Comfort Knitting

Sometimes I am baffled by my own actions.

I have all this gorgeous yarn, way too much of it, in fact.  I have lists of lovely, complex sweaters and shawls and socks pages and pages long that I would like to knit.

But what am I knitting?

A faeorese style shawl from scraps of sock yarn.

All blues/purples.  I was going to use random colors, but then I realized I could just use this color family and make it work.

I am going to switch color every 4 rows, alternating between blocks of stockinette and garter stitch for some texture, and I'll use some of the colors at certain intervals through the shawl - if my math of how much I have of each yarn works out in real life.

There are a few reasons for this.

1. I've been wating to do something with my sock yarn for a while but didn't want to make a blanket and this idea just poppped into my head friday afternoon.

2. When life gets complicated, sometimes a little boring knitting is just what you need to stay sane.

Which leads me to Duke, who is slowly losing his battle with the cancer.  The doc stopped the chemo, she thinks we're losing ground and says that there's no point in continuing to pour chemicals into his little body when we don't think they're making a big difference anyway. 

So, he's on his own, fighting off the cancer as best he can.  He still doesn't know he's sick, but it's just a matter of time now, and it's breaking my heart.

I'm also absurdly worried about Pixie, in the logical part of my brain I know she'll be fine, that while she doesn't know what's going on, she understands what's happening on a level that only an animal could know...on the other hand, she's NEVER been alone.  Never.  I had Duke first and they've only been separated three or four times since (11 years), when one or the other of them had to have a procedure done at the vet.  I just don't know how she'll react and if she'll be able to adjust.

There are some other things going on with us that are making my brain zoom around in frantic little circles spewing WHAT IFs in every direction my thoughts turn and I'll update you as I can, but I can't yet.

Also, there's this.

The mystery knit along I joined in the fall.  You can't see the ends because it is approximately 7' long, which is WAY too long for a scarf like this.  It just looks silly.  So I'm going to frog it and reknit it into something better.  

Oddly, after this experience, I have joined the next mystery knit along, but I am using MUCH smaller needles.

I guess between this scarf and the circle jacket I feel as though my attempts to knit beautiful, complicated things are biting me in the a$$, hence the shawl out of scrap sock yarn.

I'll leave you with a question.  If you had this:

What would you do with it?

I'm excited about jumping into the fair isle game, but there is so much yarn and SO many colors, I'm having a hard time deciding where to start!

Comments

[Jo Morgan]

Your sock yarn shawl looks really fun -- can't wait to see the finished product.

My prayers are with your and your precious Duke. I had a dog who was diabetic and sick for a long time--they are such game little beings--so brave and uncomplaining and it hurts that they can't tell you what they are feeling. have you ever read James Herriott's dog stories. There is a story about a situation similar to yours. I will try to find the namem of it and comment again.

Hugs yo you and your sweet babies. Jo

[Jo Morgan]

Apologies for all the typos in the first post--iPad finger. The story to which I referred is in James Herriot's book, "Dog Stories", chapter 34. It is about two dogs named Jingo and Skipper, onr young and vigorous, the other old and sick. James Herriot (only one "t") is an English vet who wrote a series of books and was featured on a PBS series. His books seem to be available on Amazon and should also be easy to find in the library. I'm talking like you don't know his work--sorry if that is presumptious. My Liesl, Ben and I wish you well. Jo

[Nancyde]

I am so sorry to hear that poor little Duke is not responding to the chemo now. I know how this must hurt your heart. He has had a wonderful life I know and he will never have to suffer or feel pain--you need to concentrate on that thought. I think Pixie will be fine. I had a similar situation and I think Pixie will go through a period of mourning and then accept the role of senior dog and give you some of the same behaviors as Duke. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy

[Jocelyn]

Oh, hon. I'm so sorry to hear about Duke - I know just how heartbreaking that is. I promise, Pixie will indeed be OK in the end, but there will be a period of adjustment (for all of you!). Meanwhile, give both him and you hugs from me - you need them.

As for the yarn, wow! So many gorgeous colors - I think I'd be overwhelmed, too. A colleague of mine did a lovely fair isle vest that used lots of colors, I don't know the pattern, but maybe something like that?