For the Knitters

When I began this blog, I called it "No Idle Hands" -- taken from both the proverb ("Idle hands are the Devil's workshop") and from a book of the same name by Anne L. Macdonald -- subtitled, "The Social History of American Knitting".  It's quite the tome, and I confess I still haven't read it!

Later, I changed my blog title to "The Lady Who Knits on the Bus" -- my nickname at the time, given me by one of my fellow-commuters, who was fascinated by the way I passed the 1/2 hour or so to and from work every day.



"The Lady Who Knits on the Bus" was also my blogger URL (before I registered my name as my domain) and the initials TLWKOTB are still part of my signature whenever I check into Clara Parke's Knitter's Review Forum.

I learned to knit over fifty years ago and despite all the quilty goodness you see going on on this blog, knitting remains my first love.  I rarely pass a day without knitting, and there is always some in my tote.  That's right: tote.  I don't carry a purse; I carry a knitting bag with a wallet in it! Currently I'm working on UFOs with great intention.  In my hands at right is the body of a camisole, knit in one piece from the bottom up.  The yarn is 'Desire' from Diamond Yarns -- bought long enough ago that it's now discontinued.  It's a yummy blend of 75% silk and 25% cashmere, and I must have bought it at a discount from Elann.com, or I doubt I could have afforded it!

The pattern is "Silk Camisole", found in Last - Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson; the bookplate I put in the front shows I bought it in 2004.  Heaven knows how long ago, then, I got the yarn and began the cammie!

All this is to say that today begins Week 2 of my 10th Blog-aversary celebrations, and the Goodie Pack this week is for yarn lovers. (I apologize in advance to crocheters; feel free to enter and enjoy the pack if you win, but I don't crochet (except chains for edgings and very wonky Granny Squares), so what you see will generally be knitter-related.)

The pack includes:

• A kit from Sweaterkits.com for a "Three Silk Scarf" -- pattern and yarn, being three types of hand-dyed silk in deep purples and blues: silk chenille, 'plain' silk and silk ribbon;
• A kit for a lace bookmark in Qiviut, from the Needle Arts Book Shoppe -- a mini-skein of lace-weight 2-ply Qiviut in deep teal, and a selection of three patterns from which to choose;
• A pristine copy of  The Portable Crafter: Knitting by Leanne Bennett -- just the right size to tuck in tote of a knitter on-the-go; and 
• A pristine copy of knit wit: 30 easy and hip projects by Amy Singer, beloved founder and editor of knitty.com.

All comments from Week One have been dispensed with; it's time to start afresh.  As before, all comments to this blog post and to every post between this one and 8 a.m. Friday, February 22 will be eligible for entry into this give-away (even if you comment more than once).

And...as in week one, there might just be a surprise draw for a treat or two in between now and then.  So...my yarny friends, do please drop by and say "Hello!"  :-)

Shhhhhh.....

I'm not really posting today.  I'm stitching and knitting and sampling and finally getting in a good run as the streets have been plowed.  So don't tell anyone I stopped by, okay?  I just wanted to share this and this and this.  The first is written by a knitter, but would benefit all who play with fabric, fibre and floss. The second describes a bit of how I've been feeling lately, working on a new art piece that's going to be shown among August Company.  And the third is an opportunity to hang out with some of that same company and others, and be inspired.

 Enjoy!

First the Knitting

I've caught startitis.  From what the Yarn Harlot says, it's a virus particular to handcrafters, and knitters can be especially vulnerable -- particularly in early January.  I'm trying to maintain an even keel and finish what I start, but it's a challenge.  Thank heavens for a deadline for at least one of my projects, or I'd be in deep trouble!  As it is, it's spread to my sewing and stitching habits...but more on that later.

First, the knitting:

• I've finished the first of the pair of Veil of Rosebuds socks (Clara Parkes' Knitter's Book of Socks) for which I have a deadline, and am working my way down the leg of the second.  Here it is on my foot (not the foot for which it's intended).  Isn't the subtle striping lovely?

• I finished The Shoemaker's Hat (Clara Parkes, Knitter's Review) but it was too small for me, so I put it on the mitten tree at church; I'll make another with -- I think -- an extra 4 stitches, which should do the trick.  It's threatening to get colder here soon so I'd best get going.

• I've signed up for a Socks from Stash 2012 challenge on Ravelry...and January's task is to make a pair from the oldest sock yarn in one's stash.  I have no idea if this is the oldest, but I'm using Jawoll Cotton Superwash yarn in a colour that's long been discontinued -- a lovely sage green.  It's a blend of cotton, superwash wool and nylon, so there's some memory and resilience to it. The pattern I've chosen?  Cable Rib Socks by Erica Alexander, which I found in my copy of Favorite Socks from Interweave Press.  I have yet to cast on, but my fingers are itching.!

• And I seem to have fallen into a mini-KAL (Knit ALong) on Ravelry with a gal in Vienna who wants to make a Miss Marple-style cardigan.  She's an afficionado of patterns from the nineteen thirties, and had found a couple of possibilities online.  The problem is, they seem to be made for impossibly small women.  She has, however, found a pullover that she believes she can adapt to her size.  I, on the other hand, scrounged around in my Vogue Knitting magazines (I got rid of all but 1/2 dozen or so when I moved) and found a beauty by Kim Hargreaves -- the Lace Panel Cardigan -- from the Fall 1990 issue. (NOTE: you need to be a Ravelry member to open that link to the pattern.   Sorry!  If you're a knitter and not a member, though, you might check it out -- it's free!)

I'll reserve my non-knitting activities for the next post -- see you later!  :-)

  

Yarn Whisperer

That's the nickname folks have given to knitter and yarn expert, Clara Parkes, founder of Knitter's Review and author of two classics: The Knitter's Book of Yarn and The Knitter's Book of Wool.


This week knitters everywhere are celebrating the birth of her latest: The Knitter's Book of Socks.  Oh...... Sock Heaven!  A former sufferer of Serious Second Sock Syndrome (SSSS), I have been deeply in love with socks for the past decade.  A sock is my favourite portable project, Just Plain Vanilla, thank you -- but with interesting yarn.

That said, I love-love-love looking at sock patterns -- and this book contains twenty new ones!  Oh...! 

Suffice it to say, if one of Santa's elves (aka one of my kids) doesn't leave it under our Christmas tree, I'm just gonna have to buy it for m'self.  Let's see...20 patterns divided by 12 months...

Inspiration in Cyberspace

Those of you who know I quilt and stitch may not know that I knit (though if you've been following this blog for any length of time, you are very aware that I do!)  My earliest community participation on line was through Clara Parkes' Knitter's Review Forum, and I've subscribed to her newsletter ever since.

It's time to share, especially since today's article from Knitter's Review can strike a chord with fibre/textile artists and fans everywhere.  Pour a cuppa, as Sharon B would say, read, click and enjoy!

Happy Birthday!

First, to my dear old friend, CS, who is inching ever closer to the Big 6-0 as of today...


And next, to Knitter's Review and its visionary, talented, skilled, generous founder, Ms. Clara Parkes -- as her cyber-creation celebrates a full decade online as of today.  May it -- and Clara -- continue to fill our computer screens with information, ideas, thoughtful critique and just plain fun for many years to come -- and may our libraries expand with Clara's useful and interesting writing.

I have both of these books, and eagerly await the third, about  which Clara has been steadily hinting on KR and Facebook...


Speaking of which...when Ravelry arrived on the scene I had to admit I wasn't at all sure about it.  I liked my KR; I didn't want it or Clara to be hurt by what I perceived as competition.  I soon learned that the Knitting Universe (to paraphrase Knitter's magazine) was large enough to manage both in equanimity -- and it was no time at all before KR fans had their own group on "Rav".  Count me in, Clara!  I too remain a loyal fan.  All the best!