Friday, October 11, 2013

Friday Mishmash

You see a lot of interesting items in a treatment room at the ER, but this one had me wondering what it was used for:
Yes, that would be a paintbrush.  Either it's really used for something medical, or it was left behind after construction was completed (this hospital just opened two months ago).

Jeff is feeling much better - thank you all for your kind words.  He did a short run yesterday morning and said it went great, so it seems like he's back to 100% now.

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Speaking of husbands, my future second husband (Will Ferrell, aka funniest man alive) has made some car commercials, but in his Ron Burgandy character.  I swear, if more commercials were like this, I wouldn't always fast forward through them!  Here's just one (of several):
 

I can't wait for Anchorman 2 to come out - hopefully it will be as good as the first movie.  Really, how can it not?  All the regular cast will be in it, plus Mr. Funnyman himself, Will Ferrell!

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During my enforced downtime, I've been doing a lot of knitting.  Here's a couple more hats (I know, I know...how many hats can I make?), and then the start of a bigger project:
This pattern is called Boardwalk, and I made it using the leftover yarn from the hat I made for my mom (Madelinetosh Twist DK in Steamage colorway).  I felt a little like I was living on the edge with this one, since I didn't know if I had enough yarn to finish the hat.  Luckily, I did.
Fun pattern to make, and easy to understand...but I made a mistake that I didn't catch until after I'd blocked it - oops!  Oh well, now it really looks handmade.  Hard to see when it's on an actual head.  Oh, this had a different way for doing decreases (making it smaller toward the top of the hat) - you can see the neat pattern that was made from them in the bottom left picture.

Here's a hat I made with some chunky baby alpaca yarn that I bought in Tallahassee - the owner had a display hat in this pattern that Jeff liked, so I bought the yarn to make him one.
 Before blocking...
And after I blocked it.  You can see how it got a bit bigger, which was good - it felt a little short beforehand.
Jeff modeling it before I blocked the hat.
 I made this using two skeins of yarn - one in a solid green, and one in a multicolor.  After I knitted the band in all green, I alternated the green with the multi every row - this was fun because I just dropped one color and picked up the other - no extra weaving in of ends necessary.  I have enough leftover to make another hat, woohoo!  

I finally worked up the nerve to start knitting a pullover sweater.  I bought enough yarn to make one back in June, and narrowed down my pattern choices, and then wound the yarn and began.
Pattern is On the Grass, yarn is Madelinetosh Twist DK in Black Velvet.

Of course, the very first instruction nearly derailed me - I had to do a provisional cast-on with a crochet hook.  I am NOT proficient with a crochet hook, let me tell you.  After two false starts (somehow I dropped a stitch and didn't notice it, and then I dropped one again but couldn't get it back on the provisional cast-on), I finally got going.  It doesn't look like much right now, but here's the beginnings of the back of the sweater:
 
I'm starting a double seed stitch, which has already given me fits.  Apparently you have to read the instructions CLOSELY to get it right...who knew?!

Have a great weekend!

14 comments:

  1. I still think of you EVERY SINGLE TIME I SEE MY, eerrrrr, YOUR second husband too!!

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  2. Thanks for the knitting update with pictures!! You are getting pretty complex with the hat patterns there! I LOVE the color of the sweater you are knitting. I love double seed stitch, but agree, you have to pay attention. But don't you love it when you finally GET a stitch pattern and can just knit along without consulting the directions a million times?

    And the paintbrush in the hospital--pretty funny. But I bet you were the only wife who brought her husband to the ER and was taking pictures for her blog! Now that's funny!

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    1. My crazy husband wanted me to take his picture and put it on FB while he was there - I refused - well, I finally took his picture once things were clear, but I wouldn't let him post it until we were home. Men!

      The seed stitch is going fine now; I made myself a little crib sheet to help keep me on track. I love how it's coming along!

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  3. Okay, I've spent many a day with Tony in the hospital during our 13 year marriage - not sure I've ever seen a paint brush though! Glad he is doing well! Have a wonderful weekend Shelley!

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    1. I'm still curious if the paint brush IS used as part of a treatment!

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  4. Both hats are really nice Shelley. I love the boardwalk hat!!!

    Glad Jeff is back to himself. Scary.
    Chrissy

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    1. The Boardwalk was very popular with my knitting guild ladies last night, too - thanks! :)

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  5. I LOVE the look of that sweater - it's definitely very modern and not a typical "grandma knitted me this sweater" sweater. I hope it comes out just the way you want it to!

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    1. You should join Ravelry just to look at the sweaters - they are beautiful, and have come a long way from the Grandma sweaters of yore (which weren't that bad, just usually heavy and thick).

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  6. Paintbrush could be used to brush stuff off of something. When I was working in the animal ER, we did lots of ortho surgeries and they used honest to goodness Black and Decker stuff. Drills, saws, etc. It's like home improvement for bones.

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  7. So glad your first husband Jeff is back to normal!!! And glad to see your future second husband is doing Anchorman 2. Love the hats Shelley!!! They look really cute on you BOTH! :) A paintbrush?? Have a great Friday!!

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  8. Painting can be therapeutic. Maybe Jeff was supposed to do some painting. Glad he is doing better.

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  9. You are ready for knitting a sweater! I bet you will figure it all out and it will be beautiful. Love the yarn. I still am available for a knitted hat by you :)

    Glad to hear Jeff is doing better!

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  10. I was about to school you about the tool in the hospital room until I figured out you were talking about the paintbrush. Lol. Love the knitting -- makes me want to learn!

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