Trish Knits.com

Author: Trish

  • Book Review: The Knitter’s Palette

    I just received the book, The Knitter’s Palette: A Workbook of Color and Texture Techniques and Effects by Kate Haxell. It is quite a comprehensive book for its size, covering everything from color theory, to stitch patterns, to special techniques such as slip stitches, beading, cables, and intarsia.

    I love knitting reference books. They are my favorite kind of knitting book. Therefore, I have a lot of this type. And I have to say that there’s not a lot new here, at least not for me. A newer knitter with a much smaller library than mine would adore this book, though, so I don’t want to discourage anyone from checking it out. There is a lot to take in on these pages. Just because I’m not overly excited about this book doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be. Perhaps the fact that there are so many types of techniques covered all in one easy-to-manage volume is what makes it special. Yes, I’ve seen a lot of it before, but I would have to pull several books from my shelves to cover all of the topics in this one book.

    Also, when new techniques are covered, the author includes little knitting tips, kind of as an aside to the main discussion point. such as what to do if you discover you’ve strung the wrong bead in a sequence on your yarn, and how to fix it. I’ve never done decorative beading in my knitting, and it’s making a mistake like that that has kept me from trying it. So, the tips can be very helpful.

    If you have a vast knitting library like I do, you might want to put this book in your hands and look through it before buying. But, if you’re looking for a good, solid reference that is jam-packed with techniques and tips, this could be just the book you’re looking for. It’s definitely worth checking out.

  • Argh.

    It seems that I am a bit of a grumpy-wumpus today.  I am exhausted, and everything from the tips of my spiked hair to the ends of my toes seems to hurt. Maybe it’s this nasty rain we’re having, or this crazy weather where it’s winter one day and summer the next. My joints are throbbing and my head hurts, and if I thought it would do me any good at all to go to bed right now, I would. But laying down hurts worst of all, and besides, my stupid, middle-aged-woman’s bladder would have me back up in an hour anyway.

    Thanks for letting me whine.  You may now resume your regularly-scheduled, pleasant evening. That is all.

  • Remembering

    I have a childhood friend whose birthday is today.  As childhood relationships often do, this one faded as we moved through adulthood. There never was a falling out, but it just sort of went away.

    This person was the Maid of Honor at my wedding. I can’t look at my wedding album without seeing photos of her everywhere, and it makes me sad. When her mother died last year I would have wanted to be there, but she would not talk to me when I called.

    And this day, her birthday, is the hardest. Because 11 years ago, when faced with choosing a date for my elective C-section, I chose this day as the day that my son was to be born. Now her birthday has a permanent place of honor in my family.

    I know some relationships are best let go. And I have tried for many years to let go of this one. But, I am sad, and I miss my friend. I can tell you the last time I saw her, when I ran into her by accident in the mall parking lot, when I had just found out I was pregnant with my son. Sadly, she has never met the boy with whom I honored her, by having him on her birthday.

    So, Happy Birthday, Beth, wherever you are and whatever you may be doing today. I hope 2013 is a great year for you. This day will always be a happy one for me, because of my son. So, in a way, thank you for that. And, I just want to say that I miss you.

  • Birthday Boy!

    His birthday is not until tomorrow, but we celebrated today. Happy Birthday to Mommy’s favorite boy!

  • My Buddy ‘n’ Me

    Ok, I promise this isn’t going to be only a Crazy Cat Lady blog. I’ll get back to my knitting… Soon.

  • Hey, Cat!

    Cat drinking from water glass
    Hey, cat! That’s MY water! (She does have her own, of course…)