Stashing and Security

After reading Knitlist members raving about LB Cotton Ease, I was curious. I figured $2.00 a skein was a deal, so I bought 12. Then after feeling how soft it was, went back for 12 more. It's worsted weight, so I should be able to substitue it for nearly any project that requires such.

I couldn't resist the LB Incredible ribbon yarn price at Wal-Mart. Now I'll have to find a project for 600 yds. I have several nice patterns from my stash of books & mags, so I'm going for a cute little t-top.

TM sells the Baylene plastic needles at $4.99 a 5-pair set. Now I have 14" straights in sizes 6 thru 10. I've yet to try plastic, but so far, I think it's neat that they're so flexible.

Plastic needles will also pass security checks. I went to pay a traffic ticket yesterday, and since I'd just come from a knitty lunch with Gina, I had a bag full of metal, which promptly set off the courthouse alarms. A giant officer confiscated my bag and put it throught the scanner. He was nice enough to let me see what it looked like on screen (way cool!) and then had me open up all my little bags of needles and notions. He exclaimed, "Wow, you could really hurt somebody with this stuff!" I looked him in the eye and smiled, "Now officer, do I look like I could hurt anybody?" He laughed, winked, and handed the bag back to me.

Crochet Flowers and Sweater Recycling

My Mom recently came to Arkansas for my sister's & my dad's birthdays, and we all had a great time. She's an ex-crochet-junkie, and was delighted that I'm now just as crazy about yarn. Now she's a workaholic, so has no time to make those beautiful huge afghans, but I got her crocheting again for just a few days. In less than 2 hours, she hooked up a cute little hat for Raven, and I applied my flowers to it. What a team! I have a new passion for crocheting flowers. This spring, you'll will see them on everything of mine.


Already comfortable with yarn, my Mom learned how to both knit and purl in about 10 minutes! I guided Raven through the knit stitch a couple weeks ago, and she's got little garter stitch project going, though she only has patience for a row a day. My next challenge is to teach a guy how to knit. So far, I haven't found a willing candidate.


I bought my first big yarn cone. It's 3 pounds of red & burgundy worsted chenille, a bargain for $12. It beckons a nice fall or Christmas sweater, so for now, I'll just let it sit, and let the inspiration come later.


As if I need more yarn, I've gained interest in sweater recycling. I've want to unravel this green cabled tent for a St. Paddy's day project, but I fear time is running out. I also have some huge men's wool sweaters, which may become something felted, like mittens or slippers.


I haven't been to any SnB club meetings recently, due to busy family schedules, and I've yet to meet my knit-buddy Gina in person. It all my fault, because when I finally have free time, the last thing I want to do is get off my ass and do something productive besides knit while watching TV (not always a wise combo), or reading the endless knitting and crochet info on the web, or thumbing through my growing magazine and book collection while fantasizing about that first perfect sweater I'll make for myself....

Yarnaholic with KDHD

I think have KDHD. I start projects with good intentions, but after several rows of the same stitch, I'm already thinking of what else I can make, so away I swatch....

My WIP's are 3 scarves, a sweater for Raven, a sweater for Paige, 2 different pairs of socks, Char's birthday present, handmade knitting needles, and experiments with knitting looms too. While I'm busy with all that, I still plan new projects, read books and patterns, and consider investing in a knitting machine.  With the b-day present top priority, everything else is rationed to a few minutes a day.


For the first time, Char and I ventured to the LYS for SEX today, and I had the most incredible yarngasms. I just can't stop thinking about The Handworks Gallery. I like the cottons & merino wools, but I LOVE cashmere and angora (who doesn't?) Designer yarns are pricey though, at almost $100 per pound, the amount needed for a spring sweater!  In the back, we found a modest banana-colored cotton/merino fleece by Brown Sheep Co. Char wants a lightweight poncho, and I'd like to make a lacy spring sweater.


Here's all the yarns I've collected over the last week or so.  Yes, there's cheap acrylic and cotton too, because I like practicing with those, and one day, I will turn pauper yarns into works of art.  The dark pink mohair was a whim - not enough for anything more than a scarf, hat, or bag.  For socks, Raven chose this hot pink LB Wool-Ease and Bernat Hot Sox in Tamale, and Char donated the brown & gold mohair so I can make her something spiffy. It's only 10 small balls, so it'll have to be something like a shawl or tiny shell. Luckily, she's no bigger than a size 2, requiring a lot less yarn than my size 8.


I made up a stitch by accident.  Intending to make a gauge swatch in basic K2-P1 ribbing, and by forgetting the end sts, I came up with this interesting pattern.  Basically, it's KKP (RS), PPK (WS). Technically, it's a seed stitch in between the ribs, but I couldn't find it my "Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting & Crochet Stitches," so just call it "Seedy Rib."  I'll use it in a sweater for myself someday, after I finish my projects for everybody else.

My knitting needles sold for $70 for 8 pairs on Ebay!  It's not much though, considering the labor involved, but I enjoyed making them.  I'm getting much more efficient at it, and I would like to create a line designer knitting needles.  As long as knitting is "trendy" nowadays, I feel there is money to be made.  Meanwhile, I've get to get back to work - promoting skateboards and all the paperwork involved.  Yawn!