Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sunday Morning Shawls

It's very easy to get used to not blogging. It's not that I don't have anything to show, but sometimes I just don't feel like it. I'm sure everybody has times like that.

The last few days were very chilly around here. The furnace has been turned off for quite some time now, and guess what? I would never have thought it possibel, but I DID wear some of my shawls! Especially in the mornings, but the last two days, I wore them throughout the day. I would have loved to slip into a knit jacket, but I haven't knit one yet. It's mid May already, and no cardi in site. Do you think this year will go by withought me knitting a jacket for myself? I'm not sure myself. I sure would like to have one right now. (By the way, I've been thinking of starting my Christmas knitting soon, haven't you?)

Anyway, until then, shawls will have to do.

Back in March I've knit these three Sunday morning shawls within 2 weeks. I was a little obsessed with this technique of using up sock yarn leftovers, combined with black lace weight yarn. I thought I could go on forever, knitting only these shawls, but after the third, I needed a break.

Sunday Morning shawls

free pattern: Sunday Morning Shawl by Martina Kastanek (find it on ravelry)
yarn: sock yarn left overs
needle: 3.75mm
size: as large as you like, the first one (orange/red) was 30" x 65" after blocking, but it was not stretched heavily
start-finish: March 1 - 15


SMS preblocking-5

The original shawl has a ruffle edge, like my third shawl. I thought I don't like ruffles, so I did a picot edge on the first one, and a loopy crochet edge on the second one. By the third, I liked the ruffles too. I've still got lots of sock yarn leftovers, and continuously adding to it, so there might be more of these in the future. They are easy and mindless knitting.

SMS 1,2,3-7

It would be intersting how a shawl like these would look like with white lace, maybe for a summerly look?

SMS 1,2,3-6

****
Sam May 17-2

I was about to tell you about my upcoming trip to Austria, but I had to cancel it. Sam's not too well, and I can't leave him alone. The Vet said I should say goodbye to him rather sooner then later, but I can't, not yet ( haveing to make a decision like that is brutal). As long as he's playful, alert, has a healthy appetite and can walk outside to pee on his own, I can't let him go. We increased his pain medication, and now we enjoy every day together to the fullest. He's always by my side, no matter what I do around the house. In fact, I'm going to go outside with him right now, to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine. His red Jollyball is waiting....

51 comments:

Kris said...

I feel for you about Sam. My family is going through pretty much the same with our dog Strider, and we've also decided not to go through with a holiday which would entail travelling far from home. Your shawls are beautiful. you must have a lot of sock yarn leftovers!

Mo said...

I'm so sorry that Sam is not well. I will keep Sam (and your family) in my thoughts and prayers for healthy, pain free days.

sittin and knittin said...

What a sweet picture of Sam. I am with your decision...Sam will tell you when it's time - not the vet.
BTW I love your beautiful shawls.

Carrie K said...

Aw, look at that darling puppy face. The increased pain meds should help him. Later, later. Wow, that makes me tear up just thinking about it, I can only imagine how heartwrenching this must be for you, Monika.

Those shawls are really lovely! At last, a use for my sock yarn (since I seem to be congenitally incapable of knitting a pair of socks.)

Susan said...

Yes, I have considered starting Christmas knitting. Love the shawls!

a Knitting Junkie! said...

It is easy definitely easy to get into a habit of NOT blogging. While I love blogging and sharing with my much beloved knitting community friends, sometimes it just takes all I have to make myself do it.

I was just thinking the other day that I needed to get started on my Christmas knitting soon.

Those shawls turned out great. I have yet to knit a shawl myself, and I would really like to. I just may have to try out this pattern.

I am so sorry about Sam. I know from personal experience how hard it is to say goodbye to such a loved baby, and I am like you; I simply couldn't bring myself to say my goodbyes yet either under the circumstances. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and Sam.

Hugs, health & happiness,
Anita, a Knitting Junkie!

momsue84 said...

Oh, Monika. I am so sorry to hear about Sam. This just breaks my heart. Yours is one of the first blogs I started reading 2 1/2 years ago, and I was so drawn to Sam and Biko. Please know that I hold you all in my heart and prayers. I love the shawls, by the way. What a terrific idea!

Anonymous said...

beautiful shawls!
so sorry about sam!!!
but i am glad that you are back"on"!
helga

Anonymous said...

Monika
I'm sorry to hear that Sam is so ill. Looook at that face. It seems that is he is very much of this world right now.

Margie in Maryland

Sharon said...

I am so sad to hear about Sam. I had to make the same painful decision about my beloved cat 15 years ago and it still makes me sad.

I took comfort knowing that I'd made the best decision I could for her and me.

You will both know when the time is right. I send you my strength and my prayers.

Restless Knitter said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Sam. We've been there so I can sympathize with what you are going through.

I like your shawls. I'm drawn to the one with blues and purples. I may have to go digging through my yarn and start one of these.

herzlichkreativ said...

Wow, was fuer wunderschoene Tuecher ! Eines herrlicher als das Andere. Du bist ja gut geruestet, Weihnachten ist schneller da, als uns lieb ist...

Alles Gute fuer dich und Sam.

Cloudberry said...

So sorry to hear about Sam. It must be hard for you!

Your shawls are SO beautiful!

Juli said...

Es tut sehr weh, was du wegen Sam geschrieben hast..... Wenn die noch gemeinsame Zeit so eng begrenzt ist....

Deine wunderschönen Shwals sind dagegen ein nur kleiner Sonnenstrahl. In jedem anderen Post könnte ich sie bejubeln.
Trotzdem werde ich sie mir merken, sind sie eine phantastische Art, meine (Meisen)Reste aufzubrauchen.

Liebe Grüße mit den besten Wünschen für Sam und Dich, Juli

2paw said...

Your shawls are beautiful!!
I am sad to hear that Sam is so unwell. He looks so handsome in his picture. Harki is a bit the same at the moment. She's slowly winding down. Lots of Labrador love from Harki, Peri and Gilly.

Anonymous said...

Tut mir sehr leid, das Sam so krank ist. Ich kann deine Gefühle sehr gut nachempfinden, da ich schon einige Male in dieser Situation war - es tut einfach nur weh !
Deine Schals sind wunderschön geworden. Die Anleitung muß ich mir sofort speichern.

Liebe Grüße
Eva

Heike said...

Hallo Moni,

Deine shawls sind sehr schön und ich kann garnicht glauben, dass die aus Resten gestrickt sind - so harmonisch sind die Farben. Das Du das Lacegarn mit dazu genommen hast war eine gute Idee. Muss ich mir merken.
Mir tut es soo leid dass es Sam schlecht geht. Er ist mir schon richtig an´s Herz gewachsen in der ganzen zeit wo Du die Fotos zeigst. sowas ist einfach nur elendig.
Ich denke an Euch.

LG von Heike

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry about sweet Sam! I hope you have a very long time with him. I know how much you love him.

hannah said...

How difficult it must be to make such a decision. All the dogs we (my ex and I) had to say goodbeye to in the past was because it was time for them to go. Of course that was difficult but I can imagine you want to wait as long as possible. You are with him every day so you know best if he stil is happy. Sam is a lucky dog that he is with you!

Your shawls look lovely!

And I agree with you that you sometimes just don't feel like blogging so I understand completely.

Outi said...

I came via Ravelry to check out your gorgeous dogs, and I'm so deeply sorry to hear that Sam is not doing well. Scratch him behind the ear and tell him a friend from Finland says hi :)

Rhonda said...

Are we twins? I have been knitting shawls, not blogging much (due to school work) and my old heart friend is getting very old and crochety. She can barely get out of bed to do her nightly ablutions in the garden. I refuse to think of any alternative but helping her.
I know Sam is happy - just look at him. Lovely boy.

wolltrunken said...

Liebe Monika!

Deine Schals sind alle drei wunderschön!

Das über Sam zu lesen, geht mir wirklich ans Herz, wir haben ja gerade Ähnliches mit unserer Katze Nschotschi durchgemacht. Genieße die Zeit mit ihm noch, so gut es geht!

Liebe Grüße, ich denke an Euch!

Birgit

Renata S. P. said...

Hi Monika.
I feel sorry about Sam.
I don't know how old is he, but my dog is 15 years old... Still running, eating, doing everything he always does... He got sick once, the Vet said he would not win the desease, but, aparently, he was wrong. King is still here. He is the one in my profile picture, with me.

About the shawls, they are really beautiful!! I'm missing your finished babette!!!

Take Care and Best Wishes for you and Sam =D

Renata S. P.

Frieda said...

Oh my gosh, I'm so sad to hear that he's so much worse. I feel for you , and can understand you not wanting to leave him . I'm glad that the pain meds make it more tolerable for him and you can enjoy his company for a while longer. Love the photo , he's just so beautiful ...

The shawls are lovely , wonderful combinations of colour !

Hugs and take care !

Dreams of Yarn said...

The shawls are really really lovely, you always pick the most appealing colors.

I'm so so sorry to hear about Sam. Our pets are our family, and saying goodbye wont be easy. Keep enjoying that afternoon sunshine while you can. Hugs.

shannon said...

oh monika...

my heart is breaking for you. please snuggle sam a bit and tell him we all love him (totally think i can speak for the other commentors this time).

much love, friend.

xo

pat said...

Sam looks wonderfully content in that beautiful big picture! I'm wishing the best for him right now.

You must have had a some beautifully coordinating sock yarn leftovers - I don't think mine would make pretty shawls like that! Maybe I'll try...

and YES - I know about blogging blahs!

Soulknitting said...

My heart goes out to you concerning Sam. What a lovey dog. We are blessed with our dogs for so short a time it seems. :::sad::: Again, my heart and prayers are with you all.

Bea said...

Ach Monika,

du Ärmste - das ist ein Graus, was du da über Sam schreibst.
Da interessieren mich vor lauter Gedanken um die Misere deine Tücher im Moment einfach nicht.

Grüßle, die Bea
die jetzt sofort einen Kaffee und eine Zigarette braucht nachdem sie das gelesen hat.

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Enjoy every day with him and you will know when it's time. Makes me cry to think of it. Be strong.

Tina said...

Hi Monika, your shawls are really beautiful. But what you write about Sam is so sad. Enjoy every minute you have with him, spoil him, let him feel your love. And you'll know when the right time to let him go will be there. I know it is hard but at least we are able to help our pets before they suffer. I know what I talk about and already hate the day I have to make that decision again!
Hugs, Tina

chawne said...

oh, no! i'm sorry to hear about Sam. ;o(

leandra said...

Hallo Monika!

Deine Shawls sind einfach nur WOW! Die Farbübergänge sind so toll geworden, viel schöner als bei mir, ich hatte nicht so viele Sockenwollreste.

Deinem armen Sam wünsche ich das Allerbeste, du wirst bestimmt die richtige Entscheidung zur rechten Zeit treffen.

lg
Martina

Toby said...

What can I say that everyone else hasn't said? I too will be thinking of you and wishing you peace and strength to enjoy the rest of the time you have with Sam.

lexa said...

Gorgeous picture of Sam!

I found a lump on my Simba's side. He just turned thirteen. He hasn't lost weight, hasn't stopped eating, seems to be his regular self, so I'm trying not to worry about it. If signs of distress start to show then I'd have to think about what to do. I'd never let any of my animals suffer no matter how much it kills me. For now he seems same old, same old, so I'll let it be.

Judy Boddy said...

What a beautful dog, can see in his eyes a wonderful spirit , Love reading your blog,,, i'm sure it does feel good to take time off from bloging,,, take care , Judy from Alaska ~~~

Anonymous said...

Oh Sam! I'm sure you're giving him lots of hugs and kisses on that cute nose of his. I hope you get to enjoy many more days with him before it's his time and Nimitz and I are thinking of you both.

Kirsten said...

My thoughts go out to you and Sam.
Wishing him many more pain free days for you to enjoy your time together.
Hugs.

Leah said...

Sam is beautiful, and I'm glad you're getting to spend some good times with him now. We just recently lost our own dear old dog, it was so hard and I'm very very sympathetic...

I have to tell you, I saw your gorgeous shawls, and was immediately inspired to make one. I'm trucking along with leftover Koigu and Blue Moon Fiber Arts sock yarn, and I'm very excited about it. I simply couldn't figure out what to do with all my leftover sock yarn, until now!

All my best wishes and good thoughts to you, and to Sam!

Beverly said...

So sorry that Sam isn't doing well. He still looks beautiful as ever.

All of the shawls are beautiful. Thanks for giving me an idea for the leftovers.

Anonymous said...

Oh, no! I didn't realize Sam's issues were so serious. I have tears in my eyes after reading that you will have to make that horrific decision.

I won't say I know how you feel (because we all deal with itdifferently) but it sounds like you and I have the same thought process when it comes to such things. I knew I'd have to make the decision for Max and I couldn't do it until he needed my help to walk outside. It's so tough because mentally he was still the same nutty dog he'd always been. His body just failed him. I had some peace about it because he told me that it was time. I'm grateful he told me because making that decision was one of the toughest I have ever made.

I am so terribly sorry about Sam. Give him a huge hug for me. Shepherds are such special dogs and Sam is so lucky to have you.

That picture of him is a masterpiece.

Anonymous said...

Spend all the time you can with Sam for these are hard times! Do remember all those precious memories you have had with him, to help comfort you...Kim D.

Alexandra said...

So sorry to hear Sam isn't well... I can only imagine how hard this must be for you, I wish you both the best.

The shawls are absolutely gorgeous! Stunning works of art!

sgeddes said...

I didn't realize Sam wasn't doing well. I'm so sorry. I know you all will enjoy the time you are spending together now and that is the important part. Keep that jolly ball close!

The shawls are lovely. I can't pick a favorite - they are all so nice.

Susanne said...

Liebe Monika,
Du hast wunderschöne Schals aus den Sockengarnresten gestrickt - die Farben harmonieren so toll miteinander, Du hastecht ein Gefühl für Farben und Muster - ich bin einfach nur begeistert.

Traurig hat mich allerdings gemacht, dass es Sam nach wie vor nicht besser geht. Aber ich glaube, Du handelst richtig, ihm noch so eben es geht sein "Gnadenbrot" zu gewähren. Solange Ihr noch das Gefühl habt, er kann seine Pein aushalten und kommt mit der Medikation zurecht, lasst ihn leben. Es wird schwer genug, wenn er eines Tages gehen muss.
Ich umarme Dich ganz feste aus der Ferne,
Susanne

SNOWBIRD said...

I am so sorry about Sam. Keep him comfortable. I firmly believe that we are caretakers of all of God's four-legged animals. He is absolutely a beautiful dog. I have a 15 year old diabetic cat and will keep him in our care until it is his time. I know you will do the same for Sam.

Cecie said...

ach liebe, es tut mir so unendlich leid. ich weiss wie das ist, und diese entscheidung ist für einen tiermenschen die allerallerhärteste (ich habe sie auch schon treffen müssen und es war das schlimmste, was ich je in meinem leben tun musste).

dein bauch wird dir sagen, wenn es an der zeit ist. dein bauch, und nur dein bauch.

ich drück dich und wünsch euch beiden nur das beste.
ganz herzlich, Cecie

Robin said...

The shawls are very pretty! So sorry to hear about Sam. You'll know when it's time. Austria's not going anywhere!

Anett said...

Dear Monika,
I feel sorry for Sam and keep my fingers crossed that you two will spend many more years together.
BTW, the shawls are great. A good idea for my sock yarn leftovers, too.
Greetings from Germany
Anett Kiefer

Marianne said...

All the shawls are beyond lovely.

I think you already know how I feel about Sam and Biko, and it breaks my heart to hear Sam is not doing as well as you (and the rest of us) would like. Those big guys, they just don't live as long as they should,(and it's just not fair at all!) in my experience (I've had some big dogfaced kids in my life).
Sam will let you know when the time comes and in the meantime you're being a good and loving 'mom', making good times, and that IS what it's all about.
Hugs to you and please, give some to the boy for me... and Biko ;^)

Ann said...

The shawls are lovely & you have done a great job on the colors combination.