Sunday, March 1, 2020

Yopping Update #35 - Time to get the spinning wheel spinning


Another baby sweater done.  This is my 4th Elizabeth Zimmerman Surprise sweater and I love making these with left-over, or self-striping, wool because since it is knit all in one piece and then through the magic of origami  folded into a sweater that only requires sewing up the arm seam to the shoulder, the stripes always balance out. 

You go from this:

to this:

I even found buttons in my newly organized button jar.  I won't sew the buttons on until I decide whether a boy or girl baby will receive this.  The way the sweater is knit you put button holes on both sides and then once you decide you just sew the buttons over the holes.  Such a cool idea I think. 

It is now safely tucked away inside my cedar chest until it is needed. 

Once that was off the needles I started another wash cloth, but seriously, I must get out that spinning wheel.  So that is my challenge to myself for this coming week. 

Other than finishing the sweater I did work a couple of days this week, went to the pool three times, went to my Tai Chi class and Croatian lesson on Friday and went to a concert last night to see my brother's band play. 

My hip and arm are both really bugging me, but I am soldiering (shouldering) on.  What else can I do? I couldn't dance on the dance floor because of my hip, but you should have seen me dancing in my seat.  I was something else!! 

This coming week I also plan to sew the leather soles onto the 2nd pair of slippers and to line both pairs with fleece. 

So far so good with my stash busting and no new yarn acquisition.  (This is why I need to get spinning so I have some new wool to knit with).

Lent started last Wednesday and I have given up both Facebook and Instagram.  I know that some people say you can pick up the things you have given up on Sundays, but I don't.  I also have told myself I will journal about my spiritual questions every day during Lent.  Ok, technically I am already two days behind, but I can still catch up. 

I managed to edit 18 of my 30 chapters during February, so I will continue with that challenge through March. 

My mantra this month is 'baby steps'.  I am doing what I can do and it is enough. 




11 comments:

  1. Well, darn. I wish your shoulder and hip would stop their monkey business. Good for you to keep going even when in pain. The baby sweater is adorable. Such pretty colors. Your post is one picture short lol. No grandbaby photo this week (sigh) I guess I can wait until next week.

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    1. sorry. lol. My daughter as only been sending videos and they are more complicated to post. Next week. I promise.

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  2. I can see why you keep returning to that pattern, so clever. But wait, have I got to 47 and not known men’s buttons are on a different side? Pesky shoulder! I look forward to seeing your spun yarn next week 😀

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    1. I know! the right/left thing for women and men's buttons is doubly confusing for me because I have a right/left dyslexia thing at the best of times.

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  3. I love your sweater and I would like to try one. Is it easy? The pattern is pricey for all sizes so I hope I would utilize it more than once! LOL!
    So sorry about your darn should and hip! I repeat the "baby steps" mantra often during the day and I also tell myself "it's better than it was before". Great job on editing your chapters! That's amazing! Where's the baby picture? LOL! Have a great week with no aches and pains!

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    1. I took her book out of the library and photocopied the page with the pattern. It is easy to knit. Give it a go!

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  4. How fun to see the diagram of the shape this sweater takes on before you do all that magic folding and turn into a cute little wearable garment. I'm sorry to hear that your hip and shoulder are still give you problems. Struggling through my own shoulder issue recently I totally get how persistent (even when it improves) the trouble can be.

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  5. Wow! That Surprise Sweater pattern is amazing and probably just as famous as its designer Elizabeth Zimmerman.

    It is a beautiful little sweater. Thank you for explaining the process of its pattern.

    I also went to the pool this week for the first time after not being able to go for weeks and weeks due to a flare up which affected my skin badly. Tai Chi is something that I would like to try sometime but finding an appropriate class nearby is a stumbling block.

    How is your Croatian coming along? Do you watch Croatian films etc. to practice? You were so lucky to travel there. Nothing will teach you the language better than immersion. I am re-acquainting myself with Dutch vocab after watching a Belgian (Flemish) TV series. It took a few episodes to re-tune my ears (the subtitles were annoying hindrances which often tuned my brain back to English) but then it was like a switch being turned on suddenly and I could ignore the subtitles after that. Do you have that experience with your Croatian?

    We have plenty of interests in common, Mary-Anne, including going out to see bands - it's cool that your brother has a band. If we lived closer, I could see us both rocking the chair dancing. I hope your hip improves. How frustrating for you to have that pain.

    Your thoughtful approach to Lent and your commitment is admirable. It looks like a good recipe for introspection and personal growth. You are right that doing what you can is enough.

    May your aches and pains settle down by the time you read this. xx

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    1. My croatian is coming. Lots of nouns. a few important verbs. I mostly use present tense but I am understood. I am watching a Croatian Netflix series called The Paper. I understand all the swear words!! Yes, I think you and I have a lot in common. I hope one day we can meet and rock the night away!!

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  6. 18 chapters is fantastic! Well done, hope your shoulder is feeling better now. I love the sweater, and what a fab construction.

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I look forward to reading the comments. It makes me feel like I am not just posting into the void.