D Knitty

Cammy the Camel, the Droopy Dromedary

2004-10-12T07:27:00.000-04:00

Back in the spring, I bought, "Knit a Square/Make a Toy" and set out to make at least one toy. Don't ask why I decided the camel was the toy to try. In retrospect, I realize I should have started with an animal that did not need to stand up. I bought some camel-colored yarn and knit a dozen squares or so. Then I sewed most of the squares into tubes, stuffed them and sewed them together. This project took 10 months but most of that time, the squares sat lonely in my knitting closet, either waiting for me to buy the stuffing or do the stuffing. Finally, this weekend, I decided to put the thing together. I was disappointed about how fat it turned out. I couldn't overstuff the tubes in order to make them firmer because they just stretched out more. The white stuffing sort of shows through but by not overstuffing, I avoided that. It didn't seem right that the legs and neck should be the same length. "Cammy," as I have dubbed him, is quite cute but so goofy looking. My husband was impressed because I have not completed any knit projects except for a ton of hats. And the recipient of Cammy will probably not notice that he doesn't stand up on his own. She's only a year and a half. I think I may make one more toy from this book but opt for one that doesn't need to stand on its legs. It was extremely easy knitting up this project because it was literally all garter stitch squares (or rectangles)- the hard part (if you could even call it that) was sewing them all together. All of the toys require the same number of squares more or less so I will make the next toy smaller by making the squares smaller. This is a great project book for children, but an adult will definitely have to sew the pieces together for them. Also, it's a good project for a number of children to work on together.

Just in case you needed to knit your own breakfast

2004-03-25T23:03:00.000-05:00

Knit Your Own Fry Up! - Jackie Annual 1979

2004-03-03T12:51:00.000-05:00

A side note: I visited my gynecologist last Friday for my annual check-up. After the niceties, he asked, "Everything ok down there?"

2004-02-26T21:56:00.000-05:00

It's scarf time I got the new spring Patternworks catalog and couldn't resist the S. Charles Collezione Rondo ribbon yarn in Carribbean. I was in the mood to make and knit a non-winter scarf for myself and lo and behold, Patternworks is offering this pattern with purchase of the yarn. Then I decided to make a scarf for Kerin's birthday with the Berrocco Suede ribbon yarn with the Calamity Jane (purple) and Dale Evans (off-white) shades. I will probably work the two colors together because 4 stitches per inch is too small a gauge for me.

2004-02-26T21:49:00.000-05:00

Hat styles With a turned up brim No brim Cables - next style to tackle

2004-02-25T21:45:00.000-05:00

Humorous photo of the day From my summer vacation in Hawaii. A coffee roasting/chocolate nut selling place.

2004-02-20T22:37:00.000-05:00

My friend Fatty Davies made this AIM icon for me. You can use it too.

2004-02-17T07:57:00.000-05:00

Top 10 Knitting Disses 10. You crochet? That's nice. 9. I've been knitting since I'm 6. 8. Oh- you're still using straights? 7. I lost count! You made me lose count! 6. I only knit for babies. 5. I only knit for people who've stopped growing. 4. I won't waste my time with acrylic yarn. Correlary: Yo mama knits with acrylic. 3. For me, it's bamboo/rosewood/Addi Turbos or it's nothing. 2. Shhh- I'm counting stitches! 1. Can we delay this conversation until I finish binding off?

2004-02-10T20:31:00.000-05:00

Although I have not previously even mentioned that I was planning to start it, I have knit the front and back of the Jayla sweater which comes from Debbie Bliss' Quick Baby Knits. It's the roll-neck stocking stitch sweater on p.32-33. Since I am using size 2 needles and knitting 5 stitches per inch, it was really slow starting. At first, I was so frustrated with how long it was taking me, I swore never to knit at this gauge again. However, I learned that a Saturday spent on the couch watching TIVOed Law and Order: SVU episodes helps to add inches. Two weekends give me two sides of a 2T size sweater sweater. Otherwise, yes, 5 sts per inch is too slow for me. The sweater is for my best friend's daughter Jayla who really is the most beautiful child. She's very bad about sleeping through the night, but she gets high marks in the cuteness department. So she deserves all this hard work. While we are in Tahoe this weekend, I plan to knit the sleeves. I would start now but I am waiting for the straight needles I ordered to arrive. One of the frustrating things about knitting this sweater is the 29" circular needles that are too long and curly and drove me crazy throughout the knitting of the first piece. By the second piece, it sort of straightened itself out and I guess I got used to it. But for the sleeves, I should make my life easier.

2004-01-16T22:23:00.000-05:00

I found out that my cousin Lynne was throwing her husband Dave a surprise 40th birthday party and, having decided that I would REALLY try to make all of my gifts from now on, I endeavored to knit his gift. I thought, "what can I knit the man who has everything? What does my cousin like?" I've known Dave my whole life but I really don't know that much about him. "OK," I thought. "Dave is management at a roofing company, likes to do his own home enhancements (he built his deck, I think), refuses to eat leftovers, and golfs so much he got carpal tunnel from it." Well, I wasn't going to knit him a hat so I found a pattern for one of those golf club sock covers that I've mocked in the past. It was quite easy- knit flat, you rib for a while, then you increase, work even, then decrease until you bind off. Stitch up the edges and voila. The two patterns I found included vague instructions for knitting some duplicate stitch numbers. I had no idea what those numbers stood for so I asked my golf-loving boss who told me but then I totally forgot what he said. I called Lynne and asked her to sneak a look at his golf bag to see if he had any covers with numbers. As he didn't, and as I had never done a duplicate stitch before, I chose the numero uno. I used a skein of black Lopi yarn which I had originally bought to make a hat for my sister-in-law but it was too damn scratchy to be next to naked skin. In the future, I won't bother using 100% wool for something that doesn't need to be kept warm. A skein of $2 acrylic will do just fine. For a few rows, I added some leftover grey worsted weight yarn to the Lopi (rather than do a true stripe because it was too skinny compared to the Lopi). Here is the pattern I used and here is another pattern that I didn't. Neither had photos but at least the former was easier to understand. The latter was written out too confusingly. You'll see when you read the pattern. Dave really liked it.

2004-01-16T22:04:00.000-05:00

I am taking a break from knitting clothes and other wearables to knit a camel. Actually, a toy camel. I saw this book on Amazon called Knit a Square/Make a Toy. There are patterns for a cat, penguin, monkey, rabbit, duck, polar bear, kangaroo, several dogs, snake, mermaid, and some other things. I decided to make the camel because I found a really nice tan worsted yarn at Michael's. Normally, I stay away from acrylic yarns but for a toy, I figured it was fine. I'm really impressed with this yarn- Caron Simply Soft. It really is very soft and un-acrylic-feeling. I'm not making this camel for any particular baby. Perhaps Jayla will end up with it. I know I certainly don't need any stuffed animals but I could always save it for when we have a baby. The patterns are fairly straight-forward- you literally knit a bunch of garter stitch squares and sometimes rectangles, then sew them together and stuff it. The camel pattern calls for 8 squares and a few rectangles. It's a little boring just doing garter stitch but it's quick. So far, I've done 3 1/2 squares. I saw this in an Amazon review and I have to agree. ...in "translation" from the Australian version, some terms become unclear. The patterns refer to "8-ply" yarn, which I know is DK weight (intermediate between worsted and sport). But the needle size suggested is "5" - that can mean different things to knitters in Europe, the US, and the UK. Beginner knitters might be a bit frustrated by this. Well, I didn't know that 8-ply is DK but I figured I would be safe using worsted. Also, no gauge guide so I was pretty clueless. Fortunately, as long as you knit the squares with the same type of yarn and same needle size, the toy will be in proportion. Of course, if you use extra chunky yarn like Takhi Baby, you're going to end up with one of those ridiculous "Look what my boyfriend won for me in the Midway!"-size stuffed animals. I just hope my gauge is tight enough that the stuffing doesn't pop out. I'm using a size 6 Addi Turbo needle which seems to be fine but perhaps next time I'll use smaller needles, like I do when I make hats. I could also try stockinette and other stitch patterns, just to mix it up a bit. All in all, I think this is a great project book for the beginner or young knitter.

2004-01-11T09:58:00.000-05:00

My boss Sheril was jealous that my other boss was featured in my blog, if only as the butt of a joke. I tried to explain that my blog is primarily a knitting site but she still wanted in. After deciding that I wanted to try to make the Cowl half of the "Cowl and Howl Sweater" from the Stitch 'N Bitch book, I showed Sheril the picture and realized that I could make the Howl part for her beloved Shih Tzu Chloe. She requested hot pink yarn. I used 2 balls of Rowan Polar and knit it up over Christmas. I enjoyed this yarn but the mohair in it shed all over so maybe it will not be a great choice for the human sweater. I will not divulge the pattern here out of respect for copyrights, but I will say that the pattern is quite easy. You measure the dog, knit two rectangles, sew em together and them pick up stitches to create the cowl neck. Chloe loved the sweater and didn't want to take it off. Now, you may say to yourself, how does a dog let you know this. I guess it's because she didn't fight it when they put it on her and didn't try to chew it off when it was on her. Sheril did have to remove it so I could make some alterations. I didn't leave enough distance for the front leg holes so the cowl neck does not sit high enough around her neck.

2003-12-19T20:15:00.000-05:00

I met with Nici last night for our knitting lesson. She showed me the increases and decreases that I wanted to learn. The time just flew and she didn't even realized that two hours had passed. I could see myself hanging out with her in a non-tutorial capacity. I will probably schedule another lesson when I need to sew my pieces together. She told me that she and her boyfriend are producing instructional knitting CDs which I can't wait to see. She said I had a good mind for knitting which Josh found funny because I watch mindless tv shows when I knit.

2003-12-19T19:22:00.000-05:00

My knitting books -Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller Best book for beginners. Kind of like a dummies guide in its attempt to make knitting easy to understand. Written with a real sense of humour. Everyone likes the names of the patterns (like the "Ribbed For Her Pleasure Scarf") but I love the sometimes punny chapter subheadings like "Purl, Interupted" and "If you can stand the head" (the kitchener stitch) and "Sewing behind bars" (joining a top to a side edge). The illustrations are really good- reminding me of the how-to books of the 60's. I want to knit: Cowl and Howl Set, designed by my first knitting teacher Diana Rupp. The cowl sweater will be for me and the howl sweater will be for my boss Sheril's dog Chloe. -The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits by Jordana Jacobs & Julie Carles Easy patterns using chunky yarns. I like how they include regular directions plus a step by step guide for shaping. This book has more patterns that I want (and can) knit than any other so far. Written by the proprietors of my favorite LYS, the Yarn Company, on New York's upper west side. 1 Criticism: They only refer to the yarn by name but not manufacturer. Like "Polar" and not "Rowan Polar." I have knit: Stars are Stripes p.94-96. Not yet pieced together. Pretty easy to follow. I want to knit: Even Daniele did it p.56-58, Don't be a football widow p.68-71, Weekend Warrior p.72-74, Trick or Treat p.75-77, The problem solver p.80-82, Winter poncho p.146-147 (now that I am comfortable with decreasing!) -Knitting Pretty by Kris Percival Good basic beginner's book but no info about gauge. They say it's because with most of these projects it doesn't matter but I like to know. This was the first knitting book I bought and I was very confused about what yarn I could use for each project. Knowing gauge would have helped. Barring that, the patterns are very simple and I like how she tells you what skills you need for each pattern and what the difficulty level is. A pretty book. I would recommend this to other brand new knitters. I have knit: Bookmark p. 44-45, Dishcloth p.48-49, Cell phone cozy p.80-81, Warmest mittens p.58-61 -Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors Like the bible- not light reading but enlightening. An investment that every knitter should make. -The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman I love this book even though I don't know how to do half of the things. I LOVE how the section about each stitch or technique gives you a Benefits/Drawbacks comparison. Great closeup photos and illustrations. Sprial bound which is so practical for a crafts book. Wish more had it (see also, 50 Baby Bootees to Knit.) -50 Baby Bootees to Knit by Zoe Mellor Bootees (or Booties as I like to call them) are great because they're fast, relatively simple and use up scrap yarn. Ths book has variations on about 6 basic bootie and sock designs, all of which are very cute. I think these patterns will be great for me to practice my new increasing and decreasing skills. Criticisms: No photos or illustrations on how to assemble bootees. I knit one pair but never sewed it together because I was so confused about how to do it. Plus many have loose items like beads, buttons, bells fabric roses, which my friend Beth in Legal told me are a huge no no for babies. I have knit: Slip-ons p.116-117 I want to knit: Simple T-Bar Shoes p.16-19 (I had a pair like these when I was a baby), Gingham shoes p.26-7, Pirate Boots p.30-31, Herringbone bootees p.36-37, Knot shoes p.40-41, Bee shoes p.46-49 (I love the fat hands clutching the fat feet on p.49), Denim shoes p.56-57, Textured Cuff Bootees p.60-61, Duck feet p.64-65, Simple shoes p.70-73, Chunky ankle strap shoes p.92-93, Contrast edge slippers p.96-97, Stripy bootees p.98-101 (these look like Converse hi-tops!) -The Baby Knits Book: The Ultimate Collection of Knitwear Designs for Newborns to 3-Year-Olds by Debbie Bliss Debbie Bliss is my favorite designer. Her patterns appeal to the Gap/Banana Republic minded which is up my alley. The children in this book gorgeous. I want to adopt the little girl on page 81, 82 and 118. I want to knit: Garter Stitch Jacket and hat p.26-29, Raglan sweater p.36-37, Classic cardigan p.39-41. -Quick Baby Knits : Over 25 Quick and Easy Designs for 0-3 year olds by Debbie Bliss Beautiful designs. I want to knit: Stocking stitch sweater p.32-33 (the model for this design reminds me of my brother-in-law's nephew Gabe), Garter Stitch Jacket and bootees p.46-49 -Hollywood Knits: Thirty Original Suss Designs by Suss Cousins A "coffee table" knitting book. I love the Men's Dressy Sweater on p.98-99, which is the sweater worn by Keanu in Matrix II but my husband would never wear it. I want to knit: Leather tie cardigan p.86-89, Fitted ribbed turtleneck p.90-93 and cover, Single button serendipitous cardigan p.110-113 -Debbie Bliss Knitting Workbook by Debbie Bliss Not for beginners.

2003-12-18T09:06:00.000-05:00

I found a knitting tutor and tonight is our first session. I've been stuck in a rut because I don't know how to do various castings on, increases, decreases and bindings off. I feel limited. I am real good at k2tog so that just limits me to hats or relatively shapeless items like scarves. I've wanted to make a poncho from the Yarn Girls Guide but one needs to increase for that.

2003-12-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

The other day my friend Tracy asked me to show her to "stitch together" a baby blanket. There was a pattern in a Parenting magazine she had and she had decided she wanted to make it for her 9 month old daughter. I took a look at the pattern- it was a made up of granny squares. I said, "you just sew the granny squares together with the yarn you are using." Then she said, "And I need you to show me how to make the squares too." I said, "this blanket is crocheted, I only know how to knit." She looked at my confused, "Isn't it the same thing?" "Not really," I told her. As it was a very simple pattern, I told her I could modify it so it could be knit and then show her how, but warned that it was going to take a while- that she wouldn't have it ready for Christmas. She was fine with that and I gave her a list of exactly what she needed: some DK yarn, size 6 straight needles and a tapestry needle. She went over the list and said something about getting two needles. I said, "No, just the one." She looked at me really confused and mimed knitting- "Don't you need two?" I had to explain that knitting needles are sold like shoes, in pairs. The next day she comes in and tells me she went to the yarn store and the woman there told her the blanket would go much faster if it was crocheted. She said, "Well, my friend only knows how to knit." The woman insisted that "it would be so much easier and faster to crochet it." By this time, I was starting to get impatient, until Tracy whipped out two crocheted squares. The woman had taught Tracy to crochet- right then and there. So now Tracy keeps trying to teach me how to crochet!

2003-10-08T20:18:00.000-04:00

Things my boss has left places Bag of vitamins - recovered by kind samaritan who dropped it off His laptop - had to be overnighted to his home for Saturday delivery His glasses - had to be overnighted to his home for Saturday delivery His credit card - had to be cancelled

2003-10-08T19:22:00.000-04:00

After a many month hiatus, I started knitting again. I never finished that damn $80 tank but I did finally finish the pieces for a chunky v-neck from the Yarn Girls book. Of course, since I knit the sleeves separately, one is shorter than the other. Guess I'll have to rip part of it out and fix it. The question is- which do I fix? The longer or the shorter?

2003-05-07T08:16:00.000-04:00

I've been knitting- I really have. It's just that working on sweaters takes longer than hats and I haven't completed anything to boast about. I'm still working on the $80 tank- I picked it up again the other day and remembered why I put it down in the first place. There's a lot of tension in the piece and I guess there sort of needs to be. It's heavy and the weight of the stitches has me holding the piece in a different way. The Yarn Girls v-neck is half done. I am using Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Pewter. It knits up mightily fast. Now- this is going to sound stupid to the seasoned knitter but I have so far knit the back and one sleeve. The women in my knitting circle at work were shocked that I knit a sleeve by itself (maybe not shocked, how about bewildered?)- they said- always knit two sleeves at once. I had read this somewhere but the logic escaped me. Plus I don't remember seeing this in the Yarn Girls book so I just knit the one. I'll know next time. I do a lot of cosmetics swapping through this site called Makeup Alley. I've been doing this for years off and on and I love it. I typically only swap for new makeup or body lotions because there is nothing grodier than used eyeshadow or mascara. Anyway, my latest swap was for two knitting books. One is Debbie Bliss' Knitting Workbook. The other is a Vogue Knitting American Collection. The patterns in the Vogue book are way 80's so I think I'll end up selling it on Half.com.

2003-04-20T20:07:00.000-04:00

I have been a knitting blog slacker and a knitting slacker. But I've been so stressed out about work. I was offered a new position at my company about 2-3 weeks ago and I still don't know when I will start. The HR people told me they talked to my boss about my start date and then she denied that such a conversation took place. But it looks like the change will probably happen in 2-3 weeks because the HR person asked me for my boss' availability to interview people next week. The whole thing has been so exhausting. Josh and I come home from work and just park our butts on the couch. Today we took a little trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. It was a pretty nice day but once the sun started going down, it got cold and uncomfortable quickly. The Japanese Garden smelled amazing. It was amazing how many Chasidic Jews we saw. I don't think I've ever seen as many in one place.

2003-04-15T07:49:00.000-04:00

On Friday I received my Lion Brand order. I bought materials for two projects- a v-neck sweater from the Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits and the Dynamic Duo kid's sweater from Knitty. I haven't picked up the $80 tank is at least a week but I needed a break from it. I had been making good progress but I wanted a different project. By Saturday, I had knit most of the back piece of the V-neck sweater. I am using Wool-Ease Chunky so it knits up super fast. There are only 42 stitches per row and 2 stitches per inch. I am using size 13 circular Addi Turbos so that makes it even faster. Still, I am concerned that the weave is too loose and that the yarn will be totally fuzzy and sheddy. Also, the length of the back is 22"- 3 inches away from the final size and it looks so damn long. Well, for my first sleeved sweater, that will be ok. I can always wear it around the house and it will have only cost me $30 in yarn as opposed to $150 if I had used the yarn the book recommended. I haven't started the Dynamic Duo sweater yet. It's for my soon to be 6 years old niece Sophie's birthday, which is in June, so I have a little time. I am using the recommended yarn, Cotton-Ease in icy blue with skinny white stripes. I'll probably do a gauge swatch this week just so I can return the needles I don't need (I had ordered a range of sizes). OK, time to get dressed. I'm feeling so slow and sleepy and would rather crawl back in bed but this will probably be a very busy day. I may have to go to the Social Security Office to apply for my married name card and my soon-to-be-old boss and soon-to-be-new bosses have lots of work for me this morning.

2003-04-10T20:49:00.000-04:00

Diagnosis: I have rotator cuff tendinitis and trochanteric bursitis. That explains my shoulder and hip pain. The doctor prescribed Vioxx which is a hardcore anti-inflammatory. It really helps during the day but it fades by the evening. I just downed three generic Advil to try to temper the pain. I can't sit in my favorite position at the computer (indian or tailor style) because my hip hurts so damn much. Then again, it hurts when I'm not sitting that way. Really, it is time to get back to the gym. After this pain fades of course. I need to get a referral for a rheumatologist because it is just not natural for a 27 year old woman who is not an athlete or even remotely active to have this kind of problem.

2003-04-10T20:44:00.000-04:00

I knit my first baby bootee. It's unsewn and it's only one but it's a bootee. Later I will start the other bootee. I bought 50 Baby Bootees to Knit and have found a wealth of small projects. I showed Beth the book and she ooed and aahed at a lot of the bootees but said that you simply cannot use buttons, sewn bobbles, tassels, bells and other small round things that babies can swallow on bootees or any other clothing item. Almost every bootee in the book has some illicit attachment. What was going through this designer's mind?

2003-04-03T14:32:00.000-05:00

Check out these Bizarro passover stickers. We found them at our neighborhood Genevese (local drug store chain), along with a bunch of other strange and funny Passover paraphanalia. We told Josh's dad about them and he asked us to buy one of each for him. So we got him a Matzo balloon, a Matzo beach ball, a Passover dart board and a "Ten Plagues" Game that included replicas of the plagues, just like the stickers. All are from this Shulsinger Judaica Ltd company. I guess the Chosen People are not exempt from cheesy holiday commercialism.

2003-04-01T07:43:00.000-05:00

Sidebar I went to a focus group last night for a Campari tasting. It was sort of strange. I can't figure out if it was a true focus group or if it served the same purpose as a free movie screening- spread the word. n this case, I was paid $75 to sip 4 different Campari cocktails and give my opinion. I had never tasted the stuff before, but was intrigued. We tasted Campari with club soda- yuck, Campari with OJ- good, Campari with Grapefruit juice- yum, and Campari with tonic water- yum. I really liked the Campari with grapefruit juice and tonic water. The next time I'm out, I'll definitely order a Campari cocktail. Mission accomplished. Need to take a break from knitting because my right shoulder is totally killing me! It must be knitting related because I have been doing a lot of knitting. Probably also due to stress because I still haven't heard back from the job interview I had two weeks ago. If I'm going to get it, I want to start telling people and not keep it bottled up inside. I've been taking Advil for my shoulder and doing a little heating pad action. It's got to be tendon or ligament related.

2003-03-31T13:53:00.000-05:00

Finished one side of the tank top and did a few inches on the other side.

2003-03-28T14:01:00.000-05:00

I am making slow but steady progress on the $80 tank top. I am at about 12"- almost time to start binding off for the armholes. It took them a while, but Lion Brand finally sent my Watercolors yarn in pink petals for Meghan's headband. I'm glad I just remembered that it's for a headband because I was feeling annoyed with myself for only ordering 1 ball. We are going to visit Josh's dad's family this weekend. I want to check out Carol-Jean's yarn shops. She's my scarf-knitting step-mother-in-law. What else? Still trying to figure out what yarn to buy for the Yarn Girls cardigan I want to make to wear at work this summer. Since it's always so cold here with the air conditioning, I need to bundle up, even in the summer.

2003-03-25T19:48:00.000-05:00

My 2003 Patternworks catalog finally arrived today. It only took two months! The one that Beth had lent me was better- bigger swatch photos- but this one is my very own. Here are the yarns I was interested in. Wool Cloud- Bartlett Super bulky X-press- Berrocco Super bulky Isis- Colinette Super bulky Lamb's Pride- Brown Sheep Bulky Lopi- Reynolds Bulky Chinchilla- Berrocco Bulky Lamb�s Pride Superwash Bulky- Brown Sheep Bulky Manos- Manos del Uraguay Heavy Worsted Donegal Tweed- Tahki Heavy Worsted Lite Lopi- Reynolds Heavy Worsted Sand- Classic Elite Heavy Worsted Freestyle- Dale of Norway Heavy Worsted

2003-03-25T13:44:00.000-05:00

The $80 Tank Top Update I had nearly completed one side of my $80 tank top when Josh and I realized that it looked too big. I brought it into the Yarn Co. and they verified that it was in fact too large and that I would need to reknit it. They revised the pattern based on my actual gauge. I started working on it again and it is more manageable because there are fewer stitches cast on and when I rip it out, I wound the double strands into a ball so its less bulky than carrying two cones around. But still, I wish I hadn't had to rip it out. I was 49% done! Now I'm 10% done. Blah.

2003-03-25T07:45:00.000-05:00

My Barbie Knitter arrived! I was so excited and I had a lot of fun with it for about twenty minutes. But now, what the hell do I make with it? I need something useable- not Christmas ornaments or Easter Egg cozies. The contraption Close-up of the mechanism Yards and yards of tube- now what?

2003-03-24T12:41:00.000-05:00

Sidebar: This website mocks the illustrations on the government scare site, Ready.Gov. Check it out. http://www.uspoliticsforum.com/emergency Here are some examples: The proper way to eliminate smallpox is to wash with soap, water and at least one(1) armless hand. If you've become a radiation mutant with a deformed hand, remember to close the window. No one wants to see that shit.

2003-03-20T16:36:00.000-05:00

Yay! I just purchased a useless knitting toy- the Barbie Knit Hits Knitting Clothes Maker via eBay for 14 bucks ($9 for Buy It Now plus $5 shipping). I'm so psyched! Now I can join the legions who are making yards and yards of knit tubes! Here's the auction.

2003-03-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

Kerin's baby, Jayla Kai, was born on Thursday, March 13. In the time since, I have made the child two hats. Hat 1- Which matches this wash/burp cloth Hat 2-

2003-03-13T16:20:00.001-05:00

Listening to the new Cat Power CD, "You are Free." It's pretty good. So far I like the first track, "I don't blame you" the best. This is a great Cat Power Fan site- http://www.moonpix.com. Also purchased the new Be Good Tanyas, "Chinatown." And I have a headache and want to go home.

2003-03-11T12:20:00.000-05:00

Beverage sidebar I discovered this cool site called BevNet.com which is a beverage industry site. They have reviews of tons of drinks that I've never even heard of and most of those I have tried. I found this site while looking up Swiss Deliss Ice [sic] Tea that I bought from my company cafeteria. It sort of reminded me of the iced tea Josh and I loved in Italy- an imported Nestle Nestea and some German drink called Eis Tee. These drinks resembled the American Nestle Nestea except they weren't nas-t. Ha ha. My favorite types of cold beverages are unflavored iced tea, Snapple Iced Tea, half iced tea/half lemonade, unsweetened flavored water, flavored seltzers, ginger ale, grapefruit soda, lemonade (both pink and yellow), lemonade soda, fresh squeezed OJ and fruit spritzers. I will drink the occaisional cola- I prefer Coke (esp. with lemon) or Vanilla Coke- but not too often because I find it too sweet. I prefer bottled or canned to fountain. I prefer no ice because it dilutes the drink. I loathe diet sodas. I can't stand the taste of aspartame- sometimes I think I can taste it in fountain soda. That said, here's a list of some of my favorite unusual beverages. Ting is a grapefruit soda made in Jamaica by Pepsi. I've only seen it a few places- one being a Beef Patty shop on Atlantic Avenue in Park Slope. It's a cool small green glass bottle but beware- the cap requires a bottle opener. I used to like Fresca until I realized I hated Nutrasweet but this is like 10 steps above Fresca. Jarritos makes a good grapefruit soda but it's hard to find. Be careful of ordering it at Mexican restaurants because they might think you're saying "Grape" soda and bring you that. Tre Limone is a lemony ginger ale drink. I like mild citrus beverages- not lemon soda per se but something lemony. This is a perfect drink for me. The ginger taste is strong, but the lemon makes it more mild. I haven't seen it too many places though. Boylan's Lemon Sparkling Seltzer is nothing special but I really like the bottle. Nantucket Nectars NectarFizz is a new sparkling juice drink. I tried this the other day at the cafeteria in two flavors- Pink Grapefruit Fizz and Cranberry Fizz. Both are pretty good and I will definitely buy them again. On the lookout for the Lemonade Flavor. Glaceau Fruit Water has been sort of hard to find lately. I only see the Vitamin Water which I don't really care for. Fruit Water is water that has fruity flavors but no sweetener. I like the Honeydew flavor because although I am allergic to the fruit, I love the taste. I think they must add some kind of citric acid to it which gives it a some tartness which feels like sweetness but adds no sugar. Snapple Kris's Mix-Up Lemonade Iced Tea and Nantucket Nectars Half & Half Iced Tea taste the same to me. But I like both! Honest Tea is a good slightly sweetened iced tea. The Assam and Morroccan Mint flavors are good. I would rank Tazo and Republic of Tea bottled tea on the same level. Calistoga Sparkling Lemonade seems to only be distributed in California. I discovered this beverage of the gods about 6 years ago and have never seen it in NY. If they used plastic bottles, I would ask my mother-in-law to ship it to me. Alas, just glass. Inca Cola is a mysterious drink. I can't decide if it tastes like bubble gum or something else. It's called "the Golden Kola." I think I like it but I'm not sure. The best way to drink it is with rum which I used to do in my college years after my friend Alex got free cases of the stuff after doing a documentary about potato chips, Inca Cola, and his dad's love of Spanish language soap operas ("PapaPapa"). I always order a can when we go for Peruvian chicken. Water If given a choice, I would pick Poland Spring bottled water or Dasani Bottled Water even though Dasani is just tap water with minerals added. Evian tastes like socks. Drinks to try Clearly Canadian Lemonade. Supposed to be a lemon-ginger drink. Made by the same company as Tre Limone so may be the same thing. Any of the Oop! Juices esp. Turkey Slurpy (cranberry), Santa Sauce (plum), Peter Cotton-Ale (raspberry cream) Fizzy Lizzy Ruby Red Grapefruit Spritzer Weird/Strange/Scary DraCola Gay Energy Drink Celo Polka Cola - the only cola created to celebrate polka Pit Bull Energy Drink - this beverage will rip you to shreds Dead Red Cola - another scary drink. Gefilte Fizz - hopefully it doesn't taste like its name Clamato - my dad drinks this stuff. It's like a V-8 except with a shot of clam juice added. Yech. Bong Water - With ridiculous flavors named Cottonmouth Quencher and Chronic Tonic, what can you expect? They say it is "the first soft drink to use FDA approved whole beer concentrate, which is created from by a patented process which removes the water, alcohol, and yeast from beer, but leaves the health benefits. According to Real Things [the maker of the line], the health benefits include it being a cardio-protectant and a source of complex carbohydrates, along with polyphenols and B vitamins." Since when is beer healthy? It's like people who promote hemp products... Here's a place to try to order these sodas from- http://www.sodapopstop.com

2003-03-09T19:50:00.000-05:00

Spent most of today knitting a simple double stranded white chenille washcloth. Josh let us stop by Michael's on the way home from my cousin Zach's first birthday party. I bought two balls of Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, 1 purpley-pink skein of Wool-ease, 2 skeins of skinny white chenille and 1 skein of chunky off-white chenille. I'm in a realy washcloth mood since I whipped up the coral and green washcloth for Kerin's about to be born baby. Sidebar: Kerin will be going into labor any day now. As of last night, nothing had happened but she definitely has signs that it's going to happen very soon. Other than being close to her due date (2 weeks), she is starting to dilate and is almost completely effaced. Don't ask me what that means- she told me but I think I forgot. Something about the uterus thinning. In any case, I am feeling so excited. I can't wait to go up for a visit. I hope she has the baby by this next weekend so we can come up on Saturday. I hope it happens soon but part of me is feeling nervous and apprehensive for her. Childbirth's a big thing, literally, coming out of your cootch. Ouch. Anyway, gotta go wash the dishes so we can change into our "loungewear" and watch the rest of "Escape from the Planet of the Apes."

2003-03-08T20:35:00.000-05:00

I like this blog- the World of Julie- http://worldofjulie.com. Maybe it's because her name is Julie (like my darling Julie Rabig) or maybe it's because she knits, sews and loves cats. I want to try to make her Wonton and Egg Roll for cats.

2003-03-07T10:28:00.000-05:00

Finished Sandy's hat. She loves it. Finished Rachel's hat. I'm giving it to her on Saturday. Kerin received her birthday gift so I can talk about it. It's a skully made out of the Manos del Uruguay yarn that was used in my knitting class. I really like how the bumpiness looks. Kerin said, "The hat is so beautiful. I have barely taken it off. Thank you so much. It is such a generous treat I completely love it."

2003-03-04T21:34:00.000-05:00

OK. Basically done with Sandy's hat. Just need to do 1 row of k2tog and close it up.

2003-03-04T19:18:00.000-05:00

I started Sandy's and Rachel's hats. Sandy's uses the Woolease Chunky in brown. I'm getting 5.5 stitches to the inch. I think I might have cast on too few stiches- 50 instead of 60 but I'll cross my fingers. Sandy wanted a "skully" so maybe it will be ok if it's fitting. While on the subway home, I knit about a 1" band in 2x2 ribbing plus 2 rows of stockinette. It's really flying on the size 10 Addi Turbos. Rachel's hat uses the Polarfleece in blue, lighter blue and white. This stuff is kind of like an eyelash yarn- the fleece part is glued or attached to the string which I'm knitting. It's faster than I thought, but not as fast as I had initially expected. If I want to give her the hat at Zach's birthday party this weekend, I had better hurry up. I bet I can do a lot on Sandy's hat tonight watching TV but I should probably work on Rachel's.

2003-03-04T11:40:00.000-05:00

I'm trying out VillagePhotos.com for free image hosting, thanks to the suggestion of a KnitBlog list person. Thanks! I replied to the Yarn Co.'s newsletter asking for tips. Here's what I wrote: -I put each project in a ziploc bag, including needle, yarn, and pattern. -Gift with purchase makeup bags (like from Clinique) are the perfect size for storing my circular needles, measuring tape and gauge check ruler. -I keep the yarn on my circular needles when I'm not using them by wrapping a rubberband around the ends. -I started a blog to keep track of my progress. I have a scanner at work so I scan in my projects and upload the photos and link to them. The blogger stuff is free through blogspot.com and blogger.com. -I've collected a bunch of knitting magazines but to keep organized, I photocopied the patterns I'd like to make and file them in a binder (I use page protectors instead of punching holes in the pages.) My binder is organized by: Yarn Shops, Sweaters, Baby, Hats, Scarves and accessories, Home Decor and Techniques. Beth lent me her old Patternworks catalog and I had a blast looking through it. It's the bomb! I made a list of yarns I want to try. Wool Cloud- Bartlett Super bulky X-press- Berrocco Super bulky Isis- Colinette Super bulky Lamb's Pride- Brown Sheep Bulky Lopi- Reynolds Bulky Chinchilla- Berrocco Bulky Lamb�s Pride Superwash Bulky- Brown Sheep Bulky Manos- Manos del Uraguay Heavy Worsted Donegal Tweed- Tahki Heavy Worsted Lite Lopi- Reynolds Heavy Worsted Sand- Classic Elite Heavy Worsted Freestyle- Dale of Norway Heavy Worsted

2003-03-01T13:59:00.000-05:00

I sent Kerin her birthday gift on Thursday so I can soon post a scan. Last night, while watching a really dumb movie- Free Enterprise, I tried knitting a bath mitt for Kerin's baby, but I don't know what I'm doing when I try to increase because I keep getting holes. Anyway, I had to rip it out because there were just too many holes and I didn't understand how the pattern would come together. I was just knitting garter and increasing two stitches every 4 rows. What the hell. I really need to learn the various increases. It is limiting my knitting potential! Josh went to Ikea today and my sole responsibility is to wash the sinkful of dishes, which I was supposed to do two nights ago. I feel so damn sluggish. I am on my second cup of chai because I am kind of sick of coffee but hoping there's enough caffeine in this to perk me up. Ok, I'll go get dressed and do the dishes and watch tv while I knit. I guess Andrea went home this weekend because I never heard from her.

2003-02-28T22:54:00.000-05:00

This really made m crack up. I was reading a list of Knitting "Lessons from the School of Hard Knocks" on Fiber Gypsy- http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/hardknock.shtml. I teach beginning knitting through the extended studies program at the local university, and at the first class I tell my knitters there are three things you will say, and when you've said them, you'll know you are a knitter: Anonymous The house could be on fire, you could be late to the wedding of a child or close relative or dear friend, or in labor, and you will say "Wait till I get to the end of this row......." To a person to whom you would listen attentively under normal circumstances, you will say, "DON'T TALK TO ME, I'M COUNTING" More often muttered than spoken clearly, but repeated throughout one's knitting life, regardless of years knitting or level of expertise, you will say " 112, 113, 114, 115, 11...... SSH***T! 1, 2, 3, 4, " This is so me.

2003-02-28T17:11:00.000-05:00

I'm working on my pattern binder. I bought sheet protectors and am putting my magazine, xeroxed, printed from the internet and purchased patterns in it, organizing by: hat, baby, scarves and accessories, sweaters, home decor, techniques, yarn shops. Current project update:I finished the hat for baby Zach. I made it rather large because he is 1 years old but is about the size of an 18 month old and getting bigger everyday. I wish I could post a photo of him because he's the cutest little guy but my cousin wouldn't like that. Instead, here's a scan of the hat. I've learned an interesting thing about hats- heads are big! The average man's head is 22" around, as is Josh's and my mother's. My head is 23". My brother's head is 23". A few of my friends' heads are 23" too. My stepfather Harry's head is 24". My brother's girlfriend and my 11 year old cousins' heads are 21 1/2". Baby Zach's head is 19". A newborn is 15". Isn't it crazy that my head is only a few inches wider than a baby? Here's the hat for Nanaaba's baby, Skylar. I finished it last Saturday. OK, I gotta go to the bathroom and get the hell out of here. It's 5:10- what am I still doing at work on a Friday night? I am not really looking forward to the subway because yesterday there were some problems and a normally 30 minute trip took almost an hour and I didn't get a seat until Roosevelt or Continental!

2003-02-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

I found a great resource at elann.com. You select a yarn and they give you the gauge and let you search for other yarns that yield the same gauge. Click Yarn Info Finder under Info on the left side. I tried getting a direct link but they have their frames set up in a way that won't let you go right to the direct page. Here is another yarn substitution resource. http://members.citynet.net/cloudninedesign/yarnsub/database.html I definitely gotta start shopping this site because they have tons of closeouts and "oddballs." They have a Bargain Finder search feature too.

2003-02-25T09:26:00.000-05:00

I placed my first Lion Brand order after carrying around the catalog for weeks. I got: 2 skeins of Kool Wool in Grass 1 skein of Watercolors in Pink Pearls for Meghan's headband 1 skein of Polarspun in Delft for Rachel's hat 1 skein of Wool-Ease Chunky in Walnut for Sandy 1 pair Lion Brand double pointed needles, size 8 1 pair Addi Turbo 16" circulars, size 9 Sweater stone

2003-02-20T23:15:00.000-05:00

Lily's birthday hat

2003-02-20T07:53:00.000-05:00

I invested $80 in my newest project- a tank sweater for the summer. I bought 8 balls of Katia Idea Jeans ribbon/tape in lime green and Laura at The Yarn Co. wrote a pattern for me. It cost $9.95 a ball. Here's the yarn: http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/150 On Sunday and Monday, I knit up Josh's Noro hat. I forgot to do a gauge, as Nicky suggested after I had to switch to larger needles (because the store didn't have any more circular 8s), so it came out too big. Josh's head measured 22" around, so the hat should have been 20" but it turned out to be 23"! I was so mad at myself. I felt like such a fuckup. However, once I remembered that I had forgotten to do the gauge, I felt a little better. Dumb, and kicking myself, but better. Josh reasoned that it was only a hat and it only took me two days and not two months. I ended up taking the whole thing apart so I can reuse the yarn. I did some swatches on different size needles and then with two strands and I was pleased. Actually, Josh was pleased. He kept saying, I want it to be like the hat you made for your dad. Thicker! I finished Kerin's birthday present. I still need to figure out what to make for Kerin's baby, but I have a few weeks. I think I'll send Kerin her present now because the baby is due on her birthday and I don't know if she'll have the opportunity to use my gift as much once the baby arrives. No, it's not a maternity sweater.

2003-02-15T23:28:00.000-05:00

I knit a hat for Tracy's baby/baby shower today in record time. I started around 10 am and finished by 2 pm but did other stuff in between (showered, ate, etc.). It was a little stressful because of the time issue and because I was worried I would run out of yarn. Also, I was having trouble decreasing. I'm so glad Beth lent me those size 5 dps otherwise I couldn't have finished. Next to finish Nanaaba's hat and start Josh's Noro Kabuto hat. http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/122 I am also working on something for Kerin's birthday but I won't go into detail in case she reads my blog. I also have to decide what to make for Kerin's baby- hat or something else. Since I only know how to make hats and scarves and babies don't wear scarves, I guess I'm making a hat! I could also make a washcloth, but it's not as cool as a hat. I've already made her a blanket (sewn) but as her default "aunt," I feel the need to shower this child with handmade gifts. Side bar: My next door neighbor just came home and I can hear her cooing to her cat. Now I can hear the cat meow. I have heard this for the last few nights. I've never seen this woman but I've heard her greet her cat. I just got home myself from Tracy's baby shower. It started later than it was supposed to and then I went back with Nanaaba to her cousin's house and hung out for a few hours. I liked hanging out with them but it was getting late and I was nervous about driving back and also felt bad because Josh was expecting me. The drive back went pretty smoothly and I even managed to park the car myself. Last night, after work, I went to the Yarn Co. to get yarn for Tracy's baby's hat and for Josh's hat. It was so packed. I told Nicky I wanted to get on her waiting list for help and she told me it would be at least 10 minutes. She helped me pick out the baby yarn (Zara merino wool in lavender) and wrote two patterns for me. There was this really annoying woman there who kept bugging everyone for help with a sweater collar. Maybe there was a mistake in the pattern or maybe she was just dense, but she couldn't get a satisfactory solution from anyone, not Nicky, Laura, this woman I'd never seen before, nor the co-owner Julie. At one point, she said to Laura, "If I can't do this at home, I'm coming back!" Laura said back, "Is that a threat?" When she recounted this story, Laura said, "I can't believe I said that!" I brought Laura an Avon brochure because I remembered that she told me last week that her father had been a District Sales Manager. She was excited to see the catalog. Maybe I'll make a sale! Then I could be like "I'll trade my employee discount for yours!" like I did with Paula and Tupperware. Actually, I'm only too glad to spend my money at the Yarn Co. I would rather give them my business than the bitchy women at the Yarn Garden in Plainview. That store is terrible! The stock is fine but forget about getting assistance. Esther told me it was the closest yarn shop to David and Sharon's, but only later did she tell me that they're jerks. I had to ask them several times where the hat patterns were and then trying to get help figuring out which yarn and needles to get. And then when I picked out some nice Debbie Bliss Cashmerino fingerling, the one woman said, "Are you crazy? It'll take you forever!" I ended up using sport-weight but not because of what she said. Does she say that to everyone who wants to buy fingerling? What a jerk. OK, I really need to write this letter for Stacey. I haven't had time all week and now I must do it.

2003-02-14T09:48:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, I did this whole nerdy thing of making gauge swatches for this junky Red Heart acrylic yarn because I was curious. So I did stockinette swatches with size 7, 8 and 11 needles. Then I did a 2x2 rib but I forgot to note which size needle.

2003-02-13T16:37:00.000-05:00

My kniting friends I became friendly with this girl Andrea from my Purl class, after the class ended. We've been emailing back and forth, trying to work out some time to get together and knit. We keep meaning to check out the Stitch n Bitch at the Java and Jazz Cafe (Tuesday from 7-9 pm) but for the last two weeks something or another has come up for both of us. There's an Avon Knitting Circle that meets every Wednesday in the Law Library. It's organized by this woman Beth who was described to me as a master knitter. I had seen her around tons of times but never knew who she was before. I've only been to one of the circles so far. Beth helped me fix some weird thing I did with Josh's alpaca scarf and she also helped me put the green/blue Dad hat back on the needles after I ripped out a couple of rows. (Tip Time: She suggested I use a smaller size to put them back on. She also suggested casting on with a larger needle.) She was very impressed with the work I did on the hat and said I'm a really good, consistent knitter. She says my stitches are really even. That makes me feel so good because I feel like I'm such a slob in most aspects of my life, even sewing. This woman Rebecca Hartranft from Urban Knitter says I'm what her knitting partner calls a "freaky knitter" because I have become so utterly absorbed in knitting. I read knitting magazines, started buying books, checking out web sites, trolling message boards. I really hope this doesn't turn into another short-term hobby like the soap making. Yarn Lemming, to borrow a term from Makeup Alley -I told Josh I would make him a hat out of this cool black and grey Noro. Need to pick that up at Yarn Co. -This Cotton Tape Yarn looks neat. -Cotton to make some baby hats -Rowan Biggie Print. Andrea used this to make a scarf. Only thing is it requires size 30 needles! I'll have to ask to borrow hers.

2003-02-13T07:39:00.000-05:00

Cool sassy knitting kits- http://www.sewkits.co.uk/ Saw this on a few blogs- http://debacle.org/main/gallery/nipple-scarves.jpg I want to find out more about classes at the Red Lipstick Boutique Dangerous Chunky seems to have the definitive list of knitting blogs. OK, time to get dressed and go to work. Blagh.

2003-02-12T22:58:00.000-05:00

Books... So far, I only own two knitting books. I'm really trying to keep a handle on it, unlike my sewing library. My dusty sewing library. -Knitting Pretty by Kris Percival -Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors (Review) For the future, here are some book reviews at Knitter's Review. http://knittersreview.com/knitters_bookstore.asp

2003-02-12T22:40:00.000-05:00

Side bar... One of my cosmetics swapping friends, Michele, makes amazingly yummy votives and tarts. I asked her for her fragrance sources... http://www.wixnwax.com http://store.yahoo.com/scentsupply/ http://www.candlesupply.us http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/ http://www.kycandlewaxsupply.com/ http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/default.asp

2003-02-12T22:23:00.000-05:00

I finished the purple hat while watching Angel. I decided not to rip out the rows and try to fix it because, knowing myself, I would set it aside for later. It's very important for me to be consistent in my projects and to be working on something that will eventually get finished. It's okay for me to have a bunch of works in progress. I just need to make sure I touch all of them at least once every other day. It's a good 1 inch wider and 2 inches longer than the hat I made for my dad. The pink baby hat is turning into a pain. I tried to decrease on the circulars but I made the stitches too tight and can't move them around. So I started undoing them but I got annoyed with myself and had to put it down. I'll bring it to work and maybe ask Beth for some help. In other annoying news, the photos are not showing up in the blog. I don't know why. I don't feel like springing for Blog Spot Plus until I know I am regular about undating this thing. I can't really rationalize an additional $50 just for the blog. So I need to find some other free options besides Ofoto. Homestead, Yahoo, etc.?

2003-02-12T08:09:00.000-05:00

This hat started out as a gift for Tracy's baby, who is due March 21. However, as I was knitting it, it became clear that it's going to be way too big for a newborn and a little too hot for the baby to wear this summer because it's merino wool. So I'm giving it to Nanaaba's baby, Skylar. I based it on the pattern for the white hat in this pattern, except without the folded ribbed brim and no pompom. Also, I knit it in the round instead of on straights.

2003-02-12T08:03:00.000-05:00

I just tried it on, and with about 5 rows left, the purple hat is too loose. I think I need to rip out the last 20 rows and start decreasing from there. Arg. I was hoping to finish it tonight. Here's the brim.

2003-02-11T18:11:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, my Aunt Claire taught me how to knit. She gave me some variegated yarn, tiny needles and started me on a scarf for Barbie. One day, I put the knitting down and didn't pick it up for a long time. When I did, I couldn't remember what to do. I guess I wasn't that interested in re-learning because I never asked her to show me again. Aunt Claire was a big time knitter, knitting sweaters for the adults in the family. The reason for this being she felt that it was a waste of time to knit for anyone who was still growing because it took such a long time to make a sweater. I never benefited from her talent because she had stopped knitting by the time I stopped growing. In hindsight, I'm glad I never received a sweater because the 1980's were a time of big puffy shoulders, mutton sleeves, high Victorian necks, tapered sleeves and a variety of other styles that, while quite popular at H&M, will never look good on me. If I had been gifted by Aunt Claire, I would be self-guilted into wearing the sweater evey few years. I remember Kerin telling many several years ago that she would teach me how to crochet and how we should take a knitting class together. I can remember standing in her Park Slope apartment while she said this so it had to be at least 3 years ago. In any case, I was always sort of interested but lazy and forgetful. It wasn't until I saw a writeup in Lucky (I think) about Purl that I was reminded of how I wanted to learn. I told myself that my Christmas present to myself would be to sign up for a class after the new year. And I did. So I re-learned how to knit through a Beginner's Knitting class at Purl, a cute little yarn shop in Soho. My teacher was Diana Rupp, co-owner of her own knitting/sewing/crochet school called Make Workshop. Diana taught us to knit Continental, which I have since learned the following: -not very common, as most people seem to knit american or english style -more ergonomic (according to Diana) -somewhat old school (according to ladies in my work knitting circle) -very fast (for me) -confusing to those who don't knit this way It cost $125 which seemed kind of pricey at first, but too bad considering that I have a new passion. This is my first knitting and its progression until I ripped it out to reuse the yarn. As you can see, it has at least 5 dropped stitches and mysterious increases. I learned that I was picking up extra stitches at the beginning of each row because I didn't know how to hold the yarn.

I picked up some cheap yarn at JoAnn's and commenced working on Hannukah presents for my 4 little cousins' American Girl Dolls. They are obsessed with these dolls and I am happy to oblige them, at least with handmade clothing for them as holiday gifts. I figured I had 11 months to make 4 scarves, which was plenty reasonable. Of course, now I am a "freaky knitter" (more on this later) and could probably whip out hats for them as well as an entire wardrobe of woolen wear. Here is a close-up of scarf #1, which Chris and Angie called the Rasta Scarf.
Here's scarf #2. I started practicing on some cheap white Lion Brand stuff. I tried different stitch patterns. I learned that I love the look of stockinette and ribs, but damn, I hate to purl and I am really bad about getting distracted and forgetting if I just knit or purl.

Before the class ended, I started working on a new "serious" project. A scarf for myself out of the softest sherbert lime Rowan merino wool. It's really really long. It was my first finished project. I used a size 19 Addi Turbo circular but it got really annoying, twisting it around after each row. I ended up buying some silly looking straights that are as big as baseball bats. That went sooo much faster. I was proud to swing it around my neck but quite dismayed to learn how horribly it sheds. It's like having a mint green cat! I am really disappointed because it's so soft and pretty and cool looking. I'm thinking I might try to felt it to cut down on the shedding. My next project was to be a hat to go with my scarf. I walked into The Yarn Co. on the upper west side and asked for a hat pattern. I fully expected to be pointed to a book that I would have to purchase. Instead, the woman said, "Pick out the yarn you want and I'll write you a pattern." I was thrilled! I found some nice puffy red merino wool that didn't seem sheddy. Nicky helped me get started with some double pointed needles because I had decided to challenge myself and because I didn't want to buy two sets of needles for one project. I noticed that at some point, the hat was starting to get purled instead of knit. I decided to proceed and finished it reverse stockinette. I finished it in 2 or 3 nights. I was so damn proud of myself. I feel like it looks like the head of a penis, but oh well. Hot on the heels of this project, I went back to The Yarn Co. and asked Nicky to write me another two patterns. She helped me pick out two colors of Donegal Tweed that I would knit together and I made this in 2 1/2 days. I would have finished it sooner but I did the reverse stockinette thing again, ripped it out, but couldn't get it back on the needles. I had to get Beth from the Avon Knitting Circle to help me. (I finished it that night.) Here's the yarn. Here's the hat.

2003-02-11T11:33:00.000-05:00

I'm starting this knitting blog because Kerin said I should document my knitting. I thought knitting blogs were kind of silly, at first, but now I really understand the need to keep track of my knitting progress. So mad props to Kerin. The name D Knitty comes from my husband's new moniker for me, taking off on P Diddy, the artist formerly known as Puff Daddy aka Sean Combs. You have to sing it like that P Diddy song.