We've had snow...



We've had rain...

Today we have sunshine! (It's Michigan, wait 5 mins, it'll change.)

Last night we made sure to document the three of us all together in the same spot at the same time! I'm the 'big sister.' Can you tell?

Thank you all soooooooooooooo very very much for all the notes, etc that you've sent. And I'm nearly ready to begin to breathe.

Dad's surgery on Saturday in the words of the surgeon...'went better than we had anticipated!' (breathe out family...)

My youngest brother drives long distance truck and has been trying for 7 months to get home to see the family. He was able to trade loads coming up from Dallas in OK and pulled into town Sat am at 7:30. By 9:30 am...for the first time in probably 18 years, the 5 of us were all together in the same spot at the same time, together! The minister of Dad's old church was there with us for prayers, and with my 2 brothers we had my dad laughing! When it was time for him to go to surgery, they let us all go down with him...jokingly,we said Dad always wanted to be the Grand Marshall of a parade, and he got it! The moment of 'change' came when the doctor (we LOVE him!) had to have Dad sign a paper acknowledging that his stomach might have to be partially or completely removed. That felt like the world bottomed out by then. Definite mood changer, I tell you.

Now, my best friend from Jr High school, ended up being Dad's recovery room nurse. She came out pre-surgery to bring us up to speed with the events. The surgical team went for a quick lunch so they were well rested and fed for Dad's turn. During surgery she was able to come over and give us an update. (those of you who are in the medical profession? Love you all! for the care and comforting you give to your patients and their families. Bless you all!) They decided to send Dad to the Critical Care Unit to be easier to monitor his breathing post surgery. He's still there today.[update...he's out and into a regular room!] They FINALLY after a month, removed the tube from his nose! We were joking about putting it at the top of a bon-fire and making sure that sucker would NEVER come back! (perfect way to get your Dad laughing when you can come up with a way to destroy those 'blasted' things.)

Baby brother will not be here much longer. He's got to hit the roads again...but I was able to get some pictures to prove to us all that WE WERE HERE! I'm just shocked at how exhausted I've been every night when I get back home to Mom's. AND how little knitting I've gotten through. I had a whole 2nd suitcase of yarn and patterns! The only night I really got anything done, was Tuesday as I sat in the dark next to Mom's bed working away on the baby blanket. I finally finished stitching the "M" onto the BSJ for my cousin. That's going to hit the post office today, since I don't think I'll be able to get down to Ann Arbor to deliver it in person.

My favorite moment? Last night we were all in Dad's CCU room after dinnertime to say goodnight to Dad. Mom went to kiss Dad..and she got all teary eyed and said, "OOOOO! For the first time in over a month, I get to kiss you without that tube in the way!" Now, that got me. In a very good way. My tough, horsing around brothers, too! Those old softies!

Thanks again, for all the support. I can't thank you enough! The nurses report that Dad's been grumpy post surgery so we KNOW he's on a good path to recovery! I'm going to try and go to a knitting group at my friend's Mom's knitting group at their church tonight. They make a lot of stuff for the babies at the hospital. Every day, they play Brahman's Lullaby over the pa system of the entire hospital as each baby is born. Dad loves to hear the little ones' arrivals announced. I want to help with their knitting as a way to give thanks for his medical team. His nurses have been absolutely fabulous! (they know him veryyyyyyyy well by now!)

happy knitting! (trying to catch up here in Michigan with the knitting -- after all -- Hobby Lobby is down the street and around the corner!!!!!!!! I'm ready to do some retail fiber therapy!)

quickie update on my parents

Forgive me for posting a copied email here, but it pretty much says it all while I'm out the door back to the hospital...

Just got a call from Mom, she's been discharged..they've found a mass on her kidney and has extra fluid in her abdomen. They're waiting for the dye from the CT scan to get out of her system before they can do the next x-ray on her. And then figure out her next step.

Dad's surgery will be Sat at 11am, Michigan (eastern) time. I'm literally running out the door to pick up Mom. The roads are really bad here, 4" of snow expected today and she's wishing for a shampoo before we spend the night (most likely) with Dad at the hospital tonight. He gets rather 'antsy' the night before surgery and Mom wants to be with him. Thankfully, they're going To be in the same room now, so I won't have to go running to the opposite ends of the earth to check on them both (Dad is in room 97, Mom in 21 on the same floor). I did have presence of mind to request they be on the same floor when they admitted her. That proved to be a wise thing so they could each 'hike' to the other room as a destination when they needed to do their daily therapy walks. Then have a sit down and visit before being able to hike on back.

Thank you to everyone for their prayers, I have a gazillion emails yet to read, but they'll have to wait. My Dad's become rather 'impatient' if I don't answer the cell phone fast enough to find out where he's misplaced his glasses, or get him some Vernors,or whatever he's needing. I'm just very thankful at this point, that he wasn't acting like it was all over yesterday. He chewed me out a couple of times pretty good. I guess God heard me say out loud, that I'd take Grumpy any time rather than his 'I give up, take care of your mother' attitude he's had. Even Dad's closest friends who had come to see him have been as worried as I was with the level of depression and his 'it's over' attitude.

So, I'm ready for a day of making my dad 'grumpy' cuz the docs said yesterday it was good for him to feel in control and it got him very alert for the first time in a very long time! We had my Dad back yesterday! Here's hoping he's back for a veryyyyyyyy long time to come!

a nano-sec here.

The world's shortest post by me, I think....I'm in Michigan and have been at the hospital with my parents. My dad's surgery has been postponed until Sat...Mom was admitted last night...I'll update later when I can, but please, keep them in your thoughts, prayers and good wishes. They are Ron and Jackie. I've been knitting in the dark. It keeps sanity to some degree.

My bags are packed...

The U of Michigan colored BSJ has been finished in time for me to hop on a plane just after midnight as I go home for Dad's surgery. It's been switched to Thursday now. The doctors have assured Mom that it's a scheduling issue, and not Dad that's caused yet another delay. I'm kinda glad I wasn't there when the had to tell my Dad that there would be yet one more delay. Can you imagine being in the hospital for 3 weeks now? And to know that once you have more surgery that you'll have to be there for 2 more weeks? That's going to be ~6 weeks in there by the time he can go home! ULG! I can't imagine what he's going through. I do know he's been depressed and won't get on the phone when we call lately. I told Mom that I'd go directly to the hospital from the airport. She offered to wait at home for me, and I told her NO for a change. I don't want my Dad there bugging the nurses waiting for me to get there. He has a tendency to 'stress'. And that would be an understatement of the facts.

The BSJ (my 5th so far) will be traveling with the baby blanket and the hat with me. I'm not sure I'll be able to drop this off with my Aunt, but I wanted my parents to see this before it gets mailed down. Every Sunday, my mom clips Joann's and Michael's coupons out of the newspapers to mail to me after church. This set is for my Mom's baby sister's youngest granddaughter(still with me here?). I figure it's about time they get to see something that their support has produced.

Here is the inspiration for the sweater colorings. This is the display of Michigan Hockey Jerseys for the public to purchase. How'd I do? Pretty close for a baby sweater? The specifics: Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket. Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Navy (1 1/2 skeins), Buttercup (partial skein) and White (leftovers). Patch is from The M-Den in Ann Arbor. Buttons from Hancock Fabric Store. (US) 6 (4.0mm) addi-turbo needles.





Here's hoping the flights aren't delayed, the weather is good for driving, and the Doctors, surgical and nursing staffs are going to put my Dad back together again.

Tribble Tutorial

Tribbles! Yes, after all the emails and comments that you have all sent to me, I thought I'd share mine with you. Abigail certainly was right when she posted this pattern. They're growing like gangbusters around here! And such a fabulous way to use up your leftovers! So, let's get started.

Number one, you need the pattern.

http://1870pearl.typepad.com/TRIBBLE2.pdf (updated link 12/13/08)
See what I mean? They're mutliplying!

Next, dig out a bag (or two) of your cotton left overs. What, you say you don't have any? Well...hop over to the left side of this page, and knit up a few of my dishcloth patterns (grinning here...) and then you'll have some! After that, you can knit up the Tribbles pattern. Like I did. I try to keep my ends really long- longer than the pattern states. I'll tell you why in a minute. Yes, I still have a lot of left overs, yet. That's ok. I like the pattern, I'll make lots more. Remember, I've been knitting for a veryyyyyyyyyyyy long time, so I've had a chance to collect the left overs. I'm a product of Depression Era parents, you don't throw out anything that might be useful at some point! Today, they just call it living green. (and they think it's a new concept-ha!) Anyway, back to the knitting. The only thing I've done differently with the pattern is to use a (US)7 (4.5mm) needle. They were what I had on hand, and I have a couple of those. So, that's what I grabbed the first time, and that's what I keep using. I do have a pair that's a (US)6 (4.0mm) but I never put them in my knitting bag to take out of the house. I'm afraid of them getting busted. They're not being made anymore. So, my clover (US)7's (4.5mm) are what I keep using.

Next, you're going to sew together the diagonal ends. I love my chibi needles with the little bend in the tip. But, I've used those little plastic blue needles for years. Use what you have, like, or can find in the bottom of your knitting bag.

This is going to give you a 'tube' now. But, do NOT cut your long thread! You're going to use it in the next step.

Using that end you used to sew the diagonal ends together, thread it through the edge stitches all the way around the top of your 'tube'. You're going to pull this together the way I finish my Beanie hats.

Now, as I do with my beanies, I go around the circle twice. Hense the reason for the longer tail. Two times around seems to give me the feeling that it's going to 'last' longer than the first wash cycle. However, watch out when you're pulling the thread that you don't pull too hard and have it break! (Wanna know how I learned That one? )

Then you can clip the thread. Now, I never clip threads too close to the knot. Yes, I use knots on closing the circles. But, again, I have this 'concern' that in the first wash, it's all going to slip out and fall apart. Once anything gets past that first wash, and it stayed together, I'm ok with it.

After that, I turn mine inside-out and that will hide the first knot inside. Repeat that same process with the opposite end of the tube. Run your needle through the outter edge stitch twice, and pull it closed.

Here's where you can see it getting closed up. Becareful as you pull on your live thread. You may find it helpful to 'smooth' the Tribble so you can pull the center tighter.

To hide the knot, I'll run the thread behind the closed circle not, once, but twice. Once is good, twice is better? If you pull it well, the knot will slip t the inside and not show on the outside.

Draw the needle up on the opposite side of the closed circle, and then clip your thread. The end will (luckily) slip to the inside and that SHOULD be the last time you see it.

Using your thumbs, start smoothing out the Tribble from the center circle. I have explained before as if you had some pastry in a pie plate. You're going to stretch it from the center outwards. I use my thumbs to do that. Keep going on both sides, or as much as you need for it to lay flat.

That's it! Your Tribble is complete. But wait, you still have leftovers, so go back to that stash of leftovers, and knit up a bunch!

I'm going to finish up this little sweater...it's the BSJ (Baby Surprise Jacket) from EZ...and the little girl (yes a girl!) who will wear this (providing she hasn't outgrown it..) was born last November (I'm so far behind!). Now, she's baby girl #4 for her family and they're buried in Pink over there. So here's to starting with her collection of U of Michgan sweaters! Bout time, eh?

I'm heading to Michigan at the end of the week to be with my parents. Dad is having another surgery and this is the one my brothers are calling the "scary one." The doctor is going in after the Haital Hernia. Dad's a bit (huge exaggeration here) nervous on this one. And for a change, the Stubborn Ole' Swede (Mom-her self proclamined title) didn't stop to bat an eye when I said it was time for me to go home. So, say a few prayers for my parents, and for the Doctor, his surgical team and his nursing staff. He's been in the hospital for over 2 weeks thus far, and he's probably looking at another 2 more post surgery. Cabin fever doesn't begin to describe how he's feeling. Dad's down to 156#'s the last time he weighed himself. That threw him for a loop, too. He used to be over 200 #'s. I'm bringing his vest with me to see if I'll have to restart it smaller. I'm hoping not. But with the weater they've had this year in Michigan, he's going to need the wool when he goes home to keep him warm. That way I can hug him when I'm not there. The vest, and the afghan that I made him a couple of years back when this whole surgical process started. He fell onto his step ladder putting away books in his library. August, 2004. I've actually lost count of the number of surgeries he's had. That's a scary thing to actually say out loud. It's been way too many!

I have one more project between the baby sweater and working on the vest full time. With a little luck, you'll see it soon. Hint, it's Green. Hopefully, without all the typos and 'need to fix-its' from the last Two Hearts as One pattern set. I 'Think' I have them all fixed now. (I certainly hope!) Thanks for all the help you guys have given me when you go through the patterns. It's great! And gratefully appreciated. Now, back to knitting!

I love repeats!

Do you know what these mean?

Yep, I finished it ...finally! Now, since you've been asking...and for those who will..it's the Feather and Fan Rainbow Baby Blanket over there <----- in the Wishing I was Knitting at the Lake Patterns list. However, the particulars are as follows.

5 skeins Navy, Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn
1/2 skein Buttercup, Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn
made 47 pattern repeats; 5 pattern repeats of Navy, 1 pattern repeat of Buttercup, ended up with 5 more pattern repeats of Navy before the top border in Navy.

The rest of the pattern was followed as written.

Last week was a busy week. Meet my newest 'in-person' friend, Norma.

We had the opportunity to get together and knit/crochet one afternoon over lunch. Now, check out what she was working on!

and the close ups!

Let me tell you about her speed! I thought sitting at the top of the Rose Bowl when my oldest marched for UCLA and not looking at my knitting was pretty cool. (So did lots of kids who'd watch and whisper to their parents, Look, she's not even looking at it!) However, I stand humbled as I watched her crochet hook FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy Moly! She's fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And me who's very crochet challenged...has to watch every.single.loop! She doesn't watch her crocheting either! At her speedy gonzalez speed!!! I am very impressed. Not only did we not run out of things to talk about (we are both part of AC4C yahoo group) we had a very wonderful meet up. Isn't it fun, that people you meet online in your groups, talk to on the phone, turn out to be just as nice and fun in person?

So, what did I do next?

Well, another Two Hearts as One kitchen set. This time for my parents. Dad had a rather rough week last week. On Thursday night he aspirated into his lungs. While they cleared it, he's having a hard time thinking he'll be going home anytime soon. Mom said his doctor keeps telling him to 'buck it up' cuz he doesn't want Dad around there for long. He's very confident that he'll be heading home soon. (Yea! Doc!)

As Mom and Dad go through this round of hospital stays, I'm again reminded of their devotion to each other. They truely embody the 'Two Heats as One' theme I wanted this set to represent. Before Mom was able to go to the hosptial to visit, Dad kept calling her telling her how much he missed her. Isn't that something? To be 79 and 80, and still kiss in the elevator (it's been named the 'Kissing elevator' in their apartment), hold hands, and miss each other when they're not together...I do believe that's what Valentine's Day is all about! Don't you just wanna join me in saying, "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...I want one of those!?"

The lighting here, is a wee bit off I think. I made this set in Lion Cotton Poppy Red and it only took 1 skein for both of these, with enough to make up a Tribble...but it's not ready for it's photo shoot just yet. Check out this button I found at my local Tall Mouse store. Isn't it perfect?

So, I'm finally back on track for the family baby that was born back in November who is baby girl #4 in her family, and lives in Ann Arbor. Don't you think she'll be the envy of the boys around town?

Well, perhaphs if I can finish this quickly and get it to her before she grows out of it-huh? Can you tell what this will be?

Three guesses what these are getting ready for?

Yep, everything here is repeated...like chocolate chip cookies, you love it over and over and over again! Or should I say potato chips, you can't stop at one!

One last request, I love sharing my patterns with you all. I consider it a blessing to have the ability to write them semi-understandable. (well, except for the mistakes...oy! sorry.) It gives me great pleasure to read the comments and the emails from you as you enjoy the patterns and tell me stories of what they mean to you. But...it's recently popped up that someone, I'll politely say...'borrowed' the pictures from my hot pink Two Hearts as One Dishcloth and Kitchen Hanging Hang Towel as their own work. Please, understand that those are my pictures. I wrote the patterns, I did that work, and I took the pictures. They have been published here, and as such, belong to me. Therefore, they are copyrighted to me. (see the end statement at the bottom of my blog.) I get a big thrill seeing what you all have done on your own. So, please, use your own photos to show off YOUR work. Don't use mine. Polite enough request?