Tue Sep 12, 2006

It’s going to be a Health Group week

I need to talk about it to keep me going. But I’ll sneak some knitting in here, too.

Yesterday, after finishing my post, I went for a 50 minute walk. It was fantastic. I drank a strawberry and pecan shake (1 cup milk, 3 huge frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup strawberry yogurt, protein and vitamin powders, and a handful of pecans). I took a fish oil capsule with it. I drank a lot of water throughout the day. I munched on hummus and pita chips. We BBQ’d skinless chicken for dinner.

It felt good.

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I’ve started what I think will be Veronica’s stocking. I didn’t really know what to do with the cuff. I had intended on knitting a plain, rolled top but as I thought about it more, it sounded a bit too rustic for what I wanted. Instead, I did 2×2 ribbing for awhile, then cast off 8 stitches. I cast them back on the next round, leaving a “button” hole of sorts,

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continued 2×2 ribbing for a few more rounds, then put the cast on edge on another circular and “hemmed” it with my live stitches to make a casing for an i-cord or decorative ribbon to hang the stocking by. It’ll either be brilliant or disastrous. Don’t know yet. Has anyone else done or seen a stocking cuffed like that? If someone else has done it and worked the kinks out, I’d love to know about it.

In looking at the picture, it seems like it would look better to start the cuff out as flat knitting, and then hem the cast on edge to the live stitches at the bottom of the rib to make a vertical hole, as opposed to an awkward looking horizontal one. The more I look at it, the more I think I’m going to frog and start over.

I started it late one night/morning in the wee hours when I couldn’t sleep for an unfortunate combination of reasons. It’s too small to knit on a 16 inch circular, so I tried to figure out magic loop just guessing at what I was supposed to do. I hated it. Probably because I was using a bamboo needle with a rather stiff cord. I think it’d be easier on a steel needle. So I decided to try 2 circulars, also not knowing the technique, but taking my best guess.

I like it. I like it a lot. I’m ecstatically, enthusiastically, brilliantly happy.

The down side? If the stockings are too small to knit on a 16 inch needle, how is Olivia going to knit hers?

5 Responses to “It’s going to be a Health Group week”

  1. Tonia Says:

    Glad that you are feeling better. The stocking looks great so far. I have no advice or help for the cuff. Sorry I am no help.

    But… have you seen the mini-circs by clover? They come in 12 and 8 inch length. They might work for Miss Olivia.

    http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineGen/currGen/Clover/CloverPlasticMiniCircularNeedles.asp?showLarge=true&specPCVID=6569

  2. Maggie Says:

    Good idea, maybe they’ll be comfy for teeny hands. I have enough trouble using the 16″, that the thought of 12″ or 8″ for myself gives me nightmares.

    Barring the smaller circular, can Olivia’s be knit flat and seamed up the bottom/back?

  3. Michelle Says:

    Lookin’ good Laura, even if your not sure. Hows the “Wool of the Andes” to work with? Is it scratchy? or pretty soft? I’ve been tempeted but haven’t bought any yet.

  4. Deb Says:

    Olivia will pick up knitting on two circs very easily, epecially with you spending one on one-maybe a girls time out (as in just you and Olivia) showing her how to start. I love 2 circs, because i don’t lose stitches with them like I do with dpns. Happy knitting.

  5. susan Says:

    Maggie stole my idea — I am always a fan of knitting flat and sewing up. It wouldn’t work as well for a sock, where you’d feel the seam underfoot, but I think it’s a great solution for Christmas stockings. 🙂

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