Camp 2 2009

Originally uploaded by katykev

I guess it takes a few days at Knitting Camp to bring the blog back to life…but for how long? Life has been positively crazy since the last time I blogged in–ahem–November.

Knitting camp was awesome. Ann (Purlingswine), Ricki and I flew out to camp and had a fabulous, fun-filled and educational time! Vicki/Knitorious visited one day too!  I was excited to finally attend camp as a knitter, not just visit my mom as she camped. Although I hope she and I will attend together at some point!

Hopefully there is another, more informative post brewing. We did get a dog in November too. I have to share pictures of Shaggy. He’s the best!

Myrtle Leaf Shawl for reunion

Originally uploaded by katykev

Well are you tired of seeing this darn shawl yet? I am not. I love it. The reunion was this weekend. It was a ton of fun although I stayed up too late and drank too much. I was in no position to deal with the catastrophe that struck poor Owen on Sunday (bitten in the back at his respite program). Kevin took him to the ER though and he is not taking the antibiotics they prescribed. So tonight it is my turn…off to the pediatrician for–hopefully–a shot.

It was great to see people. I was disappointed others didn’t come. Most especially I was sad Brian couldn’t make it from France and Maria from Rochester. Thankfully, I see them a couple of times a year anyway.

Interestingly, I spent a great deal of the night talking with a girl we were dreadfully mean to. She’s divorced with no kids–hard to see what we have in common–but her company was enjoyable. I am glad I got in shape and lost all that weight. The grand total (after eating absolutely nothing on Sunday due to hangover) is 40lbs.

The shawl gets its third wear next weekend–a wedding in Nantucket. Good mileage out of the dress and shoes too. Hurray.

myrtle leaf blocking

Originally uploaded by katykev

Life seems to be getting away from me with me with all that is going on with the kids and school for me. Getting homework done is harder than I expected–especially when knitting temptations are strong. I started Starsky for Gracie in Galway Chunky. It is knitting up so quick that I am wanting to crank it out. Not good when there is a book to read by Tuesday.

Today my mom and I blocked the Myrtle Leaf Shawl. We used her blocking wires. I love them! No need for a million pins. We also made Apple Kuken–a request by Gracie. Yum!

knitting at police/jones beach

Originally uploaded by katykev

Back to school for all the kids…and me. Yes, I said me but more about that later. Gracie started high school and seems to like it. Of course, all of the teachers are “weird”. Highlights include gym 8th period, Honors English 9th and the swim team. Owen started back at his school. He had a rough summer with nearly 3 weeks off but had a good first day and not so good second day. Cameron began 5th grade and has his two best buds in his class! And Gracie’s old teacher who adored her.

Summer events included the Police concert at Jones Beach, visit from UK friends, a loong drive to Hilton Head where it rained a lot and a fab BBQ at Chez Swine. And I decided to go back to graduate school.

Today I enrolled as a non-matriculated student at the Palmer School of Library Science. I was planning to take the Intro class but was swayed to take an elective in Serving Diverse Populations. It’s an exciting opportunity to bring some of my life experience having a child with autism to the career I hope to have. I am both excited and scared. Knit on.

Life has been crazy…all sorts going on. Owen’s teacher returned to school and we are starting to get back on track. My birthday came and went. I received a beautiful watch from Kevin–I will spare you the details of the drama that went along with the gift. Gracie and I are going to see Wicked on Sunday too. We are seeing the Police at Jones Beach on Monday. Friends are visiting from London on Tuesday for two weeks. A trip to Hilton Head was planned for the last two weeks of August but Gracie has mandatory swim practice–high school is taking some getting used to and she hasn’t even gotten there!

The Myrtle Leaf Shawl was growing at 10 repeats a week but the last 10 out of 40 are taking a bit longer. I was distracted by a sweater to knit for a fundraiser at Owen’s old school. However, I can’t find the other skeins of yarn. February Lady Sweater dreams dance in my head. Patons Ballybrae from the stash, some old but lovely deep green tweed from Nova Scotia from my mom’s stash (actually the Ballybrae is mom cast offs also) or a lovely new shade of Ultra Alpaca…Winter Squash. YUM!

I think part of the reason knitting has been so prolific was a knee issue. I haven’t been going to they gym. I have a tilted knee cap. Anyone ever have such a thing? Physical therapy is decreasing the discomfort and I should be good as new.

easy drop stitch

Originally uploaded by katykev

It’s hard to believe things could get any quieter around here but they just might. Owen has had a difficult transition to his new school. The teacher has not been in since day one with no concrete return date. Behaviors are up at school and home…which is to be expected. But the aggression toward me hasn’t been seen in quite some time.

I knit the Araucania Ulmo scarf for Cameron’s teachers. I knit four but only managed to photograph one. Gracie’s chorus teacher has a scarf blocking on the bed…I guess I have to move that before I go to sleep. And my mom gave me a Wollemeise gift today. Must remember to take pictures.

Myrtle Leaf Shawl.

Originally uploaded by katykev

I guess it has been a while. I did attempt a post but the computer froze up. I have started the Myrtle Leaf Shawl from Victorian Lace today. I am using Misti Alpaca Lace from the stash. I have been desperately wanting a black shawl so this is try #2. The Baltic Sea Stole wasn’t looking all that nice in black. I do think the Myrtle Leaf Shawl looks lovely in black. However, I am not sure I care for knitted lace as well as lace knitting. Those unknit yarnovers look so unfinished. As I progress in the shawl…the look is growing on me. I am now on the 5th repeat of 40. I have considered scrapping it and going for the Large Rectangle with Center Diamond pattern but it looks dull.

wordpress blog new

Originally uploaded by katykev

The internet is an amazing place. So much information at our fingertips. I love it. Blogging has been sporadic–to say the least. I have been considering changing over to WordPress for some time. The intrepid Ann finally got me over the hump on uploading my old blog over. Thanks Ann.

So please update your bloglines to the new blog. Katyknits. Knitting pictures to come. I hope. A few teacher gifts have been knit. A Koigu blanket finished…just a bit longer than I hoped. And dreams of a stole for an October wedding…in black. From the stash. Barbara Walker books from my mother to be contemplated. School wrapping up. Sigh.

Gracie is much too busy being a teenager to send me her preferred picture for blog fodder!  So onto a bit more enthusiastic participant!  Cameron, my guitar loving rocker.  Cameron started playing the bass guitar in the fall and bought an electric guitar by himself for his 10th birthday.  He is doing really well with it and truly enjoying it.  He rocks out on Rush, The Police, Santana, and Deep Purple.  Mind you–I have very little clue as to what these songs are but I am learning…Black Magic Woman, Smoke on the Water.  It is a lot of fun!

H is for Henry Hudson.  Cameron did a book report on Henry Hudson and the 4th grade did a Living History Museum.  Cameron was incredible.  Despite his short term memory issues–he was fantastic.  He stayed in character the whole time and looked fabulous!  His teacher’s daughter, who is in Gracie’s grade, said Cameron was the best! 

There was another post saved for this that included details about Gracie and why I am not knitting or reading but my knitting mojo has returned.  I am knitting the  Chevron Lace baby blanket from Vogue Knitting on the Go in Koigu from the stash.  Oh how I love to use stash.  The color is just so gorgeous that it will be put in the hope chest for some future grandchild.  We took Cameron and their friends to go see My Chemical Romance at the Garden last Friday.  That was fun.  My favorite song is Teenagers.

In sad news, Owen has disposed of all of my straight knitting needles, several pieces of jewelry, money, beads and goodness knows what else.  Kevin took him to the dentist on Friday and forgot to make sure our bedroom door was locked while on the phone.  I thought Owen was dumping my stuff down a small hole around the air conditioning duct but after having several holes put in the walls, floors and step–all that was found was 6 cents.  I am especially sad as some of the needles were my grandmothers…Lantern Moon needles…and antique needles  from France.  The hole has since been closed up and boxed in but there are other random spots in the house…who knows what lies beneath.

In the meantime, direct your eyes to poor Cameron whose face slid across the ground…although he prefers to tell people he was mauled by a bear.  Thank goodness it is healing nicely but that scab is going to itch!

I guess it has been a while and there is a post saved in draft waiting on a teenager to send me a picture she can live with.  Although a Central Park Hoodie picture would have killed two birds with one stone.  Poor birds.  I have finished my sheep sweater.  Granny and I are planning to wear them to the NENA show.