Knit and Plenty

The Melody continues

I finished my very first pair of socks, and now I'm on to my second - these made from Socks that Rock. So, here's that holiday favorite: Sockin' Around The Christmas Tree.

Sockin' around the Christmas tree
I've got one pair half way done.
I should have stuck with hats and scarves.
I am just NOT having fun.

Sockin' around the Christmas tree,
Better have some more caffeine.
Maybe a Jolt and Mountain Dew.
I'm about to cause a scene.

Sockin' around the Christmas tree,
As I'm racing through the heel.
Never will I make socks again.

Will be my new old Christmas deal.

Holiday Song # 2

Here they are, my first pair of Koigu socks. And next up on your radio dial:

I Saw Two Socks

I saw two socks on magic loops. On magic loops. On magic loops.

I saw two socks on magic loops. On magic loops in the morning.

And now they are a twisted mess. A twisted mess. A twisted mess.

And now they are a twisted mess, a twisted mess - I'm in mourning.

Now, that was pretty bad right - so come on, jump in - send you song along so we can sing along!!

Holiday Sing Along

Many radio stations at this time of year dedicate themselves exclusively to playing Christmas music all day and all night.  I'm not sure how they do it - or how the DJ's don't jump through the recording studio windows - but, hell, if they can do it, then so can I. So, from now through Christmas, WKNP will be broadcasting 24/7 holiday cheer.  I hope you'll sing along. Today's number is called We Three Skeins.

We Three Skeins of Debbie Bliss are.

Costs as much as buying a car.

Cashmerino for bambino.

I started on my scarf.

OOhhhh. OOOhhhhh.

Scarf of wonder. Scarf so light.

Scarf that keeps me up all night.

Finished 3 feet. Now to repeat.

You'll find me in the bar.

Now - if you feel inspired and want to play along, email me (purl@knitandplenty.com) your adapted Christmas song. Anyone who contributes will get GKT stocking stuffers.

Stop the Trot.

Aside from being a fitting little image for Thanksgiving, I have to say that this little gobbler happens to portray exactly how I have been feeling lately about my knitting.

Too many projects. Not enough time. And I'm not so sure my heart is exactly in the right place.

So tomorrow has come along at just the right time - to remind me to be grateful for all of the wonderful people in my world and all the glorious bounty in my life. To not sweat the small stuff. To not rush through the stitches. To stop and feel the cashmere.

It's a great day to eat too much, and curl up on the couch with the kids, and my sampler scarf or socks that rock and slowly, one stitch at a time, count my blessings. I bet you will, too!

Flash. Trash. Stash. Cash.

I am a big believer that good things can often happen even from the worst of events. It was that cockeyed optimism that kept me sane when a flash flood caused two feet of water to enter my studio office at the end of August. It pretty much destroyed the carpet, the walls, lots of papers and photos, stored clothing - and luckily, not too much else that couldn't be replaced. And yes, I quickly salvaged all the yarn and got it to higher ground. [Here it is all piled up in my den.]                                                                                                      

Now, after three months, a new tile floor and some fresh paint, I decided to have my very own yarn shop-style storage built as a way to try and keep my yarn and my yarn buying under control. Ain't it sweet?

I sorted everything by color and aside from being a bit shocked by seeing it all in one place and realizing just how much there is, I think it is going to actually be very helping in getting me to use what I have more effectively. By the way, the black suitcases there on the left are also filled with yarn - mostly the stuff I would like to forget I ever bought. One of my close knit friends asked if she could shop my stash.  "Of course!" I quickly replied, "More money for yarn!!!" (oops!)

Amy Tan Meets Steel Magnolias

Did you hear about this?  There's going to be a movie coming out next year about a group of women who get together every week to knit and share stories about their lives!!  It's a runaway blockbuster, right?? So, who should star in such a sure-fire Oscar nod?? That's right - Julia Roberts!! I mean, don't all knitters look like Julia Roberts (knitters ass aside.)

Based on a soon-to-be published novel with the same name, The Friday Night Knitter's Club, centers around a Manhattan yarn shop owner and single mom with a zany teenage daughter. I hear that tragedy strikes and the women find out that they all can get through it - together - one stitch at a time.

I bet there won't be a dry sock in the house. Gee - I can't believe one of us didn't think of this.

Ok. Wait.

What about the story of a young crocheter - a hooker, actually, who gets hired for the weekend by a handsome Lion Brand Salesman to make him an afghan?

What about Erin Berroccovitch - the story of an legal assistant who brings down a yarn company for adding acrylic fiber to their organic wool?

I'll think of something...just you wait...

Cashmere alla Carpaccio

I need your opinion. I purchased this beautiful 4 ply cashmere (in Baltimore) in a gorgeous red color someone called claret to make a sampler scarf. At first I thought I was going to double it which would make it 8 ply (duh). So, I made a swatch (wow) using size 7 needles, and it came out very dense. It would definitely be the kind of scarf to wear outside your coat on a cold winter day.  It would be beautiful, very,  very plush. But thick.

Like this:

But I was afraid that it might be too thick. So, I decided to try it with just one 4 ply strand - on size 4 needles. And it came out beautiful. I could wear it over a sweater, inside, on a winter night. Very soft, very flexible. But thin.

Like this:

Now, I hope you won't mind my carnevorous analogy and I hope we will come to a "meeting" of the minds as to what I should.

Either way, I want it to be really special. What do you think?

The Last Picture Show

It's hard to believe that, at this time last week, I was on a train to Baltimore about to start my Stitches weekend. So, I guess it's time to end my week-long recap. I'm sorry I was unable to show you all the wonderful displays inside the Exhibit Hall. I'm not sure why, but they don't allow anyone to take pictures inside the Convention Center. I did, however, risk arrest to capture this on film:

I do believe that this woman had not only knitted a hat and a very large shawl but also a very small child! I am not exactly sure what  lifeform is under the shawl but it probably spawns acrylic.

I'm going to be damned for all eternity to knit with laceweight on #1 needles for that comment, aren't I???

Have a great weekend!!

Lots of Pursonalities

Last night at Westport's Knitting Central was Purse Night and knitters came out in droves to see some amazing creations by local designers. Regina Moss[above, on right] brought out a number of her delicious felted bags and Jane Ellliot [below - on left] had a few of her stunning evening clutches to share.

Of course, there were also lots of those Noni patterns and samples on display - and everybody loves, loves, loves a Noni. Now, here's an interesting tidbit: Nora Bellows, the creator of Noni, was working at Woolworks in Baltimore (to support her yarn habit) while teaching at the University of Maryland and earning a Masters degree. It was there that customers first spotted her bags! Now, here's the weird part: Guess who's the latest retailer of GKT Kits? That's right, Woolworks. Spooky, huh? Ha!

The Necks Craze

One of the highlights of my Stitches trip, was sitting down to lunch with Karin Strom, editor of Yarn Market News. She, Regina and I cast on and on for over an hour about what's hot and what's not in the fiber world. Thank goodness socks will still be hot for a little while longer since I just learned how to make them. However, in all likelihood, I probably will miss the Victorian Lace Shawl craze. I'm just not that quick.  Karin's a creative and talented woman who really knows her stuff. She was even smart enough to get me to write an article for their January issue. ;-) Isn't that a stitch??

More loot revealed:

So, we all know that I am up to my neck in yarn, right?   So what could be better than 250 yards of a Blue Heron Bulky Chenille Rayon called Summer Meadow. I picked up a pattern to make a small ruffled collar/neck wrap. It's going to be incredible.