Vine Cloth Pattern

I've been in the repetition of the Quaking Aspen Shawl and felt the need to deplete my stash, make something that could be finished quickly and would be easy enough to cut my design teeth without too much pain.

What took care of all three?

A very simple washcloth/dishcloth design.

Everyone knows that handmade dishcloths make great little hostess gifts or other little "I was thinking of you" goodies.  Not so true if you went out to Target or the local pharmacy and picked a stack of those scratchy cloths and gave them to the hostess -- right?

I'm thinking of making a stack of these for favors at my next wine and cheese gathering - I'll adapt the colors to a theme for the night and everyone will have a nice little gift to take home.

Right now  - I'm the only one who has knit this pattern up.  I'd certainly appreciate it if you'd let me know about any errors (or feel free to ask any questions).  And I'd be really tickled if you'd send me photos of your finished pretties.  (I'll also post this on Ravelry, so we can all gather there -- okay?)

 

Vine Cloth

By Peggie Arvidson based on Hanging vines stitch pattern found in the daily stitch a day calendar 2012

(perfect hostess gift for the wine lover on your list)

For the green/yellow: I used about 1/4 of a skein of Peaches and Cream multicolored cotton yarn.  For the Blue and brown, I used less than one quarter of each the brown and Blue.  Both Peaches and Cream cotton.

Size US 8 needles.

You can adjust your needles to get the "feel" that you want in your cloth.  If you're a tight knitter like me 8 or 9 probably would be excellent.  If you are a loose knitter?  try a smaller needle.

Additionally -- if you'd like this more in a towel size -- cast on more.  The pattern is in a multiple of 8 plus 6 for the 3 edging stitches on either side.

Cast on 34

Rows 1-4: Knit

Row 5: K3; (K2, K2Tog, YO, K3;) 4times;  K3

Row 6: K3; purl 28; k3

Row 7: K3; (K1, K2tog, YO, K4) 4 times; K3

Row 8: K3; P28; K3

Row 9: Knit across

Row 10: K3; P28: K3

Row 11: K3; (K3, YO, SSK, K2) 4 times; K3

Row 12: Knit across all 34

Row 13: K3; (K4, YO, SSK, K1) 4 times; K3

Row 14: K3; P28; K3

Row 15: Knit across

Row 16: K3; P28; K3

Repeat Rows 5-16 twice (or as many times as you want to get the length you prefer)

Repeat Rows 5-14 a final time

Knit 4 rows

Bind off

You can embellish by adding stripes and adding a little crochet “rope” at the corner to hang the cloth!

One week to go

So my excuse?

Despite having knit, off and on, for the last several years, this is the first full year that I would consider myself a "knitter"  (i.e., a person who spends all her discretionary income - limited though it is - buying yarn, needles and other related goodies).

That's why I seemed to think it was a good idea to make most of the Christmas gifts this year.  In October.  Hell - October was 2 months ago.  What the heck have I been doing with my time since then?

Oh, sure, I've been working - you know coaching, talking to animals and ghostwriting.  And every once in a while I've been socializing (knitting though has really helped me indulge my introverted side) and even volunteering.

Still.  I woke up yesterday and whispered, "I need another week." Michael rolled over and smiled, saying, "you HAVE another week."  I pouted.  Saying I needed one week after that week.

So, do you remember that scarf (the ionic) that I was going to make for my cousin? (you can see it in it's infancy - so full of promise - here).

Frogged it.

Just wasn't what I wanted her to be is all.

Still.  I was enamored with that yarn.

I decided to make another Hurricane Hat using it.

Sadly, the yarn looks like an awful camouflage in that pattern.  But it's too late to turn back now.  This may be the hat I'm wearing all season.

Here's what it looks like so far -- you don't need to spare my feelings, I know it's "original" at best....

I have finished a couple of other project these past few days -- thus the not writing here...sorry

A larger version of the Thistle Cap

Here's what the first version of the Thistle Cap looked like.  I did 4 repeats of the cable pattern, should have done one original and then repeated 4 times for a total of 5.  Thus - small.  (my head isn't as big as I thought)

And I finished the pair of mittens for my BFF.

I'm aware that from that lame-o photo you cannot tell it's a mitten.  But trust me, it is.

That's about it.

Oh.  And lately I've been learning alot about counting.  (not just days in the calendar either).

Have a super week and we'll talk soon (ish).

My Brain must be Oversized

Last night I finished the first mitten for my BFF. (Don't worry, she doesn't read blogs, so I'm pretty sure I'm in the clear here). [And when I say finished, I mean ABT and, you know, finishing]

Isn't the yarn yummy?

 I made another pair, intended for her (the blue ones in this Mittens post).  They just aren't good enough I'm afraid.  She's a forgiving and kind friend, she can't believe that I can actually make stuff with needles and yarn, so she'd dig them.  However, I'm turning into a bit of a critic.  Of my own work.  (I have nothing but praise for anything anyone else makes - really - this is my double-standard)

I cast on with the rainbow-y colored Manos last night and REALLY LOVE the way they look. (Um, I somehow lost the tag so I can't tell you what color these are exactly.  I'm sorry about that)


I've been wearing the blue mittens too - they are WARM and cuddly.  The yarn is soft and warm.  It does sort of get fluffy -- probably because I'm constantly hanging on to a leash with each hand when I wear them.  Still.  I love them.

She will love hers too.  (Hopefully they will be up to snuff.)

*************

Oh yeah.

My brain. 

It must be oversized because every hat I make is too small for me.  But it seems to fit my model.  Sure, she's a teenager and overall I'd be happy to find a way to get back into the jeans I wore when I was senior in High School -- but I didn't know my head expanded with my waistline.  Maybe though - it's just that my brain is so big.  And getting bigger.  I have a vision of 10 years from now I'll look like one of those aliens in the movies from the 70s.

So. I Cheated.

On the scarves I'm making for Christmas.  And the last pair of mitts to make for that new client.  And the mitts that the daughter has been clamoring for (What?! the 4 week knitting class and all the trimmings weren't enough?! j/k the mitts are coming.)

What else am I cheating on?

Creating the home study class that is sitting, nearly fully formed in my head.  (I tell myself that knitting is an excellent gestational tool)

You see.  I really, really wanted to make this Thistle Cap:

http://feministy.com/blog/holiday-hat-kal-thistle-cap/

 

I could think of nothing else.  (I'm told that this happens to knitters all the time - this obsession with an idea or project that will. NOT. be. Quelled.)

It was distracting.

So yesterday I made a quick trip, in the pouring rain, to Fibre Space to purchase yarn for the Gaiter I'm going to make my brother.  (BTW, he's going to love it.  I selected a tweedy 'cherry' color by Tahki Yarns-Tara Tweed.  It's #16 if you want to look for yourself.)

For a girl who hates every other kind of shopping (clothes, shoes, groceries) I can't seem to get out of that shop.  I spent a good half hour shooting the breeze and fondling the yarn.  I was still holding a picture of the Thistle Cap in my mind.  I spent an inordinate amount of time at the St. Denis Section. I had a hard time choosing between the Magenta and the Peony.  (Maybe if I'd been able to see the name of them both I would have picked Peony - they are one of my fave flowers).

I picked Magenta.

I flew home, and after a very wet dog walk and extended drying session (with two chow-mix dogs drying after flooding rainfall is...tedious), I cast on 88 stitches to get started.

After dinner I swore I was going to work on Michael's lovely but boring as hell scarf (K4, P4 over and over and over).  And I did.  For an hour.  But that hat was CALLING my name.

So, it's done now.


When my lovely hat model gets home from school today, I'll take some pictures to show you how adorable it is.  However, it seems a little shallow.  That's probably something I did.  I probably shorted a repeat.  Sigh.

I'll have to do it again.  But later.  I can't keep cheating this month away.  There is much to be done and if I cannot figure out how to add more hours into each day (so far nothing's worked) I'm going to have to stick to plan.

Off the Needles and Into the World

Knitting is my reward.  I'm doing my best to remain focused during the day on tasks and to-dos so that I can keep my business running.

That sounds a bit dire.  My business is fine.  It's running.  My clients are funny and smart and frankly changing the world when they step into their own power.  It's pretty amazing and the most miraculous work.

My business is ever evolving.  My attachment to specific tools and modalities is waning as new things show up.

Knitting keeps me calm through these evolutions.  Re-inventing your business as part of your business model isn't easy and it's certainly not for sissies.  (But neither is changing the world).

Here's what I've got on the needles today (started on Sunday, hope to finish by Sunday the 11th):

It's the Ionic Column Scarf by Patricia Kalthoff – Holiday 2009 Interweave Knits gifts.  

I love this Miss Babs yarn, "Violets in the Grass".  My favorite part is the deep purple pieces.  yum.  This is for my cousin - the one I "pulled" in the family holiday grab-bag.  I've met her only once so it was sort of hard to select color and design.  But she's a dancer and an artsy gal and they live in Vermont.  And her husband - my 'little' cousin Chris is a pretty wise soul - crunch granola, artsy and very smart.  I suspect she'll appreciate this.

I'm not crazy about the decreases in this pattern and how thin it is in the middle.  When I make it again I think I'll alter the decreases and keep it wider in the center.

Another Gift Completed >phew!<

Last night I made a Girly Gaiter for my sister's Christmas pile.

I used the Red Heart Eco Ways in Bark that I had left over from my B-I-L's Gaiter and pulled out some Lion Brand Fun Fur that has been in my stash for a few years.  (I really can't fathom why I bought so much of that stuff -- just goes to show you how your tastes change).

I used the Snowy Day Neck Gaiter pattern that I used for 'His' and simply combined the two yarns for 'Hers'.  On Hers I dropped the fun fur for 2 rows after the initial garter bumps and then picked it up for two, and so on, ending with the combined yarn.  I think it's fun and cozy and girly...perfect for my little sister.

And better yet -- took only an hour or so from cast on to bind off. And any messed up stitches are hidden by the fur.  (Maybe that's why I'd bought so much!)

I've had a blog since 2004

This surprises even me.

I just spent the better part of an hour deleting and merging about 11 different iterations of "me in blog form" into three sites here on Blogger.  I like the way Blogger is easy to play with and figure out how you are and what you're trying to say.

I know the blog-o-sphere is crowded.  I'm okay with that.  People having the opportunity to find their true voice is a good thing in my opinion.  Those who are lucky enough to figure out their mission and purpose here generally get found.  I still believe that no matter how crowded the blog-place is, the good and passionate and true are found by those who most need them.

Sure there are ways to do it faster and lots of "gurus" willing to hawk ways to make it happen.

Since 2004 I've been there and got a lot of t-shirts as they say.

I do my best to remain up to date on my professional site, and I want to do my best to be even more "real" on these blogger sites.

Now that I've written that I've gotten some clarity.  I have to be equally TRUE wherever I roam, don't I?

Anyway, what's on the needles today?  Another Ionic Scarf using Miss Bab's Violets in the Grass.  I adore it.

The Fingerprint Translation Mitts

Don't worry dears, I've been knitting, even if I haven't been writing about it.  You see, I spent most of my free time this week trying to create my own design for fingerless mitts.

some were too small. 

some were too big.

some were way too long (should have just closed 'em off and called them mittens)

too tall

and some were just argghhh!

could not figure out how to knit in round and create thumb space

I stopped by my LYS on Thursday night and chatted with all the helpful folks there.  Micah showed me the mittens he was making based on the general guide in Ann Budd's "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns." 

The next day I downloaded the pdf version from Interweave and had a look see.  I grabbed some yarn and went to town.  Today, there is a finished mitt that I'm pretty proud of.  I'm calling them "Fingerprint Translation Mitts". 

Debut of "Fingerprint Translation Mitts"

I went on this mitt frenzy because I offered everyone who ordered a Slice of Insight from my Thanksgiving sale (you know, over at my 'real' job) a free pair of mitts with their order. 

Then I got bored with the pattern I was using.

I got bored

I'll fine tune the pattern with the rest of the mitts for my delightful clients and then print it up for you all.  What do you think of that?

Is Knitting A Slap in the Face to Feminists?

Did you know that this 'resurgence' of knitting (and canning, and quilting and cooking at home) is called the 'new domesticity.'  This term seems to have been coined by women more than a decade my junior.  As always, I'm either ahead of my time or the last to find out.

As with any 'phase' in which massive amounts of people join in - this is newsworthy.  I read a piece in The Washington Post's Sunday Outlook on this topic.

Weird.


What's weird is that people find this desire to care for our bodies and our homes a social phenomena.  Aren't we all here to live healthy lives?  Don't we hear the call to cherish the body we've been given? To tread lightly on Mother Earth and give her respect?


Is it "new age" or anti-feminist to want to be the healthiest and most compassionate person we can be?

What about the creativity factor?  Is it anti-feminist to be creative?  Or is it highly feminist to place creativity in our own lives above all else (including an income?)


Isn't our place to find balance?  Isn't that the best use of our time, energy and creativity?  Ultimately a creative life is one in which we create the life that makes our heart sing.  At least that's the way I see it.

My mother, who will never be accused of being a hippie-liberal-bra-waving-feminist insisted we eat whole, natural foods at every  meal.  In the 70s all I wanted was Skippy peanut butter but she was buying the fresh ground stuff from Abma's farm.  Our meat was fresh from the local butcher, our eggs from the farm and the milk was delivered from the local dairy.  That's the way our life was in suburban New Jersey.  Sure, we got the occasional quarter for ice cream from the "ice cream man" in the summer and we ate our share of pizza and diner food, but all in all, we had a household where the food was homemade from the real ingredients.

I'm grateful for that now.  (Back then I felt like the biggest nerd on the planet).

My grandmother was a great cook.  My other grandmother was a stellar knitter and crocheter.  I still snuggle in a blanket she made for me when I headed off to college. 

Of course times were different when my grandparents were kids and young parents.  There weren't scientifically altered foods on the shelves at the chain grocery store.  You had several stops to go to put together the ingredients for a family meal - the farmer, the butcher, the bakery, the dairy...

I'm certain the advent of convenience made everyone breathe a sigh of relief.  The convenience was supposed to help us spend more time with our families and with those we loved.  What we might have missed is the fact that all the shopping, and prepping and cooking was time with those we loved.  So we've found ways to spend our time.


Don't mistake me here -- i LOVE the internet.  I'm tremendously thankful that I have running water, (hot and cold!), a heated home and access to food and movies and - really - anything my heart desires.  This is progress.

At the same time, I'm vigilant about where my food comes from and how it's been altered or enhanced to encourage my repeat purchase.  I'm a fan of commerce and capitalism.  To the companies that make their dollars putting chemicals in food to encourage eating and purchasing, I say rock on.  They're doing their business and they're making money.  Because we're buying.

If we stop buying they'll change their business practices.  Right?

Because they're in business.

So is this knitting thing I do an anti-feminist stance?  Does my desire to carefully tend to my body and make my own meals mean that all the work Gloria Steinam and the sisters who came before me is for naught?

Nope.  I just love knitting.  It gives my hands something to do.  It provides a meditative state for me to work out challenges and frustrations.  And it's sooo fun to see the look in a gift receiver's eye when they open a hand-made gift for me. 

Does that make me old-fashioned?  There's a first time for everything?  Does that make me a hippie?  Maybe.

Knitting Fever

So I've found a new way to waste spend my precious time.

In addition to running my business (which is actually starting to BUSTLE by the way) and caring for my dogs and my honey and his daughter I am KNITTING.


It's taking up a lot of my life.   the good news is that I seem to eat and drink less bad stuff when I'm busy making stuff with strings and sticks.

This week I'll start posting pictures of what's being created.  And my journey to believing that I really do know what I'm doing.