Monday, June 11, 2007

My Perfect Monkey

Before I get to the good stuff, I must apologize for being absent for so long. I can't believe it's been two weeks of no blogging, emailing or anything. Too much has been going on here for the last 2 weeks, and unfortunately I chose my computer time as the thing that had to stop for a bit. So in case you're wondering what has had me MIA for the last 2 weeks, it's mainly been just too much going on coupled with severe exhaustion, since my health problems have not improved (see note at the bottom of this post). I do promise to catch up on all my emails and blog reading by this weekend, so please be patient with me. I've missed so much so this will be fun to catch up on what you've all been up to for the last 2 weeks.

I have been doing a tiny bit of knitting in between all the things that have been going on, so first up, here's My Perfect Monkey Socks!

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
Pattern Source: Knitty.com Winter 2006
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, P43835
Needles: Knit Picks 2.5mm (2 - 24" circulars)

This is my 2nd pair of Monkeys but my first time knitting with the Koigu. Although I think my first pair of Monkeys flopped, I definitely LOVE this pair. Then again, how can you go wrong when you pair up the perfect pattern, yarn and needles?

Of course I knit these from the toe-up using Judy's Magic Cast-On and utilized instructions from past correspondence with Judy to do the toe and heel modifications to make the pattern work. Thank you! Without Judy's guidance in teaching me how to convert patterns, I'd still be stuck knitting everything from the cuff down. ...not that there's anything wrong with that.

If you've never knit with Koigu KPPPM, I most definitely recommend that you either get to your LYS or find some online and order it immediately. If I had any idea how utterly fabulous this yarn is, I would have bought more than 2 skeins. Sadly, I have no more Koigu in my stash, but it is at the top of my priority list when my wallet recovers from the purchase of DH's birthday gift.

Since I've received a few requests, I'm considering writing up my version of the Monkey pattern written toe-up. Of course I think I'll need to contact the designer first for her permission, so when that happens (or not), I'll post that information here.

A final note totally off topic. For those of you who have inquired, I finally have news regarding my health problems. There has been much drama surrounding everything and I blame it on switching to a HMO doctor, but suffice it to say, I do not have diabetes. YEAH! Big party at my house right now! What I DO have is a sub clinical hypothyroidism, which means my body is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone. My doctor has chose NOT to treat this condition with medication. Obviously ... he's an arsehole. If he had my symptoms (severe fatigue, muscle pain,weight gain, and messed up menstrual cycles), he'd be medicating himself in a heartbeat. What's especially frustrating is that the medication has NO side effects unless your dose is too high, and those side effects are actual very mild. Needless to say, I'm going to be picking up my medical records and finding a new doctor.

24 comments:

Emma said...

Those are perfect Monekys! Beautiful.

Laura said...

The socks are *fabulous*!

Hooray! No diabetes! That is worthy of a celebration. :-)

Ooh, no wonder you've been feeling so poorly. You definitely need to fix that condition, gf.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to hear it's not diabetes! I'm also glad to hear you'll be looking for another doctor! Any doctor who'd make you suffer needlessly shouldn't be allowed to practice.

Your monkey socks are great.

Chrissy said...

Very pretty Monkeys! I love them in such a vibrant blue.

Lara said...

Gosh, Krisite, I am so sorry you have been feeling so bad. At least you know what it is now...however, I can not understand why your Dr. wouldn't give you medication to help you! Glad you are finding a new one.

Your Monkeys, on the other hand, are awesome! Now I must try Koigu. Just what I need, more yarn in my stash.

Anyway, I have missed your blogging, to say the least and glad you are back. I so understand that life gets in the way though!

Dave said...

Monkey ... Koigu ... blue! What's not to love!?

Brena said...

You definitly need a new doctor!!!!

And those Monkey's look great, especially on your feet!

Micki said...

Wow, those are indeed the perfect Monkeys!

I've been worried about you, so I'm thrilled that you posted today. It must be such a relief to finally have a diagnosis. (BTW, that sound you may have just heard was me blowing a big raspberry in the general direction of your doctor.)

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! you've been missed.

I love the Monkeys. I love Koigu. I really think it's my favorite yarn. (Although STR is close behind. And Fleece Artist Sea Wool. And Trekking. OK... all the yarns.)

My favorite pair of socks are knit from Koigu. That's a safe statement. :-)

The doctor is an arse. Find one that will treat you. It will take 6 - 8 weeks of treatment to feel better, so hang in there. Once it kicks in, you won't believe the difference.

P.S. Thanks for the shout-out!

Carole Knits said...

The socks are great. I'm glad you got a diagnosis and hope you'll find the proper treatment right away! I've missed you a lot.

Cathy said...

You did a fabulous job on the socks - can't wait to make myself a pair and I would definately love to have your modifications.

I'm sorry to hear that your HMO Doctor has dropped the ball! I went for a thyroid ultrasound today as mine is extremely enlarged but the blood tests are coming back normal. Doesn't it seem as though everything happens at once?! I truly hope you can find a doctor soon that will help you to feel like your old self again!

Teyani said...

your socks look grand
how about checking the natural viewpoint on docs...there is a vitamin called thytrophin that really helps support the thyroid.... maybe it'd help you out?

Karen said...

Holy crap!!!! How can a doctor diagnose you with a problem, and then choose not to provide you with the medicine you need for relief. That is the most terrible thing I've ever heard. I am so so sorry!!! I hope you are able to find a new doctor, and I hope he gets reported!!!!

Your Monkey socks look terrific. Hurray for Koigu!!!! :)

abby said...

So glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery! Knowing is half of the battle, and I hope that you can find a doctor that shows a little respect!

Your Monkeys are just lovely - I'm glad that you got to try Koigu. Isn't it wonderful? :)

KeanaLee said...

Just Beautiful!

jillian said...

Those are perfect! Beautiful variegation but you can still see the stitch pattern so well.

And so glad you have a diagnosis, and for something treatable (once you find a non-a**hole doctor)! Isn't it his/her hippocratic oath? How can you be suffering and not give you medication that has so little side effects? I know how much those kind of symptoms can interfere with your quality of life. I will keep my fingers crossed you can find a worthwhile doc very soon and get better!

Anonymous said...

I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Let me tell you the medication was a miracle. At almost 6 weeks to the day of starting the medication I felt a 100% better and all my symptoms disappeared. When they came back, we did lab tests and my numbers were low again. With an increase in meds I am now feeling very well. My doctor and I discussed whether to treat the symptoms or the lab values. We chose to treat the symptoms. We now keep my TSH level under 2. If it is over 2 I have symptoms. Please go to another doctor. This medication is not harmful. It will enhance your life to feel better. Judy Diehl jdiehl6@hrtc.net

slyn said...

I am in love with your socks, don't tell Jason!

kathy b said...

Well, my suggestion as a nurse is ask a nurse for your new doctor. We can suggest a few that we respect.

Monkey os wonderful.

I love Koigu. Again, my LYS has a huge selection and she takes mail orders. I think I need more, now that you mention it!

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

I'm a huge Koigu enthusiast myself.Thanks for the 'Judy' link, I'll check that out for sure. Your Monkey socks look great, nice work!

Jodi said...

Beautiful socks! You found the perfect yarn for them. I don't often see Koigu in nice blues (my favorite color).

Good luck with the MD search. My mom had the opposite problem (hyperthyroidism), started the meds, and recovered very quickly. She was sad to regain some of the weight she had lost with the hyperthyroid condition, though.

Anonymous said...

Those are gorgeous monkeys! I love toe-up magic cast on socks!

Good for you for being your own advocate. Your doctor does not have your best interest in mind. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Sarah said...

So sorry you've not been feeling well, but clearly you've been translating your frustration into some very lovely knitting! Your Monkeys look fantastic in that blue.

I'd be willing to bet that if you contact Cookie about writing a toe-up version of the pattern, she'll be fine with it as long as you give her credit for the original pattern. I modified her Pomatomus pattern to reverse the direction of the lace, and she was fine with my publishing the changes on my blog.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, I'm so relieved that it's not diabetes that you're having! But then again - what a nightmare it must be getting the diagnosis first, worrying all this time and then finding out that all the worrying mustn't have taken place - what kind of doctor is that? The same goes for the fact that he doesn't want to treat your symptoms - please, do get out and find yourself a new doctor soon, as it seems to be, everyone would be better than your old doc ;( I'm having my fingers crossed over here and sending over all kinds of good wishes and positive energies that you'll get some good medication and will be feeling better very, very soon!
Oh, and I adore your Monkeys - absolutely beautiful!