Knitsense

Personal thoughts on knitting, crochet, and other aspects of my life...

Friday, September 22, 2006

I Took a Quiz...


What Kind of Knitter Are You?





You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies.
It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.
http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!








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The countdown continues...41 Days Until Stitches

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Singles: Looking For Mates

I have a problem. You've heard of SSS - otherwise known as the dreaded "Second Sock Syndrome?" Well, I have SAS. That's right, SAS - "Second Anything Syndrome."

Let's trace it back to the beginning. Somewhere around 1990, I took a class to learn how to make socks. In that class, we made a baby sock and were to complete the second sock on our own. I never did. Here is my first single.



I must say when I look at the detail of this sock, I am pretty impressed with myself...not a hole to be found along that gusset. And, the toe looks neat and clean. Did I do Kitchener? I can't remember; but, I don't do Kitchener as well today.

I managed to rationalize never finishing my pair of baby socks because I figured that it was more of a learning experience and I didn't know anyone to give baby socks to, so I bought some nice cotton-blend yarn to start a pair of socks for myself.

Well, I did learn well. Here is my next single.



Not long after, I gave up knitting for several years. It wasn't until February of 2002 that I started knitting again. I had some DPN's from before; but, there was a new Fiber Trends book out called The Magic Loop. I bought the book and decided to give it a try. After practicing as instructed in the book, I continued on to what they suggest you try as a first Magic Loop project, Ribbed and Ruffled Wristlets. I made a wristlet...my next single.



A little over a year ago, it was announced that my boss and his wife were expecting twins. I will make them a set of baby hats. Quick and easy...no heels to turn, no gusset stitches to pick up...I should be able to crank this out. I finished the girl jester hat, never started the boy hat. And, my next single was born.



Then on to cashmere wristers...how many do you see?



Last August, I went to Stitches Midwest and took a great class to learn to make Beaded Wrist Warmers. As you can see, only one of my wrists will be warm.



This past February, I went to Florida where I bought a beautiful skein of Tilli Tomas sequined yarn and made this single fingerless mitt.



Over the summer, I bought a skein of Elsebeth Lavold Angora and mixed it with a novelty yarn to make this one mittlet (actually, I still haven't completed the thumb--notice the stitch holder) . Do you see a pattern here? I guess if I were Michael Jackson, it might be okay to wear just one glove; but, since I'm not...it's not.



I am currently attempting to change my (evil) ways. This hat and bootie set was originally started for K whom I work with when she was also pregnant with twins. I needed 2 hats and 4 booties. I completed 1 hat and 1 bootie, until recently when I made the 2nd bootie completing this set and have given them away to C who just had a baby boy. Whew!



A couple of weeks ago, I decided it would be fun to make a list of all the projects I still have on needles. I won't reveal how many there were. I may tell the number in a future post; but, suffice it to say that if Guinness has a world record on this topic, I could be in the running. Since making the list, I have curbed my Castonitis and focused on finishing a few things. Specifically, I made the deal with myself that if I finished 5 UFO, then I could cast on something new. The booties and hat shown above was #1. These tennis socks are FO #2. I started them a year ago and had completed just one, of course, up to only the toe.



Kudos for me! I have also finished a pair, yes, it's true...a pair of socks. And, before I cast on again, I will give at least 1 of the singles shown above a mate.

The countdown continues...49 Days Until Stitches

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Have I Mentioned...?

I'm going to Stitches!! Stitches East 2006, in Baltimore Maryland, November 2-5, 2006! Yahoo! La, la di da!! (That's me...doing the happy dance!) Can you tell?...I'm beyond excited!

Last year, I entered a contest at my (not so) LYS. I wrote an essay of 500 words or less on "why they should take me with them to Stitches Midwest," in Chicago; and I won. I had an amazing, amazing time! If you love fiber, love knitting, love to be "in the know" on all things knitting-related, get excited at seeing all the people whose books and magazines you read...there is nothing else like Stitches!

When I received the mailer for Stitches East, I so wanted to go. My friends, who have not been to Stitches before, don't understand the appeal. We normally go together to Vermont for a girls knitting weekend twice a year - beginning of May and beginning of November; and, the Stitches dates conflict with this. So, they don't want to go...no matter, I can go by myself because, let's face it...there are hundreds (maybe thousands, I don't know) of other knitters like myself going...I'm not really by myself.

When my darling husband came home that night, I told him that I knew what I wanted for our anniversary gift and Hanukkah (I knew I was asking for a lot so I thought making it a combined gift would be helpful)..."I want to use your frequent flyer miles for airfare, rewards points for the Marriott Hotel, and be able to take classes, etc., and have spending money to go to Stitches in November." And, before I knew it, he had made my airfare and hotel reservations. Have I mentioned what a sweet, wonderful man I married?!

I am now enrolled for the Opening Day Presentation - with Kaffe Fassett!!! Also, the Fashion Show, the Student Banquet, and 5 different classes. I will be taking classes with famous knitters, whose books I have ...Debbie New, Maggie Jackson and Fiona Ellis. I can hardly wait! And...the market!!! Have you been? Have you seen it? OMG!

And, like last year when I went to Stitches Midwest, my loving husband will be home doing the cat and dog care...

Have I mentioned how fantastic my hubby is?!

The countdown begins...56 Days Until Stitches