The Trials and Tribulations of the Little Black Bag

I have finally finished the bag.  It took a little bit but then it allowed me some rest time, so the issues that came up were well worth it.  I'm pleased with the outcome of the bag.  With it being freeform, it was an interesting project, but caused slowdowns as I was deciding what to do next.  This did cause a lack of interest at times, so it is doubtful I will be doing that too often.  I chose to make a strap for the bag out of black wool on a spool knitter.  I was rusty, so that took a little time, but I soon got into the swing of things.  It also had nails in the top and all I have to say to that is - OUCH!  My fingertips are a little sore and raw.  I'm sure that won't be an issue if I keep at it and build up some calluses.

This was a serious glutton of time, but a good use of up-cycled resources from my collections of many things. I have decided at this time, to make some much smaller bags, more like little make-up bags, with the rest of the material.

The one thing I was glad about, was since I was home, I was there for my son when he found he needed to go to the dentist.  He had bad toothache and needed to see someone about the pain, which kept him up all night for the last few nights.  He was in no fit state and being able to help him, made me feel good and reignited my passion in the bag again.

Slowly but Surely

I keep hitting obstacles, little things that make me stop and smell the roses, or attend to real life in general.  I was not happy about having my day split up today.  I'm heading out today with a friend.  I need this and new it was coming.  Getting away and spending time with someone out in the country rejuvenates me and sparks my creative endeavors.  However, I did not take into consideration just how bad my son's tooth was, and so in the wee small hours of the monrning his pain was no longer a dull ache, but a delluge of pain, agony and suffering.   His face puffed up around the infection and he was in obvious need of assistance.  So as soon as it was open it was off to find a doctor and get that face dealt with.  The dentist is not available until the 27th of April, and that is not an option for him to wait that long to get help.  So we spent the entire morning waiting for Lloyd to get his meds and he's a happier camper now and resting.

I on the other hand will be heading out the door in an hour or so to go do some more stuff.  I had wanted to just relax this morning, but today is one of those days, much like the migraine day I had a couple of days ago.  I'm putting my foot down.  No more internet until after I've got the things I want completed.  I did have an interesting day with working on this yesterday:

The thread is gold, metallic gold, not the color, but actually looks like gold.  There are some small amethyst beads and the heart is red velvet, and the bag is lined with the same red velvet.  I did the little squiggles just free form, and am looking for more to add, I think I have something in my jewelry box.  I'm getting out into the country today... I'm going to get inspired and then I"m holing up in my hidey hole and working really hard on getting things ready for the CHLY Spring Event on the 28th of April.  I'm very excited about this.

I'm not going to let anything more get in the way. :D

The new Hood

So here I am in my new Hood.  She's a beaut, and she worked up quickly.  I used a double strand of wool, one dark green, one royal blue, so it was then like an chunky weight.  I had to unravel a bit when it came to taking off the ends, and fudge some things, but the back looks good now.  I made it as kind of a pixie hat, and it does have that air about it, but check it out.

I got my son to try on the hat, and He looks good in it as well.  I was thinking it was a more girly hat, but no... It looks good on both genders.  I had a lot of fun with this and will be making another shortly... I'm thinking maybe pink and orange.. or maybe just one color... I'm going to go through my balls of wool and see what I have that would look good.  Not so sure I want to do another two tone, just because I want to see it all in one color... Hrmmm maybe a natural...

As for how I feel, I'm getting better.  I might give the kick spindle a go tonight if I'm not knitting, but I'm thinking it's time for round two of the hat and to write down the pattern... :D

The mind boggle, I mean the Kitchener Stitch

Okay, so I'm working on socks, and everything goes well until I get to the end.  It's grafted together with the Kitchener stitch and as luck would have it every time I get ready to do it, someone logs on with something they need to talk to me about.  Every time it's been stressful and it occurs as soon as I've put on the video to watch and go along with, which in my opinion is to fast to watch and learn, but hey I really know it's me and I'm having troubles with it and I'm not the only one.  It's mind boggling at best and with everyone else tossing crap my way it's never going to be learned without interruptions.  I get them here at the house to.  My well meaning son offers to make lunch.    It's not fair to him... It's not his fault.  My neighbor needs a hand getting to the store.  My other neighbour is having a big fight with her bf and things are being chucked out the window. then there is the clatter of feet and pots, pans cutlery exacerbating me. I'm already frustrated and every noise distracts me because I'm trying to teach these 50 year old hands new tricks, and they are saying mind boggle.... mind boggle... I just want to scream and toss my knitting... Always a good sign, because it means I'm close to an epiphany, that the way to do it is almost clear that once I release the fog of frustration I will see clearly how it works together.  However I'm not there yet.  Using the video is useless, it's like a magnet so I found this http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html and all I can say is I love you Theresa.  Today I will finish an ugly toe on this sock.  it'sok... I'm good with that... Once it's done I"m going to do a little quicky knitting and knit up something with only a few stitches a handful  on each needle... That's only 5 and I will practice the stitch... then I"ll unravel and start again.  I will learn it slowly and not be afraid that I'm ruining a sock... No I'm learning a trick that will help me loads.  My frustration level is very high at the moment and if I weren't so mad about the interruptions, I would be in tears at my failure, so maybe mad is a good thing... tears often lead to headaches for me.  I'm thinking something fun to watch might help change my mood... Ah yes and the tension in my shoulders yes.. not a good thing for a knitter... I'm going to hunt down my A535, quit my whining and get back on the horse/ewe LOL And with that my sense of humor is starting to return.  At this point my son has heard language from me that he rather would not have and has ducked into his room.  I don't like making him feel uncomfortable... Perhaps I should make lunch today and then work on the sock.  :D  I won't feel entirely better til this stitch has been mastered.  I do know I don't  have to understand how it works.  I just have to let my fingers learn to make it work. :D