Somehow “Under the Weather” Seems Like An Understatement…
Today officially marks Day 9 of my battle with H1N1. I have never in my life been this sick for this long. It’s throwing me for a loop mentally too, because I’m starting to feel like I will never get better, and life will never return to normal. In case you hadn’t already figured this out for yourselves – do everything you can not to get this flu!
I am very fortunate that I haven’t developed any breathing problems, and that I have a very sympathetic boss. I did attempt to return to work yesterday and managed to make it through a half day before feeling like I was going to pass out from exhaustion, headache pain, and chills. Needless to say, I’m spending today in bed, sipping Emergen-C, eating oranges and garlicky soup.
All I can say is THANK GOD FOR LAPTOPS!
Even this flu has taken me out for a week, since it’s been so long since I last blogged, I have some pre-taken pics and projects to talk about.
Most recently, I received an order in the mail from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I had ordered some Socks That Rock Medium Weight in Jabberwocky (right) and Strange Brew (left) for a couple of pairs of gift socks. I can’t tell you who they’re for, but I can tell you that I’m excited to work with the uber squishy medium weight!
Mmmm....squishy...
I’m not sure what pattern I’m going to use yet, but I’m thinking it’ll be something pretty plain, like Garter Rib or something along those lines…maybe the Gentlemen’s Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush.
Of things that have been started, there are a few -
First, the Twist Cardi by Bonne Marie Burns of Chic Knits -
Twist Cardi Collar
All in all, I’ve enjoyed this knit. I did have a few observations/complaints, which I chronicled on my Ravelry project page, but just in case you’re not on Rav, here’s what I had to say -
All in all, I really liked the pattern. That which was written was fairly clear, and the sweater fits well.
My two minor grievances are that the 2nd front was essentially “do the same as for the 1st front, reversing shaping”, which drives me batty – especially on a self-published (read: no page/word limit), pay-pattern. That being said, it wasn’t the end of the world, and it was fairly easy – just had to pay a bit more attention to the 2nd front than I wanted to have to.
My 2nd grievance is that the button band instructions were, well honestly, not there. The button size was specified, but the number of stitches for each buttonhole was not, nor was their intended spacing, which was phenomenally frustrating.
I looked around to see if anyone else had written up how they did the buttonhole spacing and the number of stitches used, but didn’t find anything – so here’s what I did (in the hopes it helps someone else).
Buttonhole Placement on 46” Twist
Worked in the wrong side, starting from the neck end down.
Work 6 stitches in pattern (aka, ribbing), work a 5 stitch “One Row Buttonhole” (I use the instructions in the Reader’s Digest Knitter’s Handbook by Montse Stanley), work 12 stitches between buttonholes, repeat 5 stitch “One Row Buttonhole”.
Note: By the time I finished working the 5 stitch buttonhole as written in the Knitter’s Handbook, it had actually eaten up 6 stitches, so technically only 11 more stitches are worked between the buttonholes.
As you can tell, the issues were worked out, and I’m pleased as punch to have a properly fitting sweater!
This project has also endeared Berroco Ultra Alpaca to me forever. I couldn’t imaging a softer, warmer, more well-behaved yarn. I used 6.5 skeins of color #6274. I knit the 46″ bust size, since apparently “the boob fairy” has visited me again in the last couple of years. WTF?
I have also been working away on the Through The Loops Socktoberfest 2009 Mystery KAL (knitalong). I’ve finished both heels now, but this is the most recent picture I have -
Socktoberfest 2009 Mystery KAL
The yarn I’m using is Koigu KPM in color #1110. The deadline to have them finished and still be entered into the Through The Loops contest is the end of November (I think. I really should check on that). Either way, it is my goal to have them done before November is done.
The last month has been spent furiously knitting, working on courses for my Payroll Compliance Practitioner certification (accounting! ick!), and doing a ton of show planning for the podcast. Can you believe that some people still haven’t heard of The Manic Purl? I know, right!?!
Due to popular demand, I will be putting together another Manic Purl Christmas Spectacular, due to be released in the first week of December. I’ve had fun brainstorming ways to make it different from last years Spectacular, but still keep the essence of what made that show special. The only think about the Christmas show is that it’s really REALLY time consuming, but I think it’s worth it. I consider it my gift to my listeners.
Speaking of Christmas – we’ve been talking about skipping town for it this year. We’ll probably decide to stick around eventually, but for now there has been talk of Las Vegas (I have always wanted to go there!!) or possibly renting a cottage on the beach in Tofino.
It looks like we’ve got some time off around Christmas, and we will be celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary on December 23rd, so we might do something different and special. Btw, I’ve never regretted, even for a second, getting married so close to Christmas – it has made Christmas even more special for us.
Well, that’s enough from me for now. I’m hoping I’m well enough by the weekend to go pick out some buttons for the Twist Cardi, so I can take some final pictures. I’ll make sure I share them here as soon as I’ve got them.
13 Comments to Somehow “Under the Weather” Seems Like An Understatement…
I hope you feel better very very soon! 
Being sick is no fun, get well soon. Hope the STR goodies help.
I hope you feel better soon.
Sounds like it is really knocking you for a loop.
Your Socks That Rock yarn is lovely.
hope you feel better soon! Can’t wait to see your finished twist and am looking forward to the Christmas spectacular
Hi, I just found your blog recently. You do beautiful work! I’m working on the Gentleman’s Plain Winter Socks right now – my first pair of socks ever!
Anyway, I’ll be stopping by more often now. Hope you are feeling better soon!
I hope you feel better soon – love the socks – gorgeous!
TxhippieNovember 9, 2009
We share a wedding anniversary! We have also never regretted the 23rd. It was perfect for the wedding itself, and my hubby never forgets the date! Your TTl socks are lovely as well. Enjoy the rest of the pattern; I loved every second of mine, and can’t wait to make some more.
I hope that you are feeling better. I can sympathise with you. My sister and I had it back in March.(She thoughtfully came to my house when she was sick so I could join her). My mom spent days worrying about us. Talk about sick! I think at one point I passed Death in the hall and scared him! It does eventually get better.
And your knitting (as always) is beautiful.
So sorry that you are sick! Wish you well!
I don’t have H1N1, but I learned the hard way to take the time it takes to recover completely–rest up so you can get past it for once and for all!
Oh, and that yarn is spectacular…
Wow… that is alot of sickness. Hope you are well, as I am reading this several days after your publishing it. Love the colour of the Twist, can’t wait to see it!
Bummer that you are sick! I just discovered your blog and podcast – great stuff, makes a long commute more tolerable. Feel better!
JulieMNovember 12, 2009
Hope you feel better soon! In looking at those pictures of the raven series colors from BMFA, I have decided that I simply must have some. They are gorgeous! The Multnomah is beautiful.
Where To Find Me
KALs
November 5, 2009