Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Deja vu, sort of........



If you think you have seen this before you have sort of.  This is my second Interrupted Cowl by Heather Hill.  Made with, yes you guessed it Universal Yarns Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, in the color Koi Pond.  I had two skeins of this yarn in my stash, different dye lots but the same idea, purchased at two different stores.  Let me tell you there is a big difference in these two yarns.  The first cowl was a breeze, everything worked out like a charm.  I fear I got a bit cocky with it all, such an easy breezy knit, really no thought in it at all from start to finish.  I wrapped it up and sent it on its way and immediately cast on number two.


Number two was not having any of the thoughtless knitting stuff I needed so badly.  It started to pile up, all the thick parts on top of each other with miles of thin parts flowing without interruption.  It did not look good, it actually looked like it had some sort of crazy skin disease.  And coming from someone who had chicken pox and the fragile age of 20 and a horrible case of poison oak all over my face and neck a few years back that is saying something.   I frogged and started over with more stitches, surely this would do the trick, but it still manged to congregate in all the wrong places.  I cut parts of the yarn out and started again.  I cut even more out in hopes I would interrupt the pattern.  I finally let it go and somehow it all ended up okay.   So here are the specifics, I cast on with 120 stitches, using 10 1/2 needles, knit in the round, purling the thicker parts and knitting the thinner ones.  Knitting round after round until I ran out of yarn.  This one is indeed for Mr. 23's girlfriend for Christmas.  I hope she likes it and does not see all the ends I had to weave in!


I had an unintentional day off yesterday because I thought I was going to have to camp out in the Neurology office for Little Buddy to get an appointment.  Turns out he had a miraculous recovery Sunday and does not need to go until next week.  He even went to school for half a day yesterday, I did not want him to stay the whole day considering that he was still a bit weak.  So I decided to break out the glitter and make these fun Christmas trees to hang in my windows.  You know me and glitter I just can't seem to resist the sparkle.  I tried to keep the glitter bomb area relatively contained but it ended up all over my house.  Still I was happy to get these put up.  I made stars last year that I was not in love with so I wanted something else to sparkle in my windows.  I love to see them turn as the air gently moves them round and round.  Don't get completely excited I had a day off, I will be making it up on Friday.  Ah well it was still nice to have a few moments to myself after all the hectic time we had with Little Buddy. 




Here is just a bit of my decorating, I am so happy it is all done.  Now to see if I can handle it all up until after Christmas!  

Thank you to those of you that were thinking about Mr. 23 yesterday with the Ohio State event, such a scary thing to happen to those students.  Thank goodness things were contained quickly by the fast acting police.  My son was at his internship in downtown Columbus when the event took place.  His girlfriend was in class in lockdown for an hour and a half until they were sent home.  We certainly live in scary times.

And a special note to the lovely commenter that was concerned about Little Buddy and the iPad.  Yes those screens can cause seizures by those sensitive especially when rapid pulsating lights are present.  He has his iPad on a very limited basis, mostly when he does not feel well and will go weeks and weeks without touching it.  Thank you for being so perceptive and caring, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. 

29 comments:

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for posting, Meredith. I watched the news about Ohio State with you and yours in mind. I admire your creative efforts you shared with us and wish you peace in the midst of challenges ever around us. xx

Amy at love made my home said...

Glad you could enjoy some good things on your sort of day off. Don't know the situation at your sons University, but I hope he and everyone else are OK, or as OK as they can be. Glad that things are as OK as they can be too for Buddy. xx

elns said...

I'm back just in time to see your decorations up and at em' and apparently LB too! I hope he's doing much MUCH better and that Mr. 23 and GF were safe from harm. That people were harmed at all frustrates me, beyond.

So funny, I thought of you today, when I reached for glitter present tags at lunch and my co-worker poo pooed glitter b/c it gets everywhere. I looked her dead in the eye and said, I understand that, I kind of wish it was everywhere.

I can't believe you made that tree. Beautiful. I'm glad you got the cowl to work out too. The texture is fantastic.

Araignee said...

Oh, my. I had no idea Mr. 23 was in Ohio. How scary. Son was in the Navy Yard the morning of the shooting and it took me 2 hours to find out if he was okay. It was a terrible 2 hours.
I love your holly jolly house. I don't have the spirit right yet. I've let the one who shall not be named drain my brain of creative energy. I need to stay off Twitter.

Betsy said...

You would never know you had such a rough time with that cowl. It turned out beautifully, as did your Christmas trees. I haven't done much decorating at all you this year. I was thinking of your son yesterday too, and I'm very glad to hear that all is well. Scary times we're living in. It's good to hear Little Buddy is doing well too. Take care of yourself in the midst of all of this Meredith.
Blessings, Betsy

Caffeine Girl said...

These last years have brought home how close we all are to disasters. My daughter was in Israel when the war broke out in 2006 -- I still can't get over that (though she thinks it was no big deal). I'm glad your son and his girlfriend were safe.

Must. Order. That. Yarn. I love your cowls, and it's great to know that they work out in the end.

LB is one resilient little boy!

Neighborhood Watch said...

Just catching up here with all of your last posts. So glad to hear that things are settling down a little for you. You and your family are in my thoughts.
--

The Well Fed Wheel said...

Your house looks wonderfully festive and I love the texture in the cowls! So glad your son and his girlfriend are ok. It must have been very scary for her in lockdown in class. So happy to hear Little Buddy rebounded quickly too.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

It's your glitter time again. I'm thinking of using some glitter paint on a big star and sky for a Dec reading about advent written by Ann Voskamp. Making it up as I go for this work of art. I still have the snowflake you sent awhile back. Glad your son and girlfriend are ok. Scary indeed! Glad Buddy is better. Take care!

Teresa Kasner said...

Goodness, I'm glad your son and his GF weren't close to the danger. I can't believe what's going on in this world. I think both your scarves are magnificent! Lucky people who will get them. I love your Christmas decor. Mine are in boxes in living room, the tree is up but I have lots of work to do. We finally found a new sofa and chair for the LR.. the old stuff was clawed up by our cat and we've been looking for quite a while now. Those will deliver on Thursday. Yay!

Enjoy your little guy and I bet he loves the new look around there. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Blondie's Journal said...

You know by now I can't knit, crochet or sew, but I do know pretty. Love this cowl. Love that you are keeping up with things that give you calmness and lets your creativity take you away a bit.

I had no idea your son went to Ohio State. I am so happy that he was not a part of this tragedy. Very scary. My daughter is a teacher and I never thought I'd have to worry about her and her occupation. Schools seem to be huge target.

I think its great that Little Buddy was able to get in a half day of school. Keeps things a bit normal for him.

Happy Holidays and keep those darling decorations going. I haven't gotten my mojo up for that...maybe a bug or virus. Just tired and waiting for the kick in the butt!!! lol!

Jane

gaia said...

Dear Meredith,
Thank you for your comment on my last post; it really helped.Indeed, we live in a scary world and not a minute passes before we witness yet another tragedy but you and people like you give me hope to carry on.
I am so glad that Little BUddy is doing better and I think you are such a brave person(and a mother)doing a great job!
Best wishes,
Gaia.

Hindustanka said...

Hi Meredith...
Lovely cowl in spite of anything. Your son's girlfriend will like it for sure ;)
I am glad to know little Buddy is doing just fine and went to school :) I am really happy for you and him.

The attack that happened ... This is too sad and very scary indeed. But I am glad that your son is safe, and so other students.
Sending blessings your way!

CJ said...

Another gorgeous cowl. Good that you got to do the easy one first I think, otherwise you might have been put off and that would have been a shame, the yarn really is sensational. Glad all is well with those boys of yours. CJ xx

Janet said...

The cowl looks lovely and well worth all your effort, another beautiful gift. The Christmas decorations look delightful, I must get started with mine.

Jo said...

The cowl looks lovely, I think you've done a great job with it. We do live in scary times, you must have been out of your mind worrying about Mr.23, I wonder what this world is coming to.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love everything you knit! This cowl is so pretty. Glad Mr 23 and his girlfriend are OK. It is a very scary world we live in. Little Buddy sounds like he is doing well also. Hugs to you Meredith.

Bridget said...

In spite of the fact that the cowl gave you fits, it really looks beautiful! The colors go so nicely together.

I like your Christmas decorations. We'll be putting ours up soon, and I can't wait. Unlike most people, I love Christmas and it doesn't stress me out.

Glad your son and his girlfriend were not in any way harmed by events this week. We do indeed live in scary times.

I say, look at your lovely glittery trees and remember there is something to be happy about in the world. :-)

Take care, Meredith.

Karen said...

Your house looks so festive, all decorated. And I am now feeling panicky about all that I have to do to get ready for Christmas and then my son's wedding. I'm going to make lists today. I think I'm on top of it, just need to see it on paper. I just love that scarf and it sounds like a fun way to knit, just following the yarn to purl and not having to count or anything.

Hugs to you, Meredith.

Mac n' Janet said...

We do indeed live in scary times, glad your son was not affected by the latest event. I'm a glitter addict too so I really like your tree. No decorating done here yet, but soon.

Needles and Wool said...

The cowl looks great I think your son's girlfriend will love it! I am glad your son and his girlfriend were safe! that is very scary...
I love your decorations! I am still working on mine, I will put up my tree in the apartment next weekend hopefully we are getting a real tree so those can't be up too long.
have a good week!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Your Interrupted turned out beautiful.

I went down to 70 stitches --- it's "okay". I don't love it, but it will be something warm to put around my neck on a cold day. It's pretty windy most of the time here and we walk everywhere. I won't LOOK lovely, but at least I'll be cozy.

handmade by amalia said...

Good work on the Christmas front.
Amalia
xo

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

What a time it's been recently, I'm glad you had some 'proper' time. I love the sparkly christmas tree and the decorations are looking gorgeous, I can't wait to get ours up at the weekend xx

alexandra s.m. said...

So happy everybody is well Meredith.
WE do live in dangerous, crazy times indeed!
Love your beautiful textile creations.
You can do it all it seems!
xx

Melanie said...

I don't know how you find time to do all that beautiful knitting...you're amazing!
I didn't know that one of your sons and his GF were at Ohio State - thank God they are safe. There are so many things to worry about with our kids, isn't there? This world is a crazy place.
So glad to hear that Little Buddy is doing so well. That news cheers my heart.

Lisa said...

I'm glad your boys are all well! Yes, what scary times we face. Your cowl is lovely. It will be a wonderful gift. I like the glitter tree. It's nice to make something whimsical that makes you smile.

kathy b said...

Love Santa Christmas . He has a great beard. Im hesistant to put it all up here. So a bit at a time. Al wants lots of decorations and I have a few weeks to get busy for her. ! Zach's never seen the house, so I want him to SEE it not just the decorations. Ha. :) Hugs to Lil bud and Max

Jodiebodie said...

The news about an attack in Columbus was briefly mentioned on radio over here. How shocking that your loved ones were so close to the action. No sooner does your heartbeat slow down after LB's scare when it starts to race again. May life settle down properly for you soon. My goodness!

Funny how the same yarn label and colour can behave differently from two different balls. I had a similar experience with Katia's "Darling" recently where the variegated colour pattern started going backwards - I think the factory had spliced some new yarn into the ball and did it backwards! Maybe there's a reason for that cowl pattern to be called the "Interrupted" cowl? You may have cracked the secret! ;-)

Gotta keep smiling and I'm sure that beautifully finished cowl will bring a smile to the recipient. Lovely work, Meredith.