Knit and Plenty

One Size Knits Alls

I'm not going to deny it. I am jealous, and perhaps a tad bitter that I just won't be able to make or wear anything from this new book, Sexy Little Knits. I congratulate the author for capturing the JLO/Christina Aguilara market where size 1 women in Hollywood feel comfortable in a crocheted bikini. It would be my luck to knit a bathing suit, jump into a pool with it, and realize that its felting on the spot. Not a pretty picture, for sure.

I'm also not exactly suited for Big Girl Knits either, although it seems a little more reasonable. This book has over 25 patterns as well as pretty cool fashion advice.

It's certainly nice to know that whenit comes to knitting pattern books, one size doesn't have to fit all.

The only thing knitted is my brow.

I 'm mad as hell. Exxon Mobil reported a $10 Billion dollar PROFIT and gave their retiring CEO a $350 million retirement package. Is this crazy? Why aren't we heaving televisions or gas cans or something out our windows? Exxon made $1,318.00 every second of the last quarter and it cost me $58.00 yesterday for 16 gallons of gas. 

They could give every man, woman and child in the U.S. about $33.00 - and frankly, I want my money. I'm sure lots of folks could use $33.00.  For food, or medicine. Or yarn, for God sake.

I'm done with Mobil. I used to go there because it is where the Dunkin Donuts is. Now, I've got my coffee maker and I'm going to buy gas from somewhere else. Anybody have a suggestion for a better (oxymoron?) oil company??

K is for Koffee

Is it statistically valid or assumptive that most knitters like coffee? Maybe its the caffeine boost to help us finish that heel turn, or just that our addictive personalities wander in several directions. But personally, I love a good cup of java. So when I heard about this one-cup brewer from Keurig, I had to get all the online scoop (actually no pun intended) - which immediately led to a Green Mountain shopping cart, a few quick clicks and it was mine! The way it works is that the coffee comes in something called a K-CUP (obviously the K stands for knitting) The K Cup gets placed inside the machine,lower the handle, push a button and yes, INSTANT BREWED piping hot coffee. It's deee-licious. It arrived three days after I ordered. (Yes, I paid extra) But I am absolutely loving it. I didn't steer you wrong about the Jiffy Steamer, did I?

It's on sale at greenmountain.com for $129.00

and yes, I know, you can buy alot of yarn with $129.00 - but you'll probably spend that anyway, and now you'll be able to stay up all night finishing all those projects.

Shawl for Naught

Remember a few days ago, how proud I was to show you the shawl I had finished?  Remember how I said I had learned that a shawl needs to be as tall as you are in order to be the right size??

So, why is it that last night I went for Shawlus Interruptus, choosing to bind off my pink lacy shawl when it had only reached from the top of my head to my knees?

How did I convince myself, in my zeal to finish, that it would be ok to make it a demi-shawl. DEMI-SHAWL! I even picked a name for it.

It just about covers my shoulders - and the only thing it will be good for is to cover my face in shame.

I'm actually thinking of seaming the sides of it to make sleeves to turn it into a shrug. Or maybe a demi-shrug. Or a shrugette. Ug.

Ready to hit the bitches - I mean beaches

Did anyone tune in to the Miss Universe pageant last night? Have these women gotten thinner and taller or am I just getting shorter and fatter? I have to admit, it was a tad depressing. But there was a bright spot. Did anyone else notice the parade of knit and crochet items that adorned the contestants during the swim suit competition? OK - probably only us chunky knitters noticed. But there were tons of scarves that were almost as skinny as the women wearing them. And there were lots of lacy shawls. Gee, and I was wondering where I was going to wear all the shawls I am making. Plus they'll go perfect with my 6 inch stilettos beach sandals. 

In it for the long shawl.

I stand behind my work. Literally. In the picture. Can you believe I finally finished something?? The first finished shawl of the summer. And not a minute too soon.  The rule is that in order to have a shawl go around you nicely, its length must be longer than your height.  Good thing I'm only 5'1".

I started this back in the beginning of June. Its made from GGH Sombrero Vicose Ribbon to which I added Trendsetter Flora. I wanted it to have a sort of shabby chic-ness to it, and I'm pleased with the results.

The pattern was simple.

On even # of stitches, k2, *YO K2T"* repeat until last two stitches and K2.

That's it. And keep at it until its taller than you. Then, yes - like a long week:

It's a wrap.

See you Monday.

Alpaca 'Nother Skein

Following my extravaganza yarn crawl to Cape Cod back in June, and 28 days in Fiber Rehab, I did, in fact, break down and buy  yarn at the Knit and Crochet Show. Being stuck in my booth was a good thing, since it didn't give me much time to shop.

I did come away with this really wonderful Baby Alpaca Chunky from Catalina Yarn. I happen to love Baby Alpaca because it feels incredible and is easy to wind, easy to knit and easy to wear. A knitting TRIFECTA.

Did you know that Alpaca's are only sheared once a year, and Baby Alpaca comes from the very first time the animal is shorn?

Catalina has only been around for about a year, but it's a company who seems to be doing a lot of the right stuff. Their yarn comes from Peru, and they are mindful of how the animals and workers are treated; respect the environment and have a great eye for color. They also carry alpaca blends (60% alpaca/40% with pima, 70/30 with silk, and 60/40 with merino) Be on the look out for more great yarn from this up-and-comer.

From untangling the nightmare to weaving dreams...

Oh oh, Dreamweaver, I believe you can get me through the ni-ight...

Yes, I'm singing because I am so thrilled to link you up with Dreamweaveryarns.com

I met the owners (Ann and Natalie) at the trade show and it was apparent from their booth that their online store carries some amazing yarn, accessories, great patterns, kits, gifts, books and more.

And guess what? They're selling Gettin' Knit Together!

I hope you'll give them a CLICK - and check out their stuff. You can even leave a review about the GKT Kit (hint, wink) and while you're at it, find something nice for yourself. I picked up one of their Lexie Barnes bags.

It's style is Called Little Miss Perfect. Ain't that me all over???

Yarn Forward

Regardless of the reception I received at the Knit and Crochet Show, there was one thing that made it all worthwhile and that was being reminded (although I try not to need to be)  that my family and friends are incredible. My mom and stepdad made the haul with me, and were a constant source of strength. (Here's my mom and Purl.)

Then on Saturday, Regina, Lindsey and Susan showed up to lend their support.  Regina had already gone above and beyond the call by lending me all sorts of fabric and froo-froo for the booth. She even manned the operation (hording off the crowds) while I got to do a little shopping.

That's Regina in the booth, too.

And all of you in blogville, folks that have ordered the kit, told their friends, posted on their blogs - it's quite amazing to be the recipient of so much positive energy.

And I believe with every yarn of my being that good things will come to those who give it, and those who receive and return it.

I am grateful, blessed and ready to pay it forward.

HOT and COLD in Valley Forge

Well, I have just returned from the Knit and Crochet Show at the Valley Forge Convention Center - my first trade show with the Gettin Knit Together KIT. There was a lot of great, positive feedback, but ultimately I think I know how George Washington must have felt after his stay in Valley Forge in the Winter of 1777. It was a little chilly. But I'll get to that in a minute.

First, the good news, I think my booth looked really great, so I'll share a few pictures.

I had a fun BEFORE and AFTER set-up of what my stash used to look like and what it looks like after getting "Yarn Mindered".

Purl took center stage, and people loved my polka-dot buckets.

This is Purl and I on DAY ONE.      And me at the booth on DAY TWO.

The under 50, more urban set of the crowd seemed to take to the product really nicely.  They had tremendously positive feedback about the KIT. "How clever," "How cute," "What a great idea," were what we heard from dozens of knitters passing by. The editors of several of the really important knitting publications were really excited about the product and have plans to write about it in upcoming issues. About half of those who purchased the kits were buying them as gifts.

Now here's the disappointing part. It seems that ninety percent of the crowd that came to the show were older crocheters from more rural areas around Pennsylvania.  I did not realize that this was actually the Annual Meeting of the Crochet Guild of America. Not exactly the target market for what I've been told is a hipper, younger knitting product. And I do have to add that it seems that many people who only (or mostly) crochet....well, they seem to be a little ticked about something. Just an observation.

All in all it was a great learning experience, but a long four days. I'll share some other highlights as the week continues. Mostly, it's just really good to be home.