A Mysterious Tiny Stitching Sampler Framed and Birthday Box Goodies

Making a final box of handmades for a special friend's birthday. 

I unfortunately couldn't attend her special 90th party as it was in June when I was having complications after my shoulder surgery. However, she knows I am sending her a gift. And I hope to see her soon when I am able.

 Her daughter and I were very close, like sisters growing up.

We reconnected the week of daddy's funeral and I was so glad we did. I miss the family alot.

Her mother was like a second momma to me growing up. She had all the attributes I would strive for in being a momma. She listened many times on her front porch and we would talk for hours.

She baked the best cakes I've ever eaten in my life. She was just as much a friend with a listening ear after school and at that time I so needed.

She was truthful, gave much needed wisdom throughout my teen years and the nicest ever. Her and her husband had 5 children. The first 4 boys and then a girl.

Her daughter was a bit younger than me but we grew up together like sisters.

I felt so honored to be invited to her 90th birthday party. I was so disappointed I couldn't make the 4 hour drive.

I still am in contact with her daughter again and we just started talking like we never had lost connection. I guess you could say she is one of Kindred Spirits.

I knitted these up at different times.

Today while rambling through my finishes but not yet "finished" in my stitching studio, I found a tiny one over one sampler I made in 2011. I can't remember the designer. Maybe one of you can jog my memory so I can give credit where credit is due.

I wish I also knew the fabric because it's a very pretty muted deep red.

I think it was supposed to be a pin keep because the other side of the pin keep I finished with the year 2011 (when my vision was better) was on the back also finished.

So I got a new frame from my stitching stash that I've had a while. It's about 2 x 3 in and framed it.

I thought it would be sweet to add to her box.

I have a knit scarf for the Fall and Winter, some local Shea butter soaps, 2 of the silk/bamboo facial cloths for the bath, and one all cotton dishcloth for the kitchen.

I tied them with sweet ribbon from my studio.

And added this framed piece I hope she will like.

I thought the frame was perfect. I believe this frame I got from Hobby Lobby for storage for finishes like this.

On the home front

Mr. Darcy and I have had a busy 10 or more days. About 2 weeks ago went to the eye doctor and had pain in my left one with glaucoma and a corneal problem. To make a long story short, I've been through 2 amniotic tissue transplants from 3 donors.

I had to go every day since then to the doctor for them to check it.

The second one placed because the area was not completely healed on Thursday.

This one didn't do well at all. My body I guess rejected it. By Thursday night hubby was calling the eye doc after hours and he drove from his house 2 hours away and met us at the clinic at 9pm. I had the most pain ever and couldn't tolerate any light at all without feeling like having electric shocks. Even sunglasses didn't help. I developed uveitis evidently. He removed the disc but had a hard time. My cornea was swollen and not getting oxygen. To a dark room with dilating drops twice a day for past 3 days until tomorrow. Also oral antibiotics, steroid eye drops (couldn't be helped even though making glaucoma not good), and dilating drops twice a day.

For the last 2 days, following all the medications and steroid drops, it's getting much, much better.

I can see the computer better with UV glasses though.

I'm so not a person to just lie down in a dark room but I had to.

I'm so glad I'm better. I hope tomorrow's visit I can stop dilating my eyes twice a day.

That is the second uveitis flare I've had. It's pretty much an autoimmune reaction. Was told to eliminate anything or anyone stressful 2 weeks ago when this started.

Working on that!

I hope to mail off this box tomorrow and get a good report from the eye doc.

I will probably he said have to go to a corneal specialist in Atlanta again for a check.

I think the worse part is losing vision in my left eye to be legally blind in it.

I'm so thankful I have 2 eyes.

Mr. Darcy has planned a much needed vacay for us soon. Hotel is booked.  He thinks I need a reprieve from alot of things happening at one time in the past year. 

I can't say I don't agree.

Just will make sure I pack a hat, sunglasses and my vitamins for energy!!!!!

I hope you are having a good Sunday and a healthy one.

I'm still listening to audio books all Ann of Green Gables. Audio version came in handy this past week.

To all my kindred spirits,

Jennifer

Bands of Angels lace shawl---Blocking

And Bands of Angels lace shawl I designed in memory of my father has been complete for a while now but just have not blocked it.  BUT, HERE it is drying.

I will share a few pics. I apologize for the blocking pads. These are el cheapo foam from Home Depot that I thought would work for blocking but definitely I struggled with it due to the join. They are huge. I could have used 3 of them.

On my wish list is knitting blocking mats from Amazon for sure.

I have never used blocking wires and I could have used more T pins but this is my shawl drying now.

The picot bind off is not blocked appropriately. I have to get more T pins so I can open up each picot area for a more finished look.

Otherwise, I'm pleased with it.

After soaking in a gentle teaspoon of wash and cold water for 30 minutes, I watched this shawl GROW! Of course lacework will do that.

The number of eyelet rows represents the number of months my daddy was sick with West Nile virus until he died. I knew when I designed this that what I had in mind was the last look on his face and what he could have seen upward as a host of angels. Hence, the name, Bands of Angels.

This is actually the "wrong side" of the shawl. I do not weave in my ends until AFTER blocking.

I love the yarn colorways.

Used Madelinetosh Lite in Antler (cream) and Hosta Blue (green blue/teal)

I definitely designed this to also have an angel wing effect.

I really enjoyed this light fingering weight from Madeline Tosh. One of my favorite brands.

In review, after soaking the 100% merino for 30 minutes in cold water, there was NO bleeding of colors or dye in the water. This is a good thing!

Here are a few pics before blocking. I know I had a couple of questions about whether blocking is always done after knitting. And again, sometimes I do not, depends on the object. But all lacework, I do because it opens up the design considerably.

I didn't measure the before blocking but after blocking the size is

19 inches x 60 inches

Mr. Darcy and I finished a Netflix marathan all day yesterday of 7 seaasons of a program and I cast on another project. I will be sharing that soon.

Over the weekend we enjoyed making fettacinni alfredo, pork chops, salads, and some fresh strawberries sliced up with ice cream and cake.

Summer is definitely here. It's steamy, not too terribly hot just humid from all the afternoon rains.

Soon to  have some fresh tomato sandwiches for lunch with lots of mayo, salt and pepper..

Yesterday morning, I enjoyed reading (listening)  the first half of Anne of Green Gables. I love that book!

You can actually go to You Tube and look up Anne of Green Gables read along and someone reads this audio with emphasis on characters kind of like Audible.

Click here to enjoy a good 4.5 hour read for part 1 while you enjoy busy chores or needlework.

There are so many quotes from this book I would love to use in a cross stitch design. 

From one kindred spirit to another,

Jennifer

Pink and So Very Precious Baby Blanket finished

Hey friends!

This past week still recuperating from shoulder surgery and PT but had to cancel out due to another corneal ulcer on my eye. Last time this happened and I got an amniotic tissue transplant was December 2015.

Seems the eye doc said this one is deep and my left eye with glaucoma already and a scar will always have the potential to just exfoliate, or have ulcerative keratitis.  So drops in my eye with a bandage now for 4 days. Then Wed will get another amniotic tissue placed on the eye which provides alot of immunity building proteins and will be absorbed by my eye. Amniotic tissue is nearly the same as corneal tissue. I'm so thankful there are donors and I hope and trust the tissue has been screened well for no transfer of any pathogens.

However, in the wait, I was determined to finish the baby blanket I started many months ago.

I also added two bows. Interestingly enough, I found my gauge when I started it before my shoulder surgery was tighter than it is now. I have not washed or blocked it.

It turned out to be 23 x 28 inches.

  just putting it over the top of  my baby grand piano.

The very first cast on was started Oct 30th in an ICU waiting room.

Knitting provided much needed stress relief.

For the bows, I used a tutorial HERE at this blog with a variate of a slightly larger size.

 Pink and So Very Precious Baby Blanket

designed by Feathers in the Nest (blanket only not the bows)

2017 copyright

Yarn:  Bernat Baby Softee in Pink

Simple bows designer referenced  For the bows, I went by a tutorial HERE at this blog with a variate of a slightly larger size.

This is a very simple beginner knit pattern that I may put in Ravelry. Will let you know if and when I do.

Craftsy.com has this yarn on sale NOW for the 4th. It's washable acrylic.
Check out the sale and get your color choices HERE

On the homefront today

We've had a ton of afternoon and nightly rains around here. Miss Abbie has found herself a hidey hole as we call it when storms are brewing by sliding under the sofa. I can't believe she fits under it but she does.

I couldn't get pics last night but I hope to when I can get our new guests all in a frame. Our cat Louise we had for a couple of years went missing in November. This left our male cat Jim Bob who is forever getting in fights. Well, right close to Christmas we had a stray, tiny and petite who looked identical as one of Jim Bob's descendants cruise over to see us and she stayed. We named her Noel.

Noel didn't get pregnant or we definitely would have been able to tell as she is a small cat herself; however, yesterday one by one, 3 kittens about 2 months old max came to eat with Noel. Seems they are all from a liter of somewhere but Noel watches over them like her own. They are definitely in that wild stage running and hiding up and down the side porch while Noel sits in a rocking chair and watches them pounce in the garden and through bushes.They are all variations of a cashmere gray coloring. The darker kitten Mr. Darcy named Stormy. The other two still having pending names. All three have perfectly white paws like they are dipped in paint.

The variations of gray and white with blue eyes are giving me ideas of a knitting project. :)

I can't believe July 4th is tomorrow! Here's hoping that you don't get rained out of the fireworks and have a good evening with the ones you love. Here in the North Georgia mountains, it's a steamy humid day. We have definitely had our share of evening rains.

Around the house on Mondays at the homestead is wash day. I got a little start yesterday but still have the sheets to do. I consider folding part of my at home shoulder exercises. :0

The Indian Mound in Sautee, GA near our home.

Till later,

Jennifer 

A New Knit Finish--Mantle of the Garter shawlette

So.

I was looking for a good stashbuster to use up the remaining precious cotton/viscose from Italy yarn from the last project. I found on Ravelry a great free pattern HERE called Mantle of the Garter by Margaret Anderson Kilfoil.

It's a good TV knitting or traveling or waiting around in doctor's offices kind of project.

I finished it last night at midnight and had a million ends to weave in until about 1am.

This morning, I stretched in on the chaise on the back porch where tiny bits of morning sunlight could show you a bit.

The coloring is not that great because again I used my Ipad camera.

I used my teeny little decorative pins to hold it a bit.

The morning sun filters through and it's nice and cool out. The shadows cast are not so great but you can get a general idea.

I even used a section of the English Roses by Malibrigo that I made a shawl last year in. It was just enough to finish up the remaining skein and blended so well in the shawlette.

 

I plan to wear with a navy blue summer dress or a white Tshirt and jeans.

Things I learned from this project:

Even though I used cotton as the main fibers, I would suggest using the much springier, fiber that the pattern calls for. I used up 2 balls of stash yarn together with straight cotton. I also use a remaining Malibrigo merino called Old English Roses from a previous project.

Cotton /viscose has give. Plain cotton doesn't so much. 

Reinforces my love for my favorite cotton yarn for my budget I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby. You can find any color for any cotton project and for the yardage per skein and the quality it beats all for me. I go to it when I know I want much variety for straight up cotton.

This is a shawlette and I would probably, if knitted again, increase more and make it larger for a shawl.

Weaving in ends is still my notoriously least favorite part of knitting. That being said, when my last end is woven in, the pure rush of a finished project is a good thing. A real good thing. Like finally finishing and completing something.

And that, my friends, has been my easy knit project while going through yet another eye surgery last Friday. I had a trabeculoplasty in the left eye. Lets say the weekend was rough but I go for my post op today and better with exception of the sunlight. 

Sunlight is no longer my friend even with my really good sunglasses.

Around the homestead, while cleaning the back porch on these most gorgeous of cool Summer days, I saw one really large Turkey. I think she is trying to find a place to nest for her babies.

Not sure but I'm glad this Summer they are back.

Also saw 3 deer just outside the window and when I looked at one, he peaked around a tree at me. He was so funny. I think it was mother and 2 babies.

My next project I'm getting together from a KAL but really I missed the first 4 weeks so it will be later than the KAL on Ravelry. However the pattern looks more challenging and all the clues to the mystery knit a long have been given. The yarn is fingering and it's using 6 colors for a shawl.

I will post soon the skeins and the colors and my cast on.

Hope all is well with you and remember to enjoy some part of the day and spread love and compassion wherever you go.

Till later,

Jennifer

New Knit Finishes Prayer Shawls and Such

It's been a very long time and so much has happened since my last post. 

My health has had many turns. It's been a daily struggle with eye pain and losing my sight in one eye. 

Long story short. It would take an entire hour if you only knew, but I brushed myself off and decided to post a picture of my first prayer shawl I designed ( and maybe even have already) but on my dressform, along with another very simple garter shawl that I started back in Fall 2014 and found in a project bag and decided I needed to feel some accomplishment and therefore today it's cast off the needles. (Now that is a total run-on sentence but,,,,,,). 

 I have not blocked it. Just to take a look see. I have had this dress form from ebay for a couple of years now and it really was not expensive at all but has really, really, really come in handy for knitwear and such. If I can go back and find the seller on Ebay I will,  because I think every knitter, especially if trying to design, should get one. I think the shipping was even free and it's not too heavy, but not light either. 

Maybe I should name this one Blue Days. I think I spent many of them at Emory this year, I've lost 50% of my vision in the left eye now. Next, is laser in the next 3 weeks. They are trying to stop the progression but my cornea is not letting it. Again long story. But, I can knit.

I have another eye. Thank God.

I found a supportive glaucoma group that totally understands. I'm thankful for that. 

And thankful I have a husband that understands and will be my eyes if they fail.

I cast on this shawl in Fall 2014 and it's what I call a process shawl. I literally knit for the enjoyment of the process not the project. I'm sure many know what I mean. 

In the midst of many project bags tucked away I decided this weekend to finish and cast off this afternoon. Then, I rambled through my glass bobble and pins jar that I save things in and found a pin for it. 

Cheered me up a bit to put it on the dressform today.

The next one is my first design prayer shawl. This is a project shawl. I had a specific reason and goal in mind for this one.  One day I will write it up and explain why I chose and how I chose the pattern. It has a special meaning to me. 

The reason the dressform is so useful for me is that you can actually get it in your own measurements. 

This comes in great handiness when designing or knitting for sure.

Don't you like this choker necklace I put on it from the 90's? Yup, I still had this in my jewelry collection and now chokers are in again. :)

For not being blocked, it's not too bad.

And with this one, I used Malibrigo yarn

http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/

I don't think this colorway is even available anymore. I will need to search and find the ball band.

I used 3 skeins.

It knits like butter. I love it. This is the second shawl with this brand I used. I don't know if you remember the Old English Rose colorway that I knit a shawl with.

Gorgeous old rose colors.

I started to test knit another prayer shawl in the colorway Christmas at Downton and got halfway through it when the season ended. Couldn't do much knitting in March so it's in a project bag waiting for me.

On the other half, my sweet husband has started woodworking as a hobby, in between managing several schools in the district, and is just about finished with his MBA online.

He is presenting one of the plaques he made to the principal and has made each one for many schools in the region. 

At Christmas, he wanted some woodmaking stash stuff (in our language), and so I was so happy he has a creative outlet as well. He really is talented. He totally restored the Hoosier cabinet in our house a couple of years ago.

I am very proud of all he has accomplished this year. We will soon be celebrating his dual major/ Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources and Operations Management. 

Well, I have to leave you with a bit of humor. I couldn't stop laughing at this one..........

I know that's sick, right? LOL

Long story short?

since January

• Downton Abbey was our every night must have to see. We ordered the complete series of years and went through all of them except this past season of which we will probably watch endless episodes with popcorn again.
• I've learned how to put objects in my eyes I never thought I would before. Yup, I can do this!
• my better half got me my first pair of REAL sunglasses......and I love them because sun is not my friend
• I've learned how to really appreciate seeing everything and especially colors.
• I've learned from great sources for vision impaired how to utilize things on the computer for adapting to going blind.
• I've eaten way too many lunches at Zaxby's. People at work think I'm addicted.(can't help it, their tea is the best)
• I've come to love hubbies mustang just for the tinted windows.
• Putting on eyeliner is a real 10 minute event now
• I've watched many declutter You Tube channels but wishing I had the energy to do it all at one time. It's getting there though. 
• I just got my supplies for my first KAL---Queen of Thrones!
• My goal to drink 10 cups of water a day is a very real thing I HAVE to do, not want to do now.
• My hubbie has watched many a chick-flick with me in the past 3 months.
• Abbie freaks out on the weekend when we say
  "the pizza man is here" and he is here quite frequently
• there's no place for fluorescent lights......no place
• Sunday mornings are a given for chocolate-covered doughnuts at the homestead
• Cross stitching patterns haunt me to be stitched but my eyes went to yarn instead
• McDonalds now knows my breakfast order by heart and I just say hi at the drive through and it's one egg biscuit and a large half cut coffee with 5 splenda/ 5 creams
• February, in the middle of another corneal ulcer and 2 weeks out of work, my husband got me the prettiest Valentines Day chocolate box with red velvet EVER and I ate every one.....well, I shared a few with him
• chocolate was pretty much a theme since January and the answer to all problems
• my Ipad mini is now playing the Bread and Olivia Newton John Pandora stations quite regularly

Bless you and have a great Monday.................

Jennifer

A Time for All Seasons---Glaucoma and Corneal disease

I am writing a short  long post to catch up.

A new year

2016

 I really can't believe it!

Many of you that have followed my blog for a while and the closest of friends know for the past 5-6 years I have been on a journey with glaucoma. It's not something I would wish on anyone for sure.
I was diagnosed at a simple Walmart eye exam about 6 years ago and also had a hemorrage near the retina.

I thought things were getting blurry because I needed new glasses. On yeah, "I'm getting old!"

 My readering glasses from Walmart were doing fine actually. However, the digital picture they took identified "cupping" of my optic nerve in the left eye which was very slight and early. I was so glad they identified it early as I started on eye drops for glaucoma. I still did fairly well in my profession and with stitching and knitting and life goes on.

So for 5 years I went to the same general eye doctor every 6 months as I had to have a medical exam for the glaucoma. They explained it as a "CT of the back of the eye to get a picture of the optic nerve and for any damage".  Four years ago, the optic nerve started to become damaged. I still didn't notice anything in my eyes different with exception that the corneal scar on my eye (they found that at the first exam as well) was becoming more apparent with pain. At first this was like having an eyelash in my eye all the time. This progressed to severe pain this past year like having an ice pick stabbing my eye. The scar was getting worse. The scar was old and originally from a hit in the eye in my early 20's. The glaucoma meds and dryness has caused degeneration of the cornea over the years.

Zoom forward to this past March. I had an intense migraine right after a long trip. I went to cover my right eye and I looked forward and really got unnerved that many areas were totally blind. Just gone.
Like steamy fog on a mountain. You know the mountains are there but all the dense fog totally makes them go away.

I looked again. Blinked. This didn't change anything. Evidently my right eye had been taking over my vision and I can still function well but my optic nerve and visual field tests for the past 4 years were worsening. The general eye doctor referred me to a glaucoma specialist. It was at this point when I got my records I saw my failing tests every year but this generalist eye doc didn't take it too seriously.

This started the real brick that hit me that I was going blind in my left eye and it was a matter of time.
Since April of last year through October, I have had to see retina specialists and glaucoma specialist with pressure checks and many tests including a CT of the brain back in October to rule out a brain tumor. I was having headaches from the eye pain so bad.

I was then identified and told I had a Salzman's nodule on my cornea on that eye and I needed surgery. I had no idea what that was. I work in the medical field but eye issues were definitely not my specialty; however, when you are going blind, you learn alot about all kinds of things in the eyes.

CT showed no brain tumor. Headache behind the left eye would come 3 times a week like a brain freeze from eating ice cream and it would last 24 -48 hours. This increased. I was set up for surgery at the glaucoma specialist when they decided surgery needed an open OR room not out patient as my risks were too high in an out patient eye surgical center.  I continued to work in my profession through this entire time. I could see as my right eye now is dominant but the pain was identified then at Emory University as a corneal ulcer with corneal degeneration, advanced and advanced glaucoma in the left eye. They said at second look that it was not a Salzmans nodule but a corneal ulcer that was a much more severe problem.

The corneal specialist is very nice. The university is a big, busy place but all the drops, meds, everything was professional and options given. My husband has been through this with me and has been a good supporter. My parents also were concerned and aware of the pain I have been through.

On the day before Christmas Eve, I got an amniotic graft on my eye by a corneal specialist.
I literally was in bed with this prosthesis about the size of a quarter under my eye socket and praying that the graft woud take when they removed the prosthesis 3 weeks later.

I took 3 weeks off work for this procedure and had it removed last week. It healed the corneal ulcer but the glaucoma is fairly stable, but necessary now to look at other options for the glaucoma. So now I have a corneal specialist for the degeneration and they have set up in February seeing an attending glaucoma specialist at Emory for options. I returned back to work this week.

I still have some irritation under my lid where the device rubbed and still very sensitive to light but it was good to be back at work. I could not ask for any more sweet and understanding co workers and friends. The day before my procedure, they asked to say a prayer for me in a circle. I was so deeply touched in my heart and so thankful. The graft is from amniotic/placental donor tissue from a woman who had a C section. I had never heard of this and interesting to me because I'm a women's health practitioner.

The scar on my cornea will always remain and the specialist said I will have to wear a prosthetic clear scleral lens. I will be fitted for it in 2 weeks, it's sent to New York to be made and then I go back to get the device, learn how to put it in and take it out every morning and night.

The visual loss/blindness in my left eye is about 45% and is not reversible. I thank God every day for 2 eyes.

Until I got the graft procedure, I was knitting after work some at night and weekends but my pics are forthcoming. I do not write this for any pity AT ALL please but just to let those who follow my blog know why the gap in writing.

My corneal specialist is hoping and myself too that an ulcer does not occur again on the scar but she says that it probably is going to be recurrent. This is why the prosthetic device will hold my cornea and keep it from getting as dry too and maybe prevent this.

I have some limitations but mostly I'm doing well. The sun is probably the worst thing so I wear sunglasses alot. I love cloudy days now.

I'm very thankful I can continue in my profession and help others feel better. Being on the flip side is so very different!! I am also thankful for the corneal specialist. She listened and identified the problem right away. She was there when I cried about my fear of going blind. She is reassured with the graft the ulcer went away and is just a very understanding and knowledgable lady.

The next step on this glaucoma journey is next month. One day at a time.

I take one day at a time and I know that there is always a purpose for everything as God promises us but I also know we sometimes don't know why and may never know why these things happen. Coming to peace with that.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

was blind but now I see.

Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear

And Grace my fears relieved.

Thank you if you made it this far to read. :)

I have not forgotten my blog and all you who still take the time to read.

I will be back soon with a much better blog post and get back in the groove.

On the knit front.............just off the needles a scarf for my hubbie in the color Lake Tahoe

please excuse my picture. It's from my phone.

Actually picture one is the right color.

and this is finished and in a whole different light. LOL

It has not been blocked here. Definitely a simple, quite bulky alternating of stockinette and garter, easy on the eyes.

I plan to cast on my Christmas at Downton Lorna's Laces yarn REAL soon!!!!!!!!

I will be making a shawl.

Also will share a pic of part of my Christmas present in my next post.

I also will be having a blog sale in the next few months so stay tuned.

I hope this finds YOU all happy and healthy with the start of 2016!!!!

Jennifer

P. S. Miss Abbie sends her sweet love!

The Christmas Project I Kept Myself

So.

 At Christmas, and then 2 days the following week, actually New Years Day, I knitted up this scarf.

 I cast on alot of stitches and this made a wide scarf,  bordering on a wrap.

I went to knit group, actually the last night knit group from the local yarn shop and 2 large skeins of yarn had to come home with me.  This happens when I go into a yarn shop.

I was working on finishing a shawl, a scarf, a scarfette, and a men's scarf for my hubbie's birthday and so I had finished all but the January birthday scarf.

In between I had a good time when I cast on for this simple garter stitch on Christmas Eve at my parents' house with good conversation while I knitted.

This was a really quick knit.

 It really came handy on the morning here when it was 6 degrees right after Jan 1. This scarf is the softest and is soooooo warm!

I'm drawn to pinks, fushia's ad teal colors. I have a teal heavy coat that I wear it with.

It is quite long at about 65 inches and it has great drape, with a heavy softeness that just wraps up so cozy.

Yup, thats a pic of Mr. Fox in the background and I'm diligently now trying to finish up his belated gift. I will show you those pics later. He really likes the colors of his scarf. 

But this one.  Yes, this one I knit for myself.

I've found with cross stitch, I almost always keep my samplers when finished for the house.

With knitting, I'm always giving it away as gifties.

I don't know why that is. However, I picked out this yarn for myself and I busied my hands during the holidays to finish it. 

This is the yarn I used.

Universal Yarn. I love the motto here!

I have already tossed the label and the name of the colorway is Lucky something....I just remember Lucky as the first word. Sorry for forgetting that.  Maybe Lucky Pink or Lucky Cottage???

I used number 17 needles. Very chunky.

Totally functional.

Totally pretty,

and totally fast and mindless knitting.

Just what I needed when visiting to catch up on alot of conversation.

Sometimes, I think in all our stitching and knitting, we have to remember to treat ourselves too.

When you craft, do you keep, or giveaway more of your finishes?