theraineysisters knitting and so much more

August 1, 2006

From Sally — Rolling Along

Filed under: Uncategorized — Sally @ 4:10 pm

It’s hot in Washington, DC right now. I can’t even describe how hot, but since this heat wave has spread over much of the country, I probably don’t have to.

My left foot is particularly hot because it’s in this weird shoe/cast thing, where it will remain for 7 1/2 more weeks give or take a few hours. Not that I’m counting — the pain killers make that kinda hard, anyway.

It will get better and at least I can knit. And, if Clay Aiken announces any concerts, I might even be able to roll my way there.

How, you ask?

Why using this — the handy Roll-A-Bout, a device for people like me who are too clumsy and inept to use crutches.

Sweet, eh? It comes fully loaded with a hand brake that doubles as a parking brake. Here’s a shot of one in action.

That’s just how I look on mine, too, except that I’m not a man in a suit and it’s my left leg that’s injured, not my right, and I haven’t taken mine outside yet because it’s so hot. But you get the idea.

Now steering one of these babies is a bit trickier than it looks, especially if you’re dodging furniture, dogs, things that have fallen to the floor that you can’t pick up because if you tried you’d fall over, skeins of yarn, laptops, headphones, and power cords.

I’m getting the hang of it, though. I did have one mishap in which I almost drove off a cliff (and by cliff I mean the step down to my “sunken” library). Oh! — and I pantsed myself by running over the pajama bottoms on my “good” leg, which pulled said pajama bottoms halfway down my ass. Film at eleven.

Other than that — I’m a pro.

From Sally — Making a Difference through Knitting

Filed under: Uncategorized — Sally @ 2:26 pm

hats.jpg

Susan and I wanted to let you know about a way to save the life of a child just through the simple act of knitting. Save the Children has developed a program called “Caps to the Capital,” which combines advocacy with knitting. Although neither one of us wants to impose a political agenda upon readers of our blog, we wanted to provide the link and information for those interested.

“Can something as simple as a knit or crochet cap help save a newborn life?
In many poor countries,the answer is yes. Four million newborns die each year within the first
month of life–half within only the first 24 hours after being born.
But a package of simple health measures provided to mothers and babies worldwide,including
antibiotics to fight infections,training for skilled birth attendants,immunizations against tetanus,
education on breastfeeding and basic care such as drying a newborn baby and keeping it warm
(this is where the caps come in!) could prevent 70 percent of these deaths.”

If you would like more information — including free patterns for both crocheting and knitting these caps — please visit Save the Children’s website

You can also download a PDF of their action kit here.

July 31, 2006

From Susan — Response to Comment

Filed under: Oregon Cardigan,Updates — lv2knit @ 10:48 am

Wendy, thanks for your question about the ribbing.  It is called corrugated ribbing: 2×2, using one color for the knit sts and another for the purl. The colors change along the way.  AS rarely changes both colors on the same round in order to soften the color changes.  It is terribly slow to do.

July 30, 2006

From Susan — I’m on the Slow Train to Oregon

Filed under: Oregon Cardigan,Updates — lv2knit @ 11:52 am

This looks like the other picture, n’est-ce pas?  You’re wrong!  The trees are starting to emerge!  I’ll keep doing this for 20 more inches with a stop along the way to add armhole steeks and do the neck shaping.

Oregon7-30-06001.jpg

The fabric is very thick, but lightweight.  You can see the nubbiness and multi-colored nature of the yarn.

 

July 29, 2006

From Susan — Sundry Updates

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 10:35 am

Thank goodness bunions aren’t on the thumbs — Sally can still knit!  I just talked to her and she sounds great.  So far, so good.

I really did miss my knitting peeps on Thursday, but it was well worth it.  My kitchen (as old and outdated as it is) looks the best it has ever looked.  It has inspired us to move on. 

I have been working on Oregon and my American Beauty scarf.  The scarf just gets longer so it doesn’t look any different (just look at the old picture).  I received my latest issue of Interweave Knits and Kate Gilbert (Sunrise Circle designer) has a bolero pattern in it made with the same silk yarn as my scarf.  Tres cher (French for ‘mucho bucks’).  It’s kind of pretty but you can’t see how gorgeous the yarn is from the photo.

The other thing I’ve been doing is finishing up my State Fair entries.  Everything must be turned in by mid-August.  I’ll do a State Fair post then. 

July 28, 2006

From Sally — Owie Mommy, Make It Stop

Filed under: Uncategorized — surly @ 4:00 pm

I’m feeling better today, but last night I would have traded every inch of yarn in my stash for about five minutes of pain relief. Whew.

But right now I’m actually able to knit on my feather and fan shawl (in between dozing and taking my medication). Thanks for the well wishes.

July 27, 2006

From Susan — Everything AOK

Filed under: Uncategorized — lv2knit @ 8:57 pm

Sally called and sounded good — the nerve block had not worn off yet!  The surgery went well and now she just has to get through the recovery phase.  Thanks for the kind thoughts.  Keep the pain meds on board, Surly!

PS — not much knitting today and I did not even go to my knitting group.  We decided to paint the kitchen.  I’ll be having my head examined sometime early next week. 

From Susan — Good Thoughts

Filed under: Uncategorized — lv2knit @ 8:32 am

As you read our blog today, please send your positive thoughts to Sally as she undergoes her surgery and starts a very lengthy recovery.  She is having bunion surgery, which always sounds easier than it is.  Both Sally and my brother have suffered from this — I was spared, thank goodness!  The surgery is incredibly painful with a long and cumbersome recovery.  Her surgeon is supposed to be the best, so we are hoping that all goes well.

GOOD LUCK, SURLY!

July 26, 2006

From Susan — Mini Update

Filed under: Oregon Cardigan — lv2knit @ 9:34 am

I have been knitting like a fiend because I wanted to get done with the bottom border of the sweater.  I have six inches complete in four grueling days — I am on vacation this week so work has not interfered with my real job!  The pace will slow down now. 

Here is a progress picture:

OregonProgress1.jpg

This sweater will never look as good as Henry the VIII because the gauge is not quite as fine, but I love the rich colors.  The little white things you see in the picture are my expensive stitch markers (cut up drinking straws), marking off each pattern repeat.

From Sally — When Worlds Collide

Filed under: Uncategorized — surly @ 9:19 am

I was going to upload some of my fair isle sweater pictures, but I am rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off due to my surgery tomorrow. But then I realized I do have a photograph that shows me wearing a finished sweater AND is one of my favorite photographs for other reasons. Some of you will know why. The sweater pattern is called Mary Tudor.

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