Knitting wise, that is
I settled down yesterday and got most of the back finished for the purple vest. I'm actually a bit farther along than in the picture - just about ready for the neck shaping. I've never done back neck shaping on a sweater before, but think I'll give it a whirl, just to see if I like the fit better.
On Sunday I went to the annual meeting of the local Historical Society. They were presenting a program on genealogy, and my boss Gretchen was going to explain some software newly available through the library. I thought I had better get the low down in case folks came with questions during my shifts. (I could have had her show me separately, but since we are both pretty busy it made sense to just attend the meeting). The main presenter gave a good talk about how to get started, with helpful handouts.
I'm a bit groggy today. Yesterday was my second election as a poll worker. I was originally scheduled for 1pm to closing, but on Mon. the village clerk called in a bit of a panic because one of the morning workers was sick. So I did the whole day from set up (6:45 am) to last tally and reporting sheets (8:30 pm).
It was a really slow day. There was only one item on the ballot, a primary for the State Superintendent of Education. I brought my knitting, of course. So did most of the other poll workers. Morning to early afternoon there were two baby blankets. At shift change the knit baby blankets left, and a crochet baby blanket arrived. My project for the day was another pair of legwarmers for the KFO service project.
There was plenty of down time for chat so I learned all about 1) current uproar over the girls' basketball coach at the high school, 2) an invasion of snakes at the local hardware store (last summer, though they may be back come spring). We also discussed how recent changes by the local Internet service provider had messed up every one's email, and hashed over current events on a more national scale. General agreement on what some of the problems were: did not reach consensus on the solutions, but were cordial when differences of opinion arose.
In its own way, an interesting day.
This time I decided to knit a topper separately and sew it on. I think the results are much neater this way.
This was completely improvised on the needles. In a nutshell: started with 12 sts, worked a couple of rows of garter, made a button hole, couple more rows garter; switched to double knitting for several inches to make the narrow strap; divided onto 4 dpns and worked in the round increasing 4 sts every other row until it seemed wide enough; worked a couple rounds even in stockinette, then 2 ridges of garter and bound off.
*********
Sister Annie P has a knack for finding interesting art, and I love seeing what she finds. So excuse me, I have to go follow up on the links she has here.
I've been sort of sliding on my stuff elimination resolution/goal. But today I tackled the linen closet (#16).
"Linen Closet" is sort of an honorary title. First off, nothing in it is actually made of linen. And secondly, "household linens" only occupy a small part of it.
The top shelf (half width) had a couple of hats: one a felt bowler and one Panama sun hat, some vintage hand knits, a "Christmas Sweater" with sequined Poinsettia. The Christmas sweater is now history. So, more reluctantly, is the Panama hat. It was a gift from a special person. But it flew off my head in the slightest breeze, so I never ended up wearing it.
Next shelf down held a jumble of sweaters and shawls. Mostly this one just needed straightening, but I did eliminate a couple lighter weight turtleneck sweaters and one wide scarf/shawl. I also found a wool pullover that I like and had completely forgotten - and in time to get some wear out of it yet this winter.
Third from the top: bed linens and socks (yes, I have too many socks to fit in my sock drawer. So?) Also spare soap, toothpaste, etc. I'm sending off two sets of sheets that fit a bed that used to be in this house. Also ditched a pair of knee high socks that had felted too much to fit. Also a pair of cotton socks that were too tight from the get-go.
Fourth shelf: towels and washcloths. Only one wrong color towel leaving, but I did tidy them up.
On the floor an assortment of cleaning supplies mutely but reproachfully reminds me that the best way to get rid of them is to actually use them. Um, yeah. Maybe tomorrow.
