Treatment 7, Hat 6, Yarn Stash 2 (hut, hut)

(Felt a little like Ben Roethlisberger calling a play for a minute there...)

So, while spending the holidays in Gonzales, LA I hit the local Joanne Fabric store for their yarn sale. And picked up enough to finish the rest of the 17 chemo caps.

This should see me through to the finish line, with some left over for extra caps when I'm sitting in the oncologist's office waiting for him. He's always at least 45 minutes late because he spends as much time with a patient as that patient needs to spend with him. I just view it as good knitting time...

I'm changing the style of hat for this series. I'd been playing with designing a pillbox-type of hat last year, with Turkish colorwork all over. So I stole some techniques from that hat, refigured it for this thicker worsted weight yarn and Hats 6-10 were born! Here's #6, knitted over the holidays in Louisiana while watching the yellow skies to see if any tornadoes dropped out of the clouds.

Yarn used was Red Heart Collage in Color 2934 Tundra. It's a nice soft worsted with slow color changes. And I chose a traveling rib stitch for its interesting texture. I apologize if these all look a bit like mushrooms--I was in a bit of a hurry to catch the nice light coming in the window and wasn't too worried about what I used to display the hats for photography (there's a small plate and a bottle of poison ivy medicine underneath that hat to give it the proper shape and elevate it).

I'm off therapy for two days, so won't be posting till Monday. See ya then!

Hat #5

Back to the original cap yarns, this cuff is Patons Beehive Baby Chunky in Color 76201 Swifter Sea (this yarn has some weird names, dontcha think?) and the rest of it is Deborah Norville Serenity Chunky Sprinkles in Color DN350-06 Tadpoles. Again, the buttons were those extra replacement buttons in a navy blue. I think I like this colorway the best.

So, last week they gave me a permanent Valet Parking pass because they feel that radiation oncology patients shouldn't have to walk to/from the parking lot in the rain, cold or heat. It's not good for our tender skin and radiation therapy can cause fatigue and a whole range of temporary conditions, so they're nice enough to make it easy on us. I didn't want to use it at first but found myself running late because the flu epidemic has jammed the parking lots and driveways of the hospital. So I've been using the pass this week. And I drive a manual transmission (a 'stick shift' for those of us of A Certain Age). It amuses me no end that each day the 2 fellas who are on duty will hang back and let the 1 young lady park my car--I suspect they don't feel comfortable without their automatic vehicles! It's just so cute...

Tomorrow, a whole new pattern and new yarns!

Hat #4

I needed a change-up, so this cuff is Patons Beehive Baby Chunky in Color 76233 Quicker Clover, while the bulk of the hat is Bernat Pipsqueak in Color 1205. Although I loved this yarn when I bought it, it turned out to be a little unpleasant for me to work with. When I looked closely at the label I found that it's 100% polyester, which I can't wear because it just feels squicky against my skin--so that explains the unpleasantness. Your mileage may vary as I know lots of folks love polyester clothing for it's resistance to wrinkles.And it's as soft as a babys bottom! The button was one of those extra ones that they hang on new clothing, thinking that folks can sit down and sew on a replacement button when the dog chews one off. I have a cat who could care less about buttons so that's not an issue here at Chez Feistywoman. Although leaving raw alpaca fiber lying around is just asking for trouble!

And yes, Karl, he loved the alpaca yarn. Thanks again!

Hat #3

Here's the third hat, same yarns but different colorways. The cuff is Patons Beehive Baby Chunky in Color 76233 Quicker Clover, while the bulk of the hat is Deborah Norville Serenity Chunky Sprinkles in Color DN350-04 Playdate. Most of the tufts on this yarn stayed on the purl or inside of the cap where I thought they'd be extra soft against chemo-abused skin. And I think those buttons are from the 60s! Yikes!

Speaking of skin, mine feels tight--like Joan Rivers' face but just on the left side. I suppose that's the skin damage caused by the radiation and the skins attempts to heal itself. Three more treatments this week and my poor face gets to rest/recover for two days!

Both sons are now home from their vacation in Peru and I'll be meeting up with DS #2 for lunch tomorrow. Woot! So nice to know that they safely hiked the Inka Trail up to Macchu Picchu. That's a very scary trail, at least for those of us who don't deal well with being on the edge of steep places.

Treatment #3, Hat #2

As mentioned earlier, the first series of 5 hats were made with a pattern from M. Nishioka, aka I Like Lemons. She had a free copy of the hat on her blog and also on Ravelry--it's the Button-Tab Knit Hat. I made a few changes to the pattern as my yarn was a bit thicker than she used, and the buttons came from my 20+-year-old button jar. 

I used a lot of baby yarn in my caps because it's made to be ultrasoft, and this is no exception. The cuff is Patons Beehive Baby Chunky in Color 76007 Lushest Lace, while the bulk of the hat is Deborah Norville Serenity Chunky Sprinkles in Color DN350-02 Baby Blues. Most of the tufts on this yarn stayed on the purl or inside of the cap where I thought they'd be extra soft against chemo-abused skin.The buttons were leftovers from a jacket I made for myself (back when I used to/had to sew my own clothes) back in the 70s. Yeah, I'm THAT old.

And I had my weekly meeting with the doc today--no problems to report as I'm just in the beginning of the therapy. And I still plan to walk with the neighbor or hit the gym 5 times a week no matter what.

Hat #1

Sounds a little like Thing 1 from Dr. Seuss, doesn't it? This is the post that should have happened yesterday but was waylaid by busyness. I'm still working my way through the 17 chemo caps--on No. 8 currently. Here's the first hat, and I'm hoping to post one each day.

The first series of 5 hats were made with a pattern from M. Nishioka, aka I Like Lemons. She had a free copy of the hat on her blog and also on Ravelry--it's the Button-Tab Knit Hat. I made a few changes to the pattern as my yarn was a bit thicker than she used, and the buttons came from my 20+-year-old button jar. As my Mom said, you never know when you'll need a certain button so why not save them for the future?

I used a lot of baby yarn in my caps because it's made to be ultrasoft, and this is no exception. The cuff is Patons Beehive Baby Chunky in Color 76007 Lushest Lace, while the bulk of the hat is Deborah Norville Serenity Chunky Sprinkles in Color DN350-03 Bunnyhop. Most of the tufts on this yarn stayed on the purl or inside of the cap where I thought they'd be extra soft against chemo-abused skin. I thought that it was a good omen when the only orphaned silver button I had in my jar was a heart!

I've already had the second of the 17 treatments, so I'm behind on posting by one hat. That one will appear on Monday. Till then, have a great weekend everyone! Oh, and I wanted to say--GO PACKERS! (Well, if the Steelers ain't in the playoffs, at least I want to see the Ravens and Bengals given a good beating)

The challenge begins!

Now that I'm returned from my holiday travels, I have started my radiation therapy. It was rather weird today, being under a mask of my face so that I'm immobile during the treatment. And today was a bit longer than usual because they had to do a few images before therapy. But all in all, it wasn't bad at all. And I can have valet parking all month, too! Which means not walking across the parking lot when it's blustery or rainy. Yay!

I love making hats. They're such quick small projects, yet give me the opportunity to pair up colors and textures and play with hat shapes. Here's a couple photos of the first yarn purchase, and the possible pairings for the hats. However, not everything turns out as we first expect..... 

No hat pix yet, although I have half a dozen finished. There is some sewing that needs to happen before I can post photos. And there was another yarn purchase that happened last week, too! Stay tuned....

Some personal news and a knitting/crochet challenge

To make a long story short, I found a lump on my face this past summer. Had it removed on Oct. 17 but didn't receive the pathology report until Dec. 2, just 2 days after my brother's chemo was stopped. It was a MALT tumor, a rare type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I've seen the oncologist and been tested, everything looks to be clear except the margins around the tumor. Bypassing the medical technical jargon, it's not the type of tumor or surgery that would ensure that they got it all. So it looks like I'm heading for radiation therapy in the new year, barring a positive bone marrow biopsy (not likely).

Here's the thing--during my trips to chemo facilities with family members and my own recent trips, I am stunned by the friendliness, gentleness and kindness of the patients. And they are friendly, gentle and kind regardless of the type or stage of their disease. So, here’s my plan. I’m planning to make 17 chemo caps, one for each of my sessions. When I’m finished I’ll donate them to my cancer center (if my radiation oncologist has found the lady he wanted to contact) or another cancer facility in Pittsburgh. I’ll post my progress here, starting some time after the New Year since I don’t have a therapy schedule yet. If you want to make a few caps (or a lot of caps), I’d be happy to collect them and add them to my donation. Just email me for my mailing addy--carol(underscore)mcfadden(at)verizon(dot)net. However, if you want to find a facility in your own town to contribute them I’m good with that too. That way I’m not asking you good folks to spend money on postage, and the cancer patients who need something pretty and warm will still have their caps.

I just did a Ravelry search on ‘chemo caps’ and came up with 9 pages of free patterns. Since I just bought 10 skeins of various worsted yarn today--hurrah for Joanne Fabrics coupons!--that narrowed it down to 4 pages. There’s quite a few that would be good stash-busters, some cute cloches, and one do-rag that ties in the back. I tried to stick with bright but not too garish colors--burgundy, blues, grey mottled, one or two skeins of brighter happy yarns. That way the caps can be worn with a dress coat or a jeans jacket. There are also a lot of websites that give tips on type of yarn, etc for chemo caps.

I just feel that I’m lucky in the type of cancer I have/had and that there’s a cure just around the corner. So many folks do not have that, or they don’t have their own angels like I have, but they still smile at everyone in the waiting room and chemo areas and they fight a battle each day. I’m simply trying to pass around the good fortune I have. Won't you join me?

Thank you!

I want to thank all those who were there for myself and my family this past week:

To those who posted comments on my blog...
To the 7 Bluegrass artists who showed up at the funeral home and played for 2 hours...
To my SIL who allowed me to be a part of my brothers last journey...
To my nephew who drove 16 hours to be here...
To the nephews and nieces who wanted to be here but couldn't get away...
To the brother who turned around in WV and drove all the way back to be there for Paul...
To the grandnieces who sat by him and sang to him...
To the nephew and his wife who stood by him these last 2 months...
To the family friends who sent flowers, donations, food and fruit to help ease our days...
To the cyberfriends who I've never met but who were nonetheless there for me...
To anyone I missed in this list but who were equally important to us...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness will always stay in my thoughts.

RIP Paul

Just a quick tribute to my brother Paul, who passed from this world last evening after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was such a good guy, someone you would have been happy to know. I'll miss those long discussions over a cup or two of coffee, and the stupid way you answered your phone: "Hi! What's on. Your mind?"

My brothers L to R: Art, Ralph and Paul, c. 1950

Celebrate Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday with a SALE!!

Celebrate Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday--Starting immediately and through midnight on Monday, Nov. 26, all items in my Etsy shop will be discounted 20% when you use coupon code Cyber2012 when checking out.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/feistywomandesigns

Buy fiber for your spinning friends, buy yarn for your crafting friends! And have fun shopping!

My article on carding has been published!

Several months ago I wrote an article on blending fibers/fibres with a drumcarder. A friend of mine did the photo shoot and we sent it off to Yarnmaker Magazine.  I've just gotten word that the November issue is on the stand in the UK and in the mail to subscribers. I'm so happy to be a part of this magazine and to be helpful in spreading textile pursuits around the globe. It's a great magazine with tons of informative articles--check your international news stands for a copy, although I'm not sure that it reaches us here on the other side of the pond.

Best brother ever!

Our house c. 1943 One of those guys on the porch is my skinny brother!

2005--Always up to something goofy

Family reunion in '08

Fixing our cellar steps, 2008

So good to see you again yesterday, although the circumstances are not the best. Despite our differences over the years, you were always willing to see the other guy's side of the issue and consider your actions. Although sometimes you needed to be smacked with the Clue-By-Four (don't we all?). You know you are my inspiration in my own battle?

See you in two weeks.

New/old batts and other news

I've been revisiting old colorways, revamping some to bring them up to date with new materials and/or colors, and relisting them in the shop. The most recent additions:

Eggplant batts--Merino, silk and bamboo

Onion Chutney--Merino wool and bamboo

 

Apples and Oranges, inspired by Cezanne--100% Merino wool

Apples and Oranges--quick and easy marbled yarn!

After a hectic summer of teaching and traveling, I promised myself that I'd be more efficient and regular at posting updates and bits of information on spinning and knitting. Life keeps laughing at my attempts to be efficient and regular. I'll be off-and-on this blog for the next few weeks as family issues take priority over my time. But I'll be making batts, spinning yarn, tackling knitting mysteries and posting when I can.

Life is short, make it count!

What's old is new again

Despite the fact that there's plenty of inspiration around (those autumn colors were changing daily!), I decided to go back in time and rework some of the older colorways. Actually, some of them don't need any reworking as they're fine the way they were. Others need a bit of tweaking, a little different shade of a color or a different way of carding the wool for a better end product (yarn or felt). First up, finished this afternoon and originally inspired by Cezanne's still life, Apples and Oranges

Hurricane Sandy

Is everyone ready for Sandy? I have enough water set aside to make coffee in case the power goes, and enough knitting/spinning to keep me occupied. Keep yourselves safe, please.

I haz a distaff, I haz a distaff (insert Snoopy happy dance)

I've been hunting for a free-standing distaff for at least a decade. Ebay, Etsy, Google searches, word of mouth, antique shops, begging every woodworker I met--nothing. Last year my Google-fu worked and I found Bill Hardy of Turnstyles and asked him to make a distaff in walnut. My oldest brother, who I never met because he passed away the year before I was born, planted 7 walnut trees along our driveway in 1943. Six of the trees are still there, although I no longer get the walnuts from them because the squirrels always beat me to them. Walnut is my favorite nut and my absolute favorite wood.

Bill emailed me last month to say that the distaff was finished. This weekend we drove to Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival with the express purpose of picking up the finished distaff. I immediately ran over to it in the booth and hugged it and petted it, alarming Bill's son because the distaff had a 'Sold' sign and he didn't realize I was the buyer. I am so happy with this wonderful piece of equipment. The workmanship is supurb, even Bill's choice of where to place the turnings to accent the grain, the tines of the lantern top will pop out for storage (meaning they won't be prone to breaking), and Bill included two extra tines just in case there's an accident. The whole thing unscrews for storage! I am just over-the-moon happy with this and can't wait to dress it with flax for spinning.

Full height, about 5.5 ft.

Extension removed to MY height

Extension with hand-carved screw

Base--LOOK at that wonderful grain!

We settled the deal and I left the distaff to wander the festival for a bit. When we returned, I couldn't resist playing with the spindles. Now, I'm not normally a spindler because I use my yarn for knitting and I want it FAST--spindles just don't fit the bill for my purposes. However, this little spindle was just too fine to leave all alone in the booth and so it followed me home. Along with a new pen for the Husbeast, who said it called out to him for a home.

Yep, it was a good weekend!

Spring Flower Fever has struck!

I've been overjoyed at the spring flowers everywhere. Perhaps it's because the deer ate my hibiscus buds just before they bloomed, and 'trimmed' my rhododendroms severely this winter, but I NEED some color and scent this spring. My Easter azaleas (Husbeast and sons know that I love spring flowers and buy me some each Easter) are in the ground and have survived several frost warnings. A good friend brought me a bunch of blue hibiscus yesterday to cheer me after the deer damage to my own. And the one flower the deer don't seem to like for dinner are the wood violets that cover large portions of our lawn. So I went a little crazy in the studio last week and tried to reproduce some of my favorites, although I'm not quite sure how to mimic hibiscus flowers. Here's my results, available in my Etsy shop:

Wood Violets

 

Azaleas

And the thick 'n thin yarn spun from one of the batts, which will also appear in my Etsy shop as soon as I print a label with weight, suggested needle size, etc.

Azaleas yarn

And don't forget the Great Lakes Fiber Show in Wooster, OH. Tomorrow, April 30, is the last day to sign up for workshops and there are some great classes this year.

Guild exhibit at Shaler Library during the month of May; Reminder to register for classes at Waynesburg Festival

The Butler Spinners and Weavers Guild is hosting a display of textiles at the Shaler Library on Mt. Royal Blvd. My friend and I are hanging the show and did a mock-up of the display this past week. Folks, there are some lovely pieces in the show. Our guild is full of talented people. I'm entering 3 pieces but have only photographed one, the handspun handknit linen market bag. It's a small bag but I'm sure I can fill it up at the yarn store (like I need more yarn?).

With apologies to my guildmates, here's a few shots of other pieces.....

This is going to be a great show!



And I wanted to remind folks that this is the first year classes are being offered at the Waynesburg Sheep and Fiber Festival in mid-May. There are some great knitting, spinning, crochet classes being offered for first-time crafters and this is a great opportunity to learn a new skill! Yep, I'm the spinning teacher and I'm looking forward to meeting some wonderful new spinners that weekend.

Fractal spinning the easy way!

I was reading some Ravelry posts about spinning handpainted or dyed roving and noticed discussions about fractal spinning. This is a method of dividing the roving so that the colors and spun in differing lengths. Usually the roving is split in half and the first half is spun up. The second have is split into 2 or 4 or however many you want strips and spun up. These two differently spun singles are then plied--the lengths of color will not match each other, giving a richer color distribution throughout the plied yarn. And I realized that two of my sock batts would make fractal yarn! I came up with this concept because I was tired of the blended and/or striped sock batts I'd been making (yes, I spin up my new ideas and knit socks for myself before I put the batts up for sale). If you pull these batts into strips and spin them in order or Z-strip them for spinning, you will create the same fractal effect as handpainted roving. And my batts contain purple, which is ALWAYS a good idea!

Spectra

Zombie Party