1492-2011: 510 years of knitting

Thank you, Christopher Columbus, for "discovering" America, so I can get together with other knitters on Monday morning, October 10...Columbus Day...and knit. You rock! And if you're ever in town, we'd love to see you at the Atlanta Bread near CSU at 10 am :) lol

...and now for something completely different!

One of my favorite things about knitting is meeting new people, finding out what they like to knit, how they learned and what else they do when they aren't knitting. Take Becca for example...I first met her at the World Wide Knit in Public Day at the Charleston Museum in June (she was knitting an adorable giraffe) and since then our paths have crossed several times, much to my satisfaction.

The last time I saw her, at the Big Yarn Sale, I noticed the cool spider pin she was wearing and she told me that this was part of what she does when she's not knitting...and there just happened to be a class on October 28th where one could learn to make a spider brooch of his or her own! I admit that glass working is one of those things that I've never done but have always been fascinated by, so I checked out the Blue Heron Glass website. Seriously, ya gotta love a list of classes that insists that you wear close-toed shoes! This may even cure my craving to learn to weld!

Go to the Schedule of Classes and scroll down to Spiders on the Loose to find out more about the pin workshop, plus there are other things you could learn like stained glass or glass bead making and even slumping. I don't know what that is but it sounds like fun! They also have a Ladies Night Out party--a refreshingly different choice!!

Doll Knit-Along: One Week Away

The 19th Century Doll Knit-Along begins one week from today at the Charleston Museum. Sign up soon so you won't miss out. These dolls are so stinkin' cute! I know I ought to be planning to knit one to give to a child in my life, but if mine turns out half as adorable as the ones knit up by the Museum volunteers, I'm going to want to keep it. And name it Fred. Just saying.

Half Off Class Fees at Michael's: Today Only!

If there's a Michael's store near you and you've been thinking, "Man, I really want to take that class they're offering, but I don't know...", then today's your day!

Today only, if you register for classes at Michael's, you get 50% off the regular class price! See store for details and list of classes.

And I happen to know that the Michael's in North Charleston, SC has a really awesome Knitting Instructor who will be hanging out this afternoon...knitting :) Be sure to mention this blog if you see her!

Knit-Along!

Many knitters already know the benefits of participating in a Knit-Along (KAL), and, knitting as long as I have, you would think I would have this down pat. Last year I did cast on for a sweater on a shared birthday with a knitting friend who lives in Colorado, but we were knitting different patterns, and her sweater turned out wonderful and mine is finished but hanging in neglected shame in my closet.

This year, however, I have another knitting friend in Atlanta who came up with an idea to have a KAL with me and my 14yo knits-better-than-me daughter. I was charmed by the idea of knitting a bag with a buddy in the next state, despite it being a project destined for felting, something I've purposely avoided thus far. And then she GAVE us the yarn for the project and, well, how could I say no? It's been so fun, to do, too. Despite our starting a bag made of wool/mohair July 1st and knitting through the two warmest months in a summer of record high temps, that is. Some things you have to chalk up to Hazards of the Hobby.

Having a project that you share with a friend is one way to make knitting less isolated and thus more fun. Finally you have someone with whom you can complain about the pattern/yarn/stitches and they don't glaze over with incomprehension! You might, like I do, have the chance to attempt a technique you have been hesitant about, allowing the peer pressure of the KAL to stretch your ability. You have little built-in deadlines that keep the project from languishing when the initial excitement wears off a bit. And if you're competitive, it gives you a chance to knit to the next deadline first for bragging rights. Just don't brag too much, because these are your knitting friends, after all.

If you've never participated in a KAL, I highly recommend it. And if you're looking for a KAL with some history thrown in, I've got just the thing. I signed up for a

19th-Century Doll KAL, to be held Saturday, September 17 at the Charleston Museum. The project is based on a hand-written pattern in the museum archives, and includes a special showing of items from the Museum's knitted and crocheted collection. My daughter is so excited about this she intends to make two. I did mention that she knits better than I do, didn't I?

Purse knitting workshop

History. It's where we all come from.

Knitting. It's what most of us wish we were doing right now.

Combining the two is easier than you think. The Charleston Museum is offering a knitting workshop featuring a modern take on a vintage design. A miser's purse was a popular choice for the smartly dressed Victorian gal, and if the purses in the Museum's collection are any indication, everyone had their own unique style of knitting (or crocheting) one. Since I don't crochet, I wrote knitting patterns for this venture. Three of them! All similar, but different, like the purses in the Museum. And I can't wait to see what the knitters who get hold of these patterns come up with!

If you can cast on, bind off, knit and purl, and you'd like to spend a morning with some awesome knitters at America's first museum, you can register HERE or call 843.722.2996, X 235.

Advance reservations are required. $20/members, $25/non-members.

Simple Knitting-book review

A book that I recently stumbled across (and love!) is Simple Knitting: A Complete How-to-Knit Workshop with 20 Projects by Erika Knight.

My criteria for loving a knitting book are simple.

1) Good photography. Yes, I like to look at the pictures. Knitting is visual and if I can't see the finished project or the stitch lesson, it makes me nervous.

2)Projects that meet expectations. This one varies from book to book. For Simple Knitting, I expect simpler projects that take into account a beginner's skill levels. For a book that purports to have more advanced work in it (like Stitch n' Bitch Superstar Knitting: Go Beyond the Basics--another book I love) I expect more advanced projects with the appropriate information to tell me how to knit it.

3) Projects I want to knit. And lots of them, preferably!

4) Clear directions. Need I elaborate?

5) Good attitude. Can you believe I've read knitting books that talked down to knitters? Sad, but true. If the author of the book can't be positive and encouraging and friendly, why bother.

Extras~~Things that put a knitting book over the top.

1) Amazing color palette. Simple Knitting has so many beautiful yarns used in the examples and projects; neutrals mostly, and the design of the book incorporates this well. It makes for a pleasing overall color palette.

2) Classic design. Maybe it's because I'm not a very trendy person myself, but I like a book that has patterns that will stand the test of time. Or maybe I'm just realistic about how long it will take me to knit that super trendy sweater, knowing full well that it will be so last year (or last decade!) by the time the wearer receives it.

Because I love knitting so much, finding a wonderful knitting book is little like meeting a new knitting friend--someone else who "gets it." Simple Knitting is one of those who "gets it"--completely.

Miss Manners and Knitting in Public

I quote below from Miss Manner's column from July 30. I find it fascinating that someone is so bothered by knitters knitting in public that they have complained to that bastion of politeness, Miss Manners.

DEAR MISS MANNERS:

Over the years I have noticed people knitting in public and have had no particular problem with it. However, I am a bit put off by those who knit in church or at an event such as a recital or concert.

Is it acceptable to knit at a church, synagogue or other religious service? And what about a concert or recital? I recently attended a piano and violin recital in a small venue where someone was knitting in the third row. Surely it was evident to the performers. And if such knitting is not appropriate, how should the knitters be approached, or prevented?

GENTLE READER: Please do not -- repeat, not -- make a hostile approach to knitters. Have you not noticed that they are armed with long, pointy sticks?

Of all the multitaskers who could annoy you, Miss Manners would not have guessed that knitters would top the list. There is a centuries-long history of ladies quietly doing needlework while remaining alert to what was going on around them.

But perhaps your complaint is that they are not quiet. If the clicking of needles is what bothers you, you could appeal to the authorities at church or concert hall that as they ban texting, it is only fair to ban activities that create similar noise. And if they don’t already ban texting, you might start by asking that they do before going after those comparatively unobtrusive knitters.

Visit Miss Manners at her Web site,www.missmanners.com, where you can send her your questions.

2011, by Judith Martin

Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

I want to address this "Gentle Reader" and ask what is it that is really bothering you? Did you have an aunt who knit you itchy sweaters that you were forced to wear as a child? Or are you just too inept to actually learn a constructive hobby, rather than just griping in a public forum about someone else's choice of recreation?

This is precisely one of the many reasons I DO knit--to help me keep my foot out of my mouth during such events as congregational meetings and Little League baseball games. It never distracts me from what is going on around me, rather it gives me focus that keeps me sane. I joke to friends that "I knit so I don't kill people" and while that is extreme, there is an underlying truth. By "sticking to my knitting" I am able to be involved on a level that keeps me coming back, and prevents me from being asked to leave because I've said too much in the heat of a moment.

I adore what Miss Manners says about the "centuries-old history of ladies quietly doing needlework while remaining alert to what was going on around them." This contrasts sharply with the current trend of ladies AND gentlemen too engrossed in their latest smart phone app to notice what is happening in their lives and the lives of those around them. I have tried both, and if you are checking your email during a meeting, you really can't LISTEN to what is being said. But knitting lets you do it all--listen, pay attention, and retain what you hear.

All this doesn't even take into account the fact that some people listen better if they aren't perfectly still, and having something to do with their hands enables them to listen better than if they were otherwise unoccupied.

For now, all I can do is shake my head and wonder, with all the evils running rampant in this world, why ANYONE would have a problem with quiet knitting. If someone is poking you with a sharp pointy knitting needle, you have a more than valid complaint. Otherwise, maybe you should stick to YOUR knitting!

Yarn Sale Follow-Up

The One Day Only Huge Yarn Sale was a success! But success is a tricky thing, and for the sweet lady with all the yarn, true success will be won when she no longer has bags of yarn to pack up and take home.

I know we've all been to yard sales and estate sales and even yarn sales where the merchandise was just thrown about and pricing was confused or non-existent and the people working the sale were less than helpful. THIS was NOT one of those times! The yarn was organized and easy to look through (and there was a lot of it!), the prices were clearly marked, fair, and negotiable, and Linda and Amy are two of the nicest ladies you'll ever meet. We came, we shopped, we sat and knit, and it was a lovely experience, dampened only by my own lack of funds to buy MORE yarn! Well, that and the thought of where in the world would I put it all.

We got to talking at the yarn sale and agreed that July is a month for vacation for a lot of folks and maybe, just maybe, more yarnies would be available in another month or two to make it worth setting up the yarn sale for a second go-round. So, for those of you who missed it the first time, and for those of us who would like to set aside a little more $$ for the next time to get more Noro Kureyon (heh, heh), I just wanted to say....STAY TUNED!

The price of yarn is going up at our favorite retail and online sources, so in order to keep the hobby going full steam, whether it be knitting or crochet, we're going to have to get creative. Let's be honest, though, there's only so long that any of us can knit solely from stash.

So watch this blog, check the Facebook page, keep an eye on the South Carolina Knitter's group on Ravelry...and as soon as I know something concrete (like a date, time and place!), I will spread the word!

More Yarn Sale Info...

We are now one week away from The HUGE Yarn Sale!! Linda, the lady holding the sale, sent me a list of most of the yarns that she will be selling, as well as some of the needles available. Because it's so astounding, I wanted to share it with you (because who doesn't want to share an astounding list of yarn??).

The yarn listing starts with #3 and goes through #375. Each number refers to one yarn. Not always one skein, though; #75, for example is 64 skeins of Berroco Sensu Wool, black, dye lot 42. Yes, you read that right--64 skeins. Do you like Cascade 220? There are 15 skeins of Colonial Blue Heather listed at #8. Here are some more random numbers, just to give you an idea:

#26: Jaeger Matchmaker 100% Merino Wool in Cherry, dye lot 0656--10 skeins

#103: Brown Sheep Co. Nature Spun, 100 % wool, Pepper--5 skeins

#216: Schachenmay Nomatta Mohana, 35% Cot 35% Polymide 15% Kid Mo 15% Wool, Maroon-10 skeins

#349: Regia Mini Rengel Color, 75% wool 25% Polyaminde , Green/brown/white--3 skeins

I counted 27 different Noro yarns, averaging 10 skeins per color. There are 20 skeins of Rowan that I'm hoping is a color I love, plus yarns by Sirdar, Manos del Uraguay, Tahki, Mountain Colors, Plymouth, Trekking, Lang, and more.

So what's the big deal? So this lady in St. George has a ton of yarn, so what? Well, my friends, the big deal is this: She wants to get rid of this ton of yarn and she's hoping that you will come help her out. Hence the One Day Only Huge Yarn Sale or ODOHYS, if you prefer.

Pricing? All yarns will be at least 40% off retail prices, with the vast majority 50% off retail. They come from a smoke-free, pet-free home, and they want to come to your home and grow up someday to be something fabulous.

AND DID I MENTION THE NEEDLES???

Crystal Palace, The Noble Needle, Addi, Boye, Inox, Clover....straight, double-pointed, circular....wood, metal, bamboo, Ebony, Rosewood, Birch....US sizes 0 to 17.

Bring cash, 'cause you're gonna want to stock up!!