Throw-Blanket-To-Be

Just received 19 balls of Knit Picks Shine Sport in the mail. Why - WHY - did I think it would be a good idea to make a blanket out of this tiny yarn?

I've worked out how to knit a tube on straight needles by double-knitting with a single strand. Someone is getting a scarf made this way for Christmas. Not sure who, but I have to show off my new skill!

To-Knit List

Saw a woman on the street with a very cool cableknit beret. Trying to figure out how to reproduce it. The knitting math is melting my brain.

Have a sock that's been on the needles for ages. Tired of it, but can't bring myself to abandon it completely.

Have a throw blanket that's been on the needles for over a month. I do it in bits and pieces, but... I can't believe I'm saying this... knitting has not been a priority lately.

Owe someone a combination blanket/housewarming present. Anyone got any intarsia charts or other creative ideas for a Beatrix Potter- themed item?

Updates

I'm still here, and still knitting! Other things have taken up quite a bit of space in my brain, and I've run short on time and energy for blogging. Piccies of recent and ongoing projects will follow, if only to remind myself that I do, sometimes, manage to get things done!

The new quarter began this past week, and once again I'll be in classes every Tuesday and Thursday night.

My Willy, a cat I had for about 10 years, died of congestive heart failure about two weeks ago. He had been sick for about two months, so his death was not a surprise, but I had hoped he could stick around a little longer.

My doctor says I've got irritable bowel syndrome. I thought it was celiac disease (tests confirm it's not) and tried a gluten-free diet for a while. I did feel a little better after cutting out gluten, and considered doing it again, celiac or not. However, I found that when I cut out gluten, I have to cut it out completely. Once my body has adapted to being gluten-free, a small amount of gluten in my food will cause a headache and a bitter taste in my mouth. It's easier (and a whole lot cheaper!) to maintain some gluten in my diet. I was, at least, introduced to the yumminess that is flax bread. It's pricey, but worth the splurge now and then.

My mom had a tumor full of pre-cancerous cells removed, and she seems fine now.

Had a minor bang-up with my car, which was already in pretty bad shape. Have gained some weight, mostly as a result of screwing around with my diet and different meds for months. I like my new apartment, except for a few minor problems. I could use a pedicure. Aaaaaand.... that's about it.

I swear, this explains everything

http://www.xkcd.com/597

Still here

No, I haven't abandoned the blog. There's been a lot going on lately, and blogging hasn't been high on my to-do list. Still knitting, though. That's not on the list, either. Doesn't need to be. I just keep doing it!

Go... what?

In honor of Memorial Day, will someone please tell me the origin of the phrase "Go knit a flag?" Or at least, what it means?

Puts my puny efforts in perspective

There are lots of people who knit for charity. Cari Clement took it to a whole new level.

Rwanda Knits

Through a USAID grant to our sister Rwanda-based NGO, Rwandans Allied for Peace and Progress, Rwanda Knits has enabled over 1,200 women to earn a living through making and selling their knitted goods. The organization has provided over 600 knitting machines and training to women in 17 associations throughout the country. The project has been described as one of USAID Rwanda's most successful income-producing projects. Today these associations have formed 29 knitting cooperatives who are registering as primary cooperatives, soon to be forming the country's first Secondary (umbrella-type) Artisan Cooperative.

That? Is awesome. And they're not just selling their products abroad. They also knit sweaters for the local kids' school uniforms.