I am in Olympic Hell

Yes, i know that's not very patriotic.

But here's my issue. All the award ceremonies, the finalists that i want to see, the gold medal performances all happen, approximately, at 11:45 p.m.

Yup, that is SO sleepy time.

So i've missed so much, i'm required to catch up vicariously through newspapers, newscasts and on-line gossip.

Yes. I am in Olympic hell.

How do you spell PVR?

Now, i'm buddha-like. I hope.

Someone very wise, very recently, told me that i was performing a sacred job. My job is to reunite this ancient craft of knitting, of our ancestors, with this generation.

Pretty smart, eh?

Of course, i take it one step further .... but read the sentiments on wall. Are you kidding me? Could we all not learn from Buddha?

(the sayings are:

All know the way, few will walk the walk.

The greatest effort is not concerned with the result.

Honour the craft.

Ohm.

Meditate, Knit.)

Ohmmmmmm.

bursitis tennis elbow rotator cuff crap

All i'm going to say is ... don't knit with 150mm needles!

Or you'll get an olympic size injury, like me.

Part of therapy is no knitting unless i hold in my lap and keep my right elbow clenched at my side.

Right.

NOW what am i going to do?

On The Lamb is now on Facebook!

I am. Apparently twice.

I have a group and a page.

And i really don't know what to do with either of them.

I'm thinking that i will announce new deliveries, new kits, sales etc. there.

Just have to find out how to do it.

Anybody out there know?

Sigh....

i invented a new disease!

There's golfers elbow. And tennis elbow. And student elbow.

Now there's Knitters elbow!

How to avoid? Well, for sure do NOT knit with 5 lb 5' long knitting needles.

Pretty sure that started the whole ball rolling.

Now i have to go to Physio - for Knitting Injury!

Lord ....

oowwwwwwww!

Don't look if creepy elbows creep you out!


Yeah, that's my elbow.

Yeah, it hurts.

Yeah, it really hurts a lot.

You know what hurts more?

It's called Housemaid's Knee - on my elbow!

So no knitting for awhile. Sorry hubby - there is 1.5 sleeves to finish for your b'day pressie ... tomorrow. Sorry.

This is what it looks like. Nice shawl collar, broken rib stitch. Wool/Cashmere blend (Como). Just lovely.

I also wanted you to see the newest project. But i can't knit it, so here's a picture. Nice, eh? It's a cutie patootie summer sweater that we call the Penguin sweater (it has penguin sleeves.) I'm doing it in a cotton/bamboo blend ( i made the blend - 2 strands together) but 100% cotton would be great too! You could do it in wool - just a different look. All in Garter stitch with one giant button closure! You've got to do it! And we'll have a class in it!

Now, you need to also know that i'm not getting a whole lot of sympathy from the 'olympics watchers.' I guess my creepy elbow falls pretty far down on the injury list compared to the skiiers.

But it still hurts.

HEY - an Olympic Project!!!!

Get in the spirit, be a part of the Olympics 2010 celebration! This pattern came to me courtesy of Diamond Yarns and their blogger. Looks like a cinch! Have fun!

CHART

All you knit is love...

Maple Leaf Mittens

MAPLE LEAF MITTENS

Size: Women (Men)

Needles: 4.00 mm

Tension: 20 sts and 26 rows = 4 in/10 cm in st st

Yarn: 100 g Galway #44- MC and 100g Galway #1- CC

Right Mitten: Cast on 40 (44) sts in MC. Work in K1/P1 ribbing as follows-3 rows in MC, *2 rows in CC, 4 rows in MC*. Rep *to* twice more. Cont in st st with MC only, work 6 rows.

Next Row-K2 (3) sts, place marker on needle, using a seperate bobbin of yarn for each colour change, and working colours on CHART as shown in picture, work 17 sts from CHART, place marker on needle, K to end of row. Cont to work from CHART between markers as set for another 1 (3) rows ending with a P row.

Gussett:

Next Row-Pattern across 21 (23) sts, Inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts, K to end

Next Row- Work in Pattern

Next Row-Pattern across 21 (23) sts, Inc 1 st in next st, K2, Inc 1 st in next st, K to end

Next Row- Work in Pattern

Next Row-Pattern across 21 (23) sts, Inc 1 st in next st, K4, Inc 1 st in next st, K to end

Next Row- Work in Pattern

Cont in this way with 2 sts more between Incs for Gusseton every K row until 52 (56) sts on needle.

Thumb: Pattern across 35 (37) sts, turn, cast on 1 st, P 14 (14) sts, including cast on st. Turn, cast on 1 st. Work in st st on these 15 (15) sts for 2.5 (2.75)”, ending with a P row.

Next Row-K1, *K2tog*, rep *to* across row, cut yarn and thread through rem sts, tighten and secure. Sew thumb seam. Rejoin yarn to right hand needle, with right side facing, pick up and K 2 sts at base of thumb = 40 (44) sts. Cont in Pattern until work measures 6 (6.5)” from top of ribbing, ending with a P row.

Shape Top: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K 14 (16), K2tog, K2, SL1, K1, PSSO, K 14 (16), K2tog, K1

Next Row- P

Next Row- K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K12 (14), K2tog, K2, SL1, K1, PSSO, K12 (14), K2tog, K1

Next Row- P

Cont to dec in this way on every K row, with 2 sts less between decs until 16 sts remain. Cut yarn and graft rem sts together. Sew side seam.

Left Mitten: Work as Right Mitten for ribbing. Cont in st st with MC for 6 rows.

Next Row-K21 (24) sts, place marker on needle, work 17 sts from CHART, place marker on needle, K to end of row. Cont to work from CHART between markers as set for another 1 (3) rows.

Gussett:

Next Row-K 16 (18) sts, Inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts, Pattern to end of row

Next Row- Work in Pattern

Next Row-K 16 (18) sts, Inc 1 st in next st, K2, Inc 1 st in next st, Pattern to end of row

Next Row- Work in Pattern

Cont in this way, with 2 more sts between Incs for Gusseton every K row until 52 (56) sts on needle.

Thumb: K 30 (32) sts, turn, cast on 1 st, P 14 (14) sts, turn, cast on 1 st. Work in st st on these 15 sts for 2.5 (2.75)”, ending with a P row. Continue in Pattern as on Right Mitten.

Design by: Michele Meadows

fun and funky 8 x 8 x 80 Scarf

Now, nothing is cuter than this little baby! It takes 2 balls of Gnocchi, 8mm needles x 8 stitches. And probably only about 80 minutes! (get it? 8 x 8 x 80? Right.)

Come in and get a kit - it's fun and funky!

Will you look at this!

Well - i told you i would show you the finished result! Isn't that a doozy! My arms were killing me!

ooooohhhhh, i feel so .... cottonnyyyy

Hey gang - look at these beautiful cottons!

So luscious. I'm making a wonderful little cotton sweater in turquoise - mmmmmmm.

And these are such soft, sherbert like cottons. Oh, don't you just want to roll around in these!

i was ... uh... someone pass me the ...

I was about to post a pic of the beauty giant needles and the wonderous, beauteous, magnificent thing known as a ... rectangle. But a realllllllly big one.

But i don't know how to mount it (no dirty) in the window!!!!!

Alas. Stay tuned.

However, if you know how to mount beauty needles (think Friendly Giant-like), comm'on in!

I have fishing line. And there i screech to a halt.

.... giggle ....

When i first saw this yarn at the TNNA (The National Needle Arts conference in Columbus - i know, i'm fancy!) i laughed. And then the yarn snob in me came out and i thought, ridiculous.

And then i tried it, and i think, FUN!!!!

10 stitches - 1 ball (i think), $6.99. Heck for that price, make the scarf 20 stitches and longer!

What a hoot!

Look! I'm a pioneer! Getting a workout.

Life has been full lately. Keeping busy, as well all need to do.

But i'm not sure that we all need to keep busy making bread - from SCRATCH. Look!!!! And yes, i mean kneading, and rising and proofing and rolling and proofing again and baking.

Or Knitting with giant knitting needles. Like i mean really giant needles - i think that they are 150mm!!!!!

And then resting with the really giant knitting needles. Because they are very heavy and this is very difficult to do.

So when you combine making bread from SCRATCH and knitting with Giant Knitting Needles, i'm going to have biceps like Superman.

Or, like the first pioneers.