Ever have one of those days? You know, you search for a clean dishcloth. Only to discover … Most of them are worn, many beyond repair. Amazing how they all seem to go simultaneously. And no, I don’t think it’s a conspiracy. More likely, I wait until I need more than one, and then make a bunch at a time. Dishcloths are interesting. They can be as plain or fancy as you like. Since I’ve recently been working with garter stitch, I thought I’d see how many variations of garter stitch I could make. This is one of my favorite patterns. I start with how ever many stitches I... (Read More ...)

Looking at my collection of darning needles, I realized I needed more organization. Each needle is blunt. The good news is blunt needles are harder to poke yourself with. The bad news is, they don’t poke through the fabric on my pin cushion. <Sigh …> Darning needles — and most sewing needles — come in cardboard and plastic packages.  To use the needles, the plastic usually needs to be ripped from the cardboard. While the plastic can be used as a tray, it’s a short-term not a long-term solution. As I was considering what to do with my needles, I suddenly remembered one... (Read More ...)

There’s a rhythm in knitting. When you knit a pattern — especially a new one — you engage more than your mind.  Working the individual stitches involves concentration, coordination, and cooperation. Concentrating on the pattern seems obvious.  Reading the pattern, and translating it into the stitches on your needles can take some work.  Even the best knitters with the best instructions sometimes need to rework a section.  Rip it out, and knit it again.  Knitters often call this “frogging.”  From saying “rip it” repeatedly and quickly. When I was first... (Read More ...)

“There is no right way to knit; there is no wrong way to knit” Ah, the wisdom of Elizabeth Zimmermann. I agree completely.  There should be no right or wrong way to knit.  The way I learned to knit was a product of an 8 year-old teaching herself to knit.  Most knitting teachers would likely tell me it’s wrong. I disagree. Wrong maybe as far as the books are concerned.  With it, I’ve knit many patterns including complicated cables.  My stitches are even, and I knit fast. When I started knitting circular patterns, I realized my method wasn’t working anymore. ... (Read More ...)

Maybe not change the world, just part of it? If you’re a member of Ravelry, you may want to check out the Darfur: End the genocide group.  They’re sponsoring making pencil cases for the HELPSudan project. There are several pencil case patterns available for both knitters and crocheters.  There’s a contest running until March 31, with prizes for the first and second place winners.  The winners are determined by comments on the cases. And you can make your case as fancy or plain as you like.  Some have ties to close, and some zippers.  Interested in trying Fair Isle knitting... (Read More ...)