Sewing and Knitting Frustrations

 Yesterday was sunny with a high of 16C. This morning it is cloudy and 6C. Today is supposed to have showers (sometimes heavy) with a high of 7C. 

Lifestyle

First, I am not sure where yesterday's post went. It is posted but not in my reading feed. 

I was busy yesterday. My first job of the day was to finish cleaning the garage. I scrubbed the window and then moved on to moving more stuff, sweeping down walls, wiping surfaces and putting everything back in its place. It was nice to have that job done. The two snow shovels go out for garbage pick up this week and the weed eater has to go to the shed. 

I did go out to the shed to get the rake and ended up pruning the rosebush and pulling a few weeds. I raked the front lawn. That was hard on my SI joint but I finished it up and rested. Later in the afternoon I planted grass seed though I do need to buy more to finish up. 

I was over to family's for dinner and we had smash burgers. They were delicious. After dinner the talk somehow went to growing rice in Canada. It is grown in BC, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Not large amounts like in China. That led to watching rice planted and harvested commercially in China (I think). Then son showed us how a couple planted two rice fields using small equipment. Son kept saying watch carefully as we can grow rice here. The amount of manual labor these people put in was amazing. The videos showed them preparing the fields to harvesting. They got about 500 lbs of rice. Once harvested and milled in their shop, they set about preparing the fields for the next year. 

Sewing

I cut out the bicycle skirt and started to sew it. I didn't reread the instructions and I struggled for a bit. I was not sure what I was doing so I took the pieces over to the computer and pinned the pieces there. I did get the right front of the skirt done. 

What ended my sewing was my machine broke a needle and then I had to rethread it twice as it wouldn't stitch. It is working fine now. The top stitching is done on the front. I did take a look at the next steps and there is a labeling mistake on the left front. I am surprised it wasn't caught by the testers. 

I think I won't have a lot more issues when I do the skirt as I will read the instructions prior to sewing. 

Knitting

I did knit on the hat last night. I finished the rows needed before decreasing the crown. It isn't as long as it is supposed to be. I will be trying it on the doll and deciding on what I will do. 

The goal was not to have a big beret but a smaller hat which is worn more on the top of the head and held in place with hair pins. At the moment, I need to try this on the doll and decide if I reknit on larger needles or if I unknit the 21 rows and knit that part on larger needles. Both ways I will have to wind the yarn as it will become one big rat's nest. 

I am going to slow down knitting socks. I have knit daughter-in-law 10 pairs, myself 5 pairs, and probably another 15+ pairs for daughter and grandson. I will be moving on to knitting items for the dolls and to donate to others. 

Thoughts

    I am sore today from working outside and from the weather. It is more annoying than really hurting. I am still taking the Tylenol twice a day and am hoping it is also helping keep my muscles from tightening up. My SI joint did let me know it hated me raking but it didn't flare up. Resting helped it relax and stay in place. 

    The leaves are finally coming out on the trees. It happened quickly. The forsythia are not in bloom yet nor are the tulips. This is late for us. I do know other provinces are having late springs as are other countries. 

    I am happy with the garage. Once the yard/garage sale is done, everything I own will go to the thrift store. I want to put things away that I keep and have the garage tidy. 

Today

I am heading out with daughter-in-law to Dartmouth to shop. We are going to Costco and Walmart for sure. Once home, I may have time to work on the skirt and I will definitely be trying the hat on the doll and deciding on my next step. 

Until the next time.......................................................