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Day One: A Tale of Two Yarns

So.

It’s Day One of Blog Week. Today’s topc? Yarn. I’m going to tell you about two yarns that I’ve gotten and attempted to knit the same project with them. Namely, the February Lady Sweater.

The first yarn I got for this project is TessYarns Raw Silk. I purchased it at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival several years ago. I got three HUGE skeins in a deep, navy blue:

Isn’t it pretty? I loved this yarn. It’s soft, and feels great in my hands as it is being knit. Which, unfortunately, doesn’t mean it’s a pleasure to knit with. I find it a little fussy and unforgiving. But it does make a beautiful fabric:

Still, I found it incredibly hard to work with. My first ball got all tangled up on itself inside and when I yanked on it at one point, three ends started coming out. Obviously, there’s a knot somewhere inside my giant yarn ball. I had someone working on it, but that was long ago and we gave up.

Also it was my first time doing buttonholes and they looked funny. Which wasn’t a reflection on the yarn as much as the knitter, but I think I will need to start this project from scratch and with another ball and then go back to my original yarn ball if and when I can get the knots out. Someday I will have my raw silk sweater. But, not just now.

Then I saw this other yarn on The Loopy Ewe website, and fell in love with it. It’s purple, of course:

Lorna's Laces Shepherd's Worsted, Purple Club

I am finding this yarn dreamy to work with. It is wool, so very forgiving in the hands, and, did I mention it’s purple? That counts for a lot in my book.

Of course, I’m really bad at finishing anything. I’ve been working on it for more than a year, and it’s been on a serious break for about 6 months or more. I think I need to start working on it again if I am ever going to wear a February Lady. So, if this one is going so much better, why is it not done?

You know why? Because it’s not the yarn–it’s me. I’m bad at finishing anything. I think in all of 2010 I finished exactly one thing, and it was just a scarf. I’m coming to the realization that I like having knitting in my hands, love feeling yarn and playing with yarn, but I hate actually making things. Is that weird? I know that makes me a quintessential process knitter, but I’ve taken it to the extreme. And my own lack of stick-to-it-iveness has meant that I don’t have anything really to show for these two beautiful yarns. Except, I can tell you, they’re both wonderful.

Trust me on that. I guess maybe being beautiful is just enough for me. It doesn’t actually have to BE anything, except lovely to my eyes and soft in my hands.

March 28, 2011

A Glutton for (Knitting) Punishment

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week is March 28 to April 3!

It’s that time of year again! (What, already?!?) It’s time for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week! This was started last year by Mimi from Ravelry (Ravelry Profile Link), moderator of The Blog Hub group (‘nother Raverly link). I don’t know how or why exactly she started it, but I think that a) it helps people to get in the habit of doing more regular blogging, and b) it also promotes staying on topic while going in new directions on that topic, thus allowing people to get more creative with their blog’s content.

I mean, it’s good to have more than just the “here’s what I’m knitting today” kind of posts, isn’t it? Especially if you’re like me, a painfully slow knitter for whom the project progress photos all look the same if taken too soon one after another. Which is why I include family stuff and book reviews and occasional appearances by the cat on my blog. But Mimi has proposed topics that are all interesting and thought-provoking, so I’m going to give this a try again. I can’t promise a post every day, but I’m going to do my best.

Yes, I’m going to do it again, even if it kills me. Or rather, I have to find a way NOT to let it kill me. Last year, I did a post for every day of blog week (at least I think I did!) and by the time it was over, I was EXHAUSTED. Ever since that killer week I have, in general, blogged much less often. Now, as you can see, I’m making an effort to get back in the habit. I still won’t have daily project progress reports on this blog (“See that half row right there? That’s what I knit today!” Snore.), but it turns out that I do have lots on my mind all the time so I might as well share. Maybe it’ll be more family-related content from time to time, or more resources added to the other parts of this site. Whatever it is, it is my goal that you’ll be hearing from me more often again. And I shall try to keep it focused as much as possible on knitting, while at the same time not making it too boring for those who have never experienced the rapture of holding yarn in their hands.

A tall order? Maybe. But then, there’s Blog Week to get me started.

March 26, 2011

Moving On…

You know, change happens all the time. You’d think that at 45, I’d be used to it by now, but I still find it hard. But, often it happens because it has to. Such is the case for my knitting group, which had been happily knitting away at our local Borders bookstore for the last three years.

Sadly, our Borders was one of the ones set to close with the company’s announced restructuring. We’ll miss it, for sure. The staff there was always friendly and accommodating, and there was never a shortage of knitting books and magazines nearby to encourage discussion or the starting of new projects, or the learning of new techniques. Over time our group grew from just a few regulars to more than 20 at most meetups, and no one on the Borders staff ever said we were taking up too much room, or too loud. In fact, another customer complained about us once to the staff, and that person told the customer in no uncertain terms that our group was always welcome and good for business! It was a rare and good situation.

But, move on, we must. So, we’ve started meeting in our local shopping mall food court. It has advantages and disadvantages. Food is a plus, or a minus, depending on which side of the scale you’re standing on; and the ability to spread out is also a plus or a minus. It’s easier to take up more room in the food court than it was in the cafe, which is helpful for working on larger projects, and there’s never a shortage of tables and chairs. But more space also means less intimacy, and I’m not as fond of feeling a little farther apart from my friends.

Then there’s the issue of the loud video jukebox in the food court, which I suppose is a source of easy cash for the mall (but does anyone actually use it, or is it just there, being loud?). I could do without that. But, the space is open and easy, centrally located, and free. Not to mention probably good business for the mall. I saw lots of our group making food purchases all throughout our meetup. So, while not our cozy little bookstore cafe, it’ll work for now.

I just hope, as someone who’s not a huge fan of change, that I’ll get used to it. At least I’ve got all my friends in it with me:

Knitting a fabulous and super-soft sweater!

Blossom, the unofficial mascot, loves teddy bears with tattoos!

Speaking of change…

I’ve been playing with the format of the blog a bit. I was going to do something completely different, and I may still, but instead I upgraded my theme and redid the color scheme a little. I swear, one of these days, I’m really going to LEARN wordpress and how it works. It sure seems like the design possibilities are practically endless, and I’d love to challenge my brain a little. That is, if I could work up the energy…

Until then, I’ll just keep knitting.

March 20, 2011

Amazing Knitting Day

If I merely said today was an amazing day, I would be making the understatement of the year.

Today, at long last, was my knitting class with Lucy Neatby. Of course, we had to get a photo together with our wild and wonderful hair!

Lucy Neatby and Trish are kindred spirits of the hair

I have never taken a knitting class before. And last night, I was telling my husband that taking a first knitting class with the likes of Lucy Neatby might be like saying, “I’d like to learn to cook. Maybe I’ll go take a class from Julia Child.” Well, except that Julia’s no longer with us, but you know what I mean.

Lucy signed my copy her sock knitting DVD

The subject of the class? Cool Socks. And you’ve heard me say it many times on this blog–I am a confirmed Not-Sock-Knitter. I like to know HOW to knit socks, though, because I teach Magic Loop and most people who want to learn Magic Loop do so because they want to do socks. So, it is a good knitting skillset to know. But you know what I learned today?? SOCKS are COOL! And there are so many things that can be done to make them easier to do, or more interesting to knit, and unique and beautiful.

I learned Channel Island cast on, ME! A decorative cast on! And the amazing short row, garter stitch heel, in which you wrap the stitches to close the gaps but don’t need to pick up and knit the wraps because the garter stitch envelops them. I did a provisional cast on with a crochet hook around a knitting needle, and learned the mechanics of an afterthought heel. And then?? She showed us a really easy way to do grafting. Not that I am one of the people who thinks kitchener stitch is hard. I actually think it’s cool! But lots of people don’t like traditional kitchener stitch, and I had no idea that there was more than one way to do it. WHO KNEW?

I’ve never learned so much about knitting and the mechanics of stitches all at once, in one day. I never knew that knitting could be exhausting. I usually only knit for short spurts so this was a challenge for me. But, I’m so glad I did it! I attended class with Tammy from Knit Group and being there with a friend made it so much fun! I’m so glad Tammy was there and it seemed like she really enjoyed the class as well.

The class was held at an Italian restaurant in the same strip mall as the sponsoring yarn shop, and it was a great place to have a class! Lunch was included, and it was a simple grilled chicken garden salad but it was so flavorful! And the bread? It was fresh and piping hot from the oven. After class the yarn shop owner opened the shop for class participants, and gave us a yarn discount, too! I thought I had died and gone to heaven. When I went in there I felt instantly as if it was the sort of yarn shop that local yarn shops are supposed to be. It was crowded and hard for me to get around, but that’s usual for most yarn shops. But the selection? I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much pretty all in one place. At least not in this area, other than the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, of course. And there were so many samples hanging in the shop! So much to see. I wish I lived closer!

Of course, some yarn followed me home. (How does this happen?)

Koigu, in five shades of purple for a shawl

Today would not have been possible without the help of my loving husband. As fate would have it, this once-in-a-lifetime knitting opportunity fell upon the occasion of our 18th wedding anniversary. And he got up with me, before dawn, on a Sunday, and drove me an hour each way (that was a total of four hours in the car for him!) so I could spend the day knitting with one of my knitting heroes. Folks, THAT’s love, I am sure of it, and I celebrate this day with all my heart has to offer.

After the knitting and the shopping were done, My husband and I actually went back to the Italian restaurant where I had just spent my day and had a heavenly, delicious dinner. The waitress asked us where we were from and I mentioned that it was our anniversary. We decided to order dessert (a delectable flourless chocolate cake and a scoop of cinnamon gelato) and when it arrived we were informed that another couple across from us had purchased our dessert! They said that they themselves are getting married later in the week and so they wanted to hope for themselves 18 happy years. How sweet was that? So thank you, Howard and Sheila… your kindness on our special day will not be forgotten.

And so I have written this post until such time that it is no longer really our anniversary. Even so, the memories of this wonderful day will last a long time. I had such a great time, and can’t wait to be a sock knitter for real. I think I’ve been pushed over the edge.

November 15, 2010

Friday Nights are for Blogging (Apparently)

Another Friday night, another night knitting by the pool, and another blog post. I hope I don’t have the makings of a rut here! It’s winding down to the end of summer. It was a blissfully cool evening by the pool, which is a sure sign that fall is coming. It was the first week of school for my children, which also signaled major change for my daughter, who has started high school.

There will be only one more Friday night before the pool closes for the season. And yes, I do feel a bit cheated of summer still. But at the same time I am looking forward to chilly fall evenings with steaming stew pots and comfy sweaters. I have to remind myself that except for when it is senselessly, bitterly cold, there are good things about every sort of weather, so I shouldn’t really look upon this time as a sad thing. There are many good things yet to come.

So once again, my DH’s camera provided the photo for this entry, as it did last week. But I realize now that I didn’t say why. My camera broke. My beloved, new camera that I just got for my birthday last month. The LCD screen somehow got damaged from the inside, and of course, Canon decided that such damage is not covered under their warranty, so my brand new camera just had a $150 repair, despite being less than two months old. Sigh… I hope I continue to get lots of use out of it and love it as I had so far. It has turned out to be one very expensive camera.

And so I’m knitting. I’m making it a point to knit some on the mystery project every day. But now, I’m getting sorely tempted to take a break and knit at least one pair of funky, wonderful socks. Why? Because I feel like I’ve hit a knitting jackpot, that’s why. I saw an ad recently on Ravelry that Lucy Neatby, yes THE Lucy Neatby, is coming to a shop about an hour from my house for an entire weekend to teach a series of knitting workshops. I had to jump at the chance. So, ok, what did I do? I signed up for a 6-hour sock workshop, so I can learn from the master. “But, wait,” I hear you saying, “You don’t knit socks.” You’ve said it at least a thousand times, right here, on this very blog. What gives?”

Well, I have knit socks, but generally I find them intimidating. So, it’s confession time. I have never felt confident enough to knit socks. So, I am hoping that learning from Lucy Neatby will inspire my courage and inspire me to become a true sock knitter. I have a whole bin full of crazy sock yarns just waiting to be knit up. All I need is a little inspiration and a lot of courage. I can do it. And what better way to get started?

Of course, as luck would have it, this once-in-a-lifetime knitting-Nirvana experience would have to fall on my 18th wedding anniversary. But, I’ll deal with that little issue way later. Right now, I’ve got to keep knitting.

August 27, 2010

Friday Night Knitting Club of One

What a week this has been. I have been so busy and unable to post yet again. And here we are at the end of the summer, I spent this Friday night at the pool, doing what I usually do on Friday nights at the pool.

Knitting.

Except that I haven’t even done much of it this summer, knitting by the pool, and now the summer is drawing to a close. Too quickly. I am finding myself to be grouchy and said about this. It’s been mostly the weather, this hot, disgusting summer. I feel robbed of summer, and angry that this pleasant evening which was at last not too hot, is one of the few memories I will have of enjoying these last few months.

But, this evening was one of the finest. I got several rows done while listening to a Nora Roberts romance novel from her “Chesapeake Bay” series. It was great. And tomorrow is knit group, and then an evening at the pool again. It’s going to be a good knitting weekend.

The Smithsonian Community Reef

Annette Carr's Toxic Coral — Annette Carr’s Toxic Coral

This week at work our workplace knit and crochet group was treated by a visit from a lady with the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef project’s Community Reef at the Smithsonian. The Worldwide project is making a stop at the Museum of Natural History starting in October, and they are working toward having a community reef as part of the exhibit. I’m late in really understanding the project, and now I am fascinated. The project was started by two sisters in Australia who, when one of them crocheted a bunch of hyperbolic shapes and then they decided that as a collection they looked like a coral reef. Living near the Great Barrier Reef they thought that maybe they could call awareness to the health of our environments and the reefs through their love of fiber.

So the exhibit has now been all over the world and is coming to Washington. My co-worker Annette has gotten excited about the project and has begun making pieces for the reef. The Community Reef will showcase three types of reef: Healthy Reef, Bleached Reef (unhealthy) and Toxic Reef, which is reef that has grown up and around trash and other found objects that lurk in our oceans. Annette’s pieces, which I have photographed here, are examples of toxic reef. Water bottles, credit cards, used auto parts… these are all things which ocean animals must contend with and try to survive in spite of. I’m betting Annette’s piece made with the used auto air filter is going to find a prominent place in the exhibit. It’s a strange beauty.

So, if you’d like to participate in the project, and there’s still a little time, you can join the Ravelry Group or by e-mailing the project coordinator at sicommunityreef@yahoo.com for more information. I’m of course busy on my mystery project that I must remain loyal to until it’s done but I’m wondering how I can squeeze at least a couple of corals in. I think I want to be part of it. You should, too.

August 21, 2010

Category: Events