KnitFixation

2012-01-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

IVAN HAS A GOOD SIDE AFTER ALL ...

He made Q-tip stop tearing around the house with my Addi Turbos for 5 minutes...

2012-01-02T10:50:00.000-08:00

HATS for tiny GIRLS and BOYS

Recently, I learned to crochet. Well, I say recently - compared that to when I learned to knit more than half a century ago ... I only learned to crochet in the last couple of years and I was given a wonderful pattern for hats which are well received at local hospitals for their newborn population.

The latest bag ready for delivery, and the first bag of the New Year, is pictured here, containing 34 hats, 4 of which were made New Year's Day. So quick and easy.

I like to store them in those nifty plastic bags that sheet sets come in because the hospital staff can see what they're getting and it's easy just to slip a card or note inside saying where they are from and it keeps the hats clean and organized.

There is joy in knitting and crocheting and definitely warming tiny heads.

2012-01-02T09:50:00.000-08:00

SEE, THIS IS WHY I CALL HIM "IVAN THE SQUIRRIBLE"

Our squirrels are VERY bold. There is, quite frankly, no way of discouraging them from thieving the bird food when they set their little pea brains on that very task. The picture above is how I found him when I walked into my kitchen to make a cup of Rosie Lee this morning.

Today, it seems, Ivan decided it would be a good day for a suet breakfast. Clearly, this particular rodent's list of new year's resolutions did not include leaving the birds' food alone.

This is his commentary to me after pounding on the window to dislodge his hairy butt.
SPEAK to the TAIL!

Now, normally, I would not be put off by this blatant display of gross disrespect, but I DID give him a good 3 minute grace period munching on the suet so I could photograph the dirty deed before pounding on the window so I think he ought to be grateful. This was very rude, I think.

After jumping from the illicit feast to the window sill and over to the fence where he furiously scratched himself and spun his tail while "regrouping", he decided he was still not full.

This is Ivan coming back for more. It's a good job Q-tip was too busy chewing my Addi Turbos to notice this little mini-drama.

Crafty Squirrel: 1
Irate Woman: 0

He wins the battle - I'm still fighting the war.

2011-10-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Blimey! Roots have invented a #knitting camp chair with #YAR... on Twitpic

Well it's about time, I say! Roots have finally made a camp chair for knitters, complete with yarn holder. What took them so long? Knitters rejoice!

2011-09-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

This is a video I stumbled upon on YouTube and thought I would share. It seems that some folk think I am the star in the video. Although the person in this video is, in my humble estimation, a mechanical wizard with her fingers, I am not she and she is not me! I appreciate her efforts, though, to share this talent with the world and I am just providing friends who read my blog with a sample of some of the talent available on YouTube and elsewhere on the WWW. Enjoy!

Here's the work in progress! I'm getting excited just thinking of it. Keep your hands warm AND end up with a finished product. Life is good.

2011-09-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, been lurking for awhile but just became aware of a new talent. Now, I admit I have never met a craft I didn't like - I like them all. Some, however, I am really horrendous at, but I can't wait to try my "hand" at this...

Cat Bordhi - Part 1: wrapping & turning, concealing wraps

2011-01-11T08:27:00.000-08:00

By far, the very best demonstration of wrap and turn I have seen. Thanks, Cat Bordhi, for publishing the informative and very helpful video!

Cat Bordhi - Part 2: wrapping & turning, concealing wraps

2011-01-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

2010-11-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, knitters can sometimes be a wee bit obsessive...

2010-10-21T13:13:00.001-07:00

Startitis Strikes Mississauga Knitter

I am sick with a terrible case of Startitis. If left unchecked, this can lead to a chronic case of Finishaphobia. I've already got some of the tell-tale symptoms of this ghastly malaise. I have currently on the go - a pair of socks, no. 1/2 and I'm not liking the chances of casting on the second - this is a whole other illness - "Onesockitis" - I have a hat in modified rib which I really like, but it's boring. So much yarn, so little time and I want to use it all! Bless me!

2010-10-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

This lady is my hero - I think!

2010-10-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

IN THE WANING OF THE DAY

In the waning of the day when embers warmly glowing lay within my hearth
the stresses that had taken hold no longer seem to be so bold
They don their cloaks and quickly flee, and yield to wools enfolding me,
As I sit clicking, clicking, softly knitting
in the waning of the day.

In the waning of the day when all around me sleeping lay
No sleep can find me as I sit before the fire and quietly knit
My soul finds solace in the act, the quiet, lovely fibrous act of one stitch over, two left back
Wrap the yarn, take up the slack.
A sock, a hat, a baby sweater
End result? It doesn't matter
Just the act of quiet solace worry-free of come what may
in the waning of the day.

2010-10-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

Just so there is no confusion, the "Judy" in this video is not me. I do not know this Judy but I think I love her! Her instructions are clear and concise and extremely helpful. I think anyone who wants to know how to perform this task should watch and learn! Enjoy, and thanks, Judy, for your much appreciated assistance! :)

The Last Knit

2009-12-30T12:02:00.001-08:00

Enjoy, all you Knit-a-holics!

2009-08-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Not exactly knitting related, but hey - this is one of my all-time favourite recipes which I originally found in the 1987 (!!!) Milk Calendar and have not seen since until this morning when, after having spent 2 hours crawling through the crawl space and digging through boxes and making a right mess of the crawl space, not to mention myself, I gave up and Googled it and some precious person had posted it to their blog and yes, it is the same one! It is a milk-based sauce as opposed to the standard tomato-based sauce, so for those of you who may suffer tomato allergies, make this with confidence... Oh! And if any of you actually HAVE the 1987 milk calendar, and are of a mind to share the recipes in it (it was a stellar year for the MC), I would be ever so grateful!

Oh, and if you want to check out the blog where I found this long-lost recipe, go here:

thoroughlymodernvintage.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-creative-space-completed-wips-and.html

COUNTRY STYLE SPAGHETTI

Country Style Spaghetti -serve 4 to 6

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. hot red chili flakes (opt.)
1/4 c. chopped pimento or sweet red pepper
1 lb. sausages (sweet or hot Italian) removed from casing and broken up
2 Tbsp. flour ( or tapioca starch)
2 1/2 c. milk
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 lb. spaghetti
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1. Heat oil in a large skillet and brown sausage as you break it into chunks. When the sausage is getting brown, add the garlic, onions and hot pepper flakes. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Sprinkle meat with flour and cook a few minutes, stirring. Add milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add nutmeg, salt, pepper and pimentos. Simmer gently for 15 minutes.
3. While sauce is cooking, cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling, salted water. Cook until tender 10 to 12 minutes and drain.
4. Toss spaghetti with sauce, cheese and parsley. Taste and season if necessary.

Serve with any green vegetable and if you wish, garlic bread.

Prep. Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

2009-06-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

2008-10-11T05:11:00.000-07:00

LAZY DAISY STITCHERY

Good morning all! Okay, for those of us who like to embellish our knitted pieces with embroidery, I found a neat little tutorial video on how to do a lazy daisy stitch. Now I know what you are probably thinking - I've made hundreds of those - but for those of us who are visually needy, I thought I'd post a link because after all, this person's site is really quite good and the video is really quite clear.
You will need to scroll down past the picture of the multiple strand daisies in action (which, incidentally, I think are a marvellous idea and look nifty).

Let me know what you think if you're inclined to visit!

Here's the link.

http://www.needlenthread.com/2006/11/daisy-stitch-video-tutorial.html

Joy in Knitting ... and stitchery!

2008-08-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

SSK vs. K2tog tbl

The video below is shown on my blog courtesy of and with permission of Brittany Newberry, the owner of the video. Brittany has created many instructional videos for your viewing pleasure and knitting clarification. Her site is http://www.knitwitch.com/

Thanks, Brittany!

Joy in Knitting

2008-08-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

GOOD GRAPE! IT'S ANOTHER BABY SWEATER!

And it's so PURPLE!!! These sweaters are SO quick and SO much fun, I'm thinking of making a gross of them...

Anyway, this one is a really rich shade of purple by Cabin Fever. Not sure the pic does it justice, but I think it looks really smart and some little tyke is going to be really swish-looking.

Joy in knitting!

2008-08-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

NOW I KNOW MY ABC'S

Okay, I am definitely going to stop making these now (after I've done a PURPLE one!) The little ABC buttons on this one were one of my favourite features. They are just too cute.

I can't tell you how much fun these little sweater are to make, and so quick (as you can tell) because I've finished 3 complete sets in July as well as a turquoise jacket which is not pictured and is not lacy but plain.

I did go in a slightly different direction with the "skirt" of this sweater and adopted a double-eyelet pattern I got from Ann Norling. I think it worked very well but took a tiny bit more yarn than the original Cabin Fever pattern.

Joy in Knitting

2008-07-28T07:25:00.001-07:00

AND HERE IT IS IN RED! (In Progress)

I thought I'd show you what this little Cabin Fever no-sew sweater project looks like on the needles. It looks all scary and stuff, right? Well despite the sleeve being on 3 dpn's (a practice which I heretofore eschewed) I have to say it still beats sewing up seams at the end of a project when all you want is to see it finished and gloat. So anyway, here's the red, which I think is turning out pretty nice even if I do say so myself. I should have this set done by the end of the week. Okay, maybe THEN I'll get back to the socks...

Joy in knitting and procrastinating...

2008-07-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

AND HERE IT IS IN GOLD

I'M A LITTLE STAR!

I like to call this one "I'm a Little Star" because, obviously, of the little buttons. It is identical to the turquoise one shown below and was equally as much fun to make. Cabin Fever is my Friend!

Joy in No-Sew Knitting!

2008-07-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

TOP DOWN CARDIGAN FOR NEWBORN

This little gem is a pattern by Cabin Fever whose specialty, as you may or may not know, is no-sew creations.

I am in love with this technique - seriously! No sewing. Gotta love it. This little creation was started on Sunday night - that's two nights ago. It's done and ready to wear. Knit in one piece. Love it. I got the pattern from The Purple Purl in Toronto, together with the Cabin Fever Tweed DK and cast on as soon as I got home.

I think this might must be my favourite pattern to make for newborns. Check out the little lady bug buttons.

Joy in knitting!

2008-06-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

RELAY FOR LIFE 2008

Well, Relay is over for another year and it was a huge success, our team having raised almost $6,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. We generated a lot of public interest this year as our tent was on the side of the park facing the street. We were "Knitting for a Cure". This is a program where we knit scarves and hats for people undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The yarn is donated and the scarves are given free of charge. Since the project's start, we have made and donated some 800 scarves and hats.

People came in droves, with children and dogs, we gave knitting and spinning lessons and a good time was had by all.

Visitors wanted to learn how, so we had a piece of "community knitting" that could be picked up by anyone and worked on for a row or two.

People gathered around the two spinning wheels onsite for a demonstration of how yarn is made. We were delighted that there was so much interest in the art.

This is Matty. Matty was taking her owner for a walk in the park and decided to stop by for a visit. She dressed in yellow, initially. Isn't she beautiful? Is there such a thing as a Wheaten Terrier Sweater? Hey, don't get any big ideas about shearing ME...

Upon detecting the "pink" theme, Matty insisted on being taken home for a bath and change of clothes. After a nice bath Matty was back, proudly sporting pink for the occasion. She was ever-such-a-lady.

This is Matty after she had learned everything there was to know about spinning, knitting and fiber arts and wanted to "move on" to the cheesy treats.

There is DEFINTELY joy in knitting!

2008-06-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

MIDNIGHT MAGIC STARFISH

Awhile back, there was a great big fuss on the dishcloth list I belong to about Bernat Handicrafter Midnight Magic 100% cotton. Nay, not a fuss - more like a frenzy. As with such things, there was a flurry of activity involving said cotton - needles and knitters were coming out of the woodwork to knit with this glorious colourway. As is almost always the case when a colour becomes wildly popular, the lovely people who manufacture it promptly discontinue it. They did not disappoint this time.

Anyway, I had some set aside for just such an occasion as this - Sew-Funky's starfish pattern (pink one photographed below in earlier post) and I said to myself, "Myself," I said, "I bet Midnight Magic would be an ideal colour for the wee starfishie." Here it is. Let me know what you think?

I'm likin' it!

Joy in Knitting!

2008-06-10T06:07:00.000-07:00

STAR GAZING

Well thanks again to Sew-Funky for another fabulous design. Check out this gorgeous starfish cloth and get the free pattern at Sew-Funky's site. I am in love with this design. It was so easy and addictive, I may have to have one in every hue. The one pictured here is in a wonderful pink variegated by Honeysuckle Yarns. Gotta go fishing...
Joy in Knitting!

2008-06-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

"THE" SOCK (THAT'S SOCK, SINGULAR)

Well, folks, earlier in the year - like, January - I resolved to make another sock. It hasn't happened yet. I was hoping that Almighty God would take a row of the first sock's ribbing and make it a mate but apparently, this was a one-hit-wonder with the Almighty. Evidently, the Almighty doesn't do socks.

I COULD have just photographed the one sock twice and SAY I had made the mate but then you might as well put me in an overnight pouch and FedEx me straight to Hell, without passing GO and definitely without collecting $200 worth of sock yarn. So here is the one picture of the one sock. It has been so long since I made it that I lost the pattern. I tried using that as an excuse. You know, "But God, I lost the pattern - couldn't you just perform one more little miracle..." but He shook His head and wagged His admonishing digit in my face and said, "Pick up thy knitting needles and knit." He had an accomplice. Linda (of Linda's Craftique) was "kind enough" to provide me with another copy of the pattern. Gee, thanks. I even offered her some Heart Attack Pie (scroll down for the recipe) NOT to give me the pattern, but she and the Almighty are in cahoots - nay, thick as thieves.

So, I'm picking up my needles and the other half of the delish aloe and jojoba yarn and I'm off to the Sock Races...

Um, Joy in Knitting?

2008-06-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

WINDMILL DISHCLOTH!

Thanks to blogger: http://sew-funky.blogspot.com/2008/05/windmill-dishcloth.html I have completed a Windmill Dishcloth. I love it! Thanks to Sew-Funky for creating this cloth. My version is pictured below. I used Sugar 'n Cream Floral Prints on 4.5 mm needles. This makes quite a large cloth and I think I will try size 4.0 mm for my next one (and there WILL be a next one!) Thanks Sew-Funky!

It's so delightfully Don Quixotic!

Joy in Knitting!

2008-05-21T11:50:00.003-07:00

LUXURY TWEED DISHCLOTH

This is a picture of the stitch pattern.
Here's my latest cloth design and free pattern for y'all.

LUXURY TWEED CLOTH
(copyright 2008 by Judith Somersett)

Materials:

Your favourite dishcloth cotton in your favourite colour
Size 7 (4.5mm needles)

Special Stitches:

K1B (Knit one below): Insert right-hand needle into the next stitch one row below and knit, removing that stitch and the one above at the same time. A video demonstration of this stitch can be seen below this post.

Directions:

Cast on 35 stitches
Row 1 (WS) Knit

Commence 4-row repeat as follows:

Row 1 K1, *K1B, K1. Repeat from * to end of row
Row 2 Knit
Row 3 K2, *K1B, K1. Repeat from * to last stitch, K1
Row 4 Knit

Repeat these four rows until desired length, ending with either Row 2 or Row 4. Cast off and enjoy your very luxurious, cushy cloth!

Joy in Knitting!

Here's the video!
Knitting into the Row Below (K1B)

2008-04-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

HEART ATTACK PIE

Some of the wonderful "sistas" on an e-mail list I belong to got to discussing what they would eat if it were the end of the world and they could have ANYTHING. I would opt for Heart Attack Pie.

Well, yes. That's what we had for dinner tonight. We have come to call it this because it's filled with extra-old white cheddar cheese and onion - that's with a top AND bottom crust. That's bad enough, but we have a side of sausages - fried to be sure - with the pie. All in all, it's a plate full of cardiovascular distress. Nay, it is a myocardial infarction wrapped in pastry.

Anyone want the recipe?

3 cups of shredded extra old white cheddar cheese
1 cup of chopped onion
pastry crusts (I buy the Tenderflake ready-made deep-dish pie crusts)

Boil the onion in a pan until transparent (don't fry them - that just seals the heart attack deal!)
Combine the cheese and onion in the pastry shell and put the lid on it. Vent the top crust and brush with egg.

Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 1 hour and serve with your favourite side dish - ours is sausage.

What's that sound? Oh, it's my left ventricle slamming shut...

I invite comments. If you had one meal left and you could have ANYTHING - what would it be?

DEAD MAN WALKING WANTS TRIPE!

Dad (that's him with Q-tip down there - scroll down), when asked if he were on death row, what would his last meal be, sez:

"Fresh Tripe".

He sez this because we live in Canada and fresh tripe cannot be acquired here - well the Canucks SAY they have it but it's completely 'uneatable' (Dad's word - not mine - Dad's so cute) and I say, "Well, it can be done - it's only a 6-hour flight from England - prison warden gets on the horn and sez 'Dead man walking wants tripe' and in 6 hours, it's right in front of you." So to this, Dad says, "Well I'd wait until the tripe was in the air and then say 'I forgot to mention the trotters' - that would give me at least another 6 hours." I sez, "They HAVE trotters in Canada".

So come on folks. what would be your choice?

Joy in knitting (and eating...)

2008-04-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

RELAY FOR LIFE 2008

Well, despite the outrageous cold last June (9 degrees C!) we are doing it again this year on June 20! We are packing the woolies just in case and thermoses of coffee / hot choc etc. because HECK it was cold last year! Funds collected for this fun event (all-night knitting and strolling around a track) go to the Canadian Cancer Society. Here is a link to my page if anyone cares to make a donation! Tax receipts are provided for donations of $25 or more (I believe).

Thanks in advance!

https://secureccs.ca/?inv=ef5256b0-ce90-4321-9c5d-1aa833875c0b <https://secureccs.ca/?inv=ef5256b0-ce90-4321-9c5d-1aa833875c0b>

I'll be sure to post pictures after the fact! Check out the ones below from last year's event (if you can find any of us among all the blankets!)

2008-01-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, it has been - lemmesee - too long since my last confession - er, post.

I have decided that on top of my list of resolutions is to knit a sock. I say "a sock" because I knit my first one approximately, um, over a year ago and since then it has been sitting in my sock drawer, alone, praying that Almighty God would take a row of its ribbing and make it a mate.

This is a lovely sock. It is made from fine yarn which is infused with aloe and jojoba. Delish. I threw a street party when I turned my first heel, but then I fell off the sock wagon as it were and started other projects, vowing to return and make the other sock. Didn't happen. I have to be good this year though, SO...

I visited my favourite knitting bookseller (Hi, Marsha!) and ordered a new book that will teach me (it says) to knit two socks at once on one circular needle???!!! Said book is by Melissa Morgan Oakes, called "2-At-A-Time-Socks". I remain reticent. I'll let you know how it works for me!

Happy Sock Knitting!

2007-07-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

GRANNIE'S IN THE SLAMMER FOR TRAFFICKING GRASS

You saw it here first, Folks. That grass is handknit from finest Turkish eyelash yarn. I have gone to whole new heights in my fibre arts obsession, but gee whiz, won't I just make the BEST grandma ever?

Picture this: Show and Tell 2015 "I brought my grannie. She sells grass!"

Now I can say I've done grass. My mother would be so proud!

2007-07-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

PRETTY IN PINK

Here's an attempt at mixing a right twist stitch with a lace pattern. I like it much better than "Felted Faux Pas" down there...

This hat is made with Cascade Sierra which is a lovely - and I mean really lovely blend of 80% cotton and 20% wool. I will NOT be felting this hat. It is incredibly soft. I will be contributing this hat to the Downtown Knit Collective's "Knitting for a Cure" in September when it starts up again.

It is nice and big and roomy and comfy. I like it so much, I think I'll have to make another. I know my daughter has her eye on this one...

Okay, some of the joy's coming back.

2007-07-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW TO FELT BUT REALLY, YOU KNOW SQUAT...

See that nice little pink titfer down there that has all little ridges and holes? (See post from July 7). Well, being made of 100% wool, smarty-pants here decides to try her hand at felting. So anyway, I throws it in the wash - on HOT just for good measure and wash the cr*p out of it. Then I throws it in the dryer, again on HOT and okay, I know it's going to shrink - nay, I fully expect it to shrink. What I don't expect is for it not to resemble the pretty lacy-ridgy titfer you see below.

So, if anyone has any constructive criticism or helpful tips on what to do next time I decide I feel like felting, please submit them with my blessing.

Seriously dischuffed and not feeling very "joy-in-knittingish" this evening...

2007-07-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

FEATHER AND FAN HAT
This hat was meant to match yonder wristwarmers (look down). While similar in appearance it is in fact slightly different. I have to admit I enjoy doing picot edging. I plan to write up the pattern for this and publish it shortly. In the meantime, I hope you like the pic!

Joy in knitting.

2007-07-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

Lacy Wrist Warmers

You are looking at a total experiment. I'm still working on this and have not perfected it yet. The idea came to me because I was working on a perfectly lovely pair of wrist warmers designed by Marsha White (thanks, Marsha!) and I wanted to knit a pair as a gift for a wedding in November (in white of course). I wanted something lacy and am partial to feather-and-fan style lace so I adapted one of my favourite dishcloth patterns to make the one photographed here. When I have completed a pair of these, I will get my dainty-wristed daughter to model them and print up the pattern!

Joy in knitting!

Continental knitting demo

2007-06-27T13:22:00.001-07:00

This is a wonderful tutorial on continental-style knitting for those of you who are interested. I'm still trying to master it!

Knitting with Q-Tip

2007-06-27T13:16:00.001-07:00

The cat in this video is called "Max" but omigod he could be my Q-tip's twin brother!

2007-06-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU FROM THE DKC AND THE CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY

Well, folks, you really came through! The DKC raised over $4,000 for cancer research AND managed to have a good time despite the outrageous cold - 9 degrees celsius - that's 48.2 fahrenheit for our friends south of the border!

Meet Wannietta (above). The girl's fingers fly! See more from Wannietta at http://www.whatswanniettaknittingtoday.blogspot.com/

This is Julie (above). Julie brought her spinning wheel and was actively spinning fleece well into the night. She was generous enough to share her art and describe it for any who chose to stop by our tent for a visit. Thanks, Julie!

Denise (above) brought her spinning wheel as well. Denise is our resident "Dr. Knit". We take all of our knitting problems and woes to Denise. Denise is actually quite cool with this. Denise is my hero.

Wannietta and Joan

Thanks to Cristina for this picture (above).

Getting late and cold but we knit on!

... and on ...

Luminary for Sissy - somehow my message didn't get put on but that's okay.
Sissy saw it, I'm sure.
I love you and miss you, Sissy!

Luminaries
This was very moving and inspirational

Anyhow, a big thank you goes out to all my supporters and a special thanks to Linda Benne who very generously donated a big bag of pink yarn which we used to knit scarves for cancer patients. Thanks, Linda! xoxoxoxoxo

2007-06-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

Q-TIP WANTS TO KNIT

So there I was on the weekend, sitting out on the patio doing - what else? - knitting, and I look up to see my 6-year-old kitty, Q-tip, gazing longlingly at my circs. This explains why I knit outside because if I knit inside, Q-tip wants to help. He loves my circs more than kippers and I have to diligently hide them when I go in, lest the cables end up kitty-sucked. Is that even a word?

Nothing is worse than sliding a nice expensive cotton along your favourite circs and having it SNAG on a kitty-perfed (I'm reasonably sure that's not a word either) cable.

Anyone else have this problem?

But I digress. Q-tip (so-called because he's long, white and always rooting into things he shouldn't...) is gazing out the window and I just KNOW what he's thinking. He's thinking that I'll come in for a coffee and put the needles down and then when I'm least expecting it, he'll pounce on my knitting, wrestle the needles bare and tear off through the house with his treasure, followed frantically by "mom" screeching and wailing about her ruined lace ...

News flash, Q - not gonna happen. So you can go back to sleep and dream of chasing circular needles because you're not getting your pointy little teeth on mine!

That's Dad with Q-tip. Dad doesn't LIKE cats, so he sez. Ya, right!

Joy in knitting!

2007-06-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAEVE!

This little sweet pea is Maeve and she just celebrated her 1st birthday. Check out the bikini! It is just too cute.

Maeve is also modelling a brand new watermelon chapeau courtesy of moi. Is she not the most darling little creature you've ever seen? Tres Chic!

Maeve has been voted "Most Likely to Break Hearts" in her Baby Yearbook. When asked to comment on this opinion, Maeve coyly replied,

"Aww shucks!"

CAKE??? Where the heck did THAT come from?

Enough modelling - time for dessert! - My adoring public will have to wait!

The trick is to see if I can eat this without getting any on my new hat!

2007-06-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

TOPPERS!

WATERMELON HAT!
Greetings. TGIF! Here is my latest creation. It's a watermelon hat in case it's not blatently obvious. Don't you just love the butterfly accent? Butterflies love fruit, don't you know?

This little treasure is made with 100% mercerized cotton.

PUMPKIN HAT!
Here is my crowning achievement at making a pumpkin hat. This pattern is from Fiber Trends and the pattern is called "Patrick's Pumpkin". It's a joy to make, again, in mercerized cotton.

Happy knitting!

2006-10-30T08:57:00.000-08:00

I'M A KNITTER - THERE ARE ALWAYS STRINGS ATTACHED
Cultured Purls - (Judith S.)

I was walking around the office t'other day and one of my co-workers says to me, "You have knitting needles around your neck!" I said, "Yes, That's my new jewellery. I prefer it to cultured purls" .

So, yes, I walk around daily with my favourite circs around my neck just in case I spy a piece of yarn or string that's calling out for help. It ensures that unsavory types stay away from me on the commute in and back. I'm thinking of starting my own line of jewellery.

On the needles currently, I have the wretched baby blanket (not on the needles around my neck). Yes, this is the same blanket which I professed last week or the week before to liking the way it was working up. Now, however, I cannot stand the sight of it. Well, that is not exactly true. It's just that I get bored working on a straight piece of knitting. Give me texture and shape anytime. I need a challenge.

Enter: "The Vest".

I spent my Sunday Googling "Top-Down-In-The-Round-Buttonless-Zippered-Easy-Quick-Masculine-Child-Vest" for a project I've been asked to make. Oh, and he likes Spongebob Squarepants - could I perhaps work that in somehow - oh, and could you make it masculine? And does it come with fries and a shake?

Who said knitting wasn't an adventure? Anyone have a pattern for algae?

2006-10-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

WINTER WARMERS

Here is a lovely little Keep-Me-Toasty idea. I designed this neck warmer because a co-worker wanted a scarf that would not blow off for her young daughter. This piece could be worn over the head and shoulders like a poncho, but just cover the neck and shoulders like a turtleneck sweater, inside a winter coat. Needless to say, it was very well received.

Here's the pattern for anyone who wants to make one of these little treasures:

Materials
Chunky weight yarn
Circular needle (size 5.5 or 6.0 depending on how chunky the yarn is) but it should be only 16” long.
Coloured stitch markers.

Directions
Cast on 82 stitches and join, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place marker.
Work about 4” in K1P1 rib
Eyelet Row: This is so that you can flip the collar over easily and if you want, thread a cord through the eyelets.
K1, *Yarn forward, K2 tog, K1. Repeat from * to end of round.
Work another 4” in K1P1 rib

Begin st st for the bodice:
Row 1: Knit 21, pm, K20, pm, K20, pm K21, pm
**Next row: K1, increase one stitch in next stitch, knit to 2 stitches before first marker, increase one stitch in next stitch, K1; move marker, K1, increase one stitch in next stitch. Continue around, increasing one stitch before and after each marker until you complete the round. I used a different colour marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Knit the next round even.**
Repeat between ** until desired length of shoulder is completed and cast off knitwise.
I crocheted an edge around the bottom in double crochet.

The cord: Cast on 150 stitches and cast them off. Do not knit them; just cast them off. If you cast on with your thumb and one needle, this will make a nice flat cord to thread through the eyelets.

Copyright 2006 by Judith Somersett. Pattern is for personal use and not for resale.

2006-10-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Okay, so here's the thing. The blanket's kind of big and cumbersome for taking on the train to work. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. So yesterday, when I was not going to work, but practicing to see if my "new project" was small enough to actually GO to work (Be Prepared - I used to be a Guide), I cast on a hat. Turns out the hat WAS small enough after all; however, I finished it yesterday.

Anyway, a bit of fancy footwork and fingerwork, and before you know it, I had cast on a bootee. Now this is okay because it's something I've not done before so it counts as an Educational Project. AND a bootee would certainly be small enough to take on the train, right? However, I finished it last night, so this morning I was in a bit of a quandary. Here I was ready to go out the door with my compact little purse and nothing to cram into it but a whopping great blanket. Um, no I don't THINK so.

Anyway, I went scrambling around for another small ball of yarn and my small circs and in the car on the WAY to the train, I cast on another bootee - in a different colour than the first one. Who said knitting had to make sense???

So for those of us who are keeping count (Sissy!) I currently have a lighthouse sweater, a baby blanket, and a bootee. The first bootee does not count as a wip because I might decide to mismatch them when the new bootee's done.

Joy in knitting, folks...

2006-10-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

SPEECHLESS, ME?

Well, okay, so I'm new at this and to my horror, I find that I am trying to think of things to say. Me. Speechless. There's a switch.

On the knitting front, I now have two projects on the go. Never one to finish one project before picking up another - that makes way too much sense - I have put my lighthouse sweater down because I don't like the way the wool feels and am contemplating doing it with another, less itchy yarn.

Actually, that's an excuse. The yarn's not that itchy. I just wanted to work with baby weight for awhile so I started a blanket for a little bundle of joy that's due in January. Not MY little bundle I am quick to add. Been there. Done that. Got the stretch marks to prove it. One of the ladies at work is expecting and this blanket has actually been commissioned by one of her friends. Yippee - a paid project. Almost the best kind, second only to pro bono for someone in need.

I have to say, I love the way this blanket is working up. I'm doing Ann Norling's "Infant Set II". All of it. Sweater, hat, bootees (might need help with those - never done them before) and the blanket - in white with flecks of light blue and yellow - very pretty. I actually have most of the sweater done. Oops, just admitted to haveing 3 projects on needles...

2006-10-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

Howdy! I can't believe I'm blogging! I have started a website called KnitFixation.com and I'm hoping it takes off!

I invite anyone who is interested in knitting (the craft, the supplies - anything to do with it) to join in and submit comments.

Here's a little poem which I wrote for your viewing pleasure - (Copyright 2004 - All rights reserved)

KNITTING BEA
When Beatrice Jones first learned how to knit,
She was only seven years old … and a bit
Her grandma said, "Bea, you can wear handmade clothes,
from the top of your head to the tip of your toes!"
So Bea took up needles and crafted a toque
which she presented with pride to her big brother, Luke
And this was the start of a wonderful thing
There was no stopping Bea as her needles took wing
She made cotton hotpads and dishcloths and cosies
and even some headbands with tulips and posies
She made the most wonderful, fabulous togs
For all of her friends … and all of their dogs!
She knit cables and fair isle and eyelets galore
Nothing hand-knitted was too great a chore
No one was surprised if Bea was seen sitting
In front of the TV or in the bath – knitting!
And as she would sit there and weave in her ends,
She dreamed of new projects to knit for her friends
The town folk were well dressed it was plain to see
For their clothes were all crafted by Knitting Bea
And each night before Bea climbed into bed,
it was always the following prayer that she said:
"If I begin knitting while I am asleep,
I pray that the Lord, my stitches will keep
and I in return for these generous things,
Will knit all His angels some new fair isle wings."

Copyright ©2004 Judith B. Somersett