Basil is a Fan of the Newest Afghan

Meeting My Grand Niece

A year ago, my niece Amanda had a little girl, Ari. This past Friday Oscar and I were able to meet them at the airport before they left for points south (He and I were ill and could not go to the family gathering the weekend before). I was able to give Ari a toy I knitted, and have some high quality hugs from Amanda and Ari as well as to meet Ari's dad, Daniel. (He is a sharp dresser with kind eyes).
Now I have a strong urge to design, or at least knit some pretty little cotton tops for a certain toddler :-}

Knitted 2010, Urban Necessity Convertible Gloves

I made Oscar a pair of convertible gloves for Yule 2010 from a pattern called Urban Necessity. Bulky yarn on #5 needles. Oi, my hands hurt! But the result was a pair of warm and almost water proof gloves. Water proof enough to keep cold melted snow water from his fingers. The cap easily flips on and off for when you need to use keys, grab your wallet from your pocket, answer your cell phone etc.
He has been wearing them any time the weather got cold and at last I was able to take a photo.

First New Home Afghan Finished!

I finished the big afghan today. The final dimensions are 76 inches on each side, more than 6 feet square. More than big enough for Oscar and I to cuddle under while using our future couch.
I am very happy with the results. Oscar took some photos for me:

More Ebay Ending Sunday

We have more Ebay auctions up this week, ending Sunday afternoon (EST).
Mostly yarn and books. The yarn includes luxury fibers (Sanguine Gryphon Bugga anyone?) as well as several lots of ready-to-dye yarn. I also am selling a new (still in the package) set of Harmony interchangeable needles. Oscar is selling some tech books, too.
Here are some photos.

Keepin' it Easy

This is a very strange time in our lives, waiting to find out what path is going to open up. I have found my choice of entertainment has changed radically. Now entertainment seems like a frivolous thing, and in my old life, 15 years ago it would have seemed so to me as well. Today, though I need to keep myself occupied with things that keep me from sitting upright too long, and especially from putting any weight on my right foot (while not putting any more than 10 pounds of pressure/lifting weight on my abdomen, so no crutches). At any rate, this means lots of time spent watching tv, reading and crafting. I used to love shows like Sanctuary, Eureka and many other science fiction shows. This winter as Oscar changed from studying to the job search, I could no longer watch anything with suspense involved. Even watching Agatha Christie mysteries seems close to my anxiety zone. So I have started watching the Ellen show again, some crafting shows, or most often just listening to a podcast while I knit or crochet.
The podcast I am listening too currently is from Knit Picks. I started from number one and am up to number 111 today. It is incredibly soothing. I plan to find a few more (not necessarily related to knitting or crafting ) and start listening to several different podcasts each week (suggestions of your favorites are welcomed!)
I didn't realize this until Oscar mentioned our DVR was up to 89% and I discovered I had not watched ANY of my usual Syfy Channel shows since last October. I just deleted them (and the recording of them) and will be switching to some more crafty shows. I guess I can only handle so much suspense in my life, and with real life suspense the fiction kind has lost it's appeal. I can still read suspenseful books, but only before the sun goes down. I wouldn't read them either, but I have an obligation to review several of them.
Anyway, perhaps I will watch the old shows again after things settle, but for now and the foreseeable future, easy does it!
I was also thinking that crocheting afghans is the fibery equivalent of comfort food like Mac and Cheese.
Buddha's nasal tumor is about the same, she still has plenty of energy and appetite, she just snuffles a lot. I am treasuring every moment with her in the meantime.

New Home Anti Stress Afghan Progress

My idea to crochet an afghan for our new home,  where ever it may be, has really helped keep my stress while we wait to a minimum. The problem is I am almost finished! I have completed 25 squares, except for a final join-as-I-go round in the Winter Night yarn you see on top of the squares in the photo. I think the afghan will measure around 6 feet square. I think I need to start  a second project for our new home, while we continue to wait for the right job to meet up with Oscar :-}
I tried to keep the colors for this afghan within a fairly narrow range, shading from green through a faint purple, with added colors of gray and black. the final result, I think, will be very restful and something easy to live with for Oscar on a daily basis in our living room. My next afghan will be smaller, just enough for a lap rug and maybe long enough to cover my feet. I will be making it REALLY scrappy. Although I would wish for a darker main color, what I have is a creamy white that may be enough to work what I have in mind. It will be based on a photo from my friend Mokihana's blog. I couldn't find the pattern on Ravelry, but Moki-chan sent me some REALLY good photos, so I can figure out the pattern. If she allows, I will make the pattern a free download on Ravelry when I get it written up and photos taken.