Another One Bites the Dust

Yes, I realize that's a song title from way back when (dating myself here), but that's okay. It applies!  I started Dinner in the Eiffel Tower back in November of last year and I'm happy to say it left the needles last night. Whoo hoo!  I still need to weave in the ends and get it blocked, but I'll take what I can get.  To block it, I'll need a hand-held steamer anyway. It's rayon with a touch of bamboo and that means it won't take a 'traditional' blocking. By that, I mean dunking it in water and stretching it out won't do any good at all.  Most man-made fibers need to be "killed" to hold their shape. Darn allergies make it hard for me to work with animal fibers. I'll still work with wool as I can, but since I can't wear it, it's kind of pointless. lol

For some unknown reason, my phone was taking photos upside down last night. I think it had something to do with the fact it was low on battery.  However, you get the general idea. This is unblocked and the yarn is definitely a darker brown. I think it will be gorgeous blocked.  I'm hoping to run out and get a steamer later this evening. I'd love to see the two acrylic/rayon projects I have finished well... finished. :-D

I'm now getting ready to tackle a cardigan that's been on the needles for over a year. I'm working on the lace collar now. When that's finished, it will be time to work on the sleeves. I'm not sure how long that will take to get finished, but I hope before the project itself turns 2 years old. lol

Balancing Life

Lately, I've been trying to balance out the fact that it's spring here in TX already with my hobbies that require me to mainly be inside. The weather has been gorgeous, so we have been outside more as a family. As a matter of fact, we're in the process of learning how to play golf. :-D

During the day, if I can find the time, I've been quilting lately. I have so many tops waiting to be finished that it would be lovely to see them in that stage. I've been taking lots of quilting classes via Craftsy and they are inspiring me to keep going even though the actual quilting isn't my favorite part of the process.

In the evenings, I've been working on whatever knitting project I feel like working on at the time.  As I have 11 projects going at the moment, I have a fairly wide range to choose from. Lately, I've been focusing on my Dinner in the Eiffel Tower shawl. It's a lovely DK weight shawl. I'm using a rayon/bamboo blend, so this should be interesting to block.

This is the last photo I took of the shawl way back when. I'm now within 13 rows of finishing and should see it done by the end of  this month. It's done what all shawls do. It has bunched up on the needles so it's next to impossible to get a pretty photo of it.  However, when it's off the needles, a new picture will definitely be put up.

I am starting to think I need a hand-held steamer to help with these man-made fibers I'm using more of. I'm sensitive to wool and allergic to many other natural animal fibers, so I get the joy of playing with unusual fibers. Many of them apparently block the best with steam, so it might not be a bad investment in the end.

Well, if I want to see anything done, I'd better get my tail end off the computer. :-D  I hear a sewing machine calling my name. Or is that the coffee pot? Either way.... ;-)

It's Almost Over!!

After another round of MRIs in October, they decided I did have dequervain's tenosynovitis. In December, I was sent to surgery to fix it. Oh, that was just so much fun. Several weeks in a cast that went from fingertips to elbow is not recommended. I am now in occupational therapy to regain as much use of my right hand as possible. While I can tell it's not perfect, I can knit, crochet, and quilt again. I'd love to say the pain is gone, but I'm starting to think it might be permanent. However, I was reading that it can take several months for the sheath they cut open to fully heal. I am waiting for that to happen and then I'll make my final decision.

Awhile back, I started project after project. Mid-February, I started to feel overwhelmed by them all and decided I needed to finish things up! Darn it. I went looking for pictures and they seem to have all vanished. That's not cool. :-P  I guess I figure once I post them on Ravelry, I'm good to go. I need to see if I can reclaim those.

However, I have finished a cowl, a scarf, a pair of baby socks, an Advent Scarf, and I was busy working on a lace shawl when I screwed up a row royally and ended up putting it down when it became obvious I'd have to unknit a row, again. :-P  At that point, I switched to quilting. I have gotten a lot done there as well.  When I get going on something, I tend to abandon it partway through the process.  I have no idea why I do that.  But I had two quilts in partially pieced status and two quilts that need quilted. We won't talk about all of the other quilt tops that need quilting because, lucky for me, they are still stuffed somewhere from our move three years ago. hehehe I have finished piecing a quilt and it's layered and ready for quilting. I've added a few blocks to the other quilt being pieced. I've also started to prep another quilt backing to layer another quilt. I'll wait to do that until this other quilt is quilted. It keeps the cats out of the batting. ;-)

Ooh! I found the picture of the baby socks, so I'll show those off. I have since learned that you need to do both socks at the same time so that you have a better memory of what you did.  But, the point is, they're FINISHED!

I'll need to take photos of all the other stuff.  I'm not even sure I snagged finished photos of a few of them.  So, be prepared for "finished project photos" post before long.  Or at least, that's my plan. We'll see if I actually get there. hehehe  Now, it's time to finish procrastinating and get going on that quilt. It won't get finished just sitting there. I know this from experience. :-D