August Challenge Met!

Chemo Caps Done, originally uploaded by fitknit.

26 chemo caps done with a few days to spare.

Stats:
1. Goal - 26 caps. Result - 28 caps. Made 2 extra because they were too small.

2. Number of new needles purchased - 3

3. Number of callouses - 1

4. Number of caps that fell apart right at the end due to a single dropped stitch - 2

5. Number of muppets sacrificed - 12

6. Number of patterns used - 5

7. Number of times I was asked what I was making - 6

8. Number of trips to the doctor with sick children - 2

Now my next challenge is to see if I can still knit straight.

Trolley Love

containers, originally uploaded by fitknit.

Ever had one of those really good shopping trolleys? You know the type. After you've emptied your shopping into the boot, you want to hitch it up to the car and take it home. That way you've got it for the next time and know it is going to be a smooth ride.

Maybe it is just me but I really appreciate a good trolley. Wheels aligned, chrome still sparkles, no rust spots..no rubbish!

You can probably tell I've recently had the pleasure of driving such a vehicle. It was at KMart. I prefer to use one of their baskets but needed something larger for my new stash holders. (Stash not new, just the storage.)

There they are, artfully arranged. Or randomly placed so their little numbers can dry. I'm hoping this means I'll be able to find what I'm looking for. Yarn wise, not meaning of life. We all know the answer to that one is 42.

So now as I catalogue yarn in Ravelry, I can note its box number. I'm quite motivated to sort the stash Recently we had some work done that involved climbing into the manhole located above stash central. The Muggles thought they'd do the right thing and move part of the stash.

I never knew just what a frightening experience that could be. Plus, how much had the stash multiplied?!? I half expected them to find a couple of disoriented backpackers. I know there's alot of bags, they're just not 'sleeping' bags.

Guanaba South Coast Country Music Club

Guanaba Country Music Club, originally uploaded by fitknit.

How appropriate! 'The Warranty with a difference' banner above the beautiful, classic car. Couldn't have planned it better..pity I've only just noticed the layout.

Yesterday we had arranged to visit the Guanaba South Coast Country Music Club's social day. Held the third Sunday of the month, this is a great place to listen to music or, put your name on the list and perform. There is also the option of singing. We didn't take up either offer and that's probably a good thing for the audience. We met up with a couple of other families and had a very relaxing afternoon.

Prior to that, and to insert some knitting related content, we called into the Pimpama Strawberry Farm. There I was able to see some mohair and a lovely pile of fibre. Unfortunately both items were still walking around on four legs, waiting to be spun.

Chemo Cap Count: 20/26

SQIB

Short Quick Information Bullet(in).

I've set up another blog for all my charity knits. Well, it's easier for me :) Over here if you're interested. And if not, don't go there! Easy, peasy.

Chemo Cap Count: 16/26

Ouch!

Button beanie, originally uploaded by fitknit.

Well it has happened. My index finger is now pixelated and looks like a relief map of the moon. Knitpicks interchangeables I love you, but our time is up for the moment.

Those pointy points have taken their toll. I'm moving on to blunty points and changing to Addis.

Ahhh, that's better. I'm also down to a 40cm length which makes for very quick rounds. Enjoy the latest cap.

Chemo Cap Count 14/26

Odessa Done

Odessa c, originally uploaded by fitknit.

I'm a bit pleased with myself and really, I shouldn't be. This pattern is a piece of cake, so why all the fuss? Truly, I don't know where I get off sometimes.

Anyway, Odessa is off the needles and I think she's a beauty. I love the swirliness and the colour changes work at right angles to each other.The visual interest is very high...or have I just been sniffing way too many yarn fumes?!?

The lovely Miss D also whipped up another 14 caps to add to the collection. I'm not going to count them as part of my efforts...yet!

Yes, the blog does have a new look. I thought it was time for a change and I've tidied up too.

Chemo cap count: 12/26

Fantaseas

Fantaseas
Originally uploaded by fitknit

How gorgeous is this yarn? PDG (Postal Delivery Guy) dropped this bundle of yarny goodness off yesterday. I love it. Almost too good to use.

See the shimmer of the silk...the texture of the merino...mmmm heaven. Deliciousness supplied by creative Kelly of...Dyelicious.

Don't Drink and Knit

Odessa WIP
Originally uploaded by fitknit

If doing the same thing over and over while expecting the result to change means you are insane, then sign me up, laminate that membership card and email me my first newsletter.

During my quest to make 26 chemo caps, I 've found I get bored very easily. Actually, way too easily for my liking. I decided to take a break from knitting Muppet Eyelashes and cast on Odessa. Thought I'd get all my jobs done, have a quiet drink with dinner, then gracefully retire and cast on.

I'll give you a brief, censored (language removed for the faint hearted), summary of the results:

A. Cast on 110 stiches, using circulars, finished the band, looked too big. Frogged

2. Cast on 80 stitches using circulars, did the band, started pattern rows, messed them up (missed a YO or two). Frogged.

iii. Cast on 90 stitches using DPNs. Looks ok and pattern under control.

BUT the pattern says work 2 plain rounds, 1 beaded, then 3 plain. I've done my 2 plain rounds and I'm over it. Already. Maybe I'm like my knitting buddy Marg who just 'gets a licence to drive' a pattern then has had enough.

Or perhaps I'm totally insane with a pinch of KADD (knitters' ADD) thrown in for good measure. Seems to me there is a fine line between persistence and pass me the scissors.

Chemo cap count: 6/26

Do Ya Feel Lucky, Yarn? Well, do Ya??

I went a bit Dirty Harriet with some yarn yesterday. Turns out it didn't feel so lucky.

The yarn was patchy. Supposedly 10ply, but in places would struggle to be a decent 4 ply. I'm certain it was just a rogue ball as I've used this yarn before and not had a problem. However, a price had to be paid and I'm guessing the deposit was my sanity.

I took my small swatch and placed it on the bench. Then I got the rest of the ball and made sure it watched while I cut up my sample. I wanted it to learn a lesson. Similar to the one in that old joke about the naughty parrot who gets put in the freezer for bad behaviour. One look at the chook in there and voila, reformed parrot.

Anyway, back to the yarn (hehe). Mr Fitknit moved to the other side of the bench and asked ever so nicely if I wouldn't mind keeping away from sharp implements. I dumped the sliced swatch in the bin and looked at the remaining ball. I'm sure I saw it wince.

That evening I cast on with the remainder. You will be pleased to hear the yarn is now behaving.

Chemo Cap Count: 5/26

June's Charity Haul

Charity of the Month #1
Originally uploaded by fitknit

Thought I'd share a pic of the June Charity of the Month collection. I was lucky enough to grab a spot on the Knit 4 Charities calendar when another charity found it no longer required knitted items (how good is that?!?).

I collected items for Bonnie Babes and in this photo there are hundreds of blankets, baptismal gowns and burial wraps. The work that has gone into these is just amazing. Knitters, and all crafters for that matter, are just the best in my book.

On the home front, Mr Fitknit took DS3 off to a hockey tournament up north. DS3 is particularly excited to be going on a road trip without certain other brothers. They rang last night and are having a great time. Hope they wear their beanies (hand made by Fitknit) today!

Chemo cap count: 3/26

Chemo Cap

Chemo Cap
Originally uploaded by fitknit

After yesterday's outburst, I decided I really would try to blog more often. So here goes.

It is Remembrance Month over at Knit 4 Charities and I'm on the chemo caps. It is three months tomorrow since Teresa passed away yet feels like the blink of an eye.

To honour her courage, strength and life, I'm going to try and make a cap for every year she was here. That's 26. I've made 2 so far. This one is my own pattern. It is acrylic and we all know how much I would prefer to run a marathon rather than use this yarn, but it's not about me!

Guess I'd better go and knit now. Hopefully I'll be back soon :)

Shouldn't you be working?

Felted Hat
Originally uploaded by fitknit

I hadn't planned on blogging today but the pressure (yes, you Miss J) got to me. I certainly know I'm under the pump when a 'friend' says she needs for me to update my blog on a regular basis because when her work annoys her, she clicks and has a momentary escape over here.
Happy?!?

I could leave it there but won't because I'm not nearly as p*&%d off as that reads! I whipped up this little number for my boys' school sports. This is always, without fail, held on the coldest day of the year. Field events require a walk across the oval to the area where your child will attempt to remove heads with a discus.

So I made my hat, felted it, wore it, loved it. I believe there was a lot of hat-envy going on. The pattern is from the wonderful Sarah Bradberry's book, The Any Yarn, Any Hat. I got the downloadable version and love it!