Knitting Poem

I found this while looking for stuff about the Red Cross's "Knit Your Bit" campaign in WWII. In times of trial we are often drawn to the simple acts to help us feel like we are helping to do our part for the greater good.





At the concert and the play
Everywhere you see them sitting,
Knitting, knitting.
Women who the other day
Thought of nothing but their frocks
Or their jewels or their locks,
Women who have lived for pleasure,
Who have known no work but leisure,
Now are knitting, knitting, knitting
For the soldiers over there.

On the trains and on the ships
With a diligence befitting,
They are knitting.
Some with smiles upon their lips,
Some with manners debonair,
Some with earnest look and air.
But each heart in its own fashion,
Weaves in pity and compassion
In their knitting, knitting, knitting
For the soldiers over there.

Hurried women to and fro
From their homes to labour flitting,
Knitting, knitting,
Busy handed come and go.
Broken bits of time they spare,
Just to feel they do their share,
Just to keep life’s sense of beauty
In the doing of a duty,
They are knitting, knitting, knitting
For the soldiers over there.

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1919 in her book, “Poems of Optimism”

For More information on WWII knitting check out the following article http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5722

Conspiracy Theory Part II

Hmmm... What is Mom doing?


She looks so relaxed and seems to be enjoying herself with those 2 pointy sticks and some string.



That can't be right. She can't be enjoying herself doing something that doesn't involve me! Maybe I can get Mo to distract her and I can help her with that.

"Hey, Mo! Distract Mom by looking cute!"



"Leave me out of this. You are cutting into my quality nap time."



Hmmm... maybe while she is watching CSI I can stretch out and grab one of those sticks...



AHA! Victory is mine! Uh oh. Why is Mom yelling about loosing count and dropping a stitch? She should be happy about me wanting to spend quality time with her. Hey! I thought you liked tooth marks on your pointy sticks! What's that she is saying about kitty shish kebabs? I better go hide and figure out some way to blame this on the dogs. First, let me try some Jedi mind control.



"This is not the cat you are looking for. Go on about your business"

UFOs Sighted Everywhere!

I thought I would start a list of UFO's so I could prioritize what to work on. I didn't realize how many are hidng in the house.

1.La Perla Bebe Gnome Hat














2. Emiliano’s baby blanket
3. Kayla’s hat and scarf
4. Mom’s scarf
5. SWS socks








6. Coal fire socks














7. Cabled hat & scarf
8. Blocks Baby Blanket
9. School Spirit Scarf














10. Prairie Sky Scarf
11. Cottage Socks

And this is just what I have found so far!

My husband came in the bedroom last night and casually noted "there seems to be yarn everywhere I look". Not true. There is no yarn in the fridge! I found a skein in the bathroom. there are 2 in the kitchen. A lot are stashed in nooks and crannies in the living room, bedroom and studio. Bags in the den. I like to think that this is just adding to the insulation in the house and saving on our energy bills. (I will continnue to delude myself in this manner. I am my own enabler)

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.

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!

Friday Ramblings

Rain has returned. This is the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up by a fire with a good book or some knitting. If you only had one word to describe weather in the Valley this time of year it would be “grey”. If its not the clouds, it’s the fog.

I have hooked up with a group called “Macuwita Sni”, which is Lakota for “I am not cold”. We are providing warm hand knit items for children on the Lakota reservations in South Dakota. I have a ‘School Spirit Scarf” cast on in purple and gold (one of the high school’s colors). I am also getting ready to cast on a hat with the left-over yarn from Mr. McClymond’s warm wooly hat. I should have enough to make a child’s beanie. Its hard to imagine how cold it gets in the winter in South Dakota. I shiver when it drops below 40!

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend. Bob & I have been invited to family dinner at the McClymond’s homestead. Mary and her family are out from Tennessee and Sue drove up from Pasadena. It will be nice to sit and visit with them. Its so strange not having Peggy around anymore. We try to get up to see Mr. McClymonds a couple of times a week and bring him dinner. He makes great oatmeal, but that is about the extent of his cooking abilities. The McClymonds kids have adopted me as a little sister. Its fun to do the family dinner thing at the holidays again. I bought all 4 of the kids “Merry Christmas from Heaven” ornaments personalized with Peggy’s name. Mary opened hers on Christmas Eve and started bawling and hugging me. She didn’t see the personalization until I pointed it out to her and that started another flood of tears. She and I got to know each other over the summer while she was here caring for Peggy. She has become like a sister to me.

Tit Bits

Yesterday, in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month", my local yarn shop, Babetta's Yarn and Gifts had a "Tit Bits Workshop" where we learned to knit prosthetic breasts for women who have undergone a mastectomy. Babetta graciously donated a fantastic yarn called Super Taj Mahal which is a cashmere, silk and virgin wool blend. It was an amazing experience to sit in the class and listen to the stories the other women had to share. Some were breast cancer survivors, and others, like myself, just knew a close friend or relative who has had breast cancer. One of the women in the class was a very petite Asian woman named Helen who weighed all of 95 pounds. She has never been able to find a prosthetic that fit her properly because she is so petite. She was there with her daughter to learn to make her own.

The class was taught with permission from the designed Beryl Tsang. She is a breast cancer survivor who has such a fantastic sense of humor and great out look. Check out her article from Knitty with the pattern: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html (I do like the comment about weighted titties being confiscated at airports as "dangerous projectiles". Can you see the headlines? "Hijackers Use Flying Tittie To Take Over Plane" Will be have to register our Tits as "lethal weapons" next?)