Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Prevent Blindness America gives me peace of mind
I'm sort of stuck in a knitting rut. Not really stuck in a rut so much as unable to spend money on more projects, and currently working on uneventful projects that don't really inspire me to chat about my progress. Honestly, how many times can a person talk about how many more inches they've worked doing only stockinette stitch with the occasional yarn over? It's kind of boring to talk about, listen to, and read about (the sole reason I haven't even blogged about my current WIPs - I don't want to bore you or me or my computer, hehe). I'll probably mention them in a new post in next couple of days, though. I sort of feel like, now that I have a blog, I should keep it current and mostly on topic? Hmm... There's an idea.
Oh, by the way, I tend to ramble. Have I mentioned that? Well, now you know. :-)
While my knitting is lulling, I find myself becoming both chatty and thoughtful. Thoughtfulness brings thoughts of the future, and thoughts of the future bring worry (for parents, at least. I don't remember the thought processes inspired by random thoughtfulness from my childless days), and thus the need to just talk (type) it out to nobody in particular.
With my sons upcoming appointment with the ophthalmologist, I find myself being haunted by the words I heard at the last appointment six weeks ago, and also being burdened with anxiety about the future. "He will go blind in one eye." Blind in one eye. Blind. Like a looming, ominous voice echoing in my dreams. Only I'm not dreaming.
(ok, I'm going to get right to the point for those who don't want to read a novel, and THEN go into the background info for those who don't know and are curious).
On Monday, we are going back to see if there has been any improvement (although I'll settle for no further loss. I've been settling for that for two years now. I think I've finally accepted that it won't improve). Through all of this, I have been so grateful that I can turn to organizations such as Prevent Blindness America and P.A.V.E for support, information, peace of mind, and encouragement. They've been my guide, of sorts. Words cannot express how much I truly appreciate these organizations. They give me hope, and although I will continue to loose sleep over my sons eyes, PBA and P.A.V.E will help me to not loose as much sleep.
Two years ago, just before his first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with the leading cause of monocular blindness in children. It's called amblyopia. You might have heard it referred to as 'lazy eye' and commonly hear it used interchangeably (albeit inaccurately) with 'crossed eyes' (strabismus). His eyes do not cross. Cosmetically, his eyes are normal. A person cannot tell by looking at him that he has vision problems. So, what makes his eye lazy? He is loosing vision in one eye, and runs the risk of total and irreversible vision loss in that eye. To try to repair vision that he has already lost, we put a patch over his good eye in an effort to get him to use his bad (lazy) eye. And he wears glasses so that when he's patching he can see, and when he's not patching, his eye is given a little incentive to "work". After two years, there has been no improvement. I'm still hoping, though. At least there has been no further loss. But, when there is no improvement, there's only a certain amount of time before prevention doesn't work, either.
Now, I realize that having one blind eye is not really all that bad in comparison. Sometimes I close one of my eyes and look around just to get some sort of idea. It's not normal, but I can still function and process normally, more or less. (Although, some states require that both eyes have relatively good corrected vision in order to obtain a drivers license). Many, many people have led normal, productive, and successful lives with only one working eye. So, he might not be an airline pilot. He'll have no other significant limitations. Really, not a big deal. But, as a parent, it's my job to think about the "what-if's". What if something happens to his good eye? It has been stressed to me that I should really take eye safety seriously, because if there is some sort of accident, he will be left with no vision. Scary thought. What if he develops vision problems in his good eye? What if he has trouble in school because of his vision? What if he's not as good at sports as the other kids because of his lack of being able to see things on his right side? What if he gets hit in the head because an object is approaching him that isn't in his line of sight, but would be in the line of sight of someone with normal vision? What if...
It really does weigh on my mind sometimes. I know two adults who have amblyopia that was never corrected. Although they are blind in one eye, they are perfectly fine. They've lived normal, productive lives. But, when they found out about Alex's eyes, they told stories of their childhood, and the inconveniences it has caused them through adulthood (some very small inconveniences, some big). One of the people, a grown man, was brought to tears because he was so passionate about us being diligent with treatment. It really tugged at my heart strings. If a grown man feels so inconvenienced by his visual limitations that he cries for my child, then it tells me that, no matter how often I close one eye and look around just to see what it's like, I will never know what it's like to live and see that way all the time. It made me realize that it is something that has the potential to deeply affect my child. Although it's not a guarantee, it as the potential to limit my child. It has the potential to be something that weighs on his mind at times during his life. It made me realize that, even though he will adapt well, and will do well in life, he will wish that he could see with both eyes instead of just one. It made me realize that he might cry; that he might (and probably will) feel emotional pain. No parent wants that for their child.
Oh, by the way, I tend to ramble. Have I mentioned that? Well, now you know. :-)
While my knitting is lulling, I find myself becoming both chatty and thoughtful. Thoughtfulness brings thoughts of the future, and thoughts of the future bring worry (for parents, at least. I don't remember the thought processes inspired by random thoughtfulness from my childless days), and thus the need to just talk (type) it out to nobody in particular.
With my sons upcoming appointment with the ophthalmologist, I find myself being haunted by the words I heard at the last appointment six weeks ago, and also being burdened with anxiety about the future. "He will go blind in one eye." Blind in one eye. Blind. Like a looming, ominous voice echoing in my dreams. Only I'm not dreaming.
(ok, I'm going to get right to the point for those who don't want to read a novel, and THEN go into the background info for those who don't know and are curious).
On Monday, we are going back to see if there has been any improvement (although I'll settle for no further loss. I've been settling for that for two years now. I think I've finally accepted that it won't improve). Through all of this, I have been so grateful that I can turn to organizations such as Prevent Blindness America and P.A.V.E for support, information, peace of mind, and encouragement. They've been my guide, of sorts. Words cannot express how much I truly appreciate these organizations. They give me hope, and although I will continue to loose sleep over my sons eyes, PBA and P.A.V.E will help me to not loose as much sleep.
Two years ago, just before his first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with the leading cause of monocular blindness in children. It's called amblyopia. You might have heard it referred to as 'lazy eye' and commonly hear it used interchangeably (albeit inaccurately) with 'crossed eyes' (strabismus). His eyes do not cross. Cosmetically, his eyes are normal. A person cannot tell by looking at him that he has vision problems. So, what makes his eye lazy? He is loosing vision in one eye, and runs the risk of total and irreversible vision loss in that eye. To try to repair vision that he has already lost, we put a patch over his good eye in an effort to get him to use his bad (lazy) eye. And he wears glasses so that when he's patching he can see, and when he's not patching, his eye is given a little incentive to "work". After two years, there has been no improvement. I'm still hoping, though. At least there has been no further loss. But, when there is no improvement, there's only a certain amount of time before prevention doesn't work, either.
Now, I realize that having one blind eye is not really all that bad in comparison. Sometimes I close one of my eyes and look around just to get some sort of idea. It's not normal, but I can still function and process normally, more or less. (Although, some states require that both eyes have relatively good corrected vision in order to obtain a drivers license). Many, many people have led normal, productive, and successful lives with only one working eye. So, he might not be an airline pilot. He'll have no other significant limitations. Really, not a big deal. But, as a parent, it's my job to think about the "what-if's". What if something happens to his good eye? It has been stressed to me that I should really take eye safety seriously, because if there is some sort of accident, he will be left with no vision. Scary thought. What if he develops vision problems in his good eye? What if he has trouble in school because of his vision? What if he's not as good at sports as the other kids because of his lack of being able to see things on his right side? What if he gets hit in the head because an object is approaching him that isn't in his line of sight, but would be in the line of sight of someone with normal vision? What if...
It really does weigh on my mind sometimes. I know two adults who have amblyopia that was never corrected. Although they are blind in one eye, they are perfectly fine. They've lived normal, productive lives. But, when they found out about Alex's eyes, they told stories of their childhood, and the inconveniences it has caused them through adulthood (some very small inconveniences, some big). One of the people, a grown man, was brought to tears because he was so passionate about us being diligent with treatment. It really tugged at my heart strings. If a grown man feels so inconvenienced by his visual limitations that he cries for my child, then it tells me that, no matter how often I close one eye and look around just to see what it's like, I will never know what it's like to live and see that way all the time. It made me realize that it is something that has the potential to deeply affect my child. Although it's not a guarantee, it as the potential to limit my child. It has the potential to be something that weighs on his mind at times during his life. It made me realize that, even though he will adapt well, and will do well in life, he will wish that he could see with both eyes instead of just one. It made me realize that he might cry; that he might (and probably will) feel emotional pain. No parent wants that for their child.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Knitting Humor
Yarn
A recent study indicated that yarn and thread give off certain Pheromones that actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase unreasonable amounts.
When stored in large quantities, in enclosed spaces, the pheromones (in the yarn) cause memory loss and induce the nesting syndrome (similar to the one squirrels have, before the onset of winter, i.e. the storing of food), therefore, perpetuating their species and not having a population loss due to their kind being cut into pieces and mixed with others.
Sound tests have also revealed that these yarns emit a very high- pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a breed of women known as "loomers." When played backwards on an LP, the sounds are heard as chants, "buy me, loom me, and wind me into a ball."
In order to overcome the so called "feeding frenzy effect" that these yarns cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility and use ear plugs to avoid being pulled into their grip. (One must laugh, however, at the sight of customers in a yarn store, with WW2 army gas masks and headphones!).
Studies have also indicated, that aliens have inhabited the earth, helping to spread the effects that these yarns have on the human population. They are called "YARN STORE CLERKS".
It's also been experienced that these same pheromones cause a pathological need to hide these yarn purchases when taken home (or at least blend them into the existing stash.) When asked by a significant other if the yarn is new, the reply is "I've had it for a while."
Author Unknown
*I'm not sure if this joke is protected by copyright (it was a re-post on a few knitting message boards). I tried to find copyright information, authorship, or anything at all, but my efforts were in vain. If someone does know if my posting this violates a copyright, please let me know so I can remove it. Thanks a bunch!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Knitting To The Beat! Ramblings about knitting in public, and my idea of the PERFECT knitting group.
My favorite time and place to KIP is trivia night or karaoke night at a local steak house that tries to do the "real bar" thing after the kitchen closes. It's certainly not the BEST bar around, but the food is tasty, the regulars are good people, and the staff pretty much leaves me alone (without charging me for a Coke - always a plus). I love it there. It's my Cheers (although, not everybody knows my name. I'm still calling it my Cheers, because it's "my" bar - through thick and thin, no matter how lame or cool it happens to be at the moment). But that's all beside the point. On to the knitting.
More often than not, while KIP'ing at this establishment (or anywhere/time there is music), I find myself knitting to the beat of the music. Understandably, it's more likely to happen when the pattern is basic and calls for "mindless knitting" (mostly made up of knitting and/or purling numerous stitches in a row). When I find myself in this "knitting trance", the beat sets the pace, and it's just me, my needles, and the music. Everything else disappears. It's very meditative, and has become almost addicting. I think I have finally found MY thing; that thing that I make time for, that I do just for me (sans children and husband) to relax and unwind. I never in my life thought I would say this, but karaoke night keeps me sane (I don't sing, and certainly never would have been bold enough to KIP in previous years). Who would have thought that putting these two things together is all that I've been missing?
Which leads to what I'd like to find in a knitting group. It would be nice to find a group of people who are willing to go out to a potentially loud, sometimes smoky establishment on a Friday or Saturday night to drink (or not drink - I typically only drink Coke or Pepsi), enjoy the music and atmosphere, and knit for a while. It doesn't have to be at the place I mentioned above. Any kind of night life will do. I honestly have only a mild interest in meeting at a bookstore, park, or coffee shop (I love all of these places, but I kind of want my "me" time to be at establishments that I'm not likely to visit with kids in tow). Maybe some day knitting in public will catch on in the Kansas City area. Until then, I guess I'll be knitting to the beat with the non-knitters.
More often than not, while KIP'ing at this establishment (or anywhere/time there is music), I find myself knitting to the beat of the music. Understandably, it's more likely to happen when the pattern is basic and calls for "mindless knitting" (mostly made up of knitting and/or purling numerous stitches in a row). When I find myself in this "knitting trance", the beat sets the pace, and it's just me, my needles, and the music. Everything else disappears. It's very meditative, and has become almost addicting. I think I have finally found MY thing; that thing that I make time for, that I do just for me (sans children and husband) to relax and unwind. I never in my life thought I would say this, but karaoke night keeps me sane (I don't sing, and certainly never would have been bold enough to KIP in previous years). Who would have thought that putting these two things together is all that I've been missing?
Which leads to what I'd like to find in a knitting group. It would be nice to find a group of people who are willing to go out to a potentially loud, sometimes smoky establishment on a Friday or Saturday night to drink (or not drink - I typically only drink Coke or Pepsi), enjoy the music and atmosphere, and knit for a while. It doesn't have to be at the place I mentioned above. Any kind of night life will do. I honestly have only a mild interest in meeting at a bookstore, park, or coffee shop (I love all of these places, but I kind of want my "me" time to be at establishments that I'm not likely to visit with kids in tow). Maybe some day knitting in public will catch on in the Kansas City area. Until then, I guess I'll be knitting to the beat with the non-knitters.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Cabled dishcloth pattern (revised)
I revised my previous dishcloth pattern (there will be a picture sooner or later). Because the last one was a practice piece, it was somewhat crude and not so great to look at. Over-all, the new cloth itself is wider, while the cables are just a tad narrower. In my opinion, it makes for a better looking cloth. Here's the pattern:
I used Knit Picks shine sport on size 6 needles for this one as well:
Cast on 36 and knit 2 rows
1. k2, (p8, k4) twice, p8, k2
2. k2, (k8, p4) twice, k10
3. repeat row one
4. repeat row two
5. k2, p8, c2f, k2, k2 from cn, p8, c2b, k2, k2 from cn, p8, k2
6. repeat row two
Continue working rows 1-6 until desired length.
Knit two rows, bind off.
I used Knit Picks shine sport on size 6 needles for this one as well:
Cast on 36 and knit 2 rows
1. k2, (p8, k4) twice, p8, k2
2. k2, (k8, p4) twice, k10
3. repeat row one
4. repeat row two
5. k2, p8, c2f, k2, k2 from cn, p8, c2b, k2, k2 from cn, p8, k2
6. repeat row two
Continue working rows 1-6 until desired length.
Knit two rows, bind off.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
My first cable project (mini dishcloth)
Until yesterday, I had never knit cables. I am happy to say, the end result is good! I'm not sure why I've never tried cables before. I'm a self-taught knitter, so that has a little to do with it. Previously, I had been confused by conflicting directions that I got on-line at different sites. Last night, I decided to work through the confusion, and it was so easy! I couldn't believe how easy it was.It was also refreshing to knit a small item that was a quick finish (I think I spent maybe an hour or two on it at the most).
If any new knitters out there (or old knitters who have never knit cables before) would like a simple dishcloth to practice on, here's the pattern (I'm going to make another one that's a little different in the hopes that it'll look better, and I'll post that pattern, too).
I used Knit Picks ShineSport yarn on size 6 needles.
Cast on 32 and knit 2 rows
1. k2, p4, k6, p8, k6, p4, k2
2. k6, p6, k8, p6, k6
3. repeat row one
4. repeat row two
5. k2, p4, c3f, k3, k3 from cn, p8, c3b, k3, k3 from cn, p4, k2
6. k6, p6, k8, p6, k6
Repeat 1 through 6 until desired length.
knit 2 rows, bind off.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Links
So that the sidebar doesn't become too cluttered, I decided to put the links in a blog, then link to this blog from the sidebar. I'm going to eventually add favorite blogs as well. :-)
Knitting Links:
Knitting Links:
- KnittingHelp.com
- Knitting Pattern Central
- Ravelry (if you want to see my Ravelry profile, click here)
- Prevent Blindness America
- P.A.V.E. Parents Active for Vision Education
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