Now that Becky has finished her Elfin cardigan, I’m positively longing to make further headway on mine. It looks so great on her! I have finished the back and 2/3 of the second front piece, but had to put it down for awhile to give my arm/elbow a chance to recouperate. I’m not sure if I injured it with knitting (that darn merino aran–it’s evil stuff) or if the pain is just an extension of my back & neck problems. I feel better after the physical therapy sessions, but the relief is short-lived. Sometimes I can hardly move. On top of this, I’m coming down with a cold…stuffy nose, sore throat, headache and all. This is NOT fair. I want my mommy! LOL!

Because I’m feeling so crummy, I stayed home from work today. I bought a heating pad and a crappy novel as cures for my aches and pains and depressed spirits. Here’s hoping they do the trick!

Look at what I received in the mail yesterday:

No, not the cat. She’s been running our household for years now. My good friend Becky sent the beautiful basketweave blanket that she knit to keep baby Claire warm and cozy. The cat immediately claimed it when I set it down on my computer desk for a moment. Cats. Think they own everything. Don’t worry, Becky. I won’t let her get away with it for long. You’ll soon see a photo of Claire bundled up in your wonderful gift! Thank you so much!!!

I allowed myself the luxury of a good cry this morning. I’m not depressed, but I am worn out with this pregnancy. I’m so much bigger than I was last time and everything hurts. My maternity pants are all ridiculously tight. I have my doubts about being able to wear them much longer. I can’t walk even a few feet without somewhat painful Braxton Hicks contractions warning me to slow down. My neck and back are in agony, and yes, I now have a full-blown case of tennis elbow. That means that I’m going to have to give up knitting for a little while at least. I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself. Knitting was the one thing that offered me a measure of relaxation. I can’t concentrate on books right now, although I do love reading. I wonder if working on a bit a cross-stitch would irritate my elbow? I’ve got a project that’s been on hold for several years now. Maybe I’ll give that a try…

As proof that miracles DO occur, I finished the back of the sporty jacket I’m making for Sam. It’s a miracle, because I’ve come to loathe working with this merino aran yarn. It felt soft enough when in the ball, but as I began to knit with it, it took on a frightening stiffness. In fact, it’s kind of like knitting with ropes of licorice. Maybe I would have an easier time with it if I had some sleek metal needles in the correct size, but I’m stuck working with bamboo needles. I’m afraid to switch since it might mess up my gauge even more. Actually, I’m not sure that metal needles would help that much, since just before I placed the neck stitches on a stitch holder, the fabric could stand up on its own. Really. I’m not exaggerating. I wish I had thought to take a picture of it Here’s the finished piece, somewhat hastily pinned to our table runner:

I really liked the funky green color when I first picked it out, but it’s starting to look more and more like split pea soup to me. I like split pea soup–to eat, but I’m not so sure it’s a very flattering thing to wear! Anyway, if I can get over my aversion to its weird color and if I can combat the stiff yarn which has given me tennis elbow, I should finish this fairly quickly. In the meantime, I’ve returned to knitting away at Elfin, which is much more pleasurable. I love the purple felted tweed!

Oh, and if you’re in need of a chuckle this morning, here’s a very unflattering photo my husband took of me and Sam:

No, my head is not growing directly out of my belly. I was slouched down so I could be nearly at eye level with Sam, who was enjoying listening to the grumblings of his tummy with his toy stethoscope just as much as I was enjoying the attempt to hear Claire’s heartbeat.