Stash breaker

Oh boy! It has been ages since I have blogged about knitting. I knitted myself into some serious shoulder problems last year making afghans. Too much of a good thing!

Recently I came across a knitting group who decided to knit from their stash for the first nine months of 2007. Coming on the heels of a trip to the attic to search for yarn I knew was there, this seemed to me to be a great idea. I cannot believe how much yarn I have. The group came up with some sensible rules and I think I will give it a try.

Here's the url if anyone is interested http://wendyknits.net/stash2007.htm

People like me should never get all their stash into one place at one time. It is much better viewed in a multitude of locations so that we don't have to see just how much is really there! When I combine it with fabric for quilting and books for all needle arts, it becomes overwhelming.

So....

I am going to follow this group's good example and pledge to knit from my stash in 2008. I'm still not brave enough to list all the yarn I have, but I can take down one bin at a time and knit from that until it is finished.

I've been knitting socks like the world is sockless and just found a charity knitting group that knits socks from a great little pattern called "Magic 28."

the http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/magic_28/

It shouldn't be hard to use just about any weight of yarn to knit up some socks that would keep someone warm this winter, especially since energy prices are going through the roof.

First, I have to finish knitting socks for the hunters and hikers in the family. I'm using wool-ease with size 3 needles to make the socks as dense as possible. I'm making a few pairs for the non-hunters also. They aren't as fun as the self-striping yarns, but my feet will thank me when I go up to Virginia.

I've also just finished a camouflage sweater for my grandson who is on his first hunting trip. The male members of my family have built a hunting cabin on some property on the Eastern Shore of VA and it is affectionately know as the "Swamp Hilton," (named after the piece of property called the "swamp field.") They do this male bonding thing at least twice a year. In the summer they gather to work on the cabin and in winter, they hunt. This is my grandson's first trip and he was so excited.

Back to the yarn... Our electric company has a contract for power that is about to run out and our bills are going to go up 30-50%. The thermostat is going to stay chillingly low this winter in an attempt to keep the bills to a manageable level. That means sweater, shawls, afghans and socks for all of us and that is music to this knitter's ears. We've been living in North Florida for about 20 years, so I haven't had the opportunity to try out a number of great looking sweaters I have patterns for. There is always a silver lining to every cloud. Now if I can just be disciplined enough to not get back into carpal tunnel territory. I figure that I can alternate with my quilting so as to not stress the same muscles. We'll see. I am going to dig out my camera and take photos of the things I make.

No Olympics for me!

Well, my body made the decision for me. I got the flu and couldn't go into Jacksonville to get some more lessons, so I couldn't start the bowl. I couldn't start anything...this was a killer flu.

I'm working on my French Market tote for a KAL with me Felting group. It's been fun. I'm just about finished. It's been a long time since I have just knit with no pattern to worry about. I'm enjoying it. I always tend to challenge myself by either designing the project or picking a complicated one. It's been nice to just sit back and knit.

I'm preparing for my switch to my new and much smaller house sometime this year. I don't need this big house and I am looking forward to a place designed for easy living. Of course, it is the 2-story garage from my house, so a lot of things will stay the same. I've been living with my daughter and family for about 14 months and during this time I'm making some felted bowls to display and contain my projects. I'm also making bags to put on poles like coat racks. I guess I am trying to make my stash a decoration. Sounds like a good plan to me!

Olympic Knitting

Do I commit to an Olympic stint of knitting? The object is to start knitting Feb. 10 with the opening ceremonies and finish by the Feb 26 closing ceremonies. You are supposed to choose something that is challenging for you and a real exercise of determination. The details are found here.

I'd like to do the "Trifold Knitter's bowl in The Second Treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bordhi. It looks complicated and I am 55 miles from anyone who can help me. I've never done any moebius knitting and the cast-on looks difficult. Why am I such a sissie about this? Years ago I would have taken it on without a second thought. When did I start avoiding challenges? On the other hand, I might be just more sensible about what I can accomplish nowadays.

It makes sense to start with one of the smaller, less complicated bowls, but would that be a challenge? Hmmm, what should I do? I think I will call my LNS and see if I can come down for some lessons and see how complicated the method is. I really want to make this bowl and this is a great opportunity. I can watch the olympics (especially when I should be cleaning or something else I don't want to do)and set aside time for knitting with a clear conscience.

What shall I do?

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

Well, I've taken another quiz. I'm not too sure about this one. I agree with all of it except that I've "passed the growing pains and are feeling more adventurous." I passed my growing pains about 30 years ago! I design my own patterns a lot, especially Arans and have done for years. Hmmm...So I went back and looked at the questions. Well, when you only have 4-5 questions, how detailed can you get? I'll never be one of those people who put strange, funky yarns and styles together and try to pretend that it is creative just because it is bizarre. Now days I guess that makes me too conventional. So maybe I am, but then, who cares but me?



You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.

You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.



What Kind of Knitter Are You?
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So what kind of knitter do I really think I am? I'd say confident, I may not like to do every kind of knitting stitch, but I'm sure I could manage somehow. Next, I'd say sensual. I like the feel, mood, and color of yarn. I have to touch it. This is one time when "look with your eyes" just won't do. I have to rub yarn on my cheek, smell it and relate to it. I like the natural fibers best, especially wool. No matter what we do to it, there is still a bit of wildness in it. It has bounce and "hand" and life. It tells me if it wants to come home with me and a lot of the time, it tells me what to make it into. Sometimes I argue with it, but the yarn ALWAYS wins.

I'm a competitve knitter. I like a challenge even if it is only with myself...sometimes especially when it is with myself! I want to make my knitting match what is in my head. Sometimes I have to wrestle with it and it lets me win when I finally understand it.

I'm definitely a "process" knitter and not a "product" knitter. Projects can languish for ages before being finished. Once I have gained the experience and seen how the sweater will turn out, it's hard to keep motivated. I'm ready to go on to the next challenge. That isn't always a bad thing. When I need a gift for someone, I can take one of my projects and finish it in a few days. Of course, children grow older and my languishing project may not fit anymore, but then there are more children being born who are the right size and the child who has grown out of one project may soon be growing into another.

I am a social knitter. I like knitting groups and they are good for me. I am more apt to finish something on time when I have been sharing it with others. I guess I want to show it off. No matter, if it gets it done. The downside is that I get intrigued with what someone else is doing and I'm off and running.

Whatever kind of knitter I am, I am sure of one thing. I love knitting! If I am in a good mood, I like to knit for the sheer enjoyment of it. I think better with my needles. Whether I am getting ready for a trip or being evacuated for a hurricane, I have to stop periodically and knit. It's not wasted time. It is how I collect myself and think about what is really important. It's like dropping back to punt. I get ahead better if I stop to think, but I just can't sit on a chair and do nothing. I have to do something to semi-occupy myself. I'm like Pavlov's dogs. Give me knitting and I relax and my mind spins free...better to think of important things I might have missed.

When I am making something for someone, I knit myself into whatever I am making. I see them receiving it, wearing it, enjoying it. I think about our history together and the future. I say some prayers for the wearer and sometimes for myself too.

I love knitting so much, I feel sorry for the people who can't knit. I try to teach as many people as I can. I want to share this gift that has been given to me. I guess you could call me a "Passionate Knitter." That about says it all.

What kind of Sock Type are you?

You quite like socks, but your not overly-obsessed with them. You would have been a pair of knee-length socks in any color, and probably stripy or something to make you that little bit more interesting.


What type of sock are you?
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I found this cute quiz to take to determine what kind of "socks person" I am. It was very clever and I expect that it describes me very well...at least as regards to socks. I love to knit them. There is something about watching the self-striping patterns develop that is so compelling and yet so relaxing. And I love wearing them too. My friends don't understand, but there is something so satisfying about taking a string and two sticks and making an everyday, but necessary bit of clothing and stamping it with my own personal style.

The sox tie me to my Wisconsin grandmother whose chores included knitting the clothes she would wear every day. She'd be rolling in her grave however; to hear me speak lofty words about something she HAD to do daily. In fact, I once asked her why she liked to crochet so much better than to knit. She said that they all had to knit every day, but when they had finished, they could use left over yarn to crochet pretty trims to go on their clothing. She always associated crochet with creativity and individual style...sort of what I was saying about my sox...Hmmm.