A Relegated Knitter

Have you ever been out knit? You know, someone else nearby is constantly managing to create the most wonderful things and you're struggling to even pick up the needles. To start with it's mildly irritating, but after a few weeks it REALLY begins to grate.

Such is my situation now. For all of my good intentions, I managed only about an hour of free knitting time during my vacation. It just wasn't that kind of holiday. In fact, I was so pathetic that I couldn't even get my act together enough to knit in the car as we drove to Canada. In my haste to get everyone and everything safely stashed in the vehicle, I completely forgot to throw my knitting on to the front seat. Halfway to Vancouver, I turned round to see that DD2 was knitting on a fushia pink winter hat and grinning like the cat who got the cream!

So much for being a knitter with a capital "K". This summer I've turned into a pathetic excuse for a knitter. A knitter who is definitely a knitter with a small "k" and should really be considered a "nitter" with no "k" at all! If I was a soccer team I definitely wouldn't be first division material and would now have almost certainly been dropped from the division and perhaps even relegated to the bottom of the league. Yes, relegation is my new calling.

In fact, my only saving grace was that I did have the forethought to pack my knitting bag where I could find it for the return journey. What a godsend that turned out to be. Friday night at the US/Canadian border is no picnic, I can tell you. I was relieved to have the scarf to knit and the latest copy of "Interweave Knits" to browse through while we sat in line. Eventually, I decided to take pictures of the beautiful garden at the border, a decision that very nearly resulted in me getting left behind. I was just heading back to our vehicle when they waved our block of cars on to the front of the line. I rarely run in public (and for good reason) but the prospect of being left in Canada with no passport and no money was enough for me to attempt to emulate Usain Bolt, much to the amusement of my fellow travellers!

We waited over two hours just to have the pleasure of showing our green cards to a stern border patrolman, who asked whether we'd bought anything and got hit by one of P.A's "Er, wells?" This was not the time for a laid back, contemplative "Er, well?" His suspicion aroused, the border guard ducked his head back in time to hear that DD1 had "just bought a few clothes." Now anyone with half a brain would know that purchasing anything up there would have been pretty pointless. The clothing was so small that I could have dressed a doll with it and there wasn't a yarn store within miles of downtown (I did google them.) Add to that the fact that everything cost a lot more than it does here at home and you get my point. Unless they happened to be selling Quivit nextdoor to my hotel, then I wasn't going to be tempted by much.

In California last week, I managed an hour on my Kid's Keyhole Scarf. I console myself with the fact that it was the most complicated part, as I managed to make the 'keyhole' part while I was there. Still, I am definitely fodder for the "Knitter Relegation Squad" when it comes to airline travel. Yes, I confess, I was intimidated by airline security and so I packed my knitting in my suitcase. I like to travel light too, which means that I check my tiny, roll along suitcase and then watch the rest of my fellow travellers trying to shove theirs into the overhead lockers. It's actually rather amusing. Here in the US you can bring a handbag and a small case on to the plane. As a European, I'm used to travelling with a lot greater luggage restriction and frankly, the hassle of trying to fight other people for that locker space is just not worth it. While they're wrestling with their hand luggage, I have usually left the plane and am cruising into the terminal to retrieve my roll along from the baggage carousel. I arrive at my destination a whole lot calmer and less dishevelled.

Still, I haven't mastered the art yet of aeroplane knitting. What are the rules? How do you get needles and stitch holders past airport security? Do you just use bamboo for airline travel and are socks out of the question because the needles are so small and sharp?

To avoid relegation, I think I need to know!

Vacation

Yes, I finally managed some knitting! Last night I kissed the family goodbye and grabbed my bag to go and meet with some knitting friends for a few hours. Initially it took me a while to remember what I was knitting, how far I'd come and if I could actually talk and knit at the same time. I was pleased to discover that I haven't lost the art of either! Indeed it's just like riding a bike - once you've learned, you never forget.

My delightful little project bag (handmade by my MIL) proved to contain the dear little grey Keyhole Scarf that I started aeons ago. It was honestly good to kick back and knit a little on something that didn't take a lot of brain power or energy. After weeks of decorating, driving kids all over the county, watering a parched veggie bed twice a day and mopping up cat pee (don't ask!), I was glad to escape and chill over the needles.

I am hoping to do more, although as I've finally planned a few days away (for the first time in 2yrs) I suspect that laundry and packing will take over my life this weekend. We're heading over the border to Canada on Monday followed next Saturday by a whistle stop trip to California for DD1 and I. I'm going to be busy.

Packing for five is no joke either. When the kids were small we resembled an army on military manoeuvres whenever we all left town! Now we no longer have to take half a hundred weight of nappies (diapers) with us, things have improved, although teenage girls on tour are not to be messed with, especially in the clothes department. When we were first married, P.A. used to complain that I took so much stuff when I travelled. Oh, how times have changed. Now I gladly leave the kitchen sink behind and can makedo with what commonly passes here in the US for hand luggage. Instead the girls have taken up my space in the trunk of the car with 'goodness only knows what.' Thank goodness we have a minivan!

Even if the girls do manage to do their own washing these days, it's pretty inevitable that we'll all need to use the laundry machine at the same time. Perhaps if I'm really quick, I could get a load or two on before they start jostling for the 'casual/permanent press' button? Do you think 6.30am is a totally unreasonable time to start the machine? Hmmmm, maybe I'll just chill with those needles and enjoy the quiet for a little longer.

See you soon!

When The Going Gets Tough........

...................the tough cast on lace. I know, only a mad woman would consider casting on for a lace project when all around her seems to be falling apart, but........what can I say? When I need comfort, I run to my knitting and hiding in a project which challenges me with YO's, SSK's and K2tog's has been just the therapy I need. I was even brave enough to take it to my knitting group yesterday. Obviously, I wasn't full of conversation, after all I had a lace chart on my lap, but listening to everyone else's jolly banter perked me up no end.

I've been wanting to tackle some lace for a while and so I have CO with some KnitPicks Palette from my stash. The colour is totally 'me' ofcourse and it seems to be knitting up a treat. I'm enjoying hiding in my 'Mist' Lace Scarf project and avoiding the knot in my stomach created by the fact that my husband is about to lose the job that we moved halfway round the world to take up just over 4yrs ago.

Perhaps lace is the perfect project for a situation like this. Maybe gauge is not such an issue as it is with stockinette or garter stitch? Controlling the tension of your needles as you run the full gamut of emotions that possible unemployment throws at you (with loss of medical insurance and everything that that entails) is perhaps easier with lacework? Who knows? All I know is, it's working for me! Every time I feel that lump leaping up to grab my throat, or that anger threatening to harden my heart, I reach for my lace scarf and knit.

Right now, I'm very glad I'm a knitter.

Kid's Keyhole Scarf

I finally finished creating the PDF for this scarf which I originally designed for my cousin's 3yr old son. They had been everywhere looking for a scarf suitable for a small boy and in the end they asked me if I could knit one for him. I spent several weeks just mulling the project over in my mind while I got on with other things. What yarn should I use? Which stitch pattern would look good? How could I make my little friend feel independent when he got himself ready to go outside?

Unsure if he was sensitive to wool and needing a yarn which would hold a stitch pattern well, I settled on Encore by Plymouth Yarn. I figured this acrylic/wool mix would be easy to clean in the event of an accident and the vast range of colours it comes in was another plus. I settled on blue.

The Mock cable stitch gives the scarf a warm cosy look and the keyhole design means that small hands can slip one end through the large hole unaided encouraging independence. It also means less bulk at the neck, enabling the child to still be able to swallow or move their head whilst wearing the scarf!

Older children seem to like it too. If the length is too short for them, you can just make it longer, but remember to adjust the placing of the keyhole too. My son actually likes the shorter scarf because it doesn't get in the way when he's playing, but keeps his neck draft free. He also thinks it looks cool!

To access the PDF file just click on the picture in the side bar. Enjoy!

Neckwarmer

On Friday night P.A. and I grabbed a moment to pop out for a drink at our local watering hole. We were due to attend the District Dance Championships to watch DD2 compete with her High School Hip Hop Dance Team on Saturday and then he had a 7pm flight to Copenhagen to round off the day. In amongst all that we had to pack clothes, prepare gifts for family members in the UK (his final destination), on the off chance he might see some of them and...oh, yes,.......do our taxes! In light of all this, a farewell drink on Friday seemed like a necessity.

There was just one problem. I wanted to wear my new neckwarmer and........... I hadn't quite finished it yet. There I was knitting a few rows in between loads of laundry; lipstick on, hair done and outfit ready. The only item remaining was the neckwarmer.

I'd been planning it for some time. I had one skein of red Frog Tree Merino in my stash and had picked up a skein of SWTC Calypso ribbon yarn from the bargain bucket at my LYS a few months back. The two could probably be knit up together, I thought, and vowed to experiment. The project began last week. I used US11 needles and started with a drop stitch pattern. I knitted half the yarn before I decided that the fabric it was creating was really not what I had imagined. It was turning out way too floaty and the two types of yarn were just not complimenting each other in any way at all.

I frogged and started again. I cast on 25sts and did a knit 4 rows, purl 4 rows, design. Although the resulting fabric was much denser, it still wasn't quite what I'd envisioned (this 'minds eye' business can be quite infuriating at times!)

I ripped it all out again and cast on 25sts.

In desperation I resigned myself to the embarrassment of basic garter stitch. OK, so I wasn't going to produce some fantastic arty piece with loops, twirls and endlessly complicated yarn overs. I'd just have to suck it up and face the knitting group on Thurday looking like an 8yr old, with my vibrant mauve jumbo needles and garter stitch square.

I got well through my neckwarmer at knitting that day, taking the ergonomic tack to explain my needle size (after all I had been knitting a lot of socks recently.) My Central Park Hoodie proved a great distraction too and there was a whole lot of spinning going on, so I got back home relatively unscathed in the 'street cred' department.

I cast off the neckwarmer moments before venturing out on Friday night. As I secured it with a marcazite pin, I realised that I'd created a lushious looking warm, springy fabric with all the passion of a Chanel tweed. I felt very Jackie O as I teamed my red and black masterpiece with a black rollneck sweater, black suede jacket, black trousers and knee high boots. The electrifying red of the neckwarmer was the piece de resistance and centre piece of the outfit. It looked amazing.

I will certainly never knock garter stitch again. In fact, I'm sorely tempted by the thought of a Chanel jacket right now.

Hmmmmm, I wonder?!!

Swap Parcel

I'm so excited. Yesterday this parcel arrived for me from my swap partner in Norway (thanks Spinnvill!) With all the snow and floods we've had recently, I only just mailed my own package at the beginning of the week. It was a real treat to end the week receiving one myself.

The chocolates are my favourite Norwegian ones, which I haven't had since I left the country. I always used to buy a box of the coffee flavoured Mokka Bønner at Christmas. The Melkerull were popular with the children. If they're really good I might share them with them, but in the meantime they're sitting temptingly in the fridge!

The yarn is Gjestal Bris a blend of 50% wool and 50% soy. I've never used soy before but have been very intrigued by it whenever I've been in my local LYS. I was actually looking at a baby blend last summer which contained a lot of soy and wondering whether to add it to my stash. Somehow, I managed to deny myself, but the memory of it lingers temptingly!

Funnily enough, I'd just come across a great scarf pattern on Thursday, so I think that's what this yarn will become. Who knows, it could be my next "Purse Project"!