It's cold

[altivo]

Even with the extra insulation, new roof, and modernized geothermal furnace, the house is too chilly for me. Thank Epona there are woodstoves and we have wood. I know, it's adding pollutants to the atmosphere. *shrinks in shame, but isn't shivering*

Experimenting with knitting on a frame (also called a "jenny" or a "rake" or a knitting board.) This because husband Gary asked for a sock knitting frame for Christmas and I got it for him. He has tried conventional knitting but didn't persist long enough to overcome the initial lack of coordination that plagues most beginners. I had doubts that the sock loom would solve that, especially since it is designed for fine yarn and lots of stitches per row. However, when I started him on a larger plastic hoop frame with heavier yarn he took right off and has about two feet of a scarf completed. I gave him several instructional books with patterns and he's already talking about afghans. Consequently I figure I'd better brush up on my own knowledge of the process.

Since I've knitted in the traditional way with needles for more than 50 years, the frame seems slow and clumsy. It also lacks flexibility as to gauge and size. But it does work and I see it is possible to do a lot more with it than I had expected. So, socks are underway and we'll see. In spare minutes here and there I can usually finish a pair of socks in a week or so. This first set may take somewhat longer.

In other news, it's cold. Oh wait, I said that already. At least we could see the sun today and it definitely stayed around later before we were plunged into icy darkness.

Comments

[songcoyote]

The best remedy for cold is bundle-cuddling, possibly including curling up with pups, too. At least, in my experience :D

We don't get what you call 'cold' here in the San Francisco Bay Area; we consider it a bit frightful when it gets below 40°F, and we never see hard freezes. Frankly, it's part of why it would take something really extra special to make me move to somewhere that has real weather!

I'm glad your sweetie is getting into knitting. Art and creation in general are good for the spirit! Most of my creativity comes out in words - I can drop a sonnet quickly, and on short notice - but when I do indulge in making things I find it eminently satisfying.

Above all, though, it sounds like you're generally happy (if cold). That's what's important to me ♥

Light and laughter,
SongCoyote

[altivo]

Yes, absolutely, whether in bed or on the sofa with a blanket. And a dog or two helps if available, or even a cat in a pinch. In fact, I sometimes huddle under a blanket with a plushie or two if necessary. The big heavy ones are quite nice heatsinks and return the favor nicely.

Cold it is. 10F at present, was only 17F at the highest today. I've survived much worse and for longer periods (though this is supposed to last through Sunday I think.) Clearly I'm getting older and my tolerances are narrower.

Making things and growing things are what we chiefly do these days, aside from nurturing critters, songbirds, and occasional needy friends. Hubby has made spectacular quilts and woodworking in the past and will again, I hope. He sews quite as well as I do. We both make music as too. Knitting happens to be an area where I'm still in the lead, but he is better than I at crochet. Happy we are, mostly, as long as we don't think about the horrible things that are happening even now in Washington, D.C.

[bunny_plush]

I feel your pain, er, cold. We also have a new roof and I finally got around to insulating the vent for the former whole house fan after about 25 years. I used to pile insulation over it for the first five years or so and then quite trying to get into the attic crawl space. I took the fan out this year when the roof was reshingled to give myself a clearer entryway than through the closet ceiling. It has helped keep the heat in upstairs, but damned if I'm not feeling the cold more regardless. My mom kept her home at 70/72, but I rebelled when on my own and we keep the thermostats at 62/64 (thank goodness for baking, though, to pull the chill out of the air).

We've had mild weather at least, up until now. Temps are dipping down into the lower twenties tonight and snow is on the way. Single digits will return Sunday night.

[altivo]

We generally set the thermostat to 66/68 in winter, but when the furnace is running too much I either turn it lower or start up the woodstove depending on what we're doing in the house.

Sounds like the cold we've had here since Tuesday has reached you in New England.