Knitting and Other Things
Monica: I had a difficult time trying to log onto the blog to post because I haven’t posted in a while on my computer here in Vegas. Do you buy that excuse? I was here last week taking a training class for work and since this week is a “short” work week I decided to take some vacation days and extend my stay here longer. It’s nice to see my family after not having seen them for about 1 1/2 months. How do people do it? I know I’m not the only one living like this but it’s not easy.
As Lynette mentioned, Summer of Socks started last week so I cast on for my first pair during one of my lunch breaks. My lunchtime ritual consisted of me finding a drive-through, devouring my lunch and then driving around parking lots looking for any shade so I could sit in the car with the windows rolled down and knit. I could only stand doing it for about 45 minutes because it got too hot. The temperatures are well into the hundreds here.
I used to knit socks one at a time and since I started knitting 2 at the same time I can’t get into knitting one any more. Unless it’s a complicated pattern. I didn’t have time to split that ball of yarn into 2 balls before I cast on but I’m going to do that before I work on these socks any more.
Another project that I’m working on is Blithe.
It’s sort of like knitting socks because the gauge is 9 1/2 stitches per inch and I’m using size 1 needles to get gauge. Luckily this pattern has very small sleeves so hopefully I’ll be done with this sweater this week.
I’ve been feeling soreness from knitting and working on a computer so I had to curtail some of the knitting (not the computer because I need to use one for work). I started to take breaks by sewing and it’s really been very helpful. There are days when I would force myself not to knit at all and I couldn’t stand not doing anything during my off days. I’ve been having fun learning how to sew and challenging my brain. I’ve made a few items like quilt tops and skirts and I just finished this dress.
I used sale fabric to try out the pattern and I’m glad I did because the armholes are too small. I will be giving this dress away because it’s uncomfortable to wear. Of course all this sewing means that I’ve acquired another stash — fabric — and I’ve been really trying not to acquire so much like I do with yarn. A smart person told me that fabric tends to go out of style more often than yarn does so I’ve been trying to remember that as I look at fabric online and in stores.
I really missed my pups while I’m in Chicago. And of course my husband. 
Ella and Buddy wish you a happy day!
