DK the Nautical Knitter

A few weeks ago I officially began charting the next Secret of the Stole for the knit a long that will be beginning in August. The theme and name have been selected and the design seemed to flow onto the chart effortlessly. Which is not unusual when the muse awakens and stirs my imagination. Things were going so smoothly.

The test knitting began in earnest, and then everything came to a screeching to a halt! The chart was not right, something was amiss. Time to rip and rework from the beginning.

Five times I went through this process, one time was not the fault of a chart in error though. It was the fault of being on the boat and not paying attention to the stitch that was running down the ladder like a freight train without brakes! Blame it on the dolphins that were playing nearby!

Anyway, apparently the sixth time is the charm and now the chart and the test knitting are steaming right along. Whoo hoo! The issue I was having with the chart was due to pushing the limits of my knowledge and trying to learn more about design.

One of the reasons I work on these knit a longs is so that I can challenge myself and continue to figure out why a particular pattern is working out the way it is, or is not. Learning new things can sometimes be painful, but most of the time it is well worth the effort.

Here is a photo of Sots and the Secret of the Stole III in progress. He is happily cruising along now.

What’s that you say? You say you can’t see it? Hmmm, I guess you will have to wait until the knit a long in August to get a better look….

Sign-ups are not open for the knit a long yet, but if you would like to be notified when sign-ups begin for the Secret of the Stole III KAL, please join the Nautical Knitter Designs Yahoo group.

Happy Knitting…

Popularity: 8% [?]

Do you often find yourself annoyed distracted by other people or activities going on around you? Perhaps you would be interested in knitting up one of these. Upon closer inspection, it may be possible for this to double as a sweater when not in use as a privacy protector.

I think the one above would make me too hot, not to mention claustrophobic! I like the one below better. Although, I think I would have a problem not being able to see the keys. Additionally, it wouldn’t work for those who type with the hunt and peck method. Just say’n…

Popularity: 8% [?]

Ok, I couldn’t resist that one. I am so excited that I have finally finished the costumes for the National Polka Festival that begins in less than 30 days.

The dress ensemble is mine to wear in the King and Queen Polka Dance Contest. The slacks, shirt and vest combination are for my father who will be competing with me. Let’s face it, I would look pretty silly out there dancing alone!!

I also made a vest to match my dress for my husband, Scott, who, although he likes to dance with me, does not embrace the same competitive gene that my father and I possess. Last, but not least, the little vest at the bottom left belongs to my grandson, William, who, if I have anything to do with it, will be learning some really cool dance steps next month.

This project was a lot of fun. There was no knitting involved, but the sewing, lace, hand embroidery, and trim work allowed me to be creative and do my own thing. I already have my color scheme picked out for next year’s costume. We are seriously going to have to investigate going to Illinois, Nebraska or Wisconsin for some other festivals during the year. Why save these costumes for only once a year?

Popularity: 10% [?]

Ok, is there anyone out there who would be willing to create this adorable creature for me? I really love this guy, but have no interest in actually doing the felting.

http://www.owning-alpaca.com/needle-felting-a-dragon.html

I would, however, provide him with a loving home and lots of yummy yarn food…

Let me know….

Popularity: 11% [?]

Last week I spent an enormous amount of time in various hospital waiting rooms, as you can imagine. Never one to leave my knitting behind, I took along a project that I knew would not take too much concentration and would show some sort of progress quickly to keep my mind and hands occupied. My Civil War Shawl grew, day by day, and at the end of the week looked like this.

I am currently on row 100+ of this shawl. It only has 160 rows in the circular pattern then there is an apparently never ending edging that is quite wide.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Georgia A. Christal

Born March 28, 1946 and in the presence of the Lord April 9, 2008.

Popularity: 13% [?]

She is a beautiful, caring, and loving woman.  Never hesitating to try to help others, especially family.

The most cherished thing I ever received from her was her time.  She gives us her time and her energy, constantly and selflessly wanting us to succeed in any venture we attempted.  She is always there.

She loves the mountains and outdoors, especially the trees.  She loves cutting her own Christmas tree each year, cutting firewood, and picking mushrooms.

Georgia, is my mother.

Georgia has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for an inoperable mass of malignant cancer cells on the wall of her brain.  She has been doing very well physically through these treatments and this past week was quite upbeat, as they were halfway completed.  She celebrated her 62nd birthday on the 28th of March, 2008.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, Georgia was on her way to the hospital for her regularly scheduled radiation and chemotherapy treatment, just as she has been doing every weekday for the past three weeks.  Before leaving for the hospital she claimed that she did not know the man, my father, driving the car.  She could not recall what month it was, and was quite disoriented.  Upon arrival for her appointment, her health deteriorated rapidly, her blood pressure skyrocketed and she had a seizure for the first time in her life.  She was admitted to the hospital and a battery of tests commenced. 

Currently, Georgia is heavily sedated, stable, critical and in the ICU.  The outlook is not bright.  She may have any one of three types of meningitis, tuberculoses, or something they haven’t found yet.  This turn of events happened so fast that no one had time to think.  If there is ever a time to appreciate those around you, the time is now.  Please leave this post with a mission to tell at least one person you know how much they mean to you.  Thanks…

Popularity: 17% [?]