k is for krista

I'm here.

I'm alive.

I'm trying.

All I can stand to do right now is sleep.  Please bear with me, I'll be my old self as fast as I can.

Out Of Commission

Sorry it's been awhile.  Frankly, I haven't wanted to do much of anything.  I am having a very difficult time with the early stages of my pregnancy.  My hormones have always acted up, and now they are wreaking havoc in me.

Example:  When I was 17 I started taking the Pill.  My doctor prescribed Tri-Phasil 28, which I took religiously at the same time every day.  I became so sick I thought I would die.  I began to have night terrors to the extreme that I was sleeping in my parents' room in a sleeping bag so my mother would be nearby when I awoke from them.  I could not hold down water.  I became so nervous and shaky I thought my skin was crawling off my body.  When my mother called the doctor she was told these pills take 3 months to get used to.  My mother replied that in 3 months I would be dead, either from malnutrition or suicide.  Boy, did they get those pills switched.

Anyway, that's what's going on now, minus the sickness.  Surprisingly, I haven't had a bit of morning sickness, but the anxiety is almost more than I can bear.  I feel like I'm going to scream.

Example:  Last year there was a problem with Steve's taxes.  I've been scurrying around trying to find the papers and I can't.  I am having anxiety attacks over this shit because if we plan on buying a house, our taxes better damn well be in order.  Today, while updating my email, I noticed I have a whole folder online for our taxes.  It was always there.  How did I forget this and allow myself to get so freaked out? 

Steve has been really terrific about this.  He is more supportive than I ever thought he would be, and more patient than any man should be.  Whenever I feel like I am losing my mind, he is there to stroke my back and get me a hot tea.  I don't know what I did to deserve someone that precious.

Please keep me in your prayers that I get through this first trimester without being committed.  Wink, wink!

In way, way better news, I got my first package from my secret pal!  I have pictures, but they're at home and I'm at work.  I'll post them tonight.  I got two cute potholders with sheep on them, chocolate (thank God), and some olive green wool that I will put to use for a hat, mitts, and boots for baby.  Thank you Secret Pal!

By The Way...

Better Late Than Never

When I picked up the Winter 2006 Interweave Knits there were a ton of patterns I knew I would knit.  I made it a point to take some notes and figured I would give you a little review of the magazine.  All notes are as they appear in my notebook.

A Cardigan for Arwen-cute!  love it!  must knit it!  -sizing is imperative; no closures

Equestrian Blazer-dress or casual -perfect for any occasion

Retrograde Pullover-neat idea -no man I know would wear this.  Steve says,"If you weigh 3000 lbs you'd look okay, otherwise it will just bag and make you look like a stick."

Refined Raglan-looks stiff; would use a different yarn -generic; perfect for a gift

Rambling Rose Cardigan-TIGHT!  (in a bad way)

Provincial Waistcoat-yes!  must knit!

Corded Yolk Pullover-we get it, Annie.  Now make something we would actually wear.

Arctic Diamond Stole-must knit!  -love the geometric lines

Wine and Roses Mitts-must knit!  so adorable!  -I would actually wear them constantly!

Cowgirl Slipper Socks-perfect quick gift

Tweed Beret-also a great quick gift -for me, too

All else- eh.  Take it or leave it.

There is a great article on steeking.  I have not tried this yet, but I think I want to try it out.

Who Would Have Figured?

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Pornographic Fibers Part II

Here's the second installment of what came in the big box.

A-ha!  KnitPicks Wool of the Andes!  A beautiful asparagus green!  It will become this:

I am a little concerned for a couple of reasons:  It is shaped and it has buttons.  Krista, what are you thinking?  It's not a pullover or completely shapless cardigan with a belt to hold it closed!  This one may be my Little Big Horn.  Not to mention the fact that I think it will look seriously cute with my dark jeans, but what if that ribbing at the waist accentuates my delightful muffin-top?  I don't know about this one.

We shall see.

Pornographic Fibers, Part I

Hiya gang!  I'm going to be out of commission this weekend, so I've auto-timed my posts to go through without me.  My nephew's football team made it to the state championships and we are going downstate to watch.  I hope they win.  Seriously, this kid needs a pick-me-up.  He's got the general I'm-a-teen-boy-and-nothing-seems-to-be-right-in-my-pitiful-limited-life malaise.  You know the deal.  I can't remember the last time he goofed off or even laughed.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Go Golden Knights!

I'm getting my yaarn shipments in the mail and I could not be happier!  Today you get this:

Which are going to become these:

  Sorry the pictures a little blurry, but you get the idea.  Oooo, colorwork!  The work here is a little fancy for my taste, and I would really be intimidated if it weren't a small project.  KUO officially ends today, and I am knitting like a fiend on Mom's socks!  They MUST be done and I have to get onto Dad's scarf!

Knit Unto Others Complete!

Please to enjoy my completed Knit Unto Others projects!  I made 3 adult hats, 1 child's hat, and a pair of socks.  Well, as stated before, the socks were already done...just waiting for a home.  These will be sent to the Dulaan Project, completing my pledge to knit 5 items.  I hope they find good homes.

The hats are a pattern-free project.  I just cast on 84 stitches, worked K2P2 rib for awhile, then changed to the second needle size up and worked stockinette for awhile.  I divided the stitches into fourths, then worked mirroring decreases before and after each stitch marker.  The remaining few stitches are gathered together and the whole thing is mattress stitched closed.  Easy cheesy.  The socks are also just a plain old sock, no frills and no pattern.  I have found that I knit faster without a pattern because I am not always worried about missing a step, and the finished product always turns out just fine.  Not always the right size, but in this case the hats do not have a designated recipient, so they are sure to fit someone. 

It feels good to push myself away from parameters set up by knitting patterns and perfectionist ideals.  Now, onto the Christmas presents!  Trekking socks, here I come!