Of course he had to make a comment about 95-yr old ladies but otherwise this was a great clip from down time at Jimmy Kimmel.

Knitter in the Audience

Ravelry lets us keep track of things.  So far the only thing I’ve been faithful about on Ravelry is keeping track of my books and patterns.  As of today the count is 3,914.  I guess that’s all I wanted to say about that.  Haha.

One thing I think I must make plain,

If you are driving in the rain,

Or if you’re learning ’bout sugar cane,

Perhaps you’re doing this in Spain,

And if you think you’ll go insane,

Then do the same as Auntie Jane,

They’re selling yarn just down the lane,

So go down there and buy a SKEIN!

I wrote this simple refrain to encourage everyone to remember that a title like “Skein of the Crime” is silly.  Perhaps something like “Skein Pain” or “Take the Last Skein from Clarksville” or “The Skein in Spain is spun mainly in the plain” would be fun little phrases.  But if you try to force me to see “skein” as “skeen” then I’m afraid I’ll hit you before I know what I’m doing.  It’s a reflex, you see.  I can’t help it.  It’s downright autonomic, it is.  “Skine” would make sense, etymologically, but “skane” is the proper pronunciation of this word in English and no amount of twisting it will convince me otherwise.  Don’t take this personally.  I do the same thing when people say, “I seen that!”  *shudder*

http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/5-reasons-knitting-is-good-for-you-11363936725035

Finally an article in the lay press that doesn’t make insulting comments like “knitting is back” or “knitting isn’t just for grandmas anymore!”  I hate when they do that.

This article mentions true benefits from knitting and cites sources.  Nice!

My latest TV show binge is The Blacklist with James Spader.  I must say however that this is one of those shows wherein knitting should be very simple and chartless.  There are a lot of action scenes and conversations that are crucial to the plot, so following a chart would be madness, I say, MADNESS!  So it’s good for my sock UFO termination plans. . . bwahahaha. Around and around in stockinette!  I can take it!

This year’s Knit and Crochet show was better than ever. A lot of people put a lot of work into it and it definitely paid off. There were really good classes for all skill levels. My friend, Linda, was able to find classes that suit her and she’s just beginning. All in all, it was another great success that really infused the attendees with energy and lots of yarny love. Thanks to all the people who put the show together and to the sponsors who helped make it happen! A special THANK YOU to Arenda Holladay, who tirelessly wound hundreds upon hundreds of mini-skeins for the TKGA yarn-tasting party.

Click on photos below to see a larger version:

Knitta – We are everywhere!

Steven Be models a great scarf while hosting the TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

Steven Be and Stephen West host the 1st TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

Knitters line up for free drinks at the TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

Yarn Tasting Party decor

Yarn Tasting Entrée Table – Worsted were presented as entrées, DK as appetizers, and sock/lace as desserts

Yarn Tasting Party Kit – The first gift tasters received was a Chinese food container with a free pair of 2.75mm Chiaogoo needles and a menu.

Yarn Tasting Dessert Table

Great decorations at the TKGA Yarn Tasting Party. The fortune cookies contained knitting wisdom and quotes from great knitters.

Good crowd at the TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

Binka Schwan works the dessert table.

Serenity Zone at the Knit and Crochet show

Michael Sellick and Ken McCamish at the Knit and Crochet Show, Manchester, NH Mikey is a wonderful guy who loves his craft and the people who do it!

Ken McCamish crochets in public!

Diva Dan – Daniel Zondervan is a warm and wonderful guy! He makes everyone feel like he’s known them forever. Instant friend and a true promoter of yarny crafts.

Doris Chan shows off her Dr Who shirt. If you ever get the chance to meet in person, do! She’s a fun and engaging person.

Torn Between Two Steves – Stephen West and Steven Be on their whirlwind tour.

There are many posts on knitting blogs about how to avoid pooling and weird designs using self-striping and hand-dyed yarns.  Many blogs will talk about how to make sure your socks match when you’re finished.

This post is for those of us who shudder at such concerns.  I don’t want my socks to match completely!  I can buy matching socks in the store.  I have nothing against making matching socks on purpose or on accident, but one of the things I like best when hand-knitting socks is just letting the yarn decide for itself what the socks will look like.

Yes, I also love to make Fair Isle designs on some socks and have the socks match.  I also don’t mind knitting socks in solids that I find appealing.  I’m not here to say people who want their socks to match or who hate pooling are crazy, obsessive-compulsive freaks.  Heck, I’d be happy to join them during those times I’m knitting a pair of socks for someone who wants the socks to match. . .

I’m saying that it’s also okay to just let the socks happen.  I feel the same way about some of the sweaters I’ve knitted with variegated yarn.  Some of the pooling that has occurred in those sweaters looks great to me.  Non-knitters sometimes think I did the pooling on purpose and think I’m a genius.

So if you feel the way I do, it’s okay to relax now and stop feeling guilty.  Stop feeling like you’re somehow being lazy or cutting corners.  Knitting is art!  It can be carefully planned and designed or it can be more organic and chaotic.  And in knitting, if you’re not having fun, that’s the only time you’re truly doing something wrong.