Why Do I Knit?

Why do I knit? I was asking myself that question this past weekend as I contemplated my yarn stash. I knit for many reasons.

I enjoy the creative process. It still amazes me how one can take 2 sticks and some string and create these wonderful garments and works of art. I am constantly inspired by the works of other knitters as well as by the yarn itself.

I enjoy the relaxing almost meditative process of the actual knitting. If I have a stressful day, I can pick up my needles and focus on my work and I can feel the tension just melt away. The simple repetitive act is calming.

I like the feeling that I am part of the mystery. I can look at the phrase “K1,YO,K2, ssk, YO P2tog,” and feel like I know this secret code to unlock the secrets of the universe.

I enjoy the fellowship of other knitters. Its amazing what a gregarious bunch knitters are. I can be knitting in public or wearing one of my creations and someone will come up and strike a conversation about knitting. I may have never seen this person before, but we instantly have a bond that crosses generations and cultures. My fellow knitters have taught me a lot and given me inspiration.

I enjoy seeing my friends and family enjoying the items I have made especially for them. As I knit something I think about the recipient and try to infuse the item with positive thoughts and energy. Its easy to go out and buy someone a gift, but when you take the time to handcraft something you are essentially telling that person that they are worth your time and talents.

I enjoy using my gifts and talents to benefit others. I believe that God give each of us unique talents and abilities and it is our responsibility to use those talents and abilities to make the world a better place. With knitting I can give back to my community and provide warmth and comfort to someone who needs it. You can preach a better sermon with your life than your words.

Thought for the Day

"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." - Benjamin Franklin

Thought for the day

You can gold-plate and dress up a dog turd, but inside its is still just a dog turd.

Relatively quiet weekend

Its been a relatively quiet weekend. Susie Q. is in town visiting her Dad and cooking up a storm. Of course the oven is not co-operating in her venture by failing to maintain and even heat. It will go from 250 - 500 and down to 350 with no warning. Makes cooking interesting. She is baking lasagna, and meatloaf and quiches (one of which she brought down to us). Between us bring her Dad meals several time a week, people from his coffee group bring him food and one of the kids cooking up a passel of food when they come down, I think poor Mr. McC will end up weighing 400 pounds by the end of the year! He is not known for his cooking abilities other than making a pretty mean oatmeal. He is very skilled at reheating things though!


After our lovely meal of quiche, Bob and I tried to watch the movie "Flight Plan" which was not grabbing either one of us. So when the firetrucks appeared across the street, that seemed like a much more interesting show. No fire, but ambulances went to the last house of the drive and took in 2 gurneys. When things like this happen everyone in the neighborhood shows up and catches up while waiting to see what is happening. Seems that 2 of the kids may have had a possible overdose. We don't see the kids that often, but they look like they are 15 maybe 16 at the oldest. Pretty young to me. I am hoping that everything is ok. We have had no word yet.

Its raining again today. I think my toes are starting to web together. This must be what it is like to live in Seattle. We have lots of standing water around the neighborhood. The ground is very saturated. I keep an eye on the tree in the backyard to make sure it decides to remain in its original upright position.

I have been doing some knitting. I started a "baby gnome" hat from my "One Skein Wonders" book and have been working on my house socks for me. I have so many UFOs floating around here, I really need to buckle down and finish a few. I need to dig out the blanket I was making for Eli's baby and figure out my mistake and get it back on track. Baby will be 1 in April. I also want to make some more socks for Bob out of my stash yarn. He really likes the thick worsted weight socks in the warehouse in the winter months. They keep his feet toasty!

Well back to the knitting!

Thought for the Day

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Word of the Day

Electile Dysfunction :
the inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

Finished Objects

I finally got Bob to bring the camera home from work so I can post picture of my Calorimetry (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html) which matches my Denim Oddball Scarf. Amazing that I actually made myself something. Very comfy and works well for the weather we have been having lately.

Chuck's hat

Just before Christmas, my adopted son, Chuck, (Not really adopted, not really my son, but that's another story) began whining for me to knit him a hat.

"What color would you like?"

"Oh any color is fine."

"How about this yarn."

"I don't like that color." (Repeat about 40 times)

He finally decides on Bernat Denim style in faded khaki (green, since he is an A's fan).

I start the hat and add it to all the rest of my Christmas knitting. I finally get it done and give it to him just after Christmas.

"Oh, this will be so great to wear at work and keep my head warm! Thanks Mom!"

Next time I come to the warehouse to pick up Bob, there is Chuck. Not wearing my hat.

"Where's the hat son?"

"Oh, I forgot to wear it." "Its at home." "I'm saving it for good."

This goes on for a couple of weeks until one night at bowling he admits that he lost the hat. Or, his psycho ex-sperm receptacle took it when she moved out, he's not sure. (I do not like her, can you tell? I think women who break windshields and run naked through parking lots may have a few screws loose)

For a non-knitter, this may not seem like much, but it is. When you take the time to craft something for another person, its a labor of love. You put a lot if time and effort into a project. As I knit I think about who I am making the item for and I really try to make something they will really enjoy.

I told him I was disappointed that he lost the hat. His response "Does this mean you aren't making me something for my birthday next month?" I exercised a great deal of restraint in not strangling him.

Yesterday, a miracle occurred. He found the hat and started wearing it. Good thing too. I made a resolution not to smack the crap out of people who really deserve it and he was pretty close to making me break that one!

Easy 8 Hat

This is the most basic hat pattern there is. Easy to do and easy to remember!

You will need:

1 sk worsted weight yarn (about 125-130 yds)
Size “8” 16’ circulars
Size “8” dpns
A stitch marker

Cast on 80

Do K1P1 or K2P2 ribbing for 1-2 inches
Switch to stockinette and knit until total length of hat is “8” inches

Decrease:

K8 K2tog – repeat to end of round
Knit next round
K7 K2tog – repeat to end of round
Knit
K6 K2tog – repeat to end of round
K
K5 K2tog – repeat to end of round
K
K4 K2tog – repeat to end of round
K
K3 K2tog – repeat to end of round
K
K2 K2tog – repeat to end of round
K
K1 K2tog – repeat to end of round
K
K2tog – repeat to end of round

Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches. Tie knot on inside and weave in ends. Block.

Be creative! Add a pom-pom! Add stripes. Use self striping yarn. This formula is easy to remember!

Sayuri kisses

I was sitting at the computer tonight when Bob comes in and says "come see what your stupid kid is doing." (Notice how when they do something stupid they are suddenly mine) I walk out to see Sayuri sitting on the dining room table. In front of her is a bowl with Hershey kisses in it. She is methodicly taking a paw and scoping one out on her paw and then chewing on the paper before dropping it on the table and batting it to the floor. She then goes on to the next one. I am sure that she thinks this is some kind of wildly entertaining cat game like batting at the water in the dog's water bowl. (She tries not to let me see that one but there is always a trail of wet footprints leading right to her) I look at her incredulously "What are you doing?" She runs over to me "Prrrpppp*?" (*I wasn't doing anything Mom. Honest)

Cats are so entertaining.

Hmmm...

I know it’s a bad sign when you look out your window and see a vulture in the tree outside, but what does it mean when there is a large wild turkey perched in the tree outside your boss’s window?

Oh SH#T!

The day started as any other. Alarm goes off at 5:45 a.m. and then off for a nice hot shower. I get out of the shower and go out to get the paper, contemplating what to have for breakfast while I read the paper and watch the morning news. Then it happened. I stepped on my Persian rug and felt a "squish". Still being half awake I took another step before I realized that this is not normal. Looking down I saw the reason for my confusion at the same time my nose finally registered the reason for the problem. At this point I let loose with a string of profanities that would make my brother the sailor blush. Riddle me this Batman: why, when the dog decides to have an accident, do they they avoid the easily cleanable linoleum and head straight for the carpet? Why do they not leave one easily manageable pile, but instead leave a trail of poop on the brown oriental carpet? I am not one who likes a "treasure hunt" first thing in the morning! Of course, neither of the dogs will come near me because they know I am mad. Husband is no help either. He is groggily calling out from the bedroom "Honey, is there a problem?" "No Dear, I always swear like a sailor first thing in the morning. Why do you ask?"

I believe the culprit in this is Sweetie Pie, who has digestive problems. Normally she will come and wake Bob up to go outside, but she is terrified of the cats. If one is in the hallway, she will not come near the cat. (She outweighs the cats by at least 40 pounds, but she is still terrified of them, but that is the subject for another blog entry)

Bob finally wakes up and gets dressed. His timing is impeccable. He comes out as I just finish with the last of it. I leave the laundering of the cleaning rags to him. I now have a bag of poo on the front porch and the desire to find some one's porch to burn it on. (There is obviously something seriously wrong with me)

At least at this point I can honestly say my day can only get better!

Who Loves Her Daddy?

Had to share this dose of cuteness. This is Itty Bitty Kitty's favorite spot. As soon as Bob comes home she waits for him to sit on the counch and then she has to lay on him and I swear I can hear her sigh! She is definately "Daddy's Girl".

Take that, you thong-wearing Tarts!

My "granny panties" can save lives!

Transcript:

XL Underpants defeat kitchen fire

AP - London - From baggy briefs to the ultimate hot pants: A British woman's underwear saved the day by doubling as an emergency fire blanket when her kitchen caught fire.

John Marsey and his cousin Darren Lines were frying bread in Jenny Marsey's kitchen in Hartlepool, northeast England on Sunday when their meal caught fire.

Lines grabbed the nearest thing from a pile of laundry to put it out: his aunt's billowing, powder blue, size XL underpants.

He ran them under the faucet and tossed them onto the flames, successfully smothering the fire, a spokesman for the Cleveland Fire Brigade said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with department policy.

Lines' swift thinking saved the kitchen - but left his aunt's underwear slightly scorched.

"It could have been a lot worse," she said. "my family could have been in the hospital, but the knickers saved the day. I'm just grateful to the boys."

The fire official said the general principle of using a large, wet cloth to cover a grease fire was a sound one.

As for using underwear: "Clearly, it depends on what size you are - but I don't want to go there."

Big Wind

We had quite a storm come through yesterday. We got almost 3 inches of rain and lots of high wind. Bob & I car-pooled so we were at work by 6am. The wind was just starting to build at that point. It peaked at about 9 am. One of the girls had to leave work as her day care lost power and her barns were blowing away. I took a short lunch and left at 2 to get Bob. We saw lots of downed trees and limbs on the way home. We can home to the usual palm fronds all over the place. Part of the back yard redwood fence was leaning so we propped that back up. Hard to do as one of the neighbor's dogs kept sticking his head under the fence as we tried to lift it.The street side gate to the way back was also destroyed. There is a large plastic door in the middle of the garden but we can not get to it. The garden is so saturated that when you step in you sink about 6 - 8 inches. I did not feel like losing my shoes. 2 doors up from Mr. McClymonds, they has a large limb hit the house. doesn't look like too much damage though. The house just south of Roger's lost a small tree. Lots of trees down on Grant and Marshall. We are lucky that our power was back on by the time we got home yesterday. Some people are still without power. Flooding in the usual places like Winding Way by the college.

Bob had to work this morning so I picked up what I could. More rain is headed our way this afternoon. They say we will have rain through at least Wednesday. Hopefully no more intense storms like yesterday. We have our candles and flashlights ready. Gosh, this means I will have to sit and knit. Oh Darn!

And from great clouds of gas new stars are formed

I think Bob & I created a galaxy yesterday with his idea to eat sauerkraut and kielbasa!

Woke up yesterday to watch the Rose Parade, a tradition in my family. Dad grew up in Pasadena. It always amazes me what ideas the float makers come up with. After the parade it was football, football and then some more football. With a nap thrown in for good measure.

Today was a trip to Wallymart to buy.....a new vacuum! Ooo! We decided on one of the bagless. Its still in the novelty stage where it is fun to vacuum, but I have no doubt that will wear off soon. It definitely has the "EW" factor. You vacuum a small portion of the floor and the open the canister to find you have enough hair and yuck to make a Golem Dog.

With the new year comes the desire to clean and organize. This will last a couple of weeks so I will take advantage of it while it lasts and do some organizing. I(ts sad to know yourself so well! Cleaning is not my obsession.)