Normally I am not a person who does join alongs. Mostly because I know how easily I get distracted and don't want to set myself up to fail. This month however I have joined 2 "join alongs". The yarn above is going to be used for Kirsten Kapur's 2014 Mystery Shawl. Kirsten is using a set of gradients for her shawl. I was going to give dyeing gradients a try, but I had these 5 colors right in front of me that I thought would look nice together, so I went with these. The pattern so far has been fun and easy and having the clues come in spurts makes me think I will get this done..yay!
When I come back from the Squam show this weekend, I think I may give dyeing gradients a try, it seems like a fun challenge. If you are in the Squam area on Saturday, stop by and say hi! The art fair is open to the public.
I also joined this AB challenge. Now this one will be a bit more challenging for me. I have modified the sit ups to crunches on the ball to protect my back, which so far has remained comfortable. I think I may have to find a way to modify the leg raises though so they don't pull on that weak area in my back. I'm sure I will be able to find something on you-tube.
So there you have it…I am officially a "joiner" .
The Woolen Rabbit 
YAY for the Mystery Shawl!
I’ll be honest: I think situps and crunches in any form for people with our sucky backs aren’t a good thing. Pushups, however, are a great thing!
LikeLike
I’m weakening on the KAL shawl – and I am doing the AB challenge. Maybe I’m a joiner, too? LOL
LikeLike
I’m in both of those “a-longs” too! I definitely think you should try dyeing some gradients – I’d buy them!
LikeLike
It’s a conspiracy–all my favorite bloggers are doing this shawl and my resolve regarding only knitting from stash is weakening. Also, many of you are making me extremely green eyed since you’re heading for Squam. I will console myself with an informal knitting retreat in Estes Park this coming weekend. Have a great time at Squam!
LikeLike
I have had tremendous success with tossing out the crunches altogether and doing “sitting crunches”. I learned about them by getting this woman’s book: http://www.diastasisrehab.com/index
This article has good diagrams and explanations of all the exercises so you don’t have to buy anything: http://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/workouts/ab-workout-00100000074088/index.html
I do the “core contractions” and “seated squeezes”. Once you get the hang of them, you can do them in the car or anywhere you’re seated. I’ve never had such strong abs and my back is so much better. I can’t recommend this woman’s program highly enough- it’s been a life saver.
LikeLike
I agree with Claudia. Planks work great just by themselves. Pushups are great for the chest and arms if and you can modify to being on your knees.
The colors you’re using for the MS look fabulous! You’d be great at dyeing gradients.
LikeLike
I seem to have join-iris myself this month! 🙂
I think sit-ups are Not Good for many reasons — and have substituted some other, safer-for-the-back ab exercises for the sit-up portion of the Ab Challenge.
And I can’t wait to see what you do with gradient-dying!
LikeLike