The Universe has a way of shaking you up sometimes - just to see if you’re paying attention :)
I had some medical tests come back with elevated numbers so my doctor scheduled some further tests to check things out. For the last week I’ve been existing in a state of low grade panic and been utterly unable to knit. Finally, yesterday he was able to tell me there were no abnormalities or anomalies. The numbers were what they were and it may mean another round of chemotherapy sometime later on (this will be the third time - ugh!), but for now things are okay.
So, of course, last night I knitted :) There’s a sweet lady at the hospital who takes care of getting my medical information to my insurance company when they ask for it. It’s a pain in the ass job because, well frankly, I don’t think my insurance company could find its backside with both hands and a flashlight - and I don’t imagine any other insurance company is any better. And this dear woman has to deal with all the insurance companies of all the cancer patients. She manages to do this calmly and efficiently and never blames the patient.
I wanted to show my appreciation so I started playing last night with scarf ideas. As this woman has a beautiful pink complexion and snow-white hair, I’m going to use the Cherry Blossom wool of the Andes. It will be gorgeous on her!
I tried a plain repeated razor shell as in the lovely Lace and Agate scarf. It didn’t look bad but it wasn’t exciting either. I’m playing now with a trinity stitch variation used to make the Strawberry Afghan.
Strawberry stitch
The stitch is interesting, consisting of the usual (k1, yo, k1), P3tog sequence. The increases, however, are worked over three more rows before being decreased away. There is also a little “stem” for the little raised bubble that is formed. It’s very pretty, but having gotten through a repeat and a half of the pattern, I can see some problems with my initial assumptions.
I like a scarf to have a border and my favorite border is seed stitch. However, because the strawberry stitch is so highly textured itself, the seed stitch just makes for a somewhat visually messy look (I think). Also either the side borders should have been narrower or the bottom border should have been worked for a few more rows. So what’s shown in the above picture will be frogged while I re-think how to do this. Perhaps isolated, single columns of the stitch would look better than making the whole fabric that way.
We’re off up to Maine today, as much to celebrate as for any other reason and we apparently have a gorgeous day for the trip.
Sometimes, things work out :)
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Ah - I wondered what happened to you! Glad to hear that things are status quo for awhile longer. What a relief that must be!
As always, I look forward to seeing what you settle on for your pattern. :)
ditto to what bron said-
i know the ‘insurance lady’ will be happy to get something other than complaints- what a nice idea and what a pretty cheerful color too-
stay happy-
Very glad to hear the good news.
ditto everyone above
The pink strawberries look very enticing!
I’m glad things are okay for today. :)
Glad to hear the good news….. Hope you had a great day in Maine. :)
Robbyn -
I’m glad your numbers weren’t out of range. Big sigh of relief!
I’ve heard of people being able to knit when upset but I’m not one of them, either.
And it’s very sweet of you to make that woman a scarf.
In the ins. companies defense (NOT) it’s very difficult to be searching with both hands AND hold a flashlight.
Ooooh yes! Single columns! Pure and simple.
Thank you all for your very kind comments :) I’m so glad to be knitting again and yes Bron, relief doesn’t begin to describe it :)
Hi Abi - nice to see you again!
Laurie - Heheh…yeah, that would require organization, something I don’t think most insurance companies have much concept of or experience with :)
Laura - Well, I went with another idea for today’s swatch, but I’m getting to the columns - honest!
