Of Mittens, Socks and… Weaving!

I promised I’d post some yarn-related projects. So, without further ado, here are some that Virginia has recently completed.

These are Finnish Mittens from Folk Mittens. The pattern is by Marcia Lewandowski. Virginia knit these using Misty Alpaca’s worsted-weight yarn. One of the things that I like about these mittens is that she knit them for me. I like my hands to be warm, and these certainly do the trick.

Finnish Mittens

Also off the needles is another pair of socks. These are made using Trekking, and are based on the Waffle Rib pattern in Charlene Schurch’s book Sensational Knitted Socks.

Waffle Socks (28 of 52)

I knew it was only a matter of time before the weaving bug bit Virginia. It finally did with Mr. Kringle visiting early, bringing a 24-inch rigid heddle loom. No sooner had the box been opened and loom assembled, that a “test” project was started.

Virginia's Foray into Weaving

This colorful weave was created with some Fleece Artist superwash merino. Given the speed with which this project started and finished, I’d say there’s bound to be more to share in the very near future. And, I must say, the bug has rebitten me, and I feel myself being pulled away from the felting fun I’ve been having.

Snowbird Mittens

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

Biopsy no. 4

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.

Project Catch-Up (Mittens)

In addition to the socks I posted, here are the mittens that Virginia made over the last couple of months. This first pair is a pattern called Meida’s Mittens, by Nancy Bush (from her book “Folk Knitting in Estonia”).

Meida's Mittens

Meida's Mittens

These next ones are Latvian Fingerless Mitts, a pattern by Veronik Avery. Virginia made this pattern about a year ago, and decided to try it again with different yarn and different colors.

Latvian Fingerless Mitts

Latvian Fingerless Mitts

There is still more catching up to do. Next up will be sweaters (three of ’em).

Rainy Day Fingerless Gloves + Mitts

Rainy Day Fingerless Gloves

After making a pair of these fun hand-warmers for a friend, Virginia decided she had to have a pair herself. She modified the pattern to be a fingerless mitten (instead of glove) so she didn’t have to worry about her ring(s) getting caught up in the fabric.

Rainy Day Fingerless Gloves

Both pairs are made with bits of worsted-weight alpaca yarn (a few different brands). And, technically, these are more “cloudy” than “rainy” and the apple trees have all be picked clean. If you don’t know what I’m referring to, you’ll have to see the original pattern by Elli Stubenrauch (Elliphantom Knits).

Rainy Day Fingerless Gloves

Still plenty cute.