The Knitting Nurse

Settle in, kiddos...

This is going to take awhile.  I'm just going to start typing because... good lord, if I started to try to make this into a thoughtful, well-planned post, it would take DAYS. So, here goes.

1) I'm back.  I was away in Charleston, SC for a week and will likely go back at a moment's notice or in 10 days, whichever comes first.  You see, last Friday, June 20, my younger sister drowned.  She lived, but she drowned.  And she drowned because she meant to.  She has fought many demons over the years and they just became too much for her to take.  She tried her damnedest to leave us, but lived anyway.  And, despite not breathing for an extended amount of time, filling her lungs with the water of the Wando River, being intubated and on a ventilator for 4 days, developing pneumonia (not a surprise), she is alive, walking and has all her faculties.  She's still in the hospital but will be going to a psychiatric facility to focus on the mental aspect of all of this sometime this week.  Thank you to those of you who knew and sent prayers out to the universe on her behalf.  If you didn't know, I'm sorry.  I could only say it out loud so many times.  

OK... on to other stuff.  Less heavy stuff.  Please.  

2) I've been reading Jasmine's blog for a long time and she has really made me consider a lot about my consumption.  I've always thought about food, environmental and health issues, the future of the planet, etc., etc. and so forth.  Before going to nursing school, I worked in political PR and a lot of my focus was global warming issues.  But, from a personal consumption perspective, I would drop into my grocery cart anything that suited my fancy.  Chilean fruit and vegetables in the middle of winter, meat from who knows where, Greek yogurt, French butter... all without thinking about the work and energy used to get it to my fancy-schmancy organic grocery store.  Organic is one thing - local is another.  

Of course, I'm not the first person to think this - there are entire blogs, books, magazines, etc. devoted to eating locally (and local/organic).  It's not a new concept.  And it's not something I have not done in the past, in fact.  I grew up eating the vegetables and fruits from my grandmother's garden, which we canned and froze to last through the winter.  We ate beef, chicken and pork from the animals my parents and grandparents purchased from local farms and had butchered and put up in various forms. We ate the duck, deer, turtle and yes, squirrel, that my father and grandfather shot.  We gathered eggs (while dodging the world's *meanest* rooster) from my grandmother's chicken coop.  So, I can eat locally.  It's just going to take some effort.  But it's something I'm going to commit to as much as possible.  Obviously, we don't press olives here for oil, or grow tea or coffee, but as much as possible, I'm going to try to live by the 100-mile principle.  If anyone has any knowledge about things like flour and other grains grown locally, I'd really appreciate it.  

I'll be blogging about it as much as possible as well.  To ask questions and offer up anything I've found that's good (or bad).  For example, the local eggs I got from Whole Foods on Friday (from Black Eagle Farms) weren't the freshest I've come across.   I don't think it's the farm's fault - it's likely a Whole Foods issue.  But at over $4 a dozen, that's a big problem.  So I'm going to take the eggs back in the morning and give the farm another chance.  But, the buttermilk I got yesterday from a local diary at the Arlington Farmer's Market is heavenly.  Truly heavenly.  That is, if you like buttermilk, which I really, REALLY do.  The farm's in PA, but I don't remember the name. I'm going to have to catch that next week.  

3) OK, next topic (I told you this was going to take awhile).  Kind of related.  I'm really thinking of starting a master's program.  And I think I've found the one I really, REALLY want.  I love my job but I know I'm not going to be able to handle the stress and emotional upheaval of ICU nursing for an entire career.  And I've really been missing my environmental work.  So, I think I've found the best of both worlds.  A master's degree in public health nursing with a focus on environmental health.  How freakin' cool is THAT???!?!  I'm going to need to do this part-time, of course.  Hopkins, while absolutely wonderful, set my bank account back a fair amount (a $65,000 amount, in fact).  So, I'm hoping to let my hospital pay for this one.  I'm going to apply to start in the spring semester (or perhaps take one class in the fall, if it's not too late).

4) I swear, I've been knitting through all this.  I got a fabulous stash of Frog Tree Cotton for my birthday from Aimee (blogless!) and Holly, along with Katie and Sparky.  I've been free-form knitting a simple sweater using the yarn, which is lovely.  I'm hoping for a comfy, 3/4 length sleeve pullover with a v-neck similar to that of Glee, the Zephyr Style pattern (minus the hook-and-eye closure).   I've also started knitting the Tangled Yoke Cardigan, using one of my all-time favorite yarns - Rowan's Felted Tweed - in the Watery colorway.  I love the sweater but right now, it is B-O-R-I-N-G.  Garter stitch rib over a total of 250+ stitches?  Eye-bleedingly boring.  But the anticipation of that lovely cabled yoke is keeping me going.  No photos as of yet, because I cannot, for the life of me, find my battery charger.  So, the camera is powerless at this time.  

5) Finally, I need to catch up on my Secret Pal 12 stuff.   Pal, if you're reading, I received your note.  Thank you for it!  I want to visit New Hampshire terribly.  To answer your questions - I have no food allergies or restrictions, to which my increasing waistband can attest.  And yes, homemade food would be well-received!  

And, finally, to answer the last few weeks' questions:

As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

I loved spending time at Smith Mountain Lake, which was very close to my home.   It's where my 4-H summer camp was, and we kept a boat docked at a marina on the lake.  Growing up, so many of my weekends were spent there.  I have great memories of it. 

What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

Hmm... I've never really considered this question.  Although I love having a stash, I also love my LYS, Knit Happens.  If I had all the stash I needed, I wouldn't be able to buy more yarn there!!!

SP 12 - question of the week

What is your favorite summertime drink?

I will definitely need to break this down into alcoholic v. nonalcoholic.  

But, as far as drinks go in general, I'm a big fan of good, clean, tasty, cold water.  I know; I'm so boring. But nothing is better.  The best is when you can crank it up from a well, but I'm not so sure I trust most water tables without filtration anymore... Occasionally, I like an Arnold Palmer as a treat.  

Alcoholically speaking, summer means classic, cold sipping drinks - nothing through a straw, thank you very much.  What can I say?  I'm old-fashioned.  But I can't stand an Old-Fashioned.  I'm more a Mint Julep girl.  I am a Virginian...  

Version 33.2

I celebrated my 33rd birthday on Thursday (hence the .2 in the title).  It was such a great day. I was surrounded by so many of my wonderful, fantastic friends.  I worked at the shop (what better way to spend your birthday than at the Happy Place!!??).  Rossanna  provided Black Forest Cake for lunch (gluten-free!) that was very, VERY yummy.   We followed that up with a night at PX, the speak-easy in Old Town Alexandria (it's upstairs from Eamonn's and owned by the same folks; hence the shared web site).  Can I tell you how great PX is?  Here's a shot of a few of the first round drinks.  We forgot to snap photos after that.  Wonder why?

Clockwise from the red:  Chandler's (something something - I can't remember the name) - it's a strawberry based concoction that tasted like summer in a glass.  Holly's first drink of the night.  In the silver decanter? The GROG.  Very yummy. To be sipped through a metal straw, no doubt.  I have no idea what was in it, but it was good.  Dani had to hide it from everyone, as we wanted to drink it ourselves.  In front in the martini glass, the Smoker's Delight.  Odd combo, but yummier than you'd expect.  It had bourbon, lemon, honey syrup and a tobacco-leaf infused tea, all poured over a piece of honeycomb.  VERY good.  There were many other snappy drinks consumed through the evening as well.  I think we made our way through 4/5 of the menu.  

I highly recommend PX, if you get a chance.  It's a fantastic location, very intimate and the drinks are, as previously discussed, QUITE good.  Plus, you can order up fish and chips from downstairs, or birthday cake ordered in from Restaurant Eve.  Or, you can do both, which we did!  I don't have a good photograph of the cake.  It was absolutely beautiful and terribly delicious but it should have come with its own syringe of insulin.  I'm not sure anyone actually finished their piece.  Here are some photos of the gals, all dolled up in their finest:

Dani also has some good photos taken with her snazzy new Nikon.  Click on over to see more pics of the bar and our night out.  In one of her photos, you can see one of the presents I got - a fantastic green clutch purse from the ladies.  It is freakin' GREAT and I can't wait to use it.  The 33rd birthday is clearly the "green birthday" because I also got 10 skeins of Frog Tree Pima Cotton in a wonderfully lovely light green.   That was all courtesy of Katie and Sparky, along with Aimee and Holly. Thanks to everyone for awesome gifts and an unforgettable evening!  

Secret Pal 12 (I'm a pal!!)

I realize this isn't very exciting news to most, but I've never done one of these and boy, do I love me some presents.  So, I joined up.  Today's the last day, if you want to jump in.  

And of course, as the newbie, I had to fill out my questionnaire right away.  Here goes:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't have any hated yarns.  I'm not a huge fan of 100% acrylic.   What do I love?  Anything from Rowan is a pretty safe bet (Kid Silk Haze is an all-time fav).  I love Claudia's Handpaints for sock yarn (though I've only knit 3.5 pairs of socks).  I cannot turn down any 4-ply tweedy wool (ie-Rowan Yorkshire 4-Ply).  I bought all the Rowan Knit Happens had left in stock during a sale last year (Harrisville Shetland is another beloved one).  

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
An Elizabeth Austen circular needle case (I'm pretty monogamous to my circs).

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned to knit in 2004 (?) from Stitch-n-Bitch.  I'd consider myself an advanced knitter compared to some, a beginner compared to others.  I will say I fear nothing in knitting anymore, which I feel is a sign of growth.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nothing that is up to date.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Rose, vetevier, lemongrass, grass.  My perfume is a mix of mimosa, rose and jasmine. 

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I'm more a salty-toothed gal (read: potato chips and french fries), but I do get the occasional hankering for chocolate.  When I do, it's something with very dark chocolate. I'll admit, though, that I can't walk past a bowl of little Reece's cups without grabbing one (or a few).

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I'm a novice sewer.  I have a drop spindle but spinning takes away from my knitting time.  

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I have an iPod so I can play anything compatible with that.  I like all sorts of music.   I'd say all-time favorite bands/acts are: Pearl Jam (seen them about 8 times), Death Cab for Cutie, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Thievery Corporation, Wilco.  At the other end of the spectrum, I love classical choral music.  Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Handel.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love blues and greens.  Those are definitely my favorites and what I tend to knit.  Other than that, I'll head to the pink, rose, red end of things.  I look awful in orange and yellow.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm a single gal in my cozy little apartment with two Maine Coon cats, Leo and Rowan.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
All of the above EXCEPT ponchos.  I'm wide enough on my own...

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I go through phases.  I knit a hugely complicated (for me) sweater last winter and had trouble focusing on large projects after that. So, I knit lots of hats, mittens, scarves.  But I have my big project mojo back now.  

13. What are you knitting right now?
I'm finishing Amelie from Jagaer JB39.  Right now, I'm trying to decide about my next project, using Rowan Handknit DK in navy blue.  I'm waffling between the Jenny cardigan from Rowan 37 and Nerissa from Rowan 41.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I'm addi turbo circs all the way.  I'm really enjoying their lace needles (love the pointy end!) and am adding those to my stash.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Alas, no.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I have absolutely no idea and discovering the answer to that question would likely make me sad. 

18. What is your favorite holiday?
I'm an equal opportunity holiday freak.  There's a flag-for-every-holiday-housewife hidden inside me, desperately trying to claw her way out (with her American flag decorated sheet cake in hand, to be sure).  

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Cookbooks!  The wackier the better. 

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Anything by Alice Starmore (yes, that's a stretch, I know).  Also, I've never owned any Sundara yarn, which everyone seems to rave about.  I usually pick up my knitting magazines at Knit Happens (my LYS and part-time job).

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'd like to become a more accomplished lace knitter.  I'm fine knitting lace with larger yarns, but haven't found success with laceweight quite yet.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
See above.  I definitely want to be!  I'm a US size 9.5/10 (a firm foundation, to be sure).

23. When is your birthday?
June 5 (33rd birthday coming up!)

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Of course!  I'm the TheKnittingNurse.

Let's talk about knitting, shall we?

Ok... I'm totally over this woe-is-me crap.  Moving on.  This is a knitting blog. Let's share some.  

First off, a long overdue set of photographs. Many of you know that I have taken over the care of 4-Ply Katie's lovely kitty Rowan.  I certainly don't mind, of course.  She's the sweetest cat ever, and is quite a snuggler. See her?

Katie, in all her infinite graciousness, knit me the most glorious shawl in thanks (for taking in a sweet cat?  like I needed thanking for that!!).  Eunny Jang's Print 'O The Wave stole, in Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace (I can't remember the color, but it is made of my my favorite blues, greens and purples).  

    

Isn't it gorgeous?  Here's a closeup of the pattern.

LOVE. IT.  I've worn it a few times thusfar and have gotten wonderful compliments.  Especially at the yarn store.  I'm quick to tell everyone that I did NOT make it.  The artist *definitely* deserves her due.  Thank you, Katie.  I will always cherish it.

My own knitting does not compare, but has resulted in some finished objects.  Here they are, along with my newest project on the needles:

1) Rusted Root.  This was knit in Classic Elite Premiere.  I absolutely love this yarn.  It's cotton and Tencel, and is incredibly soft. It also has a fantastic price point, at roughly $6.50 a skein for 108 yards. The green is a bit bright, but I do like it.  I can't decide how I feel about it on yet, though.  I'm a VERY busty girl and I think it highlights that a tad too much.  These photos were taken on a cool day, and I had a t-shirt on underneath.  I think it looks better alone, but have no photos of that yet.  

That's Phyl, assisting me in my modeling moves.  She clearly does it better than I do.  

2) The Flirty Tank by Y2Knit.  There seems to be quite a buzz about this tank all of a sudden.  Knit Happens can't keep the pattern in stock. Having that lovely sample in summery yellow in the front window certainly helps with that.  But I cannot say enough about this pattern and the finished garment.  Mine is knit in Rowan Handknit DK Cotton from stash.   The color - #335 named Thunder - is truly lovely and works really well with my skin tone.  Here she is, unblocked but still fantastic.  

Want to see how much yarn I had left? YIKES.

After finishing such a great summer tank top, I promptly cast on for another one.  Amelie, from Jaeger JB39.  Done in their Aqua color Tide (313), also from stash.  Here's the only really good photo I can find.  I'm doing the second version, withOUT those ruffley sleeves.   It's a wonderfully quick knit.  I'm surprised that I like the yarn as much as I do.  It's 100% plied cotton but the ply is pretty tight.  I rarely split it, which makes it nice for mindless TV knitting.  The pattern simple and well-written, with identical front and back pieces.  I've finished the front (or back). 

Here's a close-up of the neckline pattern, with my haggard nursey fingers stretching it out a bit. 

 

I'm liking it very much so far.  

Not sure if it has been evident but these last two projects were knit from stash yarn.  I've come to the realization that I have a ridiculous amount of yarn just sitting in my home gathering dust and age.  It's almost wasteful, actually.  Plus, with our economy how it is, money is TIGHT.  So, for the forseeable future, I'm going to try to knit from stash.  I'm not saying I won't be buying anymore yarn, obviously, but I'm going to make a concerted effort to look through my stash for project yarn.  

That said, any suggestions for another garment done up in Rowan Handknit DK Cotton?  I have about 12 skeins in navy blue...

I wish, I wish...

...that I could dress like the men and women found on The Sartorialist's blog.  Even if I don't dig the outfit, they all look so *impeccably* dressed.   Are people born with this knowledge?  I mean, I listen to everything Clinton and Stacey say, but that's not going to have me looking like these folks!  Today's entry, "Dresses That (go to) Work, Part 2" absolutely rocks my world.  That petticoat under the perfectly tailored dress.  And the HEELS.  Plus stunning red lips.  She looks fucking fantastic and she KNOWS it. Also scroll down for the style profile of Dario Spadea Pandolfi.  He looks amazing.  Absolutely amazing.

(It should be noted that I have a huge, big-girl crush on this Swiss doctor at work.  He seems so suave, debonaire and worldly with his perfectly clipped beard, gorgeous eyes and smile, and the personality to boot.  He loves OLD people and hospice, for goodness sake.  He makes my knees go all melty.  I imagine that, outside of work and out of hospital scrubs, he dresses like these people...)

So, NOT so sockworthy, I guess...

He's done it again. Fallen off the face of the earth. First time, shame on you. Second? You know the rest. Don't know why he checked out, but apparently he has. Ah, well... live and learn, right?

I've been a bit down lately. I so desperately want to have a child. But I'm traditional - can I please have the husband to go with it? So many people have said to me - "why don't you have a baby on your own?" First off? Hats off to all the women (and men) in the world who raise children singlehandedly. I have the utmost respect and admiration for the time they devote to their sons and daughters. But I am a child of divorced parents with a mother who is a serial 7-year monogamist. I've had my share of second daddies and other-mommies (my mom, god bless her, was a bit confused). So, I yearn for the stability and tradition of a nuclear family with 2.5 kids, a dog and a picket fence. Why are so many men so scared of this?

I pass people on the street - couples, with children - and I swear to god, I want to stop them and ask them how they did it. People marry and have children all the freakin' time. I've worked in hospitals that are baby mills - churning out a good 50 births a day. Clearly, couples are procreating. Why is it so hard for me?

I'd like to apologize, however, for all this whining. I just need to write some of this down in journal-like fashion so I can get it out of my head. I continue to knit - I'm almost done with the Flirty Tank - and I'm already scoping out my next project. I have a credit card and bank-led moratorium on yarn purchases (other than a trip to Loopy Yarns I can't wait to tell you about in my next post) so I've been creatively digging through my stash to find yarns. With a stash like mine, it's like shopping in my own personal yarn store.

Knitting, pictures of knitting, and non-whiny posts to come. Stay tuned!

Sock-worthy...

The boy came through. His family had been in town (I knew that prior) but they were here longer than I'd known. Plus, he had to go out of town for work. And he called me right when he got back into town. So, he's forgiven. Women really do think about things differently than men, don't we?

We spent more time together yesterday evening and I really do like him. So much so that I'm *considering* making the man a pair of socks. This is important for at least three reasons: 1) I'm a selfish knitter and don't like to make things for other people. 2) He's a guy (dare we say a boyfriend? not quite yet...) and 3) I'm not the most prolific sock knitter, as many people know. But, I think he might be worth it. We'll see. I have my eye on some Claudia's Handpainted at Knit Happens in colorway Black Walnut. It's very manly. I looked around to find photos of the colorway and anything I find makes it look much redder than it is in person.

Anyhow, we are both out of town this week - I leave on Sunday and am back on Thursday, while he is gone from Wednesday to Friday - so I have some time to consider it.

I'm really excited about my trip - I'm going to the national conference for critical care nurses. KnittingNurse - are you going? It's going to be a lot of fun. About 10,000 ICU nurses all in one place. Try not to get sick this week, OK?

Work continues on the Flirty Tank. I've make it through the lace bodice and am now on the daisy section across the bust. The daisies are quite annoying, I must say. You have to knit3tog without dropping off the left needle, then purl3tog the same way, then finally, knit3tog and drop off the left needle. This probably wouldn't be as big a deal if I wasn't knitting with 100% cotton (Rowan Handknit DK Cotton). I love the color and the pattern is easy to follow. So, I'm just trying to live through the daisies which, thankfully, only occur every 6th row... here's the status thusfar.

A close-up of the lace...

And the daisies...

So, that's it for now. More updates when I'm back from Chicago. I hope everyone is having a great time at Maryland Sheep and Wool today!

Oh, the cuteness... plus some other stuff

I just got back from visiting the family in Charleston. So lovely. Plus, baby bonus. The nephew is adorable and seriously sent the ovaries into ovar-drive (har har). He's such a sweet little boy. He loves me to hold him and we had a blast with me careening his walker down the hardwood floor hallway at breakneck speed (throw rugs provided great SAFER barriers).

I finished his fish and had it stuffed and ready for him. It was done in a skein of the Schaefer Lola, using one of their stuffed animal patterns. I totally want to do the pig next. See the results?

He loves it, as you can tell. He already has those razor gums of a baby about to get more teeth and he bit through the yarn within 15 minutes. But, I fixed it and play resumed.

As for the rest - I've finished the Rusted Root but have no photos to show for it. I promise to try to get those and post before my trip to Chicago next week. Now I'm working on the Flirty Tank from Y2Knits in Rowan Handknit DK. Up next, I'm going to start Orangina - I was totally influenced by the power of Kel, who is in charge of posting the Pattern of the Week on the Knit Happens blog. The Flirty Tank was a POTW and so is Orangina. I can't keep up, though! This week's Stitch Diva pattern in the hairpin lace is so lovely... you're killing me, Kel!

On the life front, I'm kind of down. I met this great guy - we had a really good time hanging out and seemed to like each other a lot. Tons in common and the ability to make one another laugh. Plus, the cuteness factor. Suddenly, no word for a WEEK. Wha? The last time we talked it was "I'll call you this week." That was LAST week. I've sent him an email and left him a voicemail message - both breezy. No more. But way to make a girl feel bad, dude... Any explanation as to why 37 year old men can be like this? We now have about six weeks of back and forth (not alot, obviously, but deserving of more than a random cutoff).

Sheesh... a sperm bank is becoming a much more viable option...

A blue chip day...

Today, April 13, my mom celebrates her one-year anniversary of sobriety. Rock on, mom. I spoke with her this morning on the phone and she sounds so happy. And clear. I have so many memories of speaking with her and thinking "there's no way she'll remember this conversation tomorrow." She remembers everything now. And she's so much easier to talk to. She wants to hear what I have to say a lot more than she ever did before. I'm so proud of her. She's changed her life in a very profound way.

I know that, like with any other addiction, this will follow her and gnaw at her for the rest of her life. AA's tenants include the idea that you need only worry about today; specifically, staying sober today. So, while today's anniversary is a monumental one, it is still just another day in her life where she tries not to take a drink. But she's succeeding. And for that, I love her dearly.

As for my issues, I'm okay. I definitely have days where I terribly miss P. I just try to ride it out, turtle if I need to, or just call my family and friends to get some perspective. I try to constantly remind myself how great my life is. I love my job, I have wonderful friends and family, I have the means to enjoy life (God knows I've had the means to buy a shitload of yarn). The only piece missing is my own little nuclear unit of a family, with a husband and children.

At night, I talk to God and just try to work through it all. I desperately try not to say "God, why can't you just GIVE me this??" I've not spent all my life thanking the heavens for the things that have come easily to me; why should I ask when it's not? And my conversations with God are certainly not in the "our father, who art in heaven" vein. They're more along the line of "Dude, what the heck is going on here? Can you just help a sister figure this shit out?" I try to very honestly request a level of understanding. That is very, very, VERY hard. But I keep trying. Just like my mom - one day at a time.