my side hurts to much, so here's a list.

I saw this on Raverly and decided to share it here.  It's a knitting check of list.  Feel free to nab it for your self too.


Key:
Bold = I’ve done it!
Italics = Planning to or at least try
plain font = Not planning on it
Bold Italics =  currently working on one

Afghan: ..but I think it will be awhile before I start one.
I-cord: I use dpns. But when I was a kid I had a spool for it.
Garter stitch: A whole lot of it.
Knitting with metal wire:  Currently with 30g fine silver.
Shawl : I recently learned not to knit while on painkillers while working on it.
Stockinette stitch: Yeah.. do this a lot too.
Socks top-down: I started one.. and it wasn’t the right size. I ripped it.
Socks toe-up: I have one.. part way going…some day it will be done.
Knitting with camel yarn: I need to get my hands on some.. either yarn or fiber.
Mittens: Cuff-up:  I do a lot of fingerless ones this way.
Mittens: Tip-down: I think if I saw a reason too.. or had the pattern for it.
Hat: I’ve made a few and more on the way
Knitting with silk : I’m currently spinning some.. but haven’t knit any yet.
Moebius band knitting: I soo want to.
Participating in a KAL: I made hats with people.. but that’s about it.
Sweater : I have the yarn and pattern to make the Central Park Hoodie.
Drop stitch patterns: Its all right.
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn: random small stuff.
Slip stitch patterns: it shows up here and there
Knitting with banana fiber yarn :–> I didn’t know.. I wonder what its like.
Domino knitting (=modular knitting):  I actually think I’ve done a little but not what I would call a full on project.
Twisted stitch patterns: Yep, and a lot by accidentally cause I didn’t realize I was combined knitting and it doesn’t work so well in the round.  That was a few years ago. I know better now and I changed my style of knitting too.
Knitting with bamboo yarn:  I have some but haven’t used it yet. I have some to spin too.
Two end knitting : Um what???
Charity knitting : yup yup. Good for the spirit.
Knitting with soy yarn:  need to get this too
Cardigan I kind of lump this with sweater.. I guess this does get button holes…
Toy or doll clothing:  I have a book of teddy bears to knit. Have yet to make.
Knitting with circular needles : I even use them for flat knitting. Holds the weight better and  less hitting things with the needles as I work.
Baby items : I made some hats and a tiny blanket.  I’m kinda lame with the baby knitting
Knitting with your own handspun yarn : Yup.  I love to spin.. but haven’t the time or space lately. Currently don’t have the ability to. Stupid surgery.
Slippers: It might be nice…
Graffiti knitting: knitting items on, or to be left on the street:I think this could be an  interesting social experiment in the winter. If I could watch people and their reactions.
Continental knitting : Its really just in how you carry the yarn basically. It’s how I do.
Designing knitted items: Currently I design    small sculpture stuff and jewelry.
Cable stitch patterns : Easy Peasy, used a pencil as a cable holder too.
Lace patterns: only some basic stuff. I want to do a shawl some day.
Publishing a knitting book : It’s not on my agenda currently…..
Scarf : My mother said I make to many.. Like it’s a bad addiction or something.
Teaching a child to knit : A small number of them to say the least!
Knitting to make money : been there done that, currently working on stocking my Etsy shop before I open it up again.  Done craft fair type stuff before for a club.         
Button holes:  was easy enough.
Knitting with alpaca: soft, fluffy, and warm. Nom nom
Fair Isle knitting:  suppose I need to pick out a project and do it.
Norwegian knitting : hmm more color knitting.. see above.
Household items: Speaking of, I need to make some new pot holders and a tea cozy.
knitting socks- or other small tubular items- on two circulars : eh.. I prefer my dpns, cost’s more money to buy 2 pairs of addies then a set of dpns.
Dying with plant colours:  I did it with acorns.
Knitting items for a wedding: I missed out for my own.. though I wanted to make a shawl. No plans to knit for any one else’s.
Olympic knitting:  I’m just not interested.
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn:  I’d give it a go. Just don’t have any.
Knitting with dpns : All the time.  Even right now!
Holiday related knitting : 2 down.. a bunch more to go.
Teaching a male how to knit: I’ve taught my Husband the basics. He’s working on a prairie shawl.
Bobbles:  It will happen eventually
Knitting for a living: Not sure how to handle this one. I am currently doing Jewelry in metal smithing.. incorporating fibre techniques with metal work. Not just knitting  some wire.
Knitting with cotton:  and I need new potholders.
Knitting smocking: I know what smocking is.. but knitted? Ok I can try.
Dyeing yarn: I like to use kool aid in the kitchen. Food safe and won’t make my husband sick >.>  did I mention cheep?
Steeks: I know what this is, but I’ve not had a pattern or reason to do it yet.
Knitting art : ….duh
Fulling/felting : yup and yup.
Knitting with wool : It happens to be a favorite of mine.
Textured knitting : I love to feel things. I think this is why I hate knitting with man made materials.  It feels awful in my hands.
Kitchener Stitch : easy once figured out.. then I realized I needed a garter stitch version.
Purses/bags : and I recently designed my own to sell in my Etsy shop.
Knitting with beads:  I’m I already own 0000 steel needles.  Might as well.
Swatching : not my favorite thing., but very necessary
Long Tail CO : It’s what I usually use.
Entrelac Knitting and purling backwards : It makes people go Huh when I do it in    reverse.  LoL
Machine knitting:  /shrug
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegating yarn : Fun stuff.
Stuffed toys:  I’ve made some small things
Knitting with cashmere : When I have lots of money then I will. Either that or I find a sweater to take apart at the local thrift shop.
Darning : not that thrilling..
Jewelry Knitting with synthetic yarn :  why the heck would I? I use Fine silver and um I don’t like synthetic yarns usually. Damn Eye lash shit.
Writing a pattern: Yes, but it’s personal use.
Gloves : I prefer mittens and warm fingers but I might some day.
Intarsia: More color work!! I’ve done some basic stuff.
Knitting with linen : I need some!
Knitting for preemies : just not found myself doing it yet I guess.
Tubular/circular CO – Been doing it a lot lately.
Freeform knitting : I do this sometimes when bored… doesn’t mean I keep it.
Short rows : Easy.
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers : done quite a few of these.
Pillows : I have one that I started a long time ago.. need to seam it.
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine : Of course.
Rug :  maybe…
Knitting on a loom : I own a loom.. not sure I would knit on it.
Thrummed knitting : I so want to
Knitting a gift –> hello holidays.
Knitting for pets made plenty of kitty toys.
Shrug/bolero/poncho : it slow going
Knitting with dog/cat hair : I own a cat. I’m sure it’s in there.
Hair accessories : I have short hair.. not something I’ve bothered with.
Knitting in public : All the time
Yarn swap : Swap yes. But not a specific yarn swap.
Knitting with seacell : I’ve seen it and would like some.
Knitting with modal/tencel This is that shiny stuff right? I’d like some fiber to add to my spinning more than to knit with.
Knitting with qiviut : Can we say.. I need to be rich? Or get lucky.. know the right people….
Knitting a vintage pattern : Um yes?
Knitting a fibonacci sequence : a what??? After I look it up I might try.
Subscribe to a knitting magazine :that unfortunately cost’s money. I get a newsstand copy if I have the money and it has something I like.
Reach TKGA Master Knitter Level 1: Not something I was thinking about.
Reach TKGA Master Knitter Level 2: interest in doing the 1^st one I think is needed.
Show your knitting at a local fair : I hadn’t thought about it… maybe someday
Attend a Knitting conference: Maybe if I get the sock thing.. I want to go to Sock summit
Attend a Fiber Festival : I love doing this. .
Go to a Stitch ‘n Pitch : I’m not really a baseball fan.. not sure I would go.
Knitting Under the Influence : /shrug It’s not on the “Agenda” but I’m sure someday it might happen.  I already tried while on Vicadin and that was a huge fail.
Knitting while walking : small projects work best.
Flash your stash : Some things are on Ravelry.com  but they don’t have pictures.. maybe some day I will post some photos here.
Knit a Skirt : I have one in the plan’s have yarn and pattern. It’s floor length
Knit Lingerie : nothing yet. But I plan too. I have patterns

I think that there are probably some things that could be added to this. I’m not really sure. If you think of something, post a comment and I will be happy to add it to the list.

In the mean time. I returned to my classes yesterday and it is leaving me Heavily exhausted by the time I get home.   My metal smithing prof would like me to have something done in about 10 days.  ug.  Hello stress.  I know what I'm going to be working on over fall break.

Right now my side feels like it's a bit on fire and thats just plain annoying. I really wish it would stop hurting. I think it is because I tried carrying my book bag today.  Maybe I should look for a small wheeled bag or something. I know they make these wheeled tool box tote things. That would work nicely since I could use it as a tool bag instead of my normal canvas tote style one. Then I could just put my satchel on top of the tool box and away I go! No more heavy lifting or carrying!. 

Friday evening was a good evening...

Previously I ordered and purchased some essential oil through my Aunt whom is a massage therapist. I finally was able to go pick those up Friday night.We adventured out to the Firefly Coffee House where I had a cup of soup and a smoothie. It was painful but I didn't have resulting BM problems.  It's progress. Now if the pain would just stop when ever I eat. It was decided that since I wanted to stop at my Aunts on the way home that maybe I should try driving for the first time since the surgery, also Em was very tired. Driving was a success! It became rough when I was closer to home but I did it!  So, back to the oils.  3 of the oils I picked out are very good for healing skin and and I wanted to give them a go.  Especially with the rash from the tape that I had and hoping that I can keep from scarring to badly. Well I mixed them together into a tiny little bottle my Aunt gave me, being suprised by the deep blue of the one, and applied it to my incesions and the surronding skin.  I checked them an hour later and was amazed. The redness of the rashes where virtually gone and my skin didn't feel so sensitive.  It was not stinging like before. It made me very happy. I've made sure to use the oil again this morning.  This evening I applied some vit. E. oil to moisterize as the areas have been dry too. I think I'm going to ask my Aunt about putting the oils into the Vit. E as a carrier oil.  Here is a picture of the tummy progress so far.

I feel it is looking suddenly Much improved.  At least my skin is.  The insides still give me plenty to feel crappy about.  When ever I eat I still get pangs of pain in my side.  I also bloat up like a balloon. It's horrible.  My waist/belly sits I discovered at about 3 inches bigger than normal. When I haven't recently ate!  I can not wear any of my normal pants I'm fairly well stuck in lounge pants and low waisted skirts or skirts with drawstring waist.  I love to wear skirts but not for this reason.  To illustrate this bloating to you finally, I realized a photo might help.

 I feel it looks grotesque. At least to me. It's not comfortable at all. I can tell you that. I'm still stuck sleeping on my back. I can some what sleep on my side for short amounts of time finally though.   Yet all this is giving me lower back problems. The inactivity, sitting a lot, unable to change sleep postion much and then I try and do something. It has wrecked my lower back.  I foolishly tried to move the laundery hamper the other day. I pretty much pulled my lower back. NOW it is exruciatingly painfull to sleep on my back.  I can't win. So, I now have a heating pad with me in bed.  I can't stand this inactivity and being cooped up in the home. I have SO much to do.  Tomorrow I finally can return to classes. I'm very worried. I hope I can keep on track.  So much to go over with my Studio proffesors. My fingers are crossed that I was able to keep up well enough with my lecture class to keep going in there.  I return to my desk job the following week.

I can say though that being forced to sit and do nothing does cause me to think alot.  This big event in my life has inspired me for some studio work.  I hope to share it in my blog as it unfolds. So keep checking?

I tried to do some knitting while on the down also.  I really didn't get much done. I don't think the medicine I was on in the beginning helped it any either. Note to self, do not knit while the doctor has you on happy pain killers.  I did work a tiny bit on some and I'm happy to say I've progress on my Christmas and Etsy shop knitting.  Gally is always on the go to give me a help with it too.  Here we can see her with some of it now.

She is a very helpful assistant. I see that she is even trying to decide what color bow's I should use for the holiday.  I'm sorry Gally but what you have there is a project for the shop, not a gift.  On the other hand.  I have another assistant who is not so helpful.  She sleeps on the job, but, maybe that is her job? I'm not sure but she is really good at it.

 

This afternoon Star actually curled up happily napping on my lap. Purring like no tomorrow and even at one point deciding to take a bath.  This was kind of epic for me as it is near impossible for me to get her to stay on my lap. I was overjoyed and it brightend my day today. Maybe she will do it more often now. 

todays follow up with the surgeon

Hello dear readers, I do not mean to freak you out with a post so soon after the last. I know, it usually takes me weeks to write another lately. I'm trying to be better at this though and since I had an Epic Un-Adventure this early afternoon.. late morning, I wanted to share.

Today was the follow up visit with the surgeon for my surgery. First thing first he wanted to see my incisions. Thats cool but those steristrips had yet to fall off like they said they would. So he went to peel it off my belly button and oweeeee. He removed it, painful, and said "Oh, looks like we have a bit of an allergic reaction here to the tape. You want to peel the rest of them off? I'm not so gentle always." um yes please. That had hurt like a dickens. So Eventually I got them all off. and in general all looks good, excpet for that allergy thing. >.>

Here, have a look at my tape free belly. By now alot of the red-ness from the tape is fading but the skin is still very irratated.

Here is a close up of my rather icky looking belly button as it is not nearly as healed as the other three holes. You can some what see the hives or raw skin from where the steristip was. (yes I did attempt to clean up)

Of course I'm very thrilled with all this. I could use a nap already. I tried lunch. It wanted nothing to do with me and left half an hour later. /shrug o well. I think I'll just have some broth.

In the mean time, Gally has been helping me knit a new hat pattern. It is working up nice. Now if I could just get back into the normal swing of life it would be nice.

The Doc said that I am doing pretty good. I might and am probably just one of the slower healers. He said he has seen many take up to 6 weeks to get going back to a more normal life and others be pain free in a few days. I'm also still bloated and he said that could take 4-6 weeks to go away also. So I shall just have to keep taking it really easy with the food and activity and keep trying to build it back up. I'm going back to classes on Monday and I know its going to be very exhausting. Wish me luck. I won't be able to do alot in Drawing or Metals and that has be pretty bumed. I'm on light duty only. ( I stand in drawing class and those huge pads of paper are heavy.. over my lift limit.) With those steristips off, I think my skin at least will start to feel a lot better in a couple days. Not cool having a belly feel like its on fire and make you want to scream when your clotehs touch. Numbing it with ice is a huge relife.

Also, I think I found a "stringy plant/grass like" that Star won't chew on. I guess she doesn't like Chives. I brought it in from the patio with the colder weather. It looks like an explosion on the table. lol.

good bye gallbladder, hello gally..and typo's

It has been... a rough.. month.. or so... so far. As you can guess. I had to have my gall bladder removed. I see the surgeon tomorrow for my follow up. It's not been pleasant to say the least. I'm having major problems with food. I have plenty of pain. My tummy is rather hot and its I guess you would say inflamed. I have no fever. I wanted to return to classes this week, but after Sunday's second failed attempt at leaving the apartment and yesterdays fiasco I'm just not back yet. Sunday I tried to eat a plain turkey sandwich from Panera, no mayo, no mustard.. just smoked turkey, lettuce, tomato and i think some onion. Plain bread too. well... half an hour later.. it was a painful trip to the restroom and I didn't throw up the "undigested" lunch. You I'm sure dear reader can take it from there. Maybe I wasn't ready for it..I've figured out that for it to stay down it needs to have less than 5 grams of fat.. most things are 2 or less that I am eating. Strawberries, ok. Bannana is ok. no citrus. and simple cooked fish is ok. I eat plain mashed potatos. Started making the potatos with chicken broth and rolling it up in a tortilla. I also keep down or um... up? mrs grass noddle soup. I snack on that through out the day. and sometimes.. very low fat yogurt. juice, water. one cup of coffee in the morn. yeah. thats what I'm living on now for about a week and a half? Surgery was Sept 18. I don't know if I'm doing good or bad. Yesterday I tried desperately to do the dishes. This involved slowly unloading the dishwasher and slowly reloading it. no no.. not good. sudden nasty pang of pain through the side and oh uh. ran off to barf. no idea. All i had was a banana so far an hour before. I think it was a pain to barf reaction. Then last night.. my ice pack sprung a leak.... Did I mention that I've or had been regularly icing my belly? It gets super hot and irritated and inflamed and hurts like a bitch when I don't... well Today I've been with out the ice pack. i'm not happy. I had started to ween myself off the pain killers fri. I don't take them now. I do take ibuprofen though. It kinda helps. I've not been motivated to do bunk. I've listened to the recordings of the lecture class i'm missing. they stop at least i think 20 mins short of the class being over and so i'm not getting all of the lectures. wonderful. exam on oct 6th. ./sigh So.. i'm pretty bluesy. poor Emery is doing his best though. I'm very thankful for that.

...ok i've lost my go go for rambling on so here's some wonderfully badly taken photos by your's truly. me.

While on the couch curled up in my blanket, I had the best kitty company to snuggle with. hm this was the day after.

Here is the first photo of the results , day after surgery.

um I think this was Sunday or Monday after surgery...

I was gifted some things from friends of course, many stopped over the day after. Here are a few of them.

One person felt the need to give me a rather interesting assortment of squeaky toys.. as I could eat those real food items. I could then chew on these. -_- funny.

Emery's family brought be a very pretty Bromiliad. I've since figured out its a "Tillandsia cyanea" for those curios. aslo some chocolates. not ate yet.

Ms. Zra brought be some gorgeous saki cups! oh. theres those chocolates...and a gift card for starbucks.

Zra's rommie gave me a hoops and yoyo toy with that starbucks gift card. Squeeze its pedestal down and it says some one please give me caffeine. then it pops back up saying thank you thank you i love you caffeine.. something like that

Aaron brought me flowers, which I added to the pink carnations that my Emery gave me.

now remember I tried to go to panera for a sandwich?

I took Gally with me, a stuffie another friend gave me of a gall bladder!, He got to check out the fountain. It was really nice to get out side. to bad It had disastrous results and me sick as hell and feeling horrible. Car rides suck by the way.

and here I am this evening.


Hope you all enjoyed the huge horrible block text up above with all its errors and the bad photos.

night all

how about a fleecy dress?

I found this and thought I should share it for it's awesomeness.

A shepherdesses answer to the white wedding dress


In other news, I'm going to officially knit a pair of socks for myself. I keep putting it off for fear that I'm going to actually end up with some kind of crazy sock knitting obsession. I really like socks. Unique, natural fiber type of things. but most socks i have are a cotton blend with something stretchy in them. I constantly have cold feet. I put on said cotton blend socks.. I get cold sweaty feet. Yay me. So this whole sock knitting thing has always made me a little nervous. I don't normally obsess over things. I casually collect things. So what am I to do if I knit a pair of socks.. using some delicious natural fibre in a amazingly delightful color way? .... guess I'm going to find out soon. Well soon depends on how long it takes me to knit the buggers. Really the worst that could happen is I end up knitting socks all the time, have the most awesome sock collection around and, a very happy pair of feet.

A few knitting things and bubbles.

I can't say that I've been up to too terribly much lately. Last week I did some house sitting, this gave me plenty of knitting time and I enjoyed the weather. Unfortunately there where lots of critters and it set of my allergies. Including a minor asthma attack early morning on Wednesday. I'm much better now though. Went to lunch with my sister Crystal at Chipotle, I get hard taco's since they are GF. It was nice since I rarely get to see her and she will be moving out of state soon. Of which I'm her ride to the airport. I might be thinking about checking some yarn stores while I'm down there after her flight leaves. But don't tell. >.> I will be down there on Aug. 12. Any thing interesting going on that day? Knowing my luck I will just hit up a yarn shop only.

I went to the GF pizza party event at the Roasted Bean last Thursday. It was awesome and the pizza's where little personal size one's. You got that with a Pop and it was only $5.50. I thought a fair price since they made them as you ordered them. Good fresh! Tasted flipping amazing too. I had a classic pepperoni. I didn't think to take any pretty pictures from the event though.



I finally late last night, after taking my Sister Crystal shopping for some things she needed before her trip, stopped and picked up an air pump, hose, and air stone for my little 5 gallon tank. I believe both fish and snail are much happier with me now.


While I was out with Crystal I found a couple Items I simply could NOT pass up, they where a pair of brightly coloured Hello Kitty knee high socks, and a knitting book. I can't have any delicious Beer anymore and frankly I've yet to fall in love with the GF versions. But I love to knit when I'm hanging out with all my friends that still do enjoy a pint. I just get to have a Martini instead. I found a couple of patterns in the book rather amusing, like a carrier for you 6 pack of I.P.A bottles to help keep then snugly chilled I guess. A few beer bottle Cozies, and a rather long stocking cap with googly eyes. There are a few rather nice Sweaters and a tank top I am just tickled to make. Now to check my stash or procure the yarn.


I have been busy doing some Knitting, I worked on a personal pattern design for a flat bottomed round drawstring bag. I started working on this with all my gaming friends dice in mind and because I would like to start making some things to finally put into my Etsy shop. The design worked out well for me and I can make them in different sizes. I could also put some pattern work to the bag if I wanted, but that takes more time and effort and would thus drive up the cost of the bag. Here are photo's of the first 3 made.

This is the first bag, the pattern proto-type that I figured it all out on. I used Noros' Silk Garden to create it. The bag is lightly felted to help prevent those pesky mini dice and d4's from poking through.

Here is bag number 2. I for the life of me can't find the belly band from the yarn to know what it was I used. It was a llama, alpaca blend kind of yarn. Very soft and felted a small amount for me.

This is the third bag. Made for Emery's dice. It's 100% wool and felted up real well. Brand is Gedifra, volata tweed.

All three of these bags are about the same size. A diameter of about 6-8 inches and a height of maybe 5 inches to the drawstring. It varies from the felting but it equates to about the size of a crown royal bag. :P You know that classic fall back gamers dice bag from old. I plan this to be my large size and make a medium, and small version also.

I made a small one already with cables on the sides...it turned out a bit oddly shaped and was a gift for a friend also. Seems to be ok though. They don't mind the um.. resque shape it ended with with laid flat. I'm working on a second small one with sock yarn, it also is for a friend but will not have the cables and is just going to be a mini version of the above bag's. It's turning out very nice.

I picked up 2 skeins of yarn for 2 more bag's. I plan for those 2 to go into my etsy shop. If you think you might be interested in a bag please let me know. I'd be happy to do a custom order. Prices vary on size of bag and quality of material used.

Now if you will excuse me, Miss Star Kitty wants some lubbins.

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