Paying it Forward

I love that the Internet has become a great place for knitters to connect. I feel like I have a wonderful supportive community to share my passion with. It's fun to give advice and it is a blessing to get it when I need it! In keeping with that concept, some fellow knitters have launched a knitters interpretation of the movie "Pay it Forward." I found it on Allison's blog (It's worth a stop by just to see her photos) Here's the deal: I will send within the next year something I make (most likely knitting related) to the first three people who respond in the comments section. (Please include an email so I can contact you.) My hope is that those people will in turn make the same offer on their blog. Per the rules on the email I found: The "gift" you send doesn't have to be handmade -- it can be anything you wish to share with another person.

I also have a new pattern to share - this is for a small accessory bag and is great to use up odds and ends.

I was in the store looking for the perfect accessory bag to carry my wallet, a small notebook and a cell phone. Too small, too big, wrong color, too pricey…then it dawned on me, I’m a knitter! I don’t need no stinkin’ store bought bag! I can make one that is exactly the size I need and the color I want. And I can do it without spending a dime by using up stash. This is the loose pattern – it can easily be adjust to fit the size you need. I used a single strand of worsted and found it to be thick enough. You could double strand it or use a bulky yarn. Just make sure that the yarn is not machine washable wool, which won’t felt.
This little bag is knit so that the stripes will run vertically. Keep in mind that it will therefore shrink more width-wise than length-wise.
Cast on 50 stitches, knit in stockinet for 11 inches – switching yarns for stripes as desired (I made random stripes to use up small bits of leftovers).
Bind off 20 stitches. The top part will be used for the flap. Continue knitting on remaining 30 stitches for 11 inches. This is the front of the bag.
Sew the front to the back and sew across the bottom.
Turn the bag inside out. Flatten the corner and sew across, one inch from the corner to make a flat bottom. Wash in hot water to felt.
To finish: add a snap or button as a closure. You could also add a short handle to make it easier to carry.
The final dimensions on my bag is 6 inches by 8 inches.

I added a handle that is just an i-cord. I cut a small hole in the bag and inserted both ends and tied a big knot on the inside. I may add an eyelet to make the opening stronger. I also used a magnetic closure for the tab, but I may go back and use a strip of velcro instead.

Quilts complete

Here are two classic examples of rag quilts that became popular around the turn of the century. Crafters in the early 2000s loved them for their simplicity and versatility. They could be made in a weekend using a wide variety of materials. They were made with the seams exposed. The seams were then clipped and the quilts and then washed producing three dimensional softness.

That's what the museum placard will read some day, if these quilts were ever to be put in a museum!

They were both made under an intense deadline. I had just one week before going on vacation to Wisconsin and I wanted desparately to get done the quilt for my daughter at camp and another to take with us for the 2 yo. Crazy, you say? Probably. I tend to do that to myself a lot. I figure the more I try to get done, the more I get done - if I haven't fallen over in exhaustion mid project.

To get the quilts done, I set everything up in the studio and stopped in whenever I had a few minutes. I'd cut a few squares until I had the piles. Then I'd pop in and sew a few squares at a time or a few rows. I carried the quilts around with me to do the clipping.

The Sweet Tweety Bird took the longest - having 90 or so 7 inch squares 6 when finished). The Monkey Business was really quick with 11.5 inch squares (10.5 inches after finishing) and just 35 of them. Both have three layers - a mix of flannel and quilting cotton with flannel in the middle. They are a nice weight without being too heavy.

Just one more to go - the Soccer Skies, which will be for the 5yo. It will have to wait until I'm back in Mass.

While on vacation, I'm keeping at least a little busy. This set is for a charity challenge for the football-a-long I've joined. I made in Packer colors in honor of the state we're visiting. It's a simple neck-down sweater with a simple hat and scarf. The charity is Cubs for Kids. The set is for a teddy bear, but we didn't have one in the right size. The hat and sweater were a great opportunity to practice the Magic Loop method of knitting. If you haven't tried it - I highly recommend it! It's a great alternative to circulars and double points.

Supporting yaks

In my "other" life, to support my yarn habit and feed my children, one of the things I do is write a column for the Boston Herald about small businesses. It is rare that my two interests intersect but yarn must be bought and sold and so on occassion, they do cross paths. This week the column is about a small company selling yak yarn: http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=1017630

The founders weren't knitters to begin with , but they have picked it up. They feature a few patterns on their website and are running a pattern contest. Check them out at shokay.com

Adventures in Travel

When I was a kid, I would dream of adventures - rocketing into outer space, riding wild ponies in the West, hunting for lost ruins in the Amazon. But none of that can compare to the excitement, thrill and challenge of shepherding four children age 2 to 14 through the modern day security ridden world of air travel.

Usually there are five, but one was at camp. The trip started from Boston at 5 a.m. We were headed to grandma and grandpa's house in Wisconsin.

I actually think that it is physically easier to travel with my large crew with just two young ones because the older ones can help. They do, however, add their a mental challenge in trying to keep them in line and in good spirits.

Checking in was smooth. The security line was long, but bearable and orderly. That all ended at the front of the line where there was a flurry of shoes, bags, bins, coins, watches and wallets. First, three of mine tried to go through the security scan at once. That upset the security guard who then made us wait while he took several other people. On the other side we learned that two bags had to be inspected. No problem, let me just grab the stroller... which is over there, on the other side of the security scanner. Huh. Apparently, the big kids didn't hear me when I asked them to put it on the conveyor belt. I must say, the security people do not like it when you leave something behind. I thought about crying, that sometimes works. Then I thought about having the baby cry - she almost always gets what she wants. In the end, someone took pity on us before we had to resort to tears.

The bags were flagged for a bottle of shampoo, hand cream and a fruit cup. The first two were in the bag of the teenager, who heard dad's warning to go through her bags but was sure there was nothing in them. The fruit cup was mine. It turns out they're allowed, but you should put them out in the open in a bin.

We had just enough time to grab breakfast to go and get on the plane - where we sat for the next hour because no flights were going into or out of Chicago where we had to make a connecting flight. Thankfully, we've become experienced travelers over the years and had plenty to do. It helped that the airline put on Shrek 111.

The rest of the trip was smooth. Because no flights were going out of Chicago, we were able to make the connection despite arriving so late.

I had my trusty knitting to go kit with me but entertaining the 2 and 5 year old kept me busy. I really need to teach them the art!

Meanwhile, the 14yo finished the entire new Harry Potter book! She remarkably has been able to refrain from telling the rest of us what happens.

Knusings (knit musings)

I have come to realization that it is highly unlikely that I will ever knit a pirate, even if it is really cute and would probably be quite a conversation starter.

I saw the pirate it in a magazine - a British journal that comes with a tape measure. (I'm a sucker for tape measures - it seems I can never find one when I want one so I'm always buying extras. ) I had picked out a stack of knitting magazines and I was trying to winnow down the pile. I suppose I could have just bought them all but I am trying to save some money to buy yarn to knit the things in those magazines.

I was really impressed with the little pirate. It was a darling piece of handiwork. But as I stood there admiring the cleverness of some faraway knitter I had an epiphany. I only have so much time and I have so many things I want to knit. When put up against the long list the pirate would fall to the bottom. In fact, I don't really want to knit him - I might want to buy it if someone else made it and I'd love to get it as a gift. But I want to knit cables and lace and socks and gloves and a sweater or too. Reluctantly, I put the magazine and the tape measure back on the shelf. I actually felt relieved. It turns out that not adding something to the "to do" list is almost as good as finishing a task! Now I can buy two tape measures with the money I saved.

I did pick up the latest issue of Interweave Knits - it's all about cables.

My contribution to the economy

It all started when I went to the store to get more material for this rag quilt I'm making for my daughter who is now away at camp. The quilt is sewn with the edges revealed. The edges are then clipped creating a soft, multi-dimensional blanket (or so goes the theory). I was about 26 squares short of the backing and middle. No more than two yards of fabric - just a few dollars even if it wasn't on sale, right?

But the things is, I had to take my dds , 5 and 5 into the store. First they found one fabric they both had to have and then another and another and another and another... it was all on clearance, just $2 or $3 a yard. (Amazing how quickly that adds up) We were having so much fun putting together different combinations that I didn't stop until long, long after I should have. Pretty soon we had a huge pretty pile of matchy matchy fabric.

And then, near the cutting table, the youngest began grabbing the rolls of fleece that were in the left over bin. We don't need any more blankets, we already have more than I can fit on the shelf. But the color combo was so cool and I've made a fleece blanket for all the kids but her and so, after much back and forth, these jumped into the cart too.

I won't even mention the odds and ends that were on an incredible sale and couldn't be left behind at that price. So now I'm up to my ears in fabric. The real problem is that they don't sell time!

Here she is - Miss enthusiasm herself. She got the ball rolling with the purple fabric, "Monkey, me, mommy? Monkey, me?" she implored. Truley, how could I resist?

I thank Janice for the rag quilt craze. She featured one on her blog and it took a hold of my imagination. One thing led to another and here we are, knee deep in quilt squares. She posts some great recipes too.

On another note - I've named my knitting fantasy football team Yak Attack. Though I haven't actually knitted with yak yarn yet, I'm looking forward to it. Thankfully, the league is set up through Yahoo, which will draft a team for you. This should be interesting.

Knitting to go

A question was asked in the knitter's review forum about what knitters do as far as having projects to take on the road. I have thought about this a great deal given the number of times I've been caught without a project on hand. Just as bad, and in a way even worse, is grabbing a project and finding that the needles are the wrong size or a crucial tool is missing. My answer is this: when you have a quiet moment - not when you're getting ready to go - start a simple project - a baby hat, a scarf, a sock, a dishcloth.... do enough that you know you the right needles. Then pack it all up in a "to go" kit. I usually use big zip lock bags because that lets me see what I have and it protects the yarn from spills in the car. The kit should include:

• the project
• the pattern (preferably a photo copy of the original, which will be left safe at home)
• a travel tool kit with at least scissors, tape measure, darning needle and optional stitch markers and crochet hook. (I have several such kits that I try to keep with each project)

Ideally, I'd have one of these kits in each car and in my purse. That way I'd always be covered. The hardest part is making myself thing about this when a trip is not immanent. This also requires having multiple sets of needles and other tools. I generally carry my Denise interchangeables, which gives me a lot of flexibility.

My other solution is to take knitting magazines - then you don't have to worry about not having a stitch counter. The only problem with this is resisting the overwhelming temptation to read through them as soon as they're purchased!

Gooooooo Team

I'm of the firm belief that knitting mixes with pretty much anything - so why not football? Someone has actually started a fantasy football league for knitters! http://www.footballalong.blogspot.com/

I'm not a must-watch-football football fan, but I like to watch, especially if it's a team I like. I know the rules. I can follow the plays. Besides being able to talk about Sunday's game can help get conversations started.

So, despite not knowing all of the players or even all of the teams I signed up. There's a pre-season challenge ( knitting a teddy bear sweater in your favorite team's colors) and a flikr link for photos.

The sign ups are still open, so if you have any interest in football or trying something totally different - join us!

A little song reveals volumes

You've no doubt heard and probably sung at least once or twice that infamous childhood ditty "The Wheels on the Bus." Well, my 5yo has

updated it with a few new versus. Her version is very revealing about my family. The first versus are the commonly known wheels on the bus go round and round, babies on the bus go wah, wah, wah and mommies on the bus go shh, shh, shh...

Then:

"The sisters on the bus fight, fight, fight, fight ,fight..."

"The brothers on the bus they tease all the time, tease all the time, tease all the time..."

"The daddies on the bus they work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work, work..."

"The grandma's on the bus give gum to their 5yo grandchildren..."

And last but not least, for my cigar loving father:

"The grandpa's on the bus smoke, smoke, smoke, smoke, smoke, smoke...

All through the town...

Pictured is the baby sweater that gave me such troubles and the matching hat. By now one would think I could follow simple directions! I am pleased, however, with my "fix." I crocheted a border that added enough height to bring the edges up to wear it should have been. The sweater pattern is from the Mason Dixon book. The hat is a link from SLK designs. The yarn is Peaches and Cream. It's my favorite crochet baby hat pattern because it is a quick project. I'm still hunting for a favorite knit baby hat design. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

And on a somber/happy note - I dropped dh #2 (13) off for her month long camp. I managed to do it without sobbing but there were a few tears - just enough to embarrass her sufficiently.

Them's knittin' words

As a wordsmith, I have found one of the interesting things about knitting to be the language we have created. Most of us quickly become familiar with the terms "frogging" and "tinking." Here are a few others I came across in a British magazine called creatively enough "Knitting":

In the Queue: Projects waiting to be knitted (I have plenty of those.)

KAT: knitting against time (I do that just a bit)

SEX: Stash enrichment expedition (hmmm...)

TOAD: Trashed object abandoned in disgust. (I haven't actually done this yet, but I've come close.)

SABLE: Stash accumulation beyond life expectancy. (I don't think I'm there, yet).

The picture is a close up of the beach-knit scarf. It really was a fun pattern once I got my head around how everything had to line up.

Crazy Knitting Lady

I think I've reached a new low (or high?) in knitting - I was (almost) seriously walking around the streets of Boston looking for a baby to try on this sweater! I found one that was too small and sleeping anyway and one that was just a little too old. I can only imagine the reaction I'd get if I actually make this request of a non-knitting parent.

Sailing away

Yesterday my older children were upset with me because I was "making" them go sailing. Today they were bubbling about how much fun it is and how much they like it. My dh often says - and it is proved true over and over - that kids don't really know what they want. The challenge, I'm sure, will come as they get older and really do know what they want. How will I know the difference?

On the knitting front, the knitting muses are having a good laugh at me. I was frantically trying to finish a baby sweater using the Mason Dixon pattern, which I've done before. I read the pattern several times - really I did - so when things didn't work out the way they should have I figured it was just a misalignment and I "cleverly" added a few stitches in some spots to make it come out right. I was very proud of knowing how to add stitches and make it "come out right." Of course we all know what pride comes before... After I finished the left front and started on the right front I figured out that although I'd read the pattern, I missed a crucial line and hadn't started increasing when I should have.

Perhaps I should have gone back there and started the front over. But I was in a hurry so I just made the other side with the same fudges as the first one. Now that I'm "done" I'm not so sure this was wise. The pattern sort of looks like it's supposed to, but I'm not sure that it will actually stay on the baby Unfortunately, the baby is hundreds of miles away so I can't check it. Maybe I'll try to crochet around the edge to fix it. Maybe I'll just start over. It doesn't reallytake .that long . I know babies grow fast, but not that fast..

Thank you mom

Here it is: Proof that I really do knit with the yarn you buy me mom! This is Noro Silk Garden that mom found while on a biking trip. She also brought me some vintage knitting books that she carried on her bike! The scarf is made of triangles that are knit together in a very clever way. It was tricky getting started, but lots of fun once I got the hang of it. Losing the pattern out of the Jeep (see earlier post) made ending it more of an adventure than usual. It took me a few tries, but I figured it out based on what I remembered from reading ahead. I've even written the pattern down so I can try it again later. I was tempted to rely on my memory but really that's not wise.

Some people found it a little bit odd that I was wearing a scarf in the summer at the beach - clearly they are not addicted knitters well acquainted with the joy of finishing a tough project. Besides, it kept me toasty warm on a chilly night.

We've been back from the trip for a week now and I'm still unpacking! Everytime I think I'm done, I find another bag that's been tucked away. I don't even want to talk about the laundry - the mountains and mountains of towels, sheets, shorts and more towels. I think the kids brought and wore their entire wardrobe! Or maybe that's how they got unpacked so fast LOL

Beach Knitting

This is the tote I frantically finished while on holiday at the beach. I thought that it might not be so much fun to knit with wool in summer, but it turned out to be so cool that I was glad to have it as a little blanket to keep warm!

I was inspired by the computer bag in Leigh Radford's AlterKnits and the shape of the big beach bag I was using to tote all the beach towels, sunscreen and knitting.

The bag is shown with Barbies pre-felted and soaking up the sun after its bath.

Here is the formula - I can't really call it a pattern since it's a very loosey-goosey sort of thing that can be adapted to any size desired.

Using worsted with two strands held together or a single strand of bulky knit a rectangle that is 30 percent longer than you want the purse to be and 20 percent taller. The purse is knit vertically (rather than horizontally like most) so it will shrink more in width than height.

For my bag, I used Cascade 220 in Navy and violet, a dark purple Patons, and a verigated mystery yarn that consisted of several strands together. You can use a yarn that is not wool but only for narrow stripes or you will have trouble with the felting. Try making a small accessory bag first to test the yarns together. If you use a wool that doesn't felt for some stripes, I would recommend crocheting or knitting around the top so that the bag is completely felted for a firmer edge.

Make stripes as desired.

Sew the caston and cast off edges together. Sew the bottom. To create a flat bottom: With the purse inside out, flatten the corner so that it forms a V and sew from side to side about 3 inches up. Repeat on the other side.

Add pockets as desired.

For handles - make an i-cord with 4 to 7 stitches, depending on desired thickness. I used 7 strands, which made for a solid cord.

You can attach the handles before felting or after - I attached them after.

Felt the bag and attach handles if you haven't already.

For a closure - I made a felted triangle and sewed it on as a tab. You could also put on a zipper or close the bag with a magnetic clasp.

My unfelted bag was about 45 inches by 20. Finished was 35 by 14 (I confess I'm doing this from my memory, which is faulty)

I started out with 51 stitches. The first 30 rows (which ended up being the middle of the back) were in garter stitch. For the rest I did the top 4 stitches in garter and the rest in stockinette. I made the garter stitch border because I thought it would make a firmer edge. It turned out fine, but I'm not sure it's necessary. The garter stitch is a tad bit thicker than the st stitch, but it felted to the same height and wideth.

I didn't line the bag because I put pockets on the inside. It could easily be lined.

I have one note on the pockets - think about where they will be when the bag felts. I found that my front pocket was a little closer than I would have liked to the top.

Have fun and please let me know if you try this at home - I'd love to see how others turn out.

The bag is on its way to my International Tote Exchange IV pal.

Dangerous knitting

Could the scarf by cursed? Haunted by a jealous knitter? A challenge set in my path to help improve my character?

I finally figured it out and have been making great progress. It's not difficult when you actually read the directions.

But then tToday, while I was knitting it in an open Jeep while riding down the high way at 65 mph - maybe not the wisest of moves, but I really want to get the scarf done and the radio doesn't work. Everything went fine for awhile. Then someone, maybe me, shifted a bit and the wind picked up the ziploc bag in which I had all my stuff. It turns out a zip loc bag makes a great kite. It up and sailed right out of the jeep. I grabbed the project and hung on to the yarn, but the bag and the instructions just floated right away. My dh laughed and laughed (with me, not at me of course, right?)

I thought about walking up and down the highway, but it was about to rain and I'm not sure a knitting pattern is worth risking a life for.

The instructions are from my knitting pattern a day calendar, so I'm not sure where (if) I can find a copy. Thankfully, I've memorized the instructions and looked ahead to the end. I think I can figure it out (fingers crossed).

I will post pics when I get to a high speed wireless. I'm on dial up now...

For some reason, blogger won't let me post a title!

I've been knitting on the beach, at the fireworks, around the fire and in the cottage at night. I managed to get all the tote done in time to use the washing machine in the cottage a friend was renting before she left - just before she left. I was up until midnight knitting the pockets and I was literally standing at the machine pulling out the pieces as she locked up! Talk about a knitting deadline LOL

I've moved on to a geometrical scarf that consists of triangles knitted together with increases and decreases. It's fascinating and fun. The only problem is that I forgot/got confused/got too cockey and when it said KSS, I slipped a stitch, knit a stitch, passed slipped stitch over when I should have sliped a stitch, slipped a stitch, knit two together. Really would it have killed me to check a reference book a head of time? I've now done it wrong for 20 rows!? Will it matter? Should I frog? Should I keep going and hope it won't matter? Should I make myself repeat the decreases 20 times on scrap yarn (like having to write "I will check directions when I'm not 100 percent sure" on the chalk board?) Maybe I should just relax - it's just knitting and I am on vacation. I don't have to finish the scarf!

It's just that I bought a bunch of yarns to try some free form knitting and I kind of wanted to finish the scarf first. Why do I put all this pressure on me?

Sun Time in Connecticut

These are few scenes from sunny Connecticut. We've been playing at the beach, grilling, playing at the beach, shopping at the tourist store, playing at the beach and playing at the beach. It's been mostly sunny but a little chilly - not enough to hamper the fun but certainly enough that I'm actually glad to be knitting a heavy wool tote for the ITE 4. I've gotten just a few sideways glances for knitting around the campfire at night.

It's a felted bag that I'm making vertically instead of horizontally. I really hope it turns out because it's a lot of knitting and the deadline is coming up quickly. It's supposed to be felted so I may be heading to a laundromat - I don't think I'll have the patience to wait until I get home to see how it turns out.

I've also been teaching my cousin to knit. I

vaguely remember what it was like when all those loops looked alike! She's an eager learner, so it's been an easy job so far.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July to All! It's all about family and fireworks at our house. We're headed to Connecticut for a big two-week long party.

But, at the heart is a celebration of freedom - freedom that we can hardly truly appreciate since we've lived with it all our lives. The bombs discovered in London are a grim reminder of how valuable and important our freedom is. People all over this world are fighting to get it or to take it away. I wish it weren't so. I wish we could all appreciate each other and work together to make life better for all of us. Though it is unlikely given history and the internal drive to look out for ourselves and our own, still I hope to see it in this life time. (Actually, I'd really be happy just to see it in my own household LOL )

And on a much lighter note: the progress on the shawl made from my husband's yarn, which is from Honduras via Mexico. I finally figured out the lace pattern and have since gotten into the rhythm of it. There are a few holes here and there from my having done something wrong, but I'm hoping that I can fix them later or won't notice them. I figured out that I am not going to have enough to make the shawl as the pattern is written. So here is what I am thinking: instead of making it a triangle, I will make it a rectangle with colorful triangles at either end. I'll switch to black now and knit half way and then make another piece just like that and connect them in the middle. I'm not sure yet if I'll continue in pattern for the black or switch to something else. I'm also not sure how I'll join the two.

I'm getting the "when are we going to go" whine, so I better get ready to go!

Oh say can you see?...

A momma's love

How cool is this - I love yarn and my mom loves me so she goes all over the world and gets me yarn!

This is from Tibet. She found on a whirlwind two week trip through China. My mom, who doesn't speach Chinese, went out to the market place far from the hotel on a rickshaw pulled by a very elderly gentlemen. She'd had a guide write down what she was looking for. At the market, someone found someone who led her all around and finally up the stairs of one of the buildings where she found this yarn. They threw in two sets of long double point needles that may or may not match with the yarn. After all that she managed to get back to the hotel and eventually back to Wisconsin.

I'm not sure what it's made of. I'm not sure what needles to use. I'm not even sure how much I have. I am sure I will have fun figuring it all out. I'm thinking of something lacey to accentuate the yarn.

Bonjour mes amis

In one of my favorite cartoons, Rose is a Rose, the mother character has an alter ego - a motorcycle maniac that fills her dreams when she tires of the mundane. My alter ego is a globe trotting adventurer. When the house is a total mess and the kids are driving me crazy, I warn my husband to get ready because one of these days I'm just going to up and fly to Paris for the weekend. Of course, I was mostly joking.

So, you can imagine my surprise when on Mother's Day he hands me a book by Gertrude Stein, travel guide to Paris and a passport application. It took me a few moments to realize that there was also a ticket to Paris for ten days! TEN DAYS! He knew that I'd never really buy it for myself and yet he really wanted me to be able to fulfill a lifelong dream. He is staying behind to take care of our many children.

I'm still working through my emotions. I am, of course, tremendously excited. I studied French in college with the intention of going to France and just got too busy. I don't want to leave my children for ten days, but then I know in the big picture, that's really just a short time.

My itinerary is yet to be determined. Husband didn't book the hotel because he didn't know if I'd want to stay in the city or travel around. We'll see... Now I just have to relearn my French.

Anyone know of any good lyss in Paris?

Family Ties

We were off to Michigan over the weekend for a fabulous family reunion. Lots of aunts, uncles, cousins and great food. This is where I spent time every summer growing up so it was nice to touch base again. I'm sort of jealous of the dishcloths that got to stay in this peaceful place.

But how to repay an aunt who opens her home to my large family, borrows a trailer to help house us, loans us her car and does the cooking and cleaning? A couple of knitted disch cloths and some good old fashioned New England coffee doesn't begin to cover it, but that's what I've got to give.

They are a ballband from the Mason Dixon book and the bluebell rib: http://www.geocities.com/love2knit_dishcloths/Dishcloth014. It was much easier and faster this time around because I understood the pattern and I knew what to expect.

MacKenzie's design

This is the dress MacKenzie designed. What you can't see is the cute black bow in the back.

It wasn't an easy. With knitting, you know what yarns the designer used to get the look. No such guidance with sewing. Even if you follow the guidelines, the fabric doesn't always react well to the pattern. The first version of the dress was "too poofy." At first, I thought the whole project was the disaster I feared it would be.

But, sewing, like life, is about getting creative and taking risks. I took a chance that we could convert the gathered skirt to an A-line. I didn't have much to lose at that point anyway. It would have been much easier if I were better at math, but we managed anyway. The best part is that the 14yo was thrilled, absolutely thrilled with the results. The dress turned out to be everything she'd hoped it would be. Let's hope the dance is as well.

A mysterious box

A wonderfully mysterious box arrived in the mail today from Illinois? Who do I know in Illinois? Hmmm... I'm not sure yet. It's still a secret.

In the box was a wonderful turquoise alpalca silk yarn - so soft and so pretty. And right in line with my goal to knit with as many different fibers as possible. Except that it's (almost) too pretty to knit!

Accompanying the yarn was the book, Knitting in the Old Way:

What I like about this book is that it's not about patterns - it's about learning to create by instinct. I think I'm going to really enjoy reading through this one. I've already started - and got just about as far as one could in a small back yard surrounded by a nearly-2-yo, 5 yo and an English Springer Spaniel with a tennis ball problem.

So a very big THANK YOU to my mysterious secret pal.

Thank you

I have a friend who is an incredible professional designer: http://pea-greenboat.com/. She created a fantastic logo, business card and stationary for my budding communications business. She wouldn't take my money, but at least she'll take my knitting. These bowls from the One Skein book are knit in her company's colors. I hope she likes them as much as I like my new business identity!

My friend is also a fabulous artist. You can see her work in her portfolio under gallery, the last button on the list. There are also pictures of great boxes that she makes by hand.

The larger two bowls are in the book. For the smaller one, I cast on 35 stitches.

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!