Yarn shops give me a destination while traveling and I was relieved to find a shop less than two miles from the clinic. So, while husband rested, I got out for a couple hours to visit Hank & Purl's. The shop mascot sheep greeted me at the door and I found a great pattern for boot cuffs. It made for a very nice little getaway.
Knitting is my therapy, reduces my stress, anxiety and makes me patient. So when I had to pack for a worrisome trip with husband to Mayo Clinic for testing, I actually packed an entire (small) suitcase of yarn, patterns and needles. Going into it, I didn't know what to expect, how long we would be there or how anxious I would be. I chose simple patterns such as Ripple, Wingspan and Citron and they helped to settle my nerves and allowed me to wait patiently in my "knitting zone" between appointments. After 7 days, I was left with some lovely reminders of a positive Mayo experience and he a positive outcome and treatment plan.
I woke up early on Sunday with a long list of To Do items and decided to start my day off with a DIY project. I purchased a sheet of adhesive magnet squares, sliced some used wine corks in half (horizontally and carefully) and secured with super glue. Easy as that -- upcycled fridge magnets.
My knitted September Circle should actually be called my November Circle. It's an infinity scarf (you can't lose it) and also wraps around twice for a cozy neck cowl. I am in love with the colorful german sock yarn, Crazy Zauberball!
I had absolutely no desire to get out and shop on Black Friday. Instead, I support small businesses on Saturday. Starting with an early knitter's meetup for coffee with Becky and Jackie at Meads. Then over to Twist yarn shop for a new knitting project. Jackie, Shelly and I will be starting on the pattern, September Circle, knit from the colorful sock yarn Crazy Zauberball. A belt buckle (with coupon that came with their holiday greeting card!) from Aspen Boutique and a handknit hat from Roots & Bloom. It was an enjoyable morning spent with good friends, shopping and all my favorite local small businesses.
I knit up some matching mitts while watching the news with the leftover yarn I spun on Sunday. The super easy pattern, a simple chunky stockinette, Last Minute Knitted Mitts.
I can't always make the 3rd Sunday Spinning group but when I can, we have a lot of fun and it's inspiring to see all the different kinds of wheels and spinning techniques. I recently got a jumbo flyer that has a large orifice for making chunky yarns and tried it out today on some wool roving I got years ago in Estes, CO. And then later tonight, I made another hat with enough yarn leftover for a matching pair of mitts.
On top of a hectic work schedule, somehow I managed to crank out 20 hats in the past couple of weeks to donate to charity. I think I'm just about done with these for a while.
I just can't stop making these hats. Of course, I had to use leftover fishermen's wool from my vest to make a matching hat. I carried another heathered yarn with it just to make it appear slighting different and used the same buttons.
As the temps dropped this week, I started thinking about wool sweaters and flipping through vest patterns that I can layer under a blazer. Then I came upon the BEST Patons book with all kinds of sweater pattern variations. Seriously, I want to knit up every thing in it. 
The crew neck vest caught my eye so I purchased two skeins of Lion Brand Fishermen's pure virgin wool in Oatmeal and knit it up this weekend. When I was finishing it, I decided to add the collar.
Neice Amy is expecting her first child in December. She's naming him Grey. I picked out some Navy yarn that fits the baby room ocean theme and had a week's notice for her baby shower so I had to get my KNIT ON -- and like, fast to get the blanket finished in time.
