Blocks

I have joined in on a KAL for the next month. Vicki, who is “stitchy mcfloss” over on my side bar, posted the details on her blog. There are 12 individual blocks that will be released on Mondays and Thursdays until the middle of December. Each block only takes a short time to knit and uses only the knit and purl stitches.  It’s called the “12 Blocks of Christmas” and can be found free at “ohlalana.com” or there’s a group set up on (Ravelry) called “12 blocks of Christmas” that has all of the information.

I must admit, I am enjoying making these blocks. When the 12 blocks are complete you should have a toddler size blanket. Some people have said they are going to make two of each block to make a nice sized afghan. I haven’t decided for sure what I will do yet. However, I am not making each block individually. I am making them in strips. I will make four blocks in three separate strips and sew the three strips together. Does that make any sense? I detest sewing blocks together so this will eliminate almost half of that.

Here are my first two blocks and I’m looking forward to the next pattern release on Thursday.  

I think this will be an excellent way to use up some of my scraps of yarn. I am leaning toward making the toddler size blankets because I can then donate them to either the crisis nursery or “Babies of Homelessness” in Seattle.

I am starting a sweater today for Dennis for Christmas, so these blocks will give me nice breaks during that process.

Feel free to come on over and join us at the KAL. There have only been these two blocks released and it won’t take you anytime at all to catch up!  As you can tell, the blocks are not themed for Christmas so they can be knit at anytime of the year. Or, you can knit it in Christmas colors to make it more holiday themed.

This morning I have another mammogram and ultrasound. I’m halfway through my two years of repeat tests. I appreciate all of you that have been praying for negative results. I have to say, both tests are quite painful as all of the lumps are located in the vicinity of my pacemaker, which makes the mammogram on that side even more painful than normal. The pacemaker gets squeezed into my collarbone and that really hurts!!! The ultrasound isn’t much better. I’ll let you know what I find out when they tell me.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”  James 1:2-3

Blessings,

Betsy