Garter Bootee Pattern

Sharing a pattern for some bootees I made up (.gif format).

Realistic Stash Knit-down 2009

Tracking my progress for my Ravelry stash knit-down challenge.

Goals: 24 total finished projects/11 done

12 projects from stash yarn/7 done

try 3 new/unfamiliar techniques--done!

1. Brown squares hat: stash=yes(UFO)

2. Felted Clogs for DH: stash=yes

3. DS's Icelandic style sweater: stash=no. New technique--round yoke shaping

4. Crosstiching fingerless gloves. Stash=yes.

5. Kinz pullover: Stash=yes

6. Baby Afghan: stash=no. New techniques--intarsia, knitted-on edging, and Swiss darning

7. Baby hat: stash=yes (leftovers)

8. Baby Bootees: stash=yes (leftovers)

9. Calorimetry: Stash=no.

10. Lace tank. Stash=yes.

11. DD1's socks. Stash=no, but they'd been IP>1 yr.

I may also count 12 sq. in. of afghan as a FO, since I see some other people are counting afghan squares as FO's. My Crazy Scrap Afghan doesn't have regular squares. It is rectangles of random dimensions pieced together. I will consider a 12 square inch area to count as a "square" Have done 2x12 sq. in. so far.

I also joined the Welshmillie Afghan KAL and have done 5 weeks projects (pattern + plain square) so far.

Still Alice

At a friend's recommendation, I just read Still Alice by Lisa Genova (2007).  It is the story of a middle age woman's early-onset Alzheimer's Disease, told from the patient's point of view.  It is an absorbing story that is easy to read.  It could easily be read on a flight.  It is so powerful it is a bit disorienting.   

Although the book realistically tells of the heartbreaking human side of Alzheimer's Disease, it also left me with a message about value, dignity, priorities, and change.   

Piper and her family

Some relatives of my dad have just adopted their daughter from China. Here is a link to the blog about their journey.

Felted slippers

My mom sews, my sister does needlework, and I knit. We found a shop to please us all, Always in Stitches in Noblesville, IN. Quilting seems to be their primary focus. The yarn department isn't as extensive as some LYSs, but there is a nice variety of better yarns and equipment--so much nicer and more pleasant than Big Box Crafts.
I needed some Cascade 220 and 10.5 wooden double points. The staff was patient when we walked in 5 minutes before closing. Next time I'm in town we'll plan ahead so we can stay longer and browse.

I used my yarn and needles to finish these slippers for my sister. I made these with the Fashionably Late KAL.

"Guesses are merely expressions of prejudice." --Michael Crichton

Interesting trivia

A nonwoven polypropylene reusable shopping bag uses 28 times more energy to manufacture than a standard plastic shopping bag, and 8 times more energy than a paper grocery bag. So reuse your bag at least 29 times. (Using a shopping bag once a week for a year eliminates about 100 plastic bags.) Source: Wall Street Journal, 9/26/08

"Poison control centers are second only to childhood immunization programs in their ability to provide cost savings in public health delivery." Source: Pharmacy Today, September 2008. ETA: I learned that in the 19th century, pasteurizing milk and chlorinating drinking water saved even more lives per dollar invested.