Sunday, August 8, 2010

Another Compensation

Brain tumors leave a lasting signature of not only scar tissue on electrocephalograms but in my case a weakness on the right side.   I learned to knit because I could not crochet for long periods after surgery than I could before.    There is no way I can knit the usual English or throwing style because why do that when crochet would hurt a lot less.  So I knit Continental or picking style using my left hand to hold the yarn just as if I were crocheting.  No way can I do the usual bind off because it involves small muscle use in the right hand...so I crochet bind off.

Lately, I have caught the lace bug and it is fun!  I want to branch out but many patterns have a central double decrease which involves not "slip one, knit 1, pass slip stitch over" but "slip 1, knit 2, pass slip stitch over" or ""slip 2, knit 1, pass 2 slip stitches over".  I can compensate for the slip 1, knit 1 or purl 1, pass slip stitch over by SSK( slip,slip,knit).  Not the same but it will do for me.

Now after perusing a magazine, I see there is very little difference between the others and the knit 3 together.  So I have my doable/painfree substitute.  Now if only I could loosen up those stitches to get my needle in 3 stitches at a time.... 

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Summer Doldrums

Summer brought about a laxity regarding working with wool.  At the beginning of the year, I said I would try to make a pair of socks per month.  However, that makes me horribly overextended.   I have a baby grandson that I would like to make more things for but his parents are very fortunate and prefer to buy him things.   I made him a blanket which was well accepted for which I am very grateful.  So I suppose I should plan more afghans/blankets as they are not dependent upon size.

The one who really needs help is my grand nephew (great nephew?  my brother's daughter's son).  The parents are having a hard time and I think hats, socks etc would be appreciated. 

I am itching to cast on a Toddler T-Shirt Vest by Sam Lamb
http://samlamb.blogspot.com/2010/07/toddler-t-shirt-vest.html
as it looks fast and very utilitarian.