The more things change

What is my password to this blog? Is anyone still out there? What have I been doing for the past two years? Some questions just can't be answered. I can -- and do -- live in a space of not knowing. And fortunately, I found my password, which I promptly changed since it was essentially …

All sorts

During what I think was my first visit to another person's home since mid-March, my friend Barbara gave me some wound sock yarn that she no longer wanted. During her sock-making efforts, she hadn't been feeling like the Fearless Knitter she is -- the repeated laddering was vexing her. The ball bands were missing, so …

Unplanned Design Elements

The "mistake" tag gets a fair bit of use on this little blog. As I tell fellow knitters -- whether in a class or a friend or knitting group companion -- the reason I'm able to fix a lot of knitting mistakes is that I've had an awful lot of practice. Recognizing your mistakes and …

Bit by Bit

Adding to the sadness and loss of this wacky time we're all living in is Mom's slipping away. It's a normal part of dementia's progression, but it is truly brutal, especially since we've not been able to visit her for the past six weeks or so. The wonderful staff at her memory care residence have …

A Game of Yarn Chicken

Every knitter gets there eventually -- pulled into a game of yarn chicken, wherein the amount of remaining yarn and the amount of project yet to be finished are too close to call. I played recently when I had this much yarn left just as I was about to start the toe of a second …

Restless

If you'd asked me a month ago what I'd do with two weeks at home with no outside obligations except my regular freelance work which is done from home anyway, I'd have given you a list of projects. Knitting projects to finish and new ones to cast on (duh!), recipes I'd like to try, a …

WIP: Still a Sock

The first Vanilla Latte sock is done, finished on Saturday evening at an old acoustic music club where Patrick and I had gone to hear some blues. I managed to graft the toe during a break after the opening set. As usual, I followed TechKnitting's novel technique, which I've found makes a smoother toe. I …

Knits and Votes

As has been my practice the past several years, I spent much of Election Day working at a nearby polling place. Turnout was strong because of the presidential primary -- Massachusetts is one of the Super Tuesday primaries -- and a local ballot referendum. Being a big fan of democracy and the right -- and …

WIP Wednesday: Sweater & Sock

The last time I knit a sweater for myself, the process revealed some longstanding and non-rational emotions about body image. All that time alone with needles and yarn can do that to a person! So I guess I shouldn't be surprised that it's been nearly two years before I've started another one. But the lovely …

Friends’ Knits

I love when friends send me updates on their knitting projects. Sometimes it might be an emergency (don't laugh. Knitting emergencies are a thing). More often, they'll be looking for a consultation. Sock Knitter Judy, who doesn't yet believe that she's a Fearless Knitter, texted last week with a dilemma. Can you spot it? If …

This Month’s Socks

Despite the title of this post, I'm not aiming for the Sock of the Month club. But regular readers know that I've just about always got a sock on my needles. I started my latest pair -- the first of 2020 -- on January 2 while on the first leg of the return from our …

Yet Again

A quick glimpse through my stash might lead you to conclude that I only knit with sock yarn. You'd be wrong but only somewhat. Sock yarn is so easy to buy because I always know what I'll make with it. As opposed to the two skeins of Tosh DK, one orange and one dark grey, …

The Answer to Everything

Apparently the Hitchhiker scarf got its name from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a book that I may have read at some point but have no recollection of. And I certainly don't recall that, in the book, the number 42 is "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything." What's the …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …