I have to say, June wasn’t too bad. There was enough craziness to keep it interesting, but also some down-time. There was time for some knitting, and hallelujah, there are finally some completed projects. I did some reprioritizing and some trips to the frog pond. I have some new goals in place and should have more finished projects soon.
Finished objects:
Re-set Socks knit in a couple Regia yarns. These are basic vanilla socks that I knit for Feebs. I knit them with a 7 inch foot, so hopefully they will still fit her by winter. I have no idea how I screwed up the grafting of the after-thought heel so bad. It has a purl line instead of a smooth knit. Feebs doesn’t wear her handknit socks in shoes, so it shouldn’t bother her too much.
The Alpine Bloom hat by Caitlin Hunter. This has it’s own post, but let me suffice it to say, she was exactly what I needed. This hat was a pallet cleanser and a quick squish knit. I have put it in the gift box, since they aren’t really my colors. This should come in handy for any school or work gifts.
New cast-on:
Re-knit socks for Feebs (new addition)
Works in progress:
Shatar Vest
Knitting My Memories blanket
Kaylen Mesh Scarf
Doctor Who Scarf (Tom Baker)
Goals for next month:
Finish Doctor Who Scarf (Tom Baker)
Work on Kaylen Mesh scarf
Get more daily physical activity
Practice more mindfullness
I have finished projects! Hooray! Weaving in the last end of the Alpine Bloom was so incredibly cathartic. It may just be a single hat that generally takes me a day to complete, but it was the first happy thing that I had completed in so long. I was able to use up some yarn that I wanted out of my stash, and it was such a pleasant knit. I think I will pull out another small skein and use of the rest of the Urth yarn, once Doctor Who is completed. When I got the contrast yarn that I needed for the Reset Socks, I decided to knit them for Feebs instead of me. Since her feet want to grow an inch per day, I knit them with a 7-inch foot. They are too big for her right now, but that will give her some time with them. I am so happy that I wrote the post about the frog pond. That forced me to really evaluate my projects and determine their fate. I did rip out the Highlights Tunic (that was so painful), the Gingerbraid, the vanilla socks, and the Re-make Socks for Feebs. I think this is the second project that I have ripped out using the Berroco Summer Sesame (Highlights Tunic), and probably the third or forth rip out of the Cascade Eco+ (Gingerbraid). I am tempted to just use up the Eco+ on bulky charity hats. I can’t seem to find a good pairing for it in garment form. Plus it just pills so easily… I will put the Berroco Sesame and the man colored Regia away for a future use. I intend to cast on the Re-knit Socks for Feebs shortly, adding contrast toe, heels, and cuff. That should stretch out the recycled sock yarn. Sitting here writing this, I am pondering if I have more of it wound up for my Knitting My Memories blanket. I may have to investigate that once I use up what I have. Feebs told me that she wants high socks, so I may need to either look for more yarn or figure out a striping situation with the contrast color. The striping would be really cute, actually. I really want to finish Doctor Who. I love the Husband so very much, but I hate this scarf with a passionate passion, not found in nature. Everything about it makes my eye twitch. Therefore, I will be making a completion chart and figuring out a way to get it done by the end of July. After that is complete, I need to buckle down and complete the Kaylen Mesh Scarf. I have time till Sister #3’s birthday, but I want to get it done and off of my mind. Between the two projects, I may need to cast on a cheeky little project to keep my inner-knitting gods happy.
The first week of June was pretty busy. I brought the Mother home from the hospital that week. The Auntie came and spent the week helping her. The following week I had lunch with the work ladies, and then Father’s Day was that weekend. I’ve been going to the Mother’s daily to change her bandaging and check her surgical drain, so it was looking like we were going to have to postpone the celebrations. But it all turned out good. On Saturday, I was needing some time with my people, so we got in the car and headed over the hill to Berkeley. We stopped at Barnes & Noble to pick up a copy of “3001 Would You Rather” book, and then we headed to a local brewery, Fieldworks. We sat and read off Would You Rathers for a solid two hours. We had snacks and the Husband and I had drinks (they had a tart cherry cider slushie that was a complete delight). The three of us had a fabulous time. No one was on their phone, no one was tuned out. We sat and enjoyed each other’s company and the way that our minds worked. It cracks me up how alike Feebs and the Husband are, sometimes. They both quantify the hell out of me. Oh, and we did a little side quest to Urban Ore and holy crap! They had a set of Knitter’s Pride interchangeable wooden needles for $65. They were in perfect condition and I was thrilled to find them. The following day was Father’s Day. The Husband decided to go to Pacifica for Gorilla BBQ. He wanted to go for a bike ride too, so we loaded up the truck and headed out. We stopped and got his food, then headed to Sam’s for lobster rolls for Feebs and me. I need to remember that their on-line ordering/ pick up situation is amazing. We took our food to the Pacifica Pier, and the Husband got to say hi to his dad (since that is where we spread his ashes). After we ate, we decided to ride along the bike path next to ocean. It was slightly chaotic, and Feebs got very nervous riding around people (honestly, so did I), but we still had a great time. We drove back toward home and stopped in the city to see if the Husband could find a beer called “Dill and Ted”, which is a dill pickle brewed beer. He had read that Fieldworks had brewed it and this place stocked it. Unfortunately, they had already sold out. He did end up finding it later in the month and he made dill pickle micheladas, which were incredible. After that we headed home and relaxed for the rest of the day. The following week was my infusion appointments. They were rather uneventful, which was very nice. That week was also Juneteenth, so we had a lot of time together. I only worked Wednesday and Friday. The weekend was very chill. The next Monday, I got to see Sister #2 for a quick visit/ dinner since she came down to take the Mother to one of her local appointments. I am still the lucky one that get’s to take her to all of her city appointments. That Friday was a Ladies Night. I got to see my Golden Girls (virtually). My soul needed that. Things are moving along for Abs, but they are neither easy nor painless. She makes me awed at her strength and positivity, even when her world is falling down around her. There were a couple of drain appointments in there for the Mother, but other than that, the month ended uneventfully.
I am so grateful for my little family, both my unit and my chosen family. They are what keep me going. I am so grateful that the Mother is healing so well and that she is doing way better than I thought she would. Work is still challenging, but I am so happy to have a job and be able to afford my life. I am happy beyond belief that the first stage of the house project is done (so are the kitties!). It took a while to gain the momentum to do it, but now it’s done and it should never have to be done again, at least not by us. I am happy that June was a kind month. Next month will mark one year of my life being turned upside down. I am looking forward to July 16. I have decided that is the day that everything changes and I can let go of all of the chaos of the last year. It will be here before I know it.
Loves,
M
Mrs. Collins Makes Stuff 