Forget the Knee

NOW BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING:
I am so tired of writing about my knee, so how about some knitting confessions?
I have so many projects started, it’s time to confess and vow to finish at least 50% of them before I start anything else. Here’s the list:

4 Clapotis 2 in Lorna’s Lace Lion and Lamb and two in sport silk from MCY. 1 is double the original pattern size and about 40%. The 2 L&L are 20% done. The 4th is 4 increases larger, but will be the pattern size length. This one is also 20% done.

COZY FROM KNITTY in Karaoke blues, greens, purples is 10%

WRAP FRONT HOODIE from Spring/Summer Vogue in MCY sport cotton/rayon
This is one sleeve short of finishing. Waiting for more yarn. 95%

TODDLER’S CORRUGATED ASYMMETRICAL V-NECK from loop-d-loop in Reynolds Cabana This just needs to be sewn together. 99%

ROUND-SHAPED CARDIGAN from Karabella in Lisa Souza’s Petal yarn 75%

CHARLOTTE’S WEB SHAWL in odd balls of left over silk in blues and purples, pales and darks 15%

STILL WAITING TO START:

4 CABLE CLUTCH BAGS
LEG WARMERS
FISHERMAN’S SWEATER KIT FROM IRELAND FOR THE NAME “POWER”

As you can see, my bad habits have caught up with me again. Here’s to finished projects!
At least these are all Christmas presents, so I guess I’ve got a head start if I look at it that way. Yeah, Right!

PLATEAU

I've decided that recovering from major joint replacement is like having to lose 50 lbs. There are weeks when you notice improvement almost every day, and then there are weeks where you seem to be stuck. First I should say that things have improved, thus the lull in writing on the blog. Right now, it would seem that I have hit a plateau. I have to believe that progress will again be the order of the day.

close-up 

SILK BRANCH 

silk x 2 

OH, YOU WILL LOVE OUR NEW JOINT REPLACEMENT WING!

Indeed. First of all beware of any or all claims from medical professionals who lavish praise on medical bricks and mortar. I would rather the praise be directed at the actual human beings who work in that shiny new facility. Oh yes, they have instituted state-of-the art pre and post-op care systems. Note the word systems. My anxiety ridden brain did not hear this PR BS for what it was. After all, I was going to be in a private room with its own bathroom, receive physical therapy in an area only a few feet from my room, be completely pain free due to a comprehensive pain management system. There's that word system again.
Does a system run itself? Who makes sure that the system is functioning as it was intended? Here are some quotes from the actual humans entrusted with ensuring that these systems work:

Head Nurse: "Sorry I'm late with your pain meds, but I got stuck chatting at the nurses' station. You know how that is?"

Patient Care Aide: "Why is your butt so white and wrinkly? Oh, I guess no one changed the pad on your bed."

Patient Care Aide: "Here's your toothbrush. I'll be right back with water and your toothpaste". (I brushed without water or paste)

Patient Care Aide: "Here's your toothpaste. I'll be right back with water and your toothbrush". (I gave up and used a washcloth)

Head Nurse:"I don't know who told you that you could leave after the doctor discharged you, but I have all kinds of forms to fill out and the social worker has to set up your home therapy. It will take at least 4 hours." (To which my attorney husband replied: "I'm afraid that won't work") HN:What do you mean?" AH:"We are ready to leave now". My discharge had been confirmed the night before and this was 11:00 am the following morning after am therapy.
Social Worker appeared in 5 minutes, HN filled out her paper work in 10 minutes. We were then told that we had to wait for a hospital volunteer to walk us out. A group of PCA's walked past us and remarked to each other that "that's the volunteer's job".
We left on our own power and due to the kindness of a housekeeping employee, were able to use an employee elevator.
NEXT INSTALLMENT: pain, pain, and pain

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I had such lofty ideas when I started this blog. I wanted to review restaurants, share my knowledge as a retired pastry chef, and create gorgeous hand-knit garments for any or all to admire. The only thing I got right was the blog title. It seems I'm shocked to be aging. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel old inside, but physically, I'm a 1950 Chevy whose owner drove her into the ground without much thought to the future. So it seems recipes and restaurants are not something I want to write about at this point in time.
What I really want to explore is "where am I, and how did I get in this handbasket?" I do know I had a good time getting here and have had more than my share of luck, love, and joy. Now that I have arrived, I feel the need to share the shock and fresh hell of each new aging experience. I'm sure I will want to share good things, as well. Just not right now.
Next up: Hospital stays from Hell
Stay Tuned.

WOULD I DO IT AGAIN????

It has been about 6 weeks since my new knee was brutally inserted. I don't use that phrase lightly. Even my surgeon called it a "nasty" surgery. Of course most ortho surgery is not done to classical music unless it's Beethoven's 5th. I still experience more pain post op than pre-op. I am hopeful that as time and therapy progress this will change.

On a more pleasant note, I have lots of new FO's and lovely stuff OTN. Hope to have the energy to pose my beauties and and take pics to post. I have to say, that the clapotis pattern was all I was able to manage while using heavy pain killers. All else became a jumble of frogged yarn. I'm now able to tackle some "big girl" knitting and have two sweaters in progress.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

I have finally had enough. My knee is no longer a useful part of my body! On June 20th, out with the old and in with the new. I can't think about it too much or I'll run?/hobble away. My knitting is progressing, but precious little else.
FOs: Noro Lily Clapotis - given to my mother upon her arrival to help maintain household while I go under the chopping block.
Fiesta La Luz Blue Bonnet Clapotis - birthday gift for daughter-in-law of good friend
Knitty's Cosy in Madil Silky - given to youngest daughter last weekend on quick visit home.

OTN: Lorna's Lace Lion and Lamb in Black Purl Clapotis
Lorna's Lace Lion and Lamb Red Clapotis
Cascade Fixation, in various Greens Baby Sweater with side neck "elvis buttons" Don't ask!
Kitty's Cosy in Home Dyed Heavy Silk

I'm afraid I have been giving things away before I can take pics. Ah well, there's always more yarn and more patterns. I have to say that I had forgotten how lovely the Lorna's Lace is. I it a joy to be working with it again. Since I am less than nimble, I keep one clapotis project upstairs and one downstairs. I divide the others around the house. Two others that I started have been put away and I'll rethink the yarn use later.
Currently my favorite yarn is silk, whether it's from china and home dyed, Fiesta La luz,
Alchemy, or Art Yarns. It has no equal for softness and sheen. It has very little structure, so it's only suitable for a limited number of projects. Enough, back to the needles.

DONE, DONE, AND DONE

I challenged myself to stay focused and finish 3 projects this week. I think discipline is overrated, but sometimes it comes in handy. I did cheat a teeny bit. I started the Branched Scarf from Knitty in Alchemy Silk, worked on the Heritage Rayon and Fiesta LaLuz clapotis, and I also dyed 9 skeins of bulky silk yarn that I bought on ebay. It was my first successful attempt. I gave up on Koolaid and sent for dye powder from Halcyon. I used a 34 quart enamel canning pot. Then what to do about drying? The silk becomes frowsy if handled or squeezed too much. Two old curtain rods and two patio chairs did the trick. It might rain overnight, so James set the whole thing up under the roof of the pool house. Can't wait to check it in the a.m. I promise I'll put the camera in my bathrobe pocket.. The color looked good enough to eat. I just hope the yarn is still good enough to knit.

CLAPOTIS PICS AND STAT

In answer to a request for pics and stats of my obsession, just go to archives. I have posted pics of the first 4. The Clapoti KAL link will take you to the yahoo group where all of the particulars for these 4 can be found in their database under rosi. I have 3 more on the needles and one more completed. I'll get some pics up soon of the new ones. Here are the particulars.

#5 is Noro Lily in dark blue done on size 8 addi turbos - finished
#6 is Schaefer Laurel in Frida Kahlo colorway on size 8 addi's - 25% completed
#7 is Fiesta La Luz in Bluebonnet on size 6 denise (the most luxurious yarn in the world) - 50% completed
#8 is Heritage 20/80 silk and rayon in Atlantic Moonglow on size 6 denise (I'm going to double the increases and the add to the straight section as well. This may well be my favorite when it is done, which could be sometime in 2010! - 10% completed.

MY FAVORITE REDHEAD

Although I would love to claim her as my own, the model and proud owner of the little tank top is the daughter of a good friend. Alas, I am neither her mother, nor her grandmother, but I am her "rosi". My "little girls" are 26 and 32, equally as gorgeous, but not nearly as eager or available to model my knitting experiments.

PROGRESS

So far, so good. As you can see the little tank is finished and gone. Boy, I really love Cascade Fixation! Miss Mia was tickled pink with her new top. Have to love it. I'm down to the last 3 decrease sections on the Noro Lily Clapotis. It's amazing what can happen when you make a list that can be seen by anyone. If all goes well, I'll post new pic tomorrow.
Emma and I have been experimenting with dying our own yarn. First few attempts were pretty pathetic. This is a result of the yarn we didn't get through the yarn vendor who shall remain nameless. We both had our hearts set on the fiber and color of yarn we ordered and have not been able to find anything close. Speaking of the great yarn woe, I have given up ever hearing from her again or getting my money back. I have, however, found that the sponsors of the Valley Forge Show are very interested in my story. I have drafted a huge dossier of events with 8 x 12 color glossy photos (ala Alice's restaurant). If nothing else, it gave me the opportunity to scan the pertinent documents and assemble all of the emails in one place.
Enough moaning, better get cracking on that Clapotis if I intend to keep to my resolution.

Two Way Straps! 

Cascade Fixation Little Tank designed as I went along. Notice the tiny flower, requested by Miss Mia. 

My favorite redhead 

Too Much

I seem to have so many projects on the needles all over the house, that I'm not finishing anything. What's worse, I can't seem to stop looking at new yarn. To solve this madness, I made a list of the projects and now I have forbidden myself to touch any, but the 3 that are closest to being finished.

Number 1: Little tank top knit with Cascade Fixation, for my favorite little red head. 100% 5/13
Number 2: Clapoti #6 knit with Noro Lily 100% 5/17
Number 3: Cozy, lacy shawl pattern from Knitty site, knit with Madil Silky. 100% 5/19
I need to apologize to Bonnie for not getting to the recipes I promised. There's just too much yarn and too many things I want to knit. I'm going to schedule my knee replacement this week. Maybe I'll have more time while convalescing. Ok, time to stop typing and start knitting.

Yarn Woes

Good news and bad news this week. The yarn I ordered at the Valley Forge Yarn show finally arrived. That should have been good news, but alas, it was not to be. The color of the yarn was so far away from the colorway I chose, that I thought perhaps it I got someone else's order. To make matters worse, two of the yarns ordered were not included. One was acknowledged, the other.....well let's just say it must be invisible. I've sent the whole mess back and am hoping for the best. Yikes, my first yarn show and I hit the Jackpot, or shall I say the Crackpot! I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, I am scrambling to find cobalt blue colorway in a luxurious handspun, silk DK/light worsted weight for a birthday present I promised to knit.

New Online

Great News, another terrific yarn shop is now available on-line:
http://www.knithappens.net/

Addiction or Quest?

I recently had to admit to another knitter on the Clapotis KAL that I am working on my 5th and 6th Clapotis simultaneously. Now this could be seen as a sign of industry or insanity. I prefer the former, but I'm not convinced. I realize that I have two more types of yarn lined up fro 7 and 8. Aside from performing test runs for lots of different yarns, I find that I have a whole lot more friends than I thought I had, since they are all spoken for. My latest two are Laurel from Artful Yarns in Frida Kahlo and Noro, Lily in a dark marine blue. I'll post progress pics soon.
If you're so inclined, let me know what you think.....addiction, or productive passtime?