Thursday, July 09, 2009

Doing a Lot of Knitting Lately

I have been doing a lot of knitting lately and I am especially pleased with how this scarf is shaping up. I made a couple of silk scarves last year but really can't say I enjoyed wearing them. I've had this yarn ready to go for some time, but after the silk scarf disappointment, couldn't bring myself to cast on. The dye didn't take up evenly and I was really disappointed, but Amy said - trust me, it will make a much more interesting scarf because of that - and she's right. I really like the color variations.
These are the batts that I spun for the yarn. I dyed my 50/50 Ram-
bouillet/ Alpaca roving, then put in on Mim's Supercard with some bunny, so the yarn has a nice halo to it. You can see why I needed to overdye it. The first color was just too precious.

I treated my first week of retirement as though I were tent camping on vacation - lots of reading, morning dog walks, afternoon naps. The second week, I started thinking more like retirement and dyed two pounds of handspun for weaving. Last Friday was the first day I had driven my car in a week but I needed to run into town for some errands and pick up some things.

One of the things I picked up was a virus and by Sunday my throat was so sore I couldn't sleep through the night. Tuesday I gave up and went to my doctor for antibiotics because what I thought was a cold had moved into my chest. He told me that bodies react to good and bad stress the same way and that even though I'm happy to be retired, the exposure to virus and my stress made me vulnerable. I haven't been sick in at least four years and I have made up for that now. It's viral - drugs won't help, saith he - and he send me home. Rather, Ian drove me home. So, like I said, I've been doing a lot of knitting lately - and coughing and sleeping. The only good thing about it is that I don't have the worry of using sick leave or going back to work too soon.

20 comments:

Tina T-P said...

Oh that scarf is going to be BEAUTIFUL! When you biggify it you can really see all the color variations - I'll bet it is soft with the alpaca and bunny in it too. I don't know anything about rambouliet (sp) What kind of texture does it have? I sure do like the targee that I just spun up for that baby sweater and I have enough left over to make her mama a hat too :-)
Sorry about your cold - glad you're enjoying somewhat your retirement tho. T.

Purple Fuzzy Mittens said...

Looks like the scarf will be gorgeous!! If it didn't include bunny (snuffle) you might have had to hide it from me!

MiniKat said...

Well at least not worrying over sick leave s a silver lining.

The scarf is gorgeous. Can't wait to see it finished! :-)

Life Looms Large said...

Love the color of that scarf! It is gorgeous!

Sorry that you're sick! Hope you feel better soon!

Sue

Theresa said...

Oh Sharon, sounds like you got the same bug I picked up. Wicked sore throat and head cold moving quickly into the chest. . I'm so sorry, its an uncomfortable bug. I found the stuff that breaks up chest congestion somewhat useful. Mucinex I think is the brand name but it's sold by by chain drug stores under their own label too, over the counter.
Your scarf is wonderful, knitting is always good! I love the color you ended up with. Get better and hey, you're retired, you can take as long as you like recuperating!

Valerie said...

The scarf is absolutely lovely....from color to pattern to drape. I think you've nailed it!

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Mim said...

Beautiful scarf! And good to here your getting better so you won't miss the guild meeting.

Carolyn Jean Thompson said...

Gorgeous scarf! Look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Lee said...

Hey! That's lace!

Birdsong said...

That scarf is beautiful... what is the pattern? I hope you are starting to feel better... several people I know have had that, including me, though my version was milder and passed more quickly than a winter cold.

beadlizard said...

Bummer -- it doesn't help that we worried that you'd get sick. Nasty bug. My lungs are finally clearing. It never fired up all the way, but I definitely flirted with pneumonia. Hydrate and rest -- hope you feel better soon.

The scarf is gorgeous and definitely better with the more saturated depth of shade. I like your gauge, too.

Michelle said...

You're right, it's "easier" to be sick when you don't have to worry about sick-leave and such. The scarf is gorgeous; I need to find the right pink to make a gift scarf that's way overdue. I wish I had the time to dye and spin what I need but alas, that is just wishful thinking.

Wool Enough said...

The scarf is beautiful. . . wonderful coloring. And may you feel better very soon.

vlb5757 said...

So you are settling into retirement so well, sickness and all. I am tickled pink for you! Isn't not having to worry about anything except for what you want to worry about awesome? I so love not working. I don't leave the house or drive a car for three or four days in a row. My garden is going full guns and I am knitting all the time. I have enough in my stash I could probably go years without buying new yarn but Ravelry has ruined it for me! The scarf is great. Can that be turned into a shawl. I have been looking for a pattern for my SIL for Christmas. Your spinning looks really great! And you thought you weren't going to ajust to being retired! Pretty soon, working will be a distant memory!

~~Sittin.n.Spinnin said...

Sorry you're sick! That just bites when you're supposed to be having fun, or at the very least enjoying your time.
Amy has very good instincts!

Robin said...

Love the scarf design! And, that color!!!!! Just beautiful!

Kathy said...

I have been catching up on all your posts I've missed - either from my server problems, or the fact that I have melted into a great puddle of goo in this high country heat.
I know you're happy to finally be amongst the retired folk, with more time to do what YOU want to do. And did I read somewhere on someone's blogs you got a ram???
I think I need to join your guild - it sounds like you're a great bunch of people! Every guild that's started here in Flag doesn't make it. I don't know why.
Thanks for brightening up my evening. :)

bspinner said...

Your scarf is beautiful!!! I agree the uneven dye job is much more interesting. Pretty pattern.

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling well. Nothing worse than a summer cold or flu. Hope you're feeling better!!!!!!

Leigh said...

The scarf is shaping up beautifully! I was sorry to hear that you started your retirement with an illness however. It's a big change in routine and a lot to adjust to.

Oh, and I love your new header!

Jodi said...

Speedy recovery! I'm *very* impressed that you haven't been sick in 4 years, btw.

The scarf's looking gorgeous -- the color variations are a nice touch.