Knitting

Warm feet

Posted on by Dan

Though not appearing on the blog for some while, Virginia has been knitting socks (working towards a 52 pair for the year goal). If you happen to follow her on Ravelry, you’d see them as they were finished. Obviously, not all of you are Ravelers, so I’ll try to be better about giving them some time here on ScratchCraft.

Here are a couple that she recently finished:

Socks (24 of 52PPIII)

These are knit from a Nancy Bush pattern called “Fox Faces.” The yarn used is Lang Jawoll.

Socks (25 of 52PPIII)

I like these, mostly because of the name of the yarn (but the colors are fantastic, too). This is the “Lichen Ribbed Sock” (also by Nancy Bush, from her book Knitting Vintage Socks), knit using Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball. Say that 3 times real fast.

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Billions and Billions

Posted on by Dan

I know he didn’t actually say that, but it is a phrase attributed to Carl Sagan and it seemed an appropriate tie-in to my weekend project.

First things first, though. Virginia has finished another cardigan. This one is the Indigo Playmate cardigan by Wendy Bernard (from her book Custom Knits). She knit this using Classic Elite’s Kumara.

Indigo Playmate Cardigan

Indigo Playmate Cardigan

Which, leads me to my weekend project (and to the numerical reference). Notice the ground in the background of those two photos? The majority of leaves from our 20+ trees are down, and though the quantity isn’t exactly uncountable, there is a goodly amount to be raked.

But, why the Carl Sagan reference? Today is the first annual Carl Sagan Day, and I felt it would be good to give recognition to someone who played a small (but integral) part in forming some of my healthy skepticism.

I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But much as I want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking. The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides.

— Excerpt from a Parade magazine article, “In the Valley of the Shadow.”

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Erin (and apple pie)

Posted on by Dan

Erin

Virginia wrapped up another cardigan (even before the keyboard was able to cool down from the previous post). This is “Erin” (from Heartfelt) by Kim Hargreaves, knit using Rowan’s Calmer.

Erin

Like her, I have my hands clasped in front of me (more over my stomach, really), because as I type this, the aroma of baking apple pie wafts through the air and is making me quite hungry.

Apple pie - before the oven

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Apple pie is a staple around these parts, and will continue to be so since a coworker bestowed upon me several bags of Haralsons from a tree in his yard.

I’ve done what I can to make this not so much a treat – instead something that can be eaten as a meal (as breakfast with a cup of coffee is perfect), a dessert or just because. Basically, the apples (about 20 of them) are peeled, cut up and tossed with a handful of chopped dates, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom) and some flour (3-4 Tbsp).

The crust is about 1/3 cup butter (chilled and diced) pressed into 1.5 cups of flour (I also like to add a dash of cinnamon to the crust) and a sprinkling of water to hold it together when rolling out. Roll the crust so that it is quite a bit bigger than the pie pan used. Fill with apple mixture and fold the crust over (like a rustic tart). Bake in a preheated 425º oven for 50 minutes (or until apples are done to your liking). I also like to put a small piece of foil over the opening at the top of the pie to help the apples steam a little. I remove this piece 15 minutes before pie is done baking.

There is debate on if apple pie is better eaten cool or warm. Personally, I like the pie to cool before eating (the apples seem sweeter, and the flavor is more melded). However, if I’ve completely lost my self-control and there is vanilla ice cream in the house… umm, let’s just not go there.

Edited to add:

Apple pie - after the oven

Yum.

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Snowbird Mittens

Posted on by Dan

Dear Autumn, please do not give up…

Snowbird Mittens

…even though Virginia seems to be embracing the recent snow we just had.

Snowbird Mittens

I totally forgot about these mittens that she finished sometime during one of my lengthy stays in the hospital this Spring. But, I noticed she had them on as she got ready to leave the house tonight, so I snapped a few photos before she could get out the door.

They are Elli Stubenrauch’s “Snowbird Mittens” from Vogue Knitting, and knit with Rowan 4-ply Soft.

Snowbird Mittens

Personally, I’m not ready to let “it” do anything remotely related to the impending cold months. I’ve barely had any time to get used to and enjoy Summer, let alone Autumn. I sure hope there are a few good weeks of walking, raking, apple-pie-baking weather ahead before the snow decides to set in for good. In fact, I took the following picture to remind myself that the 3 inches of snow we just received was a fluke.

Autumn Leaf

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Biopsy no. 4

Posted on by Dan

My oncologist phoned us up on Wednesday to ask that I come to the clinic for another bone marrow biopsy. My platelet count had dropped (unexpectedly) which prompted him to schedule the biopsy sooner rather than wait 2 months for a follow-up. So, we went in yesterday (bright and earlier) to add a fourth scar to my lower back. I am getting the hang of these things, but I am very thankful for the availability of drugs like Ativan and Dilaudid (although, Virginia might argue differently, knowing that the stronger the dose, the cornier my jokes become, and they doubled my dose yesterday).

The test that they will use on this biopsy is something called a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Even though the last biopsy showed molecular remission, it only analyzed 500 cells. From what I understand, this test allows for greater accuracy, and will determine to what extent the remission has occurred. The Mayo Clinic labs have a pretty good explanation of the test. My oncologist, in theory, will be able to determine the course of treatment based on the results of this test, if their indeed is a change. Analyzing the marrow this way can allow for early detection of relapse, which will mean quicker treatment. The results, unfortunately, take a week. So, we won’t know anything until Wednesday.

In the meantime, life goes on. I’m feeling better and better, the hole in my chest is healing nicely, and since our bikes are fixed up, we’ve already been out several times. And, what better way to illustrate a return to “normal” than by showing some scratchcrafty goodness…

Keefely Mittens

…like, these Keefely Mittens that Virginia made (pattern by JoLene Treace):

Keefely Mittens

…or, this apricot pie I baked for a friend’s birthday:

Apricot Pie

Normal is good. We like normal.

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