I found a really good coping mechanism for dealing with my ongoing crises...

[bicentennial_baby]

I'm knitting lace. Specifically, this: http://www.theanticraft.com/archive/lugh08/batshawl.htm

It was in the pipeline for a while anyway, but with all of the chaos and feeling that I can't control anything in my life right now, I decided to drop the sock projects, and dive into this. Socks are monotonous, and give me too much time to think and dwell.

Lace, on the other hand, requires incredible attention to detail and is tedious. It takes concentration to ridiculous heights. But, it's also relatively easy to do, and the result is sooo worth it.

I've knitted lace before, but never such a large project, and I've never knit off of charts (which I am LOVING, btw).

I'm heading home tomorrow, and the lace will be coming with me for the week. I'll take Debi's socks with me too, in case I need some non-attention needing knitting as well.

So there it is. :hi:

PS- I made kickass homemade Mac and Cheese last night...my first time! :9

[skygazer]

1. You have such active coping mechanisms

They tire me out just reading about them. My coping mechanism is to curl up in a corner and whimper softly. :P

At any rate, I hope you'll need fewer coping mechanisms soon. And the lace looks beautiful - you'll have to post photos of the finished product. :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

4. I will post pics, promise

:hug:

I have to stay busy or I go :crazy:

I'll wave to Brattleboro for you when I'm home! :)

[skygazer]

8. Awwww, thanks sweetie

:hug:

[Dystopian]

2. Is that what you're making?

That beautiful shawl? Or something else...? Sounds like this project is bringing you some peace of mind:hug:
All I can do is sew....
Keeping your hands and mind busy is a good thing....enjoy!
And you always remember your first homemade mac and cheese;-)
Take care, Dear One...


peace~

[bicentennial_baby]

6. Yes, that's what I'm knitting

It's wonderfully fun, actually. My knitting mojo is back!

Thanks :hug:

[Dystopian]

28. It's beautiful....

I can't wait to see it...:D
Enjoy!
peace~

[Digit]

3. That is beautiful!

Good for you!

Congrats on the mac&cheese, too.
I noticed Stouffer's wanted $5 for a pkg, and I said to hell with that and whipped up a dish myself.

But knitting, I lack the talent (and eyesight, too I suspect).
:hi:

[bicentennial_baby]

9. It's really not so hard, but it is hard on the eyes

Good lighting = essential, esp. with dark yarn and a lace pattern.

:)

[Mrs.Matcom]

5. Holy Cow!!

That is very beautiful! I think I'd go insane if I even tried that! I hope your crises are fewer in 2009. :* :hug: to you both!

[SeattleGirl]

7. Good idea, babykins

Something to keep you occupied at times, and to give your mind a rest. And the shawl is just beautiful. I can't wait to see the finished product.

:hug:

[Shakespeare]

10. ooooh! You're finally making it!!

PLEASE post pics when you're done. That's just gorgeous!

I'm glad you're coping. :hug: :loveya:

[bicentennial_baby]

11. Oui, oui! But in a dark purple instead

Knitpicks Gloss is impossible to get in Black. It sells out in 24 hours as soon as it's on the site again. I missed the latest window. So, I consulted with my knitting peeps, and decided the dark purple would be nice. It'll look black in some lights, purple in others. :)

Oh, and if you wanna get deep into your knitting, go to Knitty.com, and then go to the Knitty Coffeeshop, and register. Trust me, it's a freaking knitting think tank over there. :D

I'm alive. And knitting. Works for me. :hug:

:loveya:

[Shakespeare]

13. I think dark purple will be gorgeous!

And I will definitely check out that site!

This will be my post-Christmas project (for me):

[bicentennial_baby]

15. I'z scared...so many cables!

:o

Actually, I've just never done cables. I'm an unorthodox knitter, I just learn things when I feel like it. Which is why I learned lace so early on. I just figure it out.

One of these days, cables. :D

And yes, please check out Knitty. It's pretty much the best knitting site on the internet, imho.

:)

[Shakespeare]

18. I'm just learning to do them, but a coworker who knits...

...and who's watched me knit, assures me that the pattern is deceptively easy, and I can do it with a little guidance from her. She says cables are teh easy, so we'll see.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. very pretty ...

what is the difference between knitting lace and tatting?

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Well, knitting lace is done with knitting needles, and tatting involves

either using a tatting shuttle (which I've done, and is beyond me. I don't have the patience), or needle tatting, which I'm not clear on exactly. I think it uses a special needle.

Knitting lace is heaven, compared to tatting. Even my grandmother thought I was nuts when I taught myself tatting. :rofl:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. does tatting use a "crochet" needle?

you are using knitting needles on cotton lace?

[bicentennial_baby]

17. I think tatting needles are straight...here's a wiki picture:

I'm knitting a Merino wool/Silk yarn (70/30). It's very nice, Knitpicks Gloss. :)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

20. yes...that is tatting. My Great-Grandmother did that....many years

ago. Thanks for the pic. I am glad that you have a healthy outlet for your stress.

[redqueen]

19. Glad to hear that...

and congrats on the mac and cheese. :hi:

[Shine]

21. Damn, girl. It's better than shooting up crack.

:D It's healthy you are focusing on what you CAN control. Good for you.

BB, you are a multi-talented woman. :thumbsup: Not to mention patient.

PS. I was bummed when Richard from Team Rainbow got booted off Top Chef. I liked him.

:hi: Hang in there. :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

22. Ha! Healthier too!

:rofl:

Yes, I realized that's what I needed. Control what I can. :)

And, awwwww. Thank you. :blush:

Me too! I really like Jamie though, even though she's...arrogant? I think that's the word I'm looking for.

:hug: I'm doing my best.

[SallyMander]

23. WANT!!!

That thing kicks ass!!! :7

And wow, i am impressed. I can knit, but only regular stitch and things that are rectangular. :rofl:


I've been thinking of you lots sweetie. Glad to hear you are hanging in there. :hug: :hug: :hug:


ETA was your conference last week???

[bicentennial_baby]

24. Errr, about that...

It's tomorrow. I won't be there. My Thesis Adviser is putting the poster up for me though. She and I agree that I'm not mentally able to pull it off right now. Plus, I need to go home, and am leaving at 7:30 am to go there.

x(

You could knit this, it's not that hard at all. Knits, purls, K2tog, etc. Nothing major. Just a lot of attention required once you get to the charts.

It's coming out awesome. I can't wait for it to be done and blocked. 5' across at the top! :wow:

[SallyMander]

25. Oh, good call

Seriously :hug: I am so glad to hear that you aren't stressing out and killing yourself over that when you have so many other things to worry about. You did the research and made the poster, and that is already a lot to be proud of! There are always more conferences in the future (and honestly, they all start to blur together... lol). Good for you for taking care of yourself and going home.

:loveya:

p.s. You'd better post pics when that work of art is finished! :D

[Lavender Brown]

26. That's really pretty

I've been wanting to make this http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTicequeen.html

but it's beyond my skills and patience level. Maybe later this winter.

[bicentennial_baby]

27. Oooh, that looks fidgety!!

Wow, but it's beautiful. :)

Don't you just love Knitty? I don't know what I'd do without the CoffeeShop. :D

:hi:

[Danger Mouse]

29. my coping mechanism for dealing with crisis is to curl into a ball and whimper...

so you're ahead of me. :hi:

[Zuni]

30. I like huffing paint

but that is just me :P