Blocking spree

ETA: The Summer Twist Collective is up! Haven’t even looked at it yet, wanted to get the word out

I’m not sure two counts as a spree, but that’s what it feels like. I think because it’s been a spell since I’ve finished something, especially larger than wee-sized, that needed a full wet blocking. Much less two items to block on the same day.

Finished the last bits of knitting and weaving in of ends this past couple days on both the Tapestry Kerchief and Liesl. I’m so relieved because Liesl grew to just the right size when wet. I did make a swatch, but as we all know, swatches can lie.

I found the most delicious wooden buttons, they are SO my sister, and I can’t wait for Liesl to dry so I can sew them on! However, June Gloom came a few days early and now at 2:30 the sun is peeking for the first time. We’ll see how long it takes.

Real FO posts as soon as I can arrange pictures!

With these done, the couple sweaters I have on the needles aren’t calling me, what with summer right around the corner. Then I remembered I’ve been meaning to make a couple items to reduce my space heater dependency at work. Although it’s no longer actually arctic, it is usually chiller than comfortable for most. It’s not my company, but the building management and a poorly designed HVAC system. Although I find it necessary to work comfortably, I hate that I have to use more energy to warm my space with an electric heater because the AC is running too cold. The irony. And the waste.

So, I’m making a pair of woolen slippers and a lap blanket. A knitter should never be cold! I decided on Cocoknits’ Pleated Ballet Flats pattern, and boy is it clever. And quick! One down and on to the next, after casting on yesterday evening:

I’m using a skein of bright magenta Manos single ply. I’m thinking they will brighten my office space. Not that it’s bad now, it’s quite a nice space, but a shot of bright pink never hurts! I love Cocoknits patterns. They appeal to me on so many levels – and I haven’t made many although I have a veritable stack of her patterns! Must remedy that.

I’ve gathered odds and ends, and some whole skeins, of yarns from the stash in coordinating shades of greens, purples/violets, and grey/charcoal/black to crochet a medium-sized blanket. I’m thinking I’ll mix rows of single and double crochet, for a little textural variety. Or maybe just single crochet – as I am mixing up alot of yarns. Decisions. I want this to be a soothingly mindless project. As easy as tunisian crochet is, I want it to be even easier. Something I can just pick up and let my hands go to work while my mind floats away. Between the blanket and pink slippers, I’m going to be rather technicolor dreamcoat!

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Thank you all so much for your wonderful compliments on my home dec projects! This weekend I am taking it extra-easy. After a few weekends of being a busy bee, the fibromyalgia caught up with me. Although I did do more than I would have thought previously without serious symptoms. And it’s a tolerable flare, as flares go. It hit me Wednesday and I’m feeling a little better with each day.

Prior to going gung-ho on the house, I had managed to maintain a semi-regular light yoga practice for a little over a month. You see, exercise intolerance is a huge problem for most people with FM. I’ve done yoga on and off for years. And I’ve tried repeatedly to start a very light, very gradual exercise program, including yoga, only to have a bad flare that sets me back to the beginning or worse. Through Netflix, I found a Gaiam DVD called 15-minute Results Yoga, featuring Rodney Yee, whom I really like. This DVD, with its short, but complete and not very advanced practices, is perfect for people with conditions like FM. I was able to get all the benefits of a balanced yoga practice in short bursts, so I didn’t overdo it.

There are 2 great yoga studios near me, for which I feel fortunate, and yet neither of them offer classes less than 60 minutes in length, usually 90 minutes. Food for thought for any teachers or studio owners out there, if I may make this suggestion – shorter classes, not just more gentle classes. Stamina is a problem for many with both acute and chronic illnesses, and workouts of that length, even gentle ones, are often not feasible or even ill-advised. For me, I think the previous weeks of yoga went a long way towards my being able to do so much over a sustained period without it knocking me over. As soon as I feel back to normal, my normal, I am getting back on the yoga horse! OK – tangent done

I think I’m going to go out back and enjoy the Sunday quiet and the wee bit of sun we will get today, before it gets chilly. Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend!