Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A gift of time

Greetings and Dear Cynthia,

I'm so glad for the positive outcomes your mom had recently, and am relieved that the "unknowns" became "knowns," and that there was a course of action to make things better.

Also, you are the youngest looking 50-year-old I know.

I am supposed to be in class at this very moment, but my professor has the flu, so I'm home a couple of hours earlier than usual today -- a "gift of time" given to me, which I'm using to update our blog.

Since the last time I wrote, I spent two weeks on a clinical assignment in the hospital. From that experience I want to tell everybody that smoking is a risk factor for really, really bad things. Also, if you're going to drink, be responsible about it and don't fall backwards into a gas fireplace and burn 17% of your body's skin surface. As most people probably already know, there is so much raw humanity in the hospital, and I came away from the experience feeling so grateful for so many things I take for granted.
I'm in the sixth week of the spring semester (spring break in just a couple of weeks!!), and I started a new sweater -- Basic Chic Hoodie -- which is exactly the kind of pattern I need when school is in session -- mindless, quick, and something I don't have to make any calculations for...except I'm going to do the front ribbing slightly differently...and I'm doing "one-row buttonholes" instead of the little YO and K2tog as given. I have about a sleeve and a half (note the double pointed needles my left arm is sporting in the photo), a hood, and the button bands left to go. Also, one pocket lining (note hole in right front of sweater).

You brought up an interesting point about the projects we each choose. My favorite things to make are sweaters, and I keep thinking I should do smaller projects because I can finish them faster, yet I'm not as drawn to them. Comments from any of our readers regarding your preferences?

Well, I should go forth and get something else done during my extra free-time today (maybe work on my fleece robe, which is all cut out and ready to sew).

I hope this finds you well!

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

5 comments:

Molly Bee said...

Socks have always been my old standby but I'm in a sweater frame of mind right now. Until I screw it up. Or it doesn't fit. Then it's back to socks! They always fit!

Cindy G said...

Good to see you again, dpns and all.

Well I started with mostly sweaters, then it was hats for awhile, then a lace fascination, with a steady undertone of socks. But now I'm starting to think sweaters sound appealing again. I'm edging into it with the vest.

allisonmariecat said...

I love big projects, too, though I'd love quicker-to-finish projects...in theory. I love knitting sweaters. Socks have really grown on me, too, and I love lace projects like baby blankets and shawls. Small projects like baby sweaters or scarves or hats I do when I have a gift I need to knit. I like them okay, but they're not my favorites. I always enjoy USING knit dishtowels and things like that, but I have not the slightest interest in making them myself.

Good to see you again! I am especially glad that I don't smoke, or drink irresponsibly near fires :)

Laikabear said...

I'm a new reader, just having discovered your blog recently. I'm really enjoying reading through the archives!

To answer the question, my favorites are tops, but I am learning to love socks and lace also. I've only been a knitter for about a year and a half, though, so I haven't made A LOT of anything yet. :)

Sus said...

Your new sweater looks great so far! I have to admit, I'm terrified of sweaters. I keep telling myself I'm going to bite the bullet and make one -- I'm sure they're not as scary as I think! I knit all kinds of stuff -- socks, scarves, hats. My big projects are afghans, and I crochet those. I guess I crochet a wider variety of things than I knit. Hmmm... Handwork analysis... That's heavy for me on a Monday morning. lol!!