fiber of my being

Nice Stash!

2009-04-18T23:35:00.003-04:00

Dear Modest Yarn Stash,

I suppose that every knitter buys yarn differently. I have marveled at personal stashes that were the knitting equivalent of a home LYS, custom shelving full of wool, home yarn studios and walk-in fiber rooms. I feel an initial twinge of envy when I see such things but then I remember how I buy yarns and why it suits me.

Most obvious I suppose is that my yarn budget is not six figures… or five… or four, we’ll call it modest. One might think that I do a great deal of planning like “once I have enough money I need “x” amount of yarn for “x” project”. That would seem practical but I also have my whimsical, flighty inner child with which to contend. That side talks to me in space-cadet terms; it says things like “soft”, “shiny”, “fuzzy”, and “that’s the color of moonbeams on Datura flowers”. Yeah.

I might add that this phenomenon hits me when I forget to pack the shopping list that my practical side penned in green ink on a yellow mini Post It note and I find myself dumbstruck in my LYS (which mind you, is about an hour and a half away from home).

All is not lost and certainly not useless, these purchases with no intent (other than their sensuality), become bits of inspiration. I have no idea what I will knit with them initially and it leads me to ponder them, examine them and await that serendipitous moment where a couple balls of airy mohair become a finished piece of knitting. It keeps me going and I wouldn’t change a thing.

love,
Terry

P.S.
Just so you know if I win the lottery (if I ever actually play the lottery), I’ll probably buckle and build a fiber studio but it doesn’t mean I appreciate you any less.

Resolutions Redux

2009-04-18T00:41:00.002-04:00

Dear Knitting,

I have been reminded how I have neglected my blog even after promising to blog in my New Year’s Resolutions post. Don’t be upset, I kept (most of) my resolutions to you. I started designing some original patterns (which hopefully will not be flops), knitting (a little) more (than usual), knitting those small gifts and planning that pullover (looking at patterns, deciding they are blah and fantasizing about yarn that would make my hoodie cost several hundred dollars). See? I’m still here with you and we’ve learned so many things already.

always,
Terry

Bygone Times and Things to Come

2009-01-01T22:01:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! 2008 was my first full year as a knitter. In retrospect it was a good year of knitting filled with firsts, increased confidence in my technique and most of all it cemented the fact that I love this art and I am sticking with it. Most of my obsessions du jour do not ever see the one year mark. I have not knitted a gazillion projects, I have not stressed about finishing piles of woolly Christmas presents for everyone I know, but I have enjoyed every minute. Knitting is my indulgence: it is my chocolate, my coffee, my bubble bath, it is something I don't need to share but occasionally I will let a friend or family member indulge as well.

I spent my year learning new things, reading about knitting, daydreaming about knitting and yes, actually knitting. Granted, I didn't do a hell of a lot of blogging about knitting but I have not forgotten the address (see my resolutions below).

Normally I do not make New Years Resolutions. I am an honest and realistic person and resolutions just seem an attempt in vain. I am however going to make some knitting resolutions since I am still new to the craft and have much more to learn. Here goes...

New Knitting Year's Resolutions:

Knit More: Yes, I need to knit more. If not for industriousness then for the mere idea of learning new things and improving on that which I already know.
Design an Original Piece: I have yet to invent (or "unvent" as EZ would say), a knitted object. I have many ideas in my notebook, I just have to bring at least one of them to fruition.
Learn to Spin: I understand this is a bit of an ambitious undertaking but I have my reasons (stay tuned, more to come...)
Knit a Pullover: More specifically, a pullover for myself. I am not sure as to what (a lovely Fair Isle? A Gansey? A Hoodie?), all I know is that I want something warm, lovely and comfortable made by me for me. Is that egotistical?
Knit Small Gifts Throughout the Year: This is not a promise that everybody I know will be getting knitted gifts but I would like to start a nice stack of "ready to gift" items that I knit throughout the year so they are handy when Christmas rolls around. I refuse to do any mad, last minute knitting (I have no shortage of Holiday stress), so if there's any hope of hand knits under the tree it would have to be done in advance.

Well, I think that is good enough to kick off the year, I don't want to get carried away. After all, as I stated before: knitting is my personal indulgence, I don't want to muck it up by making it seem like a chore. I suppose I also forgot to mention "blog more frequently", I have been a bit lax in that area.

All the best to all of you in this coming year!

A Case of the Dropsies

2008-06-15T23:13:00.014-04:00

Dear knitters, believe me or not I have never dropped a stitch. Well, not until this darling cap I’ve been knitting. I used to be under the impression that dropped stitches were the karmic punishment of careless, sloppy knitters who didn’t pay attention and tried to knit at raceway speeds.

Knitting Gods: “Oh! So you knit a full sized, adult pullover in
a mere two hours? Take this!”
*Zap! Goes the Staff of Dropped Stitches*

That, like most generalizations was unfair.

I lost count of just how many stitches I had dropped after repairing the fifth or sixth and continued to drop them here and there as I knitted along. Pathetic! At least it was yet another trial in my knitting catechumenate and I dealt with it as I do with any other new aspect of this craft. I researched the matter, located my crochet hook and came to the rescue of my poor cap which was starting to look like a pair of Courtney Love’s nylons.

Dropped stitches are importunate little things but thankfully they are easily spotted and remedied. Even if you have no desire to crochet, it’s wise to have a crochet hook on hand. They’re quite useful tools in knitting and the best wrangler for runaway yarns. I have a little ‘k’ hook I keep in my knitting bag just for this purpose. Dropped stitches can also be recovered by the very needles with which you are currently knitting but it is a nimble feat that may very well end in further frustration. Below is a tutorial courtesy of How Stuff Works.

Count your stitches often as you work, especially after casting on and after making increases or decreases. This habit will help you catch many mistakes. If your stitch count is less than it should be, it may be because a stitch has dropped from your needle.

Use a crochet hook to correct a dropped stitch, whether it has dropped one row or several rows (a running stitch).

Step 1: Hold the knit side of the work toward you. Count the horizontal strands between the two needles to determine how many rows the stitch has slipped. It's important to begin with the very first strand closest to the dropped stitch. With the loose horizontal strands behind the loop of the dropped stitch, insert a crochet hook into the loop from front to back. Catch the first horizontal strand and pull it through the stitch (fig. 20a). Repeat the step with each horizontal strand until the dropped stitch is back at the current row.

Dropped Stitches: Figure 20a

Step 2: Place the stitch on the left needle untwisted, with the right loop of the stitch in front of the needle (fig. 20b).

Dropped Stitches: Figure 20b

Continue in pattern.

After this harrowing experience, I came to a name for the cap in question. I think the “Oh @#$! Cap”, is most fitting. And so my fellow knitters, if you’ve yet to drop a stitch, count your blessings but be warned; you are knitting on borrowed time.

Dropped stitch tutorial is the intellectual property of: Kimbrough, Terry. "Knitting Instructions." 16 May 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. 15 June 2008. .. and is used here in accordance with the citation guidelines as stated by the aforementioned.

FO: Faux Spanish Lace Shawl

2008-04-30T18:06:00.006-04:00

I just finished Mmario's Faux Spanish Lace Shawl. I learned of Mmario and his lace designs through Men Who Knit and this particular pattern which he created as a beginner's lace project. Mmario also has a Yahoo Group called MMarioKKnits where he offers patterns and discussion of his designs from the simple Faux Spanish Lace to a variety of sublimely intricate lace work. While knitting the Liesel scarf I was considering getting a t-shirt which read "not now" or "just let me finish this row", but Faux Spanish Lace can be memorized in no time and I could actually converse, watch a movie or even put it down and know what I was doing when I picked it back up.

I loved knitting this shawl so much that I am considering doing it again with a variation as well as using laceweight. I used worsted weight this time because I wanted it to be a sturdy, warm Winter shawl for my grandmother.

Here are the specs:

Project: Faux Spanish Lace Shawl

Pattern Source: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MMarioKKnits/

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool (Solids)

Yarn Color: Scarlet

Yardage Used: 419 Meters (458.2 Yards) Almost Three Skeins

Fiber Content: 100% Wool

Needles: 6.5mm Knit Picks Harmony Options (US10.5)

Finished Dimensions: 155cm (61") across the top X 91cm (36") down the center

Date Started: March 15th

Date Finished: April 15th (it doesn't really take a month but I was lazy and I don't count an object finished until ends are sewn in and it is blocked... in other words I procrastinated).

Care Instructions: Hand Wash Cool Water, Dry Flat, Do Not Wring

Notes: Mmario had posted to Men Who Knit that it had come to his attention that the chart for this pattern was printed incorrectly (the written instructions are however correct). I don't know if this has been fixed on the PDF file or not but it may be worthwhile to compare it to the written instructions if you are using the chart (using charts is something I avoid like the plague).

And finally the whole shebang. I didn't have a model and my shoulders are way too broad for a shawl so the lat bar of my home gym kindly obliged...

FO: Liesel Scarf

2008-03-10T19:22:00.003-04:00

The Liesel Scarf is blocked, unpinned and ready to be giftwrapped to give to my mom on Easter Sunday. Here are the specs...

Pattern: Liesel by Mary Joy Gumayagay

Made For: Mom

Needles: KP Harmony Interchangeables size US8/5.0mm

Fiber: 100% Wool

Fiber Weight: Worsted

Fiber Brand: Lion Wool by Lion Brand

Colorway: Winter White

Fiber Amount: 271 Meters (296 yards)

Finished Size: 150cm (59") x 23cm (9")

Liesel Scarf

2008-03-09T21:02:00.003-04:00

Well I finally managed to complete Mary Joy Gumayagay's Liesel scarf. I am very pleased with the project, the pattern is well written and no problem to figure out, although I had some trouble at the beginning with the SK2PO (slip one stitch, knit two stitches together, pass slipped stitch over), I can't remember what I assumed it meant but my knitting posse at Men Who Knit cleared everything up for me.

Don't think it was all wine and roses, Liesel and I started off on the wrong foot. This was my first "big boy" pattern, life before Liesel was all knit, purl and not much else. I was determined to get through this however. I started Liesel on some aluminum (I don't like metal), straights which were the only thing I had at the time in that size. What resulted was bursts of progress and then a mistake of some sorts would send the thing flying into the frog pond. "Great" I thought, I would have to lock myself up like a hermit if I were to ever make some serious progress with this (that's when I learned about using a lifeline). Then something new came along to halt this project, I ordered my KnitPicks Options Interchangeable Harmony Wood Circular Knitting Needle Set, surely after frogging it yet again I could wait until my fancy new needles arrived and dump those aluminum straights. Well, as it turns out the size I needed for the Liesel Scarf was in place and I was happily knitting away when I found there was a defect in one of the tips which snagged unrelentingly at the wool. So another wait was eminent, thankfully Knit Picks took care of the problem in no time at all. Finally, with no more excuses, Liesel was under way toward the end of February. As I type this entry, it is done. Liesel is blocking on my ironing board right this very moment, as a matter of fact, my hands are still pruny and smell of wool wash.

As a beginner, I learned some good lessons from this pattern. Here's a little rundown...

When dealing with patterns composed of various stitches/techniques, keep count of your stitches! I double checked at the end of each row that I had the correct number on the needles. I also went through each row of the pattern and wrote down the number of stitches that should be left on the needles at completion of that row. This made life so much easier.

I made myself a large-type printout of this pattern in an easy to read font with lots of space between rows. I put said pattern on my clipboard and was ready for action (this stopped me from knitting half of row 6 and finishing it with half of row 7).

SK2PO means Slip One Stitch, Knit Two Stitches Together, Pass Slipped Stitch Over

Using a lifeline is as vital as the name suggests. I used a length (not too short or it may pull through) of black cotton embroidery floss after each pattern repeat. This way if I had to frog, I only had to rip down to the string which also let me know how my stitches should go back on the needles. I used embroidery floss as it is less likely to get in the way when knitting the row above it, embroidery floss also doesn't (shouldn't) shed, getting odd colored fibers into your work. Think about it, why would you want to frog an entire project when you could get away with frogging only a couple of rows?

The felted join is a fabulous way to start a new ball (assuming that the yarn you are using can be felted)

Knitting the tail of your Cast On into your work with the first couple stitches (no need to weave in one end at least).

Duplicate Stitching as a means to neatly weave in the remaining yarn end(s).

And finally, I've learned that my ironing board isn't such a great blocking board. I really need to come up with something different.

All in all I am very happy with my Liesel scarf. This is the first project I am super proud of. I will post some specs as well as pictures of the finished scarf soon. Also, to my fellow newbie knitters; dive in the deep end. I highly recommend it. Choose a project that seems just a bit too advanced for you and get yourself through it no matter what. I guaranty you will be pleased with the lessons you've learned.

Knitting Lamp

2008-03-05T17:47:00.009-05:00

I had entertained the idea of purchasing a Full Color Spectrum - Daylight craft lamp (OTT-Lite for example), to use while knitting as my household lighting is more on the decorative side and less on the practical side.

I had a few reservations about this idea however...

Cost - most major brands are quite costly

Style - Some are just plain ugly, OTT-Lite makes some attractive models but... (see above entry)

Availability - I have no place in my area to purchase one in person, therefore not only would I be buying a $200 lamp but I would be paying to ship the thing as well

Replacement Bulbs - some of said lamps cost up to $30 just to replace a bulb (though bulb changes are said to be infrequent), not to mention shipping charges as availability is yet again an issue.

Well, as is my usual way; I improvised. I browsed the light bulb selection at my local Wal-Mart and found that GE makes an Energy Smart Daylight bulb. I figured if this didn't work out I would just put them to use somewhere in the house. I found them to be just the solution I was looking for for several reasons...

Color Clarity - the bulbs stood up to the test against swatches, yarns, color charts, embroidery floss, really anything I could find that illustrated subtle color variation
Cost - Don't quote me on it but I'm pretty sure I paid under $10 for a two pack

Availability - if they have them in my town they surely have them in yours too. This also solves the replacement bulb problem with other craft lamps. Not to mention you can use them in any standard lighting fixture, no need to purchase a special lamp.

All in all I am totally pleased with these bulbs as a knitting lamp. They give clean, bright light and allow me to see true colors while working. They are compact fluorescent bulbs which are available in several wattages so they can also save money on your power bill.

In closing I should state that this tip is not to suggest that the aforementioned GE bulbs are equal to OTT-Lite or similar craft lamps. I have not used another brand of craft lamp, so I really couldn't ascertain similarities in their performance. I have however found this to be a personally suitable solution and the best light by which I have knitted. I merely offer this as a suggestion for persons such as myself who find the price and availability of such lamps prohibitive.

Nose Candy Anyone?

2008-02-03T16:34:00.000-05:00

My dealer (er... friend), hooked me up with a couple packages of those Ice Breakers Pacs that have Police and the Soccer Moms who harass them into caring, up in arms. In case you haven't heard, apparently the instant their Ritalin enslaved zombie-children see-ingest these things, they're going to start picking up and eating all those random packs of cocaine you find lying all over the place. After all, children are mindless, I remember when I was five years old, I listened to one Black Sabbath song and instantly went on a killing spree. I wasn't allowed to play Intellevision for a month!

Anyway, there had to be a knitting aspect to this somewhere. Well, once you're done blasting off, the transparent blue plastic case with it's sliding lid makes a very handy notions case for stitch markers, needle size tags, endcaps for interchangeables etc. I just peeled off the plastic tags and soaked them in hot water to remove any stuck on bits. There was some remaining adhesive on the lid which removed easily with a smear of vegetable oil (washes off with dish soap). They're good looking, sturdy little boxes and the mints are tasty too.

I Am Wool

2008-01-29T17:40:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not making a Zen knitting statement, I just took the "Which Fiber Are You" quiz at the Pottercraft site and it tells me that I am wool. Finally I know my destiny. Really though, it's a fun quiz and if you email them with your results as the subject and your postal address as the body of the message they will send you a free button so you can tell the world.
So what does it mean to be wool like me? Well according to the quiz results it is this:

Wool – Resilient and extensible“Wool is extremely resilient and highly extensible…you can stretch it a third of its length, or two-thirds when wet, and it’ll recover to its original shape.” –The Knitter’s Book of Yarn
Wools have a very peaceable and amenable personality. You are a social animal and tend to prefer the company of others over solitude. You are agreeable and rarely on the wrong side of an argument. You are not a fighter but you are strong. You are resilient and don't let things bend you out of shape, and you can show a lot of self-restraint when necessary.

Perhaps so, though I would have to disagree on the dislike of solitude. In public, the more the merrier but when I walk in the door to my house it's like walking into my own hermitage. Save for Tom, the dogs and the cat I really just want to be left alone most of the time.

*** Update - 1, February 2008 ***

I just received my free "I'm Wool" button from Potter Craft. It looks just like the picture at the top of this blog. Someone even wrote "Enjoy!" on the card to which it was attached. I'm a sucker for personal touches, they melt my cold little heart.

Desperate Measures

2008-01-24T22:53:00.000-05:00

I have a big sweet tooth, if it contains sugar (or even sugar substitute), I want it. Well, today was one of those days where I arrived home from work feeling cold, worn out and anti-social. Oh yeah, and really craving something sweet. Tomorrow is grocery day and I really didn't have much in the house to make sweets, especially notable was the lack of fruit, confectioner's sugar, white sugar, butter and milk. ARGH! I couldn't come up with anything. So I collected my thoughts and figured since I didn't have milk or butter I would have to whip up something Vegan. I came across Peanut Butter Coffee Cake at VegCooking.com and it hit the spot wondrous well. Granted, my version didn't turn out vegan and I had to fudge it a bit as well. I used real eggs (yes, I'm going to hell), I substituted water for Soy Milk, and I used oil instead of margarine. I know this sounds like a mess but it came out perfect, delicious and it tamed my sugar craving. Perhaps one more piece? Ah, if only I had a cold glass of milk. Oh, here it is...

Peanut Butter Coffee Cake
Serve this delight at your next brunch, and it will be gone before your guests can say, “Another cup of java, please!”

For the topping:

1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 Tbsp. margarine

For the cake:

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup soy milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
Egg Replacer equivalent of 2 eggs
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine

• Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
• For the topping, mix the brown sugar and flour. With a pastry knife, a fork, or your fingers, cut in the peanut butter and margarine until crumbly; set aside.
• For the cake, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the soy milk, peanut butter, egg replacer, and margarine. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Pour into the baking pan and sprinkle with the topping. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Preparation time: 20 minutes Baking time: 30 minutes
Makes 12 servings

Counting My Chickens Before They've Hatched

2008-01-24T17:53:00.000-05:00

The US government is in the process of approving a tax rebate for citizens who meet certain criteria in order to boost the economy. The original plan was an $800 check, but it's looking like $600 is going to be the amount if in fact it is approved. Nonetheless, I'll take it! Though I take everything our government says with a proverbial grain of salt, I'm jumping the gun on this one. Maybe it's the winter doldrums, maybe it's the after holiday poverty or maybe it's the promise of several hundred dollars worth of knitting books and supplies! Tom and I tend to be very simple, practical people who don't splurge on much of anything. Even our income tax returns never go towards anything fun; they go toward things we need, not things we simply want. Tom and I decided that this would be "free" money for us, we can each spend our half however we please. Of course this had me poring through knitting catalogs/websites as well as my Amazon wishlist in order to compose what I called my "$800 List". Well, it looks like I'll be paring the list down a bit but I'm not upset, after all it is money that I wasn't even expecting. I was only at an estimated $700 of my $800 list anyway. At least I didn't get too carried away.

KP Options Harmony Wood Interchangeables

2008-01-15T18:20:00.000-05:00

Today was my day. I arrived home from work with a hunch that I would see a parcel from KnitPicks with my name on it and sure enough, there is was. I carefully opened the package and beheld what I had longed to behold (for seven business days at least)... my spanking new Knitpicks Options Harmony Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set! My quest for interchangeable knitting needles came about last November. I decided that an interchangeable set would be the most practical and economical way of obtaining a good arsenal of assorted knitting needles. I did a bit of research on interchangeable sets and the Harmony set won me over.

The needles have the perfect feel in my opinion, the birch needle tips have that paradoxical combination of hard and soft texture that makes me partial to wooden needles. The finish on the needles is hard and slick with just that minute amount of "drag" which I'm sure will be much appreciated when working with slippery yarns. The needles are also nicely tapered and have good points. The colors are lovely as well, they're not at all as garish as I was lead by some reviewers to believe. I even think they're more subdued than the pictures on the KnitPicks website. Then again, I'm of Swedish and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage so I'm not afraid of color. The joins are smooth and align virtually seamlessly to the cables. The cables have a nice amount of flexibility to them but they're not droopy and have a good bit of memory to them. Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with the construction and appearance of these needles.

Before receiving my set, the one thing I thought I wasn’t going to like was the case for these needles. It seemed too plasticky for such pretty wooden needles and it struck me as the type of thing women receive as a freebie from department store cosmetics counters. I was a bit hasty in judgement as I do find it practical for the time being and it snugly holds the needle tips in individual sleeves along each side of the bag. The provided case also leaves room for the size 13US (9.00mm), 15US (10.00mm), and 17US (12.00mm), needle tips (sold separately), as well as two additional sleeves for what you will. There is room in the center for the bag of cables, cable caps and various other knitting accoutrement. I may however, replace this bag as my only fear is it’s lack of harder, more protective sides. It was suggested to me that I look at sportsmen’s shops for a “worm binder” which is a case that fishermen use for their (synthetic) tackle. The Browning Fishing Jumbo Worm Binder looks like it would do the trick nicely.

I had also read a complaint that they didn’t come with any type of instructions as to how to properly attach the needles to the cables. I beg to differ; the card that is enclosed with the cables (the thing said complainer probably pulled out and threw away), has the instructions printed right on it, and frankly it's not that hard to figure out. I liked KnitPicks low-profile, low-waste product packaging, I wish more companies were as conscientious. Mind you, everything was packaged securely enough to arrive unscathed.

Because KnitPicks has the lovely policy of free shipping for orders over $50US I picked up two little extras with the money I had set aside in case of shipping & handling fees. I bought a set of the Needle Size ID Tags which are sturdy and convenient, as the needles themselves are not marked. I was also pleased that these tags displayed both Metric and US sizes. Finally I picked up a KnitPicks View Sizer, while not as pretty as the metal sheep needle sizer I had my eye on, it is solid and quite practical. It's a needle-sizer, magnifier, ruler, gauge check, and pattern marker all in one. This is also far more handy than my current (now previous), model.

In closing, I'll wrap up this review with...

The Rundown: Knitpicks Options Harmony Wood Interchangeable Needle Set

What You Get:

Nine pairs of laminated birch needle tips. Sizes 4US (3.5mm), 5US (3.75mm), 6US (4.00mm), 7US (4.50mm), 8US (5.00mm), 9US (5.50mm), 10US (6.00mm), 10.5US (6.50mm), and 11US (8.00mm).
Two 24" cables and two 32" cables.
Eight end caps (for storing work on cables or making "straight" needles.
Two cable keys for ensuring a snug fit when joining needle tips to cables.
A vinyl cable case.
A large zippered vinyl storage case with compartments for needle tips and room for additional pieces and notions.

Cost: $69.99US

***EDIT*** I previously forgot to mention I was also pleased with the needle tip length on these. The needle tips (from join to point) are approximately 4 1/2 inches (11 1/2cm) long with the wooden part (just the wooden "working area" excluding metal join) being approximately 3 1/3 inches (8 1/2 cm) long (this varies from size to size but the total length seems consistant). This suits me nicely as some interchangeables had much shorter needles and I have big hands.

Yarn Review: Lion Brand Jiffy

2008-01-13T00:58:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: I know fiber-snobs are probably scoffing at the fact that the first review on this blog would be Lion Brand Jiffy. At least they'll be pleased to know that it wasn't a pleasant experience. I chose this because I was looking to pick up a cheap skein of whatever that didn't feel too horrible for making some practice swatches. Also, I don't have a local yarn shop since the only thing that can survive the void in which I live is Wal Mart. As this blog is meant to cover all the aspects of what I am currently doing, (I have purchased much better fibers for finished works), I thought I'd be fair and give equal time to the best and worst of my experience.

The Facts

Brand: Lion Brand
Style: Jiffy
Color: Grass Green
Material: 100% Acrylic
Weight: Bulky

My Take

I did not like working with this yarn at all. First off, I chose this one from the isle of plastic yarns at Wal Mart because it seemed to have the least offensive texture. They had Lion Brand Homespun (which I *gasp* think is rather nice for a 100% Acrylic yarn), but I wanted something smoother for practice since Lion Brand Homespun is not so hot in the stitch definition category. I didn't notice that Jiffy is actually considered a Bulky Weight yarn, and looking at it now it does not seem terribly different from a Worsted Weight. I also didn't notice that this yarn is described as having the look of mohair (how soon would I find out). As I cast on, the yarn already began to "bloom", leaving my with a faux-mo mess. I persisted and made up my fuzzy swatches. The yarn was a pain to work as splitting was a consistant problem on sharp needles and more gently tapered needles. Over all, I felt that everything about working with Lion Brand Jiffy was sloppy and I would not use it for a project (or even for practice again).

Pros

Large range of solid and multi-colors
Soft feel (though not as soft as mohair)
Reasonably looks like mohair (though I don't think it would fool many)
Widely Available
Inexpensive

Cons

Splits and snags easily
Yarn "blooms" quickly and distorts stitches
Yarn also sheds rather easily

Will I Purchase it Again? No.

How I Knit

2008-01-09T17:57:00.000-05:00

Currently I knit using the Continental method. I originally learned to knit using the English method and for some reason, nothing I was doing was terribly clear to me. I don't know why I had such a mental block with the English method but I wasn't even sure if I was really purling, or knitting for that matter. For all I knew I might have invented some combination of loops that produced a fabric similar to knitting.
The switch to Continental knitting was a lark, I didn't think it was a superior method, I'm not left handed, I've never crocheted a stitch in my life, I just thought I'd give it a go and see if I liked it better. And yes, Continental knitting personally suits me much better; I can see what I am knitting, I knit with a more even tension, I knit with certainty as to what I am doing and I no longer feel the need to hold my needles with the dreaded "death grip".
I suppose I brought this tidbit up for sake of conversation, but there is a point... I would suggest that any new knitter try both English and Continental knitting. I suppose some may find that they have little to no preference between the two, but there is also the chance that some may find the "other method" is how they should have been knitting all along. I also suppose that learning both methods would have it's merits.
If any fellow new knitters are interested in more information regarding the aforementioned methods of knitting, Wikipedia has articles on both Continental and English knitting, and KnittingHelp.com has some fantastic videos in both methods as well.

Why Am I Here?

2008-01-08T22:51:00.000-05:00

No, this isn't a theological question. I started this blog as sort of a journal of my progress (and lulls), on my quest to become a knitter. Yes, as I write this entry I can technically knit. I can cast-on a few different ways, knit, purl, yarn over, PSSO, sk2tog etc. with the best of them. I can determine gauge and even follow a pattern, but it's all completely new to me. I still consider myself a beginner.
I have done several types of needle arts through the years and some time ago, I decided that I should learn to knit. I didn't know anyone who actually knitted so I made a poor attempt at it myself and soon tired of trying to figure it out.
In 2007, I made a connection that I never made before, knitting + Internet = virtually unlimited information. I spend at least an hour a day on the Internet looking up one thing or another and it never occurred to me to look up knitting. I soon discovered a handful of websites that make up my knitting arsenal. If someone were to ask me how to knit, I would tell them to buy a skein of yarn, a pair (or two or three), of needles and to log onto Knitting Help. Honestly, with the exception of a little book of various stitches I bought in the craft section of a local department store, I have yet to buy a knitting book because of Knitting Help.
I also found Men Who Knit, an online community for... you guessed it, Men who knit! This is a fantastic community with lots of friendly, helpful fellow knitters. It was some of the guys on Men Who Knit who inspired me to knit something other than garter or stockinette stitches. They are bold and creative and unafraid to try new projects, even if they have to frog the thing and start all over they are cool headed and determined. I think if I hadn't found this site I would be knitting garter stitch scarves for the rest of my knitting life.
So after all of this searching and learning, I started by making swatches (with the occasional garter stitch scarf for good measure). My swatches were for practicing new stitches and techniques, the scarves also had their merits. Some people frown upon a garter stitch scarf as a "waste project" but honestly I learned from them, I learned how to cast on, how to cast on neatly, how to knit, how to keep a good tension, and how to cast off. Because I used nice yarn for the scarves (I use cheap crap for the swatches), I also had some nice scarves to keep (just one), and give away as much appreciated gifts (the gushing over them made me blush because it was such a simple process to make them).
To get you up to date with me, I am currently working on Mary Joy Gumayagay's Liesel scarf pattern, and naturally learning quite a bit from it. I am frogging the thing for the last time (I swear), and starting over. Here's one of my lessons, I "discovered" the life line, the strand of contrasting thread you weave through the last row of work in a repeat so if and when you screw up the next time you don't have to frog the whole blessed thing. I felt like man discovering fire when I came across that one. I was beginning to have nightmares involving the Liesel scarf.
Well, that's pretty much my story thus far. Also, if anybody actually reads this, look me up on Ravelry as well, I'm on there as Asbjorn (sans umlaut).

Why Would a Man Want to Knit?

2008-01-08T21:39:00.000-05:00

I am a man and I knit. I knit because I find it fascinating to create things, to be able to express myself in an artistic way, to be able to say "I made that". Certainly there are other ways to achieve those sentiments but I'm terrible with paint, clay, pencils etc., I'm not a dancer, I'm terrible with wood or metal so I've deduced that fibers are kind of my thing.
Frankly I don't see how knitting, (or needlework in general), can be ascribed to any particular gender. I see knitting as completely neutral, it involves large needles and yarn; nothing emasculating there. How could one not be fascinated about the entire process of knitting? From sheep to yarn, from yarn to a series of twists, knots and loops that can create anything from delicate lace to the most utilitarian of items; knitting's reach and appeal is endless yet for some reason it is looked upon culturally as "no man's land". Google even seals the notion when "man knitting" is typed into the search window, before the displayed results is the possible correction suggested by Google "Did You Mean: Man Sitting", as if to say "how preposterous, this must have been a typo". But I digress, this is merely an observation. I am not terribly concerned how my fellow man (or woman), perceives me. I seldom deny myself anything and I'm certainly not going to trade my knitting needles for the semi-professional arm wrestling circuit anytime soon.