Never Gets Old

I generally find Facebook's "memories" kind of creepy, in part because, well, Facebook is kind of creepy. But also because they remind me how poor my recall of time is. Take yesterday, when I found myself thinking, "that was 9 years ago?!" when I saw this blast from the past: The magic of blocking was …

Dyeing to Try This

My three and a half days at the Strung Along Retreat in beautiful Washington state seems like eons ago even though it was only last month. I'd best share some memories before they fade completely. Imagine a gorgeous resort inn on an ocean bay, surrounded by hills and parkland and furnished with lovely rooms, each …

Spruce Up the Neighborhood

The yarnbombed sign pole on our corner has been looking kind of ragged after two years exposed to the New England elements. As I cut it down, the underside was revealed, showing how much the colors had faded. Compare the bright orange and its outward-facing pale version near the top of this photo. A few …

Lining for a Knit Baby Sweater?

Melissa, a regular reader of this little blog, has a question for fellow Fearless Knitters. She's just finished all the pieces for a blue cardigan sweater for her one-year old granddaughter. Because it's the third sweater she's knit for this precious human and because she's an adventuresome knitter (among other qualities), she'd like to try …

A Bit of a Reputation

At dinner last month, someone asked each of us to name three things (not people) we couldn't live without -- not literally, of course, but those things that ground our daily life. Mine were getting outside every morning by myself, reading in bed each night, and knitting. That last item comes as no surprise to …

Friday Flight

I'm downright giddy as I get ready to board a flight to Seattle for a knitting retreat. Sister-friend Cathie (she of the knitting cruises -- yes, it's a thing) is coming down from Vancouver. The Strung Along Retreat will include about 35 other knitters, gathered for three days of knitting, dyeing, and cooking -- and, …

The Little Things

The little things in life are so often the big things. I've been reminding myself of this over the past nine or ten months as I spend hours every day with Mom. It's not rocket science nor is it a new insight. It's just good to pause in the moment and realize. Untangling a poorly …

WIP Wednesday: Patience

When I expressed concern about a recent too-short sock, several readers offered advice for remedying the situation. My decision not to act on any of those suggestions is not a reflection of my sincere appreciation for the tips; it's more a result of my desire to just be finished with the socks. FInished so I …

The Thing About Babies

I'd figured out about a month ago that the log cabin blanket would be bigger than your usual baby blanket. OK, I figured it as soon as I started. The pattern is called Log Cabin Throw -- no mention of "baby" at all. But I really liked the color combination, and I'm a fan of …

WIP Wednesday: Socks x 2

Not a pair of socks. Two first socks. You may ask why. I can only reply, why not?! Before heading to Mom's one recent day, I grabbed a ball of sock yarn from my stash and four appropriately-sized DPNs. This is Patons Kroy sock yarn, and I'm making one of my basic top-down socks -- …

Help Needed for Too-Short Sock

So I've got a bit of a sock dilemma. I made the leg of the first Lord Varys sock too short. The most likely reason is that I was sick of checking the pattern chart each round and wanted to get to the heel -- my favorite part of any sock. Don't misunderstand: I'm pleased …

Time for Knitting

I admit to a not-so-gracious response when people tell me they don't have time to knit. "Really?" I think to myself. "You don't watch TV or sit in a vehicle or a waiting room or a chair at a friend's or your own house?" What I usually say is something like, "Oh, I'm always surprised …

Sweet Tradition Belatedly

If I were an Orthodox Christian, this post would be just about on time, but I’m not. And it isn’t. But, as I ask myself regularly, “who’s keeping score?” With no children at home and Patrick on a chocolate-free kick, it was only the day before Easter that I pulled out the basket, hollow plastic …

WIP Wednesday: Log Cabin for Baby

Since it's now too big to be a traveling project, the Log Cabin Throw hasn't been getting much attention lately. Every day, I tuck my latest sock into my bag as I head to Mom's home and spend at least a few hours knitting. She'll often knit her latest garter stitch scarf or will putter …

First Sock Thrills

I've written before about the thrill that comes from knitting your first sock, but it never gets old -- at least, not for me, even as an observer. I love watching a knitter create a heel flap and, round by round, make a gusset, and then catch her breath as she works the foot before …

Out and About

No matter how cold, snowy, or long the winter, Spring always arrives eventually. And the glory of the season never fails to amaze and lift my spirits -- and, based on conversations with friends and chats with strangers on the street, I'm not the only one. Last Saturday, Patrick, Mom, and I drove to Castle …

WIP Wednesday: Not What You Expect

Work in Progress (WIP) is shorthand among crafters for a current project, something that you're knitting, sewing, painting, making. The understanding in sharing updates on WIPs is that progress is being made -- that you're another step or so closer to finishing. #WIPWednesday is a chance to share such progress -- for example, a sock …

GoT Socks?

I'm not a convert to toe-up socks, but learning several new techniques -- and practicing my ripping out and reknitting skills -- made the Frasier Fir Socks worth the effort. The tree (or is it a branch?) detail along the leg is particularly charming. I may incorporate it into a hat some day -- or …

The Thrill of New Yarn

Like most knitters, I love to get new yarn. It can be downright thrilling. Can you relate? Being an introvert and one who thinks a lot about motivation and emotion -- mostly mine but also others' -- I have a theory about why new or stashed* yarn brings such delight. All things are possible with …

WIP Wednesday: Log Cabin

When I started the Log Cabin Throw, the intended recipient's arrival seemed far off. Probably because it was. But Baby-to-Be is due in just about two weeks, so I'd best pick up the pace. Since it's knit from the center out, each segment is about seven inches longer that the one it's "stacked" on. The …