So much has changed in my daily schedule, thanks to a new job, that I have nary a moment to catch my breath or share my latest knitting foibles.

I continue to knit hats with reckless abandon.  My original plan was to knit enough hats for all of the nieces, nephews, siblings, and in-laws for Christmas and offer a grab-bag of sorts.  Each hat would be wrapped, and the recipients would be welcome to swap hats (once opened) with willing participants.  To date, I’m not sure if I will complete enough hats to accommodate the aforementioned.  Perhaps I will host the grab bag for just nieces and nephews.  My greatest fear is that one child who always emerges as the disgruntled grab-bagger.  You know, the one who cries upon opening the gift.  I can pretty much predict which hat will cause such a reaction.  Which begs the question–do I offer a consolation prize?  There is a fish hat pattern on Ravelry called “Fish, Dead or Alive?”  And I’m thinking that would be an appropriate solution (the hat is actually a fish and the person who dons the hat essentially puts his/her head in the fish’s mouth).  I’m thinking it could make one see the original grab-bag gift in a whole new light of appreciation.

At any rate, I am posting pictures below, of the hats I have already completed.  I am currently working on an owl cable hat called “Who!”  It’s a simply designed hat that uses cable construction for the owls around the brim.  The addition of small, yellow eyes really make the owls stand out.  I chose a deep purple for the hat and I am eager to complete it.  An owl-lover myself, I’m tempted to call this one my own, but then what kind of gift-knitter would I be?

After the owl hat is completed, I am determined to explore the use of color with stripes using the Fibonacci method of stripe distribution.  I’m hoping stripes will knit up more quickly and easily than my last few charted/stranded patterns.

As the leaves begin to turn and the faintest hint of a cool breeze taps me on the shoulder, I am eager to settle in to fall.  I ask nothing more than good health for my family and friends and some free time to knit and read.  

Really, what else is there besides those few things, and the occasional cupcake?

Until Next Time,

Knit loudly,

–Michelle

LADYBIRD, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

I (foolishly) thought it would be easy enough to knit a row of ladybugs on the brim with one ladybug missing and THEN knit ONE ladybug in flight above the others. Well…knitting one of any motif isn’t such a great idea if A) you’re a new knitter who is unfamiliar with Intarsia or B) if you’re knitting in the round and wish to avoid knitting BACKWARD.  Nonetheless, it worked out (sort of).  Though I do pity the one who gets this hat simply because I might have knit some bad mojo into it for all of my complaining.

I’M LICHEN IT

This has to be one of my favorite hats, thus far.  I love the color combination and I really enjoy knitting with the Berroco Jasper.  This hat reveals my love of all things green.  The contrast color is called Lichen (hence the name) and I think I might like a whole suit made out of it (too bad the 70′s are over).  The charted snowflake pattern is from Luise Robert’s book 1000 Great Knitting Motifs.

MERCY, BOKU!…MERCY.

The name of this hat comes from my plea after having knit with Plymouth Boku yarn.  Though the colors are lovely, I really struggled to keep tension with this yarn.  It’s rough, splitty and the newly purchased ball was riddled with knots.  Over all, I am pleased with the outcome and admittedly, the yarn softened up with handling.  The swirl pattern is another charted pattern that fit within my stitch count.  It was found on one of the many free pattern pages on the internet.

SNOW DAY

This hat was one I knit simply because I put myself up to the challenge.  I wanted to knit a series of snowmen but it was my first attempt using more than two colors.  The third/fourth color was required only for the snowman’s nose and hat.  I am a work in progress with my yarn manipulation, so I spent a great deal of time untangling the skeins.  I added duplicate stitch for the carrot nose, as I soon discovered that one single colored stitch has a funny way of sinking into the knitting and disappearing into the main color.  It was easy enough to do and I completely understand why some knitters prefer duplicate stitch over stranded knitting.  For simple patterns, one can often achieve the same effect without having to carry yarn.

I’ve recently returned from a week in Rehoboth Beach, DE, where I stole a few moments away from Sports At The Beach Baseball Tournament (DS pitches for Suffolk County Cobras–this year’s Second Place Champion), and visited Kitschy Stitch (just off Rehoboth Avenue and dangerously close to my other addiction, Starbucks).  

The quaint shop is owned by a lovely lass, but the main attraction most certainly is her adorable toddler, Owen.

 I picked up some new yarn to supply my hat habit. Limiting my purchase to just a few skeins presented quite a challenge.   I couldn’t put down a lightweight skein of Noro and somehow convinced the owner that I MUST knit my hat pattern with Noro Chirimen (though this clearly wasn’t a pattern-compatible yarn).  She was helpful and accommodating and offered several yarns to serve as contrast yarns for my short charted pattern, which I intended to place just above the brim of the hat.  I had just about finished the project I started en route to Delaware; a hat made from a delicious Berroco Jasper in a scarlet colorway, with a contrasting pattern from Elann’s Peruvian Highland Wool in lively chartreuse.  So confident was I, after successfully adding a row of snowflakes to an otherwise basic hat, I chose yarns with reckless abandon and poor consideration for that little thing we knitters like to call gauge.  

When I returned home and lovingly oggled my stash, I decided to see what all of the Noro-fuss was about.  I had the ingenious idea to unravel one whole skein of Chirimen to either confirm or dispel the claim that Noro is indeed the Sultan of self-striping yarns.  Not surprisingly, I would have to agree that the color saturation and subtle shade changes of Noro are spectacular.  Where Noro falls short however, is in its durability.  I know some would argue that we must accept the good with the bad.  Noro is spun inconsistently and thus exhibits thick and thin stranding throughout each skein.  For my money’s worth however, I am unwilling to spend valuable time knitting a garment or accessory that may likely fall apart.  I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the Noro was breaking apart in my hands–even with gentle tugs from the center-pull strand–and I hadn’t even started knitting with it!  For the first time in my knitting history, gauge didn’t even have a chance for consideration.

Fellow knitters have advised me to knit more loosely and give the Noro some slack.  If I were knitting a shawl, perhaps this would suffice.  I am picky about knitting densely for hats because, well…they’re hats, and I expect them to be closely knit, snug, and warm.

All in all, this was a valuable lesson learned.  I need to be more selective in my purchases and not allow myself to be smitten by first impressions (how many times in my life have I said that?).  Someday,  I may attempt to knit a hat using the Noro along with a companion yarn for both stability and density.  I purchased a solid yarn from Lorna’s Laces that is the same weight and  perhaps, if knitted along with the Noro, might prevent the breakage I so fear.

In the meantime however, I think I’ll not fix what isn’t broken;  I have a closet full of lovely (affordable), worsted weight yarns that were earmarked for winter hats.  Thus far, my experiments have been successful, and I am proud to have taken my first steps in pattern modification.   I dare say it’s time for me to stick with the original plan.

I’m adding a photo of my most recent hat, appropriately called Delaware Fair Isle (though I am not sure one band of snowflakes qualifies as fair isle).  The jury hasn’t yet decided whether or not to add ear flaps (oh, how I love ear flaps!).  The pom pom was my own addition to the clever i-cord bind off, and I think ear flaps with long cords and pom-poms would be lovely, don’t you?

On another note, I am ready to begin a project requested by my lovely mother, who is a big fan of sunshine yellow.  I will be casting on for the Palindrome Scarf and Hat set (pattern available free to members of Ravelry.com).  It is a reversible cable pattern that I will be glad to complete in time for Christmas.  The most difficult part of the project it seems, will be hand-winding two 478-yard skeins of Cascade Eco +.  

Really, I must get that ball-winder and swift one of these days!

Until next time,

Knit Out Loud,

–Michelle

This hat was made using a combination of two patterns.  The basic hat pattern is from Big Funky Hat by Laurie Lee (also available on Ravelry.com as well as her blog alarmingfemale.com).  I chose the snowflake pattern from a book called 1000 Great Knitting Motifs by Luise Roberts.  I added a few rows above the charted pattern to increase the size of the hat.  The pom pom was my own addition.  Thus far, I have come upon a basic formula for gift hats; by adding a band of charted design, it allows each hat to have something unique instead of presenting recipients with the ubiquitous winter ski hat.  Some will be forced to don my beloved ear flaps, while others will be reminded of me, each time they get smacked with a frosty pom pom or tassel

I’m almost finished with Bella’s Mittens** and admittedly, I won’t be sorry to end this rather tumultuous relationship.  The pattern is  well-written (and supposedly a joy to knit), but the combination of my chosen yarn (Cascade Pastaza–which I LOVE) and the Denise circular needles I’m using, makes for a slippery knit.  I’m convinced that while knitting, there is moisture or some natural oil seeping from the yarn (50% wool/50%llama) onto my hands and needles.  (I guess llamas really do spit).   I’ve never had quite so much difficulty keeping tension.

I wasn’t in love with the Denise Interchangeable set when I bought it and foolishly, I didn’t do enough homework before the purchase.

The set definitely has its merits.  I wouldn’t be knitting the mitts otherwise; I had a bear of a time trying to find 40″ circs in a size 9 in my neck of the woods.  As a last resort, I purchased the 40″ Denise cord and started knitting.  Others had warned me that the Denise tips are rather dull.  This is most obvious when I’m trying to work my cable stitches.  Overall, I think the Bella pattern would have been a more enjoyable experience had I started with better tools.

I must add however, that for every knitter I’ve met who loathes the Denise needles, there is one who absolutely loves them.  I plan to sell my (almost) brand new set just as soon as I finish the second mitten.  I’m confident they will find a good home.

Allow me to give credit to these mittens:

Though I wouldn’t consider this pattern “easy” as so many have stated (in part because I am a fairly new knitter), I will say it’s refreshing to follow a pattern from start to finish without having to guess what the designer was thinking.  It is written in such a straightforward manner that even when I made mistakes, I was able to backtrack and find my error simply by re-reading the pattern.

The mittens are beautiful; so different from a traditional mitten.  I’m making them for my daughter, who will be traveling to London for winter semester.  She loves the long length and the snug fit.  

This was my first experience knitting mittens and for the most part, it was a pleasure.  My only complaint (thus far) about knitting mittens (as opposed to my beloved hats), is that after rejoicing over the first successful mitten, you have to knit a second one.  Instantly gratifying they are not.  

Perhaps someday if I am able to knit with reckless abandon at warp speed, I will feel differently.  

I’m almost tempted to try knitting these on a 9″ circular

(I said almost).

The cable pattern is simple enough to follow.  I am generally a very tight knitter and I was concerned about obvious gaps that appear between each cable.  Somehow, the gaps seem to take care of themselves as the mitten takes shape.  A more experienced knitter might be able to explain this in detail.  For now, I’m content (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it).

As I mentioned, I’m knitting these on a 40″ cable using the magic loop method.  I find this method manageable but I’m not sure I understand exactly what I’m doing.  Mind you, I’m doing it, but just like driving my car or using my Mac, I’m not always clear on the way things work, or why they work.  Ignorance really is bliss.

For example: I’ve been told many times that there is no need to switch to DPNs when using magic loop because it can all be done on on the circulars.  I simply cannot wrap my head around this idea.  When I get to just a few stitches at the finishing stage of the project (like the thumb), I am completely dumbfounded, and thus switch to DPNs.  Works for me.

At any rate, all is going well.

I’m actually quite happy about how the mittens are turning out.

I simply cannot wait however, to start my next hat!

There simply aren’t enough chilly heads for all of the hats I long to knit

Until next time,

Knit out loud!

–Michelle

** The pattern for Bella’s Mittens can be found on Ravelry.com for members.

Allow me to welcome you, readers, to my blog.

I hope you will visit often and I welcome your input.  Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas (click on the ‘Comment’ tab below).

Now let’s get down to business, shall we?

I guess you could say I’m a procrastiknitter.  I probably spend more time thinking about knitting than I actually spend knitting. But then I tend to over-think most things, and it’s likely what drew me to knitting in the first place.   The rhythmic clacking of my needles is soothing accompaniment to my wandering thoughts.

This is the place where I will think out loud. I will share my thoughts about knitting and share with you what I’ve learned thus far.  My knitting journey has only just begun.  Come along for the ride if you dare (but watch where you sit- sharp objects abound).     

Check back often, because my restless mind moves much faster than my needles.

Size Matters

The idea for this website was born during a walk around my neighborhood with a dear friend.

We passed a house we had passed so many times before; a house filled with boys who seemingly turned into men overnight. Bikes were fast being replaced with cars and even the occasional motorcycle.

On a sunny weekday evening, we rounded the curve near their driveway and I noticed an unfamiliar SUV parked alongside their curb.  It had custom plates that read “Big Vin.”  For a moment I wondered if it referred to Vin’s girth or perhaps something else.  I wondered if the vehicle belonged to man or boy.  It didn’t take me long to make my own assumption, for what I saw next stopped me in my tracks.  Big Vin had a bumper sticker strategically placed at eye level that read

“Show Me Your Tits.”

For a split second, I took offense because the agonies of our youth never really leave us, and most of my adolescent life was spent wishing I had someone else’s breasts. Age provides us with the wisdom to cope or compensate, but envy dies hard.  

We had a good laugh, resumed our walk and got back to talking about the really important stuff–like life, kids, and knitting.  Later that evening, as I settled in with a few knitting magazines, I happened upon a pattern for a knitted bikini top (not on my “to do” list) and I immediately thought of that bumper sticker and what a clever play on words it afforded me. 

It was at this moment that “Show Me Your Knits” was conceived.  

At 42, I accept that neither my tits or my knitting is impressive but my options are limited.  By now I accept that breasts are overrated so, I am likely better served trying to improve the latter.  As a novice knitter, I am not shy about asking others to share their expertise, so the name and concept for my own website are a perfect fit.

We have little control in life where size is concerned.  But in knitting, I’ve learned valuable lessons from too-small hats, and socks fit for Sasquatch.  Though it’s my least favorite part of the process, I accept the critical importance of gauge. 

I have learned that every size needle and every weight yarn has its value. A knitter who respects these variables is rewarded tenfold with success.

Sounds like a life lesson we could all learn from, doesn’t it?

Perhaps I will have my own bumper stickers made someday, encouraging fellow knitters to show me their finished objects (no nakedness required).

I don’t expect that the Big Vins of the world will appreciate my humor. But in time, when life demands that restless youth take a back seat, they will discover that the true measure of man or woman needs nary a ruler or tape.

Until then, if you happen to pass Big Vin on the road, please keep your shirt on.

 Logo artwork by Sandra Spinosa 2009