MESSAGES FROM REN

I'm sure glad Ren's memory is better than mine!!!!!

Ren mentioned all of us making a "Warm Up America" square. Here is the link to obtain more information on it and to hopefully, inspire us to start our squares. What a wonderful way to practice your stitches and for such a worthy cause:

http://www.warmupamerica.com/home.html

Ren has also provided some interesting links to answer questions you might have, provide demonstrations, show you circular needle knitting, etc. Take the time and pull them up - you might be surprised at what all you'll find on these links - thanks Ren for taking the time to provide these. As always, you are a wealth of information!!!!!!!!

1. Knitting Instructions:

http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/index.html

*

http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/circular.html

*

http://home.howstuffworks.com/knitting-instructions.htm

*

http://www.stitchdiva.com/

*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RybPvCNfrT8&feature=related

*

There is a lot of information for you, when you have time to pull each one up. Hope these help - enjoy!!!!!!!

HEALTHY HANDS

As with anything we do for long periods of time - it can take it's toll on whatever body part you are using. I've noticed that my hands sometimes stiffen up when I knit for long periods of time. Usually, I can stretch them and work it out. When I saw this article, I thought it might be a good idea to alert everyone on some preventitive measures to take if you plan to knit and/or crochet for awhile:

The 5-5-5- Workout:5 Exercises in 5 Minutes for 5 FingersSimple Exercises for Hands That Craft Limber up before you begin your crafting session with these brief exercises that are meant to stretch muscles and tendons; they are not an aerobic workout for the hands. Please be gentle. Wear the Handeze Glove while performing these simple exercises. The body heat generated from the exercises will increase the beneficial effects of the glove.

Hand Massage

With the thumb of the left hand, massage the palm of the right hand. At the same time, wrap the fingers of the left hand round the outside of the right hand and massage. Massage for one minute. Repeat with opposite hand.

Clench and Fan

Clench your hand into a tight fist and hold for five seconds. Release smoothly, extending the thumb and fingers into a fully stretched position and hold for five seconds. Repeat five times for each hand.

Thumb Stretch

With the left hand, gently pull the thumb of the right hand away from the thumb and down toward the forearm. Hold for five seconds. You should feel the stretch in the base of the thumb, palm side. Repeat for the left thumb. Five repetitions, alternate thumbs.


Wrist Stretch

Hold the right hand in front of the body, palm facing out, fingertips up, fingers together. With the left hand, grasp the right hand's outstretched fingers and gently pull the fingers back toward the body. Hold for five seconds. You should feel the stretch in the wrist area. Repeat for the left wrist. Five repetitions, alternative wrists.


Wrist Circles

With hands in front of the body and elbows held at a comfortable angle, gently rotate the wrists. Five repetitions in each direction. Good work! Now you're ready to Craft in Comfort!

MIND WANDERING AND PATIENCE

If you learn nothing else from these pictures, you'll learn how important it is to concentrate and not give up if you have to start over - even if it is 3 or 4 times - ha ha. I am working on the Diagonal Lace Scarf from the instructions Ren gave us - like the beautiful brown scarf she showed us a couple of classes ago. I started out the evening before our last class. I then brought it in to ask Ren a couple of questions before getting started in the "harder" part. THEN, I actually sat down and started the harder part during class - wrong move. I did not thoroughly concentrate and realized later that evening that I messed up. So, I ripped it completely apart and started over. The next time, I got a little cocky and just kept right on going without paying close attention to see if what I was doing was correct. I looked at it and was proud of it - even showed it off to my husband - BUT, I didn't look close. I didn't realize I had made not 1, but 4 mistakes until I went to take a picture of my work in progress - to post it on a wonderful new knitting site: http://www.ravelry.com/, and when I went to take that picture, those 4 mistakes stood out like sore thumbs. SO, I ripped it apart again. THEN, while trying to explain to my husband why I had to keep ripping it apart, I was knitting and talking and MESSED IT UP AGAIN. So, to show this work in progress...........................

This was the first one that I was so proud of until I saw the extra - wandering holes where they shouldn't have been:

Well, you know what this is - one of the many rip out sessions:

And, now, this is the latest of how it should look - I'm taking it very slow and I've explained to my husband if he asks me something or says something and I don't respond - I'm in the middle of a row and I'll talk to him when I finish that row!!!! Oh, and that hole that you see on the bottom right corner IS correct. :-)

The moral of this story is to have patience and don't let having to start over ruin it for you. Just take it out and learn from why you took it apart. Really, I could have kept going with the first one and probably no one would have known about those extra, wandering 4 holes, but I would have and it would have probably bugged me every time I wore it. If I'm going to do it, I want to do it right. And, if it doesn't bother you and it won't alter your project too much, then just keep going. You be the judge.

BEHIND THE SCENES

When you attend something, you really don't think about what it takes to get ready, or at least I don't. I go with enthusiasm and a "let's go" attitude!!!! With those thoughts, I decided to base this post on "getting ready".

I usually arrive at the Church early and make sure the door is open, the lights are on, the A/C is working, the tables are ready (well, almost) and then I wait. I love to just "breathe in" our Church - makes me feel so comforted by the presence of serenity. And, even though our knitting sessions get hectic, what better place to relax, be with friends and work with your hands.

Yesterday, while awaiting the arrival of our Knitting Souls, I walked around the Church and just enjoyed the beautiful morning. I love our Church and it's beautiful surroundings. That's when I decided to take a few pictures of the quiet moments before knitting begins and lead up to "what goes on":

Heleen, graciously donated one of her treasured knitting books. We decided to have everyone put their name in a hat (ummmm, actually a Longabeger bag) and see who the lucky recipient would be. I'll reveal the winner at the end of the post - stay tuned..........

I just had to show Ren lugging in her supplies - she does this faithfully each week and YES, I did help her as soon as I took the pictures - Andrea was there and helped too!!

We actually had homework on our two week hiatus - we had to knit a 6" square and magically turn it into a bunny. Ren threw hers together a day before the class and he was so cute. Well, I'll just tell you - I, as well as others, don't do well with instructions - so needless to say, my bunny is STILL a 6" square awaiting his magic to happen. As you'll see later in the pictures, Pam actually did make her bunny "happen"!!!! Ok Pam, do you think you could perform that magic for the rest of us if we slip you our squares? Please????

I love to stand back and just watch the group work together. Funny, I never really sit down and knit - I guess I'm afraid I'll miss a picture. I did try yesterday to sit down and knit on a scarf I started, but guess what - I could not concentrate. But that's ok because I enjoy doing the blog and for that I need pictures. AND, I get my projects going and take this time to ask Ren questions so that I can go home and quietly knit. That's just me.

Andrea is such a nice person. Yesterday she brought a bag of pocket crosses that she made and let everyone choose a color. They are very special and I want to share what was in with them - very comforting.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

THE CROSS IN MY POCKET

I carry a cross in my pocket

A simple reminder to me

Of the fact that I am a Christian

No matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic

Nor is it a good luck charm

It isn't meant to protect me

From every physical harm.

It's not for identification

For all the world to see

It's simply an understanding

Between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket

To bring out a coin or key

The cross is there to remind me

Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me too, to be thankful

For my blessings day by day

And to strive to serve him better

In all the things I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder

Of the peace and comfort I share

With all who know My Master

And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket

Reminding no one but me

That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life

If only I'll let Him be.

--Verna Thomas

Pam's bunny - EVEN though she said she thinks it looks like a frog!!!!

And, last, but not least, the winner of the book drawing - Elizabeth Tucker. Congratulations, Elizabeth. It is a great knitting book with lots of basic, wonderful knowledge as well as many extras. May it help lead you to bigger and better knitting projects in your life!!!!! And, again, thanks Heleen, for your thoughtfulness.

Well, as you can see - our group of Knitting Souls is about more than just knitting. We have made new friends and are constantly learning from each other. Our lives have been enriched in many ways.

*

*

Oh, I didn't want to forget and thank Maggie for drawing the winning name out of the bag. I'm so glad Maggie is there to share in our follies - she is a great young lady.

*

*

Until next week - make sure to check back on the blog during the week. As soon as I get a chance I'm going to post more about what I was discussing concerning "securing" the tail of your dishcloths. I've also run across an interesing read about keeping your dishcloths from fading. Stay tuned for that info..........

*

*

AND, Ren is going to also send me some information to post on the blog, but to save my life, I can't remember what it was about. As soon as I receive it from her - I'll share it with you all. So for now - have a great weekend and God Bless!!!

CHEMO HATS DELIVERED

I failed to mention that I delivered the 62 chemo hats to the Kingsport Hematology Oncology Center Monday. They were thrilled and overwhelmed at receiving so many hats, as well as the beautiful variety of colors. They are always looking for positive ways to encourage their patients. What better way than a handmade hat that they know was made with love and prayers of well wishes!!!! Thanks to the many special hands that helped make this possible.

3 DAYS AFTER TODAY

Step alive - if you haven't finished OR started your homework (no P - I'm not directing this to you - LOL - I only started it last night) - you had best get moving. After today, you only have 3 more days to do your square and your rib & seed stitch swatches!!!!!!

Surely you wouldn't come without it and say the Dog Ate It - ha ha ha!!!!!!!

Looking forward to Friday and to seeing everyone. Have a good rest of the week....................

HOMEWORK

Here you go - your homework!!!! If you have any questions, you can email me and if I don't know - I'll ask Ren!! :-)

1. KNITTED BUNNY:

Cast on approximately 28 - 30 stitches. The larger your needles - the less cast on stitches you'll need. You want to end up with about a six (6) inch square. You will knit the first row and then purl the second row. Continue the alternate rows until you have achieved your six (6) inch square.

The link for the entire project is:

http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/bunny-pattern.shtm

2. Practice the following stitches by making a small swatch - you have the instructions for both of these stitches:

a. Practice ribbing: k2p2


b. Practice seed stitch k1p2. Second row - knit the purls and purl the knits.

3. Start deciding on a project that you would like to knit and go ahead and get the materials.

4. For those of you that are knitting the chemo caps, knit 8 inches and stop and we will change to the double pointed needles at the next class.

GOOD LUCK AND DON'T WORRY IF YOU GET STUMPED - WE WILL HELP YOU AT THE NEXT CLASS (at least Ren will - I'll take a picture of her doing it - LOL).