D is for

Dresser scarves. Old crocheted ones.







When I was digging out the crocheted bedspread, I found these dresser scarves.

This time, however, I don't think anybody in my family crocheted them.

Years ago, a friend was cleaning out his parents' apartment and he gave me a bagful of crochet work done by his mother. I'm fairly sure these are from then.

I never met his mother -- she died when my friend was fairly young. But, as I look at these crocheted dresser scarves, I imagine she enjoyed the challenge and the beauty of these pieces. She must have been very proud of them. And I feel guilty that I've put them aside and forgot about them.

What to do on a Snowy Day

Lots of snow here in NYC and it's still snowing.

So what did I do today?

Shovel the stuff? Nope.



Walk a dog? No way.



My snow day world:

Spring in the Air

We're expecting snow over the next two days--but I plan to keep looking at this photo. I took it yesterday from a bus window and it's not great. If you click on it, the photo will become larger and you'll see that the sign says, "40 days until Opening Day."

The spring equinox may be on March 20th. But, for me, Spring truly begins on Opening Day--April 4th--now 39 days away!

Another Lesson Learned

Since this is my first sweater, I didn't trust myself to just follow the pattern. I had to overthink it!

One thing I questioned was the what, how, where and even the why of the waist shaping. I bugged other knitters. I took notes. I drew charts and made lists. And, despite all the help I was getting, it didn't click.



I should know better. I'm a retired learning specialist. I went to workshops--geez, I gave workshops--on learning styles!

Teacher--teach, thyself!

Am I a visual learner? Not really. I like displays and charts--but I need something more.
Auditory? Nope--not at all. Talk goes in one ear and out the other!
Kinesthetic? Hands on? Feel it? Touch it? BINGO! That's me!

So I knit another swatch where I worked the shaping. I put the words of the pattern into action.



OHHHH! Now I get it!

This pattern is fabulous--it's so intuitive. Perfect for a new to sweater-knitting knitter! After this week's detour, I'll be casting on again.

Winter Weary

I'm ready to say so long to

grimy snow,



winter socks,



wooly scarves



and pom pom hats.



Flowers, not snow and sneakers, should be blooming around trees.



And at outdoor cafes, we should be sippng iced teas.



Snow on steps



and a slide---



Adieu, farewell, good-bye!

Lesson Learned

Here's where I am with the sweater:



But I'm OK about it!

As I was knitting the sweater and reading the pattern, there were a couple of things that didn't make sense to me. I checked, double-checked and hundredth-checked my math. Wrote out rows, charts. But something wasn't clicking.

Yesterday I sat with somebody and we went over the pattern. I learned that no matter how well-written patterns are--and this is an exceptionally well-written pattern--a pattern should be looked upon as a suggestion. It's the knitter who does the final tweaking and decisions.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the pattern (or my math!) -- it's just that I'm more comfortable making a couple of minor changes. And guess what? I'm the knitter--I can do that!

So I frogged it. It was only twelve rows. No big deal. When I cast back on, I'll be casting on as a more confident knitter.

Needled

Remember the sock I cast on?



Look at it now. Something's different.



Yep, different needles. I started the sock on a size 1, 9 inch Hiya Hiya needle. I love that little needle! My short fingers can easily handle it. I knit on them for about a day and a half--no trouble. Then I cast on for the sweater. Size 5 needle, 24 inches. Huge by comparison!

I worked on the sweater for a while and then went back to the sock. And I couldn't handle the little needle anymore! I tried a couple of rounds and it was torture. Not only did my fingers cramp, they had also forgotten how to even hold the needle. I took an overnight break from knitting the sweater to see if my touch for the Hiya Hiya needle returned. It didn't.

So I transferred the sock over to double points--size 0. I like to go down to 0 for the sock body--the fabric is firmer. A tight knit sock won't wear out as quickly as one that's knit looser.

So as much as I complained about dpns and swore I would never, ever use them again--there I was happily and quickly knitting on them! When using them, there's a feeling of substance.

I thought about two needles and magic loop--but I just wasn't in the mood for them. And, besides, I really like using the needle tube!

My Valentine

It's not that I can't live without you...it's just that I don't even want to try.
-Unknown

The Winners!

Thank you so much, everybody, for blogiversary congratulations and for sharing your favorite needlework projects. I wish I could send you all a prize! But here's the three:

BOOK WINNER:
Jackie who found a great deal of satisfaction in finishing her first big project, the Dragon Melody Shawl.

BAG WINNER:
Sherriknits who could look all day at the Bohus cuffs that a friend gifted her.

YARN WINNER:
Superwoman402 who plans on knitting Ishbel (me too!) and the French Press Felted Slippers.

I love how the favorites represent beauty, challenge and future knitting dreams.

All three winners have been contacted either through email or Ravelry.

I'd like to do a couple of blog entries about the other favorites. I learned of new patterns and was touched by so many of your stories. I also want to read and share your blogs! If you have a blog, please email me or find me through Ravelry and send me your blog link. Thanks!
email: kippanyATaolDOTcom (replace the capital letters with the symbols)
Ravelry: McMary

C is for. . .

Casting on for new projects!

Yes, plural. Projects--two of them. I promised myself that, once I finished the Fussy Watch Cap, I'd start these two knits.

Nothing fancy--just a plain sock. A portable project. The yarn is from Sundara's Petal Collection sock club--Lenten Rose. (I just realized that Ash Wednesday is next week. Probably the subconscious at work when I chose the yarn out of the stash.)



And I've cast on for a sweater. My first one! The pattern is Anne Hanson's Jackie and the yarn is Briar Rose Fibers Fourth of July in a custom color.



This doesn't look like much. But since I've been talking about this sweater since November, I've finally taken the first step--casting on!

Favorite Things Contest

How time flies! This blog was born three years ago today. All I wanted to do was to keep a record of my knitting. And since I like to write and take photos, why not do a blog?

I really didn't give much thought that people would actually read this thing!

But I'm so grateful to the folks who found Snit n'Knit and read it once--and then read it again. Over the past three years, your comments have given me cheer and comfort. My blog friends have become some of my favorite people!

From reading other blogs, I've seen such gorgeous needlework! I may never knit, crochet, tat, quilt, embroider or applique any of these projects --but I so enjoy seeing what brings challenge, joy and beauty into our lives.

So to celebrate three years of blogging, I'm giving away three prizes. Leave a comment by midnight on Friday, February 12th and you'll be eligible for one of the prizes. The winners will be chosen via a random number generator. In your comment, please:
1) List one of your favorite needlework projects. It doesn't have to be something you've made--just something that you really like. If you feel like sharing why it's a favorite, please do so.
2) Choose which prize is your favorite.

Winners will be announced on Saturday.

In the spirit of favorite things, I've chosen prizes from three of my favorite categories: books, bags and yarn. Here's the photos:

A book. Somehow I acquired two copies of Clara Parkes' wonderful book. Everything you might want to know about wool but were afraid to ask. Nice patterns in there, also.



A bag. Doesn't this Maruca bag make a cute knitting bag? A local store was closing and they were practically giving these bags away. I bought a few and this one was set aside because I knew it would be a terrific blog prize. (The more I look at this bag, the more I can't believe I'm giving it away. The colors and the vintage-look are wonderful and just so me.)



A skein of yarn. Sundara sock yarn in a pretty shade of pinky coral. The color is Dahlia and there's 350 yards. If you're not a sock-knitter, this yarn would also make a very lovely Spring scarf or shawlette.



OK, enough talk from me--let me hear about your favorites!

Finished!

The hubster says



that the



Fussy Watch Cap is,



"PERFECT!"

A Good Sign!

The double point needles have made an appearance.



Perhaps, possibly, maybe the hubster will have a hat by the end of the Super Bowl.

Watching the Watch Cap

The poor hubster--still no watch cap for him! During our recent single-digit temperatures and snow, he had to wear an inferior store-bought hat. However, perhaps a brand-new Fussy Watch Cap will be on the hubster's head during this weekend's snow.



He said it "feels just right" and that "it's getting there."

Stay tuned!