Knit and Plenty

Two Thumbs Up!

I am so grateful for all the wonderful encouragement I received about continuing my blog. I must be a Blogneanderthal because I didn't know anything about Bloglines - which is a service that tells you when your favorite blogs put up new posts. (hello, 21st century!) The consensus was to post whenever the muse is within, and as long as I have projects to share that's what I am going to do. After giving it a lot of thought and getting your comments, I've come to the conclusion that this blog does three things for me. It is a great motivator for getting projects finished. It gives me a forum for getting feedback and ideas, and it keeps me connected to an amazing community of creative individuals.  So, let's knit on.

You'll see in the coming posts, I've developed a gluttony for gloves. My first pair was a simple fingerless in a Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk, using a Magic Loop. I guess once you knit a sock, a glove is a breeze. These took two sittings of two hours each. That's all I needed to be hooked on hands!

So, what would come next?? Multi-colored fingerless gloves with attached mitten-cover tops, of course!!

Stay tuned, I'll tell you all about these when you come back.

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 MisFits, a fitting flick.

My KnitFlix Swap partner received the package I sent her, so I thought I'd share it with you, too.

Jennie from Texas told me that she liked Monroe and Gable, Westerns and sprawling epics, strawberry licorice and alpaca yarn.

So, what could be a better fit than The MisFits. (No, I am not talking about all my mis-gauged projects, although that, too, is rather fitting.) The Misfits is a John Houston Western epic with Monroe and Gables. It would be the last film for both Hollywood icons. I also chose a superfine Alpaca in a denim-color called Cowboy Blue - perfect for some cowboy boot-slippers, and since the movie is about wild horses from Nevada being captured to become dogfood, I packed up a number of appropriate treats: strawberry Cowtails, gold mine gum nuggets and chocolate coins, and candy that actually comes looking like dogfood in a dogfood bowl. (Get out!!)

Keep your eye on CraftLilly's blog for her posting of the winner of the KnitFlix contest. She's also asked me to help judge the other entries and I'm contributing a GKT Kit for the winner. These swaps really are a lot of fun.

It's Movie Knit!!

I had read about Secret Pals and Yarn swaps but I'd never jumped into one, until I read about a cleverly crafted one called KNITFlix, the brainchild of Jen over at CraftLilly. Being a film-o-phile, I couldn't resist the idea of swap partners exchanging information about their taste in films, fiber and food and then each sending the other all the goodies for a special Knit at the Movies. I posted my package to my partner yesterday, so I won't ruin her surprise by posting the picture of what I sent. BUT wait until you see what I received from her. Two patterns, two kinds of yarn,  popcorn AND raisinets. And I'm not sure what in my profile gave away my secret that I have a thing for Little Women, but me and Susan Sarandon, Winona Roder, Kirsten Dunst and Claire Danes are going to have a night and knit to remember. Thanks, Jen.

If you like films and fiber, too, Jen's got another idea brewing: a Knit-along called FiberFlix - knitters sharing thoughts about flicks and what's on the sticks. Looks like fun to me.

Lonely Hearts No More

I heard on the radio today that it's been discovered by the University of Chicago that loneliness is as bad for the heart as being overweight or inactive. I believe it. I have been there.

And it made me think of how lucky I am now to have so many Close Knit Friends. I think many of us are blessed, not only with the connection we enjoy on the knitosphere - but the camaraderie we find at the local yarn shop - and for those lucky enough to have one (or two) knitting groups. I think of my friend, Jenn, who moved to Seattle and within days had a new circle of compadres. (Of course, they're probably not as great as her buds back east, but I hear they are better knitters.)

I am lucky to have long-time knitting friends like Deb who taught me to knit 25 years ago, as well as many new pals I've met at craft fairs, yarn stores, through Major Knitter and especially YOU - reading this right now, who may never comment (hint/wink) and who I will probably never meet.

Now granted, I am also the kind of person who absolutely craves alone time. I have thought about launching a National "KNIT-A-LONE" where we, individually, just lock ourselves in our homes for a month or two to knit. Actually, Mary Ann calls this "winter."

But the truth is, when you have the heart of a knitter, you can always find a kindred soul. So, I am spreading the luv by linking us all to a nice graph of a heart to knit,

and a sweet pot holder pattern, which if you haven't tried, is a great way to learn double or reversible knitting. Share with your friends.

Of course, if your heart is in the right place, you could also try whipping up a nice aorta.

                           

 

Where did they put the other needle?

Some of you may remember the giant red felted bag that Jennifer made (see post on January 21). We held a contest to try and come up with something she could do with it.  The best we came up with was a toilet tank cozy. Well, Jennifer moved to Seattle [the bad news], but the good news is that she finally found a use for the bag.

More good news: Jennifer has found an incredible group of knitters that call themselves The Purly Girls. She sent me a picture of (L to R) Stacia, Suzy and Daniel and a link to Stacia's blog. Jennifer says that they are terrific people and amazing knitters - and even though they are knitting beautiful intarsia socks and mosiac sweaters, they have welcomed our simple scarf girl in with open arms. I am sure they will love her as much as we all now miss her. Say hello, Seattle!

Bobbles, Bangles & Beads

Hooray for Friday. After an entire week of being Super Grown-Ups, Jen and I went to Regina's for a little artistic regressing. Regina was stringing a beaded bracelet; I was making these Knit and Plenty Stitch Markers with Shrink Plastic and Jen was putting the finishing touches on a beautiful checkerboard scarf that was an incredible tribute to my Baby Grand Alpaca pattern. Thinking it needed a little extra border or something, we turned to Nicky's Epstein's Knitting On the Edge and found just the right bobble.
After a long week, there's nothing like a bit of

yacking and crafting.
P.S. Ok now guys, I know I'm pretty insane - but I did not, I repeat, I did not REALLY make the Ground Hog Hat. However, the kids did enjoy the backyard dig. ;-)

Wool you be mine?

Happy February. The month of Valentine's and Presidential White Sales. It got me thinking that whom ever our valentines are this year (the guy, the kids, the parents), they certainly do put up with our obsession, don't they? The clacking of needles, yarn everywhere, hearing us sound like the parents on Charlie Brown (waa waa, waa waa) when we are on the phone talking to a kindred knitter about "this incredible cashmerino". I'll tell you, I can't imagine if my guy had a "hobby" like this. Granted he loves to watch sports and he plays baseball on a league. but none of that includes me.  I can't imagine if he, let's say, built model airplanes or something, and he took them everywhere, and did it everytime we watched a movie, and asked me to drive so he could 'work on them' in the car, etc. etc. Or what about stopping in every single model airplane shop in every town on every trip, or wanting me to take some interest in this great new "prop for the new Sonic 244." Not to mention the idea that it would be something that he constantly spent money on that had nothing to do WITH ME. Ha! No way. But this is different, you say?? Not as much as we'd like to think. So, this Valentine's Day, I have the perfect gag gift to accompany that other nice thing I'm going to get him (and no, it won't be a scarf!). It's a tee shirt that let's him know  how I feel about him. If you like the idea, you can get one, too at Ye Ol' Knit and Plenty Store. (proceeds to charity.)

Late Knit with David Letterman

Mary Ann (my soul friend) and I are both night owls. When the world goes to sleep, you'll find us in our respective casas, knitting and flipping (the remote) and I admit we can both get sucked into a Signature Club A sales pitch on QVC or watching David, or Tyra or Conan to the very end. We have both discovered that when we go to sleep has a lot to do with what we're knitting. If we're knitting in the round it could mean an all-nighter because there is never a good place to stop - while garter stitch is rather easy to walk away from.   If I am working in stockinette, knit a row, purl a row, I feel obligated to end with a purl row, but once I get there, I am compelled onward because I know I can fly through the upcoming knit row. But, then, I really should end with a purl row --- and so it goes. If I'm working a rib, I usually find that I want to stop in the middle of a row but, of course, I never do. Mary Ann is working on a baby blanket for her sister in law, and it has a six row repeating pattern.

1. (RS) Knit across
2. (K1, P1) across
3. (K3, P2) across
4. (K3, P2) across
5. (K1, P4) across
6. Knit Across
                      
   

I'm tired just looking at it. She has to finish it before the Baby Shower this weekend. Have another cup of coffee, Mar - it's gonna be a loooong week.

The Regina Moss Stitch Scarf

I admit it. I often get "Yarn Envy." Usually when I see a friend's finished project, I want to run right out and get the same yarn (in a different color, of course). I nearly swooned when I saw Regina's latest completed scarf. It's made from Karabella Cashmere Superwash. Pastel Pink for the body and Pink for the ruffle.It has a wonderful Moss Stitch pattern. The ruffle was inspired by the Latifa scarf.  Regina is allowing me to share the pattern on my Knitting Recipes. You can't believe how incredibly soft this feels. And like great cooking, you have to start with the best ingredients to end up with this level of quality.  So, I can have all the envy I want, but at $50 a skein, I might not use the Karabella. I'll have to settle for a cheaper imitation. But at least I got to see the original up close and personal.