chrisknits
Shudder
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Horrible. Vile. Unconscionable. Remind me how Islam is such a "peace" loving religion, because I am having a hard time believing it right now. Yes, I know sadistic people will do horrible things all in the name of their religion. But please, direct me to a comparable photo essay of disfigured Jewish women. Or maybe you have a link to show me the women of Christian faith who have been disfigured by their husbands, family or someone they turned down for marriage. When are we going to get it. There is a radical, murderous, arm of Islam that is intent on imposing their belief system on the world. Are you ready for this kind of treatment at their hands?
At this time of the year we all reflect on what we are thankful for. Right now I am so thankful that I was born to parents who lived in the wonderful country of the US of A. I am thankful my parents were born into Christian families and decided it was right that their children be brought up in the church. I am thankful this country was settled by those wishing to practice their religious freedoms. I am thankful that no matter what the weird "rules" of the religions were, they would not condone this type of treatment of women for any reason. All religions have had their scandals and issues in the past, present, and likely future. But nothing like this. My prayer is that there is some way that the women of Islam can break free of these oppressions and enjoy the freedoms the women of America have.
I hope you find time to think of those who will not be enjoying friends and family tomorrow as America celebrates its day of Thanksgiving. Sometimes we focus so much on what we need to be doing to get ready for our celebrations, that we forget there are those who will not be taking part in the joy of family and friends. Spare thoughts for them as you can. Have a wonderful, joyous and peaceful Thanksgiving.
Knitting on
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
There is a typical winter time knitting phenomenon for me. I end up making the same pattern 50 times over. Don't know why, don't know how, it just happens. My 2007 Flickr page shows 2 hats that caught my attention. I ended up knitting 2 of one and 4 of the other. And I knit numerous Fetchings. In 2008 I made 2 dog sweaters from the same pattern and umpteen Calorimetry. OK, so neither ever got to 50 times, but you get the picture. Also that year, I made 3 Baby Boleros, but they were interspersed throughout the year. What is it about a pattern that grabs me and holds me? I can't answer that, but I think I have found the 2009 version of it. Only, the 2nd one has already morphed into something else and the first one wasn't completely like the pattern either.
Mirelle has inspired me to do similar hats. The latest one has changed the star motif to a 18 st repeat instead of 24. I made a new motif to separate the stars. I deleted the checker board. I will use the fuchsia to make a color change in the middle of the star, I think. The yarn I am using is a mite thinner than the leftover Shelridge Farm yarn I used on the first Mirelle look alike. But I am using the same needle size, 4, and it seems to be working. I thought to double strand it, but when I cast on double with a size 5 needle it was too thick. Not having a 6 or 7 with me at the time, it became another small needle project.
And I have already decided what to do change on the next hat. Someone stop me now! I have 5 pair of clogs and 2 pair of felted footies to make by Dec 25th! My hands will be so gnarled by then who knows if I can even knit anymore.
OK, light week this week, and hallelujah for it! We have bball game and dinner at my Aunt's on Wed, but other than that I am free! But I do have to make dumplings and yeast rolls for Thursday lunch at my SIL's. Thank goodness for those freezer rolls that I just pop in a pan and let rise. The dumplings however are not so easy. So I will get up Thursday morning and start rolling them out and boiling them. Wish I could get some turkey drippings, but Hubster plans to smoke ours. Not sure when he plans to do this, but it is on his radar and two large birds are in my freezer!
Elder reminded me last night that we have to get out and get her dress for her Christmas dance on Dec 5th. There is no way I am going out THIS weekend to look at dresses! NO. WAY. But with only 11 days left, we will have to hustle it out to the mall for a dress. She is not a fussy one so we won't have the drama of not being able to find the ONE dress. I feel for those moms whose daughters are that particular. But no way will I drive over 30 minutes to find a formal dress for a school dance.
Off to knit and waste my day! Need to make an appt for an oil change, need to call Hubster to find out what I am supposed to do with the title and stuff for the Jeep, need to make a hair appt for the pup, need to drop off food stuffs at the Rescue Mission, and need to find a charity for the hats I have made and run the preemie ones by the hospital. And then tonight I will knit at Starbucks no matter WHAT my family tries to do about it!
Too tired to write a post
Sunday, 22 November 2009
So I will leave you with photos of our weekend retreat. Again, I suck at taking pictures of any celebration! The hat was started on Saturday morning and finished late Saturday night. It just flew off the needles. My niece claimed it. And perfect size it was. Pattern PDF I kinda followed. Changes were to do the beginning in 4 rows garter, not purl rows. Then the first row of the corrugated ribbing was done in all knit sts. I hate seeing the purl bump color change when going from one color to another in ribbing. Then I made a row of fuchsia checks in the brown background before starting the ribbon color band. Mirrored the placement of the bands after the motif and did 4 rows of garter to start the crown. I did the crown solid instead of striped. Now, if I can figure it out I will make a pair of mittens to match for her. Just need to narrow down the motif to fit a mitten hand. Do you think it was a hit? Mouse over the photo to see just how much she liked it.
Health care rant, if you are liberal you won't agree with me, so skip it and save us all a lot of drama.