Self-medicating

I had a miserable day at work today. All I could think about on the el ride home was going to Nina to buy some yarn. Some people eat chocolate, some people drink. Me? I buy yarn. Unfortunately (fortunately), I don't get paid until Wednesday, so I didn't get off until my own stop. So far, I've resisted shopping online, too.

I don't have much to report, since the projects I'm working on are pretty much secret. I'll be three nights in a hotel this week, so I plan on making major progress on the something for Jen. I may also take along the sweater for Joseph to provide a break from the something for Jen. If I work on that, I may have photos for the next post. Here's hoping.

Open Season

The thrummed hunter's mittens are complete. Thrums are fun. I thought, at first, that the interruption of putting in the thrums would annoy me, but it didn't. I enjoyed pulling each piece from the alpaca fiber (what is it called? Roving? Top? What is top?) and then rolling it between my hands. It was like rolling Play-Dough into snakes when I was a kid. The only thing I found frustrating was knitting into the thrums on the next round. Often, one end would come out and I'd have to thread it back through. And I still don't like fingers, even just one. Thumbs I could knit all day, but fingers? Nope.

I was a little worried I'd run out of yarn and have to use a bit of a different color to finish the last inch or so. I got lucky. This is all I have left from 190 yards of Brown Sheep Top of the Lamb.

(I got this Nantucket basket for 15% of its original price--definitely for yarn storage and display)

Thrummed

I have completed the first thrummed hunter's mitten.
I adapted three different patterns to come up with this. I started with the instructions from the winter Interweave Knits. I double checked with Wool Tyme's instructions, though that's done on two straight needles. I followed the thumb and finger instructions from Spun Magazine's Bad Habit Mittens. I finished everything off following the IK instructions. I'm pretty happy with it. I've got to start on the left mitten soon, since everyone (but me) is leaving for Alaska soon.

Inside the mitten.

I don't have much to report. I haven't been finding the time to knit as I'd like. The list is still long. Every time I finish something, I add at least two. I'm headed for a visit with Jen and family, so I can't take the something for Jen. I should focus on the mitten, but I'm not sure about taking along the fleece. It will be such a hassle with the kids around. It is not an easy to pick up, easy to put down kind of project. Maybe I'll take Joseph's sweater. I think he'd like to see me making something that will be for him. We could check the size then, too. I'll post about it when I'm back in Chicago.

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!

It's a good thing I don't need any project ideas right now.

Fingers and Toes

The problem with gift knitting is that you can't show pictures. I hope this picture doesn't give away the surprise. I finished a gift for my gracious host in Elko. She's moving into her own house, so these are both a thank you and a housewarming. I hope she likes them. They'll be in the mail this week.

I had a chance to try out the Knitpicks Options needles on this project. I like them. At first, they were a little bit scratchy, but that wore off with use. They are much pointier than Addis, which was great for cabling (I usually cable without a cable needle). The cord is pretty flexible, which is good, because I move my needles a lot. Which leads me to one of my three complaints: the needles kept coming untwisted from the cord. It didn't bother me too much. I'm patient about those kinds of things. The other two complaints are minor. The needles clink somewhat loudly when dangling (I use two circular needles for small-diameter knitting), and I'd like a shorter cord option.

I am now going to work on the thrummed mittens. These are on a deadline, too. I'm excited to try this technique, though I'm going to try and adapt a thrummed mitten pattern to be thrummed hunter's mittens. I'm making these so a friend can operate his video camera in very cold weather--Alaska weather (it's been colder in Chicago than Fairbanks, but just in case). We'll see how good I am at adapting a pattern while learning a new technique. I'll have the wrist and hand to figure out how the thrums work, so I should understand it all by the time I reach the finger, right? Right?

Cowboys

First, to set the record straight, I did not meet any cowboys.* I did however, fall in love. I bought my first pair of cowboy boots (the cognac/mint--the cognac looks more like cherry wood than in the picture). Boy, are they pretty.

You can see some videos from the Gathering at the Western Folklife Center's website. There are links to the videos that were filmed during the day and then edited at night. There are also some videos and audio of some of the sessions. It will give you an idea of all the fun I had over the week. I haven't had this much fun in a long time. Plus, it's always revitalizing for me to be around folklorists.

I made the Dream Swatch head wrap from a ball of Madil Eden, which is 100% bamboo. It wasn't as long as I'd have liked, but it was a fun pattern and easy enough to carry around. I didn't get too many looks while knitting, but DG did when he pulled out the napkin he's making. We were waiting for a session to start, so he started knitting (like the good knitter he is). This started a conversation with the couple who sat next to us. Everyone out West is so nice. We could tell they thought it was strange, but they didn't think it was wrong or anything. Our conversation turned out to be pretty pleasant. The session was incredible (DG put away the knitting during the session).

I'm working on the something for Jen, which takes more concentration, so I didn't work on it as much as I'd have liked. I'm also going to start something for our host at the Gathering. She provided a bed and a very warm eiderdown for us. She's moving this weekend so the gift will be both a thank you and a housewarming.

I got my Options needles! I can't wait to start. It is so cold today that I can barely type. Time to curl up with some knitting, I think.

*I met cowboys, and a lot of ranchers, and sheep shearers, and cityfolk who dressed the part, but I did not go to the gathering to find one to date, in spite of everyone's suggestions.

Sheep, Sheep Everywhere

But not a yarn to knit. Lots of yarns being spun here in Elko, Nevada, where I'm hanging out for the week. I'm working as a folklorist at the 23rd National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, so don't expect to hear from me until next week. I'll be listening to Cowboy Poetry, herding kids, and interviewing folks at the Sheep Camp. I've been helping in the gallery, which has some great videos and a working jukebox full of cowboy songs. I'm a little tired of cleaning glass and plexi, but the cases are going to shine tomorrow when the gallery is open. Things get into full swing on Tuesday, I think. I can't wait. I've seen more cowboy hats than I ever imagined I would. I can't imagine how many I'll see by the time the week is over. I may even splurge on some fitted-for-me cowboy boots, if I can find the time.

I'm working on the something for Jen, and a Dream Swatch in some bamboo that I bought for the trip. I hope something will be finished by the time I'm back in the city. Until then, please visit the Western Folklife Center's website and virtually join me at the Gathering (there are even a few blogs you can visit).

The ends are now woven in. These will be sent to my sister tomorrow. I hope she likes them. I don't know that I like making fingers. Too many things going on at once, too many gaps to close up, and way too many ends to weave in.

Now? I think I'll swatch for the something for Jen. Until I get the materials for the thrummed mittens anyway.

Options

I just ordered the Knit Picks Options set. I had been resisting because I've been trying to save money instead of spend it. Here's my justification: they are a bargain. I just spent $15 on a size 7, 16" addi Turbo circular needle. Options doesn't come in 16" lengths, which is too bad, or the set could replace all my circular needle needs (I suppose I should hold judgment until I see them, but knitters I trust really like them). The Options set is $59.99, and shipping was free. I was going to make slippers from One Skein last night, but I only have one 24" size 8 circular needle (it's Bryspun. I used to have two lengths, but the 16" broke when I made the slippers for my Babci). I use the two-circular-needle method almost exclusively for small diameter circular knitting, which means that I'm going to have to purchase a set of tips for all the common sizes. I decided that making these slippers is important, and that I have to do them this week. So I thought about running to the LYS and grabbing two pairs. I thought about buying another 16" Bryspun, but as much as I love them in a straight needle, I don't love them for circular knitting. They break. The price of the Options kit is equivalent to four addi Turbo needles. So I ordered the Options. I'd better go back and order another set of size 8 tips.

I also created a simple spreadsheet to determine what needles I need. Though I have at least half the sizes in 24", I don't have needles with cord lengths longer than that. The problem is, the needles won't come for a week or two. I hope the mail is faster. As long as I get them before I leave for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, I should be fine.

This all leads to something I've been thinking about. I have this tendency to create lists of projects I must work on. Right now, my list is 15 projects long, and 10 of them are things I feel like I have to knit. Many of them have deadlines, both actual and self-imposed.

I do this thing where I make these lists and then I find other things that are more pressing, or I don't have the yarn (or needles) to make what I want from the list, so I make something "quick" instead. Now, this wouldn't really be a problem except that I purchase what I need for all the projects on the list and then I don't knit them.

Remember the Bea Ellis kit? That's in the waiting pile. So is the yarn for the other colorwork hat, We Call them Pirates. I'm working on the fingerless gloves for my sister and a sweater for Joseph (it is on hold until I get the 16" needles--the two Bryspun circulars for such a large diameter was not fun). I've purchased yarn for a special something for Jen. I also started a bag for her, out of some Summer Tweed by Rowan, but I may try to starch it into a bowl. I didn't like the way it was turning out. And I just made that hat for me, which wasn't on the list.

So I have all these projects planned and what do I do? I buy more yarn (and fleece) for some thrummed mittens. I try to start on some slippers. This is just like me. I haven't even swatched for Jen's something. I have one glove down but haven't started the other. Will I ever get to the other things on the list? Will I ever get to the list I made in June? Will I ever make something just to try (the thrummed mittens will satisfy that)? I don't know how I'll ever get a sweater finished again. I get so distracted (I have had a sweater minus one sleeve in the waiting basket since October).

Here's my current list, with due dates listed. I'll bold the items for which I have specifically purchased yarn, and star the items for which I'll use stash yarn. If it's not bold or starred, I will purchase the yarn at some point.

1. Fingerless Gloves, due before it gets warm in southern Utah.
   
2. Bag for Jen*, no due date, but I've wanted to make one since June
3. Sweater for Joseph*, due the next time I visit them
4. Dress for Renée, due along with Joseph's sweater
5. Pirate hat, due before the cold weather ends
   
6. Bea Ellis hat
7. Socks for Stefan, due next visit to Michigan
   
8. Something for Jen, due next visit
   
9. Something for coworker*, due in July
10. Thank you gift (haven't decided what) for a gift I received in November*, due soon
11. Wristlet*, due soon (I'm keeping all my essentials in my coat pocket right now)
12. Thrummed hunter's mittens, due February 23 or so
13. Thank you hat* for recent visit to CO, due before cold weather ends
14. Curtain for kitchen*
15. Jacket (this is just something I've wanted to make. Like the Bea Ellis hat and curtain, it probably will be a while before I even think about it).

I'm going to work on the fingerless gloves this week. Well, until I get the yarn and fleece for the thrummed mittens. I'm very excited about those (for now). Maybe I should buy the yarn for the dress and the jacket and then join the Knit from Your Stash knitalong. Is that cheating? I should just make rules for myself. No new projects added to the list until the list is 75% complete, no 50%. It won't stick.

I wish I had pictures to end this long post, but I only have a floppy bowl/bag and one glove finished.

Ice

This weekend I visited Colorado as part of a documentary I'm working on. Follow the progress of the subject here. On the three-hour flight there I knit a washcloth, which I intended to give to our hosts as a thank you gift. But look at it. It's all wonky. I don't know if the white's gauge is different than the blue's, or if the decrease edges are bigger than the increase edges. This pattern is so fast and pretty. Too bad it looks wrong. I'll be thanking them with a thank you note, I think.


The Rockies are such a pretty place, especially with all the snow they've had recently. It was downright cold, though. I didn't spend too much time outside, which meant that I got some knitting in. I've started fingerless gloves for my sister. I tried out a more complicated pattern, but I think she'll like something more functional, so I switched to a simple ribbing. I was also going to use a dark purple for the hand, since my sis will be using these while working with animals (she works at Best Friends Animal Society--donate to them, they do good work). Again, though, I figured she'd like it more simple, so I'm sticking with the lavender (called Monet by RYC). I love this yarn. I think I may use the dark purple for some socks. It's so soft, springy, and washable. My three favorite yarn criteria.

Eeeek!

I just found out that the Winter Delights Stitching Salon that I'm teaching is full. 15 people! Yikes. I love teaching knitting, but this seems so BIG! Am I really an "expert?" I guess so. Well, we'll see if 15 people can learn to knit a hat using two circular needles.

Lucky Number 13

Thanks to Carrie over at My Middle Name is Patience, I now have 13 knitters who blog answering my research questions. Of course, I'd still like to bother more people. If I want to present a paper at the American Folklife Society's annual meeting, I have to have an abstract submitted by March 31. I'd better get moving! The interviews are only the beginning. I still have to learn about how blogging communities function (any resource suggestions are welcome), and research relevant folklore topics.

I made a hat for myself. I used some Classic Elite Premiere from the stash. I decided to decrease for the crown in an obvious X pattern, so I did a double decrease each row. This meant the shaping happened fast. I had done the ribbing for 2 1/2 inches, so it would fold up over my ears. I look great in hats, save for three styles: cowboy, baseball, and anything that fits closely. Folding up is necessary in a hat for me. After my decreases were done, the hat fit, but I couldn't fold up the brim. Shoot. So I tried unraveling the brim, but you can't unravel ribbing from the bottom very easily. Finally, I took the scissors to the knitting. I cut off the ribbing, picked up the stitches, and knit it down. This time I knit 3 1/2 inches and used all the brown yarn (one stash ball down, hurrah). I bound off using the same bind off as I used on DG's socks.

I got an email from DG yesterday. Like any good knitted-gift recipient, he wore them immediately. He even wore them out. He says they fit perfectly and that he can't feel the bump from the bad short row heel. So far, I've knitted four and half pairs of socks. I know two of those pairs fit perfectly, and one pair fits well after it's on the foot. One pair didn't work so well, and the half-pair was sent, but I haven't gotten a verdict. I think it's time to cast on for another pair.

To the Frog Pond We Will Go

I don't have pictures. I don't have any finished objects. I've started a plain, top-down raglan sweater for my pal Joseph, which shouldn't take too long. I got past the arm holes after just a couple hours of knitting yesterday. I'm using some Rowan All Seasons Cotton from the stash. I also frogged and reknit (twice) the Bea Ellis hat. I'm not happy with the color choice. Both the brown and the blue are rather muted and just blend together in the pattern. It also makes it hard to see, so I've been making mistakes. I thought I'd switch which color was the main color, but it doesn't help. Here's a tip: don't try to watch a subtitled movie and knit your first real Fair Isle project. It just doesn't work. So I frogged it a second time and am contemplating buying two contrasting yarns. I could get two hats out of this problem, so it works out, right? I've also gotten a lot of tension practice, too. For some reason I'm resisting using my left hand to hold the yarn, and I think I've got a comfortable handle on using my right hand for both colors without dropping the yarn each color change. I still need to pay attention to keeping the tension loose, but I think it's due to the sticky wool rather than my bad tension. We'll see. If I ever get back to it.

Year of Adventure

Everyone seems to be talking about their knitting resolutions. I don't really have any at this time. I can't afford to buy yarn this month, but next month may be a whole different story (and there's no stopping me if I think I need yarn, which I will for the next three projects I'd like to make). There aren't any techniques or projects that I want to attempt but haven't for some reason. There are many things I want to try, but nothing that requires a resolution.

I finished the socks. The second socks took about three days. I could have finished in two, but I had to rip back because I'd added a stitch and I didn't like the way the color was pooling. I cut and rejoined the yarn at the point I started the ribbing, which is where I ripped back to.

These socks were done without a pattern (go me!). I used a Turkish cast on for the toes, stockinette for the foot, short rows for the heel, and a 3x1 rib for the leg, and a bind off described by Grumperina. I made the leg a little longer than I normally would because I just don't know how long men's socks should be. Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns suggested an even longer leg than I made, but I was worried they'd look like knee highs. The bind off was a little loose. I went up two needle sizes to a 4, but probably should have only gone up to a 3.

I tried misocrafty's technique for picking up the short row stitches, which I did wrong on the first sock and correctly on the second. You can see the difference below. The second is so pretty. The yarn is 100% wool Wool in the Woods Cherub, which I got from my birthday swap pal. It was pretty wooly, and left me with a very indented forefinger at the end of the night, but it's not so scratchy I couldn't work with it. I think it will feel nice on DG's feet, since he can tolerate wool just fine. I'm not showing a picture of the whole sock, because something needs to be a surprise. Oh, and the color is way more pastel-y than in the pictures.

Holidays

I don't know why there are people who hate the holidays. My family is so fun. We have a traditional Polish Christmas Eve, Wigilia, and also get together on Christmas Day. My family eats, laughs, opens gifts (like the ornaments I made, see above), and enjoys each other's company. This year I played outside with my little cousins, it was so warm. Andrew called from Iraq, too, so that was a special bonus. Even though I only live a short five-hour drive away from the family, I only see them a few times a year (they really need to visit more).
I know people complain about the consumerism, the greediness, and so on, but in families like mine, that's all put aside for spending time together. I like gifts, of course, and I got some great ones this year (three knitting related books, even), but there's nothing like the holidays to bring out the love in my family.Here's a picture of Stefan in his scarf, which he wore non-stop. He was bugging me to open the gift the minute I walked in. I forget what a good receiver he is. He carries around an afghan I made for him like it's his blankie. I plan on making him socks with the other Artyarns I bought for him.

I made a hat for my sister, too. In fact, I meant to post last night but I was enjoying the hat so much, I stayed up finishing it. I based the pattern on Fetching, which I used for her birthday present (and forgot to photograph). The yarn is the same, too: RYC Cashcotton DK. I love this hat. I was worried that the crown would look funny because of the rapid decreasing, but it turned out perfectly. I may make a version for myself.

Research

No pictures today because I'm posting from work (shh). This post is a plea for help.

I've been feeling like lately I've just been reporting on my FOs and WIPs, with no real content to this blog. I started this blog in January of last year because Jen's blog wouldn't allow anonymous comments. I thought, why not. Then, of course, I fell in love with the idea of becoming a part of a knitting community. I had started to grow my knitting community by hanging out at Nina, by attending knitting nights there, and by knitting with friends. It's nice to have friends who knit.

I had an ulterior motive for starting this blog, too. I have been reading knitting blogs for a while, and am fascinated by the popularity. Why do people blog about their knitting? Knitting is so tactile, and blogging is not. Why am I so interested in reading what others are working on? Why did I feel like I could join this community and share my own knitting adventures? I'm a folklorist. I study communities. My interest was piqued.

After about ten months of blogging and commenting on blogs, I decided to take the plunge and really start researching this community. In October I asked a few knit bloggers to answer a series of questions for me. Knitters are so gracious. I now have a good start on this project. I need to figure out a way to get more knit bloggers to answer my questions. I've refined them, and I'm still working on making them more focused, but they take time. I was thinking that starting a meme would be useful, but I wouldn't know how to track it. I need the answers to compile my findings.

Basically, I'm trying to research the motives for blogging about knitting; the impact the larger knit blogger community has on individual blogs and the knitters themselves; and the unique characteristics of an online community that is based on an artform that is physical in both creation and purpose.

So, please, if you would be willing to answer about 25 essay-type questions about knitting and blogging, please contact me through this blog. And please, please spread the word. If you read a knit blog that addresses these questions (because I'm sure we all think about them from time to time), please send me the link. I'm bookmarking them for future reference or for possible interviews.

One more plea: if you know of resources about how blogging (and its predecessors) creates or maintains communities, please recommend them. I'm interested in books, websites, scholarly articles, other blogs, or anything that leads to other resources.

Finally, thank you to those knitters who have answered questions for me already. They've given me insight on how to revise the questions and a kernel of an idea for a thesis.

In knitting news, I started the sock, the hat, and another hat. Why choose?

Indecision

I finished Stef's scarf. I like the way the pattern works with the yarn. It looks like snake skin, I think. I just did a simple "ric rac and garter" from Vogue Knitting Stitchionary. I'm hoping it's long enough for Stef. This yarn is my favorite kind. It's spongy and soft.


I also ripped Shedir and made mittens from the yarn. They are for a friend who has helped me out in a lot of ways. She lent me her daughter's car over Thanksgiving so I could drive to Michigan for my favorite holiday dinner. She helped position me to take my current job and is encouraging me to find another, less emotionally stressful job. She's starting a not-for-profit and is including me in the planning. I appreciate everything she's done. I hope the mittens show it.

Now I don't know what to make. I've got the Bea Ellis kit. I've wanted to make another pair of socks, too. I need a hat for myself, and the Bea Ellis is lined with cotton, so I could make it for me. I have a hard time sticking with something for me. Making gifts for others is like having a deadline, even if it's only self-imposed. When I make things for me, I don't feel like I have a deadline, so I move on to other things too quickly. I should keep working on Christmas gifts, but I'm not interested. I also get anxious if I only have one project going. The ornaments just aren't enough to keep me interested. I'll have something decided by my next post, I'm sure.

Robot vs. iPod

I gave Dan his robot today. The surprise was the eyes. I attached LEDs to washers and then glued the washers to the inside of the face. The LEDs flash green and red. I had a feeling Dan was going to get me an iPod. He's been trying to get me to want one since we met. I have an mp3 player, so I didn't need anything else until my mp3 player broke (I think the USB drive at work fried it). Dan got me an iPod shuffle. He'll make me an Apple cult member yet, I think. I hope the robot shows how much I appreciate this very sweet, very thoughtful gift.

Speaking of gifts, I bought a friend some Soak from One Planet Yarn and Fiber. They are so great. They noticed that I was sending it as a gift, so the emailed to ask if I wanted to include a note. Not only did they include my note, but they put it in a bag with a bow. So nice.

Good news. Nina did have the Cottage Industry yarn. I bought the last two skeins. Whew. Now I can finish Shedir. Actually, Shedir is on hold while I work on Stef's scarf. I'm loving the way it's striping. The white is making a zig zag along the scarf and the grey is pooling into triangles. I hope Stefan likes it.

I also got the kit from Bea Ellis and the yarn I ordered for We Call Them Pirates. Looks like this is going to be a Fair Isle kind of season.

Finally, the power went out the other night. I couldn't stop knitting of course. I bought a headlamp on my road trip in September. I recommend one for all knitters. It's hands-free so you can knit in the dark!

Drunk Dialing

I've never been drunk, and, therefore, I've never drunk dialed, but last night I did something akin to drunk dialing. I purchased yarn (actually, a kit), but I barely remember doing it. Evidently, I purchased a Bea Ellis kit. I remember looking at the kits, deciding on one, then deciding I didn't like any of the colors. I remember finding colors that might work, but I definitely do not remember actually buying the kit. They sent me an email today, saying it was ready to be shipped. I guess I did this after buying the yarn for a We Call Them Pirates hat, which I remember. I don't know why I would have purchased yarn for two colorwork hats, but I guess I did. At least it was only one kit. Right? I'd better check my credit card bill.

I finished Odessa this weekend. I was working on Shedir, but I left the pattern at work. I also ran out of yarn. I'm hoping Nina has some stashed somewhere that I can buy. I owe her a visit anyway.

I also got the yarn for Stef's scarf. I let him choose the colors for the scarf. They kinda clash. I'm just going to use the black and white for a simple scarf. Maybe I can have it done for Christmas.

Yoshimi

After my last post, I started a third project. I had an inspiration and had to act on it. I'm making the robot from Jess Hutchinson's Unusual Toys for You to Knit and Enjoy. I haven't sewn it up because I've ordered something that will hopefully spice it up. I'm pretty sure that the person this is for now knows it's for him, but I'm hoping the spice will make a really exciting toy.

I also finished the second Christmas stocking. I like the cable pattern I chose, but I wish I'd taken the time to figure out a pattern that would look good from the side. That's the major flaw of this and the original pattern. While this pattern was easier to work than the original, those Addis are just too blunt for cable work, especially in thick, doubled yarn.

I've started a hat: Shedir, from Knitty. I was inspired by this hat. I'm using Cottage Industry Pure Luxury Organic Peruvian Alpaca. It looks like they aren't making organic yarn anymore. I've had this in my stash for a good while. It's so soft, I'm not quite sure why I haven't used it yet. It's not the yarn called for in the pattern, so I hope it works in the pattern. So far (two rows), so good. Did I swatch? Uh. No. Seat of the pants knitting keeps it exciting, right? Don't tell my students.