Knits For Sanity

Never Ending Socks

Today I have a finished object to share.  Yes, I know it's Unbelievable!  I have finally finished the socks for my sockapal-2-za pal.  I feel so bad that they are now over 2 weeks late.  Having to rip the first one out completely totally messed up my knitting schedule.  Yep, I actually have a knitting schedule.    In my defense, it's not written down on paper...usually.  I keep it in my mind in order to finish certain projects on time.  Now my "knitting schedule" is completely thrown off.

Anyway, here they are in all of their glory.

I took this picture before blocking, which makes them look horrible.  Then after blocking I wanted to take another picture, but my camera died.  I also think that these socks look much cuter on.  I so hope that my pal likes them.  She is being so graceous about them being late.  I'll reveal who she is once they make their way to her.

I've also been working on some hat and bootie sets for the 11/1 Preemie Project Iowa Chapter Hospital Donation.  Also, now that the socks are finished I've started a bereavement gown set.  I'm using the Preemie Baby Kimono Pattern.  It is so gorgeous knitted up.  This gown will be used as an example for our Senior Center Presentation in late October, before it is donated to the UIHC.

In between preemie items I will be working on finishing up my Mom's Clapotis.  I have to get it finished before it begins to get cold.  I'm also going to be starting my Christmas gifts.  There will be lots of knitting going on!

A Preemie Project Update

It has been awhile since I posted an update on The Preemie Project.  It has been keeping me busy, which is why I haven't posted much lately.  I really want to put as much time and effort into it as I can.  It is really critical to get things going strong locally so that the yahoo group can send some help to Michigan.  Jan and Janette, the Michigan Co-coordinators, are being so patient.  I hope they don't have to wait much longer.

Dawn, one of the wonderful owner of Beads and Beyond, suggested that I take some examples of the various preemie items to the store for dislpay.  Our hope is that examples would help to increase interest in the project.  I brought those to the store about two weeks ago along with a new sign describing the project's vision for the UIHC and the need for community involvement.  Along with that I brought some updated flyers and a binder full of preemie patterns.  This way the volunteers won't have to go to the internet to get patterns and info.

The Iowa City Senior Center has been a fantastic help.  Not only are they allowing us to give a presentation on October 28th, they also hooked me up with someone from Senior Center TV.  Yes, they have a television studio in the center.  Pretty neat!  They asked me to be interviewed on a show called "Mature Focus." 

Even though the show is on Public Access TV, I was still nervous.  The interviewer and cameraman even came to my home to film it!  They were so nice and accomodating.  I really enjoyed talking about the project, but you all know that already.  I'm not sure when the program will air but I should know sometime soon.  I think that I went alright.  Of course afterwards I thought of so many things that I should have said.  Oh well!

Then yesterday I had a meeting with Jane Wilkins, the director of the Touching Hearts program at the UIHC.  We discussed the bereavement items that The Preemie Project would like to make and donate to grieving families.  The meeting went extremely well.  Jane was so energetic and thrilled to work with us.  That meant the world to me. 

Now that we almost have our hats, booties and blankets under control, the project is going to focus on bereavement.  I cannot ever stress enough about the importance of not leaving grieving families behind.  It is especially important for women who have experienced a miscarriage to receive some token to remember their little one.  Right now the UIHC doesn't have much of anything for them.  We hope to supply these women with some beautiful Hankies, tiny teddy bears and crocheted angels.  We'll also be providing miscarriage wraps and burial buntings for the early losses after 23 weeks. 

The Preemie Project will also continue to supply Labor and Delivery and the NICU with bereavement Gown Sets and other outfits.  Although the need for these items is much smaller than the early losses.

Eventually we would also like to provide each bereaved family with a remembrance box to hold the items they receive.  Of course we'll have to get the items under control first.  We can use all of the help we can get, locally and all over the country.  We welcome the help of painters to paint the remembrance boxes.

That's my update for now.  I'll have some actual knitting pics soon.  You might even see a FO or two!  Yes, I have been knitting and sewing!

I'm Back

I got back from Kansas on Sunday.  It's been a busy week and there is so much to tell.  First I have things to tell about my trip.

For those who wanted to know, my doctor's appointments went okay.  Basically now I'm working with them and my dad to figure a plan for treatment.  I'm extremely lucky to have had the chance to meet with them.  Both doctors are brillant and know a lot about the subject of nerve damage and severe chronic pain.  The orthopaedic doctor's wife has been through a similar ordeal for the past 6 years.  Although I think that her pain was probably much worse.

Anyhow, it's nice to hear some treatment options that I didn't know about.  I've been waiting to suddenly get better for the past 13 months.  Now it's becoming evident that it deifnitely isn't happening over night.  Unfortunately I think that I've been spending this time without having a "treatment" that should help my recovery.  I'm not sure what exactly the plan is yet.  Since these doctors are in Kansas, it makes them treating me fairly complicated.  So I may have to find a new doctor. 

I would like to thank everyone for expressing their concern regarding my condition.  I so appreciate the support that I've found in the blogging world.  It has helped me through some particularly rough times.  It's so nice to know that there are so many kind and caring people out there, other than my family, keeping me in their thoughts.  I am truly blessed.

Back to my trip.  I was able to visit 3 yarn shops total.  As I already said I went to Knit Wit in Olathe, Kansas last Tuesday.  I loved their yarn selection and the staff were incredibly nice.  The owner also had her dog in the store, which I thought was very cute. 

On Wednesday my mom and I visited The Yarn Shop and More in Overland Park, Kansas.  This store was our favorite.  The way they had their yarn displayed, by color and then weight, was very visually pleasing.  The owner and staff were also so nice and helpful.  I actually met another knitting blogger who worked their.  Unfortunately I don't have her site and name on hand, as it is on a piece of paper that I cannot get to at the moment.  I'll definitely be sure to post it later. 

The knitting blogger I met helped me pick out yarn for the Cabeled Mittens in Vintage Knits, by Sarah Dallas.  She also helped me find yarn to make the little bunny rabbit in Last-Minute Knitted Gifts.  The Bunny will be a Christmas Gift for Tom's Neice.  I am seriously going to have enough projects to last me until I go back to Kansas!  Sorry that I don't have pics of the yarn.

Thursday my parents and I traveled an hour away to Topeka, KS.  We were there to visit family, but mostly importantly for my cousins wedding.  The wedding was on Saturday, so my mom and I went to the mall on Thursday.  She really needed new clothes for work, so went spent the afternoon shopping for her. 

We spent Thursday evening with my grandparents and their dog, Jack.  He is such a pretty dog.

Friday afternoon mom, my grandma, my aunt and I went to Lawrence, KS.  Lawrence is the home of Kansas University.  Anyhow we went out to lunch and then went to Yarn Barn.  I have wanted to go to Yarn Barn for the LONGEST time!  Yes I was REALLY excited.

   

It is located in downtown Lawrence.  It is a really cute shop with a lot of diverse fibery type of items.  The have a nice selection of yarn.  I purchased two skeins of Bamboo and one skein of Soy to make scarfs for my girl cousins.  The scarfs will be Christmas gifts this year.  I also purchased some Koigu to make a pair of socks.  Yes Koigu!  Yarn Barn was the only place I went to that had it.  I've coveted this yarn for so long.  If I only had a picture to show it in all of it's glory right now.

Then Friday evening was the Rehearsal Dinner.  I met my cousins then fiance, Tiffany.  She was just as sweet as can be.  I only wish that I lived closer so that I could get to know her.  The wedding was on Saturday afternoon.  All of that side of my family was there.  I am so happy that I was able to see them.  I was so disappointed when I wasn't able to travel last December.  My family are all such a wonderful support for me.  It was great to see them.

Most important of all I FINALLY met my 4 month old cousin, Emma.  Here we are in the church after the wedding.

I had to show both pictures of her b/c she is just too cute.  It makes me sad that it took so long to be able to see her. My dad's youngest brother is Emma's father and she has two older brothers.  The little boys hardly know me and I hate it.  I think that they are coming to visit in a couple weeks.  I really hope so.  My uncle Joe and Aunt Vicky, Emma's parents, are the best. 

I want to share one more picture of Emma before I end this post.  It's with my younger brother Andrew at the wedding reception.

Isn't that cute?!  Andrew turned 21 in August and I just can't believe it.  He'll always be my little bro, even when he is 50.

Those were the highlights of my trip.  It was SO nice to be home and back in my own bed.  It's been a busy couple of days, but I'll share those things at another time.  Again, thank you all for all of the wonderful support.  I love my blogging buddies!

Still Here (sigh)

WOW so I haven't posted in AGES! Bad bad blogger! I don't know why I haven't posted. I've had plenty to post about. I've just either been too tired or busy. I miss my blog!

Anyway, I have been in Kansas City, KS since Monday. I was really concerned about the 5 hour drive, but it actually went okay. Although I am really sore and tired I am still out of the house. It does feel great. I lived in Overland Park, KS. a suburb of KC, for 5 years prior to moving to Iowa. So coming here feels like going home. I always loved this town. Although the traffic makes me want to go back to my small town. I'm just not used to it anymore. Thank goodness I don't have to drive in it!

I traveled here, with my parents, seeking a second opinion on my leg injury. It has been 13 months since my knee surgery and things aren't a lot better. I've decided that it is probably time to explore my options. I think that it is good to just see what treatment options are out there. I've received some good advice this week and I'm trying to stay optimistic. Right now I'm willing to do what it takes to recover. We shall see what happens and for now I'm just thinking healing thoughts.

My mom and I have been trying to have some fun amongst the doctors appointments. We went to the mall and did some other shopping. The best part has been exploring the local yarn shops. It's SO fun to see yarns that I have been wanting to get my hands on. Every shop we go to is unique.

The first place we went to was Knit Wit in Olathe, Kansas. It is a tiny shop just packed full of knitting essentials. They had a great selection of everything.

I had a great time shopping here. The staff was really nice and helpful. I would definitely be visiting them often if I lived nearby. We came away with red and dark green Plymouth Dreambaby for the Christmas Preemie Hats. I also purchased a skein of Moutain Colors Bearfoot. I love it!

I'll have more pictures and details of the yarn shops when I get back to town. I probably will not be able to access the internet after today. Tomorrow we are headed to Topeka, KS to see family. I am SO excited to see my grandparents and the rest of the family. My cousin is getting married on Saturday so we should see everyone. I was really upset when I was unable to travel last Christmas. Thankfully we should all be together this year.

I'll have TONS to post about when I get back. I really wish that I could blog about my vacation everyday this week. I hate that I have been so absent. Please stick with me and I will have lots to tell early next week. Miss you all!

Secret Pal 5 Comes to an End

It has been a very rainy day today, with thunderstorms all afternoon.  What a perfect day to sit around the house in handmade socks.  Aren't these gorgeous?! 

Warning! I'm going off on a tangent!  Who is that dog?  That puppy is our dog Rosie.  I know that I haven't mentioned her before.  She is pretty much my mom's dog.  So she is not around much.  Anyway today has been a day for lazy people and lazy pets.

Toby is off hiding somewhere.  He's not a fan of the thunder.

Anyhow I received my last package from my Secret Pal, Joanne, today.  That is where I received those BEAUTUFUL socks.  Iam so touched that she thought to knit me something.  I am even more touched that she knit me socks.  Oh I just love them and they fit perfectly.  Here is a better pic of them off my tootsies.

Aren't they so pretty?!  Thank you so much Joanne for this very special and thoughtful gift.  They're perfect.

Joanne also sent this:

I cannot believe all of that yarn!  Brown Sheep Company Hand Painted Originals: from left to right, 1 Ink Blue, 1 Strawberry Patch, 1 Cranberry, and 6 skeins in Stormy Skies.  This Stuff is So soft!  She also sent 2 balls of Cascade Fixation, and 8 Bookplates.  Oh it feels like Christmas!  Thank you for everything, Joanne.  You are so sweet and extremely generous.  I've so enjoyed getting to know you. 

If you're interested in the bookplates they come from Joanne's design company JConklin Designs.  Go check it out!  She sells all kinds of knitting related items.  So neat!

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Speaking of socks, I've been working on my sockapal-2-za socks.  Ugh, I am STILL stuck on sock #1.  I spent too much time sewing yesterday and then I passed out really early last night. That put me really behind on sock #1. It's safe to say that they won't be finished by 9/15.  I tried!  I really did!  So I am going to take the advice of many of you and not freak out about it,  At least they shouldn't be more than a couple days late.

Here's my progress so far.  I hope to be turning the heel later this evening.  I should have a lot more progress to show later on tomorrow.  I hope!

Pumpkin Patch

Now that The Preemie Project's first hospital donation has been delivered, my mom and I have begun work on our pumpkin patch.  I LOVE making these cute items!

Since I am still working against the deadline for my Sockapal-2-za socks, my mom is knitting the hats.  Once she has a hat done I am knitting the booties to match.  We're using Lion Brand Cotton Ease.  I am in love with Cotton Ease.  Of course I had to fall in love after it was discontinued.  Why did I have to discover it so late?!

The sets pictured above are for the 6-8lb category.  We have a goal of at least 8 sets in this category.  We might make as many as ten.  We'll have to wait and see!  Linda, my mom, is using this hat pattern from Care Wear.  Care Wear has the cutest patterns.  I also love this Santa Hat pattern which I will be using come christmas time.  I am using this easy easy bootie pattern too.  This bootie pattern has become a #1 favorite for many volunteers.

"Pumpkin Push: Halloween 2005" is off to a great start.  With what my mom and I have completed I have received 17 Hats and 12 pairs of booties.  I also know that many of the volunteers are hard at work on their pumpkin items.  I'm so excited!  Thanks to the hard work of the volunteers we're even going to provide 25 hat/bootie sets to the MI chapter's hospital too. 

My mom and I are also hard at work on blankets for the upcoming 11/1 hospital donation.  We've been shopping the clearance sales this week and purchased quite a bit of fleece for $2.50/yd.  We even found prints for that!  Then we also purchased some really cute flannel prints at a low price too.

Here is a large blanket I just made.  It is pink flannel and a fleece print.  I'll be taking this one to the hospital with some others in a couple of weeks.  We didn't quite fill our large blanket quota on 9-2-05.

We've decided to not use the Wright's Satin Blanket Binding on all of the blankets b/c it is just SO costly.  We're hoping to possibly receive a donation from Wright's, but for now we've found a solution.  We liked the satin binding so much because it gave each blanket a little special touch.  Thanks to Tracy and then Libby we found a cheaper way to add a special touch to each blanket.

My mom used the Blanket Stitch on this blanket.  It looks really cute in person.  It was really easy to make.  Just cut out two pieces of fabric to the appropriate size, pin right sides together, seam around leaving a small opening, turn seams, blanket stitch around. This is so eacy that we will probably be using this method for most of the blankets. 

Why to Knit a Swatch FIRST

I learned a lesson last week.  I have to ask, why do I always have to learn the hard way?  (sigh)

Remember my sockapal-2-za socks?  (sigh)  Of course I continued to break my coveted double points.  I wasn't happy about that and I still need to look into replacing those.  (Thank you for all of the info on that!)  So 3 broken needles later, here is where I was at on sock #1 last week:

I had turned the heel and things were going very well.  Yes things were going well until I realized, GASP, that the sock was TOO SMALL!  All kinds of noises and words came out of my mouth when I realized what I had stupidly done.  I couldn't believe that I had gotten that far without noticing that it was too small.

SO, I had to rip the darn thing out completely and start over using US2 double points instead of the US1.  Now my progress is probably about 3 inches on the first sock, at the most.  I have a TON of knitting to accomplish tonight and in the next 10 days.  I am really cutting this one close.  I better get going if I am ever going to make the September 15th deadline. (sigh) I CANNOT believe that I did that.   

A Late Thank You and SP5

I was so surprised to receive a very sweet belated birthday gift from my "Sassy" friend Danielle a couple days ago.  She sent me a gift to pamper my feet, which is SO perfect.  She most know hoe tired and achy my tootsies are!   

You have to take a closer look at the cute stitch markers she sent me. I LOVE them!  The little sheep on the right is my favorite,  Where did you find these Danielle?  Your gift really made my day.  You are so incredibly sweet to think of me.  Thank You!

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I sent the last package to my Secret Pal about two weeks ago.  So now she knows who I am!  I had the pleasure of having the talented Amy of Witty Knits as my secret pal for SP5.  I enjoyed reading her blog and seeing all of the neat projects she was working on.  I am now a HUGE fan of her fun, creative scarfs.

Here are some of the items that I sent to Amy:

There were some other items in the last package I sent that I forgot to take a picture of.  Can you believe that I would forget something?!  No, not me!  I also sent her Scarf Style and Loop-d-Loop, which I got a GREAT deal on through a craft book club.  I also sent some more yarn and a personalized key-chain that I made for her too. 

It was great being your pal Amy!  Good luck with your designs!

I recently had the pleasure of finding out who my secret pal is.  Exciting!  She sent me an email letting me know that my final package was in the mail and she also revealed that her real name is Joanne.  It was so fun to finally find out who she was and be able to read her blog.  I've actually even visited her blog before SP5! 

I so enjoyed emailing back and forth with Joanne over the past months.  She is such a sweetheart and a great pen pal.  The postcards she sent me always made my day and really cheered me up.  Here are two of the most recent ones:

Her postcards came from all over the place from Canada to Hawaii!  I couldn't for the life of me even begin to figure out where she was actually from.  Joanne, do you have friends all over the place or have you been traveling all summer?  If you were traveling you went to some fabulous places.  You were very tricky!

I am anxiously awaiting the last package from Joanne.  I even received a sneak peak of what to expect.  I am going to make you wait in suspense with me.  I'm so excited!  I LOVE fun mail.

Thank you so much for being such a wonderful secret Pal, Joanne.  It's been a joy getting to know you.  Now I'm looking forward to really getting to know more about you.  I'll be reading your blog!

The Preemie Project: News

I had a fun get together at my house for the local Preemie Project volunteers on Sunday.  It was fun to hang out with Libby and Lin, and finally meet Debbie, Megan, and MJ.  It so great to finally be able to put some faces to names!  Go to The Preemie Project to see some of these lovely ladies and all about our day! 

We spent the afternoon sorting through all of the donations.  Everything had to be measured, sized and sorted in tubs.  I was SO happy to have so much help.  I think that the volunteers really enjoyed being able to see the donations in person.  The items are REALLY cute!

We're going to be dropping off our very first group hospital donation on Friday morning.  YEA!!  I'm very excited to see the nurse's reactions and take pictures with them and the items.  I hear that they really enjoy dressing the babies up.  I'm sure that the babies are going to look SO cute!

I received a very thoughtful gift in one of the donations.  Cindy sent me my very own Preemie Doll!  She was our model on Sunday for the 3-5lb items.  Now I just have to figure out what to name her.  I'm taking any suggestions.  What do you think I should name The Preemie Project baby?

Here I am with The Preemie Project Baby

(I was wearing glasses that day b/c I ripped my last pair of disposable contacts.)

Thank you Cindy for this very thoughtful gift.  You are one of a kind!

I will be posting all kinds of pictures, on The Preemie Project's website, of the donation delivery on Friday.  I am really excited!  Visit our Photo Album for pistures of most of the donations.  I still have to add in a few that I received most recently.  Here is a picture of the donations after the volunteers finished organizing them:  (there is a large laundry basket in the other room full of miscellaneous hats and booties.  There is probably at least 100 more items in the basket.)

Here is a picture of the Hat and Booties sets that my mom and I completed for thie donation.  We ended up with 30 sets.

We were also able to complete 27 blankets.  I wanted to have as many blankets as hat/bootie sets but I just didn't quite get there.  I don't have a picture of all of the blankets, but here is a sample of a few:

Here are 4 of the smaller blankets to be used in the isolettes.  They'll be placed underneath the babies to add some color.  We used flannel prints and fleece solids that we found REALLY cheap or in remnant bins.  The we put satin binding on the two short edges.

Here are two of the large blankets.  The large ones are for use in the cribs on the intermediate care unit.  I love these flannel prints!

I hope that the parents enjoy seeing their babies all dressed up.  My hope is that all of the parents of those tiny babies receive even the smallest amount of comfort from the hats, booties and blankets.  If we make their hospital stay even the tiniest bit better I feel that we've accomplish what we set out to.

Thank you to all of The Preemie Project's wonderful volunteers.  Without them this donation would not be possible.  I am so impressed with the amount of donations I've received.  I'm truly amazed by the generosity of others.  Thank you so much!

Busy and Well...Exhausted

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth.  I'm still here, just busy and exhausted.  My body just isn't what it was, a year ago, before the knee surgery that didn't turn out so well.  I get physically tired so easily that it's almost a bit disturbing to me.  Back in my old life, a year ago, I was a college student who spent her days running here to there.  I was a biochemistry student, so I was always studying.  I had to be right on top of things.  I also worked part time and had other things going on too.

Today I am stuck on a bump in the road that is my life.  I'm still waiting for my leg to fully recover.  Then I will finally be able to get over the bump and back to the life I used to have.  Besides my friends and family, The Preemie Project has become my life.  I enjoy working on this project and it is my passion.  It's really one of the main things that keeps me going.  I just ish that I had more stamina so that I could devote more time to it.  I just get tired SO easily. 

Recently things have really picked up for The Preemie Project.  Oh it's just SO exciting!  I really couldn't be happier.  I've spent the past month gearing up for the project's very first hospital donation on 9/1.  I've also been putting in a lot of hours towards gaining as much local support as I possibly can.  I'm working on many things at once trying to spread the word all over Iowa.

It's been very frustrating to experience more and more exhaustion in the past two weeks.  I feel like I'm hardly doing anything compared to what my life used to be.  Reality has pretty much blindsided me yet again.  I just cannot do what I used to.  It's a hard concept to accept.  I really have no choice in the matter.  I'm pretty sure that it's all the meds I'm on.  They all have drowsiness listed as a side-effect. 

The more tired I'm becoming the more I realize that I just need to slow down.  I haven't had as much time to relax, and knit as I would like.  I also haven't had the time, actually I just haven't had the energy to even think about my blog. 

I know that it's about time to take a week long vacation from my email, and my computer.  This is going to be very difficult for me.  Every morning, no scratch that, afternoon when I get up I think about working on The Preemie Project.  I'm so excited about this project that I just cannot help myself.  I need to take a step back and tell myself, "It will be there when I get back." 

Now that I have it in writing I have no choice but to take a little vacation.  Starting next Monday, and maybe sooner, I will be on vacation.  I am going to work on my Sockapal-two-za socks, and my mom's Clapotis.  I may sneak in some Preemie Project knitting while I'm at it.