Yeeeeouch!
Sheesh, I've had a crap day. I woke up this morning and was doing my normal gentle stretches that I do without even thinking about it just to work out the overnight kinks. Suddenly, I hear a *pop* in my neck, and for the rest of the day I have been progressively working up the ladder of pain killers with little to no relief.
I started with the over-the-counter Motrin -first two, then another one an hour later. Nothing. Then I dug through the medicine cabinet and found the Tylenol 3 left over from when Sophie was born. Nothing. After the kids went to bed, I took a - well, a slightly stronger pain pill left from the surgery I had recently, and while I got a nice relaxing buzz, my neck still feels like it's made of steel wires or something. Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow.
In the mean time, I finished the last repeat of the main body for my Snowflake scarf. For some reason, even pre-pain-pills, I ended up having to rip back a couple times in those last few rows after having clear sailing for the entire second half of the scarf. I'm calling it done after 11 repeats even though I probably have enough yarn to go for 13 or 14 repeats total because it's definitely plenty long enough and because I'm ready to move on to a sweater.
I hate to even show y'all what this thing looks like pre-blocking because it looks like a wadded up old rag, but honestly it's going to look great when it's done. But the blog needs pictures, so here it is...
When It's done, I'll model it for you, but for tonight I'm in my jammies and all ready for bed, so I'm not about to ask Joe to take my picture with my raggedy looking scarf.
Anyway, I went ahead and started on the final border, which the instructions say should be knit as a separate piece and grafted on to the body of the scarf. I hate knitting things in pieces if I can help it, and I may have slight authority issues as well, so of course I tried modifying it a little and just knitting the border right on to the live stitches at the end of the scarf.
The only reason I could think of why this might not be a great idea is because perhaps the two ends wouldn't match as well this way. So I took a couple of pictures, and I'd love it if anyone experienced in lace knitting can give me an honest critique - better to say something before I finish the entire edge, right?
Here's the border at the beginning of the scarf (right side):
And here's the one at the end of the scarf:
I have to be honest with myself - the join is just a tiny bit different. I probably will try to enter this in the Minnesota State Fair, and this is the kind of detail that the judges look at, I know. Not to mention that the category this would go into is quite competitive. But I've kind of resigned myself to not expect any more than a second or third place ribbon even if I'm lucky in that category. So what do you think - keep going, or do I really have to knit it as a separate piece?
Alright, it's late - I'm off to bed. Thanks in advance for any advice on the knitting.
I started with the over-the-counter Motrin -first two, then another one an hour later. Nothing. Then I dug through the medicine cabinet and found the Tylenol 3 left over from when Sophie was born. Nothing. After the kids went to bed, I took a - well, a slightly stronger pain pill left from the surgery I had recently, and while I got a nice relaxing buzz, my neck still feels like it's made of steel wires or something. Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow.
In the mean time, I finished the last repeat of the main body for my Snowflake scarf. For some reason, even pre-pain-pills, I ended up having to rip back a couple times in those last few rows after having clear sailing for the entire second half of the scarf. I'm calling it done after 11 repeats even though I probably have enough yarn to go for 13 or 14 repeats total because it's definitely plenty long enough and because I'm ready to move on to a sweater.
I hate to even show y'all what this thing looks like pre-blocking because it looks like a wadded up old rag, but honestly it's going to look great when it's done. But the blog needs pictures, so here it is...
When It's done, I'll model it for you, but for tonight I'm in my jammies and all ready for bed, so I'm not about to ask Joe to take my picture with my raggedy looking scarf.
Anyway, I went ahead and started on the final border, which the instructions say should be knit as a separate piece and grafted on to the body of the scarf. I hate knitting things in pieces if I can help it, and I may have slight authority issues as well, so of course I tried modifying it a little and just knitting the border right on to the live stitches at the end of the scarf.
The only reason I could think of why this might not be a great idea is because perhaps the two ends wouldn't match as well this way. So I took a couple of pictures, and I'd love it if anyone experienced in lace knitting can give me an honest critique - better to say something before I finish the entire edge, right?
Here's the border at the beginning of the scarf (right side):
And here's the one at the end of the scarf:
I have to be honest with myself - the join is just a tiny bit different. I probably will try to enter this in the Minnesota State Fair, and this is the kind of detail that the judges look at, I know. Not to mention that the category this would go into is quite competitive. But I've kind of resigned myself to not expect any more than a second or third place ribbon even if I'm lucky in that category. So what do you think - keep going, or do I really have to knit it as a separate piece?
Alright, it's late - I'm off to bed. Thanks in advance for any advice on the knitting.
posted by Shelly Kang at 12:00 AM
7 Comments:
Hey Shelly - long time no see! For the neck - I suggest you see my friendly chiropractor who is very close to you by Trader Joes. I will give you the name and address if you would like in a response email.
I suggest seeing a professional. Learn from my mistake... After working with a Physical Therapist & Dr. of Osteopath, for (yes) two years, I am finally pain free. I waited waaaaay too long to seek help, I don't want you to make the same mistake.
As for the lace, I look forward to seeing what others have to say. I have yet to knit lace. I so love learning through blogs. KWIM? Knitters are so sharing with their knowledge. It's a free education! LOL.
Feel better,
Michelle
Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your neck. I am a physical therapist. I have a couple suggestions.
One is to do basic gentle neck range of motion exercises, at least 10 reps in each direction. Only to the point of slight discomfort. You can do this after a shower or heating pad. This will increase blood flow, which will help get toxins out.
The other thing to try is ice. Some people hate the feeling of ice. But it really does have a good numbing effect, which will help the muscles relax, again allowing toxins to be "washed" away. You can use an old fashioned ice bag, or a bag of peas. I have loved to freeze a two liter bottle, as it fits along the curve of your neck fairly well. At least 20 minutes is good for ice, as that gives time for the numbing effect to occur. Good luck!
I know it's annoying, but I think that they intend you to cast off and then attach the piece separately so that there's a firmer/less stretchy area along the edge.
I'm just anal enough to say that if it looks just the slightest bit wonky, and it's for the fair, re-do it. I'm working on a lacy thing right now, and I've tinked back a couple of rows 3 times to fix little things that I'm sure if I didn't, that's what they'd notice. But that's just me. And my 2 cents.
Sorry about your pain in the neck (snort), but I do hope you feel better soon. I get those little things sometimes too, but mine usually is right behind my shoulderblade where my hubby can't even massage it out. Can't really offer advice on that front, as the only thing that helps me is waiting until it goes away.
Hello Shelly - I FEEL your pain! No advice on the knitting - but thank you for the lovely post. One small advice on the neck: try a massage (disclaimer: I am a therapist) I won't bore you with details - but some warm TLC on that spot will do wonders - I'm sure of it. Good luck!
About the lace and the difference from the beginning and the end - I would say that as soon as you start to say, "Is this OK?", then you know it isn't.
I can see only a slight difference - not enough for the man on the running horse, but perhaps enough for the State Fair Judge?
I'm reading your blog because you have inspired me to start a sock yarn blanket (sixty squares in and counting). You have a lot to answer for, Madam.
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