I am remiss in not getting this out sooner…

The results from the “what’s your favorite project to work on” survey showed that most of you are working on more than one project at a time (go figure).  What did come out is that there are “travel projects” and “home projects”. 

Travel projects, as you may have surmised from your own knitterly habits, are small projects that can be easily stashed in a ziplock, purse, briefcase or pocket.  Socks were very popular, as were squares that could be assembled into a blanket at a later time.  Ease and portability were key – small enough to pull out and knit a couple of rows (or more, depending on the amount of time waiting at the doctor’s, or how riveting a child’s sporting event was).  The pattern was simple - no worries of intricate pattern repeats and charts to keep track of.

Some of our sock knitters can whip up a pair in their sleep.  And there have been other stories of yarn and double points being flung across the room (perhaps the “join together without twisting” step had been overlooked?).  While I have not yet tried the technique myself, I would be a candidate of knitting two socks at a time on 2 circular needles.  Admittedly, I suffer from second sock syndrome and must often force myself to make the sibling of the first sock, which often does not turn out to be an identical twin…  There is another technique of knitting one sock inside the other (found in an old volume on double knitting techniques).  Reading through the directions was more than my brain could wrap itself around, but it is one of those things to be investigated further, at some quiet moment when there is no chance of being disturbed. 

Scarves were another portable project that kept popping up.  Easy pattern repeats (like Old Shale), are good travelers.  The narrow and lightweight versions made the grade.  Bulky, or stole-like projects were better left at home.

And for the home projects, well, these ranged from sweaters, vests and afghans to shawls and lace.  There are no bounds to what people have going on.  For many of us, sweaters or a lace shawl take longer to knit up than we’d like.  Busy schedules keep us from having large blocks of time for knitting, but we work on these projects as we can.  Sometimes we hit roadblocks (either in technique or just a malaise with the project itself), but often do return to the project to finish it up eventually.  I liken this to mathematical or accounting errors – sometimes the more you look for the problem, the worse it gets.  Walking away for a while clears the head and lets you approach things from a different perspective when you return – often resulting in the head-slapping gesture of “why didn’t I see that before”?! 

Lastly, and in a category all its own, is baby knitting.  I was interested to see how many people were working on baby items – for grandchildren, expectant friends or your own wee ones.  Hats, bibs, kimono jackets, blankets, dresses and sweaters.  Sweet, every one of them.  These were both “travel” and “at home” projects. There are some lucky little people out there waiting to be swaddled in handknits.

So, true to form, there are no rules, no dominant knitting project, or style.  Our diversity makes for great conversation, and sharing of ideas and techniques - which is how it should be!  Knitters should rule the world.

Peace & Love,

Liz

The kids built leprechaun traps as has been the tradition for the last few years.  No little people were fooled, however, and escaped to play tricks in other homes. 

As the rains continue, the ice and snow are gradually retreating, but there are still patches that just won't give up.  Fortunately, the cheeriness of the dogwoods overrides the muddy fields and patches of snow.  I guess expecting it will be warm and sunny for the first day of spring would be asking too much. 

Dyeing silk was on tap today.  Photos will be forthcoming.  The glimmer of silk helps take the edge off a grey day.

I am compelled to leave you with an Irish thought, one that my Mom and I came upon while spending a day together last week:

"The Irishman has an abiding sense of Tragedy that sees him through temporary moments of Joy." 

(And if the gloom doesn't let up soon, I fear I will succumb to this sentiment.)

Peace & Love,

Liz

More rain, more snow, freezing rain, and WIND.

It is hard to concentrate on anything other than the television droning on while the wind is howling at 60 mph, trying very hard to rip off the new shingles that were placed on the roof only days ago to stop the water pouring into the closet. 

Knitting has not been on my mind this week as there have been other weather-related items to contend with, and all my current knitting projects require concentration, of which I have little at the moment.

The sun came out today, making the glaze of ice on all the trees and field grass look quite lovely.  A paradox indeed.

Peace & Love

Liz

March has arrived - in like a lion in our neck of the woods.  Cold and windy, snow squalls, very winter-like...  We will keep our fingers crossed that as the month progresses, it will actually warm up a bit.  I always feel hesitant about March - it's that transitional month, and it usually means a great deal of wetness and mud.  Would it be too much to think we could get a gradual warmup, gentle winds, and quick drying of the ground?  (most likely)

Additional snow days and inclement weather made the last 2 weeks more of a chore where "digging out" activities took precedence over most other things.  Be that as it may, the dyeing of yarn was accomplished and I am happy with the results.  The talented Marilyn G. knit up some swatches for me so they could be photographed and put on the site as a visual aid in seeing how the handpaints knit up.  These will hopefully appear soon, or I will show them on the blog.  My computer guru has more than a full plate at the moment, and asking for a block of his time will be farther down on the priority list than, say, fixing the tractor starter, whose wires decided they should catch fire...

It's good to have your priorities straight - I keep hoping we can cross off snow removal from the top of ours in favor of other, gentler pursuits.

Peace & Love,

Liz