Otterwise

Happy Remembering

2012-01-29T21:05:00.002-05:00

More Ebay: Yarn, Books and Needle Set Stuff

2012-01-26T13:02:00.001-05:00

We have more things up for auction on Ebay, here: ETROLL'S EBAY
I have added some photos of a sampling of what we have up this week (ending Sunday):

More Sortings

2012-01-20T11:37:00.005-05:00

I am spending much of my active time this week sorting through the remaining bins of yarn I have, eking out some for sale, and noting what is where using an excel spreadsheet.
I plan to go over all of the yarn once more before we move, to place the yarns in more logical conjunction, one with another.
(heh.. can you tell I've been reading historical romances from my choice of words?)
I would like to have all the fingering weight yarns in one place, all the non-critter yarns in one place (plus silks, silk worms are critters but silk has some of the same rigid tendencies as cotton, hemp, linen and various processed plant fibers like rayon) Then among the critter yarns there are the worsted yarns, plenty for more than one bin, and the larger yarns like Aran and bulky weights, probably not enough to fill a bin of their own. Then there is the collection of completed work, perhaps to sell on ebay and the works in progress that I need to have out near my chair. And the yarn reserved for patterns I have completed but not yet knit. And the blue, grey, green yarns I have set aside for the afghan I want to make for our new home, which has been ripped out yet again. (At least remaking the afghan is keeping me busy enough to stop fretting about things I cannot control.)
I also have collected a large bag of scraps NOT in the afghan's colors to play with. I am enamoured with the Yarn Harlot's new mitten pattern, Cloisoneé. The mittens would help several charities I am interested in.
In all this time spent with yarn this week, I have not knit or crocheted for a single minute! I can't remember the last time I went for so long without making something.
I have been through the three bins and two big bags that were in the studio and am now working on the yarn in the livingroom. I think I am about done for the day, my abdomen is swollen and complaining and I need to be in good shape for tomorrow's planned outing to meet a friend of Oscar's who has become my friend as well via email. I am looking forward to meeting her, and her young daughter.... neither of them know how to knit ... yet.
(image is a wallpaper provided by Knit Picks, full size version is found HERE)

All Crossables Crossed!

2012-01-19T10:05:00.001-05:00

Oscar has had two companies that are top of the list as far as job choices. #1 is a company that has grown each of the past 11 years and is going to be expanding to a larger building, as well as opening a new center somewhere else in Michigan. It also has been listed in the top 100 companies for positive work environment by the Detroit Free Press. #2 is the one I've mentioned before, in Lansing (the one whose employees he met while in class). Today, right this minute in fact he is interviewing with company number 1.
Any good thoughts sent his way will be welcomed. It has been a very long nine months. (his hair and beard are much shorter than in that old photo, but it is the same suit (but different tie)

Added later: He left an hour early, because the snow is coming down so fiercely, and made it with 2 minutes to spare! It was the first in a three-tier interview process, and he feels it went well :-}

Coolest Bird Evah!

2012-01-17T18:21:00.000-05:00

With thanks to Alison of Spindyeknit :-}

Please Vote

2012-01-11T14:22:00.000-05:00

I received a very important letter in my inbox this morning. Lene says it better than I could. I am including her letter in it's entirety. The third link leads directly to the specific vote site:

Hi there,

I am writing a mass e-mail for purpose. I know they're annoying and impersonal, but please hear me out…

Last year, I wrote a post for my blog about disability discrimination called Sensitive to the D-Word. This post has been nominated for the Canadian Blog Awards in the Best Blog Post category.

My post

http://theseatedview.blogspot.com/2011/04/sensitive-to-d-word.html

Canadian Blog Awards

http://cdnba.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/the-polls-and-clarification/

Best Blog Post

http://polldaddy.com/poll/5787385/

The entry that led the category in the first round of voting is from the popular tech blog Sync. They are entered with a post called "The Top 7 Facebook Profile Pictures That Epically Suck" illustrated with a couple of pictures of semi-naked women (http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2011/10/top-7-facebook-profile-pictures-that-epically-fail.html). This entry appears to be pretty much a shoe-in to win the second round of voting and therefore the Best Blog post.

From a feminist - and well, dignified - point of view, one could take issue with this, but I don't need to win. I've won before and I'm not competitive enough that I have to win just because I'm nominated. However…

Disability issues don't get a lot of attention and disability discrimination hardly ever gets any press. In fact, many people don't even believe it exists. The advocate and activist in me would dearly love to see this issue be pushed more to the forefront and winning this category would do that. This is especially important since Canadian Blog Awards used to have a Disability Blog category, which was discontinued, as was the Chronic Illness Blog category.

People with disabilities and chronic illness are invisible. I am asking for your help in making them visible.

Would you consider voting? Would you consider asking others to vote? Polls are open until January 20 and you don't have to be in Canada to vote.

Thanks.

Lene

--
Lene's at www.theseatedview.com

Love in Stitches

2012-01-08T18:12:00.003-05:00

Sometime last year I started a pair of socks for Oscar. I found a pattern I liked the looks of from knitspot. Anne Hansen is a designer I admire, and one of my favorite ways to learn my craft is to knit patterns written by admirable designers :-}.
So I bought the Cinder Block Sock pattern and cast on with some lovely alpaca-blend Imagination yarn from Knit Picks in the color called 'Looking Glass'.
I knit them from the top down as the pattern specified and was about half finished with the second of the pair when I had Oscar try on the first one. I wanted to be certain it fit well in the foot before I got much further on sock number 2. It fit perfectly. In the foot. But although the circumference was fine, it didn't reach very far up his legs at all. Oscar had brawny Scots-Norwegian calves as big around as kindergartner's head. The extra width seems to eat up the length and because he gets cramps in cold weather, he really wants knee socks.
Now remember, these were constructed from the top down so I couldn't just unravel the ribbing and add more leg. (Knitting unravels from the most recent stitches back to the earlier stitches, but not the other direction.)
I finished the rest of the foot on sock number 2, then took a pair of very sharp scissors and carefully cut off the ribbing along the first row below it on each sock.
Then I picked up all those loops with my double pointed needles, and making a slight adjustment to rejigger the stitches so they appeared to be right above the rows below them I proceeded to knit upwards. I worked an additional 4 repeats of the pattern stitch and when Oscar tried them on (the still-live leg stitches held on a long cable) it became clear I needed another 4 repetitions to make it up high enough to suit us.
Each round is 84 stitches. Each repetition is 8 rounds, so I will have added 64 new rounds (or an additional 5,376 stitches) to each sock, plus reworking the ribbing by the time I finish them. I am approaching the ribbing on Sock 1, and the stitch pattern is engaging enough I am actually looking forward to those extra 4 rounds (plus ribbing) on Sock 2.
Now that, my friends, is love.

P.S. Thank you all for the kind words and warm prayers for my friend. She of course is having a difficult time but when I told her my friends and blog-readers were thinking of her, she felt very comforted.

Loving Thoughts and Prayers Welcomed

2012-01-05T06:13:00.000-05:00

My friend for whom I am making a hat called yesterday. Her long-time partner died suddenly in their home. Any prayers and support sent the way of her and their children are welcomed.

Battle Plans

2012-01-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! 12 years ago today I was waking up after my very first date with my now-husband, Oscar. What a long, lovely and strange trip it has been.
2011 brought many changes, the sharpest of which was Oscar losing his job on April 15th. Now, seven months later he has completed five IT certifications, culminating in the CCNA cert he completed Thursday. The average student takes six months to complete even ONE of the five certifications he received in seven months total. To say I am proud is a vast understatement.
Over the summer he has developed relationships with more than 30 recruiters, all of whom told him they would have jobs he was suited for as soon as he obtained that CCNA cert.
Now this first month of 2012 he will send out his revised resume to those recruiters, as well as listing it on job sites like Monster, etc. The two local(ish) Michigan firms he most wants to work for also have job openings. He has already sent his resume to them.
His 2012 resolutions are 1. get a job he loves, 2. find us a new accessible home near that job 3. get us moved.
Of course I will have input into #s 2 and 3.
In addition I am helping coordinate a vast house declutter, we want to move as few things as possible.
This weekend Oscar sent out 2011 by discarding around 12 bags worth of outdated (15 year old at least) computer equipment, power bricks etc.
I spent yesterday sorting through all our cd media, discarding outmoded computer cds, gathering the music, and helping pack up 4 boxes for moving.
A few weeks ago we went through our clothes and donated about 30%, discarding another 10-20% (too worn to donate) to use for packing fragile items when the time comes.
Today and tomorrow will also be dedicated to decluttering.
Oscar's sister is coming down to help.
Our goal is to empty Oscar's study (the den previously filled with outmoded computer equipment) so we can use it to store the pre-packed boxes ready to be moved.
We realize that, best-case-scenario Oscar could be employed in as little as two weeks, so now is our best chance to really dig in and sort things out.
I am not able to help much, as I am confined mostly to my recliner (it will be grand to find that accessible home where I can use my powered wheelchair!) but I am pretty good at making battle plans . :-}

Knitting Forward, Oscar Power and Friends

2011-12-31T10:37:00.001-05:00

I have a friend in my life who I have known for more than 30 years. Although I have traveled quite a bit, especially in the 1990s, she always reconnected with me, and today, even though we are currently not living close enough to visit weekly or anything, she is probably my very best friend. She lives a bit more than an hour away, and I have hope that sometime this month I can get over to see her. We share an interest in crafting, reading and also both have odd senses of humor :-}
Last year I had fun making us somewhat matching hats. Our heads are different sizes, but I think we have similar tastes. Last year's hat was a bit of lacy crocheted fun that took very little time. This year I am making our matching hats a bit more substantial. I found a free pattern I love, called Cloche Divine. (link is to the Ravelry pattern page, photo above is borrowed from the pattern.) I will be making Lynx and my hats from purpley blue yarn. I am just past the brim on Lynx's hat. I love the cunning way the designer, Meghan Jones uses short rows and increase points to make an integral gathering of fabric enclosed by a band of seed stitch. I also like the split-back brim and the slouchy look of it.
Oscar took the final CCNA exam on Thursday and passed with flying colors. He has done the near impossible. The five (or is it six?) certifications that he has completed in the past seven months usually take students months EACH to pass. He has fellow students asking him for his secrets. He simply explains that he begins studying (and we're talking 8 t0 14 hours a day) before the class begins, using the practice tests to identify his weak points. Then when he is able to interact with the instructor in class he can focus his questions and attention on the parts he needs help with. Then add another week or two studying and working the labs and online tools and he become ready for the certification exam. He has worked very, very hard since April.
Rather than resting, he is taking the next few days to seriously dig into discarding and sorting items that have been living in his study. He discarded many computers and parts that are around 15 years old. Six big garbage bags worth, so far. I am so proud of him for being able to make these decisions. He started yesterday and made it through maybe 15 percent of the floor space. Today he will continue. I will be in charge of getting the cds sorted out with complete cases so he can quickly determine which to keep and which to donate.We expect he will become pretty busy in a week or so with interviews. (at least that is our hope). He will not be waiting around for people to call, he has already sent out some of his revised resumes to people who are in positions to give him work with plans to contact more than thirty people in total as well as putting his stats up on various job boards. In the time before interviews are scheduled, he will be starting a class in Cisco Security on January 6th. Yes, he is not done learning :-}.Of course if he has an interview that week he will go to the interview then catch up with the class with the online recordings.
I have been contemplating my goals for the coming year. I will continue to write reviews (I have completed five reviews since Thanksgiving, and have three more close to finished I will submit soon). I also plan to wrk hard to complete the Master Knitters program for TKGA. I have already made a start on it previously btu I want to begin from lesson one again. Now that the ginko is helping my focus I have many more days each week I can spend on learning my craft as well as writing new patterns. I completed only ONE design in 2011. I want 2012 to be different.
As soon as Oscar gets his job, life will change yet again. He will be working full time, probably in a different city. I will be home taking care of myself and making lists of tasks for moving.
After we find our new apartment, we will begin moving the basic necessities. I have hope we will be through the decluttering/discarding stages before our new home is found. My goal is to have as little as possible to move. A lot depends on what we can get done this coming month, before Oscar finds his job.

Balmy Boxing Day and Turkey Dogs

2011-12-26T19:54:00.000-05:00

Today's high was 43 degrees here in Michigan.
Oscar and I took a break and a bit of a wander. We were able to find some catnip growing wild and bring back a treat for the cats as well.
(old photo of Buddha above... she does love her nip!)
Oscar and I are always trying to find ways to eat more healthily, and he discovered a great one this week.
He brought home our favorite brand of hotdog, but in the turkey version. I have never liked turkey dogs, they tend to be grainy and almost plastic in texture, but these were exceptionally good. I would have had trouble knowing they were turkey except for a very slight difference in flavor.
The best bit is that they are 40 calories as opposed to the 90 calories of their beef version, and incredibly less fatty . They are slightly smaller, but just as satisfying. We won't miss the beefy ones at all, I think.
One more tool for health :-}
Buddha isn't well, the vet thinks she has a small tumor in her right sinus area.
I am a firm believer in only taking steps with my animal's comfort in mind, and we have decided to treasure the time she has left with us, however short or long it may be without taking intrusive and painful measures. She has been my cat since she was 4 weeks old. She was brought to us and named by my then stepson and that just adds to the importance she has in my life.
She is now around 15 years old, and according to the vet otherwise in very good health for her age.
Our other cats are also getting on in years. Basil is also around 15, Moonie is 12 or 13.
Buddha is still happy and playful, interested in everything. She spends her days curled up at my right hip on her special pillow (when she isn't in a patch of sunshine). I hope we will have her for some time to come, sometimes these things take care of themselves, but I am also bracing myself for a difficult decision should her health get worse.

Welcome Back Sun

2011-12-22T17:53:00.000-05:00

"...of the month club"

2011-12-19T22:39:00.002-05:00

Sparked by a recent Yarn Harlot post, I have become curious about clubs which, for a set amount of money, will send you a new item within a general category once each month for a year. In at least some cases, the cost per item is more than if you shopped and bought the same item for yourself.
I guess in part it is about the surprise (although some clubs tell you exactly what item you will receive when).
I had heard about such things as Fruit of the Month clubs or Jelly/Jam of the Month clubs and that seemed to make a bit of sense. After all a family of 4 might go through a jar of jam in a month, and not knowing what will show up might make it pleasant to receive those boxes in the mail. It also makes a nice holiday gift, that reminds the person gifted each month that you cared enough to choose this subscription for them. That of course supposes that the giftee enjoys the items that arrive.
My mom likes a certain publisher imprint of romance books, and pays to have about 6 of them per month sent to her. They are often in series, which she and I both enjoy. I like following characters after the happy ending, and they often have appearances in later books.
All that sounds kind of fun. In fact it would be really fun to shop one year by matching the people in my life up with an ' of the month' club that they may enjoy. And finding those extra quirky deals would be entertaining as well.
For example, you'd have to choose just the right person to get the Pickle of the Month Club.
Perhaps Don's birds would enjoy the Parrot 'Polly Wanna Pinata' of the Month club. There are more birdy month clubs found here (including a birdy diaper of the month club)
The Jigsaw Puzzle of the Month club sounds like quite a bit of fun, too.
I am pretty sure our friend Chris would enjoy the Astronaut Autgraph of the Month club, he made a special trip to Florida to watch the final shuttle launch.
Oscar would enjoy a Beer, Jerky, Olive Oil, or Salsa club, I think.
Perhaps even a Bacon of the Month club. (Though we eat bacon more like twice a year :-}
Perhaps the most interesting information on the topic I found HERE. It's all about unique, limited edition hand made craft 'of the month' clubs. Squid paintings, a new one every month. Or perhaps a hand made doll.
Some of them sound extra charming, like a Painting of the Month Club where the artist not only sends you a painting each month but also (quoting the above article) "You also get a t-shirt, a magazine subscription, first dibs on any of his paintings, entry into a raffle, and (my favorite part) a free portrait of you and your pet. All for $133. Can’t beat that with a paint stick."
(image from Dreamstime)

Beware the Kitties

2011-12-16T14:31:00.001-05:00

Getting close to the end, in a good way

2011-12-12T16:18:00.003-05:00

Last April 15th Oscar lost his job. Since then he has been working his hiney off studying and taking tests to gain certifications in the IT field. He will be looking for work as a Network Administrator.
This week he is taking the final class in the set required for that type of job. He wants to work in the general area of security, and for that he will continue to study and get certification, even after he is working.
But after this final test (which he hopes to take this week sometime) he will go into full-steam looking-for-a-job mode.
All this time he has been networking with other people in the IT industry, and updating his resume with 30 plus recruiters and a number of online sites as well as looking into companies here in Michigan for whom he would like to work. He has identified two companies that are top of his list. Several members of one of the companies attended the penultimate class with him as I blogged previously. When he showed up to today's class, there they were again. Another week-long period where they can get to know him in the classroom setting. It can't hurt when the time comes for him to apply with them again :-}
We have been decluttering and sorting, preparing for our inevitable move, but that will be going into high gear as well. As it happens, Easter Seals trucks will be in our area next Tuesday. Between that, and a family holiday get together on Saturday, I have a feeling we will be having a busy weekend packing away clothes, games, books etc for them to pick up. I am very excited. I am most eager for the coming change. I am trying to channel my energy into crocheting an afghan for our new livingroom, wherever it may be to try and take the edge off. I learned long ago the closer the time of an anticipated change is, the more excited and anxious for the change I become. It's a happy thing, but can be difficult to live with. For Oscar's sake, I will make this afghan a big one, and have enough yarn to start a second if I need to make two.LOL.

Winter Hits Softly

2011-12-07T22:59:00.000-05:00

Almost Winter Sky

2011-12-02T18:22:00.000-05:00

Favorite Classic Holiday Films

2011-12-01T09:42:00.003-05:00

Of course I like White Christmas (that scene with the song about the General always gets me) but I have a list of films I always try and catch this time of year that I don't see mentioned all that often.
One of my absolute favorites is Desk Set (1957). Perhaps it's because one of the core storylines is about computers, and I have been fascinated with them from the time I first touched the one purchased by the county at the tech school. (yes, one, for the entire county's classes, and it was considered pretty progressive in the late '70s). I also love the humor laced through the film.
Here is a sketchy synopsis:
Katherine Hepburn plays Bunny Watson, a brilliant woman who is in charge of the information gathering department for a major network. Spencer Tracy plays Richard Sumner, the inventor of a computer meant to streamline everyday operations at the network. He is spending time in the department in the weeks leading up to Christmas researching what will be required for one of his machines. He is asked by the head guy to keep his purpose a secret until things are finalized. Other actors include Gig Young, Joan Blondell, Dina Merril and more. A stellar cast.
Then there is the general feel-good film You Can't Take it With You (1938) by Frank Capra, who also directed "It's A Wonderful Life", "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", "Arsenic and Old Lace" (my fave Halloween film) and many others. You Can't Take It With You stars a young James Stewart, an aging Lionel Barrymore as well as Jean Arthur, Anne Miller, Dub Taylor (Remember him from Little House on the Prairie and Bonanza? He was also in Back to the Future III. In fact he was working right up to 1994, the year he died). Anyway, I always like to watch it at some point this season, too,
More recently I became attached to 'Love, Actually' (2003), another movie with an ensemble cast and lots of humor. (yep, I'm sensing a theme here).
So, what films do you make a point of watching during the holiday season?

Long Time Coming

2011-11-30T13:47:00.001-05:00

Quite a long time ago, perhaps in summer, 2010 I had an idea for a shaped shawl with a contrasting border and simple neckline. Not quite a triangle, not quite a circle or a rectangle, it was loosely based on a ruana ( a sort of open-fronted poncho made from a rectangle of fabric), but not nearly as long.
Knit Picks generously provided me with some yarn, and I started working out the details.
Then life happened, new ideas came, I got sick, and well, and sick etc. and I never seemed to find the level of focus this challenging-to-write pattern needed.
In the meantime, the colorway of yarn I was using was discontinued, which moved it even further to the back burner. The beginning of this year I was determined to finish the pattern, and if Knit Picks liked it, to re-knit it in a currently-sold colorway.
Then the summer of no brain arrived. I used to be able to count on at least a few hours in the morning 3 or 4 times a week that I could think well, do math, design in mental 3-d etc, but this summer the fibro fog took over my life 9 days out of 10.
Then last week on the advice of Oscar I started taking a morning dose of Ginko Biloba. And a few days later my mornings came back. Monday I backslid a bit, and was foggy after the long and physically difficult day of travel and visiting my family and yesterday was just so-so, but today I woke up and began crunching numbers and thinking of changing angled edges and did a solid 3 hours of work on the shaped ruana pattern! I hope to have the sample done next week! (along with a hat/scarf design for which a blog reader is patiently, having offered to test knit it for me). Whew. I can't tell you what a relief it has been to be able to think again.
(image is of the stitch pattern (unblocked as yet) that I am using for the shaped ruana)

Hats for Sale $20

2011-11-28T13:00:00.003-05:00

UPDATE: The hat has found a new owner!!

I will be selling hats.
If you are interested in a specific design (for example, a fair isle design in two specific colors, or a certain word or name knit into the hat) Contact me at otterwise AT gmail DOT com and I will knit them to order for $25.00. The hats will be made from 100% wool for the most part, with perhaps some occasional alpaca.
We have a paypal account with that email.

I will also be selling ready-made hats, as I get them finished.
I visited home yesterday, and most of my hats have new owners now (I let neices and nephs choose) but I still have this one ready for someone, if you want to buy it.
It is a combination slouchy/beret rasta-type hat made to fit a head between 22 and 23 inches around. On a larger head it looks like it does on Oscar. It is 100% wool.

The Joy of Lefse

2011-11-23T13:48:00.000-05:00

Oscar has a strong Norwegian background.
One of the oddities of the world is that some traditional Norwegian foods are more celebrated and loved here in the US than back in Norway. I guess that isn't such a surprise when you consider the descendants of the immigrants who moved here are fairly close in number to those who still live in Norway.
Add to that, the folks who came here were much more likely to be of agricultural background, people who knew the value of nutritional food that could be made inexpensively and keep for a while. In fact, the only place that still makes lutefisk the old way is in Minnesota, and most lutefisk is imported to Norway from the US rather than the other way around. When you consider lutefisk is, to put it kindly an acquired taste (what's not to like about salt cod soaked in lye?) it is not surprising it isn't that popular back in the old country. As a non-Norwegian observer, it seems eating lutefisk might be a way to show how very tough and durable a person is.
They still eat it especially during the holidays in places where many Norwegians settled. It is commonly served with potatoes and plenty of butter (the butter is said to help it slide down the gullet more easily).
I haven't tried lutefisk, and thank goodness Oscar is not a big fan of it either.
The Norwegian traditional food that really warms Oscar's heart is Lefse.
He has even learned to make it in the traditional way and written a tutorial still available online.
(When the Minnesota state fair had a lefse competition, the now-traditional way of making it with instant potatoes won hands down. Perhaps the dehydrated potatoes have a more concentrated flavor?)
While you are there, check out more of Martin's magazine, particularly the Norwegian recipe section.
Anyway, the reason I am writing about lefse is that when the mail arrived today, it contained a huge envelope from Hanska, Minnesota stuffed full of packages of lefse, enough to put back in the freezer to have some at Yule, and some to enjoy right now. His mom Liz ordered it shipped as an early holiday gift just before she left for Florida this winter. You should have seen Oscar's face glow when he opened it up, and his excitement as he made a small plate of the buttered and rolled-up quarters. I must admit I enjoy a piece or two myself, but I make sure to tell Oscar it is his. I am lucky that he wants to share it with me on occasion :-} If it were lutefisk, it would be 100% his, all the time (and I'd likely ask him to eat it outside).
(photo is of Oscar wearing the Equalizer Hat)

before the gray

2011-11-20T15:55:00.000-05:00

Hat Parade

2011-11-16T01:57:00.000-05:00

I spent some time this summer knitting hats. When my mind was not quite up to the task of writing or working on the logical side of designing, I fell back onto the pure pleasure of designing on the needle, and made hats. No pattern, no particular size, except to be big enough to fit someone.
I think a few of these turned out to be proto patterns that may end up published later on.

As always, Oscar provided moral support and great modeling :-} The hats will either be sold on Etsy to bring in some much needed funds, or failing any interest there, will be donated to charity. Do you think $20 would be too much for the more complex ones?

Berries

2011-11-15T15:08:00.000-05:00

Mary's Kaleidoscope

2011-11-13T10:53:00.000-05:00

I am blessed to have people willing and able to test knit some of my patterns.
In the case of the Kaleidoscope shawl, this was especially important as I was using techniques new to me while describing how others would replicate them.
In Mary's case, she decided to use some yarn that came 'bare' so that she could dye it herself. She created a subtle purple and pink, combined with a beautiful clear turquoise and named it 'Salt Water Taffy'. After she had it knitted up, she decided she didn't really like the resulting combination in the fabric as well as she liked it in the skein. She decided to over dye her shawl with the help of her sister, and it came out a glorious luminescent blue-purple. I love how the edges of the triangles are a slightly deeper tone. The story of the dying process is told HERE in her project page.

Synchronicity and Unexpected Opportunities

2011-11-09T11:07:00.000-05:00

First to answer a few questions on my last post: 1 1/2 hands meant one hand does 25%, the other 75% of the work. And the photo is of Granny from the Addams Family, played by a woman delightfully named Blossom Rock.
I am now typing almost equally with both hands, but my shoulder complains if I type or knit too long. I have managed to publish two reviews so far this month, though. I am planning to try knitting again today. :-}
Oscar has a full week. He is attending the penultimate class for the first swath of his planned series of certifications about an hour away in Troy. Earlier this summer he had an interview with a company that he really liked, and planned to submit a new resume to them after the first swath of certs is done. When he got to the class on Monday and he and his fellow classmates shared names he found the fellow in the seat next to him was someone from that company that he had interviewed with (it was a phone interview)! He and four other employees were travelling more than an hour from their home base to attend the class in Troy. Not only that, but they told Oscar that they had a big project coming up the first quarter of 2012 for which they will be hiring new people.
So, in effect, Oscar has a unique opportunity to show his stuff this entire week to someone who can help him land a job he would love, with a company he respects. The fellow told Oscar to submit his updated resume directly to him, as soon as the final two certification tests are finished. Although Oscar plans to take more classes beyond it, the final class in his first selections will be in December. He will be done well before this company will need their new people.
Don't you love it when the universe takes an interest (in a good way)?

Healing Quickly!

2011-11-06T14:46:00.000-05:00

I would say I am 75% healed to the point I was before last week's fall. I am typing with 1 1/2 hands again, and was able to knit for 10 minutes yesterday. Thank you for all the positive thoughts, I believe they made a huge difference.
And Oscar. he deserves more superlatives than those existing in the English language. He has been a rock.

Taking the season too literally?

2011-11-04T15:25:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know it is officially 'Fall' but this is getting ridiculous!
Yesterday I sat on my bath stool and it broke beneath me. Oscar was on his way home from class so I only needed to wait 30 minutes, and I only made my existing injuries a little worse and added a bruised right elbow to the tally. VERY lucky! We realized the stool was at least 15 years old, so a break shouldn't have been a surprise.
Although I can't type for long, I have been hand writing rough drafts f book reviews so I feel a bit productive.
The book reviews are 300 words. I hope sometime next week I can get all these rough drafts into published form!

better yet!

2011-11-02T18:27:00.000-04:00

I am learning to type rather well with one hand.
I woke up scratching my good arm with my bad arm, which means I can reach the center of my torso now, much better.
I tried knitting and managed for two minutes before I had to stop.
My computer has a bot, my apologies for any spam that has come from my comcast account. We are on our fifth different deep scan (this one by Avast) and will keep digging until we roust it out.
My toe is still broken, but the rest of that foot is much better and pain levels are much lower.

a little better every day

2011-11-01T11:56:00.000-04:00

I can lift my left arm about two inches, so it is getting better. the broken toe is better, too.
pain levels are much less.
I will only be online every few days or so, so email replies will be delayed. Oscar needs to lift and position my laptop for me and he has plenty on his plate already.
No knitting until the arm is healed, but I love to read and have plenty of books!
I have become the main cat roosting site and have plenty of fuzzy companionship.
Thanks for all the good thoughts!

am i blue? am I blue? aren't these colorful limbs telling you?

2011-10-28T18:53:00.000-04:00

Today's post has a theme song :-}
I am typing it with one hand, I can't raise my left arm at the moment.
First thing this morning I tripped and fell face first full force onto our tiled cement floor.
I am VERY lucky.
I have a jammed or broken big toe on the right foot, a bruised right knee that doesn't like to bend but will bear weight, a sore belly (I don't recommend belly flops without the pool) and the worst of it is my left arm/shoulder. It is either badly bruised or has a green stick fracture. Only time will tell. There is no sharp pain there, only a bad ache and inability to do the chicken dance with that arm, so likely bruised.
Any good thoughts sent my way are welcomed.
Oscar is taking very good care of me, and when I thanked him said the sweetest thing he has ever said to me:
"Life is rough, but love is good."

Long week

2011-10-24T11:49:00.001-04:00

It's not often I let a week pass without posting here, although this summer my postings have been a bit scant, comparatively.
This past week Os and I have been fighting off a flu bug, so we've focused on taking care of each other and let other things slide. The flu hit in earnest a few days ago, first me, then Oscar.
I am a bit better, Oscar is still sick, but still off to take a test today (It could not be rescheduled so close to the event). I can't remember the last time I slept so much in a day. I just kept getting woozy and crawled back into bed. I'm hoping he can get home a bit early and climb into bed himself. He looked like warmed over oatmeal when he left this morning.
So, not much exciting happening this past week, but the weather as been beautiful, mostly. We both hope to be recovered enough to take a short walk tomorrow. I think the fresh air will do us good.
(photo not mine, of chicken soup)

Knit Picks Photos of Kaleidoscope

2011-10-17T19:59:00.001-04:00

Today Knit Picks sent me their photos of my Kaleidoscope Shawl
I love that they used two sizes of models, both of whom look like real women :-} I will spend part of tomorrow adding these photos into my pattern, writing a description for the Knit Picks site, and getting the brushed up pattern distributed. Didn't Knit Picks do a great job?!

Adventure, Excitement, a Designer Craves Not These Things

2011-10-16T14:19:00.000-04:00

So I have been knitting for about a week on a trial shape for the new stripey shawl. I wanted it to be more circular. I used all my partial skeins of Malabrigo, all but the last few yards in fact. I was SO close to finishing last night, about half done with the bind off but I was forced to put it away when the fingers on my right hand started spasming. (I usually pick up the signals before things get to that point but I SO wanted to see the finished shawl and find out if the shaping worked!)
Anyway. I finished the binding off this morning and holding my breath draped the shawl around Zelda (my dressmakers dummy and invaluable assistant, right behind Oscar in importance to Otterwise Designs).
WHEW! it WORKED!!!! If I had been wrong, if the shaping had been too full, it would have been back to the drawing board and another week's work trying out another shape :-} (please ignore the messy background and Zelda's unsightly neck)

Slowing down CAN be more productive

2011-10-12T15:20:00.000-04:00

A few posts back I talked abut just letting things unfold at a natural, unforced pace in hope that with less stress and more rest I might get more done.
I think it worked.
I am not as productive as I was last year at this time, but compared to earlier this year I am getting a lot more rest yet also making some (very modest) progress on a few fronts.
I managed to feel well enough to focus on getting two reviews finished, and I also managed to get enough pattern modifications written down to complete a re-write of my Cloud on her Shoulders shawl (the new version will be called 'Light on Her Shoulders').
I also have been able to do the math to increase the number of sections on that stripey shawl to make it almost completely circular. I am currently using the leftover Malabrigo yarn I had in stash to make my winter snuggle shawl. My former winter snuggle shawl got felted, and was too small for me, so I am using the same brand of yarn to make certain the shaping is what I want for the new pattern, and keep myself warm this winter.
Since I wear this inside, I am not particularly fussy about the colors, and am actually looking forward to the surprise of how it will look when finished. I have completed the part of it that is using colors I feel certain go well together in an harmonious manner, and am entering the section using the last two remaining yarn colors: a rich shading of red to pink called Amoroso striped with an oddly purple gray shade called Alpine Pearl. Will it be beautiful? I don't know yet, but it will be snuggly, soft and warm :-}
Oscar has been very busy in class all week. He is home taking the course on the computer, but it means an eight-hour day in the study, and he has whatever bug I had most recently. I think he will spend a lot of time sleeping this weekend.
Even though I have been sick, instead of stressing about what I wasn't accomplishing I took a nap when I felt tired and tried working after waking up each time. At first I could only add a note or two on the patterns, or a sentence or awkwardly worded impression on a review but eventually I was able to clearly express my descriptions and opinion and complete a review, and on the design side, could think of the sequence of stitches to make an evenly spaced number of increases to make the shawl circular.
I am spending some time thinking about what pattern I will work on next (I have four patterns that are almost completed) and reading a bit ahead for reviews due in the upcoming months.
Although it seemed counter intuitive I can now say that slowing down helped my production, which in turn helped my mood a great deal :-}
Next step in the completed pattern (Light on Her Shoulders) involves blocking the shawl and photography, both of which need Oscar's help. At our new home I plan to have space to do my own blocking and if I am lucky , my own photography. In the meantime I am very glad Oscar knows his way around crafty skills!
Below are the two interesting colors that will be combined at the bottom of my winter shawl:

Deceptive Colors - Importance of Value and How to Reveal it.

2011-10-05T12:01:00.001-04:00

I have been working on the final version of the striped shawl I posted a few weeks back. I have done some adjusting of the design, but mostly I have been focused on choosing what colors I want to use.
Back when I was quilting I learned about a tool called a 'ruby beholder' that is basically a transparent piece of red plastic you can look through. The idea is to gather the fabrics you wish to use in your quilt and examine them through the red viewer. The red cancels out the differences in hue allowing you to see the different fabrics in terms of contrasting intensity, or value.
I have a selection of skeins of the planned yarn (Wool of the Andes Tweed) and yesterday I spent time grouping them in sets of 4 to 6 skeins, taking photos then saving another copy of the photo in gray scale. The gray scale photo makes clear whether or not the contrast of value between the colors is enough to be effective. It is remarkably difficult to tell the true contrast in value between yarns from a colored photo.
For example:

appeared to be a grouping of blues and greens with fairly good contrast and I quite liked it as a possibility until I took a good look at the gray scale version:

As you can see, the first and third skeins (from the left) in the center row have almost identical intensities, as do the top and bottom skeins, and the second and fourth skeins. It looks more like a collection of three colors of two skeins each than my planned six-skein grouping. This might very well still work as long as I am careful to not place the colors of same intensity next to each other in the final pattern. For that the gray scale photo will be invaluable. Huh, it seems by chance I separated the similarly-valued yarns from each other without realizing it. Perhaps I have an internal 'ruby beholder' after working with quilts for so many years?

You might ask what is the importance of contrast, if your eye can perceive the colors as different, won't it be contrast enough, regardless of what the gray scale tells us? That might be fine if you enjoy looking at the colors set out on a display tray in your home, where you can enjoy them from close up, but for garments (and quilts) the visual impact is most often seen from a bit of a distance and if you use colors similar in intensity next to each other it will not have nearly the same impact as using colors that have a distinct and differing value from each other.

Out of the eight color sets, I think I have found two or possibly three that will work. Next step, determining the rate and placement of increases to create the shape that will match my sketch of what I want the shawl to be.

A Kinder, Gentler Year

2011-10-01T16:37:00.002-04:00

Every year as my birthday approaches I begin to think about the year that is passing and what I would like to change for the next year.

My main resolution at this point is to try (again) to focus more on what I can do on a daily basis than to fret about what I can't. Since that line moves on me almost every day (and sometimes during the course of a day) this probably means not making firm plans based on a timeline. Instead I plan to keep a fluid list of soft-focused goals, and work toward the goals without trying to hit any specific mark.

For example:

I will try to write something on a review every day, rather than attempt to submit X number of reviews per week.
Instead of having ebay sales every week, I will use my turbolister program to get individual auctions ready one at a time, and whenever I think there are enough to list on a weekend, up they go. (Ebay has sucked recently anyway, my Weldon's collection is bringing only a small fraction of what the books go for elsewhere... a book listed on Amazon for $125 went for $19.)
I will work a bit on my ongoing patterns as ideas come to me, and publish them when they are ready rather then try and get X number of patterns published by Y date. If I can't focus enough to knit a specific pattern, I can always wing a hat or sweater for charity. If it needn't fit any specific person, it is pretty mindless knitting.

I'm hoping this change of mindset will end up with me accomplishing more, with (more importantly) much less frustration.

more color

2011-09-26T16:33:00.002-04:00

Basil Kitty's Favorite Place

2011-09-25T11:33:00.000-04:00

Being sick is pretty boring

2011-09-23T09:21:00.000-04:00

I have been catching 12 hours of sleep a day, between night time snoozing and an almost daily unavoidable nap.
(Sorry for missing your calls, Don, I will try and call you this afternoon). I got sick twice this week. I have a doc appointment on Tuesday, not much hope that she will discover something we haven't found in ten years, but it will be good to get my yearly physical out of the way. It is possible it is time for my every-5-years pneumovaccine. Although it is just to help avoid pneumonia, I seem to feel better for a month or so right afterward.
I managed to get out of the house last weekend, so that was good. We had hoped to get up to Gaylord for my birthday but between precarious health and Oscar's intense study schedule it's not likely to work out this year. Oscar's back has been bad the past few weeks, too. A long drive like that is not a good idea either.
I have been able to get some rough drafting on the book reviews done, as well as some simple (non -otterwise-design) knitting. I'll have photos of the knitting stuff later, when Oscar has time this weekend to help.
I am feeling better today than I have all week, thanks in large part to all those naps I think :-}
(photo from one of my outings last week)

A Smile

2011-09-19T16:15:00.002-04:00

from Totally Looks Like

warming

2011-09-18T10:57:00.000-04:00

I have been enjoying design-on-the-needle lately.
An online friend is going through a rough time so I made her a shawl. Thank goodness another online friend let me know the planned recipient is sensitive to animal fibers, and also what colors she enjoys. (photo above, thanks to Oscar).
So I finished the shawl and as often happens it sparked an idea for a pattern. (The pattern will use wool rather than cotton, and will be in a different palette).
I am also enjoying free-knitting some sweaters, hats etc. for charity.

Many charities locally prefer people to just purchase new clothing for donation, some of it not as warm as a woolen item would be. I have decided to donate my efforts elsewhere. If we had a more financially stable situation, I would be glad to donate school supplies, hygiene items etc locally, but that will wait until we are settled.
What I can do this year is use my partial skeins of wool yarn to knit.

The group I work through is called Wool-Aid. Unlike many charitable organizations here in the States they prefer items to be made of wool. (Even if you don't craft, I know they are always in need of money for postage, please consider sending even a few dollars their way.)
They help people closer to home as well as in other countries, but the sweaters I am making at the moment I think I will send on behalf of Tibet. A year after the earthquakes, approximately 100,000 people are housed in thin-walled tents. Some of them are sole survivors of their families, many of them are children. Although the website states an end date of May 2011, they have continued the campaign because of the great need, and the next mailing is slated to go out in November.
If you are a crafter and on Ravelry, the wool-aid group is located HERE.
They also have a section earmarked for "finished object to go where most needed". Which I think is fabulous. People can send Wool-aid whatever woolens (80% or greater animal fiber content) they have to send, and Wool-aid will steer them toward whatever campaign has the most need at the time they are received.

The New Normal?

2011-09-15T19:42:00.000-04:00

I am sick, again. (sinus stuff, minor sore throat, overall aches and pains, low-grade fever)
I managed almost a week of feeling fairly good, getting 9 reviews done and working on some new patterns, then I got sick again.
Looking back, I have only managed to complete one pattern since November of last year. I guess the decision to seek SSD was a solid one. I certainly am not earning enough to pull my weight.
I filled out another form for SSD earlier this week. Going through the details of how I got here was harsh, and triggered a PTSD episode which is still being felt (in a much less acute way) today.
If they say no, they say no but at least I tried, this time with the help of a lawyer.
I am mostly knitting for charity this week. I find it soothing to keep busy, and feel useful that way.
Tonight Oscar is at a pink slip party put on by Detroitnet.org. Speaking of Oscar and Detroitnet, they posted a review Oscar wrote earlier this week HERE. He is SO good at what he does!
He has also passed his second certification exam with an even higher score than the first one, and is already studying hard for the next step. I am so proud of him!
Anyway, if this level of health is my new 'normal' it is still a lot better than it could be.

A Different Kind of Hero

2011-09-11T14:35:00.002-04:00

As I look at the calendar today, like many other people my mind turns to that day 10 years ago when the U.S. lost a measure of her innocence. Much of the media has focused on memorializing the lives lost, particularly the members of the military who have died in action since that day ten years ago. Although I honor them and their families as well as those who serve to this day I find September 11th, 2001 bringing to mind a different kind of hero. Yes, the United States lost innocence, lives of fire fighters, EMTs, police and members of the military as well as people who were just going about an ordinary day, but we gained something as well.
With the actions taken by ordinary people we gained an understanding of the potential strength that lies within each of us. Today I honor the people on Flight 93 who knowing they they had the chance to save lives gave their own to crash a plane before it reached its target. I honor all those in New York City who rather than run away from the plume of smoke ran toward the danger hoping to make a difference. Yes, the bravery of the firefighters, military members, police and EMTs is laudable, and they are heroes every day they put on a uniform to do their jobs but to me the more powerful memories are those of the heroes in civilian clothing. What we gained on that day ten years ago was the knowledge and responsibility that each of us carries a hero within. That we can and should make a difference whatever our level of skill, knowledge and physical ability. We are heroes, all.
(photo by Oscar)

It stopped raining this afternoon

2011-09-10T19:35:00.000-04:00

A Good Day

2011-09-09T16:39:00.001-04:00

We ended up not travelling on Tuesday to see my folks. We decided instead to plan a trip to visit when they are up in Gaylord, sometime after my birthday (October 6th). The only problem with this is it meant I went more than two weeks without getting out of the house. Tuesday we just worked at home, not even going to the Farmer's Market. Oscar wanted to study for his upcoming exam (scheduled for Monday). Today since the cool weather continued we decided we wanted to make a pot roast, and to get me out of the house we traveled to Coleman's market. They sell produce, some home-canned goods (yummy hot and spicy Chow Chow, Hungarian pepper relish, Sweet onion relish and lots of home-made jams) as well as flowers and the standard fruits and veg, many from local sources. Today we bought potatoes, onions and turnips to use in our pot roast. It took a very short time to clean and cut up the veg and season the roast, and I just popped it in the oven a few minutes ago.
We are both very thankful that all our loved ones are well and safe. A friend I have known online for more than 13 years lost her father this week to a rapidly spreading cancer. It is impossible for me to travel and see her in person, but after she shared her news, I began to knit a shawl for her. I bound off the shawl the same day he died, washed and blocked it, and today it was dry enough to mail to her. I am so grateful that even though I can't be with people I care about in their sad times, I can send tangible hugs with my knitting.
Otherwise things are ok here. Oscar had a small accident with a poorly made chair and injured his back, but we have been able to save enough money back to take care of such emergencies. He just got back from the chiropractor and she told him it was very good he came, and to come back next week as well.
I have made the somewhat difficult decision to sell more of my knitting books. It has taken me years to collect all the volumes of Weldon's Practical Needlework (Volume 3 was especially difficult to find) but when I learned they will be released in ebook form, I decided it made better sense to sell my books now then get the ebooks after things are more stable financially. The big heavy books are becoming difficult for me to read anyway, and we need the money more now than I need the books.
Another upcoming bill will be the series of blood tests and my yearly physical at the end of this month. The number of pain meds I am on mean the doctor feels more comfortable keeping track of how my system is handling them, and with my immune disorder it is important to check my white blood cell count on a fairly regular basis. As often as I have been ill this year, it is a good idea to get my physical done rather than skip it.
The good news is the money I earned in August from my Knit Picks sales is almost enough to cover the doctor appointment. I have called St. Joe health center to see if they have some kind of sliding scale for the cost of lab work to help people who are unemployed and have no health insurance. It will all work out, I'm sure.
I also have managed to write more reviews this month. My mind has been working well as long as I catch it first thing after I get up :-} So far in September I have submitted eight reviews, almost one per day :-} I will try and keep at this pace or greater. I still have 100 books waiting.
(photo is of Oscar holding up Ellen's shawl)

Fibery. Flowery, Vegetably, Buggy Amazement

2011-09-08T16:04:00.000-04:00

As I was visiting Lucy's Attic24 (link to the blog to the right of this page) I came across a post that really made my day.
Blooming Marvellous
It seems something magical happened in Bournemouth this summer. As the project blog states, a group of interested folks in the area created "An intergenerational community knitting/crochet project culminating in a knitted/crocheted 3D garden which climbed, creeped, blossomed over 3 floors of Bourenmouth Library and is now on tour around the UK"

No photos on my post here, but if you click on the first link above you will find a wondrous marvel of creativity in the photos taken by Lucy.

same-oh same-oh

2011-09-02T14:08:00.000-04:00

Not much excitement around Casa de Nutria (not the swamp rodents in southern Louisiana, but Spanish for 'otter', and please forgive any grammatical mistakes, I don't speak Spanish yet.)

Oscar rocked his first certification exam, and is studying hard for the second. He thinks he might be able to take the second exam next week already.

I've been under the weather (again) but have managed to write and submit two more reviews.

My Kaleidoscope pattern has been accepted at Knit Picks, and is scheduled for their next photo shoot.

We had a fairly long string of pleasant days, but today and tomorrow are very hot and sticky... High of 97... it being Michigan, Monday's high is slated to be 67. Yep. A HIGH of 67.

Universal Yarns sent me a skein of yarn for testing. So far it has passed the multiple frogging test (rippit rippit) and I have decided I like it best at a very loose gauge.

We go to visit my parents on Tuesday, no other big plans in the works.

My Favorite Stitch Markers

2011-08-28T09:09:00.005-04:00

Stitch markers. They are a necessary part of knitting and crochet, used to identify the beginning of a round, places of increase or decrease etc.
No matter how tightly they are joined, the more usual split ring or jump ring connectors on beaded stitch markers eventually catch in the fiber of the yarn. It is especially bad with fluffy yarns like mohair blends, but even the smoothest yarn has caught in them. No matter how beautiful they look I have learned to avoid such markers.

And then there is the dangle syndrome. Such markers made with beads usually dangle on one side or the other of the knitting, and I need to flip them back and forth and avoid knitting them into the stitches.

I was reduced to using small gaskets from the plumbing section of Home Depot. Useful, but not very pretty. My knitting deserves better.

Last year I received a small packet of Entrelac stitch markers from the Loopy Ewe as part of their yarn club. I fell head over heels with these things, but when I went to the site to order more, they had none left. So using the designer's name, I did an intensive internet search. I found an (empty) Etsy shop. So I did an even MORE intensive internet search and found a website created by the designer where she is still selling her markers; Meowingdog.net.

After ordering from her a few times, I can solidly say Ana has fantastic customer service, and every one of her stitch markers is made with a high level of detail and finished to perfection.

What do I like so much about them? Ana's markers are different from those I have seen before. No jump rings or split ring wires premade from a jewelry supply store for her. She cuts her very own wire and the connection is buried deep inside a beautiful bead. (My favorites are the faceted Swarovski crystals). Even her wires are special. I recently received an order of markers made with rainbow-colored wire adorned with clear quartz beads. Wow, they are so beautiful!

Ana has also invented markers useful for attaching right to your project, by forming wire into shapes based on the Greek Alphabet. The coils are close enough together that you can slip them over a strand of yarn and they will remain there until you remove them. This purpose is usually served by plastic safety-pin shaped markers in fairly horrid colors. I love Ana's elegant copper and other colored wire creations so much better. The simplicity of the design and the meticulously curved forms make them works of art.

Her markers are sold individually, making it easy to mix and match a set all your own. Prices range from 75 cents to $1.75. Materials include copper, niobium, semiprecious stones, glass beads, star-shaped beads and more.

Yes, I could use a loop of scrap yarn or twisted bread tie or any number of other things to simply mark my place when knitting or crocheting, but the things I make are special and they deserve the best. Adding Ana's creations to my almost-daily crafting adds another layer of pleasure to my work, and I deserve that, too. :-}

(photo above is from Ana's site, of the rainbow-quartz markers)

Happy Yarn Dancing, Kaleidoscope Shawl is DONE!!!!

2011-08-26T12:44:00.000-04:00

Finally, the last tech editing and adjustments to prose have been finished on my newest pattern and it is ready for purchase at Ravelry!!!!

HERE

Now perhaps a nap, then on to some book reviews and the next pattern!

Irene

2011-08-25T17:25:00.000-04:00

All my thoughts are with my friends in Irene's path, so soon after the earthquake.
Be safe!!!

Recipe

2011-08-24T15:33:00.000-04:00

Visit the farmer's market, pick out produce both of you can eat, and both of you enjoy. This week we came home with Hungarian sweet peppers, a very mild chili pepper and some green onions. Add handmade basil pasta to the basket, throw in a handful of fresh herbs from the Amish stand (pick up some banana chips and fresh fruit for dessert). Get home and cook a small amount of flavorful meat (or not, whichever you prefer). Throw in the freshly sliced veggies, (including the asparagus in the fridge) cook just until done and taste the flavors of summer. Even though tomatoes are GORGEOUS right now, I can't eat them (citric acid) and although I love summer squash, Oscar is not so hot for it. I did pick up some cukes to make some summer salad (all for me, Os doesn't like cukes either) and he bought some beautiful plums to take to school with him. Our farmer's market is special. They take WIC coupons and have a table there for folks that need it to sign up for food stamps. I really appreciate that the state is promoting not just inexpensive food, but really wonderful and healthy food.

Meandering

2011-08-23T10:22:00.000-04:00

I keep expecting things to change, and they do, but within ever-narrowing parameters.
I keep hoping the times when my mind is sharp and able to do math the same way twice will last long enough to finish the edits on the Kaleidoscape pattern, or to shine up the rough drafts on the reviews, but it hasn't made it there yet in recent time. Writing like this on the blog is relatively easy. I just use whatever words float to the surface. It is a different matter entirely when pursuing specific descriptors to the bottom of the silty pool my mind becomes when I am ill. That is an exercise in frustration. I suppose it gives my writing an unusual flair, some days an abundance of trite phrases, some days odd pairings. (I have been re-reading the Amelia Peabody series, which tends to provide a vocabulary approximately 100 years out of date.)
Still, I try and write, and once in a while the words I want are on the surface for the reviews, too but it goes slowly. I had a relapse yesterday, the same headache/intestinal trouble/weakness trifecta as happened last week. One of the peculiarities of my immune system is that the bug that comes to visit seems to have a two-way door, like a doggie flap all it's own making it possible for it to come back in and stir up the symptoms again just when I think I am close to recovered.
Re-reading this it sounds like I am whining, I don't really feel as depressed as this sounds. I am happy, mostly, especially since I've stopped expecting the clear days and just nab them as they come by.
The past 10 days or so have been spent knitting hats for charity from my partial skeins of yarn, messing around wasting time on the computer, and watching tv. Oh, and napping. Perhaps yesterday was the last gasp and the recovery will continue and last this time. I am feeling much better, especially considering I only got 4 solid hours of sleep. (that nap thing gave me about 12 hours the previous night).If I still feel better I will get out of the house by visiting the farmer's market with Oscar. I love the fresh produce this time of year, and there is the chance of running into old friends. I haven't been out of the house for more than a week again, a very bad idea.

Old News But Too Good Not to Share

2011-08-18T11:34:00.001-04:00

My Favorite (so far) bit of yarn graffiti

2011-08-16T16:46:00.003-04:00

I have no information about where or by whom this was done, but I love it! If I had the energy and time, I would consider doing something like this to one of my own trees. And if I had smaller trees.

Since this post a friend on Ravelry has found the tree! It is in Hungary! Details Here

Ten Years

2011-08-15T09:24:00.000-04:00

Today is Oscar and my tenth year wedding anniversary. They have been the best ten years of my life.
Sometimes it feels like we have known each other forever, sometimes it seems like only the beginning. We haven't decided how to celebrate yet. Oscar has Tuesdays off from school, so we plan to do something special tomorrow. Perhaps a picnic?

Gift Ideas for Those Who Have Everything

2011-08-12T16:56:00.000-04:00

I came across an interesting website ad while perusing Oscar's motorcycle magazine. It is a site that sells (among other things) aroma therapy with scents that comfort those of a motor-head frame of mind.

If only it was a real ad.... Instead a link takes you to Victory Motorcycle's website. I KNOW Oscar would love to get one of those for Yule. Maybe next year?
In the meantime, I had a fun time perusing the other ads in this particular marketing effort:

Tuesday was a good day

2011-08-10T13:03:00.000-04:00

Oscar's former employer contested his unemployment benefits once. Then when the State of Michigan upheld Oscar's rights, they challenged them again, this time asking for a hearing on the matter before a judge. That hearing was yesterday. Comcast didn't bother to show up. The file the judge had stated Comcast was trying to claim Oscar left voluntarily. yeah. right. Anyway, because Comcast didn't show up the judge dismissed the case, and Oscar's unemployment benefits are still active.

Afterward we made a quick stop at the farmer's market, this time I got to hug Janet, another old pal from PTD Productions. I wasn't ready to go home, as the brief trip to the market was the first time I'd left the house for more than three weeks. Not good. So we grabbed a camera and headed out to see the countryside. I took a few shots here and there (and made a video to practice editing) then we stopped at Coleman's market to pick up some fruit, peppers and a few bunches of gladiolus. It was lovely.

Jali hat

2011-08-08T17:19:00.000-04:00

One of the ways I learn my craft is by knitting patterns by other people. I have been interested in Barbara Walker's invention and exploration of something she calls Mosaic Knitting. Mostly I have worked objects in that technique flat, knitting back and forth. I wanted to work something in the round, and the most recent issue of Cast On magazine had a lovely hat pattern I thought would provide experience and inspiration. I was able to complete it in three days, and have some up with several ideas using other charts in the same technique that I hope to explore this fall and winter. This hat will be for LynnH, as the colors are those she especially likes.

Buddha Kitty Also Likes Knits

2011-08-04T17:50:00.002-04:00

Happy Lammas

2011-08-01T10:29:00.000-04:00

Lammas is a celebration of harvest, particularly grains. Around this time in Michigan you can spot golden fields with recent hair-cuts. The silica in the stems creates an almost metallic shine, causing the fields to resemble textured gold. Five to ten years ago I likely would have celebrated Lammas by baking a loaf or three of homemade bread. These days (until we move to a home with fully-accessible kitchen) I will likely celebrate in a more simple manner, perhaps baking something already made for us. There are some stellar turnovers in the freezer with all-natural ingredients that will be good. Celebration occurs more from the heart than from what is in the hand, after all. Image from 123rf

Basil Kitty Likes Knits

2011-07-31T14:14:00.000-04:00

Kaleidoscape Ready for Testing!

2011-07-29T12:37:00.000-04:00

Whew. It was a long long road, but today I finished the schematic, and prepared the pattern for testing.
After it is in the hands of the testers, I can move on to my beaded lace shawl design, among other things.
(If you wish to be a tester, please contact me at otterwise (AT) gmail (DOT) com.)

Steampunk MAC

2011-07-21T12:38:00.000-04:00

For this, I would switch from PC to Mac in a millisecond.
FULL STORY HERE

Old Friends

2011-07-20T12:14:00.002-04:00

This Sunday we celebrated my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. My brother Kelly, his wife Dawn and their son Robert did much of the work, I just filled in the edges a bit. Kenny and his daughters helped too. Ron would have helped but he is in Alaska with Lori and Maddie but they were well-represented by Liz, Tucker and wee Levi :-}.
Dad had a very good time, I think. Kelly had put together a slideshow dvd with old family photos, many of which mom had forgotten we had since they had been in the box so long.
The party was a special treat for me, because circumstances meant my cousins Lisa and Brent and their families could come (they were up at the lake that weekend). I hadn't seen them for more than a dozen years. Even more special, my Aunt Linda was there! After she and my uncle split, I saw her much less often, especially as my travels took me to Japan and California. She was a very important part of my childhood, and often swept me away to spend time with her and the kids in the summers :-}. I don't know how long it had been since I'd seen her face, but she stayed in touch with Mom all along. It was SO good to see Linda, Lisa and Brent, to meet Brent's kids and see Lisa's Tony again. Talk about some terrific hugging :-} I dearly hope we all see each other again soon.
Yesterday despite the horrible heat (the heat index was up around 110 degrees F) and still feeling a bit tired and worn out from Sunday, I felt strongly that Oscar and I should go to the Farmer's market near the post office here in Ypsilanti. It was hot but we picked up some lovely herbs and some Dragon Tongue green speckled beans and best of all, ran into another dear friend. We hadn't seen much of the PTD crowd since I got sick several years ago, mostly because my health kept me away from being able to make commitments. I missed them very much. And yesterday, one of my favorite people was there at one of the booths! We were able to stop and chat and hug the stuffings out of Dennis, and I am sure he passed our love on to the rest. We made tentative plans to meet for a grilled backyard supper soon. I can hardly wait :-}.
I am determined to take it easy both physically and mentally today. Oscar has mentored learning, and I plan to sit and read books simply for pleasure, rather than review. I have a used Kindle that came with lots of lovely books. It also contains one of my favorite series, the Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters.
I am starting with Crocodile on the Sandbank and going forward from there. Another old friend to keep me company today as I recover from Sunday and yesterday's activities. :-}
I will also be knitting a bit should reading pall. Kelly, Dawn and Robbie picked up a big bag o' yarn for me at a rummage sale (dickering them down to $3!). Much of it is acrylic which is very popular with charity, and in the midst of that was a bag of odds and ends of cotton 'dishcloth' yarn. I love hand knitted washcloths, particularly if they have a smooth stockinette side. Some of my skin is very tender and easily abraded and those type of cloths are safe to use. I will have a lot of fun making a 'motley crew' of wash cloths (photos later after they are done.) I also decided I need a mindless project for when the cotton yarn tires my fingers out, and decided to make a version of the Sencillo Shawlette (perhaps with a more simple border for the mindless criteria). It looks like a capital way to use up scraps of sock yarn while having fun with color choice.
(photo is of the hollyhocks growing in Mom and Dad's backyard. Mom taught me to make hollyhock dolls when I was a kidling, although I used a little stick as arms securing the bud/head to the blossom/skirt instead of the method used in the video linked.)

YAAAARRRRN (and knitting books)

2011-07-16T13:02:00.000-04:00

This week's auction ends today. It is chock full of yarn and knitting books.
Prices starting as low as 99 cents. I've even let go of some of my treasured vintage pattern books from the 40's 50's and 60's.

LOOK HERE for a chance at some really nice stuff before it's gone.

A few of the yarns up on ebay:

Great Swedish Commercial

2011-07-13T16:02:00.002-04:00

Update- July

2011-07-11T11:32:00.002-04:00

I released my most recent pattern in November of last year. It isn't that I haven't been working on them, more that I have been fuzzy-brained more often than clear-minded, I think. The first three months of 2011 I was sick a good part (bad part?) of the time. I am still not 100%. I am sleeping about 2 hours longer each night than my usual, and still needing a nap every day or so. I think it is some pernicious low-level infection. My daily low-grade fever is back after a very brief hiatus last fall. No solution at the moment. Taking antibiotics every time I have a low grade fever would ruin their effectiveness if they are truly needed (for example, if my fever changes from low grade to high.) All that sleep is helping me feel better the time that I am awake :-}
At any rate, the Kaleidoscape pattern will be the next one ready to send out to testers. (Thank goodness for the Free Pattern Testers group on Ravelry, as well as some other Ravelry pals willing and eager to help in exchange for the getting the pattern free!) I have other patterns mostly done, but I am determined to get this huge project out and away first. I have manged to get roughly 20 reviews done each month, until this month. I have been totally focused on completing Kaleidoscape the past few weeks. It has been worth it, though. With Oscar's help I have sufficient photos to complete the pattern, just waiting for a clear-minded morning or two to draw the schematic and clean up the final directions. After it comes back from the testers I will take more photos with a model for the finished pattern.
I have two more large projects for which I have received yarn support from Knit Picks. One is a Fall/Winter pattern, a shawl of slightly unusual shape based very loosely on a ruana. I have been working on that pattern for a year. I have the sample about half finished, and the directions written out. In the meantime, the color of yarn I used has been discontinued. I will complete the pattern and if Knit Picks wishes to publish it, I will buy the same yarn in a current color and make a new sample for them.
The other pattern is a summer-weight stole based on my Withig stitch pattern. I am playing about with the direction of the eyelets to make a zig zag or perhaps concentric squares. I am afraid for that I will need to invest in a chart design program. The tools I have do not make small enough text to fit that chart into one page. There is a very useful program for only $44. (The next similar program is $185!).

The antique stitch pattern on which I based my Withig patterns

I am excited about getting through those two patterns and on to some smaller projects. I have LOADS of patterns that I should be able to finish quickly. I won't be publishing anything without testing though. I learned my lesson on that :-}. Lets see, there are 2 hat/scarf sets (one that also has a cowl and mittens). Then there are at least 3 sock patterns I want to make and some patterns based on a vintage potholder pattern collection from 1942 that I have in my book case. I also have two or three self-written lace patterns I want to work up into shawls. (again, need to wait for that chart making software as the pattern charts are currently too big for one page.) I am sure I am forgetting something. I have dozens and dozens of files with partially written patterns on my computer. If I don't jot things down, I forget them completely.
As far as decluttering the house and preparing to move, we have almost 100 auctions up on ebay this week. Many of the auctions are yarn and knitting books. Some of the yarn was given to us to sell by family (bless her!). The money from that will help a lot to create a designated moving fund, pay for our prescriptions (no insurance until Oscar is hired again) and cover the gap between unemployment payments and living comfortably. I severely gutted my bookshelf of knitting books. I ended up keeping less than 10% of what used to be on the shelf. If I end up missing any of the books, I can find a used copy after we move and we are financially more secure. For now, it is best to lighten the moving load and build money for necessities and moving expenses.
Looking at it all written out it feels like I am busy, but having 8 months since my most recent pattern release makes me feel positively sloth-like. Oscar keeps telling me I am too hard on myself. He's a smart guy.
Speaking of that, he has sped through his first classes (with lots of extra studying on his own) and will be taking his first certification test a week from today.
On Sunday my parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. It will be a small gathering, just close family but I am looking forward to it. My brother Ron is in Alaska with his family and won't be able to attend, though. I will miss him being there.
Overall things are going very well. I will take Oscar's advice and stop being so hard on myself.

The other two Kaleidoscope Capelets

2011-07-09T19:46:00.000-04:00

Here are photos of the other two pattern samples of my upcoming Kaleidoscope Capelet pattern. Perhaps I should call it KaleidosCape?

Kitman Figueroa's Mystery Knit A Long and More Design Quandries

2011-07-06T14:01:00.002-04:00

One of the ways I like to learn this design gig is by working through patterns published by designers I admire. One of those is Kitman Figueroa. She mostly designs shawls, many of them fairly intricate. She also has other levels of difficulty in her pattern selections, which can be seen HERE, but it was the intricate shawlery that caught my attention. I love making shawls, and designing shawls and am fascinated by all the different variations that can result by combining fairly simple shapes and increases with lace patterns. I have been using MS Word to create tables of symbols for my graphs, but my more recent in-progress designs are beyond the space each page can provide. I am hoping by switching to Excel I can work on a smaller scale and fit more info on page, but I had some trouble exporting the designs into a pdf last time I tried. Still, this is a newish version, so perhaps I am missing something. I have located a few tutorials on using Excel to create knitting charts. One is from Fleegle (Susan Glinert Stevens), another from Marnie MacLean. If it turns out neither of these methods work for me, Fleegle has done a terrific review of a fairly inexpensive program called Intwined Pattern Studio that is very powerful, including the ability to draw your own symbols which may help a lot with creating charts for crochet patterns as well.
(Marnie also has other fabulous tutorials including using Excel for designing patterns and grading them into different sizes, how to create a pdf with the necessary graphics without having a humongous file and creating schematics in MS Word.).

I have lots to learn, and I decided a good way to add to my knowledge was to work one of Kitman Figueroa's shawl patterns this summer. As luck would have it, she started a Mystery Knit A long this month :-}. (All photos are at the end of the post in case others are working on the same thing and want to preserve the mystery). After selling off a lot of my stash, it was harder than I thought to find the right yarn for the task but I finally stumbled across some beautiful merino silk yarn in fingering weight, in a warm celery color. Not usually a color I wear, but as the shawl will likely become a gift for a slender friend or relative this was not a concern. By using a smaller set of needles than that specified ( and I like the look of the fabric on smaller needles, too) my 720 or so yards should be plenty to make the shawl.
So far we have received instructions for a test swatch, worked to determine the needle size we wish to use for the shawl, and perhaps more importantly for me, to give us a chance to work some of the new and intricate stitches required while familiarizing ourselves with Kitman's set colorful symbols. It was my first time making nupps (pronounced to rhyme with 'soups') and twisted stitches to any great extent. The nupps are the little bobbly things near the bottom, the twisted stitches have a very sharp-edged effect and can be seen in the top half. I am excited to get the first instructions for the Knit A Long on Friday.

A Little Down

2011-07-05T12:18:00.000-04:00

Today Oscar and I were to have gone to his mom's home to celebrate his birthday (which is on the 7th).
I have been fighting some kind of thing for almost a week now, but have been trying to get lots of sleep, drink lots of liquids and get rid of it. But instead I woke up this morning feeling worse. Mostly it's fatigue, achy joints, sore throat and an upset stomach. I made the wise choice not to push it and stay home. Since Oscar has a full schedule with studying for his certifications and we currently are without health insurance, it is important that I stay as healthy as possible. Should I still be germ-central, it is also important not to carry them to Lynn or Liz.
The wise choice is also a sad choice. I was looking forward to getting out, and visiting people I love. I am trying to look at the positive side of things, though. I could have felt fine, then gotten worse on the way or during the day and wound up really badly off the rest of the week or longer. This way I can rest and hopefully get over it faster. (I have a fragile immune system so as impatient as it makes me feel, I really need to be hyperfocused on my health to avoid going into a serious illness like pneumonia or a worsening infection.)
I have another big event where I MUST be later this month. My mom and dad celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year. We will be having an informal barbecue in their yard, and I promised to be there no matter what. I don't have anything scheduled after that, just in case it puts me in a recovery state for a few weeks afterward.
Anyway, today I will read, sleep and if I feel better/sharper perhaps I can swatch a bit for the new patterns.

Playing

2011-07-04T16:19:00.002-04:00

I've had a lot of fun playing around with some yarny leftovers while waiting for space to be made for blocking the Kaleidoscope capelets. (Our house is in disarray from decluttering right now). Anyway, I grabbed the Chroma Worsted New England colorway left over from the large sized Kaleidoscope sample, then threw in a bit of Andean Silk and some Suri Dream leftover from previous projects, both in solid navy blue. I then just knit a triangle shawl with fewer center increases (which made for an odd diamond shape, but it still is snuggly.) I had the most fun changing the texture of the stitches. If there is enough interest, I might go ahead and write up a pattern for a more standard shallow triangular shawl shape with some of the textures. I had fun making it, and I am already looking forward for a chilly fall day when I can snuggle in all that merino and alpaca!

Two Vastly Different Yet Very Good Books.

2011-07-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

I read two books yesterday, very different from one another in setting, main character and story line. Both were mysteries, both were first in new series' and both were very well-written. I will be writing full reviews for fresh fiction later but they were good enough I wanted to share the titles. They both come out in July.

First: A Spark of Death by Bernadette Pajer. You can read the first chapter as well as more about the book from the link provided. I can add that the book was very well-researched. I felt I was walking the streets of 1901 Seattle.

Next, My Life as White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland. Rather than the silly spoof the name suggests, the book was a relatively serious mystery with characters I could care about. Plus, I love the tattoo on the cover (it says 'I love brains'):-}

Just a little suggested light summer reading :-} And yes, my tastes ARE eclectic, why do you ask? LOL

High Tech Meets Ancient Craft

2011-06-30T11:34:00.000-04:00

Markus Kayser uses sun, sand, a fresnel lens and high tech reproduction techniques to create a machine that can reproduce programmed shapes in the middle of a desert:
Full story is HERE

Markus Kayser - Solar Sinter Project from Markus Kayser on Vimeo.

A change is as good as a rest, But a nap is better yet.

2011-06-29T08:53:00.001-04:00

One of the truisms I often lean on is "A change is as good as a rest." Focusing on one activity for too long tends to decrease the effectiveness of the concentration, for me. In other words the longer I do something, the more often and more easily and often I get distracted and have to haul my concentration back to the main task. Errors also increase. This has always been true for me, even when doing homework as a kid. At such times I switched to another work task or homework subject and managed to keep working quite a bit longer.
So. I have been mostly focusing on two things the past few weeks. Massive ebay auctions and the kaleidoscope shawl/cape. I have been feeling pretty tired and logy, forcing myself through the work knitting and the last job of combining auctions for the recent ebay sales. Yesterday I told Oscar I was going to take a mini vacation and not do anything except pleasure knitting and some tv, since we are taking a bit of time off ebay over the holiday weekend. I did 16 reviews this month, which met my personal quota of a review every two days, so I felt I could take a break from review-writing as well.
Except I guess I hate not being productive. Sitting and watching the tube while messing around on the computer or knitting mindlessly just left me feeling dissatisfied yesterday. So I started playing around with textures and colorwork while knitting a scrap-yarn shawl and wouldn't you know it, I have another proto-pattern on the pile. Then I messed around with a lace pattern I have always liked and created a border design that meshed well with it. Now I am reading a book on traditional lace shawl design and figuring out how to work the new lace pattern combo into a bottom-up shawl with beads. (yep, yet another proto-pattern).
And I started to read more review books last night, and jotted a few notes this morning.
Perhaps I wasn't tired at all, but just wrung out of hyper focus for the month.
I shouldn't be surprised. I have been working since I was about 12 years old and got a paycheck for detassling corn during the summer for Dekalb. I just prefer to feel productive, I guess. Or I get bored easily.
Then again, I do feel a bit like taking a nap even though I only got up a few hours ago. Yeah. A nap would likely help me be even MORE productive today :-}
Oscar gets a bit exasperated with me when I over do and get cranky. I bet he'd be in favor of me taking a nap.

Update and Summer Wildflowers

2011-06-25T15:54:00.001-04:00

Wildflower patch

Crown Vetch and Cinque Foil

Oscar and I just got back from a walk. It has been quite a while since I got out of the house between fibro flares and rainy days, I think this is my first outing since Wednesday the 15th. There are two things I hope we find wherever we move, one is friendly neighbors. We had a few lovely conversations on our walk. The other is the bike path and patch of wild lands between it and the freeway. I grew up out in the countryside and having this little patch of land to watch during the changing of seasons has meant a lot to me. (photos from today's walk).
Update-wise Oscar had a phone interview yesterday with a company he would be happy to work for. We expect to hear back late next wee. He is almost through the first swath of studying for his first certification. If the company decides not to hire him at this point, he likes it well enough to try again after the certifications are under his belt.
I am still 'fibro flaring' but I am glad I forced myself to go out today. The warmth and sun did me a lot of good, even if it meant an increased dose of pain meds, the emotional health was well worth it!
We are planning to take a week or so off ebay. Our (almost 10 years of) experience has shown that the week of and week after national holidays tend to be very poor in bidding. We will prepare lots of stuff for listing, but not have anything go active until July 12 to end on July 19th.

Colorjoy Pattern Sale!!!

2011-06-23T12:36:00.001-04:00

My Sis in Love, LynnH of Colorjoy is having a wonderful sale on her patterns!
The link will take you to her Ravelry pattern page. Just add any 4 patterns to your shopping cart, and you will get one of them for free! 4 patterns for $18. And great patterns they are, too.
Here are a few photos of the ones I like best:

Yarn Destashing and Other Ebay, Part Two

2011-06-20T19:00:00.000-04:00

I spent the last week going though my yarn bins again, and succeeded in weeding out more yarn I am not likely to use before we move. Then Oscar spent the day taking photos, and I put them up on Ebay.
(I also found about 50 more auctions worth that will go up in a few weeks) But for now, if you are interested in building your own stash of yarn (or in any of our other auctions, this week bells, glass paperweights and a few books in addition to the yarn) Click here to find our auctions. Most yarn is starting at 50 cents a skein, most of the other auctions are starting at 99 cents. Below are photos of a few of the 69 items:

Experimentation / Chomping at the Bit

2011-06-18T20:39:00.001-04:00

I mentioned a few posts back that I have been experimenting with drawing up my own lace designs. (Photo to the left is a proto of a proto of a prototype to show how messy the things begin) I have come up with about 3 good ideas, now to make one (or more?) of them something I love :-}
I am on the home stretch on the third Kaleidoscope Capelet, and I like it a lot. (Photos after blocking, whenever that happens).
I want to finish a shawl/capelet idea I started a year ago, then move on to a summer-weight cotton shawl based on my Withig pattern with contrasting border.
Then there's the finished pattern for the mystery knitalong I did earlier this year, and the textured hat, cowl, mitt, mitten set I have almost finished. And a new reversible Hat and Scarf set based on a ribbing pattern I made up (maybe socks, too, who knows). If, as is likely, someone else has also thought of this, I have yet to find it in my multitude of stitch dictionaries, so I am eager to get that out there, too. I already have a name for it (saving that for it's debut).
And a sock based on an old wrapped stitch pattern.
And then there are the sketches I made of summer tank tops/baby doll tops that I have yet to do anything with.
I am SO eager to be on to the next thing, but the pattern I am working on at the moment deserves my full attention, first.

An Update

2011-06-16T13:26:00.000-04:00

So.
The good news is the big 341 meeting is over with, and other than my electric wheelchair trying to destroy the Trustee's table as I left, things went well (the Trustee was very understanding, there was not much room for my electric wheelchair and it caught the leg of the table as the feet of the wheelchair caught on the carpet as I attempted to back away).
The medium news is that, as expected, I am fairly exhausted today. But I have some important but simple knitting to do. (As a person who worked most of my life, that sentence sounds odd to me, too, but as my business is all about fiber, it is a true statement)
The bad news is fairly bad. Oscar will not be receiving any help from the government for his training and certification from this year's budget. The next fiscal year starts in October, and the people who will be earmarked for help first include former members of the military, and laid-off factory workers. This seems fair, but left Oscar in an awkward spot.
The wonderful news is that with help from family he will proceed and do as much as he can, and in the meantime he will be excused from massive work-search duties otherwise required for his unemployment.
He has set up a grueling schedule for himself with New Horizons.
He has signed up for the Mentored Learning sessions every day they are available, and will be attending his first official class 5 days a week beginning the 27th. He is attending the mentored learning classes this week and next to get a head start.
He plans to power through the A Plus classes (two section, 21 mondules, about 4 modules a day) then take that test, all the time studying on his own for his first Cisco certification.
Then he will line up the next class (still studying on his own for Cisco) and get as much done as quickly as he can.
All the time still helping me package Ebay stuff, and keep the house running smoothly.
I am longing for the day when we move to an accessible home and I will be able to help in the house again.

(photo is picked randomly from my files, of ferns up in Gaylord Michigan)

Dogs

2011-06-12T22:47:00.000-04:00

Here are photos of the two Bull Terriers we are watching the next few days. They have been very well-behaved, and I am enjoying some puppy time :-}

Busy week about to get busier

2011-06-11T19:09:00.002-04:00

This has been a busy week by my standards. Wednesday I met my youngest brother and his family (except for Maddie who couldn't make it) for lunch at Flat Top Grill. We had a nice visit. They will be moving to Alaska in the next few weeks so I was very glad we could arrange a time to meet.
Then on Friday Oscar and I met his family at the Flat Top Grill. It had been months since we had seen his Mom, Fred and Brian and a long time since we had seen Lynnie, too. Again we had a lovely time :-}
Then Oscar got a phone call late last evening. My niece Liz and her brand new husband Tucker were ready to leave for their honeymoon early this morning but the person who had agreed to care for their dogs had backed out of helping the first few days. Of course Oscar immediately agreed that we would make sure the dogs were ok, to feed and let them out a few times a day. (They only live a few blocks away from us after all).
Monday Oscar has a meeting around noon, Tuesday around 10:30 a.m., Wednesday we both have a meeting in the afternoon, AND Oscar begins classes on Monday (two weeks of 9-5 classes. ( He can arrange to do mentored study in the evening on Monday and Wednesday to cover the first 3 days he must miss because of the appointments) Then another week of mentored studying and taking practice tests before taking his first certification test (for A+ certification).
So life got REALLY busy all of a sudden. (As it tends to do :-} )
Today Lynnie is on her way to TNNA and will be meeting Deb Robson. She offered to take along my copy of Deb and Carole Ekarius' new book to get Deb's signature (and perhaps Carole's as well if she is there).
I finished the last stitch of my large Kaleidoscope shawl (photo above just before the last round of border stitches.) I plan to make one more small size using a hand dyed worsted weight to show how other yarns will work with the triangles.
The other photo is the rose bush in Liz and Tucker's back yard. Tomorrow I'll try and get a few shots of their Bull Terriers Zoe and Fenny (short for Fenris :-} ). The roses are glorious this week all over.
Back to Otterwise designs, I have a brand new beaded lace shawl pattern almost ready. I have begun to add a lot of my own adaptations to the lace patterns and I am really enjoying finding out how my sketched graphs look when knitted up. I have yet another lace pattern that looks like growing flowers that I hope to use soon, too.
I will be shouldering more of the Ebay stuff, which means it will be going a bit more slowly. But we found a really reasonably priced camera that has more umph than our old camera which means I can take photos more easily. Oscar will still need to help with the packaging, but he will probably be able to fit that in during the evenings. Family has been very generous giving us some things they no longer need or want to list on our ebay site. Every little bit helps!
We haven't yet heard if the state of Michigan will be helping with Oscar's certification classes (the Tuesday meeting is about going further down that path) but family again is helping us, making sure he is able to begin now to gain the certification to match his experience and help him get a great job asap.

A Truly Beloved Bug

2011-06-08T19:23:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Alison who posted the link. This person must really love their Volkswagon Beetle.
Link is to the flickr photo below, not sure who owns the car.

Makes me wanna shop at Home Depot

2011-06-06T12:18:00.000-04:00

(image is a screen capture, to see the video click the link below)

Home Depot in Bangor, Maine has great customer service

June Already

2011-06-05T11:21:00.001-04:00

This year seems to be so disjointed and moving so very quickly. I spent the first three months sick most of the time then the next month scrambling to try and catch up. Then Oscar's job disappeared and we've been busting our butts to get some Ebay sales rolling in (all the while I was still trying to catch up with designing and reviewing). Now it is June, the first half of the year is almost gone and life looks so different now than it did in January. We are still busting butt on Ebay and I have had even more patterns ideas join the queue waiting to be born while working to finish the Kaleidoscope shawl.
The biggest thing to happen this week was the arrival of a long-awaited book co-written by my friend Deb Robson. I had to wait until I could find it on sale and used the proceeds from yarn sales to cover the cost. I normally would not have spent the money while things are in such flux but this is a treasure I will refer to for years to come. As things go, by next year the book may be less available and cost quite a bit more (although I hope for Deb and Carole Ekarious' sake sales demand a reprint). It is a book unlike any other in the fiber arena that compares and contrasts fibers from several different types and breeds of animal with meticulous information on using that fiber in many types of hand and machine work. It is brilliant, comprehensive and gorgeously designed. What is this treasure? The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook from Storey Publishing (the link says coming soon but it is available right now). I am only a fraction of the way through it but already I am caught by the desire to do something to help the endangered fiber breeds, perhaps adding some information on what type of scarce fiber would work for some of my existing patterns or perhaps reviewing some of the yarn produced by the small-business crafters from those yarns. I am still mulling over ideas. I have plenty of time to think because it will likely be a year before I can put any plans into the implementation stage.
Anyhow, this month will be much like last month except that Oscar will be gone more and the ebay stuff will depend more on me. And I plan by this time next month to have the Kaleidoscope pattern out for testing and to be working on some other patterns. Just a short incomplete mental count gives me a list 8 items long of patterns already partially completed.
Reviewing is going quite well, I have already submitted 12 reviews in June. I hope to keep up the pace as there are more waiting on the shelf and a few more arriving soon. Good thing I like staying busy!
Now it's time to close. Amanda, Sean, Isabella Rose and Scott are arriving for a small cookout in a few hours and we are not even CLOSE to ready.

Kaleidoscope Shawl

2011-06-03T11:34:00.001-04:00

The first sample of the new shawl (newly dubbed the Kaleidoscope Shawl) is finished! Here is it, unblocked but perky. I really like how it turned out. This is the small size. I am waiting on a few more skeins in the other colorway to finish the large size. It will have a crocheted border rather than a knitted border. Then the next steps will be making small working models for technique photos and drawing the schematic for putting the shawl together.
But the hard part is done, all the instructions are written out and the samples just shy of being finished.

Oscar the Scholar

2011-06-02T09:51:00.000-04:00

One of the things Oscar and I most enjoy about each other is that we both value and get excited about learning new things. We often share articles with each other from newsletters like Smartplanet or Stonepages. We watch lots of History and Discovery Channel programs, and are not satisfied with just watching NASCAR races, we also watch NASCAR Performance, a show that gets into the nitty gritty of the adjustments made to the cars to keep them fast on different tracks. (I'm a huge fan of Bootie Barker, too)
Despite our different educational paths (I wound up with three degrees, Oscar spent the time learning on the job) we both share that thirst for knowledge on almost any subject.
Imagine our delight that part of the Michigan program for unemployment involves encouraging people to further their education whether it be through a traditional degree program or by pursuing certifications specific for the jobs they want to get. Nothing has been firmly established as far as funds coming from the State for Oscar's choice of certification, but he is pursuing it steadily. We hope to find out in a few weeks exactly what they can do for him. In the meantime though he has found a state-approved program that has what he needs and chances are good the State will pay for it. My Oscar soon to be a CERTIFIED Network Specialist. He has been doing many of the things already in his career, but for future employers having those certifications proving his skills will be priceless.

Unexpected Consequence

2011-06-01T14:47:00.002-04:00

Well, not entirely unexpected. The good news is a really good lawyer has agreed to champion my SSD claim. The bad news is that relating the situation and the causes of it have brought back a spate of PTSD related to the really bad experiences that resulted in my disability. They were perpetuated by doctors doing their best to help me, but they were still pretty horrific and the PTSD has resulted in a bad case of intermittent insomnia and a few panic attacks for spice. In the way of the universe the bad times have been balanced by some really nice things. Yesterday for example I was having kind of a bad day, when Don called and we had a lovely conversation that cheered me up immensely. Right after that I got calls from two of my three brothers which also helped :-}
Of course Oscar is incredibly supportive, too. And the bad times now will be worth it when (I am thinking positively, not if, but when) the SSD comes through.
---caution the next little bit may be TMI (Too Much Information) for the squeamish---
One of the episodes that seems to be haunting me the most happened the day after the hernia repair in 2001. I had a wound 15 inches long where they installed two layers of fairly wide mesh. They had given me an epidural (inserted by a rookie) that was meant to keep the extremely high levels of pain away. That was fine, until I lost the ability to move my legs. The next doc to show up had them remove the epidural but neglected to write a scrip for a replacement med. The epidural wore off really quickly and I was left, the day after surgery with the firm knowledge of what it might have been like in the old west to be 'gut shot'. It took what seemed like forever but was likely more like 40 minutes for the nurse to come, run down a doctor, and a morphine pump to be installed. Since then, that has been my definition of '10' on the pain scale.
Another episode happened later that same year, after my body reacted to the stitches and mesh with infection. Oscar took me to the ER where the queasy intern encouraged the infection beneath the partially-healed incision to drain from the reopened wound near my navel. A few days later the head surgeon decided to McGyver together a series of doodads not really meant to work together and put in a more permanent drain to keep the fluid from building up again. One of the doctors on call, possibly an intern bluntly refused to help the doctor with this operation, which was carried out with local anesthetic in my dim hospital room as I lay in my bed. After he hooked up the 6-7 inch sequence of joined hardware and began the mechanical suction, I heard air whistle in from the top of the wound (where a more conventional drain had been installed.) My wound remained opened to some extent for more than nine months, through a series of IV antibiotics, nurses home visits, and far too many doctor appointments.
During that 9 months, I also had botched ankle surgery that lead to my current non-walking.
I guess some of the worst moments of that year will drift their way up, and it is better that they come to the surface than linger below gathering power.
This isn't meant to be a 'poor me' post, but perhaps a partial catharsis that may help me come back to normal and reduce the panic attacks a bit. Over all I am quite well, but the insomnia related fatigue is interfering with the things I want to do while I am awake and I am (ha ha) tired of it.
This too shall pass, eh?

Huge Ebay Week and Other Stuff

2011-05-30T11:17:00.000-04:00

We have 62 items up on ebay this week.
Lots of yarn, lots of books on the writing craft, and some interesting knick knacks as well as some Elfquest books and other odds and ends.

The modular shawl pattern is going very well. I had to rip off the edging on the sample I photographed a few posts ago as it was waaay more ruffly than I wanted. I re-wrote the edging pattern, making it more balanced over all and am on the final stretch. I like it now, it is more wavy than ruffly. I have also worked out part of the crocheted edging for the other sample, and am aching to start on it. Then I will make the schematics, have Oscar take some technique photos (I need to make the props for those) and get some final shots of the shawls on Zelda (the dressmaker's dummy.) It is already too warm here in Michigan to put a live model through wearing wool just for photos.

After the modular triangle shawl, I will plunge into other projects that have been on the back burner; a summer shawl in cotton based on the Withig stitch pattern, a shaped (small) ruana, the pattern resulting from our Mystery Stranded KAL, some summer tank tops, and some lace shawls. And a set of hat/cowl/mitts already written. And another hat already written. Enough to keep me busy through the summer, I'd say.

The Fabulous Heftones

2011-05-23T10:41:00.001-04:00

You may have heard that my Sis-in-love and her husband Brian are musicians.
This past weekend as they almost always do, they played at the East Lansing Art Festival. This shot made it into the paper (Lansing State Journal). From Brian's expression, I'd say he was 'Eefing'. Lynn and Brian specialize in Tin Pan Alley music from the 1920's and forward. Many of their songs are available free on their site:
The Fabulous Heftones

The Movie The Boat that Rocked / Pirate Radio

2011-05-18T20:41:00.001-04:00

Highly Recommended. Best movie I've seen in years. Watch it.

The Boat That Rocked / Pirate Radio

Hint of Upcoming Shawl Pattern

2011-05-17T10:33:00.002-04:00

Productive Week, and BIG Yarn destash

2011-05-13T14:26:00.000-04:00

First, I am destashing quite a bit of yarn. I had hoped to reduce my total bin count from 11 to 5 or 6, but only succeeded in reducing the count to 8. Ah well, I will try again in a month or so. For now, though, those three bins chock full of yarn are being destashed on the Ravelry website:
HERE if you are interested in yarny goodness.

I am also pleased that I have been able to submit 6 reviews this week, 3 of them today.
I am feeling pretty well overall, although my ankle has continued to deteriorate further, more quickly than expected. I will be so grateful to be in a new accessible home before the year's end (we hope).
Oscar is 50, and thus we may be able to move to a retirement community. We think this will give us the best possible chance of finding a lovely accessible apartment or home.

Oscar is looking into further education through programs at Work First Michigan, and has found some classes that will add quite a bit to his resume. There are various hurdles like applying for a Pell grant to get over, but once all the details are squared away, he will be able to take all of the classes online.
In the meantime, we will continue clearing the house of items we won't wish to move, and putting various things up on Ebay. We are enjoying the extra time together, and are managing very well, I think.

Bra Supports Japan on the Two-Month Anniversary of the Quake

2011-05-11T20:13:00.000-04:00

From CNET's Leslie Katz:

Triumph International Japan model Hikaru Kawai, who's from Sendai, joins a mannequin to model a "Support Japan Bra" and matching wraparound skirt in Tokyo today, the two-month anniversary of the quake and tsunami.

(Credit: AFP Photos/Yoshikazu Tsuno)

We have uplifting news from Triumph International, the company that brought us the solar-panel bra, the husband-hunter bra, and the environmentally minded No Plastic Shopping Bag Bra , among other novelty lingerie.
Today, on the two-month anniversary of the Japanese quake and tsunami, the company unclasped the "Support Japan Bra", a strapless bustier and matching skirt covered in encouraging messages to disaster victims delivered from around the world.
Now, it's probably safe to assume novelty lingerie isn't a priority for the many people still reeling from the epic natural disasters. Still, encouraging words from the global community, be they delivered by disaster relief agencies, social media, or brassieres, will hopefully remind victims that they're still very much in hearts and minds around the world.
The bra delivers 54 encouraging messages from 36 countries, and if you look closely at the picture above (hey, hey, not that closely!), you'll notice a range of languages scrawled on the undergarment alongside images of flags from countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Israel, Argentina, Switzerland, and Germany.
"Japan, with you 100%" reads a message from France. Reads another from China, "Those who have already left us let us know life is so fragile, and those who are alive let us know life is so strong." The Support Japan Bra is not for sale--yet, at least.
Hikaru Kawai, a Triumph representative from hard-hit Sendai who modeled the ensemble at today's unveiling in Tokyo, said she read every message herself.
We're not sure who, exactly, penned these messages (it looks to be staff from Triumph affiliates and not foreign ministry representatives), and it's clearly a PR stunt. Still, we have to credit Triumph International Japan for donating 62,000 units of women's underwear (regular ol' undies, not the kind covered in international messages) for distribution to Japanese women in need.

Rising of the Dreaded Germy Monster

2011-05-10T17:32:00.001-04:00

Blergh. I have been sick for about 3 days now, although I AM getting better each day. I am still sleeping 10 to 12 hours a night (My normal cycle is 6-7 hours) and still feeling tired enough to hit the hay at 9 p.m... after getting up at noon. I figure if my body wants sleep, sleep it shall get!
During my limited awake time I have been making progress on the modular triangle shawl and working on ebay stuff, as well as helping Oscar with mutual decisions on what to keep (very little) and what to shuffle off to ebay/friends/charity/trash (everything else).
I like this kind of thing, and Oscar has really developed some great skills at the task.
Since a visit home when I spent too much time on my feet, my "foot time" and "sitting upright time" has been cut back even further, but we have adapted.
I hope to have this latest bug kicked in another few days, and be back at full speed again.

My Sister-In-Love; The SOCK STAR!!!!

2011-05-05T11:02:00.000-04:00

LynnH of Colorjoy is my beloved Oscar's sister. Back when it was first sinking in that my abdominal surgery wound was not healing as it should, when my long-term disability was ending and we were learning my ankle was no better despite THAT surgery Lynn asked if I would work through one of her patterns. My memory is faulty, but it may have been for First-TimeToe-Up Socks. Perhaps it was the Wristwarmer Pattern, or maybe one of her wraps. At any rate, as a rank beginner, I would be the perfect person to test the directions. If I could make her pattern, ANY one could. Back then, although I didn't know it, I was knitting every stitch twisted, Eastern style. Not surprising when the most recent time I'd learned knitting was from looking at diagrams in a book when I lived in Japan.
At any rate, Lynn was the one who got me started knitting again, and just in time, too. As the rest of my life was falling apart, this renewed fascination with sticks and string helped me focus on the positive. The internet was at my fingertips which allowed me to learn something new every day, almost any question was answered and each answer led me down a trail to a new piece of the puzzle and a new area of interest.
As the months passed, Lynnie asked me to help out on other patterns, which gave me a sense of purpose, and a feeling of being useful. Having the yarn and needles helped me feel in control of my life while my health was destroying some of my dreams. I am not sure she really understands the gift she gave me. The gift I rely on to this very day to help make my life a million times better than it would be without it.
Lynn is achieving a dream this July, and it couldn't happen to a more deserving person. She has been tapped to be an instructor at Sock Summit 2011, and will be teaching five (FIVE!!!) classes. Her name is listed among other heroes of mine: Cookie A., Cat Bordhi, Anne Hanson, Stephanie Pearl-Macfee and even Anna Zilboorg! She is in good company. Her lucky students will be able to experience Lynn's excitement and enthusiasm first hand, and I know no better teacher if one of them is learning a new technique.
I am so proud of Lynnie, I wish I could be there in person, but I know SHE knows I will be there in spirit.

Yay!!!!!!!!

2011-05-04T13:29:00.000-04:00

The State of Michigan has ruled that Oscar's employer does not have sufficient cause to block his unemployment insurance.
This means we will have enough to cover the bills until Oscar gets his further certification and finds a MUCH better job!

Knitcircus Magazine Summer 2011 #14

2011-05-04T11:21:00.000-04:00

I just got my Summer issue of Knitcircus Magazine and there are several very neat patterns in the issue, but the shawls in particular caught my attention. (BTW, that link is to the main magazine site which has 119 pages of fantastic FREE articles and some free patterns as well. I look forward to delving into the interview with Keiran Foley as soon as I post this.)
The first is Fanette (pg 66-670) a sweet little shawlette that looks like the perfect knit. Not too hard but with plenty of interest to make the knitting a joy. It also looks like it would be a great pattern for hand-painted yarn, and uses just one 437-yard skein of fingering weight.
Then there is Keiran Foley's Mughal, (pgs 64-650 which uses two colors of Madelinetosh and a leafy lace pattern to create a long luscious rectangular stole inspired by Mughal paintings.
If that weren't enough, there is also a shawl from another of my favorite designers, Susanna IC where she uses her skills to recreate the shape of and orchid in her Orchidea. (pg 50-51).
This issue also has patterns for summer tops, socks, bags, pillows etc. I swear Jaala (the editor) manages to cram more goodness in every time.
This issue also features a video aimed and children who knit all about the purl stitch, An article by Wendy Johnson on knitting at full speed and more.

Still Spring, Still Jaunting

2011-05-02T11:40:00.000-04:00

One of the huge positives of this whole period of time is that Oscar and I can go for jaunts every day there is sun. Yesterday we noticed the cloud cover had cleared enough to let some sunshine through so we scrambled and got out there even though we could still hear thunder in the distance.

Another Spring Jaunt

2011-04-29T16:54:00.000-04:00

Things are a lot warmer and prettier outside. Oscar and I are keepign cheerful and using the opportunity for some lovely long jaunts in the neighborhood.