Collection of Chemo Caps

When we got home from Texas, I was happy to make some Chemo Caps from a beautiful teal-coloured wool I had received before we went. That done, I got a collection of yarns from the “donations” bag and made a few more. THEN I got a lot of grey yarn and bits and pieces of bright colours, also from the donations bag, and made another batch. That makes 18 Chemo Caps (so far)!
I still feel a little sad when I knit these caps, but I also feel that it’s important to do this work. I also love to find amazing patterns that are stylish and just might make someone feel better.
So, here’s the latest collection!

What I knit

First, I got back in to the swing of knitting after five weeks on the road. These are what I made:



At the back on the left is a Pacific Garter Rib with a Twist and a Bulky Waffle Hat is on the right. The front two are Ribbing and Lace Chemo Caps.

It was nice to have a variety of coloured yarns for the next three:



The pale pink is in the Graham pattern; the darker pink is a Diamond Head Beret; and the blue is an Opium Slouchy.

Next was the mix and match “collection”:



Clockwise from the top right, here are the patterns I used: Ryan, Newfie Hat, Bellezza, Hello New York Hat, and (my favourite, I think), a Beluga and Firefly Hat.

What I read

Since I got home, I finished three good books. In keeping with my Civil War obsession, I read Lynn Austin’s “All Things New” about Southern women trying to recover post-war. Then I switched to modern-day Orthodox Jews in “The Marrying of Chani Kaufman” by Eve Harris. Finally, a lovely story about 1930’s “Gold Star Mothers” who were sent by the U.S. government to visit the graves of their sons after WWI: “A Star for Mrs. Blake” by April Smith. This eclectic mix of books is why I love Goodreads and Bookpage.

What I watched

Oh, I love Netflix these days (and friend Heather who recommends the best things). I have been watching “Orange is the New Black” but then binged on the Swedish series called “The Bridge”. Oh, my. No knitting to this series, not only because it’s subtitled but also because it is SO compelling!

GREAT Knitting

Well, the knitting may not be “great”, but the kids that I knit for sure are!

What an exciting visit we had in May. My niece, her husband, and their three children came to Ontario. My Dad got to meet his latest, his GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER!

Here are four generations of my family:

I, of course, had to mark the occasion with a couple of knitting projects.

What I knit

I really do love Social Media. So does my niece who posts some great photos. Because of that, I was able to discern that the boys were interested in trains and dinosaurs! Of course, that meant new hats!

I made the Choo-Choo Toque first then used the same pattern and this Dinosaur chart. Tried for pictures of them in their hats, but too much excitement!

I am not to sure yet what interests my Great Niece, so I thought I would finish a project I started before Christmas. Actually, I had begun this for a newborn (she was born January 1), and must have made a big mistake somewhere, because it was looking way too large (I found a different pattern and made a newborn sweater and hat you can see again here).

So she now has two sets in this beautiful raspberry wool (Sirdar’s Snuggly DK I got at the great Aberdeens Wool Company in Lindsay. It turned out well and she will look sweet in this Basket Weave Sweater and Hat. I was able to find and use five matching buttons from David’s Mom’s button box. That was special for me, too.

What I read

Big knitting meant little time to read, but I did snag Janet Evanovich’s “Takedown Twenty” (guilty pleasure) and “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker” by Jennifer Chiaverini. Both were interesting and easy reads.

What I watched

I had avoided “Downton Abbey” for its entire run so far on TV. BUT Netflix got Season 1 and 2 and I was hooked. Then Season 3 came just in time. As did Season 4 on DVD via my friend, Pat. Saturation! Loved it.

Tweesta Treats

Usually I wouldn’t be knitting at this time of year or even thinking about it. But my obsession continues. So I have a few projects to share with you.

Before we headed to Texas for our winter tour (which you can read about here), I finished two projects for two of my Tweestas (you’ve already met the other two, Deb and Maggie).

Keeping in touch with friends through Social Media is very powerful. Some may not agree. But, if you’re like me and love to communicate with words (though not on the telephone), Twitter and Facebook – and blogging, I guess- are wonderful tools. I keep my Tweestas close that way.

What I knit

We love the East Coast, especially Newfoundland, and we love to visit there. My Tweesta, Alana, loves PEI; it’s where her parents live and her future “summer home” is. So I decided to knit her some Maritimes-inspired mitts.

These Newfoundland Mitts were fun to knit (and they are much easier than the Thrummed Newfie Mitts I still will create THIS WINTER):

Now, Alana has a daughter who is a Tweesta-in-training and who, among a million other things, loves frogs! So I couldn’t resist making this little hat for her. I found the Frog Chart on Pinterest and used a very basic hat pattern:

BTW, as predicted, she looks adorable:

My other Tweesta, Susan, admired some slippers I had made. So, of course, she got a pair! Notice how there is a colour theme in these last three projects?

What I read

I always think I will read a lot when we’re away, but the sights and sounds usually prevent it. But, I did read three great books.

I was able to buy the two Sandra Dallas books I was missing: “Buster Midnight’s Cafe” and “The Chili Queen”. Oh, how I love this woman’s storytelling. And, yay, a new one coming in September!

I also read “The Book Thief”. This one was compelling and I wept and wept. A sign of a good book?

Cuter Chemo Caps

My first batch of caps were a little conservative. I realize that I’ve known a lot of people with cancer (many surviving after many years!) and most are not conservative. They’re fun and strong and, frankly, stylish. While in treatment, why wouldn’t they and others want to wear something more fashionable. So I decided to be more daring. I found some patterns for the “slouchy” that are in vogue today. And I chose some beautiful yarn. And I knit with all the love and hope I could muster.

What I knit

My favourite is the ridged hat on the left made from the Stacked pattern. Then there’s the also perfectly - named Spiralini on the right. And there’s the “basic” (and it was) Slouchy Beanie. Again, I want the recipients to feel strong (and just a little stylish) when they wear these hats.

What I read

I’m having some trouble getting in to a book. I tried another Ann Hood and couldn’t get in to it (I always try to persevere, but sometimes I have to give up; it was too sad). I’m now trying “Miss Julia Takes Over” by Ann B. Ross (highly recommended by my retired library friends over breakfast). I’m not sure about it yet. It may just be time to reread an old favourite.

What I watched

Maybe I’m not reading because I’m doing a lot of watching. I’ve started “Downton Abbey” on Netflix and I LOVE it. And I’m watching the Olympics. One can only multi task so much!

“Great” Little Valentines

You have already met my “Greats”. And they ARE great. I continue to love knitting things for them, and have just received some pictures of them in my latest. Adorable.

What I Knit

I was very ambitious when I began these projects in October, thinking I’d have three sweaters completed in time to send for Christmas. Well, that didn’t work out (thus the football and Roughrider hats you saw in “Knitting for Kids”). But I am persistent, and I finally finished these:

When there are three children involved, there’s always an “occasion”, so these arrived in time for the eldest’s third birthday and the baby’s Baptism. The sweaters are even cuter when modeled by my “Greats”. Here’s the Quickie 5 Hour Baby Sweater and Hat (believe me, it took way more than five hours!):

I embellished the Child’s Basic Cardigan with Roughrider colours:

I am beginning to dislike patterns that say things like “quickie” and “basic” when nothing that involves sleeves and sewing seams is quick or basic for me. But looking at these kids in my creations makes it all worthwhile.

What I read

I read Kate Morton’s “The Secret Keeper” during this time. I love her books. As usual, it’s a story, set in Britain, about women whose stories cross time and generations. I seem to read a lot of books by women about women who either travel through time or who reflect on the past. Some of the best are by Barbara Erskine, Susanna Kearsley, and Diana Gabaldon (though I got tired of the “kilt up, kilt down” antics).

As I write this, I realize it’s almost time to stop knitting and get ready to head to some warmer weather and to write my other blog. But there’s still time for a few more projects!

Chemo Caps

I love knitting for friends and family. I’ve also been thinking that I should try knitting for charity. I found The Pridie Collection Boutique Yarn Shop on Facebook and read about their charity knitting projects. So I visited the shop, asked if I could knit Chemo Caps, and signed up.

What I knit

It was hard to get started because Christina said I could make what I wanted as long as I used the yarn she provided. Pressure. But, of course, the Internet came to the rescue. Sadly, a lot of people need Chemo Caps, so there are a lot of web sites with patterns. I made these three:

I made a Hurricane Cap (the one with swirls), a Striped Slip Stitch Hat (with the pink “ribbons”) and Side Step (the ribbed one).

I put a lot of love and hope and strength and power into these caps. I hope whomever wears these caps can feel that. And I hope they help.

What I read

I finished Fannie Flagg’s book. I laughed a little, cried a little and made friends with all of her wonderful characters. That was a great book.

Head and shoulders, knees and toes

Or a hat, two neck warmers, nothing for knees (what can you make for knees?) and slippers.

I have been finishing projects over the last few weeks. One big one has been mailed and will remain secret until delivered. But I did finish a “variety pack” of items for friends and loved ones.

What I knit

First, the “head”. And that’s David’s head! This man looks great in a toque, and I have made a few over these last two years. Some live in the ripped project pile, others are being worn, and the latest meets all the standards (I think). It’s a beautiful blue/gray, it’s snug enough, and it’s long enough. Phew. And I love it (and him!):

Now, my two “necks”. The first was for my Tweesta Maggie (you met another Tweesta, Deb, in her Contentment Cowl). Actually, Maggie gets to choose if these are “head” or “shoulder” items. She loves leopard print, and I found a leopard print knitting chart! So I decided on a headband. Version 1 (the orange leopard) turned out well, but a little tiny. The second, more subtle one, should work as a headband OR a neck warmer. Maggie is very flexible.

 

The next two projects (another neck and some toes) were made for my friends, Jocelyn and LeeAnn. I met LeeAnn at the college years ago. We reconnected at Curves and worked out side-by-side for a while. Jocelyn next joined us on the circuit. Then came Susan, a woman who was back exercising after treatment for Breast Cancer. We did some sweating and some serious bonding. When Susan became ill again, we started to meet at Starbucks then at Susan’s (with some restaurant visits, shopping, movies and a weekend in Toronto thrown in). We are the Coffee Girls (or Latte Ladies) and saw each other through Susan’s death and our grief. We have a strong bond.

I knit Jocelyn a lightweight drop stitch cowl in the most beautiful purple.

LeeAnn’s toes are being warmed in her Phentex Slippers (the only pair I’ve made this year). Her Mom makes these, too, and that, actually inspired me at the beginning of all this knitting. I wanted to give a pair to my friend, Heather, a couple of years ago. I was going to ask LeeAnn’s Mom to make me some. Instead, I decided to find the pattern and make my own. I’ve made several pairs now, but these are my favourites so far:

It was fun making all these items. When I knit, I think a lot about the people I’m knitting for. My thought were all good during these projects.

What I read

I started reading Fanny Flagg’s “The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion”. She sure can tell a story. And mostly about women. This one is the best I’ve read so far.

Knitting for Kids

So, no kids or grandkids but the desire to knit for kids. Thank you to my niece and her husband for having a beautiful family to satisfy this need! Okay, this is not why they have this family, but I’m delighted to be a Grauntie (my friend’s term for Great Aunt). I think the kids are going to call me “Chuch”, though. That’s a colloquial version of “Aunt” in Ukrainian. So excited.

Three years ago, when I started knitting, I wanted to make something for Great Nephew #1. Since the family is dedicated to the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team, I found a knitting chart for the logo and knit my first kid’s hat (I adapted it from this Penguin Hat pattern which I made for to other kids in Knitting Year 1) :

Last Christmas, there were two Great Nephews. And two new knitting projects. I stayed with the Roughriders theme and knit my first sweaters ever. Another success. This is the kids wearing them during the Grey Cup game in November 2013 (and yes, Saskatchewan won). I adapted a cute kid’s Frog Sweater for this. Love these boys:

What I knit

And THIS Christmas, there’s a third Great, a Great Niece. Wow, what a beautiful family. And a great opportunity to knit baby things, baby GIRL things! I was able to finish hats for the boys (they’re footballs in case you didn’t recognize them; I adapted this great Hat Pattern) and my Great Niece’s first hand-made Roughrider’s hat (using the best Newborn Hat pattern). Adorable threesome (and Mom in this picture):

Needless to say, there’s more in the works (can’t help myself).

It’s been fun looking through my Mom’s patterns for ideas. The books are for things she knit my brother and me AND for my niece and nephew. I feel very connected to my Mom when I knit for these kids.

What I read

I finished a wonderful book, especially for a knitter (recommended by http://bookpage.com/; check this out if you don’t already know this site for book reviews): Ann Hood’s “The Knitting Circle”. Hood writes about death and grieving, and you might think her books are too sad. But they’re also about loving and learning and sharing. This one concerns a woman who, after her child dies, joins a knitting circle and meets women (and a few men) who knit, tell their own stories, and help each other recover from great loss. It was beautifully written and compelling. I actually finished it very quickly, despite my own knitting.

Unkillable Cowl

I follow the Peterborough, Ontario Twitterfeed @Ptbo_Canada. Sometime late summer, they introduced Courtney Druce and her blog http://sassyblondecancerbegone.blogspot.ca/. She’s a local woman in her 20’s who is a four-time Cancer survivor. Yep, I said “four-time”.  The description for her blog says “No story will go untold, or be edited. Everything from diagnosis, to treatment, and life after. Be prepared... for everything and anything”. I found that irresistible. So I started to read her blog that day. And I’ve been hooked ever since. She is a funny, truthful, irreverent, saucy, and very good writer. Want to learn about living life, no matter what? Read Courtney’s blog. Amazing.

In her November 3 post, she wrote about her vow to “Fuck Cancer” and be “Unkillable”. The post featured a black and pink t-shirt that matched that sentiment. That set my needles clacking. I wanted to send Courtney something that would remind her of her strength and power and of how so many people, like me, care about her.

What I knit

Meet Courtney and her Unkillable Cowl:

I’m so excited that she liked it and wears it.

Just a bit more about Courtney. She and her Dad, John, are Co-Chairs for the local 2014 Pink in the Rink campaign. This is a partnership between the local hockey team, the Peterborough Petes, and the Canadian Cancer Society Peterborough and District Unit. Money will be raised from t-shirt sales and the big game against the big rivals, the Oshawa Generals, on February 6. Courtney is a great spokesperson for this important fundraiser. I look forward to following this venture, and getting a t-shirt!

What I read

I made Courtney’s cowl during my marathon Christmas knitting, so I didn’t read much. But I did finish “Fallen Women”. Good, but not my favourite Sandra Dallas book (I loved “Tallgrass” about a Japanese Internment Camp in Colorado. When we drove back from the West in 2011, we followed The Santa Fe Trail as much as we could. We happened upon Camp Amache, the name of the real internment camp. It was very moving and I was thrilled to recognize it in “Tallgrass”).