Give Me Two Needles

Socks for Addie

2009-02-07T19:56:00.005-05:00

Around Christmas I saw some stretch sock yarn on sale and thought I would give it a try. I didn't have a pattern, so decided to use the tube sock found in Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. It said cast on 48 sts., so I did and it is turning out so small. I didn't have anyone in mind when I started, but I think they are going to be for my 6 year old granddaughter. That is one of the things I love about knitting socks. I don't worry too much if my gauge isn't exactly right because I decide who to give them to when the socks are done. I used #1 needles and am very pleased with the way the yarn is knitting up. The colors are pink and green and there is a nice blend. I'll post a photo tomorrow if I can find my camera and all its various cords. That's always a problem for me.

I was looking through all my knitting catalogs and I just had to wonder at all the choices we have in yarn. I am amazed at the richness and variety. I remember the lean years when you could only get Red Heart and a few other brands without traveling to the city to find the one and only yarn shop. It wasn't like that when I was in college in the 60's. Back then Department stores were actually department stores, not just glorified clothing stores. There was a housewares section, yarn and needlework, and fabric section. I could lose myself for hours. Then came the Hippie years and we had quilt fabric, macrame and all sorts of fun things. I cringe at some of the things I made, but still I was able to find materials for my hobbies.

But then something happened. I think it was a huge shift in retail. Corporate executives wanted to only look at the bottom line. Whatever sold the best is what we got and that was clothes...clothes, and more clothes. Store owners were no longer able to order what the people in the area actually wanted, but were forced to accept the dictates of Corporate policies whose leaders only worried about the bottom line. If you don't believe it's true, then follow the history of Walmart. It's a far cry from what made the store so successful in the beginning. OK, off my soap box. I'd better go look for that camera.

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-12T15:22:00.005-05:00

Well, last year's resolutions didn't turn out badly, so I am encouraged to make more this year. I got in the habit of thinking of my stash first before I bought yarn, so I think I am going to do that again this year. Same rules, but I will allow myself 2 get out of jail cards this year. This being the second year of "Lent" I'm allowing for a little more weakening.

This next resolution I am actually excited about; I guess because it is creative. I am just going to start with one bin and start making things...whatever the yarn tells me it wants to be. If my project ends up being too small, I am not taking it out once it is past 4". I'll just finish it and give it to charity or save it for my great grandchildren.

This resolution has left me feeling so much better. I'm sure my "knitter's imaging" will come back soon enough that way and I will enjoy my knitting so much more.

I am resolving to do one more thing which I hope to have done this month. I am dragging out all my knitting needles and other supplies and putting them in one place! After having a big house with 2 sewing rooms, I have things stored in all sorts of places. Now that I am living in 1/3 the space, I don't have enough room to keep everything. I also have lot of projects I lost interest in. I am going to finish whatever I can and gather the needles and yarn holders. I bet I have 100 stitch holders at the very least. I need to inventory them and get rid of the surplus that I will never use.

Now, if I can do as well as I did last year, I will really feel like I have accomplished something,

Recap of the year

2008-12-12T15:10:00.003-05:00

Well, I made it! I got through the year using only my stash. Actually, I did fall of the wagon one time which is allowed. I went on a genealogy trip with my sister to Pennsylvania and I bought some sock yarn and some very fine yarn to make a shawl with. I got the shawl yarn because my family went together and got me some quivit yarn made from muskox. It is incredibly expensive and I thought I would do better if I practiced some first.

Mother, Mary Beth and I all have our quivit, but only Mother has finished hers. She is a lot braver than Mary Beth and I, and also a better knitter. I have a wonderful book for using the super-fine yarn and I have seen numerous designs that I like, but haven't settled on one yet.

I also did some charity work. I made 6 white and blue scarfs for the Special Olympics. They are giving them to all their participants. I think it is such a great idea and hope they continue it the next Winter Olympics. I also got a wonderful books about charity knitting and some 16" round needles to knit oodles of little hat for the Santa Train to distribute. I think I will also use up some of my baby yarn for preemie caps.

Getting My Skills Back

2008-10-10T15:39:00.002-04:00

Finally, I am beginning to get some of my knitting imaging back. I should have mentioned that I knit very little for about 10 years because I had bursitis in my shoulder and carpel tunnel syndrome. The only way to cure it was to give it rest. For a while, I thought I would never knit again:( Fortunately, it didn't turn about that way. About 4 years ago, I began knitting again, but I was surprised to find that I had lost a lot of my "knitter's soft skills." I knew how to do most any knit stitch, but I was having trouble judging how something would look, or the size, or any of those things that come from experience. I never thought about how much those things add do our knitting. I am happy to say that new see a light in the tunnel, or I should say "an error in the directions."

I'm Having a Bad Knitting Month! or Knitter's Imaging

2008-07-23T19:56:00.003-04:00

I don't know if it happens to anyone else, but for the past month, all my attempts at knitting have been less than satisfactory, to say the least. I am trying to only use yarn from my stash and it seems like every combination of yarn and pattern I touch is wrong in some way. I'm just not getting the results I want.

This is the first time I've ever had this happen. Usually, I can pick up some yarn and start right in, but not so now. I wonder if the Knitting Genie feels like she's been getting no credit from me and she's now going to tell me what my knitting life is like without her. Please, please come back!

I did a swatch for an Aran for one of of my granddaughters. The stitch gauge was 25 sts = 4" and yet it called for a worsted weight yarn. The gauge was in pattern, and I wish they wouldn't do that. I'd much rather they give the gauge on ss. I figure if I am knitting the same on ss as the pattern maker then I'll get the same gauge on the pattern. I know that isn't always true, but the other way is just as problematic. For example, it says "over pat." Well, which part of the pattern? the center, the cables, the moss st.? You would actually have to do all the patterns and then measure, but then you are halfway done with the sweater, for a child at least. Another problem is that I knit differently on a pattern once I have learned the it. That means that my swatch is going to be wrong. I'd have to knit the swatch 2-3 times before I was consistent. The variation doesn't matter much when you are actually knitting the sweater because the pattern repeats several times across the sweater and you usually have a ribbing at the bottom to adjust any change of gauge at the beginning.

Grrr. The first yarn I used was too dense. The second was too fine. I could get the gauge, but I didn't like the way it felt. I tried a different pattern and didn't like the results there either. So I tried another yarn with a different pattern. It was a cotton with a lot of multicolor bits mixed in and I bought it thinking it would be great for one of the granddaughters. Well, I didn't like it. The yarn is a little too fragile for 6 year olds. The little "tufts" will soon be picked off and the sweater will droop.

Somehow, I seem to have lost that well developed sense long-time knitters have that show us in our minds what a certain yarn will look like when worked up. Is it "knitter's imaging?" You don't know the value of something until it is gone. I hope this is just a temporary thing like writer's block...or maybe it is the Knitting Genie. Please, please come back!

The Camos are done

2008-04-18T01:08:00.002-04:00

Well, all the camos are done. That means 4 of them...a green one for Jacob for his first hunting trip, a desert one for Charles...he's 3 and his dad and brother are in the National Guard and wear the tan camo, and 2 pink ones for Addie and Eli. All the kids look so cute in them. If I can get my camera working, I'll take some photos.

Now I am trying to figure out what to knit them for Christmas. I have been thinking about Arans for Eli and Charles. It seems a lot of work for a little one, especially Charles as he is the youngest and nothing gets passed down from him, but I love making them. It's wonderful to see the pattern to develop under your hands and there is enough going on in the pattern to keep you interested...or rather, it keeps me interested. There are times when I just want to knit something mindless, but most of the time, I want a little challenge.

Pink Camo Sweaters

2008-03-08T01:03:00.003-05:00

Well, I finished one and it has been worn and worn but on the second one I did something I can never remember doing on something knitted. I CUT A HOLE IN THE SWEATER while trying to cut off a joining yarn. It was right down in the front about 1-1/2" above the ribbing. I couldn't believe it. How could I be so careless? Arrrg!

I started to weave in a repair but it turns out that I cut thread in 2 different rows. I had a hole in it like you would in the heel of a sock. It was easier to take the sweater down and do it over again than to fix the hole. I can practically knit in my sleep, but I can't repair a hole, so I decided to just knit it over.

I'm finished now and I'll put it together tomorrow or Sunday, but my poor little granddaughter in Virginia won't have much time to wear it unless Virginia has a really late, late spring! Fortunately, I made the two sweaters very big, so they could wear them next year too. This year the sweaters were like a tunic. I'll try to post some photos in the next few days. They sure turned out cute!

I also knitted hats and 3 mittens. I do mean three! I would have knitted 2 pair, but there wasn't enough yarn. Three means that you still have a pair when one is lost. Once I started that when my kids were half grown, they never seemed to loose mittens any more. Go figure!

BTW, I am now in month 3 and still have not bought 1 skein of yarn:>) It is actually kind of fun. We'll see how it goes.

Camouflage Yarn

2008-01-11T23:35:00.000-05:00

I can't wait until I can get back to New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One by Cat Bordhi. I made the little Blue Sky sock and it was so much fun, but right now I am knitting little camouflage sweaters, mittens and caps as fast as I can.

I finished Jacob's sweater so he could wear it on his first hunting trip. (He's 11 and headed for Virginia and the "Swamp Hilton" as the hunting cabin is known.) After that, I got requests for some of the new pink camouflage yarn, so I started a bulky sweater for my granddaughter, Eli. The one I made was too small, but we couldn't get it off her, so I went back to Florida to make her another one and send it back as soon as possible. I knit a desert camo sweater for her 3 year old brother, Charles, and he put the little cap on and wouldn't take it off. I hope to get some of the photos soon. I put a little "Alfalfa" tail on the top and he looked like a little elf in it.

Back here in Florida, I got out more pink camouflage yarn to quickly make a sweater for my other granddaughter, Addie. Winter is VERY short here in North Florida and if I don't get it done soon, it will be shorts weather again. In fact, I saw a girl in shorts out today. The high was in the 70's. I'm not complaining about the temp, but it is a little limiting for a knitter. Fortunately, there are all those wonderful things you can knit and felt!

I am using Bernat's new "Softee" yarn and it is really soft. The kids love it. I don't know how it will wear, but the kids grow so fast, they wouldn't be able to wear it more than 2 seasons, so that isn't much of a factor. I haven't washed it yet, but so far it is a real pleasure to knit with.

I managed to knit 6 pairs of socks in December also and they made great presents. For the hunters and one spelunker, I used Lion Brand Wool-ease and it kept the guys warm, but they could also just throw the sock in the wash. My nephew has had his for 2 years and said they held up just fine, so I guess that will be my yarn of choice for the guys.

The other socks I made from a variety of self-striping yarn and they were such fun to knit. It is magical watching the color develop as you knit. I'm totally addicted. Fortunately they make great Christmas presents, so I can knit to my heart's content.

New Year's Resolutions - oh well!

2008-01-09T23:16:00.001-05:00

It doesn't seem like I should make more resolutions if I couldn't manage to keep the ones I made last year, but I am ever the optimist. This year I have done a lot of thinking about the state of the world. It started when I drove past the huge pet supermarket they are building out on A1A. Suddenly, it seemed obscene when people are starving all over the world. Our pets live better than most of the world.

Don't get me wrong; we have a dog and we love him dearly. He is very well-fed and living the life the people in Darfur can't even imagine. So, what has this to do with my New Year's resolutions? I got to thinking about how much yarn, quilting and needlework stash I have and realized that just because it's warm and fuzzy, doesn't mean that I am not still using more of the world's resources than is right, especially when I am not using it and am buying more (and more...)

I thought about spending a year working from my stash and it suddenly seemed not only a good idea, but a necessary one. I'd like to use same rules another group used with a few modifications:

1. I will not buy any yarn during 2008, with the following exceptions:

a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think I am made of stone?

b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that I really and truly do not have the yarn for, I may buy yarn to knit that gift.

c. If I am knitting something and run out of yarn, I may purchase enough to complete the project.

d. I get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- I am allowed to fall off the wagon one time.

2. I am allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

3. Trading stash is allowed.

I really liked those ideas except that I believe I have enough sock yarn to keep me going for several months, so I'll nix that one, at least for a while.

Resolution two: to do some knitting for charity this year. I don't suppose it will help anyone in Darfur, but I can use some of the yarn to knit for various charities, especially the Santa train in Appalachia. I have a lot of scraps that could be knit into hats and mittens. I used to do it all the time, but I haven't for ages.

Resolution three: to learn a new technique. Recently, I decided that I was going to master grafting stitches and to become so familiar with knitting socks that I could almost knit them in my sleep. That has gone really well and I like making socks so well, I plan to always have a pair on the needles. They are perfect to knit while I am working on the computer. I'm even going to make a knitted tree garland that has miniature socks, sweaters and mittens on it. I saw it in one of my books and I just loved it.

That worked so well, I thought I would chose another knitting skill. I haven't figured out just what I want to do, but I have some ideas. I got some qiviut yarn for Christmas and I plan to knit it into a shawl, so I think I might practice lace shawl knitting. I'd also like to do more felting so that I can feel more comfortable predicting the end product.

We'll see how it goes

Stash breaker

2007-11-12T13:57:00.001-05:00

Oh boy! It has been ages since I have blogged about knitting. I knitted myself into some serious shoulder problems last year making afghans. Too much of a good thing!

Recently I came across a knitting group who decided to knit from their stash for the first nine months of 2007. Coming on the heels of a trip to the attic to search for yarn I knew was there, this seemed to me to be a great idea. I cannot believe how much yarn I have. The group came up with some sensible rules and I think I will give it a try.

Here's the url if anyone is interested http://wendyknits.net/stash2007.htm

People like me should never get all their stash into one place at one time. It is much better viewed in a multitude of locations so that we don't have to see just how much is really there! When I combine it with fabric for quilting and books for all needle arts, it becomes overwhelming.

So....

I am going to follow this group's good example and pledge to knit from my stash in 2008. I'm still not brave enough to list all the yarn I have, but I can take down one bin at a time and knit from that until it is finished.

I've been knitting socks like the world is sockless and just found a charity knitting group that knits socks from a great little pattern called "Magic 28."

the http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/magic_28/

It shouldn't be hard to use just about any weight of yarn to knit up some socks that would keep someone warm this winter, especially since energy prices are going through the roof.

First, I have to finish knitting socks for the hunters and hikers in the family. I'm using wool-ease with size 3 needles to make the socks as dense as possible. I'm making a few pairs for the non-hunters also. They aren't as fun as the self-striping yarns, but my feet will thank me when I go up to Virginia.

I've also just finished a camouflage sweater for my grandson who is on his first hunting trip. The male members of my family have built a hunting cabin on some property on the Eastern Shore of VA and it is affectionately know as the "Swamp Hilton," (named after the piece of property called the "swamp field.") They do this male bonding thing at least twice a year. In the summer they gather to work on the cabin and in winter, they hunt. This is my grandson's first trip and he was so excited.

Back to the yarn... Our electric company has a contract for power that is about to run out and our bills are going to go up 30-50%. The thermostat is going to stay chillingly low this winter in an attempt to keep the bills to a manageable level. That means sweater, shawls, afghans and socks for all of us and that is music to this knitter's ears. We've been living in North Florida for about 20 years, so I haven't had the opportunity to try out a number of great looking sweaters I have patterns for. There is always a silver lining to every cloud. Now if I can just be disciplined enough to not get back into carpal tunnel territory. I figure that I can alternate with my quilting so as to not stress the same muscles. We'll see. I am going to dig out my camera and take photos of the things I make.

No Olympics for me!

2006-03-03T00:17:00.000-05:00

Well, my body made the decision for me. I got the flu and couldn't go into Jacksonville to get some more lessons, so I couldn't start the bowl. I couldn't start anything...this was a killer flu.

I'm working on my French Market tote for a KAL with me Felting group. It's been fun. I'm just about finished. It's been a long time since I have just knit with no pattern to worry about. I'm enjoying it. I always tend to challenge myself by either designing the project or picking a complicated one. It's been nice to just sit back and knit.

I'm preparing for my switch to my new and much smaller house sometime this year. I don't need this big house and I am looking forward to a place designed for easy living. Of course, it is the 2-story garage from my house, so a lot of things will stay the same. I've been living with my daughter and family for about 14 months and during this time I'm making some felted bowls to display and contain my projects. I'm also making bags to put on poles like coat racks. I guess I am trying to make my stash a decoration. Sounds like a good plan to me!

Olympic Knitting

2006-02-08T14:17:00.000-05:00

Do I commit to an Olympic stint of knitting? The object is to start knitting Feb. 10 with the opening ceremonies and finish by the Feb 26 closing ceremonies. You are supposed to choose something that is challenging for you and a real exercise of determination. The details are found here.

I'd like to do the "Trifold Knitter's bowl in The Second Treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bordhi. It looks complicated and I am 55 miles from anyone who can help me. I've never done any moebius knitting and the cast-on looks difficult. Why am I such a sissie about this? Years ago I would have taken it on without a second thought. When did I start avoiding challenges? On the other hand, I might be just more sensible about what I can accomplish nowadays.

It makes sense to start with one of the smaller, less complicated bowls, but would that be a challenge? Hmmm, what should I do? I think I will call my LNS and see if I can come down for some lessons and see how complicated the method is. I really want to make this bowl and this is a great opportunity. I can watch the olympics (especially when I should be cleaning or something else I don't want to do)and set aside time for knitting with a clear conscience.

What shall I do?

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

2006-01-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I've taken another quiz. I'm not too sure about this one. I agree with all of it except that I've "passed the growing pains and are feeling more adventurous." I passed my growing pains about 30 years ago! I design my own patterns a lot, especially Arans and have done for years. Hmmm...So I went back and looked at the questions. Well, when you only have 4-5 questions, how detailed can you get? I'll never be one of those people who put strange, funky yarns and styles together and try to pretend that it is creative just because it is bizarre. Now days I guess that makes me too conventional. So maybe I am, but then, who cares but me?

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.

You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.

What Kind of Knitter Are You?
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So what kind of knitter do I really think I am? I'd say confident, I may not like to do every kind of knitting stitch, but I'm sure I could manage somehow. Next, I'd say sensual. I like the feel, mood, and color of yarn. I have to touch it. This is one time when "look with your eyes" just won't do. I have to rub yarn on my cheek, smell it and relate to it. I like the natural fibers best, especially wool. No matter what we do to it, there is still a bit of wildness in it. It has bounce and "hand" and life. It tells me if it wants to come home with me and a lot of the time, it tells me what to make it into. Sometimes I argue with it, but the yarn ALWAYS wins.

I'm a competitve knitter. I like a challenge even if it is only with myself...sometimes especially when it is with myself! I want to make my knitting match what is in my head. Sometimes I have to wrestle with it and it lets me win when I finally understand it.

I'm definitely a "process" knitter and not a "product" knitter. Projects can languish for ages before being finished. Once I have gained the experience and seen how the sweater will turn out, it's hard to keep motivated. I'm ready to go on to the next challenge. That isn't always a bad thing. When I need a gift for someone, I can take one of my projects and finish it in a few days. Of course, children grow older and my languishing project may not fit anymore, but then there are more children being born who are the right size and the child who has grown out of one project may soon be growing into another.

I am a social knitter. I like knitting groups and they are good for me. I am more apt to finish something on time when I have been sharing it with others. I guess I want to show it off. No matter, if it gets it done. The downside is that I get intrigued with what someone else is doing and I'm off and running.

Whatever kind of knitter I am, I am sure of one thing. I love knitting! If I am in a good mood, I like to knit for the sheer enjoyment of it. I think better with my needles. Whether I am getting ready for a trip or being evacuated for a hurricane, I have to stop periodically and knit. It's not wasted time. It is how I collect myself and think about what is really important. It's like dropping back to punt. I get ahead better if I stop to think, but I just can't sit on a chair and do nothing. I have to do something to semi-occupy myself. I'm like Pavlov's dogs. Give me knitting and I relax and my mind spins free...better to think of important things I might have missed.

When I am making something for someone, I knit myself into whatever I am making. I see them receiving it, wearing it, enjoying it. I think about our history together and the future. I say some prayers for the wearer and sometimes for myself too.

I love knitting so much, I feel sorry for the people who can't knit. I try to teach as many people as I can. I want to share this gift that has been given to me. I guess you could call me a "Passionate Knitter." That about says it all.

What kind of Sock Type are you?

2006-01-20T22:02:00.000-05:00

You quite like socks, but your not overly-obsessed with them. You would have been a pair of knee-length socks in any color, and probably stripy or something to make you that little bit more interesting.

What type of sock are you?
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I found this cute quiz to take to determine what kind of "socks person" I am. It was very clever and I expect that it describes me very well...at least as regards to socks. I love to knit them. There is something about watching the self-striping patterns develop that is so compelling and yet so relaxing. And I love wearing them too. My friends don't understand, but there is something so satisfying about taking a string and two sticks and making an everyday, but necessary bit of clothing and stamping it with my own personal style.

The sox tie me to my Wisconsin grandmother whose chores included knitting the clothes she would wear every day. She'd be rolling in her grave however; to hear me speak lofty words about something she HAD to do daily. In fact, I once asked her why she liked to crochet so much better than to knit. She said that they all had to knit every day, but when they had finished, they could use left over yarn to crochet pretty trims to go on their clothing. She always associated crochet with creativity and individual style...sort of what I was saying about my sox...Hmmm.