Redd Soxx

OK, this is not what my sister is getting for her birthday. This is sort of a cheat, because I actually completed this project a few weeks ago.

The picture does not really do justice to the PHENOMENAL color changes in the yarn -- Wildfoote's handpaint color Symphony -- a yummy mix of reds, yellow, browns and purple. (Yes, I couldn't believe it either. But it is sort of cool together...)

The pattern is a toe-up job and is my first try at this technique. I have included a close up of the toe so you can see how nice life can be without Kitchner stitch or grafting in your life. This was also a pattern that allowed both socks to be knitted on the needles at the same time. It made the process more interesting and kept this project from having a "sabbatical" while I procrastinated in beginning sock #2.

I love sock projects. They are quick and don't require a substantial yarn investment. You can also play around with patterns and whimsical (or downright weird) color combinations. What's the risk? If you don't like it, you can wear them around the house. Or maybe you have a friend who is in need of some sole comfort. Put them on the dog and take next year's Christmas card photo. Or if you really, REALLY don't like them, you can put them on your husband's golf clubs. Waste not, want not!

A pirate's life for me......

(Caution: This has some details from Pirates of the Caribbean 3 that were not in the reviews I have read so far and may be considered spoilers.)

I went to see the latest POTC installment this past weekend. It has absolutely nothing to do with knitting and probably has no place in this blog whatsoever, other than to give a bit of a window into my personality. It is a great "escape" movie -- swashbuckling adventure on the high seas with boats full of swarthy cutthroats....what could be better than that?

Anyway, a part of the movie has had me thinking for the better part of the last few days. Just before the climactic sea battle, the pirates are debating whether to fight or run. Who is it that inspires the crew to not only fight, but to defend their free lifestyle to the last man? It's Elizabeth. A WOMAN! It was great. We need more of these types of models for our young women and less of the empty-headed, body-baring, let-me-get-by-on-my-looks tanorexic cell phone addicts.

And these movies also get me thinking about staying true to yourself -- that's real freedom. The ancient Greeks knew that the first step to truth was knowing yourself. None of these characters pretend to be noble or good or any of that. They're pirates! Deal with it! It's that spirit of being true to yourself that leads me to knit, listen to punk, and read to kindergartners all in one package.

Embrace your inner pirate.......YAAR!

Yo ho, yo ho! A pirate's life for me...........

Was that on purpose?

For the last few months, I have been participating in an after-hours knitting group. A few locals in the Concord area bring whatever their latest work-in-progress over to the wonderful local yarn shop, RaveKnits. (Check out their website here.) It is a growing group with a steady attendance by "regulars." Sort of like a "Cheers" for the knitterly set....
Anyway, the coolest part of this group is that everyone is so open and supportive of each other. We share projects and are greeted with "That is so cool!" "I love those colors!" and occasionally the "WHERE did you get that FABULOUS yarn???" Don't know what to do next in the pattern? Bring it to group! The collective knowledge is so great that there is a good chance someone knows (a) how to read the pattern, (b) how to show you what the author is talking about, and most likely (c) a better/easier/fancier way to do it.

That being said, we also talk about failures. Its never called that. Because we are (on some level) artists, there really aren't failures. You learn something from everything attempted --- even when that is "I probably won't do that again." And sometimes, you like the mistake better than what you were supposed to do in the first place. You like it so much that it becomes more of a focus in the work (or the focus of another project.) I learned to make a pretty cool, organic-looking ruffle when I misinterpreted a pattern. That helped out on the last project (pictured above). It all comes full circle sometimes.

Hopefully, I will be casting of the latest project later tonight or sometime tomorrow. It is a birthday present for my sister and the first piece of significant knitting I have done for her. She is a non-knitter ( though I am campaigning to change that status) and I hope she likes it. If not, I can always take it to Knit Nite.

Welcome

Hi all.

This blog is an experiment. Can I write about my passion and actually generate any interest in it? We are all about to find out.

As you may have guessed from the title, I am a knitter. Or as some call themselves now, the more comprehensive "fiber-artist". I work with pointy sticks to coax something useful out of piles of loopy, fluffy, silky, (and sometimes hopelessly knotty) yarn. It's a great way to spend an afternoon. (And sometimes, it gets you really interesting looks at the doctor's office....)

From time to time, I will post pictures of what is on the needles. I am a proud mama to all of my projects....even the ones that come out a little differently than expected. Above is the latest: a girl's toddler sweater in a mohair blend: