It is still March

.....barely......but still.

We have been busy around here.  I have knitted some....but not as much as normally.

I finished off three hats though.  One is from a group that will be getting a new pattern off and on all this  year.....I am really excited as I LOVE the first one that was gifted!

Next is a quick knit that was a good 'take along project.  I had naked needles.......and that's my story.

Then I found a cute hat with a cable in the ribbing.  Not too much cable so that you had to always be 'thinking' about the pattern.

I am working on something for my gifted Son in AZ.  He requested 'Something to keep me a little warmer when sitting outside watching the sun rise'  I just got a copy of Celtic Journey from Knit Picks and was wanting to try a pattern I had spotted .......just didn't need one here.......Now I get to knit!  Will share more when it is finished.  I have the body done....just need to pick up 900+ stitches for the border........

Meantime I am still knitting the Knitted Knockers for Scott and White Oncology.  But sometimes naked needles call......so when I came across the new color of Lion Brand Mandela (yes.....it followed me home) I immediately thought baby blanket!  So with the time.......I started......

We are also spiffing up the back room........or Richard's area........we  have painted.....put down new carpet.......working on a new desk and credenza ........but he is finally getting to start moving back in.  My dining room soon will be back to normal......at least for a little while because I want to work on the kitchen next.......

February already!

I ended January with a BANG!  Got called in for jury duty.  Didn't get picked for serving but was in the final pannel selection.  And today a check came in the mail.......

Amazing!  Not only did I get paid.......but came home with a 'bugg' that still has me homebound.

Oh well.....could have been worse without that flu shot we both got back in September.  But seems hubby is attempting to follow in my steps and catch the 'whatever'.....we are on top of this!

But having the bugg meant that we missed out on the 8th birthday party for Jasen.  Pictures were shared but not the same as being there....so I knitted.  His present is sitting on the dining table and GramMa knitted a cap to go along with his party.......

GramMa also read where it was snowing in Flagstaff AZ........Not unusual for this time of year but the Grandson Joshua is attending NUA and sent a pic and wouldn't you know it.....no hat!!!  So that had to be fixed.  Finished this up last night and as soon as I get an address it will be on it's way.......

Seems the Grandsons are keeping my needles warm...........

Christmas knitting for 2017 is done!!

Finally.......I don't believe I have ever been this far behind with Christmas presents being delivered.  Now sure where the time was lost......but it is now done and flying through the mail for delivery.

My Grand Daughter Journey asked for legwarmers for gifting.......then we ran into the problem of measurements not arriving in time........(well I could/can use this as an excuse....right?)  But after negotiations were done so was the knitting.....

Not only were the legwarmers worked up but enough yarn for fingerless mitts and a hat!  Hope she enjoys as much as I enjoyed the knitting.

I used Knit Picks Stroll Tonal Sock Yarn in the Frozen colorway.  Worked up great on size 6 needles.

Next request is a throw for the Step Son in AZ........

A New Year of knitting!

I am still working away at 2017 Christmas knitting.......awful isn't it.  But things (life) just got in the way this year.  And the late promised knitting is coming along now.......my GrandDaughter isn't too upset that she had to wait.....so all is well.

One of the things that has gotten in the way is a Charity that has found it's way into my heart.  Knitted Knockers!  Not only is it a worthy group.......but they are so much fun to explain when someone sees you knitting and asks "What are you working on?"  Oh the expressions I receive when I say "Boobs!"

I was approached by a nurse while sitting in the waiting area last year when we were there for an appointment for Richard's lungs.  The sweet lady asked if I knitted......well I was working on a baby blanket at the time.  Then she asked if I had heard of Knitted Knockers?  I had but had never worked with them .......I asked "Why, are you in need?"

She explained to me how some of the ladies there were either unable to have reconstructive surgery because of cost or medical issues and they had found this group on the internet that offers a set to those that ask at no cost.  But when asking for someone it usually took 1-2 weeks .  I asked what sizes they needed.  And so it began.......

From there I have met several ladies that were 'in need' as well and I have been knitting for them when either requested or while sitting in the numerous waiting areas that I seem to be in lately.  (One of the things you find yourself doing in retirement.....who knew!)  I have a small bag that I constantly have in my handbag now.....I knit in waiting areas......airports......Thanksgiving parties........and well....just about anywhere.  This is my 'carry around' project.......easy pattern to work up and they are always accepted with smiles.

Meantime I still am working for the family.........that sounds bad doesn't it? But oh the patterns I get to try!  I put a stop to everything to work up a hat for Shelley's bo Sanford......

Richard was a bit concerned with all the dangly bits while working on it......but I told him......"They do disappear".

Now back to Journey's present......then a little something for Clint......a request....but none the less something that will have a bit of me knitted in.......

A voice from the past..........

The long long long past......I can't believe I haven't added pictures at least since the last posting....but it can't be hidden.....I haven't!

So let's end the year right and start the new one off better.

Christmas knitting has been taking over my life!  No complaints.......but really??? How did I let myself get so far behind this year......but as of today I only lack one.....explanations later on that one.  So get ready for pictures............

 These hats and pillow cases were for the Great Grands in Virgina......

This one was a learning experience.........The past few years I have made a habit of asking Jasen what he wants GramMa to knit for his hat.  I have had to use Google several times to find just what he  has been talking about......and this year was no exception.... Ben 10.....Never ever had I heard of this one!  But after explanations and thank you Pinterest....a chart was found.  Only problem was I hadn't finished it by opening day yesterday.......oh well.....it is now done and just waiting for his head to warm.

Next and last present.....is legwarmers for Journey.  Reason these are late? Measurements were  not sent in time.....and other projects made the 'get'er dun' list ahead.  So she got a store bought pair of knee highs to hold her over until these are done.

I also made other sets of hats and legwarmers for the two Great Grand Daughters..and for the newest almost Great Great Grands....they are MINE after the wedding!  But had to get them in the mail and forgot to take pics........now the reason I didn't get a pic of Lilly's and Addyson's???  I just plain forgot.  But all have been told a picture is expected of the modeling instead of a Thank you note.  Will see how this works out..

January Knitting.....

Lone Star Knitters uses January as the official UFO month....you dig around and find all those projects lurking or hiding and finish them off or spend sometime ripping!

I came acorss a couple of things that needed finishing........and then got the 'startitus' and the Grands found the need for GramMa knitting........Who was I to argue?

One of the things I had on the needles was a Hooded Scarf.  I started this when all our time seemed to be sitting in Doctor's Waiting Rooms..........

The pattern was found on Ravelry called 

Red Riding Hood/Rodluvan

                         

I used a new to me yarn by Lion Brand called Heartland.  Know that most of my things are from the I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby........but when I need a slightly lighter yarn this may become my next 'go to yarn'......

After this a new testing was spotted and Jasen was just the right size........so Cabled Yoke had to be made......

I used the Heartland yarn again........told you it may become the go to.........and a great little top down sweater was made.  The designer added the little cabling above the shoulder line that will be good for boys or girls......the Sea Bee's family has been sick so no picture of this one being modeled yet.

Then it seems 'the year of hats' began.  Hats are a great thing for instant satisfaction knitting.....so many different patterns and color combinations can be done......here are the few I made in January.

My sister Vicki managed to break her foot.........yep.......and did a wonderful job doing so....plate and pins and off the foot for way too long........well.......she needed a smile and I happen to know she is in the mood for hats......so.....this one SCREAMED to be made.  The original was a crochet version but easily addapted to knit........

and her as the model.....

...told ya it made her smile.

I was digging through the stash looking for something 'different' and found some Red Heart Boutique Sashay.......had picked it up thinking of the girls......so made up this little skirt.

Lilly tired it on for me ...but I was told "It's a little too big GramMa" so it had joined the other things in the basket waiting for 'the right sized' little gal to come along (or change her mind)

The following are just hats waiting for someone to claim.....and around here they do get snatched and taken home.......or just worn for fun while here.....

And our Jasen turned 5....where has the time gone? (Doesn't every Grandmother say this?)  His first choice of anything was Spiderman!  Knowing that the other Grandparents and Mom and Dad would fill these wishes above and beyond......

I knitted a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hat.....

....now I too added to the Spiderman collection.....but thought something 'new' should be added .......(Think he liked it?)

Well.......that is my knitting for January.........

Way too long......

Way too long in between posting.......let's blame it on the Doctors.  This year we have......
....gone through scare of Lung Cancer ...Richard
....survived Bladder Cancer ...Richard
....had Carpal Tunnel surgery ...Richard
....Cataract surgery twice ...Richard
....knee problems since falling down three silly steps last Christmas (note to those interested....do not do this in front of family)
....pre-Cancer Hysterectomy ....Me

But one good thing about sitting in waiting rooms is you have plenty of time to knit.....although I would highly recommend you find other ways to enjoy knitting.

Christmas has come and gone........This year the little gals got hats, scarves and fingerless mitts from GramMa.....

Journey

Julianna

Addyson

Lilly

These belong to Olivia and Jocelyn

Jasen got fingerless mitts to match up to a hat that he personally requested.......

He told me not to worry......"It fits perfectly"

just needed adjusting.....

PopPa D was at work as well.....he made doll cradles for Lilly and Addyson and a hat rack for Jasen.  Then 'the Kid' requested a step stool (really for Addyson)

 I got to play around and painted dandelions on it.

I also did just one little bit of sewing.......Jasen is a HUGE fan of the Wild Kratts.......of course I had to set through several showings of the cartoon to truly understand how and what they were......results were this.......

The pocket in the front is for the "Power Disks"......He also got a messenger type bag with a dinosaur on the front to hold all his Wild Kratts things...

I do think that Christmas at the Imholte's was very Merry Merry!