Awhile ago, the center weight of my grandfather’s clock slipped off the chain, and the chain slipped off its sprocket wheel. The “how” isn’t important. I’m grateful no one was hurt — and there’s no permanent damage to the clock. If you’ve ever wound a grandfather’s clock, you know there are three chains with weights. The ones on the ends are for the chimes and striking mechanism. The center one runs the clock. And of course it’s the most difficult to reposition! Hard to impossible to reach with your fingers, and very limited room inside the... (Read More ...)

Earlier this year, I knit a bag. It’s made of hand spun wool, which I dyed with Kool-Aid.  Two packages of black cherry, and one of orange. The original color was grayish brown. Or was it brownish gray? The bag is knit on circular needles, because I decided to minimize the number of seams.  It has one seam at the bottom.  And even that one I closed without sewing. How? Well, more on that later. The pattern is actually fairly simple. I used a combination of garter stitch and stockinette stitch. Stockinette because, well it’s easy on circular needles.  You just knit every stitch. ... (Read More ...)

Image via Wikipedia May in South Carolina. The weather here is turning warm. Good news for those eager to plant crops or just end what seemed like an unusually long winter. At least for here. After all, we did get snow twice! And spring is running behind normal.  At least that’s what the farmers tell me. For knitters the changes in seasons bring new challenges. For one thing, it’s time to consider changing fibers and maybe patterns. Like considering fibers other than wool. Even in air conditioning, somehow wool yarn and the Southern heat just don’t mix … at least I don’t... (Read More ...)

My Danish tie shawl is taking shape: As you can see, it’s a crescent shape now. The first time I used this yarn, I made a “Coming Home” Poncho which I described on this post.  When I knit the poncho, I thought the Homespun® yarn hard to use.  It kept splitting as I knit, and seemed to cling to the needles.  I found forming new stitches difficult.  The needles were some I’ve had for years.  Jumper needles, which are often difficult to find.  I like them for knitting large projects, like an afghan. Or I did until I discovered Denise Knitting Needles.  These interchangeable... (Read More ...)

Do you know what a knitting emergency is? To me, it’s when I need to knit something fast.  You know, drop other projects, and knit! Preferably to finish the project the same day, or at most the next day. We get lots of wind in this area.  This weekend it turned blustery and cold, with lows in the high 20s.  I go out every morning for chores.  Yesterday the cold wind whipped through my acrylic watch caps.  I hate cold ears! I needed a warm cap fast. Time to put other projects on hold, grab some yarn and my trusty Denise needles.  I like them because more than circular needles, they’re... (Read More ...)