**Best gift recipient ever**

This news actually belongs to Saturday, but I was not entirely cogent then. I have recieved the nicest thank you note from a recipient of a knitted object and I just have to share. I finally managed to box up Florella and get it ready to send right before the Uni High reunion, but didn't mail it until Monday, July 19th. Already on Saturday, in my mailbox was the thank you note from Wendy, which I am transcribing here: "Dear Mary, We just love the beautiful outfit that you have created. The pearly buttons were such a nice touch. The color and multicolor tie goes great to gether. Thank you so much. Jocelyn is so lucky! Best, Wendy"

And what makes this the winning entry in the "Best gift recipient ever" contest?
- Speed! Gift sent 7/19, thank in hand 7/24
- Encloses a photo of adorable baby wearing outfit
- Noticed the buttons!
- Noticed the ties (any idea how long I agonized over tie color? how many yarn shops visited?)
- Includes birth announcement card with full baby details

In general, no one ever *asks* for the baby things I send them and who the heck knows if they like them. But this is the first time I've ever gotten a thank you like this. And the first time in like 10 years that I've received a photo of a baby wearing the knitted object. Having this show up in the mail Saturday was a big boost to my spirits. Wendy, you totally rock!

Re-re-re-re-re-re-re-reknit! (Just a little bit)

Last night I finished reknitting the sleeves of the February toddler cardigan & wove in all the ends again. When I am finally able to leave the house, I can deliver a finished object right away! (Photo soon. I think all will agree the new sleeves look much more normal.) It was good to have a small, easy-to-complete project to knock off.

My little stack of 'things I did while I was recovering' is growing. I finished "24 Hours" by Margaret Mahy yesterday morning and added it to the stack. Also watched Donnie Darko on Tuesday night and again Wednesday with the commentary. Into the pile with it! Next up on the video parade is Man on the Moon, which arrived from Netflix in like early June. Everything must go!

More thank you's to people who have helped out while I'm recovering: Mika, for my Wednesday morning visit and lunch. Rebecca, Cecelia, and Wendy for company last night. Pat and Bill for great music to recover by. And Adam (**ADAM!**), king of the kitchen, for dinner and cleanup last night. Kevina and the gang for a lovely lunch today and all the well-wishes. Thank you all!

Here I am! Slow but recovering

Had a great meet-up last Wednesday night at Blue Rock Shoot in Saratoga.. gave me a chance to pick up yarn for the next baby sweater which I don't yet yave a name for. Watching Janice at the meet up I got a better handle on using the circularness of the 2 circulars to keep the yarn from tangling & understand the progress of the socks better.

Surgery Thursday morning went pretty well, overnight stay in the hospital was fine by me and I came home Friday. Since then I've been lumping on the sofa -- something I'll probably be doing for another 2 weeks. I've knit approximately 4 rounds today and that's pretty good, considering how spacey I am.

I've totally appreciated the support of my pit crew for the last 5 days. People have brought dinner, come over to babysit me when Bill is out, sent flowers, called on the phone and just been great. Thanks to Bill (you're the best), Mom, Mom & Dad W., John & Susan, Pat & Wendy, Jennifer and Pastor Richard. I'm feeling much better!

Socking right along

With lots of tips and encouragement from Janice from the Campbell Stitch-n-Bitch group, I am making great progress on 2 socks, 2 circulars. Using Ingrid's Double Trouble sock pattern, I cast on both socks last Friday in Champaign then spent the rest of my visit and the plane ride home working on the feet.

Saturday:                 Monday night

 

By Monday evening, I had turned 1 heel and Tuesday I turned the 2nd. I've knit a few rows even now and am ready to start the ribbing.

Project: Double Trouble 2 socks, 2 circs
Yarn: Regia 6-fadig Crazy Colors in color Dschungel
Needles: Size 1 circulars (Addi turbo and Susan Bates)
Start Date: July 16, 2004
Notes: The yarn was a gift from Mom about 2 years ago. The color did *not* grab me, so I thought it was OK to sacrifice it to experimental socks. I dig it much more now that I can see the striping in the sock

Things I learned from Janice for this project:
- Use the provisional cast on to start the toes
- Short row toe and heel
- Use size 1 needles (or 1 size less than normally used with the yarn) to get a firmer fabric
- 3X1 rib looks great
- 2 socks, 2 circs is easier than it sounds

Thank you, Janice! 2 socks 2 circulars are GREAT

 

Fuzzy Flops!

I just found out Jeanette and Jen are selling the fruits of their knitting as "Fuzzy Flops". Their knit-decorated flip-flops are made with fun yarns that really jazz up your standard flop, plus good-luck charms for your feet. I love seeing all the ways knitters make use of their talents to decorate the world. I hope they make a mint selling their work!