On the Needles, November 2014

I have been knitting for about five years. A friend gave me some needles and yarn for Christmas, taught me how to cast on, knit, and purl. The rest I learned by watching tutorials on youtube. The needles and stitches were familiar--my aunt had taught me when I was nine years old. I knit a doll blanket, then forgot the difference between a knit and a purl stitch. This time, knitting stuck.

Creating something useful (and beautiful and fun) satisfies something in my core. It still amazes me that by just tying knots in yarn, I can make clothing and fabric; I can keep people warm. I'm finally picking up my knitting needles again (pregnant exhaustion for much of the last year kept me from doing much knitting, or anything else). Currently, I have five projects on needles--two are relatively new, two have been there for quite awhile.

I started this blanket when I first began knitting five years ago. The pattern was free at JoAnn Fabrics, and I picked it up, thinking I had the skill to dive in--I almost did. I knit about half of the blanket, and was disappointed in my mistakes (LOTS of dropped stitches), and the pattern was too busy for me. So I ripped it all out and started over, spacing the white stripes further apart. I like it much better, but it isn't finished yet. Turns out I bore easily. I do like the colors and pattern and will get back to it. The blanket has become my between projects project.

My most recent project--Charlie's Christmas sweater vest from What to Knit When You're Expecting. I love this vest; the pattern is really easy and fast to knit (baby clothes are tiny!). And? I'm so close to finishing, he'll actually get to wear it! (I'm also counting this as my first sweater, even if it is pint-sized).

A scarf for my own neck! I loved the Noro Scarf from Brooklyn Tweed as soon as I saw it. I used a different, softer yarn, but stuck to the pattern as written. Easy. No curling. Super thick and warm. I made one for Ethan in different colors the first winter we were married, but didn't get mine finished...maybe this winter? It's really, really close to being done. The slow color progression created with two striping yarns is beautiful.

This pattern is my design! A Charlie Brown inspired bib for Charlie. Again, this one is very simple and almost finished. He's starting to eat solids this week...I better get crackin'.

I cast on the Stripe Study Shawl right before I found out I was pregnant, then promptly placed the project on pause. While knitting it did find the pattern to be fast and quite fun--I love watching it come to life. I'm knitting it in Rowan Cotton Glace in Blood Orange and Umber (Umber has been discontinued...let's hope I bought enough. There's a chance I'm a skein short, which I should *probably* check before I continue). The stripes are simple, but the asymmetry adds visual interest. The name of the pattern also makes me swoon--of course I want a shawl to wrap around myself while I study. Who wouldn't?

Do you have too many projects on knitting needles? Or do you finish one project dutifully before beginning the next (it's okay to be honest...I'll still like you).

Off the Shelf, May 2013

The books I've picked up, turned the pages of, and thought about during the month.

Fever by Mary Beth Keane

For the second month in a row, I have finished my book group book a week ahead of time. This may be a record for me. Fever was good. The novel didn’t blow me away, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Keane ‘s novel follows the (fictionalized) story of Typhoid Mary, the woman who was discovered to be an asymptomatic carrier of Typhoid Fever in New York at the turn of the 20^th century, infecting people for whom she worked as a cook, but never showing signs of the illness herself. After reading the story, I have a difficult time referring to her as Typhoid Mary; it was likely a name she hated. The story is quite sympathetic toward Mallon (for good reason) without romanticizing her, which I appreciated. So much of her story is heartbreaking because of the lack of knowledge about disease and medicine—Mary Mallon was unusual and few people, let alone a working cook and those around her, understood what it meant that she could pass on a disease she never had herself. Keane wrote Mallon as a complex, emotional character; she exhibits pain and anger along with love and kindness, often all at once. Keane’s novel made me want to know more about the non-fiction Mary Mallon; it made me wonder how much we know about Mallon’s life and if we have access to her correspondence, but then, I’m a giant nerd who loves that stuff. I would read more by Keane.

Film: a Very Short Introduction by Michael Wood

I’m teaching a film class in July. I ordered books for the course last week and am in the process of research for planning classes. I will be reading more film books in the next two months. I did not end up ordering this one (which I might regret, this is a good little book). I think the Very Short Introduction series by Oxford University Press is pretty fabulous. They are smart, (very) short, and $10. There are 183 books in the series. Browse. Learn stuff. 

Mason Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne

I don’t own many knitting books (only three, I think) but I find myself picking this one up pretty often. A friend recommended it and I have found myself knitting several of the projects, some regularly. I like the authors’ sense of humor (one of the best project names: Absorba, the Great Bathmat) and they don’t shy away from mentioning mistakes or colors gone wrong. The projects range from beginner to more advanced and cover everything from dishcloths and baby blankets to curtains and nighties. So far, I haven’t had any difficulty with instructions and have been happy with every project I’ve worked. Next up: Absorba, the Great Bathmat!

An update on The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Sutterfield from April: I finished the novel this month and I did enjoy the story. It’s not one I feel the need to read again, but it’s an intriguing mystery about storytelling, memory, and loss. I’m glad I finished it and recommend it. 

To be fair, I also read, commented on, and graded over 200 pages of student papers during the first half of May. I’m hoping to pull more books off the shelf in June. Many more. Sometimes I think my job teaching literature and writing is bad for my reading of literature and writing. 

Knit Bibs

I am one of those people who makes the majority of the gifts she gives. Hopefully this practice doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of my family and friends. There is a chance they think “oh no, not another handmade present” when I arrive at a party. So far no one has mentioned it, so I’m going to keep up the practice until I learn otherwise.

This shall be the summer of baby showers for friends—friends having first children, long-awaited children, and second and third children. Lately I’ve been knitting baby gifts--I love the texture and comfort of soft cotton for babies. Even better are gifts that are both cute and serve a practical purpose. These bibs are the perfect project—they don’t take long to knit and the pattern is versatile. I’ve added more stripes to the pattern and buttons to the straps to make the bib able to grow with the baby.

Striped Bib Pattern

It is important to use 100% cotton yarn for these. Cotton is more absorbent than acrylic, washes really well, and feels better against the skin (for both the baby and the knitter). The color may fade over time, but that will add to the charm of the bibs—these are meant to be used and used often. 

Be bold with colors. Have fun. Bibs should be fun.

Materials

-  cotton, worsted-weight yarn in two colors

-  size 6 or 7 needles (whichever I have available at the time)

-  5/8” wide button (I like to use a contrasting color)

-  embroidery floss

-  tapestry needle

-  scissors

Method

Gauge doesn’t really matter for this project.

• Cast on (CO) 45 stitches.
• Knit all rows until you have 6 or 8 garter ridges (that’s 12-16 rows of knitting).
• Cut the yarn (or carry the color up the side of your knitting). Add the second color and knit until     you’re happy with the stripe width (I generally like the stripe to be at least 1 ½” wide), then cut the yarn and start again with the first color.
• Knit until you have 32-36 total garter stitch ridges (64-72 knit rows).
• Next row (to begin the straps): Knit 10 stitches, Bind Off (BO) the next 15, Knit 10.
• Keep the first 10 stitches on your needle, we’ll get to those later. Knit the last 10 stitches until your strap is 6 inches long, or even a bit longer. Bind off.
• With the other 10 stitches on your needle, knit until it is approximately 1” shorter than the first strap.
• To make a buttonhole: Knit 4, BO 2, Knit 4.
• Next row: Knit 4, CO 2, Knit 4.
• Continue knitting all rows until the strap is the same length as the first. Bind off. Weave in ends.
• Add a button to the strap opposite the buttonhole.

Happy knitting!

Public Knitting

We were both starting new projects today. Mine is the Honey Cowl; Gretchen's is a baby hat. 

For the last six months or so, my friend Gretchen and I have been making a point to meet each other for coffee and knitting once a month. We’re both consistently busy with work and life, but we take the time out to meet at one of our favorite local cafes.

I have grown to love these dates. Two hours a month is an extremely manageable commitment with no pressure attached, but it manages to hold both of us accountable for our craft. Even in the busiest of months, we’ve made progress on our projects; we share patterns, yarn stories, and have the time to do nothing but sit, breathe, and be in good company with yarn and knitting needles. 

I function much more calmly with busy, productive hands, but I get behind, decide I don’t like something I’ve started, and put it aside in frustration. Gretchen dates help me push through those moments. There is a satisfaction in someone else noticing your progress. Accountability. Support. Encouragement. Working in community provides all of this.

There is also something quite wonderful about working on creative projects in public spaces. I’m seeing this trend more and more, and it makes me happy. The art of handmade is making a comeback and gaining momentum; it has become trendy to make from scratch, to repurpose, and to reinvigorate classic domestic arts. Knitting (or working on similar projects) in public spaces allows others to see how the craft is done. People ask questions and notice what is being created. 

Gretchen and I get lost in conversation and stitches during our knitting sessions; every time we’ve been at the café, a barista has had to come over and tell us there’s no hurry, but that they’re closing. We finish our respective rows, pack up, and promise meet again the next month. It works for us. 

What have you seen people work on in public? Is it as inspiring as I think it should be? 

Progress

I made goals at the beginning of the year to finish projects already begun and to read books I already own (but have not yet read—I have a thing for books). I wrote about these on a blog I was writing for another site, but that blog has since been retired. 

Being intentional about finishing work helps—otherwise I tend to flit from project to project, only finishing three quarters of what I begin. It’s a problem.

The goals on that list: 

• start a new blog (done!)

• open an Etsy shop

• read eight books I already own (two down!)

• finish the basement room Ethan and I started framing last April (done! done! done!)

• complete five in-progress knitting projects (three done!)

• learn how to pressure can (just think of the chicken stock! split pea soup! beans!)

Progress has been made. And that? That feels pretty great.

Pictured above are my three finished knitting projects: the Hitchhiker scarf, reading mitts, and bunny slippers (already well worn). I am quite happy with all three.