Read and Tell Me » Knitting

In with the New

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:26:09 +0000

Yesterday I told you about the project that I finished up to say good-bye to 2011. The best thing about that is saying hello to my first project of 2012. Of course, it is knitting. But, it is proving to be a bit of a challenge.

I suppose there are some knitters out there who just find a project and start on it, but most of mine have a long history before the yarn is even cast on. Like Shrek….I guess I am kind of like an onion and so goes my knitting process.

A year or more ago, a good friend took a trip to Portland for a wedding. Unable to help myself, I said, “if you see a yarn shop, pick me up some yarn.”

As the story goes, they hunted down an little independent yarn store and asked for a little help. I am not sure what they told the salesperson but they found the perfect gift for me! It is this gorgeous yellow, grey, brown and white variegated cotton/wool mix. AND to sweeten the deal and assure my devoted friendship forever, they bought me a pattern for a lace wrap and enough yarn to complete the project. **Just in case you ever need to get my “friends forever” status buy me a pattern and the yarn to complete it. I digress.

I have been swooning over this yarn and project ever since. “Why then did it sit in its beautiful skeins for over a year,” you ask.

Because, I have guilt issues. Guilt that this was too nice of a gift to utilize until I return the favor. Guilt that the yarn is so beautiful and I might ruin it if I mess up the pattern. Guilt that I really promised so and so that I would knit/or do such and such. Guilt that I will have to periodically ignore Law Man when the lace pattern changes or I miss a YO. Guilt that I really can’t knit other things when I knit lace. **note to non-knitters…I have a one track mind and lace is just something you can’t cheat on. Like I said, I have guilt issues….don’t even ask about my obsession with what to do with all of the left over cardboard from Christmas. It almost ended in divorce. But, in case you have guilt issues too, Goodwill recycles cardboard, any kind of cardboard. !!!

So, I figure, what better way to start off the new year than beginning a project that is just for me, just because I can. New Year’s Day 2012 I cast on and I have no idea when I will finish it since I have had to start over three times already. But, I will not feel guilty I will just lust over this beautiful yarn until it becomes my beautiful wrap.

Oh, and see the red yarn through the piece. That is not part of the final project it is a “lifeline”. This is a new thing for me too. I always say I will use one, but I never do. So, here’s to a New Year, New Beginnings and recognizing that a little help never hurt anyone!

Out with the Old

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:54:37 +0000

Amy at the CMP gave me this idea a few years ago. I thought it sounded like a keeper, but at that time I had two very little boys and taking time when they were with me was not a possibility. Now, they are 5 and 6 and things are better….a little….:)!

The idea was to finish a project and start a new one on New Year’s Eve/Day. Knitting is my go to craft and my obsession. Then I had to decide what to finish. That was easy, the hat for my sweet nephew, Jude. He was the lucky recipient of the unfinished handmade Christmas gift this year. If you do handmade Christmas gifts, you know what I am talking about. Two nights before Christmas Eve I was down to his hat and it was essentially finished. Simple stockinette with a seed stitch edging. Then that little word that makes me shy away from this type of pattern. Kitchener. For you non-knitters, this is basically hand sewing, which I don’t do. Hand sewing in a way that makes the stitches look knitted. Now, I can knit most anything, but sew. I am terrible. Back to two nights before Christmas Eve….I was pulling my hair out and my living room look like it had been yarn bombed. I had reknit the hat twice just to get it “set up” properly my phone and ipad were streaming how-to videos and tutorials. The two colors were all tangled up and I had used three different sizes of needles to help with the several attempts to salvage what I had thus far. The children were ignored, Law Man was snapped at and dinner was neglected. Finally, I surrendered, left the mess strewn about the sofa and rug and stomped off to bed. The next morning, December 23, I woke up, made breakfast and sat on the couch next to my yarn. I regained my composure and *it* came to me. I gathered things up and stuffed them into the ottoman and went on with Christmas preparations…mind you I was hosting 12 people the next day, roasting a rack of lamb for the first time and trying to make my house look like a family Christmas celebration straight out of Norman Rockwell painting.

Fast forward 30 minutes or so, Law Man calls and anxiously asks, “How are things going.”

“Great. I decided to finish the hat after Christmas.”

With a sigh of relief, he had the nerve to try to convince me to give my nephew the hat as is, with the promise of finishing it. But I did have some pride left and a knotted up mess of yarn that didn’t even resemble a hat was not going to leave the depths of the ottoman until after Christmas.

So, here lies the perfect project to finish and I would learn a new technique to boot.

Voila!!!! It turned out great! I can’t wait to give it to him. Happy New Year!

Just in case you need another reason to learn to Knit

admin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:31:18 +0000

Life is going by way too quickly. I have been a bit distracted by the births of a new Nephew in February and a new Niece in March. Both babies and moms are doing great, but I am sooooo far behind. I have been in auntie fog I suppose. More of new baby stuff later, I wanted to share one quick little Yarnie Fun I took time to do myself.

A good friend and fellow Knitter, Knitterista A.K.A. Erin, hosted a Stash Bash at her hubby’s brewery yesterday afternoon. “What in the heck is that?”, you ask. It is the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon if you are a knitter, crocheter or other needle crafter. About 20 people gathered with our stash, a “collection” of yarn kept by someone that knits, crochets, or uses yarn for some other purpose, and sold, traded, gave away yarn and then spent the rest of the time knitting, crocheting, beading, gabbing, and enjoying free COOP Ale.

I was able to chat with a few of my favorite local crafters…..

Knitterista, of course

Craftyminx

Early Bird Special

Marilyn Artus

and I met Sara Cowan of the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar.

Erin teaching her mad skills!

Chatting it up!

Inspecting the variety of hand work.

A portion of my stash….I have a problem…I really do. See something you like, I can hook you up!

Did I mention that we had access to an unlimited supply of COOP Brew? Need I say more?

It was a fun afternoon and was just what I needed to get knitting again after all of the family excitement.

Here is a sneak peak of my latest WIP…work in progress…any guesses on the design? I will show you more tomorrow. This might be the time to put your mind in the gutter.

A Knitted Prayer

admin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:26:20 +0000

Today we will welcome a new Curran into the clan. I have to say, I am terribly excited, but also very anxious about the delivery. It has taken the delivery of both of my children, my two nephews and a niece to figure out that this childbirth thing IS A BIG DEAL. There are so many things that could go wrong with mom or with the baby. It is one of those things that you almost don’t know what to pray…..just a constant prayer of “please let everything go well.”

My solution….I knit. I love to have a specifically for the person I am praying for primed and ready to go during a rough patch. In this case…I was prepared. A baby blue nightcap.

Nothing is more comforting to me than the feeling of yarn. Pulling and tugging a finished piece to make sure that each individual stitch is in place. Sticking my fist in where his precious little head will go to see if it is even close to fitting.

Some may call me lazy because I am sitting here on a Wednesday morning knitting at a coffee shop, but I say that this is what we do. This is what we do when our village expands. We wait, we pray, we knit.

And to think I will be doing this again in a week or two…..well, it is best we not think about that, but I will be prepping a project….something in pink, no doubt.

We Love Lucye

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:46:47 +0000

Despite the blizzard of 2011, family and friends gathered to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Lucye Jane. Since it is so close to Valentine’s Day, and it is the first girl born to me and my sisters…..pink and hearts became the theme.

The shower was full of handmade details. Felt banners, custom conversation hearts, knit and crocheted hearts and chains, and of course the felt balls.

We got to use my mother’s china….I love this pattern.

Did I mention it had snowed for five days? The guests were real troopers so we gave them a lot of parting gifts.

The grandparents went over the top with CUTE!

Mary even channeled mom and found a perfect piece of baby jewelry. This would have definitely made mom happy!

I was so pleased to host the shower with just of couple of my sister’s sweet, sweet friends….she knows how to pick them.

I think Tracy and Lucye got the picture……

We love them both very much!

I Heart Victory Ranch

admin — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:23:44 +0000

Today I received an e-mail that summarized all of the wonderful things that have happened at one of my favorite places in the world, Victory Ranch in Mora, NM. Here are some of the highlights.

A brief overview of 2010:

THEY HAD 45 INCREDIBLE NEW CRIAS THIS YEAR!
The theme for our 2010 crias names was music.
SO we have a Marley, Gene Simmons, Sweet Caroline, Maestro, Axl Rose, Aretha, Lady Gaga, Marimba, Mozart, Victor Borge, Chaka Khan, Joan Jett, Credence, Iggy Pop, Otis Redding, Mariachi, La Bamba∑ oh, and, of course, a Maverick as there is always at least one that doesn‚t fit the theme!
For the first time, they sheared every alpaca on our ranch and many from alpaca farms near and far
They harvested over 4500 bales of our very own hay

They harvested close to 1000lbs of luxurious alpaca fiber
They won first place ribbons in every show we entered!

They became the largest alpaca yarn retailer in the U.S.!!! **I find this most exciting!

I have been out to this special place numerous times…..I think the first time I visited I was a Junior in High School….1995. My boys have grown up stopping by the Alpaca Farm every time we are in the area…..this year they even helped me beg Law Man on the way home from a long day in Taos.

Big Guy 2007

Big Guy 2010

All this being said, see for yourself….check out their website, follow them on Facebook or, better yet, stop by the next time you are near Taos or Santa Fe. It is worth it. You can also read more about this magical place in a book that features them, Shear Spirit.

If you buy it at the ranch, Darcy will autograph it for you!!

Trust me…..those wanting to comment….there will be something from Victory Ranch in my favorite things….so comment or better yet link!!!

Do Not Try This At Home!

admin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:33:24 +0000

I have often thought that if only I could burn calories while knitting like my friends do with their more athletic hobbies, I would be a perfect size 4. I have the discipline, the desire, the sheer will power to knit my way into losing at least 50 pounds if it just involved discipline, desire, and will power. Unfortunately you burn a mere 31 calories per hour as you sit and knit. This is compared to my running friends who burn upwards of 400 jogging or even 137 calories per hour walking. I decided to come up with a creative solution. I will knit as I walk.
This new workout regimen has not necessarily proven to be all that great for weight loss, but it has been a wonderful way to gauge peoples reaction to public spaces. I love the double takes that I receive and the occasional, “are you really knitting?” It might be the little spark inside me that enjoys an occasional subversive act, but I really do enjoy the spectators.

Yesterday, I was feeling exhausted after coming off of an emotionally exhausting weekend. I reminded myself of Newton’s first Law of Motion. Something in motion tends to stay in motion while something at rest tends to stay at rest. The nap I was promising myself if I did pry myself out of bed to get the boys to school, was not going to help me in my goal to keep moving. What did I do? I grab my knitting and I start walking.

I walk down the street to the park. I had make the turn down the main path as I see a group of people taking pictures of a baby. I think to myself, should I walk a different way, maybe turn around, or I could just walk to the other side of the street in hopes that they are so enthralled with the little one eating the leaves they will not notice. No, I decide, I will keep my path and just go about my business.

As I approach the mother with baby squirming out of her arms, I notice she is giving me a very funny look. I keep a steady course and hold my head high. I have the right to be walking and knitting as much as they have the right to use the park as a beautiful fall backdrop for their young child’s photo shoot. She is still looking at me as if she wants to say something but does not know exactly how to say it. I decide I will just focus on my knitting podcast and pretend I am walking side by side with the Knitting Historian. I feel my boldness grow as I get closer and closer to the woman. I begin to think about what I might say if she comments on my new workout practice.

“You are dragging something,” she says.

I look behind me and I realize I am dragging about 30 yards of yarn. It is following me like a trail of breadcrumbs.

I say, “thanks, how embarrassing” and begin to reel it in like you might a fishing line when you realize you have lost your bait. It took me about a dozen strides to pull the entire piece of yarn in to the bag hanging from my wrist.

“At least it isn’t toilet paper” the young mom quips.

It is at this point that I just laugh at myself and the spectacle I must have been. What else can you do? I just keep moving.

A New Spin on Things

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:43:40 +0000

Did I bring anything home from the Taos Wool Festival? Yes, yes, yes…..I also learned something new. I am now a knitter and a SPINNER.

First, Linda from Lonesome Stone taught us how to pick out good raw fleece, the fleece right off the animal, and roving, clean, combed and put into “tops”.

Then, Ruth from The Dizzy Ewe taught us to spin on a drop spindle. She was amazing….we learned how to pre-draft, draft, spin, ply, and skein…..in 3 hours. It was awesome.

Roving Pre-Drafted Roving Spun Wool Finished Yarn

I don’t have a picture of me spinning….but here is my partner in crime….Knitterista.

After the class….we forwent the drive home and went shopping for roving. I ended up with 6 ounces of Fudge and 6 ounces of Sunny with a Chance of Rain. Both 90% Alpaca and 10% Merino.

All and all….I *heart* spinning!!!

KNITCATION – We Saw

admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:11:19 +0000

I had an amazing weekend with a dear friend on our First Ever….hopefully, First Annual KNITCATION. We spent two days monkeying around at the Taos Wool Festival.

There were all kinds of sheep, goats, yaks, and alpaca. They were beautiful….I especially loved the fluffy sheep.

There was roving, roving, and more roving…..again, beautiful.

Of course, there was yarn…beautiful yarn of all types and colors. I had to step away so not to break the bank on more stash.

There were all sorts of competitions. My favorite was this spinning competition. The man on the end used a drop spindle and won second place. It was amazing.

I saw a YAK.

We were mesmerized by the spinners. They were everywhere and their work was incredible.

Did I come home with anything? That is for later!!!!

In the Works….A Shawl

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:07:57 +0000

I love to knit lace. It is very cathartic for me. It is involves just enough through that I have to block most other thoughts out. I also love shawls. I guess it is the grandma that hides inside of me. I will say that it is a bit ironic that I like shawls since I am ALWAYS hot. But when it is cool enough for a shawl, you can bet I will have one one me.

I knit this shawl a couple of years ago for a firm event that I went to with Law Man. I decided that it would be fun to wear something that I made to this very formal event. I was right….it was very fun.

Fast forward a couple of years and I was fondling yarn at Victory Ranch and decided I needed to make myself a shawl out of their Alpaca. I had this book with this pattern so I bought this yarn.

(Do you see the mistake? It is right between my fingers. This was just before “weighted it down and frogged back to a pearl row and picked up stitches with a smaller needle”….to fix the mistake….and it worked.)

Then, I read this blog and I was really inspired to get started. I started, I frogged, I started, I frogged…..and well…..I am going now. I hope to get it finished before fall is over.