Double Rim Hat

Yarn: I used two skeins of Cascade 220 with 2 strands held together.
Gauge: 4 to 4.5 stitches per inch.
Needles: Size 10 cast on only; if you are like me I attend to cast on tightly. Two size 8-16 inch and one size 9-16 inch and double points or 32+ inch circular.
Cast on 80 stitches on size 10 then switch to size 8 being careful not to twist. Knit ribbing (2 by 2) for 3 to 4 inches from cast on. Leave on needle and make another same length.
Joining the Rims together: Get up and get a cup of … and get ready for doubling up
Now for the fun part! Joining the rims it’s not hard… just take your time.
Follow these steps
1. With one rim under the other
2. You are basically going to knit two stitches together only the stitches are on two needles. Knit into the front rim first then the back rim at the same time pulling yarn through the stitches then dropping the two old stitches and putting the new stitch on right side. Keep going around knit the knits and purl the purls together.
3. You should still have 80 stitches still and the rim should be finished.
4. Switch to size 9 16 now for next 5 inches continue ribbing (2 by 2) pattern as established.
5. I continued decrease section for a hat if you rather knit after the ribbing rim. SEE BELOW

Decreasing as follows: You may not finish complete repeats for all the decrease rows.
1. *Knit 2, Purl 2, knit 2, then purl 2 together* repeat to end
2. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 3 rows (*knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 1*)
3. *knit 2, purl 2 together, knit 2, purl 1* repeat to end
4. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 3 rows (*knit 2, purl 1*)
5. *knit 2, purl 1, knit 2 together* repeat to end.
6. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 2 rows (*knit 2, purl, knit 1*)
7. *knit 2 together, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1* repeat to end.
8. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 2 rows (*knit 1, purl 1*)
9. *knit 1, purl 3 together* repeat to end
10. Continue new rib knit 1, purl 1 once.
11. Next row *knit, purl 3 together* repeat to end. You now should less than 12 stitches.
12. Next row knit two stitches together until end.
13. Cut yarn leaving a nice tail.
14. Using a darning needle go into all stitches and when finished pull tightly to close hole.
15. Take the needle and go through the middle of the hole and weave in yarn and cut.
16. ENJOY your hat.

 IF you decided to knit instead of ribbing after rim do decreases like this
1. Knit until you have 5 inches from cast on edge. Next row place decrease markers every ten stitches.
2. Decrease row: *knit 8 then knit 2 together, slip marker (sm)* repeat to end.
3. Knit three rows
4. Decrease row: *knit 7 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
5. Knit three rows
6. Decrease row: *knit 6 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
7. Knit two rows
8. Decrease row: *knit 5 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
9. Knit two rows
10. Decrease row: *knit 4 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
11. Knit once
12. Decrease row: *knit 3 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
13. Knit once
14. Decrease row: *knit 2 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
15. Decrease row: *knit 1, then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end. Next row remove markers.
16. Decrease row: *knit 2 together* to end and removing markers.
17. Decrease row: *knit 2 together* to end. Now cut yarn leaving a nice tail to weave last stitches.

OMG my spine!!!

OK, I thought it was my back or another kidney stone...oh I wish. Its my spine, I pulled a disc out of place. I not idea how that happened!!!

Umm books maybe, stress yeah got that in spades but gardening for the first time probably not. But here is the good news!!!
I have been knitting feverishly...made baskets for my cousins kiddos and a hat for dad. The hat is one of my own designs, I am hoping that I call maybe sell my patterns some day.

The other foto is my cat getting caught in a bag...She loves it after I got shopping and hops in the bag. She prefers paper please, lol (:

Spring Brake

Yahoo for Breaks right? Yes I realize I didnt spell break right above but I brake something everytime and just like cloak work it was my back. The only good things is that thier is onions, lettuce, radishes, paes, beans, turnips, beets, chard, and spinach seeds in the ground.
Maybe a photo to come soon of my good deeds.
So what now...ummm
Well their is knitted two easter baskets for cousins children. Reading books for fun instead of required textbook reading which yeah I will have to do by Saturday. No avoiding the elephant of homework that is due on soon.

I hope that I can get some needed rest realaxtion and spending time with friends.

Mountains

All was quiet in the dark sky
The snow was glittering and
river were flowing
the mountain heart beats on
like a drum on its side
trees are few
but they share this space
and when all is said and done
my ink runs dead

New Beginnings

Its only right that this should titled that. We all hope for new beginnings at the New Year. I so want that too. I hoping for good things to come, although some will be harder to grab into and other easier.
One thing is for sure, I am making this easier for me this year. I starting weight watchers with dad. It will be easier with a support system. Also I staying focus thru the fog. I will finish and have BSHD even if I have to go crazy for the rest of this year to do it. Third relationships! I am going to keep track of my friends this coming year. I feel like I haven't done my best job of balancing college and relationships between myself and those I love most. While I am working on this my own relationship with other people will be broaden; I will date and be happy. The leaves work, I love the kids, hate some of grown ups. Its a challenge that I most face in everyday life, yes life sucks eggs once in awhile. But thru the dust there is light. I can barely see it now, but I feel like this year I will be holding into the light for me and others around me to see.
Ok enough of that! Moving on. I knitted this beautiful sweaters for my youngest 2nd cousins. I hope they will enjoy them in the New Year. Luv SHARLA xoxo

2010 a year that I slowly won't forget. It started with me recovering from surgery. Then drifted into my pursuit to return to college. With my dream half realize, my hands and eyes tired from studying or writing, and bigger dreams to come. Makes me realize that I can do it. I won't say this year has been easy because, yes I thought about quitting but I keep thinking of what I want and how to achieve that! The only way is to continue and believe in myself. I have one more year to completing this part of my vision quest. In a way my realization isn't any different than Jonathan T. in the book called "A tribe Apart". Where he goes to the wilderness. For he its a rite of passage. Something that he must do as a Native American. The only differnce my vision came back to me at the hospital four days versus hiking into solitude for four day. Like Jonathan my vision made me realize what was important, not to take those around me for granted. Jon did not like when his mother offered him two loaves of bread, she know that he needed to fast, but he compromised and took one loaf. As he sat one day and made a meal and realize how bad it was, he took his loaf a bread and ate some, he realize how foolish he was and then thought about how he has been acting around his mother lately, especially when it came to discussing college.

Noschoolvember

I cant believe another month rushed by me. I can't believe that after November 14th, I will have exactly one year left to get BS in Human Development. Its crazy to think I am halfway done.
Well my garden is finished for the year and I am already thinking ahead of next year garden or lack of next year garden. I now more focus on knitting projects. Thats doesn't mean that any of them will get finished.