Knit or read?

I hate making the choice. But it's rather necessary.

I know. I know. Audio books. The problem with that is I don't like having the book read to me. I want to read it myself. Jim Dale reading "Harry Potter" aloud might be awesome but not for an entire book. Let me make the voices talk in my head.

But if I'm reading I'm not knitting. If I'm knitting I'm not reading. I might be reading about knitting but I'm still not knitting.

Then, of course, neither are spinning or weaving. There are just too many things I want to do and too many things I need to do. That's not even counting in what I spend 40 hours a week doing - working!

Aside from all the projects I want to knit and the books about knitting I want to read, the projects I want to spin and weave, the books on weaving I want to read, there are the books like "Unraveled" and "Jane Austen Ruined My Life" and "The Decaffeinated Corpse." All three are waiting for me right now. I'm actually reading "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies", "Pride & Prescience" and "Jane Austen Ruined My Life" at the moment. I sneaked in a peak at "Unraveled."

I need to find a way to warp the time-space continuum, dammit! More time, less silly stuff like cleaning and organizing to do. That's what I need.

I think a nice vacation would be good right about now.

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World wide knit in public day?

I don't get it. I've knit in public for years. I'm known on my bus route as "the woman who knits on the bus." Recently another woman has started doing that too and we are "the women who knit on the bus."

There are other women on the bus who knit but apparently they don't KIP.

When I ride the bus I have to choose the project carefully. If it's something very intricate that takes a lot of room (for different types of yarn or for the pattern charts) that's not very practical. The bus is crowded, I need too much room for the chart unless the chart is small, and I get sick if I have to read much while the bus is moving.

I get sick from the bus moving anyway but that's because of the driving and the twists and turns of the route, but that's another issue.

Socks are a great project for bus travel. I'm working on a pair of monkey socks using Tofutsie yarn. I like the yarn but there isn't much give. It is what it is -- much like linen but softer. And you'd never know it was made from crab shells except for the lovely sheen.

The one thing about knitting on the bus is the fun watching reactions. When I started riding the bus -- and therefore knitting on the bus -- about 10 years ago people would wait until the seat beside me was the last empty seat and then they would sit there. They were quite uncomfortable about doing it. I guess someone wielding pointy sticks intimidated them.

As people became more comfortable with the idea they would sit and ask about my project. Then came the point when people would bring a project along just so they could get a quickie lesson! That was when I knew I crossed the line from "scary, crazy lady knitting" to just "crazy lady knitting."

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Commission

I went to have my hair done the other day and my stylist saw I was knitting. He asked how long the sock project would take and then he asked if he could commission me to knit a pair of mitts.

We talked about what he would be using them for, fiber content, color and such. I sent him some links yesterday so he could take a look at some yarns.

Then the shocker: he said he would do a color and cut as payment. I guess I looked stunned and he said he would pay more if the cost was higher. I told him, no the cost certainly wasn't higher and I was already thinking of where to find the yarn I had in mind so I could send a picture.

Turns out the yarn I thought of is discontinued but I found a good substitute. I just need him to now say yes or choose another. Then I can make the measurements and order the yarn.

When we talk again I'm going to alter payment a bit. What he's suggesting is so way overpayment to the point of ridiculous! I can't possibly accept.

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Knee socks?

No! BEE socks.

A friend of mine is a science writer and she has done several stories about the disappearing bees. I made the bee mummy for her (long story)







so for the holiday I gave her some bee socks

And no. It was not from my stash. But I ask you: how many times are you going to come across a yarn that is this perfect for a bee project?

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Why the stash?

Non-knitters sometimes ask the silliest questions! "Why do you have all this yarn?"

Lots of reasons!

1) I see the yarn in the store for a project that will be next in line. I can't be sure I'll finish (or even start) before the dye lot is sold out so maybe I should buy a few extra skeins just in case. Once the project is done and I have the leftovers (whole or partial skein doesn't matter at that point) there's nothing for it but putting it in the stash. Take the whole skeins back to the store? That's just crazy talk!

2) I see the yarn in the store and I think of a project I'd love to do so I buy the yarn for that project. But something comes up (like another project) and I don't get a chance to cast on or warp the loom. What else can I do but put it in the stash?

3) I see yarn in the store and I buy it because of the color (texture, etc.) but I don't know what I'm going to use it for quite yet. I'll know the perfect project when I see it. However if I don't buy it now the perfect project will come along and I won't be able to get that yarn. Stash now; knit later.

4) I see yarn in the store and it's on sale! I don't know what I'll use it for yet but I'm sure I'll be able to figure out something. I mean, look at it! How can it not be great for something? And the price! That's such a good price! Buy it; stash it.

5) I see the yarn in the store and I just have to have it -- hmmm, a pattern emerging? -- because I'm a hoarder of yarn and it's mine, mine, all mine!

"Once there is a stash, why buy more? Why not work from the stash?"

That's just more crazy talk! The stash is where all the ideas come from. It's the "cabbage patch" of projects, if you will. There sit all the skeins of yarn. Look at the way they can be combined and ideas will just pop into your head. A Plethora of projects. All the possibilities are right there before your eyes. Once you make a choice, all the possibilities disappear as if they were never there at all.

That idea depresses me. Excuse me. I'm going to the yarn store now. I need to buy some yarn in order to get out of this funk.

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Forum luncheon

Today I went to a luncheon where the speaker was Oliver "Buck" Revell. The talk was very good. The man is a former FBI agent and was talking about "global terrorism." His responses to the questions were interesting and direct. No hedging, which I appreciated. Of course there were no specifics because a) the time was too short and b) that would be telling and that's something thee FBI just doesn't do.

There was a whole "Charlie Wilson's War" edge to it. He also mentioned the book. I think I'd like to read that. I think I'll look for that one as well as Revell's book next time I go to the bookstore.

Of course I also want ot get another Lee Nichols book. And let's not forget "The Eclectic Sole." I saw a "Clean House" where Trish actually said, "How many knitting books does one person really need?" It's a good thing I wasn't there to bitchslap her! Silly girl! Silly question!

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FINISHED!!!

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

The Christmas stockings are finally finished. I trust no one would mind if I vow at this moment never to do these stockings again.

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The Plan

A'ndrea and I have decided we are going to pull together to help each other - sometime. We both have stashes in desperate need of organization. She and I have decided to get together and help each other do just that. I want to put mine in the "stash" section of Ravelry as well as in a spread sheet so maybe - just maybe - I can figure out what I have and what projects are squirreled around.

I need to turn some WIPs and UFOs into FOs, dammit!

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That candy cane!

The candy cane and the name are supposed to be knitted in or duplicate stitched later. Duplicate is NOT working! I think I'm going to cross stitch both on.

Last night I knitted a a strip three stitches wide, alternating the green and white as the candy cane requires and I could sew that on. I also thought about making it out of felt and sewing it on. Either option still would not address the name issue. I like the idea that the candy cane and the name are made in the same way for continuity of the project.

There are supposed to be some felt holly leave on this somewhere but I don't think I'm going to put those on. I could decorate the tree with French knots maybe.

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Candy cane - what to do?

One side of the stocking has a tree; the other side has a candy cane. The tree lends itself nicely to intarsia but the candy cane is only 2 stitches wide in most places and striped at that.

I could (if I had done it earlier) purl the stitches of the cane and duplicate stitch them after. Or I could duplicate stitch then on knit. Or I could crochet them either way. Ot I could make the candy cane and then sew it on. Hmmmm....

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Starting over

I couldn't stand the Red Heart any longer. I wasn't getting anywhere with the project because I couldn't stand the feel of the yarn. Vilevilevilevile!!!!

I changed to Plymouth Encore. Now it's never going to be my favorite yarn; however I like it for projects like the Christmas stockings and for afghans, children's sweaters, things I know are going to require ease in washing and drying.

It's going much better!

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Ugh!

Ripping out! I was counting stitches last night. There should be an uneven number of stitches in the Christmas tree. There were not. Several rows back I didn't increase on the one side. Ripping back tonight!

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Christmas stocking

I found the pattern. It was in the file so that's settled. I did the ribbing and the band. Now I'm ready to start the tree. I emailed Eileen to ask some details like the names and where does the holly go. She's going to cut out the holly and sew it on.

I wasn't sure about the placement of the names on the top but she was able to answer that for me. I was deciding whether to do the tree in duplicate or Intarsia. I thin k Intarsia will be best but the candy cane and the names are duplicate stitch.

The yarn is VILE!

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Crap, crap, crap!

I totally forgot I'm supposed to make two Christmas stockings for a woman I used to work with. With the move and all I gave the stocking back that she loaned me. I did not want to lose that, I can tell you! It was one that was made for her daughter when her daughter was a young girl. I know how I would feel if the one mom sewed for me was lost!

Problem: where in the world did I put the pattern??? I saw it not long ago but did I put it with the yarn? Nooooooooo! Of course not! Worst case I call the woman and ask for a copy of the original - which I gave back with the stocking.

I think I know where it is. I look this morning in the folding file where I have a bunch of patterns I need to put in page savers. Then I have to put then in my pattern notbook. Of course because I was so sure the pattern was in there - it wasn't.

Next stop - my file drawer. Now I'm certain that's where I last saw the pattern. Uh huh. We'll see tonight when I actually find the pattern. not finding it is really not an option. (It is but it isn't.)

If I sit down and just do them I can probably have both finished next week.

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Ripping back and starting again

That's exactly what I did. The twists where the cable join were not coming out clearly.



I'm going to put two purl stitches in the center to see if that gives a little more definition. I also have to make just one twist instead of two. That's the problem with variegated yarn.

So here's where it is now

That's better. Happier me!

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Gloves and cables

I decided to put a cable on the gloves. Two actually. I have one on each side of the wrist. Every two rows I cross a stitch in on both sides. A purl on the outside of the cable makes the cable stand out better than if I knit. 

The inside of the "diamond"  is seed stitch. Every other row is a pattern row. The row in between is a plain row with seed stitch only in the center of the diamond. 

I think I'll do a double twist where the sides of the diamonds meet.     

  

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Socks? Gloves?

I decided I have to have a knitting project going. It's not as though I don't have plenty of projects going now but I feel the need to work on something new.

I got my needles out and my sock yarn and it's gloves! I decided I want to make some nice, long gauntlet gloves. I checked by sticking a pair of socks on my arms and I discovered that the length should be about the length of the leg or perhaps a little longer. I can actually use the same number of stitches to start. The hand and foot area should take about the same amount of yarn since my hand is smaller than my foot. Even if it takes more I should have enough yarn. When I make socks I usually have enough left over to make a pair of "golf socks." I'm almost done with the ribbing so it's decision time. Make a plain arm or make a cable. Hmmm....

I'm still winding out a warp for the loom. I can't seem to get motivated at stand at the loom after a long day at work. The weekends have been a little hectic too. I'm trying to make the best of the good weather because I know it won't last forever. Then in the evening I veg out in front of the computer or the TV. Usually with a cat needing and deserving attention while she sleeps.

Iggy does try to help out. In order to keep me from vegging in front of the computer, she jumps up on the chair for a snooze until I'm settled somewhere else. There's something about claiming "my spot" as "her spot." Typical kitty behavior.

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Excitement

I went to the Fair this past weekend. A friend of mine won a blue ribbon for her afghan. In her words it's a "fierce pink" that will "growl at all the other baby afghans and make them cry." It is actually a lovely raspberry color. She did a beautiful job on it!

She also go a "best of show" ribbon for her socks. She does the best kitchner stitch I've ever seen. I have to get her to teach me how she does that so evenly! Very cool. I had to call to congratulate her as soon as I got home.

I have to call the woman who is getting married in September. Here's the problem: what do you get a couple who is getting married - both for the second time; both have their own homes and have had for some times - and they will not be living together for a while. I was thinking about weaving the cloth that will wrap their hands during the ceremony but I don't know if they will be having that kind of ceremony.

Next problem: If I do weave the cloth, which is about the size of a scarf, what to do with the project I'm warping now? Since it isn't fully wound out I could put it aside or I could wind for the smaller loom. Of course there's no place to put the smaller loom to work on it so the larger loom would be better ... and on and on.

Yep. I really need to call her tonight.

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