Uncooperative Thumbs...

Knitting The Heel Flap

I'm knitting as much as my arthritic thumbs will allow. I knit until I can't and then I take a break. This sock would usually take me a day to knit, but my thumbs are howling after an hour or so. 

I knit; stop to take a break; knit; repeat. I'm trying not to be frustrated, but...sheesh. This issue usually goes away as quickly as it flares. Eventually, I'll be back to pain-free, but for now, my thumbs are giving me grief. I'll get this sock finished over the weekend, but my hopes for having it finished by today's post were dashed by my temperamental hands. Sorry to disappoint. These are really going to be beautiful...soon. I'll just keep plugging away as I'm able, and I'll aim to have them finished and photographed for Monday's post.

Knitting Or Needlework...

My Current Embroidery In Progress

 

While yesterday was much warmer than Tuesday, it's still that season where Wisconsin is not as balmy as our former January days in Florida. That means, I'm more likely to spend my time indoors than out.

Sometimes it's no blessing to have so many options for occupying my time. (Of course, I say that tongue-in-cheek. My blessings overflow and for that, I'm grateful.) The top of the list right now would be completing either this embroidery or that second sock. 

Handsome and I had a lovely meal and visit with our neighbor, Mary Jane yesterday. We were invited for lunch, and it was late afternoon when we got back home. We had such a nice time, but by the time we took care of the dogs, it was time to make our evening meal (we usually eat at 7 pm). Then I caught up on a few other necessary tasks. As a result, I neither knitted nor embroidered.

I have studio work today, but I'm actually scheduling time for handwork so I'm not just spending time at the computer. I have items to list in my Etsy shop, which takes time. My alarm will go off to tell me when it's time to back away from that so I can play. Let's see if I can finish that sock.

Ready To Party...

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Sheep Cookies

 

I originally planned to make sheep and quilt block cookies for the small gathering I'm attending today. Truthfully, I knew I wouldn't have the stamina to decorate the two different cookies (I'm only two weeks post op today!), so I opted to make just one of them this time.

As it was, the cookies mixed and baked in no time at all. It took me three hours to decorate 2-1/2 dozen. By the time I was finished...I was gassed. I made a cup of tea and put my feet up. I'm pleased with the results, and I think they'll be appreciated by the ladies today.

Rather than make another dish to pass, I signed up to bring a savory snack. I cheated. Handsome and I went to the store yesterday, and I chose a bagel dip (to serve with New York bagel chips), and a spinach dip (to serve with nice bread crisps). 

I'll be with the Sewcial Sisters today at Lisa's house on the lake. There are a number of the ladies who won't be attending because they're being Covid-cautious, but most of the people who'll be there have been sticking close to home this entire year, as we have. I'm sure we'll be just fine, and I personally need some socialization. I haven't been to many of the gatherings all year, and I'm missing my friends. A Christmas party is just the thing.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Finished Pink Socks

The pink socks are finished, too. I finished them on Monday night. Now to decide what to work on next. 

So Close...

Brynwood Needleworks - Almost Finished

 

It wasn't for lack of trying, but I didn't quite finish the pink socks. I'll get them done today, and then I'll have a pair of pretty pink socks to gift for Christmas.

 

I have an appointment with my surgeon this afternoon. I'm sure he'll be happy with my post-op progress. See you again tomorrow! I have cookie making on my agenda.

I Can't Believe It...

Brynwood Needleworks - Extremely Large Sock

 

I'm going to put all the blame for this on the meds. Yes. I'm still uncomfortable enough to need them, and am able to function moderately well with them. I'm not allowed to drive under the influence of them, and apparently, I've got a few other deficiencies, too. 

I know full-well how many yards of yarn I need to knit a pair of socks (400 yard hanks/balls), yet I chose to begin a pair of socks using a 280 yard ball...and I don't think I have more of it. Also, the blue  is also a thicker yarn, so this first sock will likely fit Handsome - making it waaayyy to big for one of the girls. ugh

Brynwood Needleworks - Rose-Colored Sock

So, once I finished one huge sock, I decided to cut my losses and start on the rose-colored pair. This is sizing as it should be, and will become a lovely pair. 

 

I haven't made up my mind whether or not I'll unravel the blue sock - or if I'll make a funky mismatched pair for Handsome. I'm going to keep moving forward (making the socks, mittens and caps on my list) and look back at that blue one after I finish the gifts. I guess I'd better stay focused. Perhaps coffee would help?

Already Choosing The Next Yarn...

Brynwood Needleworks - Miss Bab's Tea Rose Sock Yarn

I'm already thinking about the next pair of socks I'll knit. This is a lovely sock weight yarn from Miss Bab's. It's a 400 yd. ball of 100% merino wool, which is ample for knitting a complete pair. It reminds me of sherbet!

Still working on the variegated blue yarn. I forgot to tell you it's also 100% superwash merino wool from Sunshine Yarns. The color is "Surf". This pair is coming along nicely, and I'll share as I get them finished.

Doing What I Can This Christmas Season...

Brynwood Needleworks - Socks In Progress

Even when I'm under the weather, I have a difficult time just sitting around. When I'm healing, I sleep most of the time, but I don't really just want to snooze through my recuperation. I'm trying to move around, gently, but I really have to be careful.

So, I decided it was time to find a gentle pursuit to keep my mind and my hands busy. I'm thinking socks, mittens and caps are on the gift list this year. It's a lot easier than sitting at my sewing machine, and unless I buy them this year, there may not be Grammie's Jammies. I know our grandchildren will understand, but it will be the first time in eighteen years that I probably won't be able to make them. (insert sad face here)

 

The most important thing is for me to completely heal, so I'll keep my needles busy as I knit my gifts this year. I know that, in the long run, they care more about Grandma's health than a pair of pajamas. I want to be here with them for a long time to come.

Completed This Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Completed Handknit Socks

 

This pair is finished! I've got that beautiful "Joey" sock yarn that I'll be knitting into the next two pairs - one pair for Handsome, and one pair for me - perhaps this week. (Click HERE if you don't remember my post about this limited edition yarn.)

Tomorrow, I'll be working at the polls all day for Wisconsin's first primary of this election cycle (only one item - selection of a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice - on the ballot). It probably won't be very busy, so I'll take my current book along. 

 

Today, I have a whole list of homekeeping tasks to accomplish, so I won't be thinking about any loose ends at home while I'm gone. A Wisconsin tradition is for poll workers to bring a dish for a sort of potluck to share with the other workers, so I'm also making a casserole (or chili) as my contribution. I'll make it today, and then reheat it in one of our slow cookers during the day on Tuesday.

I'm also going to set up some new wool pieces to work on this week. I'll be spending some time in a hospital waiting room on Wednesday, so I want to have a project in hand. That gets me through mid-week. We'll see how it goes from there.

Knitting Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - My Sock Knitting Kit

When I wait, I knit. Sometimes, I'll do needlework (stitcheries), but when I'm unsure of my light availability, I knit.

I'm waiting today. Handsome has appointments and his knee keeps him from driving, so I'm his chauffeur for the day. I'm going to work on the second sock in this yarn, and should make some good headway today.

Brynwood Needleworks - Panorama Fiber Arts Sock Yarn - Joey Colorway

This image came across my Facebook feed while the fires were raging across Australia. Panorama Fiber Arts offered this for preorder, dedicating $10 from every skein sold donated to Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities and the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. In fact, Handsome saw it, too, and suggested I order it. (I'd already ordered enough to knit a pair of socks for each of us!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Mine Arrived

My yarn arrived over the weekend, and it's really beautiful! Each hank is 460 yards of 75% merino/25% nylon sock yarn. The texture and colors are so soft. I can't wait to start knitting with it, but of course, I must complete my current project first! Now I have extra incentive to get that done.

I wish I could tell you that you could get your own, but this was a limited edition, preorder colorway, and when I checked their website, it's shown as "Sold Out". Nevertheless, there are some truly wonderful colors available on their site that you may want to look at. Click HERE to go to their website.

Disclaimer: I have been in no way compensated for my references to or promotion of Panorama Fiber Art or their products. I just happen to love what I recently purchased from them, so I chose to crow about them without remuneration of any kind.

Another Finish...

Brynwood Needleworks - Handknit Striped Socks

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend. I spent time with my sister, Di and her family over the holiday. This week is going to go lightning-fast, and on Friday, I'll be heading to Florida to hear Handsome's final concert for this season. Then, we'll pack up the truck, and he, Bella and I will drive home together. Tag will be at a fine local kennel to await our return.

On Sunday morning, I completed this pair of socks I began a couple of weeks ago. I would have finished them sooner, but I was working on my "Song of Spring" quilt for the May 4-5 local quilt show. (The quilt is now in Kathy D.'s capable hands to deliver to check-in for judging while I'm in Florida.)

Back to my socks, though. I love the yarn (called self-striping) that creates the pattern without the need for color changes. I think I mistakenly told you this yarn is from Opal Yarn Company. It's actually from KnitPicks (.com), although I've used Opal many times in the past, and will likely make more pairs of socks with it this year. Can you even believe that I'm starting up a "sock stock" for Christmas gifts already? Yup!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Lorna's Laces Yarn Socks In Progress

 

I started another pair with this beautiful sock yarn from Lorna's Laces. The color is called "Watercolor". I always figure 400 yards/100 grams of yarn for each pair of socks. This yarn came in 215 yard hanks, so I'll use two hanks to make this pair.

 

My plan is to work on other projects during the day (I'm going to finish my stumpwork butterfly next), and then knit in the evening. My feet will be up, and I'll have a hot cuppa tea on the side table as I leisurely knit away. Sounds divine, don't you think?

 

One Down...

Brynwood Needleworks - Knitting Self-Striping Socks

   ...one to go.

Stitching by day. Knitting by night. Ahhh, Life is good. Tag and I are counting the days until Handsome and Bella come back home. That will make our days even better. For now, deadlines loom. 

In case you're interested...My knitting needles for this project are Knitter's Pride - Zing 6" Double Pointed Needles, size 2.5mm (US 1.5). They're new to me, and I really enjoy using them. 

Have a great Friday, friend. 

** Disclaimer: I am in no way compensated for mentioning any products I may reference on this  post.