Keeping My Head Above Water

I'm still here, everyone. Keeping my head above water, putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward. Most days, honestly, I still feel like I'm trying to swim through Jello, but I'm here. My friends are a real blessing to me, and hopefully I have let them know that I appreciate their efforts to keep me connected to the real world.

So what have I been doing? You can "friend" me on Goodreads to check out the copious amounts of books I have devoured since the beginning of 2012.

I have also been knitting, of course.

December had me knitting hats for family members...

I knit a snowman afghan square for a swap. This one went to a friend in Europe.


I knit another icky scarlet and grey hat for a good friend who lost the first one I made him, and mailed it to him as a surprise.

Worsted weight yarn on US size 3 needles is a pain. I'm just sayin'. I told him to take this one to the vet and get it microchipped!

These socks were made on size 3 needles from a yarn called Induldgence, which has sadly been discontinued. It would have made a great Baby Surprise Jacket.

I also knitted a Chickadee Cowl (free pattern on Ravelry) for a charity auction to help a friend's loved one with medical bills related to cancer.

A whole group of knitter friends got together and sent knitted items and she was able to create two big basket of knitted items for the auction.

I made a red, white and blue scarf for Honor Flight participants.


Honor Flight of NW Ohio takes WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the war memorials, specifically the newer WWII Memorial built in their honor. It is the goal of Honor Flight to make sure that all WWII vets see their memorial before they die. On each flight, a goodie bag of treats is given to each Veteran. Yarn Cravin' knitters got together and knitted EIGHTY scarves to give to the participants of the first flight of 2012, which will leave for DC on April 25. Sometimes participants get a pin, or a hat and a pen and little trinkets. We wanted to make sure this group was wrapped with love!

My darling daughter, Mayhem, turned 13 recently, had her tonsils out right after that, and requested a special stuffed toy to love. Introducing "Gort."

Poor Gort is still missing his mouth in that photo. If you are looking for a fun, quick knit, look up Rebecca Danger's Big Book of Monsters.
He is Mayhem's Track Team monster. My baby girl is doing track and softball this spring/summer. That darn tonsillectomy is getting in the way of everything since she is sidelined until April 27.

Another fun knit, and one for me was this Color Affection Shawl. It's still in the top 20 patterns on Ravelry, and I loved knitting it so much that I am pondering colors for another one!



It's all garter stitch, some short rows, and M1R, M1L. One section is using 3 colors of yarn, though, and keeping them from tangling was a bit annoying, but putting the skeins into ziploc bags helped with that issue.

Two more friends are expecting babies and I have started working on wee little baby knits. Can't show those off here yet, though. Top secret stuff!!

By popular demand, Bill and I are doing another student trip once school gets out. The kids who went to Washington, D.C. as 7th graders last year begged us to do a trip for them this year. So... we are taking 50 eighth graders to New York City in June when school is over the year. Lord help us!

Before that, though, I have one more big event. On May 18 I am doing Race For The Cure with my older sister, who is a breast cancer survivor. She has not yet reached the five year mark to be considered "cured," but is getting closer. Last year, if you recall, I held a raffle in her support. This year, I will be doing that again, and asking you to support our team as I walk with her. More details to come very soon.

If you want to donate already, here is our team page and I will make sure you are entered into the raffle for prizes!

1. Click on this link: Knox County Survivors, Families & Friends

2. Just click on my name (Karen Yockey) to make a donation if you want to be included in the prize giveaway.

3.Then send an email to me at ttownknitiot@gmail.com You will have one entry for each $5 you donate. Your donation is tax deductible as well.

Prize info coming soon, but for sure there will be Wollemeise and one autographed copy of Noni's new flower book, Noni Flowers: 40 Exquisite Knitted Flowers.

Back In The Saddle... Sort Of

Let's see if this thing still works. I know it's been a while, but I'm still here. Still sad, still grieving, but always knitting. You know the old saying "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on"? Well thank God for knitting, and my knitting friends. They really have been my lifeline the past three months. And Sunday it will be three months since Dad passed.

I plan to be with knitting friends in Chicago this weekend, being happy. One friend is celebrating a birthday, and another is having a baby shower. Another knitting friend and I are heading out early Saturday and driving together.

So, what is the lovely new babe receiving from his (it's a boy, by the way) from his honorary Auntie Karen?



His very own, preppy, sweater vest. This is the Owl Baby Vest (Ravelry Link), made from Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I know a fellow knitter can handle hand washing.

And here it is, all ready with a little white tee, and a special book. hehehehehe

The momma of this babe is a teen librarian so I managed to purchase an autographed copy of Go The F To Sleep by Adam Mansbach. You can hear Samuel L. Jackson read the book here Book reading. If you've ever been an exhausted parent, give a listen. ;-) Bill, my kids and I have all had a great giggle more than once with this book.

What else am I knitting? I joined a KAL for Stephen West's Mystery Shawl. Here is my progress so far:

This is my first attempt at intarsia, but each row only uses 3 colors at a time, so it isn't too bad. I love the yarn I chose, too - Madelinetosh Sport. Yummmy! Slow going for me, though. All the purling on the back side really slows me down.

I also finished a pair of socks, which were started three years ago!

My gauge had changed so much that I had to change needle size for the second sock. Three years ago, I started the first sock on size 2 (US) needles, and they were loosely knit. I had to cast on the 2nd sock on size 3 (US) needles to get the same gauge!

That's all for now. I hope to be here more regularly. Really. The kids start back to school Aug. 31./Sept 1.

Oh wait!!! Big news! Absent-Minded Professor had his braces taken off this week. He's looking totally different now!

What are you up to? What are you knitting?

Next for me, along with the shawl, and ever-present pair of socks is an afghan square for a swap in which I participate.