purplbear

[purplbear]

DONE DONE DONE

The Ombré Color Cardigan is done and ready to be blocked. As I finished the last of the sleeve today I took photos … ( see under the cut)

Here’s me knitting the final row and sleeve (left photos) and binding off (right photo)

And just to make sure, I hold both sleeves together to count to stitch markers showing decreases to be sure the sleeves are the same.

Then it’s time to try it on!!! (I’ve made this pattern 3 other times and so am fairly certain it fits 🤣🤣)

Lastly it needs to be to blocked and then wait for state fair submission time!!! So so so excited.

[purplbear]

30 rows left. Only 30. Wrist tendinitis has been causing some major delays - but it’s so close. So close.

[purplbear]

Boosting signal for this awesome site!

Partner and I have hand/elbow tendinitis and I’m finding so many things that can help make specific tasks in our lives so much easier.

Talking of disability aids, I did get this cool spoon recently which you can use without any grip at all. It has a long handle which can be bent to fit on your arm and once you get it right it's really quite effective.

At the moment it lets me about half a meal without help (apart from putting it on) in certain situations with my arm supported, and I can even use it with my hand splints on

ID two photos showing an adaptive spoon with a long, curled grey handle. In the first Photo it’s is lying on a tray next to a bowl of rice and an adapted mug. In the second it's been around echos wrist while they eat rice sat in bed with their arm supported by a pillow / end ID

( the company I got it from it's called Active hands)

[purplbear]

Happy pride month (and every month)!! Hubby painted a rainbow 🌈 in pastel tonight (just a coincidence but what a happy coincidence)!!

You, whoever you are, sending you love and gentle hugs and respect and moral support and kitty purrs and dog tail wags and love. You are valid. You are worthy. You are loved.

[purplbear]

Signs are more like guidelines, you can go outside them sometimes.

[purplbear]

And if you’re from Minnesota you will (most likely) spend the next 30-60 minutes saying “goodbye” (TALKING) as you slowly walk your guest to the door. It’s called the Minnesota goodbye.

My favorite: "I think we should say goodnight, the company looks tired."

[purplbear]

Rebooting for this treasure of a recipe

friends roman’s and fellow countrymen i need help

for years and years and years my great aunt made a cheese cake for easter. but it was no ordinary cheesecake. it was a no bake farmers cheese cheese cake that was wrapped in cheese cloth and put in the fridge and had like some kind of nuts and also those gummy fruit things in it. the recipe does not exist. but i know it’s eastern european. and i want to eat this cake. but i cannot find it anywhere on line, every comparable recipe is a baked one. have any of you heard of this??? can anyone send me anything that might be useful?????? please??????????

[purplbear]

Hail! Hail! The First of May-o!

For it is the first summer’s day-o!

Cast you cares and fears away,

Drink to the old horse on the First of May!

(Video is of Minnesota Traditional Morris team at the annual Memorial Day Midwest Morris Ale show dance. They are at the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden in front of the cherry and spoon 😁. You can see the traditional MN maypole in the background, the IDS tower 🤣🤣)

Happy May Day!

[purplbear]

Was graced by boob clouds yesterday!

[purplbear]

Truth time: weaving in ends for the first time I went under the purl stitch twice to make a loop, tied a knot, and apply a little super glue 😬

I was 17 years old, and at the time I did more beadwork and jewelry making where using some jewelry glue on a knot at the end was the RIGHT idea.

Weave in ends on stockinette

Weave in ends on ribbing

I have a darning needle and a prayer

[purplbear]

Depending on where you’re located - I have found Ravelry and the knitters there to be a fabulous spot for finding discontinued or random stash yarns. When searching for a specific yarn and color way you can see how many knitters have used, stashed or will TRADE/SELL the yarn. I’ve done this several times for a few yarn color ways that are frequently out of stock/discontinued. Sometimes you get lucky. 😁

One of my "big goals for 2025" (it's on the bingo okay) is knitting a cardigan.

I have tried that before, actually knit a whole cardigan and then frogged it because it was too impractical/I knew I would not wear it.

So now we are going into it with more planning! I have thought about what shape I want, what size and colours I'd actually feel comfortable in, what yarns from my stash could work...

Only to find out that I have not as many balls of my chosen yarn as I thought. Not enough for my chosen pattern. The yarn is currently out of stock.

[purplbear]

Lovely job on the Brandywine shawl! It’s one of my favorites and made it like four times.

Lacework is so hard to keep track of :(

But it looks very nice :)

[purplbear]

A reminder to myself to take stand and stretch and move breaks when knitting.

Reminder for all fiber artists to stretch, hydrate, pet the animal, look outside … and if your hands hurt consider giving them a break.

Some of my favorite stretches:

I’ve been dealing with thumb tendinitis for over a decade - and after years of strengthening, not knitting, massage and working out a physical therapy routine I’m knitting again; so it may be possible, but takes time learning/coping/therapy.

Remember, we’re all in this together. I’m pulling for you. (Red green show)

[purplbear]

Ombré color work cardigan continues - 2/3 of one sleeve done. 1 1/3 sleeves left. And as I knit I remind myself how much I’ll get to love wearing it NEXT winter. Cause ya know - state fair items should not be worn before submission. Also spring is happening.

And as spring begins I have two sweaters, one blanket, two socks and a scarf on the needles. Got a few months to work on all these till they get used - that should be enough time. Right?

[purplbear]

Lots of kinds of knitters … meditators, sound enthusiasts, those exorcising demons and more!

A) breathe in, knit, breathe out, purl, breathe in, knit, breathe out, purl

B) tchick, tchick, tchick (like a tongue clicking behind you teeth with lips pursed)

C) strangle the needle, pull it tight, drop it dead

One day I will figure out how to knit things that aren't squares or rectangles. Today is not that day.

[purplbear]

Husband and I tried something new at dinner tonight, saying something positive, that we enjoyed, or liked from our day. Life has been really really hard for us.

…

I told a cute story of going to the pharmacy with my dad (we both had meds to pick up) and teasing, being teased by the pharmacy tech and just laughing lots. It was a nice moment today.

My husband enjoyed a sandwich he had for lunch, claiming it was like the sandwich in France (we live in US) and was nice to enjoy something so yummy.

It’s a nice feeling to spend a moment in those enjoyments from the day. Makes them feel … bigger. ❤️

[purplbear]

Bit by bit the stitches rebuild my ability to cope.

Stitch … breathe … stitch … sip … stitch … breathe