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Potpourri—Part 3

I've been knitting diligently on the Beauty and the Bias shawl, but still haven't finished. It's been a busy week, and I'm finding that getting through an eight-row repeat is a major accomplishment! I'm looking forward to the weekend and some quality knitting time.

Vintage Knitting

Did you know that in the late 1950s, Mary Maxim Co. put out charted sweater patterns called Knit-o-Graphs? They are wildly campy and very '50s. I've been collecting them whenever I find them. Here's my latest, Dancing Blades:

Here's a closeup of the fun part:

Did you ever?? All of these vintage Mary Maxim patterns featured "theme" knitting...for example, I have a pattern for a bowling enthusiast's sweater, with lifesize 10 pins and bowling ball and a big guy throwing one down the lane. Some are boating-themed, and some are hunting-themed, and some are just plain goofy, like the one I found recently that has giant Canadian Beavers knitted on the cardigan fronts and back. I think they are completely whack and utterly delightful! The originals call for "4-ply Northlands wool" but I think it will be easy to substitute.

Twined Knitting

I was scrutinizing the preview photos posted on the Schoolhouse Press website for some insight into this technique...the blue sweater in particular seems very mysterious to me. As I understand it, twined knitting is knitting with "two ends" of yarn, so you could achieve various interesting effects from only one skein of wool through knits and purls and twining. However, the blue sweater indicates there are some very cool innovations to this technique. I've ordered my copy and am very eager to see it.

Pretty Knitting

Since it's Friday, maybe you'll have some extra surfing time? If so, take a look at this knitter's impressive gallery of stranded and textured sweaters and accessories. Very nice work!

Pups

Thanks to all of you who wrote or commented suggesting Kongs with a dab of peanutbutter. The pups tried this today and they were nearly witless with joy to discover peanutbuttery goodness inside the Kong! And I was very happy to see them take nearly 20 minutes over less than a teaspoonful of the good stuff.

Whoooeee! Friday! We wish you a happy one, and a lovely knitterly weekend.

Potpourri—Part 2

Still knitting along on my Beauty and the Bias shawl (you remember—the Lump-o-Lace), so we'll forgo the progress picky again today. Instead, we have more knit-scented potpourri; waft along, okay?

Backgammon Set

Jessica writes that she knit the backgammon set from page 52 of Weekend Knitting, and found it tedious because of all the ends that needed to be woven in before finishing. Has anyone knit this besides Jessica? She's looking for hints on how to make it less painful to finish. As I look at it, it appears to me that you could only use an intarsia method for the knitting, but couldn't you simply stitch a backing on the obverse of the thing? That would cover ends. And I'm lazy like that. Is there a more elegant solution for Jessica? Please let us know.

Oooh! Oooh!

Scramble over to Schoolhouse Press to see preview photos from their newest book, Twined Knitting. This looks like a must-have for me; I'm intrigued by the photos of the sweaters, where the stitches appear to be traveling in all different directions. Unexpected Knitting and Sweaters From Camp were two of my most favorite books from last year; I'm practically salivating over this new SP title.

Lifelines

Lace knitters talk about them, but have you ever read a really good description of how and why you'd want to use a knitting "lifeline"? Mary has an excellent explanation with photos of her recent experience in ripping out rows in Luskentyre.

My Cool New Hat-Blocker

Sweet! Heavy greenish recycled glass, lifesized, and $15 at Pier One!!

Pups

The pups appreciate all the dietary advice they've been receiving, and request that you sugarcoat it. Peanutbutter-coating it would also be lovely.

Little Jack says It's Thursday! Keep your tail high!

Potpourri

Knitting on my lacy-thingie is very meditative, but alas! it's slow progress toward having something to show for my knitting—or rather, something to show you! It won't really look like much more than a Lump-o-lace until it's finished and dressed—that's just the nature of lace. So! No Beauty and the Bias update photo today. Luckily, we have a veritable potpourri of other things to chat about.

Afghans for Afghans

Have a look at the photos on the website that document the December delivery to Kabul of wooly items knitted with love by US knitters. You know who you are, and you rock! Next delivery deadline is March 5, so if you have knitted hats, mittens, blankets, or socks to spare, visit the website for guidelines.

Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falik

I didn't buy this book (ISBN: 1584792914) when it first came out because I thought it would be patterns for 2-stitch-per-inch-on-size-17-needles-gauged sweaters that you could knit in a weekend. Exsqueeze me! I was wrong! I fully intended to dislike this book, but the photos are beautiful, and the projects really are unique! I love the knit-realized idea of knitted backgammon boards and checkerboards that travel in their own knitted bags. Weekend Knitting is about enjoying knitting done on weekend-time, and to that end, includes some recipes for special treats for knitters. The book is remaindered in all the usual places.

Unique Projects

Speaking of unique projects (weren't we?), my wonderful sister gave me some helpful input ("Fabulous!") concerning my project for the Whimsicalong. Last month saw the online conclusion of The Glorious Glove Project; this month, members are working on whimsy-projects...knitting that doesn't necessarily have practical purpose, yet leads to better understanding of a particular knitting concept. I am exploring short-rows and design with my whimsy-project, and will show it to you once my prototype meets with both my approval and Sister's.

Pups

Does it look to you as if Little Jack is wasting away? (He'd like you to think so.)

It's Wednesday! Mix it up!

Lump-o-Lace

Here's my Beauty and the Bias shawl progress!

Isn't knitted lace magical? You create a lumpy bumpy holey-moley thing that dresses out to blingbling bewitchiness! I'm on the downside of finishing this small shawl now, and I'm beginning to look forward to seeing it off the needles and transformed.

Two Mitten-Thumbs Up

In my lump-o-lace photo, you can see the edge of my new book, Nursery Rhyme Knits (ISBN: 1579903487). It's a sweet little book, and two color (or more) knitters will find lots of lovely little charts and an alphabet. There are basic patterns for a hat, blanket, mittens, and a scarf, with each of these items serving as canvases for charted knitted nursery rhymes. Interestingly, the scarf and blanket articles are backed with fabric—the designs are only knit on one side. There are some very cute ideas in this book, and I'm glad to have it for the charts. I think I'd prefer the scarves knitted in the round, though, with the design on both sides. Two mitten-thumbs up for the creativity and inspirational jumping-off points of this book.

Pups

Thanks to all who commented about pet weight loss (and thanks, too, to all who just commented!). I feel more encouraged from your comments at the prospect of trimming the doggies down. Because they are dachshunds, they are prone to back troubles, and keeping their weight down will help keep back troubles away. Or so say the humans involved. The pups keep trying to trick me into extra treats; sadly, I'm very trick-able. (Imagine being outsmarted by dachshunds!) And as Anne quite correctly surmised, the pups were eagerly anticipating gaining weight this coming year.

Action Photo! Mike and Jack are working out by chasing Della.

It's Tuesday! Please don't mention donuts.

Soothing

In looking through my journal entries over the past dozen years, I see that each new year I've started a lace project right after the holidays. This year is no different; I'm working on this:

I'm at the halfway point; only 44 more lace pattern rows and then I'll have a new lacy-thingie. Yarn is "Helen's Lace" from Lorna's Laces, in my favorite colorway of No. 27, Black Pearl. All those big needle-knit Christmas scarves got on my nerves, I guess, despite the swell results. I found myself longing for something moderately complex to knit in a fine yarn, and this project has been very soothing while we've been getting organized for 2004.

California Interlude

My! We saw some magical sights!

This:

And this:

And most magically, this!

In La Jolla, there is a windbreak where the seals can get out of the wind and take sunny naps on the beach. The day I was there, there were dozens, all lolling about and luxuriating in the sunshine. Check these sweet sea-faces:

While these particular seals are not at risk, I still can't imagine anyone hunting any seals for any reason. Seals have marvelously expressive faces and extraordinary agility, considering they are creatures with flippers (new word! Pinnipeds!). More than a week later, I remain completely charmed by the sight of these happy-sleepy seals. Was that lucky or what?

Pups

The pups are a bit grrrumbly about my New Year's Resolutions for them. Each has a few pounds to lose, according to their vet. The pups, however, bark to differ.

Mikey says It's Monday! Toss us a cookie!