Knit and Plenty

Are you a Fashion-knista?

I've been so crazed with work these last two weeks - I haven't knit a stitch! - And one of the things that I'm buried with is an article I'm writing for the next issue of Yarn Market News. It's about whether knitters care what's happening in the world of fashion.  I've been doing a lot of research and I've learned that lots of designers like Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney and Michael Kors are putting more luxury sweaters in their collections because women want more unstructured, comfortable garments. And because more designers are creating these fashions, more mills are making lux yarns and that means that eventually luxury yarns will become more affordable. I didn't know that. But I certainly can't wait for THAT to happen.

But for the most part, I don't pay much attention to what's happening in high-fashion knitwear. I guess I am exposed to the patterns that are shown in Vogue Knitting and the other knitting mags, but I tend to stick to basic shapes, styles and colors.   I spoke to Adina Klein today (she's the editor at Vogue) and she told me that off-white/cream-colored yarn is always the top selling color no matter what yarn it comes out in. I didn't know that. But it does explain why I have four cream-colored cardigans.

So, for the next several posts, I hope you won't mind weighing in with some of your opinions.

Here's my question for today: to what extent does what's happening on the runways influence what you knit and if so, where do you go to get your insight into style and trends?

Good Knit. Steek tight.

Someone asked me yesterday, "When do you sleep?" and I thought, "I wonder if knitters get asked this question more than others?"  Obviously, non-knitters have a hard time figuring out how we can possible find the time for it. Personally, on average, I knit about two hours a day (in the cooler weather) and mostly its between 10 p.m. and midnight while watching TV. Some times, if I am lucky, I have to wait somewhere (doctor's office, DMV) during the day and I sneek in 15 minutes here or there. But when I read other people's blogs (which brings us back to the question of 'when do you sleep?" I am amazed at how much knitting other people get done. Much more than me. And I want to say to them "When do you sleep?"

Frankly, I believe sleep is overated, and it's only when I am in the middle of doing it, or coming to the end of it, that I want to do more of it. (Ummm - kinda like sex.)

We've already established in an earlier survey that we definitely would rather knit than have sex - but this time I am wondering, how much time do you knit, and how much time do you sleep? Do you find yourself quietly clacking away after the world has gone to bed?

Who's Giving Me The Finger?

I hate "shoulds". I frequently "should" on myself, as in "I should finish that project before starting another." 'I should wind all the skeins - not just one." The fact is, there aren't that many things that we should should ourselves about. I should eat better. I should call my mom. But I have a basic knitting query to put out here, mindful that there aren't any hard and fast knitting-shoulds. Here's the question:

Should your right index finger push on the point of your left knitting needle to advance the yarn, or is this just a 25-year old bad habit? Is that a common thing to do; SHOULD I try and stop? Is it ok to do it every few stitches, and if so, how many is a few?

I didn't even realize I was doing it until Mr. Pointer got injured in a kitchen incident and I couldn't use it.  I know its not that important an issue, and I SHOULD have a better question. But we can just get to the point, and then we SHOULD move on.

Snakes on a Sweater!

If I found myself on a plane with snakes, I guess I wouldn't be too happy especially since I have been stripped of all my cosmetics and moisturizer, and probably feeling a little scaley myself. But the snakes that are a problem for me are all those little  ones that pop out of my finished work as ends that I thought I had so nicely woven in. I usually weave in about 1 or 2 inches, in and out and through the finished work, even splitting the ends of yarn and weaving in smaller ends. But no matter what I do, the ends just end up rearing their ugly little heads. Any suggestions?

What's better than knitting?

I have to say that I was really surprised that yesterday's impromptu sex survey seemed to indicate that more knitters  prefer to knit than have sex. Personally,  I want the sex, as long as I know that  I can have some post coital stockinette. Sort of like smoking afterwards.

But it got me to thinking, if we prefer knitting over sex - what is it that we think is BETTER than knitting?

So, bring it on. Finish this sentence:

I'll put down my needles anytime  for: _________________!

Knit Tonight Dear, I Have a Headache

Today, scientists announced that stress can cause infertility in woman. Women with hectic jobs are most at risk, they say. They say it has something to do with the production of the Cortisol hormone.

Corisol, shmortisol. I had an 60 hour/week job once, and I can tell you first hand, I was just too friggin' tired to have sex. Simple. The last thing I wanted to do was come home after a long hard demanding day to a long hard demanding husband.

Now granted, sometimes sex can be a great stress reliever. But sometimes, all ya want to do is knit.

So, here's today's knotty question:

If you're stressed, how often would you rather knit than have sex? Your answer in percentages will do.

Or how about this question, how many of us wish we could, or actually do, get a few rows in after the deed is done?

Ah, let's see who's brave enough to comment today?

Where do you store your needles?

Before we get into tomorrow's focus on circular needles - it's time for a little straight talk. Fess up. You have dozens of straight needles like me, right?  But is your collection a Panic in Needle Park like mine?

Now there are needles of every variety from cool polymer designs to handpainted leopard spots that just demand to be on display.  I love the look of those incredible glass needles but I wouldn't dare use them. And everyone wants the new light-up ones, but the people in my life are annoyed enough by (a) the fact that I am always knitting, and (b) the clicking noise. I won't push it.

I love the beauty of Lantern Moons but I have a thing about long wooden spikes (a childhood splinter trauma). I have a lot of big old Susan Bates metal ones - which are now considered "vintage." 

I flattered Regina by stealing her idea of placing them in a large vase filled with sand. I used litter instead of sand and my boy Dexter's been mighty curious. Um, I fear it's only a matter of time.

Got any tips about storing your sticks?

The Season's Finales

I'm not embarrassed to tell you that I love TV. Always have. Since Lassie and Ed Sullivan on Sunday nights to The Avengers and Batman to St. Elsewhere and LA Law. So, I am sad this week to say good bye to a few old friends (West Wing & Will and Grace) who are leaving forever, and other new friends like Grey's Anatomy that will be gone for the summer. After a long day, there's nothing better than setting myself up in front of the TV with three or four projects - and becoming totally engrossed in my shows and my knitting. It's the perfect thing for someone like me who hates to be unproductive. My knitting gives purpose to the mindless act of TV viewing. Watching TV affords me the time to knit. So, is anybody else a little nervous about losing knitting time? Any suggestions about what would be a good substitute? What are you planning? Maybe some evenings sitting at the beach, knitting and watching the sunset? How about renting the first seasons of shows (like LOST) that you missed? What kind of plans are you knitting up?

Knotty Question of the Week

                                                         

I am about to start the sleeves for the cardigan I am making - so I thought I'd use this as a good opportunity to ask the Knotty Question of the Week:

What is the best way to deal with sleeves?

I've heard all sorts of things like you should knit both of them at the same time -- to knitting them first to get it over with --  to picking up stitches after the sweater is put together and knitting them in the round. Personally, I am feeling a strong urge to go back to shawls and purses.

What's your opinion or best sleeve tip?

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