KindredKnits

Li'l Redhead Gets a Cap

2011-10-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

I haven't been knitting as much as I'd like since having Oliver in July.
Although, you'd think that would be an excuse to knit knit knit. And don't think I'm not obsessing on all kinds of knits to work up for him.
On the schedule: Cowichan knitted bag for the snowy days, socks, booties and more footwear, hats, hats, hats... and a little knitted romper.

Only little item I've finished lately is this little blue and red striped hat.
Visiting SF means having a wool cap, and a brimmed hat, all in one day. Today was a cozy blustery day. In hindsite, maybe a day to stay in with hot chocolate...

Today's antics included barely making it home in one piece after attempting to be out for a wee couple hours. We stopped at a news stand, and the knit shop. Tried to get on muni (above ground train) for the ride home, and just hopped off under duress after getting many looks of sympathy. I either had Oliver's foot crooked in the carrier or he's just decided to hate being in it.
Either way, we arrived home, both in tears after walking in the rain, one of us in flip flops.

The upside: we acquired 2 new knit magazines and a couple needles to start a project. We forgot all our needles and kit of tools ... If I can keep myself awake long enough to get a few cast ons going, and browse the mag. Honestly, I'm tempted to just get into bed. It's 8 pm.

Spotted: Crochet Hat in Vancouver's Chinatown

2011-05-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure this guy didn't realize his jauntily placed cap was a hand made crochet affair complete with beige non-matching pompon.

We scoped him out on our way through Chinatown early one Saturday morning, calmly pedaling along with his cap perched on top of his head, instead of pulled snugly down.

Black crochet, bold red stripe, and funny little pompon to top it off!

Rustic socks

2011-03-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

I love the surprise of discovering an unlikely knitter. Recently, I started a Sunday yoga class. The most fabulous socks I've ever spied were being worn by the yoga teacher. Not suprisingly, I had a hard time concentrating on class with those socks in the room... She didn't take them off... I thought: "Yah, why would you, they're amazingly awesome."

After class I couldn't just leave without inquiring about said socks.
"Did you knit your socks?" I asked, simply. "They're gorgeous."

I was able to get a good long look at them from all angles in various yoga poses. Let me describe: Heathery grey, dense, lovely even tension. A bit chunky, simple stockinette stitch—not exactly a sock yarn, but technically amazing. If I can remember correctly, the sock body contrasted with splashes of deep burgundy yarn. Toe and the heel were well executed with red reinforcement. It seemed like it was double knit to give extra padding. Something between a sock and a slipper. Perfect for sitting by the fire, or layering under your outdoorsy boots for chopping wood—or to keep toes warm in a chilly yoga class.

She told me her father-in-law knits them for us. Apparently, he began knitting as a way to keep his fingers nimble. He had trouble with dexterity at some point which led to the hobby.

To top it off, she adds: "He's taking us all to Cuba for a week!"

I found myself wishing I was part of the family, just so I could have some socks, and hang out by the fire knitting with this sock-knitting character. As I do, I drafted up a quick sketch of this man: in his 70s, bearded, Hemingway-like, yet warm and cozy. An avid reader and occasional traveler, a determined individual, balking at convention, possibly makes a perfectly chilled martini?

I know, I go too far with my romantic notions of life. It all just sounds good... so Kaffe Fasset meets sophisticated rugged woodchopper.

Deer Knits at Christmas

2011-01-01T17:35:00.000-08:00

I don't exactly know what to say about this, but it's interesting that he's knitting in a gallery shop window. The exhibit seems to be a series of yarn and popsicle stick installations a la 70's.

San Francisco, Dec 31, 2010

Secret Knit Shop

2010-11-19T07:13:00.001-08:00

When I moved up to the interior of BC, I struggled with the concept that I would no longer be able to saunter 4 city blocks to an amazingly stocked knit shop. They carry almost everything... no waiting, no ordering, and you can touch it all!
I set off on a drive to discover the area, and search for a woodchopper (romantic notion I have). Along the way: beautiful farm country, dotted with a few lakes, and quaint fishing cabin resorts. I discovered Falkland: Little teeny town, with a cool roadside bar. I had to stop in and order a drink... turns out they have live music and a list of bike meet-ups. That's Harleys, not road bikes...
Sipping away, while trying not to stare at the "real" cowboys at the bar, I spied a sign across the street...Did it say knit shop? Nooooo... I tipped my glass back and headed out the door. Sign said: Closed. Crap! It's Sunday, how could they be closed?
I started mulling over various different retail scenarios... it's a small town, lord's day and all? No.....really?
I wandered into the general store next door, disappointed, thinking I'd get some snacks for the ride back, gum, maybe? What's this: a bin of yarn... $4.oo a ball? I fingered a skein... lovely too! I looked down the first aisle—it was the knit shop! Inside the general store. I was like a kid in a candy store. And this wasn't Walmart yarn, folks. Debbie Bliss, Rowan, Gedifra... my eyes were bouncing around trying to take it all in. Alpaca, cashmere... too much. And to think, you can get yarn here til 11 pm when the general store closes, and grab a bottle of wine (because they're also a licensed liquor store).
I'm thinking, there's gotta be a knitting group here in Falkland... I just have to find them. Maybe post a note at the roadside bar?

Knitting Apprenticeships

2010-08-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

I have new apprentices. Their forté: Ball winding.

(I packed up the winder ... but, thankfully these helpers requested to roll personally.)
Next on the agenda: Re-visit actually throwing yarn around on needles.

Conclusion: Body Armour Sweater in Moss Stitch

2010-07-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

Previously referred to as the Peasant Sweater, or the Lord of the Rings Sweater, the Body Armour Sweater has been passed on to its owner.It was his idea to re-make a bulky, simple rustic sweater out of my old hoodie coat that never worked out (from Vogue Knitting way back in maybe even 1999). The coat had been hanging around taking up valuable space in my studio apartment. We unraveled the yarn, and I started a plan/pattern to knit a heavy tunic up.
I only had to re-knit certain areas a few times. Knit in the round bottom up, split for the sleeves, and cast off with the 3-needle method. Basic button hole neck, which really means: no finishing necessary.
This sweater would NOT have benefited from a frilly crochet edge—I don't enjoy crocheting anyway. Sleeves were knitted on (in the round)—unraveled only twice each. I forgot about the puckering when knitting on! And who knew that the direction mattered for seed stitch?
A tense moment ocurred when it dawned on me: do I have enough yarn? It's almost 10 years old... did anyone have any on Ravelry?I scoured Ravelry for any spares... I couldn't worry about dye lot at this point. I even considered a different color. No, of course not!
Moving forward on tenterhooks, I split the last yarn in half for the sleeves—rolled it up, and weighed it desperately to make sure I had it split evenly. Nobody wants to see lopsided sleeves, let alone wear them.
My friend wanted the sleeves un-tapered. I had thought that would be quite floppy... you know, while cooking flap-jacks, the sleeves would be catching all kinds of ladles, and stove knobs, turning on random burners willy-nilly and dragging in the eggs.
My excuse to taper a little: I warned him.That's where I got the brain wave that the sleeves, even if a bit short, would stretch out a bit with blocking.
Fini! Sleeves done—miraculously the same length—I washed and blocked. (Read: stretched delicately to make a little wider and longer).
Case Closed, yarn used, thrift accomplished. (Even though he looks a little grimacy here, he loves it.)

Seed Stitch Beanie

2010-05-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

I was just featured in a Treasury for my Biking Together Lino Cut Card. This little guy always gets all the press! I made it for my sister's one year for Valentine's Day so it has good vibes.
And good vibes leads to... yes, Treasuries on Etsy—One of members in my EtsyKnitters Team placed me in her Treasury East, (which is under construction now, I believe). Thank you Lana. As I was poking around in her shop, I saw she had just listed a version of the hat I was dreaming up in my last Beanie Post about Dream Knitting while driving. It's so cute! Check her out—the knits are adorable!

Sweater Sighting

2010-04-30T11:46:00.001-07:00

There I was staring again... and this time, taking a covert photo. This thing is AWESOME. I wanted to go over and chat about it, but then I thought following her to the bathroom at Coffee Bar might have been a bit stalky, no?
So I settled on this sneak shot.
It looks like white kid mohair—Rowan could work—with a couple rows of drop open work? A thick pink row worked in there?
Monika didn't like the hot pink yarn nod to '80s neon (see bottom before the ribbing). You can't see it in on the sleeves in this photo—if she'd just stayed still and posed, you could have seen the pink cuffs too.
Do you think she made it? Or bought it?
Or commissioned her grandma to make it?

Dream Knitting

2010-04-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've all done this... Caught yourself daydreaming at a stop light?
My stop lights moments usually entail people watching—staring (gaping) at outfits in the Mission... which usually leads to the inevitable—"How would that look knitted?"
Lots to ponder these days as I flit about, imaginary needles clicking away in my mind. BEEP!
Okay, moving on, gas pedal, where is it?
Might be because I am nearing closure on the Peasant Sweater, and it's nubby seed stitch, but I'm obsessed with it. I was stopped at Dolores Park and saw a woman waiting to cross directly opposite me. Immediately I was struck, she had a cool silhouette. She was waiting at the light, in a cozy, cream beanie. As I got closer, craning my neck to see what the pattern was I spied the foldup brim of the 2x2 ribbing wool hat. Chill in the air, she was wearing one of those long puffy jackets. I was studying her, and thought: "That hat would be amazing if the top was seed stitch in bulky oatmeal yarn." I squinted.
Quick mental scan of my stash... did I have anything at home I could use to whip up? Ah, I rolled forward for a closer look—it's just commercially knit with an occasional cable, but still—good bones on the hat!
And great wintery silhouette she had going for her.
Who cares that the guy crossing the street in front of me had running shorts on and no jacket!
It's SF and the weather can radically change from corner to corner, right?
Next stop: Coffee Bar Cool Sweater Sighting.

Kindred in Vancouver

2010-04-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a visit to Vancouver where I could meet up with my fabulous model Elizabeth this week. She's actually my sister, who also designs clothes on the side. (Just kidding… I can't pay her enough, so designing for Obakki is really her full time job). I realized how much fun it is to collaborate even on a small creative project. (Note to self: more of that—vow to be involved more in creative stuff.) It's amazing what a change of scenery can do for inspiration.
She's always ready to drop her guard and pose for me in my knits. I think her effortlessly glamorous presence actually sells my stuff. I had one customer ask to buy everything she had on in a previous shoot. Only the mittens were for sale. We "styled" her in our own clothes and just threw the shoot together outside in Sunpeaks near Kamloops.
My customer wanted to buy her vintage Cowichan sweater and my oatmeal hat—I think that means the shoot was successful! Their old land rover definitely added to the lifestyle appeal.
This week I was visiting her life in Gastown. We were babysitting "Nancy the dog." We took a frisbee to run her around at the marina park. Lovely Vancouver overcast day wth the sound of seagulls music to my ears. Look, she has on the same sweater! Very Beachcombers, eh?
While we were walking around, we cooked up a new sweatery item for her in an open knit like the chainmaille shawl. We worked up the specs and did a schematic. She worked it over her croquis. While walked Nancy, we stopped into the Rennie Gallery where I snuck a peak at the new installation going on: Richard Jackson. Then we headed off to a little gastown boutique. Gentile Allouette has the most darling items: hand made in Vancouver, gorgeous drapey, reconstructed, raw-edged tops, and loosely knit tanks. My favorite (expensive) item: the silky, rough edged, capelet wings. I swear, visions of these exquisite wings come to me in the night—in my head, I crank out possibly excellent outfits to wear with them. The wings could be paired with worn, faded, ripped jeans and a white tank, with silvery shoes for the opera! A little silver clutch tucked under an arm. Fairy magic!

Lord of the Rings - Part 3

2010-04-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Peasant Sweater Update : I measured up to the neck and used the 3-needle method to Cast off the edges together to create the slash neck you see here. No edging or anything fancy was requested—Done.
Armholes: Different story. I had these neat holes, so I knitted on 47 stitches in the round and just started knitting the pattern. As I got 4 inches in, I realized, oh no... it's puckering out of the join! I forgot that knitting on usually results in this bubbling—the sweater doesn't need any more texture! Tricky, it looks so smooth as you knit but then I held it up and the arm looked like it was straight out of the 80's with a puffy sleeve! Ridiculous...
I unknitted, and restarted, reducing immediately on the first round to 42 stitches. As I said for this sweater, this is just math.. no pattern. So I bunched up the amount I thought was extra (It looked like about 6 extra stitches) and reduced to 42. Miraculously the sleeve is laying nicely, but not so for the other sleeve.
Basically, the stitches are laying in a messy way, and the decreases resulted in a big dent in the shoulder. I ripped out the second sleeve to try to copy what I did on the first. What DID I do on the first? Sigh...I thought I made notes and a schematic.
I haven't picked up the needles yet again... the left sleeve is only half knitted-on currently. It's chunky so it's fast. I just need to muster up the patience to start it again and slow down long enough to make sure it comes out the same.
Bigger problem: I may not have enough yarn, so stay tuned for the next chapter! My plan is to knit both sleeves to the same point, and see what's happening ... At that point, If I don't have enough yarn, my options are:
1: Knit the rest of each sleeve in a different color... grey that I find on Ravelry. (I've been hunting this yarn on Ravelry)
2: Unknit the body and make it a bit smaller, hoping to cull some of the yarn for the sleeves.
Either way, I'm excited about the progress but still antsy to get it done... I'll keep you posted.

Progress: Lord of the Rings Sweater

2010-03-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

I took a day trip up the Coast of California today. Destination: Inverness, California.

I never quite made it, but I got to Pt. Reyes... I've had it in my head that I "need" to go back to this Buddhist statuette and all-things-magical-and-charmy shop that's ensconced in a house. I took all kinds of detours. I meandered over to Bolinas, after a stop at Stinson Beach, and now simply want to move in over there. It's perfect: there's an old truck that has a garden growing in its bed.

After wandering around, pretending to be a resident of Bolinas, I headed up to Pt. Reyes, where I landed in Cowgirl Creamery for cheese. Mmmm.

Of course, I took both current knitting projects: the Glitter Shawl and the Peasant Blue Nubby Sweater. I didn't get a row in on either of them... but in usual fashion, I surmised that I'd have all kinds of free time, or possibly even knit while driving.

After tonight though, I am pleased to announce that I am officially at 16 inches into the blue sweater—the magical number at which I split it into 2 sets of needles for arms. Scary! I've never done it so it's now sitting on the sofa until I figure it all out. It actually looks more like the right size—a normal size, rather than the massive blue potato sack of the first try. Try to imagine it from the last post, but a little longer, because I am too lazy to properly document progess with a photo. I'm already in bed in pyjamas, eating Cowgirl Creamery Cheese: Panteleo and Mahon. I can't live without cheese, it's so lovely.

Thrift Part 2

2010-03-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a super chunky knit Waterspun merino felted mistake that I unraveled in the Fall to knit a "Lord of the Rings" chunky peasant sweater for someone in particular. I am not sure if it's a healthy idea to be re-knitting this particular sweater, but I am rationalizing it becuase it's super chunky. Translation: Quick knit.
I want the challenge... didn't I mention I have tenacity?

Onward... After another movie outing yesterday, I have successfully re-knitted (for the second time) about 10 inches of the sweater. Knit in the round, again, in K1 P1 Seed stitch, or is that moss stitch. The effect is that cool bubbly pattern.

The recipient loved the yarn when it was in its original form: A loungey long cardigan from Vogue Knitting in 2000 or so. I wore it a few times, but just couldn't get comfy in it. The stuff is gorgeous but it's so chunky that the seams (snug set in sleeves) felt like a thick rope under the arms. And it fell off the shoulders constantly, lending a certain rakish, off the shoulder look, that was not ever intended.
It was also incredibly TOASTY... I debated making myself a little cute cardigan but then thought better of it. Nope, I'll end up with the same ropey underarm seam.
Fall 2009—I unraveled the whole thing into many balls of slate blue merino, attempting to defrizz the yarn as I worked.
As all projects do, it sat around in a bag while I worked out a pattern and gauge swatch for the "Peasant Garb" it was to become.
Requirements: It will have a slit neck, no finishing, no shaping and no tapering at the sleeves.
Stitch and gauge swatch was given the thumbs up.
I just now started it up, and it looks pretty good so far. When I get to the sleeves, I'll have to do more figuring, but I want this yarn out of here!

T-Shirt Re-Knitting

2010-03-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

I'm on this "thrifty" roll where, not only am I working through the "stash," but I'm unknitting and reknitting somewhat sad projects into more fabulous stuff. Well, in my mind, the finished product will be more fabulous. Although, come to think of it, this project has been in a bag for 5 years...
At one point, every week, my girlfriends and I would knit around their fireplace, huddled up around the TV, and watch Sex in the City together. In one episode, the Carrie and her cohorts are debriefing over eggs—about their sexcapades, and various relationship issues. Carrie is wearing this excellent, drapey, airily knit T-shirt.
It was fitted, snug, and had a boat neck, and bell sleeves. Simple to knit, really: I embarked on the project from what I remembered about the T. A little shaping, and some increases around the wrists—no problem.

I used this sock yarn combined with a fairyish glittery yarn to weigh the springy sock yarn down. It bounced up without it!
Come on, do we really need an excuse for glitter?
I did wear the thing at least once—and wow, was it Super Frumpy! The garment looks gorgeous flat, and maybe on a flat, reed-like model person who eats once a week. On me, a 5'4" somewhat curvy person, I looked thick and as though I might be trying to hide in a bit of fluff.
I know now gauge can be somewhat elusive when knitting on circulars. So the thing was huge and floaty...Ok, back to math equations, but somehow it just got stuffed into a paper bag for another day.
Now, as part of my fiendish project finishing fetish, I'm resurrecting it—I do love the way it looks flat. Since I never completely unraveled the thing, at least I can use it to re-measure and gauge it properly.

I'm going to try for a "more snug" fit and see how it goes... I hate wasting gorgeous yarn. And I have tenacity, even 5 years later.

Red Beanie Re-Knit

2010-03-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

Maybe because I have allergies, swim, or go out with wet hair, or just because at any moment the San Francisco wind can just pick up and whisk you off your feet, I must have a hat on hand.

Wearing a hat imparts coziness and retains 80% of your body heat, as my dad used to say. I didn't listen back then, but now I know it's true.
Hats make you feel safe! I noticed one of my favorite servers at the coffee shop had a beanie on. It was cute, and I made some comment... I notice all things knit. She said, "yah, I'm having one of those days and it just makes me feel safe."

Here's the hat from yesterday's post: we had a photoshoot today in the studio. Translate: I propped up some white foamboard and snapped a shot. I did use a tripod though, so that counts as "photoshooting."

I'm so happy we're reunited, me and my hat! I hope the person who found the previous one a couple months back is happy with his/hers too.

It's a strand of Cento and a bit of rust colored Debbie Bliss cashmerino to "tone" it down.

A Chainmaille Shawl for Spring

2010-03-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

I broke out the Blue Heron metallic again—my last post contained the pattern. Colorway: Shell.
It's coming along, although the yarn ball keeps tangling up and it's still quite massive... which only means I have eons of knitting to do. With a deadline of April 20... we'll see how it goes.
Shhh, it's a gift...so keep it to yourself.

All the dratted detangling caused a need for a diversion knit, so this morning I cobbled together a new hat with Cento multicolored yarn from Lana Grossa. It's the usual—2x2 rib for a couple inches, then just knit using snug to the head shaping. It creates a nice bowl, no poofy condom top for this beanie.
Confession: Ok, you dragged it out of me...it's a replacement hat for the one I lost months ago. Who knows where... but those who've read my previous posts, you're probably starting to realize: I lose things. I do... I always have. I am trying to curb that tendency with a new mandate: Stop, look around, gather your things, don't rush, give yourself time... a little pranayama.. breathe...
I'm hoping it's one of those life-changing things that allows me to hang onto my items for longer than a week. But things are just things, right? Pfff, enough Buddhism.

I finally did locate my leather and bead bracelet...sigh...on my neighbour's wrist.
The iphone has been replaced (yay) but, sadly, not found. No such luck—though a silver lining exists: I now have the 3GS for "speeeeed" and, I discovered that my old one had a defunct battery. No, it's not supposed to decharge while plugged in even if using it. Good luck, thief, with the defunct battery.
Ballet legwarmers are wrapped up in a box ready to ship!

Maybe it's time for another session at the movie theatre? It's kinda cloudy here in SF... be careful of mice, and mind your things in the theatre.

Mesh Shawl #2

2010-03-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

I love my meshy shawl, made out of the Blue Heron metallic! It's like fairy magic... so I'm making a new one in a different colorway. More fairy dust.
Pattern:
Cast on 60 Stitches
K1 row
P1 row
K1 row
K4 * YO, SSK * K4
Knit all
K4 * SSK, YO * K4
Knit all
Repeat 4 rows and knit in pattern until end of yarn.
Knit 1 row
Purl 1 row
Knit 1 row
Cast off 60

I saw a gorgeous knit cardigan in a similar yarn in an adorably expensive boutique on Hayes this weekend. The boutique has absolutely gorgeous stuff—so I started thinking, of using this metallic on a cardigan. Now I just need a pattern.

Ballet Leggies - Part 2

2010-03-10T14:26:00.001-08:00

I've been on a losing streak ... First, a leather bracelet with gold and silver beads, a favorite! Next stop: Iphone... and expensive and incredibly irritating loss. Third (and last ... thankfully) one of the legwarmers.

It all stems from Rushing & Stuffing. I've even got a name for it now. I always try to pack in one more task, one more item in the purse, and one more item in the day—all rush, rush, rush.

What on earth for? I'm not sure, but I'm going to cut myself a break, because I'm on my 4th week of being sick, and had 3 separate fevers.

Saturday night, I wandered off to a movie with legwarmers in my purse. You see, I can pack in a few rows in the theatre—it's good knitting time. I was nearing the end of the second warmer, and needed the finished one to make sure I did them the right size. Did I really? Why not just Sssslow down and measure it, you ask? Good question! As part of my slow it down mode, I'll be doing more of that kind of thinking.

But since I didn't do that this time, it dropped out of my overstuffed purse while I grabbed the needles in the dark. Of course, I didn't notice, because:

A: There was a mouse running around the theatre under my feet! Gross, you exclaim! I do too.

B: I wanted to get out of there quickly after the movie ended so I didn't check around me to see what I had forgotten.

C: Leaving things behind, trailing out of my overstuffed purse, and losing items happens with more regularity than I'd like to admit.

And so began the amazingly irritating process of calling the manager to find out if they had it in the Lost & Found. Normally, not so bad, with a phone. Skyping up the Manager on my ghetto laptop wasn't as fruitful. It was then I realized, without a phone number, I had to "spell" my email address...

Sigh...

It was quite hilarious explaining what dropped on the floor. Um, it's a pink, variegated yarn, tube, legwarmer, with a sparkly top edge... Err, yes, it's a pinkish tube. Yes, sir, I dropped a pinkish tube on the floor of your mice ridden theatre.

I never got the email, but because I diligently called at work 14 times, Bingo! I found it...

And Allie, don't worry, I will wash the leggies before Sophie wears them to ballet! :)

Oh, they're finished now too!

Ballet Legwarmers

2010-03-06T12:29:00.001-08:00

I have a niece who started ballet in the Fall, so I immediately jumped into legwarmer mode. I had this stash of Rowan Tapestry that was a mistake purchase. It was PERFECT! Not cutesy pink, but sophisticated pink - maybe too much for a 4 year old? Now I want a pair for myself...
I added some of the magic sparkle yarn to give them some magic! I'm almost finished knitting the second one. I had to take a hiatus on them, because directly after the first class, she quit.
She's a spitfire of a girl, so the class was a little too "serious" for her. Apparently at this class, your panties can't show out of your leotard, you must wear tights, and the tone of the class just wasn't that fun.
My sister found her another class in which the "regulations" are a little relaxed, so I'm back on the legwarmers! She doesn't like wearing tights and likes the ballet sweater and loves the class now.

More Sock Puppet Funniness

2009-12-19T21:47:00.000-08:00

I'm at home knitting my last mittens like a fiend, eating ice cream in bed, while doing so and I had to have more of that sock puppet Christmas business.

And so here it goes:

Having another eggnog can help knitting go faster!

Non Knitting Hilarity!

2009-12-18T13:59:00.000-08:00

I was working, read: surfing my bloggy things today and I spied this on Flavorpill just now.
So basically, it's late breaking Christmas funniness.
It is still making me pee my pants laughing.

And now for knitting fun! I'm still making mittens until my fingers fall off, and I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I need a break from knitting.

Well Happy Holidays All, and to all a good knit!

Word Game for Shopping on Etsy

2009-11-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas shopping time! Yes, already... I know, it's slightly stressful, but here it is, like it or not.
Maybe this will make it more fun, or at least let show you some fun things on Etsy—Etsyknitters have put together a list of items. Remember: Santa is Coming!S ... is for SIREN
A ... is for Autumn Wool Dog Sweater
N ... is for Not a Pink or Blue Baby Set
T ... is for TREE
A ... is for Alpha Hat

I ... is for Island Sea Blue Felted Wool Wristlet
S ... is for Sigmund the Sea Monster

C ...is for Cute Horse
O ...is for Olive green purses
M ...is for Mustard Fingerless Gloves
I ... is for Itty bitting stocking ornament
N ... is for Nothin But Fringe Scarf
G ... is for Green Scarf

Happy Browsing on Etsy—they have lovely handmade things as well as good shipping deals before Christmas. Happy Holidays!

Christmas Knitting Countdown

2009-11-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

Um, I just realized, with dread, that I am behind on my Christmas knitting... Why does Thanksgiving always sneak up on me. It sneaks up, and then WHAM! Christmas countdown is on.
A list will quell panic, and I'll just have to adjust my expectations... Doesn't it just seem so early to get started in September or August even?
But I do have excellent news: The Rowan sweater is finished!! Zipped up and looks awesome. Can't wait to see it on the person it was knit for.

Let the Holiday Craziness begin!

New Zipper!

2009-10-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

So, mini-post update: the zipper had to be re-ordered. Stan's Sewing Supplies (careful, the link takes you to a less than lovely website, but useful, nonetheless!) must love me, all these little orders. We decided that the Brass was just that—all to shiny brass. After all we're not trying out for the school band. Antique brass is more appropriate. Understated while being overstated, a trick that can't be pulled off by many! Still brown tape, but the zipper pull blends a little better. And apparently, it's more manly to not have the flexibility to zip from below.
Who knew these things?
To be continued: putting in the zipper.

Zipper time!

2009-10-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

I ordered a zipper for the Rowan Sweater—decided upon something heavy duty in order to "man up" the sweater. It's slightly delicate even though I agonized over a pattern that would be hip and manly!

After all, I ordered it from Stan's Sewing Supplies. Doesn't that conjure up an image of a stocky linebacker type of man? For ease of use and versatility, I went with a 2-way separating.

Here's a pic of the zip:

This way, he could wear it with ripped, faded denims, and Carhartts as well as with dress pants.

Who am I kidding—he doesn't have those!

Knitting Addict

2009-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

In preparation for this past weekend to be a social fest, last weekend, I knitted my a$$ off and lounged around like a slug. (Still, I managed to knit everywhere I went anyway).

I started the "menopausal shawl" as one person put it! That made me laugh, even though it's not quite PC.
I managed to begin the cotton Rowan calmer sweater! It's true though, as someone said on Ravelry: "whew, the fringe is quite time consuming."

The intent is diminish the stash—I think it's working. (Although I got re-aquainted with Ravelry, and started hunting down more skeins of that Blue Heron metallic—drool.)

My sister was visiting and we saw the Tutankhamen exhibit at the DeYoung Museum. Slightly disappointing—only a projection of the mummy—cool, but not the real thing. Darnit... When we parked, I had a moment where I panicked—Take the knitting, don't take the knitting. I actually felt a welling of fear: What if there's a fallow moment? Will I need the knitting. I managed to quell the withdrawal warning signs and just walk away knittingless. Seriously, when did I think I was going to knit? In between jockeying for position to view the pectoral jeweled amulet of Tut or squinting in the dim light of the crammed exhibit to see the details on the projected mummy?

This anxiety might be due to the knitting withdrawal I felt last week while on jury duty. One might exclaim: JURY DUTY—What an extraordinary opportunity for knitting! Nope—not allowed! I wasn't about to ask the bailiff: "Um, it says on the signs: no chewing gum, reading, using cell phones, etc... what about knitting?"

As one of my friends so adeptly put it: "That must be what hell is like—no knitting!"

Grandma Shawl

2009-09-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

We've all had this problem: how to design an item that is decidedly hip? It can be tough because sometimes knitted items can prance forward and back across the the "grandma design line" depending upon what style of accessory is used to close the item, yarn type (chunky/fine?), pattern, silhouette of garment or simply what it's worn with.
Case in point: A lovely bone closure can be cool and ethnic with the right garment silhouette, but can march directly into "hot fashionable and 70 diva" on a cape/coat closed at the top?

I've had this Gorgeous hank of yarn that is one part ballet, and one part fairy dust for 2 years! It sat in my stash looking absolutely stunning and I couldn't seem to find the perfect thing to knit it into. I bandied about ideas, yes, for 2 years...
It's 550 yards of gorgeous spun magic. A true perfectionist, I strive to devise the perfect item that will suit the fairy dust perfectly.

Finally I broke down and just decided to get started—the original item in the store was a clapotis (see below)—slightly grandma unless worn with the right thing, yes? Like ripped jeans and spike heels?

I set about to finding a pattern that would be "edgy" and also, use the full yardage. Waste not and all that...

Should it be densely knit? Or meshy? I didn't quite want to make the trendy "rockstar shawl" (thanks Stevie Nicks) I opted for meshy—my idea being that if I make a shawl, something about the V pattern or any fringe, may push it over into the grandma category. I have nothing against Grandmas, but let's face it, if one isn't one yet, one shouldn't dress like one, even a fashionable diva. Right?

I decided upon a *YO, SSK repeat on a 8mm needle to try to open it up a little. I am lamenting now, using some kind of ladder stitch with stockinette, to show how lovely the fibres run tightly together. The subtle soft variegation gets kind of lost in the mesh pattern. (Example here is not the real item... )

Alas, I say... stop being a perfectionist, you can always knit something else. If I have enough, I figured out a cute use: Ballet Leg Warmers. My niece just started ballet, and how sweet and sophisticated little legwarmers would be?

Vacation Knitting

2009-09-10T11:11:00.001-07:00

Three reasons for writing again.

1 - My littlest sis's boyfriend—apparently—misses the daily knit chat! Not sure how exactly he has the time to peruse my blog—he's getting ready for a show in Italy.
2 - I can feel Autumn in the air, and frankly, that just feels like knitting, doesn't it?
3 - A momentous cabling breakthrough with my yearlong knit knitfest with a gorgeous Rowan sweater.

Alright, in full essay writing form, let's start with Point 1, shall we?

In August, I made it past the 6 month period in my new job! woooot! Which meant, suddenly I found myself, not only, ready, but able to take a vacation. Quick dial up to my sis with the kids, and vavooom, we're off on a Lake vacation with the kids... Yay? I sat back and imagined lots of lounging / knitting time in hammocks, docks, and kayaks, let alone planes and cars... Lots of time to work on Point 3 - the year long Rowan project (See below)

Holiday set-back! We found ourselves smack in the middle of forest fires in the interior of BC, so in short, we headed to Holiday #2. Packing, repacking, unpacking, and strategizing for the kids' naps, after my sister's husband found us a new holiday! on the Coast... my favorite magical of places... The Gulf Islands. Off we ambled, 3 kids, 3 adults, and lots of, yes, sun gear, to the rainforest that is Galiano Island.

Fortunately, I was able to meet up with my sis and her boyfriend in Vancouver (gettin' ready for a big show in Italy.) Between designing fashion, jetting to France, and Italy, putting on art shows in Vancouver, managing Lily (their sweet Bernease Mtn pup) and hobnobbing at Salt, I am not sure how they make time to read a knitting blog... But they are the impetus for today! It was fun to drop into their fancy lives for a bit, sleep on their loft couches, hear Lily throw up in the wee hours of the morning, pop over to the Alibi Room for breakfast, brunch at Chill Winston, and wine, salami, and cheese at Salt....

Which brings me to Point 3 --> I was like a kid with a blankie everywhere I went, determined to make every psuedo-fallow moment count on that sweater panel. (Knitting on the ferry, at the Alibi room while waiting for much needed coffee while extolling the virtue of alcohol in coffees.)

Rewind a bit...I think of myself as a slightly advanced knitter... no, not in age... I only wear reading glasses for close-ups and have no grey hair! (...that you can see)

Still, this past year, I'd reached the front panels of this Rowan cardi—I just could not make the skinny cables work! Knit up, rip out... 3 times! Egads... what was going on? I scoured the cable chart, made notes, my own charts, and finally, decided to just throw in the towel. Either I decide to be happy with the "messy looking cables" or I "get help."

I'm not proud... so, I head to a lovely yarn shop in Oakland ArticlePract where I got a couple names of knitutors. OK: scratch that—I am proud! I just thought: "Buckle down, man, and do a practice run on the chart only... not the whole cardi panel." One last try... It's what I should have done before, along with reading the fine print about cable charts. Yes, RS should be read one way, and BS read backwards. SIGH!

SUCCESS!
Back to my incessant knitting... I managed to get both panels knitted up while on Holiday #1 and #2. Ferry, plane, car and dock knitting. I just have one more color block on the last panel and I can sew the gorgeous thing up!

If there can be any moral to this story, let it be this: Always buckle down, and do a practice run of the smallest number of stitches before knitting. (New knitting mantra: "Always swatch, always swatch...")

Moral #2: Never disappoint your readers, you never know who they are...

Moral #3: Always have a backup holiday plan!

This post has been brought to you by my faithful readers up North, Andrew and Liz.

Stay tuned: Knitted tallboy cozies to replace those dratted paper sacks.

(Yes, you noticed correctly, we skipped Point 2 --> stay tuned... )

Etsy Knitters Wedding Challenge

2009-05-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

It's that season again! Weddings that is. I just attended one of my favorite couple's wedding in Santa Rosa. Outdoors at an old stable and so lovely...

So when my Etsyknitters Team decided to set up their Wedding Challenge again, I jumped on board. Etsy has a handmade wedding series currently. The amazing artists make incredibly unique things from fabulous bridal hair adornments to beautiful wedding gifts.

I don't have much in the way of summer knits, or wedding knitting, but many etsy knitters have created gorgeous things.

The Challenge was to make something that captures the love and romance of a wedding, knitted of course! Throughout June, these knitted wedding items will be searchable on etsy with the tags: "etsyknitters team" and "ido2009."

Do stop by Etsy to browse, either for your wedding day, or for a unique gift. Sure to be a lovely shopping experience. Search for our handmade knitted wedding items.

Look for the little graphic!

Knitters at work Unite!

2009-05-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

I've been severely negligent in posting, knitting, and general all around craftiness. Starting a new job has proved all-consuming. I realized, sadly, no, I really can't knit my ass off as a full-time job. Well, not if I want to pay the rent, I can't.

So now I still knit my fingers off, on Bart, while I get to work.

However, I've found a secret stash of knitters hiding at UC Berkeley - they're all over. One spins, and one felts. Our plan is to gather and set our fingers flying. Of course, we're going to have drinks. So silly of you to inquire!

Ok, back to work! Hi ho hi ho it's off to work I go.

It's Been A While...

2009-03-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

Let's see ... hmmm, what's been happening? I have been incredibly delinquent in posting... Settling into a new job, with a commute, adjusting to being out of the house and out of pyjamas "working," has created some challenges to posting. Upsides to East Bay Commuting: knitting, knitters and proximity to cool knitting boutiques.

Lovely store over in Oakland called Articlepract. Drooling over 150 dollar cashmere.... I so want a sheep and a garden. Then I could be in pjs all day tending sheep, carding wool... ok pipe dream maybe?

You'd think I'd be current with my knitting, but I am seriously behind on projects, you all know how that goes.

I have a Rowan sweater for my BF that is coming up on a year... only the front halves left to do. These mittens continue to plague me even though I had an assistant knitter (my aunt). And I have all these hats to get done.

It's almost summer here in the Bay Area - it's time for cotton knit bikinis (wow!) - and I am still catching up on winter knits. Sigh... and it's time for Mother's Day knits. What could those be? Pretty cotton washcloths? Knit necklaces? I better get started ...

Fabulous Crocheted Hats!

2009-01-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

Sadly, I just can't crochet! Something about the one needle craft just doesn't work for me. I wish I could because there are some pretty patterns and lovely items to be had out there.

I've found a crocheted hat on Etsy like the one that Bella wears in the La Push scene in Twilight. Skymomkc has some great stuff and just whipped up this hat to satisfy those

of us who have a passion for the cozy Twilight knits.

This is a pretty fabulous hat too. Check out crazyjaneknits for her great knit and crocheted items. Ok, I'm signing out to knit!

Dratted DPNs

2009-01-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's true, I've been seriously lagging! 2009 has busted out with a rash of sales. Hurrrah! My fingers are flying to keep up with an onslaught of knitting orders. I am still considering in calling in my Mom to be an "associate knitter."

At any fallow moment, you'll find me knitting. I've been spotted on public transit–Bart, train, car, even walking, let alone, watching a movie. Long ago, I trained myself not to look while I knit (just easy stuff–stockinette or garter stitch) so I could enjoy a movie or knit in the dark. Multi-tasking–my favorite.

I've gotten accustomed to stares from other transit riders as they spy me chunking away on dpns (double-pointed needles) which I can only imagine, look to them like a medieval torture device. I don't mind using them and view them as a necessity. But, as we all know, the stitches can get a bit unruly on the dpns. If you've ever had to stuff your knitting in a bag to effect a speedy get-away off the train, you know those silly stitches often hustle off the needles to lounge in live fashion on the bottom of the bag...

What a mess when you get back to it. Needless to say, inefficient, right?

Some of us won't even attempt socks or booties because we dislike the dpns so much. Why should we limit ourselves, I ask? Frankly, I love popping out a teensy baby hat on those amazing little plastic circulars made by Clover. Halcyon yarns sells them online.

Thankfully a variety of circular knitting methods exist that utilize a variety of tools and techniques. That means us knitters can fashion items in teensy diameters with ease (read: socks, booties, and mitten tops). If you need a brushup, Stitchdiva has a 3-part series about this topic on youtube.

I am trying out the double circular method in hopes that it will allow my fingers to fly...bye bye dpns. I want to hear about your favorite method to knit in the round or your knitting fiascos with double-points.

New Year's Eve!

2008-12-31T11:00:00.000-08:00

It's the last day of the year! Just how did that happen?

I was reflecting upon 2008. This year, I started selling knitted items on etsy to perk me out of winter doldrums last January. I didn't (still don't) really know where it is going to take me. I had recently moved into an incredibly tiny apartment with my boyfriend, and was startled to find a 5 large plastic storage containers of yarn. Where were these going to fit? I had so many unfinished projects, and skeins and skeins of lovely yarns.

I thought, why not? It'll be a project to draft up items out of my "stash" and survey if there is any interest. After giving up my notion of opening a yarn shop a couple years back, and embarking on a new career, I had somewhat let knitting fall by the wayside. How I missed throwing the yarn on the needles and crafting a new project out of thin air.

I set about photographing and creating hats and scarves. If I've learned–re-learned–anything about myself, I need to work with my hands daily. Sketch, draw, make, cook... whatever. I have always loved making things, and crafting from raw materials. So this was perfect–engaging in this project was the best thing I could have done to lift m

y spirits while the rain deluged us all winter.

In the grungy apartment garage, I spied a lovely, yet aging, mannequin. She was perfect! Surmising, erroneously, that she was abandoned, I borrowed her to be my model. Before I had a chance to return her, an unhappy owner had left a note to the whole apartment that she was cherished and demanded her be returned to the garage. Eek! I sheepishly drafted up a note of apology, and planned to return her. I was so embarrassed though, that I wanted to do it under the cover of night! The woman who plastered the angry note in the lobby, would see me hustling the heavy girl down the back stairs, so I hatched a plan to get her down the front after midnight. I promptly left her the note full of apologies and explanations, vowing that I never intended to keep her–where would she fit in this tiny apartment, after all?

Since then, I've been lucky enough to have my friends and family model for me. During my recent holiday, I managed a quick photoshoot to better showcase those trendy vampire mittens in their native habitat (Northwest). But I'll still cherish those funny early moments setting up photos for etsy. Tripod out, dim light, yellowing mannequin, rain pelting. I am not sure where kindredknits will take me. I have had some success, and hope to continue because it's so much fun!

Tell me, what's your favorite way to celebrate New Year's Eve? Dreams and wishes for 2009? I am planning a serious session of knit and relax time tonight, consuming some lovely cheese, and ringing in the New Year with prosecco! You never know where things lead–opening doors is always good. I've met lots of great friends and lovely customers through etsy. Thank you for all your support in 2008! Happy New Year! Cheers!

Winter!!

2008-12-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, Christmas Holidays are almost over, but we will always have this hilarious snow "buddha" to remind us of 2008 in our family. Most of us, I hear, have stressful, yet fun, holidays. We've had our share of moments, shall we call them. Today, I just thought I'd post a funny pic to give us a laugh. More later... and yes, I've been drinking cocktails.

Snowed In!

2008-12-22T14:05:00.000-08:00

Delay upon delay! I am headed out to Winter Wonderland for Christmas as soon as my flight is can depart. The aircraft is being "towed" out to the gate, and we are hoping to be flying out in half an hour.

I wish I had pics, but my camera battery bit it, just as I was going to snap a pic of the winter wonderland on the tarmac! I've been up since 4 am, was still in the shower when the Super Shuttle driver buzzed up that he was downstairs 20 minutes early, knitted up almost one whole mitten on the first flight, and now able to update you all! Despite all the tension at the airports, the sun and snow looks lovely in BC, Canada. It's causing all kinds of havoc–cancelled flights abound. Fortunately, mine is still scheduled to go, but a bit late. Better than being snowed in completely. Fingers crossed. Oh, only for a minute–I need to knit.

I finished up another lovely set of Bella's mittens last night and will begin feverishly knitting up the rest while on vacation. I have big plans to sit and knit by the fire, be snowed in, drink hot toddies and holiday cocktails, lounge in pjs til noon, play auntie, and ski, snowshoe and hit the ice rink!

Only 2 more days til Christmas... are you all ready? Drop me a line of your funny holiday stories so far. Winter Wonderland here I come. Wish me luck!

Pancake Madness!

2008-12-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

I woke up with a laugh today!

I was adding a couple photos of mittens for my new customer to a flickr set and noticed something new on my page. I have never gotten a request from anyone on flickr! It was new for me to add tags to my random photos (how revolutionary) and thought, oh, what the heck, I'll tag the pancake photos too! There sat a comment wondering if I would allow my Dutch baby pancake to be part a set entitled: "Mad About Pancakes." Who knew? How hilarious, and fun!

I have a photo set that displays all the frolics in our tiny kitchen in our tiny studio. My boyfriend is devoted to pancakes! I'm usually the lucky recipient of a yummy pancake as I sit glued to the

computer while he's cooking away at the stove–creating the "mayhem" in the kitchen. Of course, I was honored to be asked about the Dutch Baby photo. Immediately, I made it part of the set! Then I joined the group! Why not? Someone should, right?

More treasures in the kitchen... mmmm berries.

Speaking of Treasuries... I finally snagged a "Treasury" on Etsy today. (Weak segue, I know...):

The aim was to showcase glittery knits that would evoke a starry New Year's Eve! I didn't quite accomplish a cohesive mix but I love the results! I found needles from OnTheNeedle, lovely shimmery flowers from HighPlainsKnitter, and unique wool glittery chains from Toggle among other things. Lots of yarns on etsy too!

So check it out! Tell me what you think... how's the knitting going? Are you ready for the holidays? Only 7 more days to go!

Glitter Sticks!

2008-12-17T08:21:00.000-08:00

How amazing are glitter sticks for the knitters on your Christmas list?

It might be too late to receive them for Christmas but these are so fabulous, I'd wait for them!

OntheNeedle, an etsy shop, sells these fabulous cast resin needles in large sizes! Not only are they super cute, but fabulously functional! Use them for all your big knits, You can use them to knit thin mohair on big needles, creating that fabulous spidery fabric, or create a big chunky yarn cowl.

You can personalize them and they are one-of-a-kind!

Her shop is so cute, and the banner is awesome. My favorite thing: a close-up of loops of yarn on needles!

Straw into Gold!

Blitz Knitting

2008-12-16T07:03:00.000-08:00

Was my last post really about how knitting is relaxing?

Yesterday, I had to talk myself off the ledge. Had I really committed to 4 new pairs of mittens? I had to recheck my dates and deadlines, get myself a little "game-plan." Time for a little relaxing tea, and no, no time, for tea... just GO!

Us knitters, are we all still working on Christmas presents? Even though there are only a scant 9 days left? Eeeek. Currently, I find myself calculating my remainder time in knitting milestones.

Examples: On the plane, I can knit up 2 mitten cuffs; During the holidays, I can finish up the front panels of that beautiful Rowan zippered cardigan for my sweetie, (who so graciously allowed me slush time.) Ok, re-prioritize based on mailing deadlines etc, make a list... breathe!

Items are getting dropped off the list as I brace for the knit blitz! I thought back to the days when I would "bite off more than I can chew" as my devoted Mom would say. How many times did she stay up late into the night with me coloring in maps and illustrations for over-achieving school reports. Don't think I am not still strategizing on how to get her to knit some of these mittens with me.

Cashmere hat - take a back seat for a day or two! Ah, but look at how those lovely loops are on the bamboo needles... Back to the mittens.

Knitters Spotted

2008-12-15T07:25:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed that you find people knitting everywhere? I love that–it makes me feel like the world is cozy despite the "economic slow-down." I passed a cafe window with a girl with her head bent over her knitting, cobalt yarn spilling out of her bag. It made me want to stop and pop in. I had my own black cashmere yarn in my bag, no doubt winding itself around my purse, as I headed to another cafe to indulge in my knitting and people-watching habit.

A couple days ago, I was working for a photographer friend of mine. The model's mum came in, settled into a big chair and hauled out a big ball of rustic variegated grey yarn. Of course everything came to a grinding halt while I found out what she was knitting. She admitted to just learning 2 weeks previously, but was going to knit up this grey scarf, and FELT it. How awesome! She just learned–on the internet–and now she's going to felt. Brave lady!

During the shoot, another woman heard our knit chat, and exclaimed that she was going to learn. That inspired a conversation about creating things, and the meditative quality of knitting, or icing cupcakes (as she divulged doing for hours). Hoorah for all things that relax us! Especially if they result in something yummy like creamy cupcakes or sumptuous sweaters. So get out those needles and relax this holiday season.

EtsyKnitters Trunk Show

2008-12-12T09:54:00.000-08:00

Time for a shameless plug! Not just for me, but for other etsy knitters as well.
Some of us are having a little trunk show – online – tonight! 6:30 EST, 3:30 PST.
Some of you know RST – (your guess is as good as mine).

Etsy will be hosting a trunk show for our knits, so if you're around, and online, we'd be happy to have you! The knits are fabulous! Discounts and free shipping deals abound!

Happy Friday!

Glittery Winter Wonderland

2008-12-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

It's December 11! Finally got my tree up. First time in 2 years I've had a tree, and I almost didn't put it up this year. But after browsing my favorite magazine–Winter issues of Marie Claire idées–I couldn't resist the urge to string up white lights, and throw glitter around.

Digging out all that glitter was so much fun, with the holiday tunes blaring. I vowed a couple years back to only use silver, maybe a bit of gold, and mostly glittery white for decorating going forward. Only items that evoke such wintery things like: ice fishing, ice skating, snowball fighting, hot chocolate, roaring fires, chestnuts–ok, not chestnuts. A couple months back, I even painted my walls in my studio a specific shade of white, with, yep! Glitter glaze. Very subtle. Get that image of embedded gold flint, so popular on formica countertops in the 70s, out of your head.

After raiding my yarn stash of all white and glittery wools my efforts to transform my apartment into a winter wonderland were complete.

The conundrum: What to do with all those cute, yet, red, green and gold ornaments? I still don't have an answer but I am thinking that maybe my mom could add them to her massive collection. (She's been known to have 2 trees–sort of an upstairs/downstairs thing).

So here I sit in the dark, in all my glittery glory–tree aglow, candles afire, coffee abrewing, basking in the wintery glow. I better get up quick before the SF sun busts into the room and floods my winter wonderland with summer!

Knit Craze

2008-12-10T08:03:00.001-08:00

I'm talking about Bella's fuzzy grey mittens from the movie Twilight. It's interesting that I know anything about this craze...I haven't seen the movie myself or heard about the books until recently. I'm more likely to see a foreign film or some obscure Swedish movie. In fact, that same weekend I was drafting up the Bella mittens, I saw the film: Let the Right One In – a vampire movie, yes, but slightly darker than the Twilight series – read, creepy!

I managed to muddle through the first pair of mitts thanks to a trusty pattern book and a few movie pics from net. The success of these mittens rests on these facts: I gathered that they must be super long, slouchy, and soft! No itch, please!

Chunky yarn knits up quickly...I had 2 cuffs done in no time! It's so satisfying to see the piece raveling up under your fingers. Ok, break time before I start the actual hand area. Math in my future–I'll wait for the morning to tackle that thumb gusset.

Suddenly, requests for these mittens crop up all over hill and dale! In fact, the movie continues to pop up everywhere I go.

During my initial quest for the yarn for the first set of mittens–the test mittens–I wandered over to the cozy tea place after I grabbed some super soft Tahki grey alpaca for the mittens in question. We settled in for a tea respite from the bustle of the weekend. What's that I hear next to me? A woman, about 35, looking like she might work as a librarian, is rattling off interesting facts and her thoughts about the Twilight craze... I am like, wha? I thought this was a young adult movie? It seems I don't have my finger on the pulse of tween culture. That's good right?

Maybe not... shouldn't I be on top of all viral knitting trends wherever they start?

So, I wonder, why does this woman next to me know all about this movie, and how Edward inspires "swooning?" What is it about teenage love that inspires us to access, so quickly, how we felt as teenagers? Is it an escape from our super-serious-adult-woman lives? Do we simply love romance?

Puzzled, I put my needles back in my bag... I had been knitting myself a multicolor hat, running a bit of fuzzy brown and sunset burnt orange from the stash. Mmmm, I love looking at those loops on the needle!

Back home to nestle in for more knitting. The next day, after finishing the gussets, I headed out for some "Christmas Cheer." Gotta snatch those mellow holiday moments when you can. They usually include: yes, you got it, mmmm, hot chocolate! So, I'm in the bakery, and out of the corner of my eye, what do I see? Is that a Twilight t-shirt complete with romantic photo of Bella and Edward? What is going on here? Since I've engaged in this mitten-knitting escapade, I am keenly aware of a Twilight buzz. The interesting part is the woman, again, is 35. She's chasing her little ones around the bakery, blond hair flying, in a pair of $200+ fashionable jeans with glitter on the pockets!

Is Twilight actually a movie for us 35 year old girls? Is our inner 13-year old lurking not far under the surface? Either way, it seems that I have been missing out! I'll thank knitting, ironically, for keeping me current!

Oh, and the mittens are done!

Does someone know, are the mittens actually fingerless convertible mittens with hingey finger pockets? Or should I see the movie and indulge my inner girl?

What is it about knitting?

2008-12-09T08:42:00.000-08:00

Up at 5:45 am—why not set up a first post?

What is it about knitting? Two different men have asked me that this week. Well, just what is it? Honestly, for me, just seeing those little loops on the needle is enough. Tactile pleasures and such. Is there more to it?

In hindsight, my sweet boyfriend seems to have been analyzing me all last week, asking wee questions about this or that? Does knitting replace the tendency to be obsessive compulsive? Woah... does he mean me?

Fast forward: After much discussion about various projects (he wants to knit a dickie) and yarn thicknesses, he's now knitting himself a patch for his blown out knee rip in his (my favorite) jeans. Not just a model anymore, he knits! (and, he learned, he'll have to felt this patch). He moonlights as a model for my etsy shop. After clattering away on circulars, in garter stitch, he exclaimed that he could do it for hours! I couldn't agree more, especially in front of a roaring fire. I suggested we pretend to be snowed in so we could knit all weekend and cozy in with hot chocolate.

So, back to the original question–Just what is it about knitting?

I pontificated about how knitting settles the mind, creating something from scratch allows one to feel grounded – rooted – stimulates creativity, simply satisfies the urge to create, and fosters community. It's comforting! Right?

I was thinking about my old knitting group. We used to cover it all: sex, food, children, projects, relationships, world affairs. How I miss them! One woman I admire described how children learn differently. When her son was in elementary school, she discovered research about how manual activity can stimulate a part of the brain, or hormone, to kick in and allow some of us to focus more clearly. Hmm, knitting?

Well, it's possible that knitting settles the brain, causes calm, fosters focus or is just plain fun. Whatever it is, I have wanted to knit as long as I can remember. I haven't put down my needles since I learned at 19.

What do you think?