really? For dessert we had a divine cinnamon streusel cake with ice cream and apricot preserves. To...die...for. Then before I went home Eri made me hot chocolate with Irish creme! I ate/drank like there was no tomorrow, seconds, thirds, I lost count.
Oh yeah, we crafted as well.
I worked on the second mitten for my brother, who's been waiting on his hat/mitten set since before it was actually cold (hopefully he'll get it before it gets warm again). Then I cast on for the Odessa hat, which you can see listed in my works in progress on the side of my blog. Yup, I'd frogged it before and started over on Saturday, only to get home and try to knit at 2 a.m. in the morning. Obviously if one shouldn't knit under the influence, they really shouldn't do so under the influence and sleep deprived. I'm sitting here at work determined to cast on that darn hat once and for all!!!
Ericka did a little brainstorming for a scrapbook project. I'm determined that scrapbooking should be her hobby of choice. She has mad journaling skills, is crafty in general and is great with photography. As a matter of fact, I haven't taken a picture on vacation, which we usually take together (see Cancun ticker), in years. My best friend can't be pushed into anything, so with gentle prodding and purchasing of some scrapbooking materials as a gift, I think she might come around to my purpose for her. Mwah, ha, ha! Seriously, once she gets started she's going to make the most awesome scrapbooks ever!
Perrin, who is the crafting goddess, worked on repurposing a purse made out of wood. She was sanding and priming it so that she can design and paint it for a customer, bringing win over whatever me and Ericka were piddling with. I keep encouraging her to open an Etsy account because her stuff is fabulous, especially her jewelry which is simply stunning.
It was a night full of fun, food, drink and lots of talk of men, celebs, movies, etc. Next month is my turn to host so I have to get a menu together. :)
2010 is the year of knitting dangerously!
In a previous entry I mentioned how my knitting projects revealed that I am, in fact, scared of two sticks and some yarn. I've come to the realization that fiber plus needles does not equal vaporization and the most that will happen is I'll have to, gasp, frog a project. In my determination to accomplish much more in 2010 I joined I joined a wonderful group on Ravelry for support.
There are lots of wonderful knitters, who like me, want to tackle an unfamiliar technique/project and just need encouragement. There will be "resident experts" to offer advice and challenges throughout the year to keep everyone on track.
I've already chosen some projects for the challenges. Mind you, none of these patterns are earth shattering, but considering I've been sticking to projects the equivalent of plain hats in the round, I think they're pretty good.
Sweater Challenge
"Wicked"- a top down sweater with a cabled pocket
Sock Challenge
"Monkey" - the popular pattern by Cookie A.
Chart Challenge
"Springtime Bandit" - a very pretty, worsted weight "lace" scarf. (I've already tried to figure out the chart...I'm sure it will be Spring before I understand it.)
That's it for now. Like I said, these aren't the most advanced patterns but I want to pace myself. Right now I've got some super easy projects to finish. Plain gloves, a garter triangle shawl...oh, I'm casting on my first beaded project soon. I'll post pics of the progress.
There are lots of wonderful knitters, who like me, want to tackle an unfamiliar technique/project and just need encouragement. There will be "resident experts" to offer advice and challenges throughout the year to keep everyone on track.
I've already chosen some projects for the challenges. Mind you, none of these patterns are earth shattering, but considering I've been sticking to projects the equivalent of plain hats in the round, I think they're pretty good.
Sweater Challenge
"Wicked"- a top down sweater with a cabled pocket
Sock Challenge
"Monkey" - the popular pattern by Cookie A.
Chart Challenge
"Springtime Bandit" - a very pretty, worsted weight "lace" scarf. (I've already tried to figure out the chart...I'm sure it will be Spring before I understand it.)
That's it for now. Like I said, these aren't the most advanced patterns but I want to pace myself. Right now I've got some super easy projects to finish. Plain gloves, a garter triangle shawl...oh, I'm casting on my first beaded project soon. I'll post pics of the progress.
