Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Look at me! I have FOs!

Mom is in California for Grandma's funeral, which is starting in five minutes. She called me two hours ago to let me know that she was taking my sister to the yarn store that was only five minutes from our old house. In her own words, "We have time on our hands before the funeral and Heather and I need some yarn." I love it.

It's been hard not being there with my family during this time, but I've had knitting to console me. A few little items for your perusal...

2 Finished Scarfs and an Almost Finished Purse (All stashbusters!!!)

From left to right:
Irish Hiking Scarf in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, knitted with size 6 US needles.
Random Christmas Scarf (starting early this year!) in Classic Elite Waterspun, knitted with size 10 US needles.
Cabled Purse in Lamb's Pride Chunky, knitted with size 13 US needles. (Almost finished, just needs to be lined and have the handles put on. Anyone with ideas on how to do this?)

Honey's Prayer Shawl
I met Honey through my LiveJournal, which I still keep active though with only stuff that isn't knitting related. (So basically, all the boring things.) She is battling uterine cancer and going through a series of surgeries that will hopefully allow her to keep her uterus and have children. We decided that we needed to make prayer shawls for eachother and this one will be hers.

I'm using Cascade 220, doubled and using size 13 US needles. The colors are blue, pink, green and white. Blue for healing and hope. Green for the growth of healthy non-cancerous cells and the personal growth she is experiencing. Pink for the love of her friends and family which is helping to see her through this ordeal. And white for wiping the slate clean and starting new. (Kim, this is not from my stash. I purchased the 4 skeins from my LYS. If I get kicked out of the Stashalong for a Prayer Shawl for a cancer patient, then so be it. But I was hoping that there would be some grace given for it.)

Seed Stitch Sweater
I love making stuff for other people, and here is another project for Owen, my little man. This is a Debbie Bliss pattern from Baby Knits for Beginners, the first knitting book I ever fell in love with. It uses 5 skeins of her Baby Cashmerino, which I just happened to have in my stash. Don't you love that?! This thing sweater is being knitted on size 3 US needles, which I think is a little crazy, but I'm loving my results! I started this project on Friday night during my LYS' Knit In and it is smooth sailing right now, though I'm only 5" in. I definitely need some cool buttons for the front. I'm thinking cars or trains or something.

My SP7 just emailed me today to let me know that I should expect my first package to arrive on Friday. Thank goodness because I could use the pick me up right now! With all the stuff going on in life right now, I need something fun to look forward to!!!

6 comments:

Laura said...

Oh my gosh! I was just thinking today that I have a baby gift to make in the next few months for a baby girl due in May. And I totally have five skeins of pink Baby Cashmerino in my stash. Brilliant. Now I just need to get that book!

HibiscuitsGirl said...

Wow! You've been a busy knitting bee. I'm so glad you and your family are finding comport in knitting.

Lana said...

Hi Brianne,
I wanted to go to the knit-in but was forced to stay home with intestinal yuck:( Sorry to hear about your grandma. I'm glad she had a full life. In the knitting news I usually use the basic knit hat pattern at http://www.carewear.org and the bootie pattern at http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/michelle-booties.html. I use Caron Simply Soft. The only changes I make are with color. I hope you decide to knit up a hat with or without booties. They are addicting cause they go so fast and are so cute. Check out the Yahoo group The Preemie Project for more patterns if you are interested. Hope to see you at Simply Fibers sometime soon. Recooperation has been slow, but I'm ready to resume a normal life now:D

Anonymous said...

Hi, it's Beth from the Knit-in. The sweater for your son looks great! I envy you your progress. Hope you are doing well this week. I'm sorry to learn of your grandmother's death.

Peace,
Beth

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your Great-Grandmother. I'm glad you and your sister and mom are finding comfort in knitting. It's crazy how such a simple act can bring us such comfort and pleasure when we need it! Hang in there!
Your Secret Pal

Kim said...

I'm sorry to hear about all the stressful things going on in your life right now. (((hugs))) The yarn for the prayer shawl doesn't violate Stashalong--I think it's the same as Norma's Red scarf issue. Just passing through on Stashalong patrol--hang in there, you and your family will be in my thoughts.