Sew What?

I have a been given a tough commission - my 14 yo wants me to make her a dress for her moving on dance (an 8th grade graduation of sorts). She's even willing to babysit for me to give me the time to do it.


I thought for sure it would be all over before we even got out of the fabric store. But she was reasonable, patient and even thoughtful. She picked out a pattern I thought would be simple enough and material that seemed easy enough to work with. The best part is everything she chose was on sale.

We're making the black and white dress only hers is maroon with a black contrasting waist and bottom band.

Well, the fabric is nice, but this pattern is not so simple as the pattern marketers would have us believe. I've already had to frog a couple of times. (I haven't heard of that word being used in sewing, but you do use a ripper).

I think it will come out alright, but I'm afraid after all this she'll hate it.

A driving challenge

The challenge: knit an entire lace dish cloth during a 2.5 hour drive from Boston to Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

I chose a pattern that would look nice but wasn't too difficult. It's called a "bell ribbed pattern." The yarn was Peaches and Cream and the needles were bamboo, size 6.

I cast on and had knit the first four rows before we were even out of the tunnels. I had the first four rows of the lace pattern done before we hit Quincy. I had memorized the pattern by the time we crossedthe Rhode Island border. The only problem was trying to remember to psso in between rounds of "I spy" and retrieving fallen sippy cups. There were more than a few tinks but no major frogging.

We stopped briefly (as briefly as possible with five kids and just one potty) south of Providence for sodas and a stretch. I counted the rows and began to fret. Although I'd made a lot of progress, things seemed off pace.

As we passed into Connecticut, I realized I had to pee again. So on one hand, I really wanted to get to our destination and the bathroom there quickly but on the other hand, I wasn't as far along as I'd hoped, so I wanted more time. Knitterly torture!

I knitted as frantically and furiously as I possibly could, but I just couldn't do it. This is as far as I got:

I could have done it if I'd chosen a simpler pattern. I could have done it if not for the tinks.

At least I finished it while we visited so even though I couldn't hand it to our hosts when we arrived, I was able to turn it over before we left.

WELCOME TO SUMMER!

Ground Hog Knitting

There is a movie starring Bill Murray about a weatherman who has to keep reliving Ground Hog's Day over and over. He eventually tries to kill himself and but still keeps waking up on the same day. Until he finally gets it right and wins the girl. I thought it was quite funny, until I had to live through it.

This shawl is my Ground Hog's Day. I had to keep starting over and over and over and over. Bigger needles? Smaller needles? Was that a yarn over? Did I k2 together when I should have k2'd? I have ten stitches when I should have 11? Where did that hole come from? No problem could be fixed - I had to just keep starting over.

The yarn is so soft and pretty that I didn't mind too much. It has an irridescent quality that is mesmerizing. Usually, I'm driven to achieve, to make progress, to finish. But this time, I was just enjoying the ride. I know this project will take awhile, and I really want it to come out right.

The pattern really isn't that hard. It's just challenging enough to keep my attention but I can still follow a television show if it's not too complex.

I'm using the yarn my dh brought home from Mexico. It is bright and beautiful and calls out for a bold pattern. I'm not sure there will be enough, but I figure I can finish it off with black or white.

The above picture is proof that the snow is really long gone (not that we got much this year anyway) What it doesn't show is that it is finally warm here on the East Coast. Oh happy day.

HELP me - please

If someone has the patience to puzzle through this - this is a pattern for a shawl. The base pattern is 9 stitches plus 2. You cast on 13 stitches - 11 for the pattern and 2 for selvages.

So far, I get it.

But here's my question for any experienced knitter who can help:

It gets wider by adding 9 stitches at the beginning of certain rows.
BUT if the stitch pattern is 9 plus 2 - shouldn't I add 11 stitches?

If I follow the directions, I end up with 31 stitches. If I use two for the selvages, that leaves me with 29 stitches - which means I have either two stitches two many (using the nine stitches of the lace pattern) OR four stitches two few (using the nine plus two base pattern)

Any and all suggestions would be most welcome.

Here is where I found the pattern:
http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=209024


ADARA RAINBOW SHAWL
Designed by elann

Simple to knit, this ripple pattern shawl uses the progressively tonedcolors of elann.com Adara to create a summery rainbow of cheer.
Size: 30" long by 60" wide, after blocking.
Difficulty Level: Advanced Beginner
Gauge: 18.5 sts and 24 rows = 4" on 4.5mm (US 7) needles. Gauge is not critical.
Materials: - 1 ball each of 12 colors of elann.com Adara- 4.5mm (US 7) 39" circular needle- two more 39" circular needles to act as st holders for 3 needle bind-off (size not critical) - 27 rubber ring markers
Scalloped Lace Pattern: (Multiple of 9 +2)
Row 1: K1, *k1, yo, k2, sl 1 knitwise, k1, psso, k2tog, k2, yo* k1.
Row 2: P.
Row 3: K1, *yo, k2, sl 1 knitwise, k1, psso, k2tog, k2, yo, k1*k1
Row 4: P. Row 5: K.
Row 6: K (Ridge Row). Note: Place rubber ring markers between rpts.

Instructions:
With 4.5mm (US 7) needles, loosely CO 13 sts - 9 + 2, plus 2 selvedge stitches – for selvedges, k1tbl first stitch of ER, and sl1wyif the last st of ER.
Working back and forth across circular needle, knit 2 rows.
Begin working scalloped lace pattern, and color progression as above. Form triangle shape of shawl by CO 9 sts on either side of piece every 12 rows (every other 6 row rpt) as follows: every other row 5, CO 9 sts at beg of row, k across new sts, plus existing row 5 sts to end of row. Turn work, CO 9 sts at beg of next row 6, k across new sts, plus existing row 6 sts to end of row. Break yarn, begin next color.
Continue in this manner until last stripe of color 04 is complete, ending with a row 6. Hold all stitches on a 39" circular needle.

Fashionable Whimsy

I didn't really need another purse, but I kept seeing these cabled totes and they sort of got in my head. And then I was out shopping with my good friend Allison, http://www.resipsaknit.blogspot.com/ - a very rare treat because she lives on the opposite coast - and I wanted to buy something to remember the occassion. I found this fabulous Cascade Tweed. So here it is - my purple cabled purse that my just turned 5yo declared to be "very fashionable." It's based on a pattern in One-Skein Wonders, sent by my SP9 pal, Lisa, http://saratogaknitting.blogspot.com/. Mine is bigger because I have more stuff to carry. It took two balls of the Cascade. The purse is about 12 by 12 inches. If you want the modifications, send me an email - jennifer.news@gmail.com

I lined the bag to keep it from stretching out too much. I used one "fat quarter" - the quilting material sold in squares at most fabric and craft stores. I find these make excellent lining and are relatively cheap.

It has stretched where I've attached the handles, but I think that is unavoidable.

The handles aren't the most comfortable, but I love the way they look - very girly.

Thank you all for the cableing advice. I really like making them. I've even checked out Cables Untangled from the library to learn more. Here is my review of the book, in case anyone is interested in it. It's a great guide for cables and their charts. It could have been written a little more clearly, but suffices. The pictures are stunning. I don't know if I will ever make the blanket on the cover, but I sure do like looking at the picture. The projects look interesting, although I haven't tried any just yet.

12-year-old boys

This is an actual conversation that took place on Monday.

Mom: Son, when was the last time you took a shower?
Son: Friday, before the dance.
Mom: But you didn't go to a dance last Friday.
Son: I know, it was the Friday before that.

(This is why I make him wash his own sheets.)

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all you mothers and daughters enjoyed Mother's Day. The highlight of mine was taking my kids out for ice cream and playing in the park. It was much better than a crowded restaurant. The big kids played football with dad while the little ones ran around on the jungle gymn. There were some low lights too, but I don't want to remember those.

As an early Mother's Day present, my dh took all of the kids out of the house so I could have time alone - knitting, reading, catching up on a tv show. I opted to organize the attic and get the kids summer clothes out. It's not fun, it's not glamorous and I can't believe it's something I chose to do with my precious time off. But the reality is that our life will run better if it gets done. I have decided, after spending an entire day and a half on the project, that organizing my house is like pouring water into a bucket with a hole in the bottom!

My own momma is far too far away for me to celebrate with her in person. (She lives in the wild woods of Wisconsin) But though she's not here, she is not forgotten. I made for her a beret to replace the one I made her that she lost. We picked out the yarn together when she was here - Debbie Bliss angora silk. Though she gets the hat, I think I got the better end of the deal being able to knit with this exquisite yarn. It is soft with just the right amount of elasticity. The whole thing came together with little angst, few tinks and no major frogging. Not only that, it fits well. Mom said she wore it all day, even though it wasn't really that cold out. She said she got more than a few sideways glances. We'll choose to believe they were admiring a fine piece of knitting. Having learned from my swaps, I packed the hat with goodies - sunscreen, lipstick and her favorite gum.





Watson's Mother's Day present to me was being an "enthusiastic model."

A backhanded compliment

Those of you who have teens or who were teens might appreciate this: My 14yo gave me the nicest compliment today. She meant it as an insult. She was angry because I sent her to her room for back talk and then I added time because she slammed the door. Then she slammed it again and I told her she was in for the night.

"You are SO predictable," she yelled.

I was mulling over what she'd said and it dawned on me that's exactly what I am supposed to be! She's telling me I'm doing my job right.

What I have learned as a parent, however, is that even when I do it right, it doesn't always "work." At least not right away. She's still talking back. She's still slamming the door. They still don't put their back packs away even though I confiscate them and require a job to get them back.

That lack of effectiveness surprised me the most. Before I had kids, I was such an expert on raising them. Be consistent. Be firm. Be gentle. In reality, it's so much harder than any of the books let on.

To end on a positive note, the door slammer did later apologize and even helped with her little sisters.

My 100th post!

Yeah! Cue the balloons and the streamers - it's my 100th post! It took about seven months to get here.

In keeping with the knitting them of the blog, I'll take it back to the roots - to the sheep and the llamas from which many good things come.

The 5yo an I recently snuck away for a local sheep shearing festival. We've been reading "The Rowdy Rooster" about a rooster who wakes everyone up early because he sleeps in an uncomfortable bed. Farmer Maude and Farmer Claude decided to shear all the animals for material to make a more comfortable bed. So my little one was really excited to see it done live. She stayed watching far longer than I would have expected her attention span to allow.

Here's the poor sheep who had to go last - just sitting and waiting and knowing what's coming. Or is he just eager to be released from all that heavy fur?

The Llama wasn't too excited about the whole thing. I don't think he liked being the center of attention.

Perhaps the best part of the festival is finding a crown fit for a princess...

The best gift of all

The best gift of all is the return of my wonderful husband and partner who keeps me sane. But a very close second is the yarn that he brought with him from his travels in Mexico and Honduras. It was no easy task for him. He doesn't speak the language. He doesn't knit. His only association with yarn is my obsession. He had to turn to one of the group leaders of the expedition to help him find the yarn. So he gets super bonus husband points for being willing to "ask directions." He said he told the lady that he thinks I have a little bit of a "knitting addiction." And Niagra Falls is just a little waterfall. Seriously. He goes to a country brimming with beautiful silver and what do I ask for? Yarn.

It's great yarn too. Bright colors. And soft. I think it's wool - there's a picture of a sheep on the label. I suspect that it might be intended for embroidery. There are four thin strands wound together, but not twisted. I'd love to knit with the thin strands, but I can't figure out a way to get them apart. I'd have to unwind the whole ball and rewind the strands separately. Knitting with them held together will be fine. I think it's about a worsted weight. Not surprisingly, the label doesn't have all the standard info found in the U.S.

This is how a very active, too-smart-for-my-own-good, nearly 2-year-old occupies herself during her big sister's soccer game. Clearly, I need new lipstick and she needs make up lessons!

Kindergarten blues

Really they should have counselors on site for Kindergarten registration. I was nearly in tears and it's not just because of the huge check I had to hand over. I'm singing the refrain that must be on every mother's lips at this time "I can't believe it's been five years already!"

I should be happy that she's taking this big step toward becoming a real grown up kid but I find myself missing the little girl she was even though she's right here. Coming out of the school I could see her running across the field in her butterfly Halloween costume, wings flapping behind her. I am excited to get to know the little person she is becoming but it's hard to let go of the little one that was!

Camera Bag finished

This bag, I'm happy to report, came out just as I had envisioned. The colors work together and the size is perfect. That of course is not a dramatic story nor does it provide much fodder for humor, but still it's nice.

It is about 6 inches wide, seven inches tall and one inch deep. I put in metal grommets on the sides so I could attach the i-cord. It was my first grommet experience. It's pretty easy if you get the wrench-like tool from the fabric store.

I lined the bag with left over fabric, keeping in line with the theme of stash busting. My favorite part is a gusseted pocket which is just big enough to hold the camera. There's also a flat pocket to hold the memory cards.

I used velcro to close the top, which seems so far to be working well.

Stash busting camera bag

Every new camera deserves a new bag. And why not a bag that is as creative as the pictures I hope to take with the camera? This is the pre-felted version of my new felted camera bag. It was inspired by Leigh Radford's AlterKnits, which I highly recommend.

The pattern is simple:

I used various amounts of left over worsted weight wool. I think it would take less than 220 yards, but I'm not certain. You could substitute bulky. I held one strand together and found it to be thick enough. You could double strand to make the bag extra padded, but I would then add a few stitches to accomodate the bulk.

Change colors to make stripes as desired. I tied knots rather than weaving in the ends and snipped off the knots after the bag was felted. I planned my stripes ahead of time, but changed them as I figured out how much yarn each one took. Generally, you need three times the amount of yarn to cover a given length.

Cast on 56 stitches and knit in the round until the bag is 10.5 inches. Cast off 28 stitches. Knit remaining stitches in stockinette for 5 inches.

Next, for flap:

1. k1, ssk, knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1

2. purl

Repeat these two rows twice.

knit

purl

cast off

(As a side note, I ended up deciding that I wanted what was supposed to be at the top of my bag at the bottom so I cast off the tube part and picked up stitches at the cast on end. That worked just fine)

Sew up bottom. Turn bag inside out. Flatten the corners and sew across about 1.5 inches from corner to create flat bottom.

Turn right side out and felt to desired size (I will include the measurements of mine with a photo of the finished product in a future post)

Attach handles as desired. You could use a short handle for a hand held strap. I made a long i-cord so I can sling the camera over my shoulder. I plan to use grommets to make holes

Use velcro or buttons, or other method to hold flap closed.

I plan on lining my bag and making pockets to hold batteries and memory cards.

On a side note - trying to write out that pattern gives me a whole new appreciation for pattern makers.

New Goal

I know it's long past New Year's, but I think I finally have decided on a resolution. I want to knit this year with as many different kinds of fibers as possible. Yak yarn, camel yarn, Moose yarn? Is there such a thing? I've been reading about them and it's whet my appetite to try them. The challenge now is deciding what to make with them. It has to be something simple enough so I don't mess up and waste such expensive yarn, but yet intricate enough to draw attention. I want people to ask about it so I can say it was made with Yak yarn or camel yarn or whatever I can find.

Suggestions welcomed.

For anyone who might be interested in ancient Mayan ruins, here's the link to the field notes my dh has been writing while on "vacation" from the homefront: http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/04.19/99-mexicoblog.html

He told me that he was mucking around in the ruins at night and later learned he shouldn't have been doing that because there was a jaguar in the area. Personally, I think I'd rather face the jaguar than a hormonal boy crazy riled up14 yo.

But in fairness, the kids have been surprisingly delightful as of late. Maybe it's that the sun has finally came out and Spring seems to have finally arrived. We've even had fun together and they've been doing their jobs with minimal nagging.

Happy Birthday happenings

I said goodnight to a 4yo and goodmorning to a 5yo! It is a bittersweet day. I can hardly wait to get to know her 5yo little self, but I already miss her little 4yo self. She's such a delightful little soul.

Up until at least midnight the weather report called for a gloomy day, but we awoke to bright blue skies and sunshine. A special birthday gift from God? It was perfect weather for the zoo.

But before we left, I had to get a camera. I've been good all week on not stocking up on yarn to assuage the parental stress of the week, but I needed a camera to record the day, of course. It's a Canon PowerShot A55o that so far I love, for anyone looking to buy a camera.

The aforementioned teenager was truly a gem, sheparding her sister and five other screaming squirrly tots through the zoo. She even paid for their rides on the miniature merri-go-round without being prompted. Now, I know she's on her best behavior because she's wants to go to a church dinner on Friday where all her friends will be despite being grounded for grade problems, but still it was nice. She assured me the pleasantness will continue even if I don't change my mind on the dinner. hmmm.. Again I'm having a problem with the lack of a manual here!

Getting a camera means being able to take a picture of the socks. The really nice thing about working from home is that I can knit while waiting for my computer to boot up without upsetting the boss. I know they're not matching and that the whole point of doing two at once is to end up with a pair, but for my first try I thought I'd have an easier time with two different colors.

Teen age angst

I have always respected the difficult job that single parents face. At least I thought I did. I have a whole new appreciation and level of respect for them!

I thought in the middle of a heated discussion with my 14 yo that perhaps I should take out my knitting to calm myself down. But then I would have sharp objects in my hand. Maybe not so good. Lets just say a quick way to get a 14 yo real mad is to ask a (potential) boyfriend calling on the phone to identify himself before handing over the phone. I realized later that she may have been so upset with me in part because she was unhappy with how the conversation went.

Is there a code for teen behavior? Is there some secret manual that someone forgot to send me? Where are the instructions?

I have two socks on one needle! I'm so excited. I'd really like to show it off, but dh took the good camera to Mexico and I can't find the crummy one.

A random thought: how old does a WIP have to be before it's too late to pick it up again? Is there an expiration date? Should there be?

For anyone who might be interested in ancient Mayan ruins or the rain forest, here is a link to my husband's project - there are supposed to be notes from the field...
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/04.12/01-yaxpre.html

More time less wool?

I wonder if I actually had more time to knit if I would buy less yarn? I think sometimes I buy it because it's the easiest step in making a project that I can complete given my time and parenting constraints. I might buy fewer knitting magazines and books too, but I doubt it.

DH left at 4 a.m. this AM. Of course we didn't get to bed until late given all the last minute packing and planning. And of course there was a raging storm that kept waking up the baby with a nasty head cold, the 4 yo and the dog and consequently us. It was quite an auspicious beginning.

All in all, however, the day was rather impressively undramatic.

The day care was closed but then my meeting got cancelled. The big kids started complaining about being bored even before breakfast, but they agreed only somewhat begrudgingly to entertain the little ones in exchange for computer time. I had to run into Boston to pick up my eldest, but my son cooked supper. We even managed to walk down to see the waves left over from the incredible storm. They were quite impressive even to the 4 yo who really wasn't happy about having to walk for several blocks in the (light) rain.

In the few down moments of the day, I shopped on line for yarn. There was no time to cast on, no time to sew up seams, no chance to pull out a WIP, but shopping on line I can manage. No dropped stitches, no need to concentrate to the exclusion of keeping an eye on the kids...I didn't, however, buy anything.... yet. Webbs (yarn.com) has an incredible anniversary sale ...

PDK

In my desire to support and promote PDK's (public displays of knitting) I daringly whipped out a project while accompanying my 4yodd to a friend's birthday party. I chatted with the other parents for awhile and then sat centerally as to not be anti-social and took out my knitting. I garnered nary a sideways glance. When the kiddies needed the seating I stood up but kept working. Eventually, as I'd hoped, my humble act became a conversation starter. Thankfully I knew the pattern well enough that I was able to maintain eye contact while counting and knitting and purling correctly. I will confess that I checked over the piece very carefully after the party just to make sure. I was actually hoping to make progress as well as making a statement! After all was said and done, I'd managed to talk about knitting with three people, including the father of the birthday girl and one potential knitter-in-waiting. (Someone who hasn't yet figured out he or she is a knitter.)

The project was the cabled bag - having had to frog, I feel I need to make up some time on it!

My dh heads south of the border in the AM. I've decided that I've been looking at this all wrong. It's an opportunity to change the dynamics of my relationship with my children and to strengthen my ability to be self sufficient. I must admit despite the change in attitude, I'm still hugely jealous on many levels. To begin with, it will be warm where he is headed and NOT snowing.

Rrrrrripit Rrrrrrrrrripit

I was just about to knit the LAST line on my cabled tote and what should I see but this: My cable goes over when it should go under. Aaaaaarrrrrgggg.
I tried at first to pretend there was nothing wrong, but there is no denying it. That's the first stage, right? Denial. Then anger? Oh for crying out loud! Then bargaining: "No one will notice." Maybe that's denial too. I am finally at acceptance. There's something wonky on the other side anyway (see picture below). So frog we must. At least I enjoy the cable knitting, so I won't mind redoing it too much.

I wonder which child was driving me crazy when I made this mistake and why was I trying to continue to knit when they were driving me crazy? The answer to the latter question of course is that otherwise I'd never knit. I guess I won't be finishing this tonight. Heavy sigh.

The Knitting Journey

For those who haven't read the Yarn Harlot's new book (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off) - she equates knitting to a destination and she does it with her usual hysterical insight.

There are many ways to get there, she writes, introducing a pop quiz to find your own style. Here is mine, according to this test:

"Get out of the way, baby, because you're traveling on a space-age monorail that's never late. You are accurate and deliberate, methodical and clear-thinking, and other knitters dream of turning out the work that youi do. You can tell a right-leaning decrease from a left-leaning one and you can think of four ways to make a buttonhole. Your work is beautiful because you are a perfectionist and you work hard to get things right. You believe that most people could knit as well as you if only they would work as hard as you, and you're right, thought it would help if they also had your obsessive streak."

I would say the perfectionist, methodical part is true. Sadly, there is enough of something else mixed in so that my work isn't as admirable as indicated from this description! And I wouldn't describe myself as a great knitter (yet).

Really, I wish I fit the last style she describes:

"You my dear knitter are a skydiver. You're Knitting's daredevil, and if anyone is going to learn anything by living it, it's you. Your knitting is wild and adventurous, and though the rest of us never think your ideas are going to work out, they usually do. You are the knitter who reminds al of us not to take it so seriously (and you drive the type C knitters nuts). ..."

It's interesting to define an approach to knitting like this. It makes me appreciate how I go about things. I can embrace the perfectionist in me and live with the understanding that I have a deep need to fix problems rather than trying to live with them. At the same time, I think it will help me relax and strive to become more of a daredevil.

Overall, the book is great. I want to devour it, but I'm going at a slow pace because I want to savor it.

I'm eager to hear from other knitters about their styles.

In summary, the other two styles are:

The cruise "You don't care how you get there or what sort of thing syou produce while you're there...You're in it for the good time and you're Knitting's answer to blender drinks by the pool."

and
A good old fashioned road trip: "You've got some maps and you're pretty sure where the motel is, but if you see a sign for a cool roadside attraction, you're absolutely takin the exit ramp for the afternoon."

Easter Musings

Note to self: consider making the children wait until after church (8 a.m. service) to hunt for their baskets. It kind of ruins the mood to be yelling at them to get ready while they're happily pouring over their goodies. Also doesn't help them to sit still when they're hyped up on candy!

(Then again, how does one stop a child so excited that the Easter Bunny came from hunting for a basket?)

I should go this week to load up on the cheap plastic bunny and chicky junk to have for next year.

What if I were to buy Valentine's Day candy on sale next year and store it away for Easter? Would that make me really thrifty or just cheap? Would it send my children into therapy some day?

Super Secret Pal

"Even if you don't care to travel, if you're a knitter, you're on a journey to an amazing land. You packed your bags for this trip the first time you picked up needles and yarn, the first time someone showed you the knit stitch, or the first time you cracked open a knitting instruction book or surfed a knitting Web page."

--- the opening paragraph of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off

And in this amazing land are amazing people who understand that fellow travelers not only love to knit, they love to read about knitting, and they would really appreciate having a personalized signed copy of the Yarn Harlot's Guide to the Land of Knitting.

That's what was waiting for me at the end of an incredibly stressful day. I wanted to post this thank you, but I admit I did take the time to read a little bit of the book first!

I had just recently arrived in the land of knitting when someone gave me a copy of the Yarn Harlot's first book. It opened my eyes to the wonderful depths of this world into which I had stumbled. I understood for the first time that I wasn't alone and that it was okay to be so ga ga over knitting!

In another package from my super secret pal was this great knitted lighthouse. It really fits with the theme of my house, which is the beach. I have embraced this motif since I am a transplanted mid-westerner who is thrilled to live on the ocean.

Happy Easter All

He Has Risen

He has Risen Indeed

Hola amigos

So it turns out my dh will be heading to Mexico to go on an expedition with some people studying ancient Myan Ruins. For 10 days. While our 5 children (including two teenage girls) are on Spring Break.

I'm still in shock. I'm not even exactly sure what he's going to do there. I haven't gotten past the fact that he's really leaving for 10 days. Of course I'm happy for him to have the opportunity - can't you see that really big smile plastered on my face!?

I NEED YARN and KNITTING BOOKS -- stat

Not that I'll have time to knit or read, but I think I might help to just be surrounded by these things of comfort.

Any other suggestions?

It's Magic

I have discovered something great - a way to knit small things in the round without dpns! No ladders, no dropped stitches, no fumbling to get things set up. It's the Magic Loop method, which uses one long circular. I am in awe of the brilliance of the person who came up with this idea!

I had heard about the method, but didn't think much about it until my SP9 http://saratogaknitting.blogspot.com/ sent me a booklet on how to do it, needles and sock yarn. Shortly after, one of my favorite LYS's, Minds Eye Yarn, http://www.mindseyeyarns.com/ offered a class on it. It's not hard to pick up, but I'm glad that I took the class because the instructor , Danielle, had so many great tips. Plus, it was easier to pick up actually seeing it being done.

In just three hours, I'd knitted the darling little pink sock pictured here. I made the blue one on my own later. Remarkably, I've even made the blue one a mate. Now I just need to find a baby boy to give them to.

The next challenge will be to do two socks at once. Danielle assured us that it's much more complicated to describe how to do it than to actually do it.

Hope

I had the privilege today to hear a talk by Becky Pippert during a women's retreat at my church. She is an engaging speaker with incredible insight into God's promise for our lives. Her message is that we are special to God. He adores us and wants to have a personal relationship with us.

He reaches out to us at our most vulnerable moments. When we think we are all out of patience or the ability to cope with the troubles of our lives, that's where we find Him.

Seeing her was especially thrilling to me because I heard tapes of one of her talks years ago when I was in high school, and she had a profound affect on my understanding of God and His plan for my life. I won't ramble on here since this is a knitting blog, but if you want to hear more about what she said, send me an email at jennifer.news@gmail.com

And since this is a knitting blog, I will admit that, I managed to sneak away with my mom during the lunch break to pick up some yarn for a beret for her. We splurged on some cream colored Debbie Bliss baby alpaca, which was by far the softest yarn in the shop. I hope this will be a better alternative to wool, which makes her itchy.

This beret is to replace the last one I made her, which she lost the last time she was in Boston. I told her I'm going to put a big label with her name and phone number in this one!

Introducing the Lucy

I saw the Lucy http://www.blackberry-ridge.com/lucybag.htm while on vacation last summer in Wisconsin. I hadn't yet knitted a felted bag but I was thinking about it. I bought the pattern and tucked it away for some day. I made a clutch from the One Skein book and then a rainbow purse for the International Exchange II. I tried the RunAbout bag and a tote from the One Skein for the International III. I even made a ball band bag. Through out it all, the Lucy bag sat there waiting so patiently for its turn. And finally, it was. I had this Noro begging for a pattern and a pattern begging to be knitted.

Casting on eight stitches in the round to get started was ever so difficult but it was quite simple once I got it going. A lot of increases and then straight stockingnette.

It's not the most practical of purses given how it closes. But it is a fun little purse to carry anyway.

Cables

In my early years of skiing, I would look at the steep, bumped up double black diamonds and think anyone who would dare to jump off the side of the mountain like that was certainly daft. It didn't take long before I had become daft and was tackling the steeps with glee.

When I first started to knit, I was thrilled just to have mastered a knit and purl stitch. I'd look at complicated patterns and just shake my head. Far more challenging than I'd ever be interested in, I thought. But as with skiing, one things leads to another and now I'm hankering to try cables. It's not that I particularly like the look of them so much as I want to figure out how to do them.

I'm planning to make one of those cute little cabled purses. I have some beautiful speckled purple yarn and I've picked up a free pattern from knit picks. So, to anyone who has cable experience - any hints/tips/advice?

Friendship yarn

There is yarn that is special because of how much it cost or it's color or it's texture. There is yarn that stands out that was bought for a special project or a special person. And then there is yarn that is significant because of the circumstances underwhich it was bought. This yarn was bought while shopping with a very special friend who came all the way to Boston from the left coast. I "met" Allison http://www.resipsaknit.blogspot.com/ through the International Tote Exchange and we've had a great time e-mailing ever since. It's like the pen pal you had when you were a kid -- only I got to actually meet her. Of course I "had" to take her on a yarn shop tour. Of course yarn "had" to be bought. It's nice to spend time with someone who really "gets it" when it comes to knitting.

This is Cascade for felted bowls and Debbie Bliss Cotton for a baby hat.

All of this just to do dishes?

This is quite possibly one of the most complicated dish cloths ever - at least the way I made it, which included recasting 150 stitches, not one, not twice, but three times! Was it worth it in the end? Perhaps not according to those who haven't been taken over by the knitting addiction. But to those of us in the know, what the heck? I learned a lot from knitting this and I have a cute present for my mom when she comes to visit next week. The next one shouldn't take nearly as long.

For those interested, the pattern is great - it's from the Mason Dixon book. It's a little challenging (not too much if you actually read the pattern right) but it's still easy enough to do while watching television.

True Love?

There’s an old saying, “If you love something, let it go. If it returns to you, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it was never meant to be.”

I’m not sure that is supposed to apply to knitting, but here’s my story. It’s something only true fanatics will appreciate.

I had to pick up my dh for a meeting. I threw my latest project in the bag – a felted tote in Noro Kureyon – just in case. I didn’t expect to have much knitting time, but you never know.

I hooked a couple of stitches while waiting for DH outside of his office building and set the project along side of me when he got in the car. We got to the meeting and I noticed that the project wasn’t in my bag, but thought little of it.

We finished the meeting and I drove 20 minutes back to his office. At a red light, for some odd reason, it occurred to me to hook a couple more stitches. This is not something I’ve done before, but knitting has a strange effect on the truly committed. I reached down and found that the project had gone missing!

Could it have rolled to the back of our ridiculously long van? Not likely. Had dh packed it up with his things? Even less likely. Could I have knocked it on to the ground when I got out of the car? Of course not, I’d put the project BESIDE me when DH got in the car. And if it had fallen out, wouldn’t I have seen it when getting in the car?

But the project was undeniably missing. I weighed the value of the project against the time and effort needed to return to the parking spot. I was, after all, on the other side of town. I wasn’t 100 percent sure it wasn’t in the van, but there was no place to pull over to check.

I didn’t realize until that moment how much this project meant to me! 20 minutes to get it started on dpns. Two hours of carefully counting increases. Three hours of knitting dull straight stockinette. To say nothing of the cost of the yarn to begin with. Suddenly, retrieving that project became the most important thing in the world to me. I was sure I would be devastated if I couldn’t locate it.

I thought seriously about calling the people at the place where we had the meeting and asking if they would go look for it – but I was sure I’d be laughed off the phone.

By the time I decided I had to go back, just in case it really had fallen out of the car, school was out, kids were flooding the streets, busses were stopping frequently and rush hour had begun. But I that didn’t stop me.

I finally made it back to the parking spot. There on a pile of snow was my poor project looking forlornly abandoned. I was overjoyed. No one had taken it. It hadn’t been run over. Not one stitch had been dropped!

I have a whole new appreciation for this silly tote. I’m sure I will have a strong attachment to the bag when it’s done. After all, it seems we’re meant to be together. This is very good, since I’m knitting it to replace a purse that has gone missing with my wallet and keys inside of it!

Spring will come

The weatherman says it is supposed to snow. But daylight is being saved and the crocuses are poking their heads above ground, so spring must be coming, right?

I hope so -- the kids are already begging to wear their flip flops and they seem to have lost their winter coats.

Learn from my mistakes

I have for some time been wanting to knit a bobbled dish rag from the Mason Dixon book. I had the perfect yarn from Lisa ( http://saratogaknitting.blogspot.com/), my spoiler for the Secret Pal 9. I thought it would be a nice challenge. A little too challenging for my addled brain as it turned out. I cast on 150 stitches, purled and then made the bobbles. There were supposed to be 6. I had more than 10. I read the pattern again. And then again. And then again.

Here is what it said: *k12, mb (make a bobble),k12* Repeat to end. Can you guess what I did wrong? I'll put it in the comment section.

Knit World Gossip

For those who want to be "in the know": I have it on good authority that Interweave Knits is getting a new editor. It seems the current chief, PamAllen, is leaving to pursue other interests. She will be replaced by designer and blogger Eunny Jang.

Jang writes at eunnyjang.com, which she launched in 2005. She has a background in marketing and sales.

Allen, who has been with the magazine since 2003, will still design for the magazine.

Just in time for spring

We're trying to rush in spring by knitting felted mittens - that's based on the idea of bringing an umbrella to ward off the rain. It may have worked, we hit 50 degrees today.

But, we did have three days of near-0 degree weather after the mittens were finished, so Zara got at least a little bit of use out of them in this season.

When they were done, before they were felted, I was sure they would end up being too big so I didn't pay close attention while felting. Thankfully, we checked them when we did because they felted wicked fast and were just the right size.

Thankfully, also, felting is forgiving. I discovered on this project that I was twisting stiches on the purl. As a result, I had lines of strangled stitches where I'd put in short rows. Never mind that it took two gloves and three sets of short rows to figure out that I was doing something wrong! I also started the thumb opening in the wrong spot. But to look at them, you'ld never know it.

The pockets came out okay. The top flaps should have been a little closer to the bottoms, but they'll do.

Best of all, the one who requested them is happy and actually kept them on her hands.

DD picked out the yarn - Cascade 220 and the buttons - that took almost as long the knitting!

International Tote Exchange III

I have avoided posting one of my most recent major knitting projects because I was hoping to remain anonymous to my partner for the International Tote Exchange. But the tote has arrived and I've been revealed so here it is.

The brief was this: Business casual, medium size - roomy enough for lunch, wallet and a knitting project, handles long enough to hang off the shoulder and bright colors or pastel.

After much, much deliberation, I settled on a pattern from the One Skein book that I've been wanting to try. Only I altered the handles to fit the brief. I ran out of the grey yarn with just two inches on the second handle, but that was really the only glitch of the project. It turned out exactly as I pictured it.

In the pictures, you can see the yarn - Lamb's Pride, the swatches, the pre-felted purse (big enough for a skirt!) and the finished product.

It's for a new friend, Danielle, who works in the accounting department of a children's hospital on the west coast and has been drafted into teaching others to knit. She is also a fabulous knitter - check out her incredible shawl: http://knittingniche.blogspot.com/

Happy Aunt

I got a surprise phone call late last night. It was my Aunt Jane, for whom I made the pink fulled purse. She said she was so thrilled, she said, she had to call. Isn't that the response for which we knit? I quickly forgot the pains of the birth - the hours of knitting, the uneven felting, the lopsided straps, the misshapen top...it was all worth it.

Vacation memories

If you look closely at these yarns, you can smell the salty air of the beach, hear the sounds of children laughing and feel the freedom of having no place to go and nothing to do. These are the yarns I bought while on various vacations last year.

I started the collection with a multi colored yarn bought on Newbury Street. I brougt the collection with me to every yarn store I visited and asked the owner for a recommendation of a yarn to add to the mix with the intention of making a scarf. Some were a little perplexed, most were extremely helpful. I love going into shops anyway and it was nice to have an excuse to buy something.

I'm knitting the scarf the long way using the "leave it to chance" method - rolling the die to determine which color is next and heads or tails to determine if it will be a knit or purl. I've cast on 150 stitches and I'm anticipating it to be about 5 feet long not counting the fringe.

Those who are astute might note that there are actually seven colors but only six numbers on a die- I'm pairing the yellow with one of the multi colors.

This is a swatch, just big enough to be a scarf for Barbi.

SP10 questions answered

Here are the answers for the Secret Pal 10:


1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I prefer natural fibers. I like yarns that are soft. I felt a lot so I lean toward wools that aren’t superwash. But really, I like most natural yarns and I like to try different kinds. I generally don’t like fun fur and similar novelty yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a couple of different cases and a few vases. They’re also in drawers and pencil holders. (They seem to end up scattered about)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I taught myself to knit about four years ago. I understand enough to be an intermediate to advanced knitter. But in practice, I am an advanced novice to solid intermediate. I have so much more to learn.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes. It’s under jjhpowell@uwalumn.com

5. What's your favorite scent? Lavender followed by rose6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I like chocolate but I’m not a big sweets eater. I adore coffee.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I was a sewer before I became a knitter. I can crochet, although I tend to prefer knitting. I take lots of pictures. I also make beaded jewelry from time to time. I have been given a drop spindle so I’m planning to learn how to use it.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like Blues and jazz. We listen to the “World Zone” satellite channel a lot – which is a mix of music from all over.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I tend toward earth tones, browns, pinks and blues. I lean more toward pastels than brights.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have one husband and five children, age 1-14. We have one English Springer Spaniel and 3 goldfish.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes on scarves, hats and mittens. No ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I tend toward small projects so I don’t lose interest. I’ve tried just about everything – scarves, hats, sweaters, dish cloths, even teddy bears. I like to knit felted totes because I find them to be so useful. I’m going to try socks any day now.

13. What are you knitting right now? I’m working on a tote for an exchange and felted mittens for my 4yo (by request). I’m contemplating making a baby gift of some sort and a sweater for myself.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I use a mix – primarily my Denise interchangeables. I like bamboo for some things and metal for others.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes to both.17. How old is your oldest UFO?It’s 1.7 years old – a doll I started for my now 4yo when her baby sister was on the way. We both lost interest in it.


18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas because of the emphasis on family and world peace. Easter because it’s the celebration of a risen savior.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Aside from yarn and books about knitting? I collect pens – I’m a writer and I’m always looking for good ones or interesting ones. I have an odd penchant for the novelty pens one finds at tourist stops with things that float from one end to the other.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I don’t have any subscriptions, but I do love to read knitting magazines.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I’m planning on learning how to knit socks and I’m toying with the idea of knitting something lacy. I love some of the shawls I’ve seen, but I’m not sure I’d actually use one. I may try a lacy sweater instead.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Not yet. My foot is a 7.
When is your birthday? June 24

Three Little Kittens...no lost mittens (please)

My 4 yo requested mittens - not just any old mittens, but felted mittens!

Apparently, what I've been doing has rubbed off on her!

She chose the yarn - Cascade 220 in lovely pink (of course). The pattern is from Felted Knits -- I think it's probably the most complicated one I could have found -- it has short rows. I'm also adding little pockets, just for the fun of it.

Meanwhile, I looked up from my window and saw "Big John" pulling into Boston Harbor. This is the last time the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier will be in town. It moves pretty fast for a big ship, if I'd looked up just five minutes later, I would have missed it.