Peaceful Knitter

It’s nearly October and I feel like celebrating.  What better way than through knitting?  It’s Socktoberfest time!

This has been around for a couple of years now, but this is the first October where I consider myself to be a real sock knitter (hurray!).  To celebrate, any and all are invited to knit on a sock or two throughout the month, sharing photos, blog entries, patterns, and generally worship the goodness that is sock knitting.  There are no strict rules of participation other than sock-centerdness.  If you want to read more about how this whole thing works, drop by Lolly’s blog for details.

I’m thinking about participating in a mystery sock knit along courtesy of  Through the Loops. She will be releasing a clue every Wednesday in October for a new sock pattern, and knitters are invited to join in as they are able.  I know I have some autumnal sock yarn around here somewhere…

Or how about this?

Will you be knitting socks this October?

This weekend’s soggy weather was not deterrent enough for thousands of fair goers.  The need for fried junk food and fancy farm animals is strong, and Sweetie, myself, and a few friends ventured out in the mud and muck for a day of fun at the fair.

I was lucky that the group was easily entertained and had no problem lingering in the craft barn or looking at alpaca alongside me.

The needle art barn housed scores of handcrafted works of art, from these afghans to quilts, hand knit and crochet garments, needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch, and this:

If you look closely at this picture you should take note of two things: 1. The male swimmer has chest hair, and 2. There is a fabulous sweater in the background, probably the finest knitting I saw there.

After a quick corn dog and pulled pork sandwich stop, we thought it the perfect time to go see some livestock.  There is an entire barn devoted to the worship of fiber beasts, and information throughout about these lovely animals and their fibers.  In the middle of the barn there is a large display of yarn, spinning wheels, and hand-knits, where we got to watch some spinning in action.  I was mainly entranced with the alpaca, though they seemed less than enthused by all the people up in their business.

After the fiber barn, we spent some time with the fancy chickens and rabbits, cruised through the farm museum, and generally enjoyed the atmosphere.  Along the way we ate fresh cut french fries, lime Rickey’s, Nutella crepes, fried dough, kettle corn, and a sampling of hot sauces.  It was a good day.

I will leave you with an image of one of the most unexpected things I saw all day, the kkk sheep.

It’s a darn good thing I took the photos for this post a couple of days ago.  When I took them, the weather was that perfect autumnal combination of sunny and crisp, with a slight breeze sending the scent of dry leaves through the air.  Today, on the other hand, is a grim, soggy mess.  I came home from my morning yoga class to find that the power was out, and one of my cats had been stranded outside in the rain.  The poor guy is a longhair cat, and I have never seen him looking so simultaneously angry and pathetic!

A day like today takes a little of the enchantment out of the changing seasons and reminds me that fall and the coming winter will often be wet, dreary, and dull.  On a day like today it is reassuring to know that I have plenty of warm, colorful wool to keep me company.

• Pattern: Grapevine Cowl, by me!

• Yarn: Naturally Me DK (merino & cashmere) in shade 800, 1 skein

• Needles: US size 9 16-inch circulars

• Notes: This is the double eyelet stitch modified to knit in the round.

I had exactly one ball of this yarn in my stash, just 110 yards to work with.  It’s been sitting there in the yarn cupboard, patiently waiting for its turn to be knit up into something warm and luxurious.  And what could embody those two things more than a lacey neck sock? I only had a couple of yards leftover, so it was meant to be.

Instead of posting the pattern here as I had originally intended, I am going to hold it back while I work on a new addition to this blog.  Soon there will be a tab at the top of the page where you will be able to find all of my original designs.  This means that I have to take some time to re-knit from my notes, write out the patterns in knit-speak, and figure out how to best format them for use on this blog.  And then maybe I’ll even find the tech-savvy knitter within me and get them uploaded into Ravelry…wouldn’t that be cool?!

This weekend means new movies, time to knit, and a trip to the local fair.  I really hope the weather cooperates so that we don’t have to eat our corndogs in the rain!

Have a wonderful weekend, finding time for all your favorite things.

I have been working feverishly on new neck warmer and cowl designs.  A few have turned out great, others have been frogged, and still more are in my head waiting to be knit.  Last week I was frustrated when, after what seemed like endless hours of knitting, I had no finished objects.  So I decided to cast on this instant gratification cowl, er neck sock, to help boost my knitting confidence.

This pattern is easy, satisfying, and a great way to show off the texture and color of this bulky yarn.  What better way to use a single skein of yarn to create a new accessory to help take the chill out of fall?

• Pattern: Garter Stitch Neck Sock, by me!

• Yarn: Malabrigo Bulky, in Charruro, 1 skein

• Needles: US size 9 16-inch circular

• Notes: This pattern can be adapted to use just about any yarn or needle size.  Simply increase or decrease the number of stitches you cast on.  Mine measures just under 6 inches wide, and 22 inches around before blocking.  It stretches easily over my head and sits away from my neck slightly.  Modify number of cast on stitches if you would like yours closer or farther away from the neck.

Garter Stitch Neck Sock by Peaceful Knitter

Using size 9 16-inch circular needles and a bulky yarn:

Cast on 82 stitches.

Join to work in the round, placing a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

K2, P2 to marker

P2, K2 to marker

Repeat these 2 rows once more, or until piece measures 1 inch long.

Knit to marker.

Purl to marker.

Repeat these 2 rows until piece measures 4.5 inches from cast on edge.

K2, P2 to marker.

P2, K2 to marker.

Repeat these 2 rows twice more, or for 1 inch (match the first band of double moss stitch)

Bind off loosely.  Weave in ends.  Block if desired.  Wear it to keep warm and stylish!

And, for those of you who have been wondering about my fish babies, here’s an action shot:

They are fast, tiny, and very difficult to photograph.  I am happy to report that I have only had one casualty, and am raising a healthy dozen or so Goldust Mollies.

I want to say a HUGE Thank You to everyone that reads this blog.  I always appreciate your comments and feedback; not only is it a joy to know that people are actually reading what I put out there, but I truly find your comments and experiences helpful and entertaining.

So with that in mind, I’d like to sum up the information knitters have shared with me regarding My First Sweater.  First, the helpful highlights:

1. Measure yourself completely, then go back and do it all over again.  This is the first step in ensuring a sweater will fit your precise shape.

2. Use your favorite sweater as a model. Measure a sweater you love the fit of, and choose the size that is closest in the pattern to work from.

3. Choose a sweater pattern that you truly love and would like to knit and wear, not something that looks like it would be good for a beginner.

4. Do a gauge swatch, the bigger the better for an accurate gauge check.  Then wash it and block it to see how the yarn holds up and if it stretches or changes shape.

5. Choose a pattern with elements that will keep you interested over the long haul it takes to knit a sweater.  An interesting stitch pattern, cables, or lace will keep the knitter entertained.

6. Knit both sleeves at the same time so you can match the increases or decreases.  No one wants to wear a sweater where one sleeve is longer than the other!

Here are some of your first sweater projects:

• Giselle from Stitch Diva

• Simple Boatneck Sweater in “Baby Knits for Beginners” by Debbie Bliss

• Lion Brand Homespun yarn pattern for a child’s sweater

• Central Park Hoodie

• Simple Knitted Bodice from Stitch Diva

A few of you described your first sweaters as big, baggy, chunky, simple, and often too large or unflattering. Some recommended doing a top down, seamless raglan, or taking a class with others.  Some suggested I try doing the February Lady Sweater, while others said maybe it wasn’t the best pattern for a first timer.

As for what I will be knitting, it is still undecided.  I have purchased the book Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard and am feeling very motivated to start swatching!  Never thought I’d be excited to do a gauge swatch, but stranger things have happened…

I am enchanted with a couple sweaters in the Top Down Raglan section, particularly the Backward Cabled Pullover.  It can be worn forward, backward, or modified!  This is an incredible book that encourages free thinking and customization in knitting.  And Bernard is on Ravelry answering questions about her patterns.  Amazing.  If you haven’t heard of it, take a moment to check out her blog, Knit and Tonic for a taste of knitting nirvana.

Thank you all so much for sharing your wisdom, mistakes, and triumphs with me. I will certainly keep you posted on what I decide to try.

When I first started knitting, the thought of making clothing I could actually wear, not just wrap around myself, seemed impossible.  I didn’t understand how in the world you could knit something 3-dimensional like a sleeve, or a sock, and I sure as hell didn’t see any reason to when I could just go out and buy a nice sweater.  I know we’ve all thought these things.  Then, somewhere along the line in the career of a knitter, things begin to change.  We begin to get attracted to new ideas and challenges.  We are intoxicated by the potential of yarn.

For me, it was socks.  I found myself at my local yarn shop one day, fondling the sock yarn and casually asking the shopkeeper “So, what size needles would you use to make this into a sock?”  The desire to learn about sock construction just sort of crept up on me, and after a little research I was set to begin.  I credit a large part of my beginner’s success/luck to the Sock 101 tutorial on Knitty, and to the Sensational Knitted Socks book by Charlene Schurch.  Both walk you through the anatomical parts of a sock, explaining the How and Why of its construction.  Once I could imagine it all coming together in my head, I put needles to wool and got knitting.

This was my very first sock, using the practice instructions from Knitty on worsted weight wool.  It takes no time at all to get acquainted with the sock parts, and before long I was ready to knit with the “real” sock yarn.  Of course, it was pink and purple and did all sorts of cool things on its own, which kept this beginner interested!

I immediately and desperately felt the effects of second sock syndrome, and it was 6 months before I cast on the second sock.  Once I did, it was finished before I knew it, and I have been knitting socks ever since.

While they may look alright, these socks are ill-fitting and filled with mistakes.  But I love them dearly, as they remind me of the joy of fearlessly tackling a new challenge with my knitting.

And so it will go with my first sweater, I suspect.  As the air gets chilly, and all those new knitting magazines begin to sink in, I find myself yearning, needing, to knit a sweater.  I have been looking at every pattern I can get my hands on, trying to set myself up for success.  There are several great tried and true patterns out there, as well as a plethora of new knits to choose from.  I’m thinking top down raglan construction, with no seaming, thank you very much.

And so, fellow knitters, a few questions:

What was your first sweater?  What do you wish you would have known before you started knitting it?  Can you share any great patterns that you think would be right for a sweater virgin?  Do I really have to do a gauge swatch?! Any other tips, suggestions, warnings, or insights?

I have been thinking a lot about friendship this week.  Since college I have moved several times, leaving friends behind each time.  These people are very important to me, yet as time passes and the miles apart seem to grow, it gets harder and harder to maintain close relationships.  I tend to put a lot of energy into my local friends, as they are the ones I can see face to face on a regular basis.  But lately, I have found myself struggling to find a balance.  The balance between old and new, giving and receiving, supporting and receiving support…  I feel as if I have been letting people down lately; I also feel let down by others.  This leaves me feeling stranded, unsure of how to mend these relationships.

How do you nurture your friendships?  Old friends, new friends, acquaintances and family: where do they fit into your life?  How do you let your friends know you value their friendship?  How much do you share of yourself and your time?  Do you expect reciprocity in actions or concern?

Here’s what Wikipedia has to say on the matter:

Friendship is “…a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other’s company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship.”

We went to our local cineplex’s $5 movie night last night to see The Women.  If friendship was on my mind before, it is at the forefront after seeing this movie!

This is my latest neckwarmer design.  It is based on the centipede stitch in the Harmony Guide’s Knit and Purl book.  The alternating columns of knit and garter stitch give it structure and symmetry, two things that really appeal to my sensibilities, especially in a time of uncertainty.

• Pattern: Centipede Stitch Neckwarmer

• Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted merino, mystery color, about 3/4 a skein

• Needles: US six 6 straight or circular

• Notes: This measures about 25 inches long and 7 inches wide.  I created two sets of button holes, the first is 1.5″ from the edge, the second is 7″ from the edge.  They are all 3 stitches wide each on alternating knit columns.  This way the neckwarmer can be worn snugly around the neck or more loosely.

Call a friend today and let her know how important she is to you.

I sat down this morning with the intention of writing about knitting.  But something else is on my mind, something decidedly unrelated to knitting in any way. I’m so excited!

Some of you may remember that back in August I was able to set up a new 45-gallon freshwater fish tank.  This was a big step up from my 10 gallon tank, and I have been having so much fun with my fish.  This weekend I went out and bought 2 breeding pairs of mollies, and one of the females was very pregnant.

These fish belong to a group called live bearers, which means the eggs hatch inside the body and the fry are born fully developed.  I have been watching the female very closely over the past two days.  This morning when I got up, I noticed that she was much less bloated than before.  So I started looking around in the plants and gravel and immediately started seeing little fish fry looking back at me!  They are miniature versions of their adult parents, about 1/2 an inch long.  So far I have discovered somewhere between 3 & 5 babies.  Cross your fingers that they make it; these fish are carnivorous…

Okay, so you’ve made it this far.  I suppose you deserve some knitting after reading about my new additions!  I decided to take a break from craft fair knitting this weekend and cast on a new project instead. My first beret, and first top down hat:

This is the One Day Beret by Kirsten Kapur.  What’s great about this pattern is that it is more of a recipe that you can adapt to suit any yarn or gauge.  You kind see it on her blog or on Ravelry.

I originally started this with a hot pink skein of Cascade 220 Superwash, but didn’t like the solid color.  One of the things I loved about the photos I saw on Kapur’s blog was the variegated yarn she used.  So I went to my stash and waited for something to catch my eye.  Out popped 2 skeins of Claudia’s Hand-painted merino sock yarn in Passion Fruit.  I’m holding 2 strands together and using size 4 needles for my beret.

This is a great stashbuster for any odd skeins you have lying around.  And if you don’t have any particular need to knit a beret for yourself or as a gift, consider donating it to Stash and Burn’s project for 7 Long Knits.  Scroll down to episode 58 for details on how you can help comfort some pediatric oncology patients through knitting or crochet.

And because I was going through sock withdrawl, I also cast on a pair of basic socks using Sockotta’s self-fair-isle yarn.  It’s a very relaxing knit, simple stockinette, but the yarn keeps it interesting.

I love smart yarn!

Time to go check on my little Fry Guys.

I’ve been tagged for a meme all the way from England by the wonderful Princess Pea!

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Write six random things about yourself.

4. Tag six people at the end of your post.

5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Here are 6 random things about me:

• I have never had a cavity.  I was heavily influenced by an Aquafresh ad in the 80s which talked about someone who was 18 and cavity-free.  I decided then and there that I, too would be cavity-less at 18.  Well, I made it that far and just kept going.  For years.

• A group of friends and I started an improv comedy group in college.  We were called the ACI Cabaret and performed to packed houses every month.

• Even though I was able to do theater and perform, I am at core an intensely shy person.

• I love to travel.  Probably the most interesting place I have travelled to is India where I helped build a labyrinth, got peed on by a little monkey with earrings, and ate way too much gulab jamun for my own good.

• My mom’s dog once licked my bare toes, and I liked it.  I have been known to encourage other dogs to do the same, with minimal success.

• I saw 65 movies in the theater in 2007.  Sweetie and I keep a database which includes the date, what movie we saw, who we saw it with, whether or not we had concessions, and a brief review.  This year we are at #46 which was Transsinberian; 3 out of 4 stars.

Thanks for the tag, Princess.  To keep this going I will tag the following bloggers who I would like to know some random facts about:

PDX Knitterati

The Knitty Vritti

Sweet P

Knitting Pretty in DC

Archiknist

Nutmeg Knitter

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend!

p.s. No, Big Martha will not lick my toes.

Put me in Alaska with nothing but yarn, needles, a stitch dictionary and time, and this is what I come up with.

• Pattern: Klawock Neckwarmer

• Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted Merino, mystery color (does anyone know what this is? I love it!)

• Needles: US size 8, straight or circular

This is the double Eyelet Rib stitch from the Harmony Guides Knit and Purl book.  It looked more twisted in the book photo, but in my version the eyelets are more apparent.  This was unintentional, and probably a result of my complete disregard for gauge.  But, I decided to use this as a feature: the eyelets are just the right size and stretchiness to double as buttonholes!  I love things with multiple purposes.

If you’ve been here before, you’ve probably noticed I am in a Neckwarmer Phase.  This is in part because I am trying to produce enough pieces to sell at a craft show later this fall.  But it’s more than that. The idea was born out of a desire to play with new stitch patterns, try my hand at design, and use up some of my stash yarn.  I also have a need to use buttons lately, and what better way that to button something warm and comforting around your chilly neck?

As that unmistakable chill of fall creeps its way into the air, I find myself longing for the little luxuries that are so necessary during the colder months.  Hot tea.  Slippers.  Soup & warm bread.  A jacket in the morning.  And of course, comfortable, warm, snuggly handknits.  It is my hope that others will find these neckwarmers not only warm and functional, but interesting accessories to brighten up a dark winter day.

This brings me to a question I have been pondering as I put my wool to the needles: what is my knitting worth?  This is not a new question, but one that must come up for each knitter, designer, and crocheter at one point or another.  Whether you engage in these activities for pleasure or profit, your precious time, creative energy, and yarn stash are going into an item that has value.  This value may be purely emotional; there is immense satisfaction in the process and completion of creating something handmade.  But when one contemplates putting her knitting out there for others to see and hopefully purchase…yikes!  What is my time worth?  How do I put a dollar value on this neckwarmer?