Category: Crafty Golightly

It’s a rainy late summer day in New England.  Maddie, recently aware of her twin and also somewhat naughty when I left the house for an hour (shhh…we put the stuffing back in the sofa.  Don’t tell Neal.), is draped over my legs.  All is right in my world.

I realized I have the yarn already for my Dream Sweater.  There’s this pile of Manos in my stash that was first destined to be a cape.  Then it was carried along in the Stripes are Stars v-neck that’s now in the frog pond.  I added up yardage, and I only needed two more skeins.  A perfect yarn, nearly enough yardage, and my LYS had the same color.  I can handle different dye lots.  I’ll alternate rows.

I’ll do a gauge swatch tonight (yes, Lauren, I’m going to make a swatch for a change!).  Does anyone think there is a chance in Hades that the world’s slowest knitter, if she applies herself, could wear an actual sweater (collective gasp) to Rhinebeck?

While you ponder that question, I’m going to think about Lolly’s post today about the article in Publishers Weekly.  My understanding is that the article asks the question "is knitting a trend that is going to go away?"  and "What is the future for knitting books?"

I think that one of the reasons knitting (along with the related crafts such as spinning, crochet, needle felting…well, you know what they are) has become so popular is its appeal to a varied demographic.  Age, income, educational background don’t matter too much when you knit.  I’ve taught a five-year old to knit, as well as women in their 40s, and I was taught by women who were grandmothers.  I learn from women of all ages, still.  Get this, too:  my neice, at 8, showed her mother how to cast off when she (her mother) wasn’t sure she knew how. 

There are yarns and needles in all sorts of price ranges, too.  When I’m broke, I can pick up a skein of Sugar and Cream and knit up a few bibs.  When I’m flush, well.  There’s that cashmere from Rome that I’m still glad I paid too much for! 

As far as education?  As Dave once wrote to me, our anscestors knit stuff and didn’t have patterns.  You don’t need two graduate degrees to knit, although I will say that I’ve enjoyed the pleasure of some pretty smart and wise women while knitting.

Which brings me to the heart of it.  Before I saw Scout’s sign for the Albuquerque SnB at Village Wools, I knit alone.  Often, back when I first learned and was married to a musician, I would knit in clubs and coffeehouses, but I was the only knitter.  As a writer, I spend enough time in isolation to make me crave good company, and upon moving to NM, I was eager to make some friends outside of the University.

So I went.  I knit.  And for the first time in my life, I had a different relationship with women.  I don’t know if I can do it justice.  I mean, sure, there are the friendships I’ve made throughout life that endure and are precious to me.  But I don’t always get to see those friends often enough.  Each week, our group of women met, laughed, shared stories, taught each other new techniques.  They made me feel like I was supported, part of a sisterhood.

I think that’s why knitting will endure.  I think that’s why there are so many knitting blogs.  We humans crave community.  There are lots of places to find it, but through knitting, not only can we express creativity, challenge ourselves (or not), do good, spread love, but we also just plain have fun.  There’s a lot of dark bad things in the world.  Knitting comforts me.  Making stuff comforts me, and always has.  Making stuff with other people keeps me hopeful and optimistic.

So what is the future of our craft?  I’m amazed at the improvements I’ve made in my knitting in just one year.  If Scout and Carole hadn’t insisted that I learn English knitting in order to have a chance at avoiding 0000’s for sock knitting, I don’t think I’d have the same pleasure in the things I’ve been creating.  No matter how skilled a knitter is, there is always more to learn, which makes me suspect knitting will be around for a good long while.

Lolly mentions Handknit Holidays.  It’s a beautiful book, and one of my favorite things about it is that I can select projects that are at my skill level, or I can challenge myself with something more complicated.  I hope the more knitting books do the same.  I like very much, too, Knitting Rules for its knitting "recipes", which allow me a strong base for any desire I have to experiment in my knitting or to explore design.  That’s what I’d like more of in knitting books–options.  Show me an item, then show me how to customize it.  I’ll buy that book in a second. 

What do you think about these questions?  Visit Lolly, read the article, join the conversation.  It’s a fascinating one.

There are three hours left to UFO August.  I’m about to pop in a movie and knit the last two LONG rows of my Think Pink spiral scarf, which will bring my UFO to FO count to six, plus a sweater headed to the frog pond, leaving only three items from my original list of ten (like how I did that math?).  Jeanie, the UFO August organizer (thanks Jeanie!) suggested that to celebrate, participants list our WIMs–Works in Mind, so here goes:

1.  Remaining UFOs:  Clapotis, Shadow Shawl, Jaywalker #2

2.  Gifts Owed:  Neal’s 2005 Christmas socks (to be cast on as soon as the spiral scarf is done) & MB’s 2005 Christmas socks (yarn purchased, need to decide a pattern).

3.  Dreamy Projects:  Simple Knitted Bodice (waiting for that first paycheck to purchase some pretty yarn), Cozy (using my Dye-o-Rama yarn from Heide); Mrs. Beeton (thinking about using the cashmere I bought in Rome.  I can’t keep hanging on to it forever, can I?), One Skein Wonder (yarn from Noelle), Loop d Loop Capelet (yarn frogged from sweater maybe?), and Loop d Loop paisley carpet bag (more yarn from Noelle.  Yeah.  Her yarn rocks.).  Of course, more socks.  Always socks.  Always and forever. Socks.

Ahem.  Chicken Run is on…time to get back to the spiral scarf.

My dogs are snuggled on the couch.  I got some smooches from my guy before he turned in.  I’m watching horse movies.  I cried when Hidalgo got hurt, and I welled a tear when he joined the other horses to run free.

Best of all, I’m knitting with pretty pink yarn.  I ditched my original pattern and yarn for the Think Pink scarf.  On my way home from work (man, that feels so good to think and write and live) I stopped at Marji’s Yarncraft just to see if something pink caught my eye, and the Cascade Bollicine Etoile did.  Marji has a stack of free patterns, so I grabbed her "Simple Fancy Scarves" sheet and cast on for the Spiral Scarf.  You’ve all seen a version of the pattern, I’m sure.  Cast on a ton of stitches, knit a bit, then increase in every stitch.  Repeat until the number of stitches on your needles numb your mind. Yeah.  I haven’t reached the mind numbing part yet, but it’s just around the corner.  I think it’s going to be pretty, and I know it’s going to be soft.  Something to bring a little comfort to a sister going through a rough time.  And in between sighs for Hildago (ok, and a few for Viggio), I’m trying to think thoughts of health and happiness and joy for the wearer.

I’m going back to my horses and dogs and pretty yarn now.  I’m bound to have sweet dreams!

UFO August is about to wrap up, but I’m still working hard on getting my list whittled down.  Last night, for instance, as the Cardinals played the Cubs, I finished up my Cascade Fixation ankle socks.  This is my first (and possibly only) pair of socks for Summer of Socks as well.  I like working with the Fixation, and I really like that less than one ball makes a pair of anklets for me.  Great for a girl on a tight budget.  I see more of these in my future.  I used the KAL pattern, but I also referred to Alison’s pattern, although I didn’t go with the short rows.  I’m not happy with my toes, and there was some funky laddering going on.  Luckily, Kirsten sent me some toe help for my next pair of socks, which I’ve promised to make for Neal.  And I know the laddering is easy enough to remedy.  Since I like this sock, I’ll invest in two size 3 circs rather than using dpn’s next time. 

And here’s a peek at Margene’s prize for the 500th comment contest. 

My KSKS notions case.  Again, not the perfect needle/notions case yet, but each one I make I learn a little more about improving my design.  As I’ve mentioned before, I want to sell these, so each one gets me a little closer to having a product that I can get behind.  I think the flap is key for keeping items from sliding out of the bag.

I also made this coin purse from SplitYarn. I have to get my tush to a fabric store to pick up snaps for closures, but I’m pleased with the simplicity and elegance of the design.

The button is on my sidebar, but I didn’t mention the KAL I joined: the Muff Along.  Never fear, my knitting of a muff will not interfere with UFO August.  And Mona, stop your giggling.

I purchased the pattern, the lovely Glampyre pattern.  I know there are lots of other people in love with this baby, too–just look at the Craftster thread if you don’t believe me.  So, would anyone be interested in a September-start KAL? 

I’m off to vacuum up dog fur and pack for my week at the beach.

Like so many fans of Brenda Dayne, I hopped right on over to download Lime & Violet’s podcast.  I listened to the first two episodes today, and I hope you’ll go grab them for yourself.  Plus these podcasters, like the Craftborgs, are also KSKS participants. 

As I read through Lime & Violet’s blog this evening, I came across Miss Violet’s Art Scouts.  Mind you, I was not a joiner as a child.  I would have been mortified to be a Girl Scout.  Things are different now, though, and I want badges.  Art Scout badges.  How about you? 

Granted, some of the steps for activities I’ve done seem simple.  The Knitting and Quilting Houses, for example, have steps that I could just breeze over.  But maybe I’d be better served to spend some time on them, rethink the early steps of what I already know.

I’ve decided to explore Art Journaling first.  For years I’ve messed around with watercolors and words, and I’ve fantasized about this ideal journal…not ideal in a high-pressure way, but ideal in incorporating the varied aspects of my creative interests.  So, here goes!

At least not today.  I started my Tour de Fleece challenge last night by weighing out 6 oz. of Romney roving from my big three pound bag.  I plan to spin sock-weight yarn, which I’ll later dye and knit up.  Is Romney good for this?  Anyone?  It’s what I have enough of on hand, so I’m hoping!  I had wanted to spin today, but Neal and I spent the entire day cleaning, trying to get the rest of my stuff put up, and I’m just too tired right now.  Tomorrow, though.  I’ve got great hopes for tomorrow.

How about a start-of-the-month update?

I started knitting my first Think Pink scarf last week.  I decided to put off the second Jaywalker (I know, I know) in order to knit my first full Summer of Socks socks: Alison’s Ankle Socks out of Army Green Cascade Fixation.  My Wardrobe Refashion has been lame.  I haven’t bought anything new to wear since the first of June, but I also haven’t worked on any of the projects I’d thought about.  Let’s hope I get refashion-inspired in July.  This month’s challenge is to make a recycled bag, which is right up my alley.  I’ve been sketching bag ideas for my KSKS pal–have you seen what some of the kitters have made?  FABU!  AND.  I made some stitch markers this week for her, too.  I’m Fit and I Knit has changed for me.  Instead of boxing (I miss my coach and boxing partner!), I’m going to try to kayak each week…finally made it out this week on a rain-less afternoon!  I’ve been adding some running to my daily walk with the dogs, too.  Bitchin’ Mittens is all in my head still…I haven’t had an idea good enough to sketch out yet, but I will.  Project Spectrum, as Scout will have you know, has been through R-O-Y-G-B  and now it’s V.  Since my KSKS pal LURVS purple, I’ll be a PS fairy this month!  AND.  I’ve decided on the project I’ll make for my One Skein Secret Pal:  Twitterpated, which I loved when Carole made hers.

AND.

Lisa from Knitting By the Sea was my PS Postcard Swap pal.  Get a load of these goodies.  There was chocolate, too.  Was.  And a beautiful card that I’ve already written to a good friend, lovely fabric, adorable gift cards, ribbon, seed beads, ginger mints, and a cool gel pen and little notebook.

That’s all I have tonight.  Oh. Except this.  Happy Birthday, Noelle!  Mwuah!

Tomorrow I have a lunch date with my girl Cae to celebrate her birthday.  We met when we were 11, in Mr. Phelan’s class, although I knew who she was in Fifth Grade.  We were on synchronized swimming together one summer, and throughout high school were as thick as thieves.  After we graduated, we saw each other less and less, but a few years ago got back in touch.  It’s amazing to me how despite the years of not knowing what each other was up to, our lives were pretty parallel…one of the ways is that we both became knitters. 

Cae amazes me as a knitter.  She has an elegant style, and she’s not at all afraid to tackle complex projects.  And she loves double pointed needles.  She loves the process of using them.  And so to celebrate our friendship, our kindred spirits, and her birthday, this morning I made a festive dpn case.  Here’s the inside of it, bursting with Cae’s favorite flower, lilies of the valley.

I kept the interior simple.  I wanted to try different types of pockets for small notions, but in the end, I liked the simplicity of a single-sided case.  I’ve been playing around with sewing these babies as I would love to sell them one day, when I get just the right style created.

For now, though, I’m pleased with my day’s craftiness!

For the last two and a half hours I’ve been warming up Sally Sewing Machine for Sewing Sunday with Carole…creating my Sew?I Knit! project, and embracing some Project Spectrum. 

Specs:  Fabric from Hancock Fabrics, both are from their line.  The exterior fabric has orange, green, and yellow in it and is called Anemone.  This took me about 2.5 hours to cut out and sew.

I used a white fabric with lilies of the valley on it for the lining.  I wanted to find something with ferns on it, but didn’t like the choices.  Look how adorable with my Sockapaloooza socks stuffed inside (I’m halfway done with the heel flap)!   This is the Madison Uptown bag from Amy Butler, and I thought the pattern was well written and easy to follow.  If I make another one, I would add interior pockets. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it calls for a velcro closure. The bag is swank.  Velcro is not.  Also, I have nightmares about velcro that go back to my synchronized swimming days (yes, you read that right.  I was a Dolphinette) when I had to sew endless velcro onto sequined bands for costumes.  I’m not sure what, if anything, I’m going to do about replacing the velcro.  I’ll just live with my pretty, new Uptown bag.