A Wedding and an Afghan

We recently found out that DH's brother has become engaged and will be married in the next couple of months. As he has tried to steal every afghan I've ever made for himself, I thought that for a wedding present a hand-knit afghan would fit the bill.

My original idea was to make him a Garter Rib afghan in Caron's Simply Soft chocolate. I then learned that his fiance is an environmentalist who crochets, so I thought an afghan knit from Simple Soft Eco would be an extra personal touch. So I trudged to AC Moore, found the color Natural, and thought it was the perfect bridal gift color.

Now comes my dilemma - not only do I love the color, but I've changed my mind about the pattern. This color and the occasion scream basketweave afghan, which just happens to be in my queue of afghans I want to knit. I'm dreading starting the afghan knowing that I'm going to try to keep it.

So what am I to do? I went back to AC Moore, and bought more Simply Soft Eco in Natural. And knowing my tendency to tire of the same pattern after knitting it twice in a row, I think I can now start the Wedding Afghan.

Beyond My Control

Suffice it to say that last week was a horrendous week of work, and that fortunately for my sanity enough good things happened that made it easier to live through.

Aside from colleagues reaching out and trying to help, DH making sure I was well-fed and being all around supportive, I did manage to make this sweater grow.

And yes, it is a simple stockinette sweater. It was perfect for those 4 days and nights I worked almost around the clock and averaged 10 hours of sleep. Had it not been for this sweater, I don't think I would have had the tenacity to keep on fighting.

Just keep knitting...

A Plymouth Encore Christmas

It occurred to me a few years ago that I should knit DH a Christmas Sweater when he paired a plaid shirt with a bright red background and a tweedy olive green sweater and called it "Christmasy". Noticing that he liked the brighter greens and reds, I enlisted the help of Lotusblossom who dyed 1500 yards of worsted weight that became DH's Christmas sweater.

That sweater has become one of DH's favorites, despite the fact that it's a bit loose on him (He was supposed to wear it with a white oxford shirt underneath, but wears a t-shirt instead). And during the one month out of the year that he wears it, he undoubtedly gets teased by some of his colleagues as to how obnoxious it is. Despite the ribbing he gets, DH wears it with pride.

So I've decided that 5 years later, it's time for a new Christmas sweater. It's not meant to replace the one he has now; it's meant for those days he feels festive but needs to be more refined. After scouring stores for months, I came upon Aunt Margaret's and found Plymouth Encore Colorspun #1001 which happens to be a new color for Fall 2009. This colorway is perfect for a henley that he can wear with both jeans and khakis, and for an all affordable price.

He has no idea I'm knitting this. I hope to surprise to him with it at the end of Thanksgiving weekend, as a thank you and I love you for taking care of me on his birthday.

Jumbo Skeining & Happy Halloween

It's a quiet Halloween this year, and it's because both DH and I have to work tonight. I have the usual Daylight Savings Time shutdown to do, and DH is working with a customer on an unrelated matter.

Although working on a Saturday is not my favorite thing to do, I take solace that we both have to do it on the same night and can keep each other company.

And speaking of company, the work I have is fairly simple and is mostly about waiting for DST to end. Pictured here is a skein I made combining 2 skeins of worsted, and this is destined to become a wedding afghan for DH's brother. This is the project that will keep me company tonight.

Happy Halloween!

The First Snowfall of the Season

The first snowfall took place a day and a week ago, and as magical as it was it was rather depressing. I wasn't quite ready for snow in the middle of October, and as work had been rather harsh that week it certainly didn't add to my mood. Work once again kept me from going to Rhinebeck and I was still nursing that wound.

But as upset as I had been, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the new fallen snow. DH all of a sudden became quite excited, and started talking about Christmas and snuggling by the fire with a cup of hot-buttered rum. Next thing I know, we were watching The Polar Express and drinking hot-buttered rum made by no other than DH.

This makes up for missing out on Rhinebeck 2009.

Retinal Detachment Knitting II

I have been happy that despite last month's setback, I've been able to continue knitting and that I have something to show for it. My Mass Effect afghan was mostly completed by the time the most difficult part of the recovery was done. As I had been told to avoid any strenuous activity for a week afterwards, it helped to lose myself in the same game and finish it.

As much as I would have liked to take the afghan to the countless visits to the doctor, I made due with Ruby's Shawl. It was certainly interesting to knit a lace pattern with both eyes dilated, and although a lot of mistakes were made it was easy to undo on the next row even when it was hard to see.

I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't been able to knit. It was my relief when my anxiety was beginning to get the better of me, and a reminder that I am fine for as long as I can knit.

Apples, and More Apples

It wouldn't be Fall and it wouldn't be my blog without my annual apple post. There is nothing I love more in the fall than to go to Autumn Hills Orchard and taste an apple I picked from a tree. I enjoy that first bite every year, knowing that for a month and a half the perfect breakfast, snack, & dessert is a few steps away in my kitchen.

I'm due for another trip soon, as the first apples I picked will soon be gone, eaten fresh or made into apple crisp or cooked with pork tenderloin. I can almost taste it now...