One More

These dishcloths are a little bit addictive.  This one is a nice buttery shade of yellow.  I tried to use a stockinette stitch in the middle this time, it isn't quite square, but maybe it will straighten up in the wash.  If not it will be one to keep instead of one to give away.  Everyone here is snuggles under quilts on the couch and enjoying simply being at home.  

HOME!

Nothing feels quite as nice as finally being back home to stay after a long time away!  I thought I would end up getting lots of dishcloths done while I was away, but ended up losing one knitting needle fairly early on. I did finish two though, one on the trip up to Atlanta three weeks ago and the other on the trip back up on Friday after a trip to the store for another set of size 7 needles.  Most of the time in the hospital and hospice rooms were spent reading books on the kindle because it could be done in the dark.  I wasn't able to concentrate much and so reread a series of books that I had enjoyed years ago, it was a nice way to feel like I was doing something without having to think too much.
 Mom's memorial service yesterday was very nice. I managed to get through my entire speech and my sister read a poem and a psalm. Brad, my older brother, didn't feel that he could do any public speaking, but he was there with us through the entire ceremony. There was a very nice video with photographs as well and Garth, the minister from the church, gave a very nice sermon which I thought did a perfect job of expressing Mom's personality.  I am so appreciative for all of your supportive e-mails and Facebook posts, I will respond to each of them in time, right now I'm still trying to digest everything that has gone on.

So here is the first dishcloth, which I made using a pattern that Sheila kindly sent to me. I'm going to paste it in here, because putting things in my blog is always a nice way of making sure they are easy to find later.  Sheila got it from Wanda, and I'm not sure where it came from before that.

The pattern I'm using is this one that Wanda Hanson of
Exuberantcolor.blogspot.com emailed me. I love it. I copied and pasted it
below. She uses it a lot. Me, too, now :D

Cast on 3 stitches.  Increase one stitch in each row by knitting in the
front and back of the center stitch until you have 7 stitches.

Next rows:  Knit 3, yarn over, knit across.  This increases one stitch per
row and creates the holes that define the border.  Continue until you have
45-50 stitches.  On size 7 needles I go to 50, with size 8 needles I stop
at 45.

Decrease rows:  Knit 2, knit 2 together, yarn over, Knit 2 together, knit
across.  Continue until you have 7 stitches left.
Next row: Knit 3, knit 2 tog, knit across.
Next row: Knit 2, knit 2 tog, knit across.
Cut yarn with a 6” tail, slip needle out and slip a crochet hook in and
pull the tail through remaining 5 stitches.  Split the yarn and pull one
tail back through a stitch and then tie off.  Cut ends close.

Next time I make this pattern I am going to try to put a stockinette stitch in the center portion by alternating rows of knitting and pearling.  I think that would be cute too.  

This one was actually made first, it is 40 stitches with the first row knit one purl one and the second row purl one knit one.  From time to time I got me rows mixed up, but I still like the knubbly texture.  I think it would look nice in the middle of the diagonal pattern as well.  

I'm a Chauffeur

More driving and juggling today.  I also got to do science with Anna's class.  That was fun.  We're doing Physics now, which isn't my thing, but it is good stuff.  After that it was Legos and lots of ice skating.  We're just now home and the kids were so tired they all walked straight up to bed without even asking for hugs and kisses. 

I found a few minutes though to finish off a scarf for Kurt to take on his trip.  He's supposed to go skiing and wanted something to keep his face warm.  This is something I started last winter when it was so cold and then shuffled around from place to place until I couldn't find it anymore.  It was hiding in the end table waiting for me to remember about it again.  I have more yarn to make a hat and mittens, but I don't know how to knit fancy things.

Knit One Purl Two

It's been bitterly cold here and I have not got much in the way of winter wear. I also needed something relaxing to do while hanging out on the couch and watching TV. I had some soft suedy blue chenile yarn that I found on sale at Joann last week and decided to turn it into a scarf. I think it will be quite cozy as I brave the freezing winter wind during my morning car loop duty. I've never been much a knitter, but I think I'm doing it right. My first try turned out about a foot wide, so I tore that out and tried for something narrower. I haven't got a pattern, but I'm going to keep going until it seems long enough and then maybe put a fringe on the ends. Sydney is already requesting one in pink, so maybe I'll let her pick out some yarn and whip one up for her as well. I know knitting socks is really popular right now, but I'd never put that much work into something that was meant to go on my feet.