Kangath's Roux

Altering the Meandros Sweater

2011-11-27T05:38:00.000-08:00

I designed this sweater in Universal Yarn's Cobblestone, a wonderful sport-weight superwash wool that features a variegated strand plied with a solid strand. I produced four garments from this sproingy yarn using different techniques of colorwork and texture.

This sweater gets its name from the Greek meander running up around the collar and cuffs in purl stitches. A similar intarsia meander goes up the center and under the arms. Meanders symbolize friendship, love and devotion, and eternity. I used a method of working intarsia in the round which is really easy to learn.

The pattern is sized for Child's 6 through Men's XL. If your body shape requires breast darts, you can incorporate them into the Meandros Sweater.

Before you start knitting your sweater, measure the desired distance from the back nape of the neck to the bottom of the sweater. Then measure down the front, from where the shoulder joins the neck to where you want the sweater to end. Subtract the first measurement from the second. Then round down to the nearest multiple of 1.5. If you get a whole number, start the instructions as written.

24" (front length)

- 20" (back length)

______

4" rounded down to 3"

If you get an answer like 1.5 or 4.5, you will have to reverse the numbers of stitches for the yarn colors for the Front piece. For example, to make the largest size, you would start the Back as written but for the Front you would provisionally cast on 83 stitches in C and 76 in D (still in that order). Purl 73, place a stitch marker, then purl 3 in D and 10 in C, and place another marker. Work in stockinette in the established colors for 10 more rows. Then work Chart 1 starting at row 14.

The number 1.5 is taken from the row gauge. If you are knitting to a different row gauge than prescribed, divide 13 (the number of rows in half a chart repeat) by your number of rows per inch, and round it to a workable number. Divide the difference between your front and back measurements by this number. Round the number down to the nearest whole number. If that number is even, start the sweater as instructed. If it's odd, use the above directions.

Knit both Back and Front pieces of the Upper Body 2 inches longer than directed for the size you want. For example, for the largest size, you would knit the back to 13" and the front to 10" before working collar shaping.

Measure the horizontal distance between your nipples, or "bust points." Add an ease factor of 2 inches to keep the darts from looking pointy. This will be the flat area between the darts. If the distance between your bust points is 8", you would want to have 10" between darts.

8 + 2 = 10

Divide the sweater chest circumference by 2 to get a front width. If we are making the largest size, that would be 57 divided by 2 = 28.5

Subtract the between-dart measurement from the front width:

28.5 - 10 = 18.5

and divide by 2 to find the available dart width on each side.

18.5 /2 = 9.25

Multiply this number by your stitch gauge. The prescribed gauge is 5.75 sts/in.

9.25 x 5.75 = about 53

In this case, there are 53 stitches on each side to work the darts.

Go back to the rounded-down difference between your front and back length measurements and divide it by 1.5

3 / 1.5 = 2

Multiply your answer by 13

2 x 13 = 26

and divide by 2 for the number of short-row turnarounds needed.

26 / 2 = 13

Our sweater has 53 stitches available for each dart, and we need to make 13 turnarounds.

53 / 13 = about 4

When we get to knitting the Lower Body, we knit the front stitches in the color of the cast-on stitches off the extra circular needle (being sure to knit through the right-hand loops so as not to twist the stitches), stopping at the underarm. Our front garment measurement included 7 underarm stitches (3.5 on each side) to be picked up later. This is not a problem.

Total front stitches: 159 (83 of one color + 76 of the other)

10" between darts x 5.75 stitch gauge = about 57 stitches

159 total front stitches - 57 center front stitches = 102 side stitches divided by 2 sides =

51 stitches on each side

Purl across one side and the center front in pattern (in this case 57 + 51 to equal 108), then wrap and turn.

Knit across center front only (57 stitches) in pattern, wrap and turn.

Purl back across center front plus 4 (see above: 53 / 13 = 4) for a total of 61 stitches in this case, always maintaining pattern and hiding the wrap, wrap and turn.

Continue in pattern and hiding wraps, in this case adding 4 each time for 13 turnarounds (26 passes).

The last pass should be a knit row. Pick up 7 underarm stitches, knit the Back stitches without twisting, pick up the last 7 underarm stitches, turn your work, and continue from the second paragraph of Lower Body.

This may seem confusing, but you can do it all with a calculator once you know what numbers to put in. Please email me with specific questions at the address on your pattern. Any informations you can provide such as the measurements described above (front, back, and between bust points) and the exact stitch and row gauge you are using, will help. If you are not comfortable with short rows or intarsia, I suggest working a simpler pattern and then coming back to this one. Your reward will be a beautiful sweater and increased knitting mastery!

Here, Kitty-Kitty

2011-09-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

Another pattern for sale!

This one features 10 kittens along the lines of the tiger cubs on Cole's shawl.

Isn't Claire a beautiful model?

The knitting is not hard at all. You only need to know how to knit and purl. The rest is explained in the pattern.

Eddie and Alex

2011-07-28T05:58:00.001-07:00

Here's my version of the Van Halen pattern.

Which one's Eddie and which is Alex?

coupon

2011-07-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

The new Tangled is now live.

You don't have to go to Sock Summit to use this coupon!

View my socks here.

Fish

2011-07-24T05:39:00.000-07:00

Cole has been wanting a pet all his life. Jeff is allergic to most furry animals, but Cole recently acquired this:

Isn't it nifty?

Port Hudson Organics

2011-07-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Cole and I went to rehearsal and came home with watermelons.

And two eggplants and five tomatoes. What's that? You only see four tomatoes in the picture? Hm . . . something must have happened to the other one. I hope it wasn't something sordid involving scrambled eggs and cheese.

Cole and I meet regularly with Thais Perkins of Port Hudson Organic Farm to rehearse for . . . well, for fun and any other important projects that might arise. We all enjoy it immensely and are looking forward to playing in public once we find a venue.

gecko hat and headband

2011-07-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce the availability of my Gecko Hat and Headband pattern for only $3:

Gecko Hat and Headband

tangled

2011-07-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

My sock design, Van Halen, is featured on the Tangled Blog in the upper left.

Once I played a movement of one of Bach's partitas for solo violin on a recital, and one of the audience members told me, "You play violin like Eddie Van Halen plays guitar." Later, he asked me to show him some of my riffs.

I wonder whether Tangled was thinking of my approach to colorwork when they named the pattern. I'm choosing to take it as a compliment.

binding off

2011-07-14T12:58:00.001-07:00

Here's a way to bind off stitches that really helps your bind off stay loose. I "unvented" it while working through Lynne Barr's mind-opening Reversible Knitting. Captions are beneath the photos.

Here I have one stitch knit.

I put that stitch back onto the needle,

inserted my right needle through the next stitch as if to knit,

wrapped the yarn,

. . . and . . .

pulled the loop through both stitches.

Ta-daa!

This method helps keep the first stitch open. If you want extra insurance, you can hold it open with your thumb. I would use my left thumb to hold it open from the time I put it back onto the needle to the time I pulled the loop through both stitches.

Several stitch patterns in Reversible Knitting call for passing slipped or worked stitches over other stitches. I find this method saves time, but I don't assume that would be the case for everyone. I just fling the stitch back onto the needle when I'm going in for my next stitch. Slick, if I do say so myself.

leftward leanings

2011-07-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

If you knit, you may already know about the SSK decrease, which is in my opinion the best looking left-leaning decrease. It involves slipping two stitches knitwise, one at a time, and then knitting these slipped stitches through the back loops.

You can also work this decrease without taking the stitches off the first needle. It especially works well with wooden or bamboo needles, but metal works, too.

Here's how to do it (captions are below the photos they reference):

Insert the needle knitwise into the first stitch, but do not take it off.

Bring the needle to the front of your work without removing it from the stitch.

Insert the needle knitwise through the next stitch.

Wrap the yarn around the needle,

pull it through the second stitch,

take yarn and needle between the two stitches to the back of the work,

bring them through the first stitch,

and slip both stitches off.

This method will save time and (more importantly) add variety to your knitting repertoire. I find it eminently satisfying to have more than one way of working the same stitch.

Many thanks to Cole for the photography.

faux bow baby hat

2011-03-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

Sized from preemie to 9 months, I designed this for my knitting in the round class. It uses 4 different methods of knitting in the round!

gecko hat

2011-03-08T12:52:00.001-08:00

All proceeds go to Relief Aid for Japan.

Hello Again!

2011-03-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

I weeded the gardens today. It didn't take long and it made me happy.

We're approaching the second anniversary of my stroke.

Sometimes it seems like just a few weeks ago, and sometimes it seems like years.

Other times I can't even remember what life was like before. . . .

Great Barrier Reef

2011-02-22T06:18:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to knit something from Knits from Nature by Jenny Kee since my friend Joan gave me the book about 10 years ago. I love wearing tunics, but the one I really want for myself is the Barramundi, and I haven't had money for yarn since . . . well, since ever! But when baby Caleb needed a blanket I knew just where to look for inspiration. Since the blanket is worked in intarsia, the back side is, shall we say, not nearly as attractive. But I could use left over scraps of yarn for it, and I think it turned out really well.

I have plans to design an underwater scene baby blanket which is actually reversible. This will take some time, though, so don't look for it in the near future.

tiger shawl

2010-11-30T07:06:00.000-08:00

This is Cole in his tiger shawl. He loves it! The yarn is Green Sheep Sport from the Unique Sheep in colorway Tiger, Tiger. Laura donates a generous portion of the sales from this colorway to Carolina Tiger Rescue. Cole was very enthusiastic about that aspect of the shawl.
I think the tiger cubs posing on the back of the shawl look like kittens. I'm writing a pattern for this shawl and calling it the Kitty-Kitty shawl. It has been through the testing process and just needs a few more photos and some formatting. It should be available soon!

Cole's socks

2010-10-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

I finished these some time ago, but as soon as I finished knitting Cole put them on his feet. Every time I washed them so they could be photographed he snuck into the laundry room and put them on again. I guess he likes them. His friends are bugging me to make some for them. The pattern is Cat Bordhi's Tibetan socks, with modifications.

The swirls go opposite directions on the two socks.

Butterfly

2010-10-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago, I finished this shawl for little Miss G. A closer look:

Can you see the butterflies?

Posie-Head Rosie hat

2010-10-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

This Dr. Seussian hat reminds me of Daisy-head Maisy.

Yarn: 2 balls Rowan Big Wool (super-bulky)

odd bits of at least one other color of similar weight yarn

Needles: US Size #10 circular and double pointed

Gauge: 13 sts and 18 rows = 4"

Cast on 60 sts using circular needle and main color. Join, being careful not to twist.

*K1, P1* around. Continue in knit until work measures 6" from cast on edge.

First increase round: *K1, inc 1 st, K8, inc 1 st, K1*, repeat between *s until end of round, 72 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Second inc round: *K2, inc 1 st, K8, inc 1 st, K2*, repeat between *s until end of round, 84 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Third inc round: *K3, inc 1 st, K8, inc 1 st, K3*, repeat between *s until end of round, 96 sts.

Knit until work measures 9" from cast on edge.

Purl one round (turning row).

Knit one round.

Shape top (switch to dpn or magic loop when round gets tighter):

First decrease round: *K1, SSK, K10, K2tog, K1*, repeat between *s until end of round, 84 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Second decrease round: *K1, SSK, K8, K2tog, K1*, repeat between *s until end of round, 72 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Third decrease round: *K1, SSK, K6, K2tog, K1*, repeat between *s until end of round, 60 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Fourth decrease round: *K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1*, repeat between *s until end of round, 48 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Fifth decrease round: *K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1*, repeat between *s until end of round, 36 sts.

Knit 3 rounds.

Sixth decrease round: *K1, SSK, K2tog, K1*, repeat between *s until end of round, 24 sts.

Seventh decrease: K1, then *K2tog* until 6 sts remain.

Break yarn. Thread yarn through tapestry needle and weave through remaining stitches. Pull tight.

Posie:

Cast on 2 sts with contrasting yarn. Work flat in garter stitch (knit every row), increasing one stitch at the beginning of each row until there are 11 stitches. Make 4 points.

With main color, knit across all 4 points, and join into a circle, 44 sts.

With new color (if desired), K2tog around for 3 rounds, ending K1.

Pass 5 sts over first stitch. Fasten off. Weave in loose ends. Use main color to sew posie to hat through center.

Work blanket stitch around purl stitch round of hat in a contrasting color. Weave in loose ends. Hand wash and let dry.

frog buttons

2010-09-28T08:01:00.001-07:00

The next step is to make a frog with a button end. Nicky suggests a "single knot," but my single knot did not look anything like the photo, went through the frog loop too easily, and was not attractive. In the end, I chose a ball knot from these instructions, but I seriously considered using a square knot.

The square knot almost worked, and I think it would have been a good choice with thicker cord or a smaller loop. I use the "frog on a log" method of tying a square knot. I will show it here in case you don't know it.

Frog on a log . . .

and the log rolls over.

Frog on a log (again) . . .

. . . and the log rolls over.

Easy and attractive.

Now fold the end back around and under the frog counter-clockwise to re-make the first loop. Pin through the middle of the frog. It should look like this. (Pay no attention to the odd bits of cord at the right of the photo.)

Bring the end down and around clockwise to make the loop with the button on it. Adjust the placement of the button by tightening and loosening the knot until it's right where you want it. Unravel any extra cord from the live stitches at the end (beginning). Thread the unraveled yarn through the live stitches. Secure the loop by sewing both ends together behind the frog.

I used the cast-on tail to secure each corner of the frog to the garment. Since this garment had a folded hem, I simply tied the tails (from cast-on and bind-off) in a square knot on the wrong side, and hid each end of the knot in the hem. (If you don't know how to do this, let me know, and I'll show you!)

frog closure tutorial

2010-09-27T09:59:00.001-07:00

Nana asked me to make some frog closures for her vest, and I was happy to do it.

I thought it would be fun.

I chose the "Basketweave Knots" from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments because they looked compact and the shape echoed those found in the intarsia design of the garment. I read the instructions, which said to leave the end on a stitch holder instead of binding off, and to "Form the frogs by using T-pins to anchor (beginning with the cast-on edge) against a piece of Styrofoam board." There was also a drawing with arrows showing the direction the cord should travel, and places marked "begin" and "end." It all seemed very clear.

I made a piece of cord, keeping the end of it on the needle. My plan was to make a frog, then untie it and measure the length I would need. But I first had to figure out the drawing. The frog was drawn completed, so the cord was going under some spots and coming back out . . . where? Maybe it's because I'm brain damaged, but it took me a while to work it out at first. And then again when I came back to it after packing my family off to the library. And then again after I had made all my cord and wanted to turn it into frogs. And then again . . .

I thought this would be fun.

So. I got the drawing figured out. I had a piece of Styrofoam board my husband had been saving for just this occasion (not likely) and T-pins. But it wasn't clear how to use the pins to anchor the cord. It seemed like I would have to constantly move the pins in order to make the knot, yet every time I moved them I lost the last three steps. Plus, I was trying to do this on the floor, and my back hurt.

Wasn't this supposed to be fun?

Having developed a good way to make these frogs, I thought I would share it with you. This method can probably be adapted to most of the frog closures in the book--but if you want to make the "Leaf Frog", you're on your own.

I calculated I would need a 10" piece of cord (using Lily Chin's Gramercy in color 15) for frogs and 12" for buttons. Here I have the cord with live stitches on the end waiting to be knotted. Since I needed 10 to 12 of these things (for 5 or 6 pairs of frogs and buttons), I didn't use stitch holders. I bound off and undid the bind-off. I could have just cut the yarn, taken a needle, and threaded it through the stitches.

Here I have the first two pins in the cord. If you look closely, you will see that I did not start with the cast-on end. Those are live stitches. Also, if you compare this to the drawing in the book, you will see that I did not pin the start point, but left it free. It is dangling off to the right of the picture and should be doubled back, under the rightmost T-pin.

Another pin.
And a third.
Now the cord has been tucked through the first loop.

Now I'm going to bring the cord up and under the right side of loop 2.

And over loop 3, and down through loop 2.

Tighten by gently tugging both ends and easing the loops.

Completed frog.

Note that some of the pictures show a very loose knotting. This is just for clarity. The fourth picture shows the approximate tightness of the finished frog.

I hope that was helpful! Next up: corresponding buttons.

catching up

2010-09-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

Started (and finished) another round of therapy. Milestones: walking much improved, but still can't run or hop; writing significantly faster and tidier; violin playing somewhat improved, but I have miles to go before I sleep. Danced at my cousin's wedding, Down to one 20 - 40 minute nap a day. My doctor says I will always have some spasticity.

A full draft of Harmony is done (minus the overture and underscoring). A CD of all songs (featuring the silken vocals of a famous chanteuse who wishes to remain nameless but whose technique (if not the voice itself) is too recognizable for anonymity) is now available to all those possessing a sense of humor.

And I have finished huge handfuls of knitting. More next time . . .

Flowers

2010-04-11T08:11:00.001-07:00

Front Yard

Back Yard --->

Holy Week

2010-04-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

Last week I played a few gigs. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and two Easter Sunday masses. By the end of Easter day I could barely use my spoon! Monday morning I got dizzy while lifting weights and decided to take the day off. Everything.

I didn't fully recover until yesterday, but now (after going to bed early four nights in a row) I feel fine and am ready for my next big gig: Curved Air's "Vivaldi" (the CD track, not the video version) for the DC-SPA dance company.

Nana's Vest

2010-03-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

The front is done. This is Susan Duckworth's Venetian Tiles Cardigan with some modifications. I did the ribbing in intarsia instead of all one color, I made each set of tiles different (there were four varieties), and I did the shoulder shaping with short rows instead of binding off. Also, I changed the upper row of tiles to a row of three instead of four because I plan to make this a V-neck vest, and that will match the adaption to the fronts.

She didn't choose this pattern or the colors, so I'm hoping she likes it.

Harmony

2010-03-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

Since September I have been working on music for Harmony, a musical with book and lyrics by Betty Cooper Hirt. The story is based on a real life romance between an Appalachian writer and a New York Jew. We have had a lot of fun so far, and I hope to have more to show you soon. The music spans the range from bluegrass to swing to military march, with lots of traditional Appalachian ballads and hearty show tunes in between. We are very close to having a complete draft.

This has been a necessary detour from Nannerl as I get my brain in shape for book writing again. I found that my ability to do things in the correct order (like putting on potholders before opening the oven) was impaired. A little re-routing was necessary in order for me to feel comfortable tackling the dramatic arc of Act Two. I think I'm ready now.

Potpourri Pincushion

2010-03-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

About a year ago I received this potpourri pincushion from Laura. Part of the deal was that I post a picture of it, but for obvious reasons I didn't get to that right away.

Well, here it is!

FAQ #5

2009-10-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

"Why you?"

Nobody is sure why I had this stroke. We do know that my left carotid artery tore and a clot formed which blocked the blood flowing to my brain. In other words, this wasn't to do with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. My neurologist said from the time of the tear to the time of the stroke was probably not more than a week. I had no trauma the week before my stroke, so it seems to have been a spontaneous rupture.

Everyone laughs when I say this, but being out of commission was really a good break for me. Even now, I am forced to take everything more slowly and be satisfied (thrilled, actually) with what little I can accomplish. Additionally, I had been craving some silent time for a while now. Seriously though: I don't want to speak for them, but I know for sure that some of my nurses and therapists, and my family as well, got something out of this experience beyond what a "normal" stroke patient would give. And that's enough reason for me.

FAQ #4

2009-10-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

For real this time . . .

"Do you have all your capabilities back?"

I can

knit like a pro

recite Shakespeare

play simple things on the violin

hop on my right foot if I flap like a chicken

"jog" in a limping way if I lift my knees high

multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number in my head

press 60 pounds with my right leg

stand unassisted in the shower

say "stand unassisted in the shower" on my first try

use a can opener

flip pancakes

throw a tantrum

type 20 words per minute

play a bit of piano

tie my shoes

make a ponytail

teach violin

read Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss (out loud)

write approximately 10 words per minute of variable legibility

drive an automatic (haven't tried the stick)

This is not an exhaustive list, but you can see that although I don't have my former skill set, it seems to be coming back. It's a long road--longer than I realized at first. But my family is very supportive, and I've already come a long way.

Fun

2009-10-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

When I first started knitting my brother Jerome suggested I knit myself a pair of tights. No way! I said. That would take forever!

Nine years later, I find the perfect yarn for tights and just can't resist:

I "cleverly" joined a second ball of yarn so the stripes wouldn't get narrower at my Widest Part. My Widest Part is considerably wider than the rest of me, so this was a good move. Here I've knit most of the top part of the tights. Just a couple of inches before I divide for the legs!

I am also designing a Useful Something to give as a gift. I'm just working out ideas here. Yarn is Unique Sheep cotton in Shardenim.

It's not an Exciting Implement, but I think it's beautiful.

In other knitting news, the lace stole for Gwen's dance teacher is done. Was done a long time ago. Boy, are you sorry I didn't post pictures. It's breathtaking. I just . . . forgot. Maybe she'll wear it when it cools off and she'll model for me. IF it ever cools off. . . .

I have to say, though, for once I did a good job of choosing who gets my handknits. After years of going unappreciated I determined to knit only for myself and the kids. Then this woman not only admired my knitting but told me she wears shawls all the time! Needless to say, I fell for the bait. She keeps the stole by her bed, waiting to feel chilly. Her teenage daughter sometimes fingers it longingly. Ah! It's good to be loved.

FAQ #4

2009-10-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

"Do you have all your capabilities back?"

Oh, ha, ha, oh ha ha ha, ha ha ha, oh ha!

FAQ #3

2009-09-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

"Did the stroke affect your mental faculties in any way?"

Yes.

I still feel like me--that is, I don't feel stupider--but I'm definitely slower and less able to do math in my head and more liable to get stuck verbally. Nobody except Jeff really notices. He says I'm more on his level now . . .

I never felt significantly different. My memory was still good (Jeff got all my usernames and passwords for web billing from me early on) and I could read in several languages right away. But my head hurts when I think too hard. It's not funny, but it should be.

Fee-fie-diddly-eye-oh!

FAQ #2

2009-09-08T04:55:00.000-07:00

"Were you bewildered?"

Not really. I don't know why I wasn't.

The stroke felt more like something that was happening to me rather than something I suffered. It's really the first time I ever felt completely passive. Eventually it occurred to me to wonder how it happened, but I was never really surprised. The fact is, I experienced it and didn't have time to react to it. My friend Barbara came to watch my kids while it was descending on me and she said she was as shocked as I was. When I replied that I wasn't shocked she had to agree--according to her, I sat there smiling and waiting for the ambulance. (Eventually I guess I was only able to smile with half my face, but she didn't mention that.)

Jeff went into immediate action--you could tell he was tense, but bewilderment would have been impractical. Cole was scared and worried, sitting in a chair facing me, but Gwendolyn kept playing calmly.

People here keep referring to my "faith," but it wasn't faith that I would be able to play violin again or faith that I would survive. I knew that everything would be okay--even if I lost the use of one whole side of my body--even if I could never speak again--even if I died.

Fortunately, I'm okay.

FAQ

2009-09-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

"Is your recovery full, or going to be full?"

Let me tell you a version of the story I just recently learned from my loving husband:

The first neurologist the hospital called to come see me, um, never showed up. By the time the second neurologist arrived and ordered blood tests, I was well into the stroke, eyes rolling around in my head, the whole bit. (I know some of you don't appreciate a good story--you have to know the ending before the middle--but I'm writing this, after all, so there's nothing to worry about. The rest of you, enjoy the suspense!) Dr. Baker said she had told the lab to hurry with the test results because if they didn't start thinning my blood soon I might never come out of that state.

At this point I feel the need to make it clear that I never saw the bright light, never looked down at my body from on high. I didn't actually die, which means God didn't bring me back, which means he didn't "bring me back for a reason." When my son was asked if he thought my recovery was a miracle, he answered that he thought the stroke was the miracle. Healing is what a body, especially a young, healthy body, just does. Not having a stroke.

They got me on blood thinners in time, I guess, because I regained consciousness the same day. Unfortunately my right side was completely paralyzed. "They" said I would never play violin again, a prediction of which I was blissfully unaware until one of the "they"s (a physician's assistant--something I just recently learned to say on my first try) casually mentioned it at the rehab center.

Soon, however, "they" began to forecast a full recovery. I went through four months of physical therapy believing that at least most of my skills would return. Dr. Baker told me I may never be able to say certain words again, but that would be the worst of it.

And then in July, when I could barely scratch out a tune on the fiddle, when my right hand grip was still 20 pounds less than that of my left hand, and in fact when my shoulder extension was still not enough to allow me to wipe my own butt with my right hand--that is when my occupational therapist announced that she had never seen a full recovery as wonderful as mine.

So it does not mean what I thought.

since the stroke

2009-06-18T05:49:00.000-07:00

On March 16 I had a stroke. My left carotid artery tore, a clot formed, and the rest is current events. The garden has been more or less neglected, though I did manage to harvest the corn that came up while I was in the hospital. And . . .

I'm knitting again.

The yarn is Lisa Souza's laceweight merino. Not a single knot in 2520 yards. I ended up not using the center pull because the yarn is so soft it knots and pills. I am very happy pulling from the outside of the ball! The color is so pretty everyone remarks on it.

It's much more subtle knit up.

On to my other obligations (see post from March 16).

Verdict

2009-03-16T07:47:00.001-07:00

It's beautiful.

I hate it.

New Yarn

2009-03-16T07:42:00.001-07:00

All I want to do is wind this Lisa Souza laceweight ("Lake Superior" colorway) that came in the mail last week.

But it turns out I have other obligations . . .

commenting

2009-03-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

I've had a few questions about how to leave comments. I'm new to this myself, but if you click on "comments" below each post a window should come up with some instructions for you. You'll have choices about whether to create an account and so on. Sometimes the settings on your browser (cookies, for instance) will make a difference to your success. There may be a button to click on for help, if it's really important to you to leave a comment here. Otherwise, just write to me. Or visit occasionally just to read. This is my letter to you, and although I'd like to think you're reading it from time to time, I don't require a response.

See you later!

new life

2009-03-13T05:11:00.000-07:00

Spicy Mesclun Mix. Hooray! And some carrots and swiss chard around the gardens. More peeking today, and planting.

We have these great built-in planter/window boxes in front of the house, and they've been needing rejuvenating. When we moved here they had begonias in them, and after a drought or hurricane I used to take cuttings from the survivors to replace the dead plants. It's really easy. I just cut a nice piece of healthy plant, stripped it of leaves from halfway down the stem, stuck it in the dirt, watered carefully, and pinched any flower buds that threatened to distract the new plant from developing roots. I thought I would never buy a begonia again.

I haven't been able to give that much attention to the garden recently, but I didn't want to actually buy a begonia plant, so I tried a new method this year. Cut a bunch of healthy stems, put them on bare dirt, cover with mulch, and empty the dehumidifiers and Jeff's leftover coffee onto them.

It worked!

Warning: the snapdragon exoeriment was not as successful.

And the jury's still out on the sage.

I should point out that the snapdragons did not get any coffee. But I don't think that's the main problem.

Aspidistra

2009-03-13T04:54:00.000-07:00

I finished it. Just think--the outer border alone has over 4,000 stitches in it. Crazy. But Jeff asked for it, and I can't resist a knitting request. This is shown on our queen-sized bed. It's about 6 ft by 6 ft. It's soaking now, then I'm going to block it* and when it's dry it will cover an acoustic flaw in our living room.

*block: kneel on the floor for hours, stretching and pinning and measuring and wishing it wasn't allergy season

I estimated it would take around 4 balls of Noro Kureyon Sock color 219, so I bought 7 (just in case). After I started the center I decided it would look better starting at another color in the series, so I made the first try into a hat for Gwendolyn instead of ripping it all out. The hat is really cute, but I've been ambivalent all along about Aspidistra herself. Everyone who sees her thinks she's beautiful. Jeff has been consistently positive, and it's for him, so I knit on, but it's really hard to put that much work into something you're not sure will be wonderful. I asked myself what in the world I would do with all that extra yarn, and started fantasizing about crazy multicolored lace trim to go on a dress for G. I even mentally designed a pair of knee highs for myself. I began to like the idea of extra yarn even more than the idea of this big . . . thing.

This is all that's left. I'm going to darn some store-bought socks with them and I still might have enough left over for the lace trim on that dress.

daffodils and cabbage

2009-03-09T10:53:00.001-07:00

When I first came to Baton Rouge I read that you can grow bulb flowers here, but you need to dig them up and store them in your freezer every winter. No, thank you.

The woman at the Farmer's Market told me that the only thing is, if you leave them in the ground, they may bloom in January. This won't hurt them at all, but apparently it's enough of a disadvantage to make all the Louisiana gardening manuals discourage it. No daffodils in January. Might cheer people up.

Sometimes I think daffodils have an unpleasant smell. These are very very sweet. Mmmm.

Amy asked for some of my cabbage ideas. A little background first. Cabbage is a problem vegetable for us because I like it. If I didn't like it I would be better able to disguise its alleged foul qualities. Take turnips.
I have never learned to love them and I tried several ways of serving them (sacrificing some perfectly good apples and potatoes, I might add) before they became Cole's favorite vegetable.I think partly he likes the shock value, but he does eat a good number of them.

Cabbage also grows easily here. It's cheap, and the market has the pointy gourmet kind (don't tell them, but I think it tastes pretty much the same as the round kind--and I think the round ones are cuter). Plus, it's infinitely easier to prepare than collards, even if it does involve using the Knife.
(That's our cat, Blackie, shown for scale.)

One dish we eat that features cabbage is a pasta topping made from cooking cabbage and onions in a pan with a little oil for, well, a day or so. With some strong cheese (we like feta, but roquefort is also tasty) it becomes more of a pasta dish and less cabbagey. When serving cabbage, I am careful not to call it cabbage. It becomes "tasty sauce,' "clever wrapper," "shredded filling," or, that wonderful term, "garden vegetable."

My family will eat almost anything in an egg roll. They're best fried, but you can brush them with oil and bake them instead. And there's kofta. With the right sauce, no questions are asked. One good thing about kofta is that it can use cabbage and sweet potatoes, which are plentiful* at the same time here.

*plentiful: arrive at the Farmer's Market after 10 a.m. and that's all you'll see

Cabbage plays well with others, and I like to include it in stir fry, soup, and a wonderful King Arthur recipe called Monster Pie. For my fussy eaters, however, I need to be careful with not only the amount but the shape of the pieces, which varies for each recipe. Too much or the wrong shape renders the whole dish inedible. Big enough to pick out. Small enough not to notice. Not too mushy . . . or crunchy . . . or . . . white . . .

Soup is not a big hit in this family anyway. I like eating it but not making it. Everyone else likes the idea of it but not the actual live bowl of it. Therefore I make it less than I used to. But cabbage in soup (especially in a tomatoey base, with blobs of oil floating on top) is delicious.

I do, however, agree that the daffodils smell better.

brewing

2009-03-07T18:16:00.001-08:00

stewing

2009-03-07T18:07:00.001-08:00

bubbling

2009-03-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome

2009-03-07T14:38:00.000-08:00

Come in, sit down. First you'll smell what's bubbling on the stove, perhaps you'll ask about it. Eventually you'll see and maybe even stay to have a bowl. There are plenty of spoons.

In the meantime, I will run into trouble. I always do. Now you're here to sit, quietly or not, while I solve problems and change course. The result always has some charm. Like this pig cake. Enjoy.

Back

2009-03-04T17:29:00.001-08:00

The garden is coming back, slowly, after having been subjected to violent neglect. It's been harder not having a garden than taking care of it. The variety of vegetables available each season is so much better when we choose what's being planted. The Red Stick Market is open year round, but some months (most notably the scorched summer ones) are very slim, and sometimes I have a hard time getting my family to eat what's available. I can be pretty creative with cabbage. And summer squash. Even eggplant. But after a while they start to notice.

Of course, it's not all about the vegetables.

Planted this season: broccoli, red lettuce, spicy mesclun mix, "kuroda long" and "st. valery" carrots, "sakata's sweet" melons, "country gentleman" corn, lima beans, marigolds, pansies, wave petunias, thyme, and daffodils.

Fun

2009-03-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1-I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2-What I create will be just for you.
3-It'll be done this year.
4-You have no clue what it's going to be.
5-I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Who's in?

[Idea courtesy of Laura's Ramblings]

Genesis

2009-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

Roux ("roo"): flour cooked in butter to break down the starch granules

. . . from here you can go on to anything!