CAUTION!  ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT ZONE!

I’ve been enmeshed in THAT sort of day today, a “somedays it’s not worth chewing through the restraints” kind of day and for no reason.  OK, maybe I’m a little bummed because I’ve no fiber to spin, or I just haven’t hit on the new project that makes the heavens open and the angels sing, kind of bored, kind of tired, exactly that type of day.  Then, book junkie that I am, I was on our local library website, trolling for books and happened to see this on the calender – Book Babies.  Clicked on it and found that it’s a special story time for babies up to 24 months and their caregivers with stories, rhymes and songs.  Meets 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays.  Perfect!  Bigmommy and the Papoose have dental appointments that day at 9:00 a.m. and I’m one on one with the Sprout.  We’re going and it’s going to be a blast, I just know.  So, that’s how you make a turnaround in your day, make an investment and get excited.

As an aside, my doorbell just rung, of course I ran like an idiot because I’m expecting some fiber here in the next day or two (see first paragraph) and much to my disappointment, it’s not my friendly mailman, Fedex man or UPS man.  It’s two kids who immediately start what feels like a hustle.  I finally asked right out what they needed, still felt hustled and so shut the door in their faces.  Probably, in all honesty, they’re out fundraising, but when I ask outright what they need and still get hustled, I’m done.  Sorry Charlie as the old tuna commercial used to say.  Not harshing my mellow, though.  Nope.

Back to our regularly scheduled post….

THE KITCHEN RUG EXPERIMENT

My kitchen needs a new rug.   Oh, by the way, did I ever mention that I get my best ideas in the middle of the night, or that Mr. Iknead never thinks they’re as great as I do when I wake him with something new?  Anyway….  Since this new rug needs to be washable and dryable, I start thinking cotton yarn.  Then, I replace the image of cotton yarn in my head with the image of some other type of cotton cording, like rope.  Moving right along, knitter that I am, I start wondering what size needles (big) and exactly how manageable something would be in real life, using needles about as big around as my wrist and maybe 1-2 inch rope.  Stop.  Take a breath.  Fortunately, I’ve been able to dial my enthusiasm back (this time) and contented myself with knitting this swatch, using size 15 needles and three strands of Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn held together.

Swatch #1

Vital Statistics BEFORE Washing

Cast on 20

20 rows

7.5 x 9 inches

I’m throwing it in with a load of towels here in a minute.  I’m really just hoping to see about how much shrinkage there is after a couple of rounds in the dryer.  I’m still thinking rope and huge needles, but before I make the investment in a couple of miles of cotton rope and two fenceposts, I thought I’d try this.  Mr. Iknead’s Austerity Plan thanks me, I know.

RAKU+MINI MOCHI = EYE CANDY

My Newest Raku Pot and Mini Mochi Yarn

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.  Mark Twain

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