Monat: November 2018

Lots of green socks on (German) Instagram and Facebook accounts lately – die you see them? Called to the „Green Sock“ campaign has Andrea Krull, initiator of now seven self-help groups for women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Green because it’s the color for ovarian cancer (just as pink is the color for breast cancer), socks, because Andrea Krull suffered cold feet, before and after chemotherapy. And of course, because hand-knitted socks, along with personal messages, are a wonderful way to show sympathy and caring.

Starting December 6, the socks will to be given to women in chemotherapy; I have sent three pairs to Neumünster. There is still some time left. Hence, if you’re in the area …

A second initiative I’d like you to know, is „Knitted Knockers“ – knitted breast prostheses for women who underwent mastectomy, lumpectomy, radiotherapy and / or reconstruction. Apparently, conventional prostheses are often expensive, heavy, sweaty and uncomfortable. Plus, they can’t be worn for weeks after surgery (and require special bras).

It is said, on the other hand, that the knitted prostheses are more comfortable to wear, softer, lighter and even take the actual feel of a real breast. What is more, they can be placed in a regular bra and worn after surgery.

However, I was skeptical when reading about the initiative. Skeptical and insecure. Yet, I knit one (there are different pattern for all sizes online), as I really wanted to help a friend who is so close to my heart.

The day before yesterday, she sent a voice message. She sounded grateful (to say the least).

The prostheses are knitted with DPNs and from top to bottom. A tail is threaded through the remaining stitches and left loose and open to allow for (extra or less) stuffing and to get a perfect fit.

See here for more information and pattern.

So many sad stories; so much on my mind right now.

Saving my honor: at least I have tried. Only I never had the patience go beyond „1“. Hence, one little Julevotter has been sitting here for weeks now. A friendly reminder … But that does not change a thing. I unraveled the half-finished „2“ in purple and gray nonetheless. It’s just not my thing. DPNs and FairIsle – too small, too fiddly, too many threads. Period.

No matter how much I wanted to knit and have this Advent calendar.

I am out. Thankfully, the teenager in my house is more interested in the „inside“ of a calendar than in the „outside“, hence I will hang the calendar I bought ages ago and fill its 24 little pockets just like every year.

Thereafter, the Lettlopi yarn will become a colorful sweater for me. Honi soit, qui mal y pense 😬.

Of course, Kathi is displaying her 10^th calendar today on Instagram. At least, it feels like her 10^th calendar (actually, I might be her 4^th). Even more beautiful, more perfect (if possible) than its forerunners. Lovely colors, lovely picture. Another 18 mittens to go until the end of this month and I have no doubt she’ll make it in time.

Not that I care …

If you are like Kathi (24 mittens in a week) the pattern is here.

Do you remember the super beautiful hemp skein that my friend – a knitter herself, at least occasionally – brought me from Scandinavia? It has been sitting here for a while but finally I managed a first hemp project in mid-September.

Inspired by pictures I found online when looking for #RopeBaskets, I decided to make one myself. The hardware store had dark blue twisted cord and all else is improvisation. There is no pattern for the basket.

In fact, there is no pattern needed as “coating” a rope with single crochet is not rocket science. Only the ending was a bit tricky as you can’t hide it with the cord being that thick. Hence, I decided to make the inevitable obvious by forming a big loop. It should be fine (as long as no one pulls the loop or lifts the basket by holding on to the loop).

I can see this basket with bread or fruits, yarn or stuff.

When done, I gave it – together with beautiful red Edda – to the friend that had given me the skein. A win-win situation so to speak. For both of us. Especially, as there is still some hemp left.

I might turn it into another basket. Bigger, rounder, and with a lid. What do you think?