I know that I have been a little whiny lately. I started methotrexate a little over a month ago and the adjustment to the new medication has been challenging to say the least. This week was better. Much better. So sorry for the whining. I promise hope that I won’t be doing that again for a long time. Check out all the things that were accomplished this week.
The whole time I was knitting this tee I worried about how big the neck opening was. As soon as it was cast off the needles I tried it on, and yep, too big. I ran a drawstring around the neckline on the inside to draw it up a little and to prevent more stretching. Neckline problem totally fixed: it fits great! The top is loose and a comfy layering piece. I’m thinking that I would like to make a second one with long sleeves using a winter yarn that will be lighter in weight. Maybe in navy blue. I plan to keep that garter stitch band on the sleeve and will continue the sleeves in stockinette below the band.
The lawn seat is coming right along. The fabric will stretch when I sew it into place so it will be more open looking when it is done. I haven’t completely decided how to attach it to the side pieces of the frame. I’m afraid that the attachment solution won’t be very elegant, but hopefully it will be functional.
Wednesday I went out to visit a friend’s alpaca ranch (she has sheep too!!). I am consumed with jealousy. Such cool animals wearing fabulously cool fiber; she has a whole dyeing and processing operation going. I didn’t take any pictures because next week there will be a summer camp there and I get to teach kids how to spin! Ha! Stay tuned for the summer camp report. 🙂
Today I took the car to get its oil changed and battery replaced. I know that this sounds like a small thing, but I am rocking my good week and getting a lot of things done. After I got home I cleaned out the garage and packed my spinning wheel into the car because tomorrow we go to a class to learn how to spin camelid fibers.
That’s right. I still have a bag of paco-vicuna that I am nervous about spinning. The spinning class is taught by Chris Switzer who has quite a reputation as a master spinner of these fibers in this part of the world. I am taking the paco-vicuna bag and a chunk of my alpaca fleece with me to the class to get feedback on spinning techniques for the yarn that I dream of creating. Not that I’m intimidated, but the class registration says to bring some things that I’ve made from my homespun yarn with me. I have spent an hour finding things that I’ve made; I’ve decided to only take two three things. Maybe three is too many? If I take two substandard items she might think it’s a fluke. If I have three, it’s pretty sure that’s the type of spinner I am. Whatever. It’s best to not overthink this. I’ll take three that I like and that will be that. I’m taking the class with a friend who likes to spin crazy lace weight yarn and it is going to be wonderful!!
I finished reading all of the bee books this week too. I feel another post coming on. Some of the books were a little bit of a chore to finish, others were just amazing. Hmmm….
Yarn, Books & Roses 
Good luck with the class. I am pleased to see you persevering with the swing seat. Looking good
Thanks. I’m pretty motivated to get it done because I miss drinking my morning latte out in the garden on this swing. Another week and I’ll be back out there. 🙂
Wow, so much of interest here. Firstly, I’m so glad you are feeling better, just don’t knock yourself up again by doing too much!! That is where I always make the mistake 🙂 I love the tee, it’s gorgeous and it looks so comfy to wear too. You are going great with the lawn seat, at this rate you will have plenty of summer weather left to enjoy it! Your friend’s ranch sounds amazing, I hope you have a fantastic time. I am really hoping that one day I will get to own a spinning wheel of my own 🙂 Have a great weekend. x
I did have a great time at the class but was fading fast towards the end. My darn feet turned blue and I got dizzy, but all in all it was a great experience. I’m going to take your advice and take it easy tomorrow to rest up for methotrexate Monday. 🙂
I LOVE your knitting projects!! I’m a crocheter and I have a project in a bag. When I get back on my metho, I’ll have to start it again!
I hope you can get back to your project. My rheumatologist was surprised by how good my (very puffy, swollen) hands are and told me to keep knitting as much as I could. Not only am I creating useful, warm objects and benefiting from the calming effects, it is helping me retain function. What a win!
Yes, I’ve heard from someone with nerve damage in her hand that knitting and spinning were great forms of PT. She’s retained a lot of hand function because of it as well!