Some time ago I noted my left thumb aching . . .especially after knitting. While it cleared up after stopping knitting, it bothered me. First of all, who wants to give up knitting? And second, I didn’t want it to be anything serious . . .like a repetitive stress injury. I noticed it when I was more stressed than usual. My caregiving activities were at an all-time high, among other things . . . Because I wanted to know if I could fix it by changing what I was doing, I started closely watching how I knit. I first noted the discomfort while knitting a 1×1 ribbing. At the time I knit... (Read More ...)
If scrubbies are a kind of dishcloth, tawashi are a kind of scrubbie. So yes, they are related. Traditional tawashi are Japanese scrub brushes. Among knitters and crocheters, tawashi often means a special kind of scrubbie. Tawashi are usually made of acrylic yarn. The combination of acrylic yarn and garter stitch ridges makes scrubbing easier. Tawashi usually don’t scratch surfaces. Even though acrylic is manufactured, acrylic tawashi are also known as eco-tawashi. Why? Well, because they need less soap — or even none — to work. They are too harsh for delicate skin, though! Tribble... (Read More ...)
I remember watching one of my aunts knit and crochet. When I saw her — usually at a family reunion — she had a smile on her face. And it didn’t take much to get her to laugh. Although many would have considered her life challenging she always seemed joyful. She knit and crocheted some of the most beautiful pieces . . . Image via Wikipedia When I think of the knitters and crocheters I’ve known over the years, many of them also seem to go through life happy and at peace. I’ve often wondered if they knitted or crocheted because of its calming effects — or... (Read More ...)
Knitting three dimensional projects like socks is fun. In the case of knitting socks the fine yarn and thin needles are challenging when you first start to knit socks . . .even if you’ve been knitting for years! My first socks were knit on five double pointed needles. Image via Wikipedia For simple patterns, such as stockinette or ribbing, I had no problems. My most recent sock project was, however, lace socks. I used WendyKnits’ free Sprucey Lucy sock pattern. The first sock I knit with my trusty double pointed needles. They’re bamboo, and I have knit several projects... (Read More ...)
Image by beccaplusmolly via Flickr When I was a kid, often our Christmas stockings had individually wrapped gifts. Each gift might be small, but it was exciting to open them! And it was only later we realized Santa used the wrapping paper my mother carefully saved from presents the year before. Santa was thrifty! And those Christmas stocking stuffers were often something we could enjoy for more than just a moment or two. I remember practical gifts, such as socks and Chapsticks. I don’t ever recall feeling deprived of toys, although many of today’s children might feel that way. You... (Read More ...)
