Must find my mojo

Has anyone seen my blogging mojo? Somehow I've lost it and I can't seem to find it anywhere. I used to absolutely love sitting at the computer multiple times a day for hours reading everyone's knitting adventures, but for the last month (or so) ... I've barely sat at the computer at all. I'm sure I even owe many of you an email (or two, or three or maybe even four) with a "thank you" for all the compliments on my last pair of socks and the "get well" wishes, but all I can offer at this time is my deepest apology. It does mean a lot to get comments from you even if I've failed recently to respond. Please accept my humble apology and know that I'm going to sincerely try to do better at that.

The only thing that really explains my lack of activity in blog-land, is because I honestly just haven't felt well enough to sit at the computer for any length of time. I've been having my fair share of the run around with doctors and I'm fed up to my eyeballs with the whole thing. If you want to know what's going on, read the next paragraph, but if not, definitely skip it.

The last doctor told me that I probably do have hypothyroidism, but that he wanted to treat my fibromyalgia first. What? Excuse me? Fibro-what? Where did this diagnosis come from? He pretty much refused me the necessary thyroid medication and instead gave me some other drugs instead for the fibromyalgia. So where does that leave me? Well, I have a bunch of free meds I will never take for a condition I'm not sure I have, and still nothing to treat what I think the real problem is. I contacted my insurance company and although it's going to cost me some money, I've opted to refer myself to a endocrinologist. Thankfully I have an appointment Thursday morningand if I can't get the help I need there I'm throwing myself off the roof of my house. No need to worry though.. I have a single story home, so it's hardly even worth the climb to the top.

In knitting news, there's actually not been a lot of knitting in the last few weeks. Currently, I'm finishing up a pair of socks that I've been working on for weeks and weeks. I also finally figured out the crochet edge on my shawl that has been sitting unfinished for approximately a month. When I figured out how simple the edging was I was so mad at myself for not attempting it sooner. I think committing to not starting any new shawls until that one was finished was all the motivation I needed and now that shawl is finally blocking.

I've also just completed blocking the swatch for the Mystery Stole 3 KAL. I'm so glad MS3 came along and that I joined since this project actually has me excited to knit again. For the last 2 weeks, I haven't hardly even looked at my needles, let alone knit with them. Now that my swatch is complete, I'm anxiously awaiting the first clue for MS3, especially since I'm knitting with the Lane Borgosesia Cashwool yarn I picked up at the Loopy Ewe. It wasn't in the budget, but I honestly have been wanting a black shawl for myself and since there was no black laceweight in my stash, I HAD to shop!

By the way, the other photo is just a few more skeins of the Panda Cotton yarn in ivory. I didn't want the Cashwool to ship all by itself from The Loopy Ewe, so the Panda Cotton joined it in the journey to my home. I think it will be perfect for another pair of summer socks.

My PJ's

I've had these silly things finished for a few days, but finally got the photos taken, so here are my new PJ's (PandaCotton Jaywalkers)

Pattern: Jaywalker by Grumperina
Pattern Source: MagKnits September 2005
Yarn: Crystal Palace Panda Cotton in Faded Jeans
Needles: (2) Knit Picks Circulars size 2.5mm (1 1/2 US)

Modifications: Knit toe-up using Judy's magic cast-on. In the pattern stitch, I knit 5 stitches in between the increase and decrease stitches instead of the 7 or 8 as the pattern states. If I were to knit these again with this yarn, I'd do 6 stitches in between the increase and decrease sections. It's not that they are tight, but I would prefer them a bit less "snug". I also chose to shorten the leg section to make these more of a summery ankle-length sock.

Notes: I'm definitely in love with this yarn. It is PERFECT for the California (or warm climate) sock-knitter. It's soft, a bit stretchy, comes in a great assortment of colors and not only does it feel light-weight and a bit "airy", but it's antimicrobial. It does split a bit, but not any more noticeable than my current yarn (Regia Silk 6-ply). I was originally going to knit Sockbug's Crooked Cable Socks, but because I couldn't get gauge, I had to abandon it and remembered that the Jaywalker pattern could probably be easily modified. By changing the amount of stitches in between the increases and decreases, I was able to easily "get gauge" and knit the perfect pair of ankle socks for the summer.

Yes, if you click on the photos for larger, you'll notice my horribly hairy legs. My husband was on a 3 day business trip and I haven't been feeling well enough to go anywhere, so I figured .. what's the point? Now I'm starting to regret that decision. Forever, my hairy legs will be captured in time on my blog on the Internet for all to see ..... (sigh).

Since all the "cool kids" are doing it, I just joined the Mystery Stole 3.

I find something intriguing about not knowing what the finished object looks like. I'm most definitely stepping out of my comfort zone for this. Who else is joining in? What yarn are you using? If you're not participating, why not?

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.