Time To Finish This...

It's been over a year since I worked on this sweater. I had been complaining of pain in my hands (I know. I don't complain very often, so you know it really hurt!) I was diagnosed with basal joint arthritis in my thumbs at that time. The doctor offered cortisone shots, but I declined for a number of reasons. He did tell me that the pain would just disappear from time to time, and I figured I'd try to complete this sweater on those days.

Did I say it's been over a year? Some days are diamonds, and some days are crap not, so I've decided it's time to just put on my Big Girl Panties, keep my bottle of Aleve handy, and forge ahead toward the finish.

I already made and finished this sweater in a soft green cotton in March, 2010 and just love it. (I think I wear it waaay too often actually.) I think an ivory bamboo will be perfect to wear with just about anything, and give my green version a break from time to time.

The sleeves are already finished, and I'm nearly done with the back, so I'm going back to complete the front and then assemble the pieces. Time to stop twiddling my thumbs and make 'em do something useful! I'm not one to sit around feeling sorry for myself, and if this is how my hands are going to be, then these are the hands I'll work with. I'll keep you posted.

Ta Daaa...

It's finished!

My green cotton sweater is now moved from my Unfinished Projects to Done! I'll have to add this one to my De-Stash Along 2010 Project list hosted by Missy at Crafting With Craft Hair because I had all the supplies I needed in my stash.

The yarn is 100% Egyptian cotton from King Tut. The pattern is Rosemary Drysdale and was so much fun that I will probably make another in a ribbon yarn (after the wedding dress, that is). I love the lacy hem and the patterned sleeves. I told Handsome last night that making the sleeves was such fun that I could see myself just making these sleeves for a while!

So, there you have it, my friends. A finished cotton sweater that I'll look forward to wearing year-round. Back to the studio now. There's a lot to do in the next few weeks.

Thanks for all your kind words for Kes (and me). I promise to let you know what we find out when we visit the vet tomorrow.

I Got A Little Side Tracked...

I took this photo of Kes (apre' swim) last fall. She sure loves her toys.

So, I only finished my sweater parts late last night. Kes was under the weather overnight on Friday - to the extent that I had to take her to the pet Emergency Room at 2:30 Saturday morning. After poking, prodding and a radiogram, it was determined that she has a rather large tumor that is pushing her intestines off to one side. No wonder she was pacing.

She's sleeping, comfortably, next to me as I write this post to you. We have an appointment with our own vet on Tuesday morning, and I'll know more after we go. Until then, I'll make sure Kes is comfortable and pain-free. (Thank Heaven for modern canine meds.)

I'm going to assemble my sweater today so that I can wear it to Handsome's orchestra concert this afternoon. I'm especially looking forward to the Spring-themed classical music to carry me away for a couple of hours. I promise to share photographs of the finished piece tomorrow.

If you think of it, I'd sure appreciate a healing prayer or positive thought for my little Labrador. Thanks.

What A Coincidence...

My newest copy of Somerset Life arrived in the mail today!

Of course, I stopped what I was doing, made a cup of tea
and sat down to page through it.
(I read later. First I look at all the pictures!)

I got to page 46, to find an article about a Millinery Pin Board, created by
Suzanne MacCrone from Italian Girl in Georgia blog...
and this is what I see!
Look! Here's a closer look!
How cool is this?
Then I had to read the article to see where the "R" came from.
(See her name above? No "R".)
I soon find out that her married name is "Rogers".
Now, I understand.

But look! I mean, do creative minds think alike?
Remember when I made this "R" (here, in January) and
included it in the Love Box for my April Bride " to dream on"?
I was tickled to see that we had done virtually the same thing.
I'm still smiling.

You have to get the newest copy of Somerset Living.
It's full of the most lovely things (but then again, isn't it always?)
I started The Wedding Gown yesterday.
I'll share photos soon. I need to make a little more progress first.
Oh, yes...I'm still knitting at night, too.
Can't wait to finish my cotton sweater and share it with you!

Still Knitting...

I finished this "Cabbage Bunnies" pincushion over the weekend and will list it up in my Etsy shop in time for Easter and Spring.
I used a sweet little vintage container, wool felt and filling, and then silk ribbon and a vintage button to embellish the top. If you're interested in purchasing it before I get it listed, just send me an email and I'll set it aside for you.

My message is short today...One sleeve finished, one sleeve on its way to being finished. I'll be back tomorrow to show you the progress I made on my sweater. Have a great day, friends. Til tomorrow...

Greensleeves...

Remember, I'm working on the sweater (for me!) right now?
I thought you'd like to see the sleeves in progress.

The pattern is actually a miniature leaf that repeats all across the sleeve.
It's a simple pattern - once it's set up - and it's actually quite easy to knit.
Of course, sleeves have increase stitches at regular intervals,
and you have to stay in pattern as you increase at the outside edges.
Thankfully, the increases aren't incorporated into the design
until a person gets the leaf pattern imbedded in their brain!

Don't you just love that the sleeves will have all this openwork on them?
I think it's just one more aspect of the sweater that will make it
comfortable to wear during our warmer summer months here in Florida.

I'm right on schedule to finish the sleeves before the last of the
wedding gown fabrics arrive, so I'll keep working on the sweater til then.
I promise the show you photos as soon as I finish it!

Daytime Seamstress/Nighttime Knitter...

If you look at my list of "Lofty Goals for 2010", you'll see that one of my goals is to finish my current, albeit small, pile of UFOs (UnFinished Objects). This is a project that has been on the back burner for a while, but I'm happy to be back at it now.

I usually knit at night when Handsome and I watch a little television together. I started this project right after Christmas last year, and picked it up a couple of nights ago, after I finished the Beads on the Beach clutch. I finished the front and back so far. Two three-quarter length sleeves to knit up, and then I'll be ready to sew it all together. After it's assembled, I'll block it and I'm hoping to have it all done by the weekend. At this rate, I'll be wearing it next week!

For those of you who knit...the yarn is 100% Egyptian cotton called King Tut. For those of you who don't knit...it's soft, breathable and has a great drape to it. I'll actually be able to wear it all summer because it's cotton. I also love the mint color of the yarn. Before I know it, I'll be able to check another UFO off my list! yippee!
Today, I'm on my way to Tampa to the bridal fabric shops. I'll be choosing the materials to make the wedding gown on my list. I'll be sharing progress on that all next week for you. I'm looking forward to getting started.

Hmmmm...Looks like I'll be sewing during the day and knitting at night. It's a good thing that all these things are fun and relaxing for me. Otherwise, it might start to feel like work!

Just in case you want to follow my progress on my list..."Lofty Goals for 2010" is located at the top of my blog in my menu bar. I'll mark off my projects as I complete them.