knit and tonic

Pom-Poms? Yes, please!

Ah, the perfect pom-pom! So round and happy. The bigger the better, I say. When I saw this yarn, I just knew I'd have to find a reason to make a huge two-color pom-pom and plop it on top a hat. It's good news that I have a little kid in my life who can still carry off a huge pom-pom and wear it with aplomb.

I mean, huge pom-poms on a woman my age? . . well, I may as well put on my old cheerleader outfit--another blog post entirely; I may as well never discuss the thankfully short jr. high phase--this was a long time ago before I realized that peppy isn't my strong suit, but get me started on the subject of pom-poms? The peppy in me just bursts to the surface.

So the pom-pom: I can make them with cardboard. I can make them with forks. Pom-pom makers? You bet. I even dreeeeammm of owning a pom-pom maker that makes heart shapes. The key is to liberally load the form/maker with yarn and after cutting, you have to tie a thinner and strong yarn or thread around it really, really tightly so the pom-pom doesn't shed. Then, the last thing you absolutely have to do is get a super sharp pair of scissors and trim it "just so." Actually, giving it a pretty thorough trim makes it look more compact, more perfect, more happy.

And when I finally attach a pom-pom to the top of a hat, I always tie it on. That way, I can remove it for laundering. Wet pom-pom = sad pom-pom.

But bobbles? Forget about them. . . they aren't even a fraction as happy as a pom-pom and they're a pain in the arse to knit. Not to mention, you have to be careful about placement if you get my drift.

Some links for you if you're inspired:

• making pom-poms with scrap cardboard 
• making pom-poms with a fork! 
• making pom-poms with Clover forms; cute blog post

Pictures of Girlfriend in her new cap will come after blocking as well as a sad trombone pic of my most recently failed infinity scarf wonder.

 

 

Sad Pile, Happy Pile

Remember that cowl thingy that I was happily knitting last week? Well, I bound off and **sad trombone** (that would be "wha wha wha" Debbie Downer, you-know-what-I-mean sound effect) let's just say that it didn't work out the way I envisioned.

Number One: When I converted the afghan stitch stitch pattern to in the round, well, let's just say I didn't do it correctly.

Number Two: I didn't put the thing on waste yarn and see how it was going mid-progress, which is fine, but I always tell knitters that they should so why shouldn't I? I guess it might be wise to follow my own advice.

Number Three: I just went to twitter (my handle: @KnitTonicWendy) and actually typed the following: "There are no regrets in knitting."

Number Four: Number Three is laughable because knitting isn't serious enough to warrant the "no regrets" comment. Sheesh. I mean, we love it and all, but to regret something about knitting? It's not like I purposely designed a man-thong. Whoops! I just found something about knitting that I'd regret! Not that I'd design or knit such a thing because, well, I just wouldn't and from what I can gather, there are plenty of willing knitters out there who will! (Not to mention, there aren't standards out there in terms of sizing.)

Number Five: Har.

So the Afghan Wonder will be no longer. But I do have a Happy Pile. Leg Warmers! Malabrigo Rios in
English Rose! For Dooze's (my sister) Christmas present! Nothing easier! Just 3 x 2 rib! Reversible! Washable! On my favorite needles! The Knitter's Pride ones! Dreamz! Dreamz for Dooze!

Insert **sad trombone** here.

That was, until everyone decided that only the kids are exchanging gifts this year.

But this Happy Pile still makes me happy. Knit on my friends, and be fabulous.

BTW: Guess who broke her arm?

After I'm gone my hope is that Girlfriend will encourage others to be fabulous. I mean, is there any other way around life?

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I am thankful for what I'm typing on, what I'm knitting on, who I'm kissing, and that my glass is half full despite all rumors that my knitting these days is something that I could regret if I wanted to but I won't, so there.

 

Knitting Medicine and Exercise and Sorry I've Been Away (Sick, Ugh)

Every once in awhile, I get this urge to knit something without thinking about it too much. You know, just crank something out and keep moving along in spite of niggling suspicions that it might not look quite right.

I think this urge comes from long-ago writing instructors and mentors who told me to just keep writing, to keep putting words to paper and worry about editing later. That, in essence, that the writing is what is important and not getting it right, right away is something to think about later, after the thoughts are there.

Problem is, with knitting, editing isn't necessarily as easy as it is with writing.

Oh well. We'll see what happens. I guess it is good to do this as a creative exercise every once in awhile. I think many knitters and designer-knitters have a tendency to over think and in the end, it all becomes an anxiety, a worry, a big weight on the shoulders.

I can't tell you how many times I read an email sent to me by a worried knitter who read through a pattern of mine several times and had a hard time casting on until every, single question/worry/concern/stitch count was thought through and answered to the "T" before they could let it all go and move forward. Almost every, single time, I write back, copying--nearly word for word--the exact instructions in the pattern, the ones they were concerned about, and they read it and reply: "Oh! I get it now!" (Sorry if this is you and you now feel tricked. Sometimes people just need to see the instructions in a different context for the a-ha moment to happen.)

I had five leftover colors of Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight Alpaca on hand and I've been intrigued by chevrons and afghan stitch these days. I have thought all along that chevrons have a tendency to be too structural and too regular for me and thought if I tweaked the stitch counts of the pattern repeats that I'd come away with some irregular chevrons that might be even more appealing.

I have a feeling I will be wrong but I will be diligently strong and just keep knitting. Whatever happens, happens, right? For me, it's an important exercise and dang it, I'll take my medicine.

BTW: I'm using these new Knitter's Pride Cubic circular needles. I've had them for awhile but never used them. I think they're quite nice, actually. The tips are sharp so lifting stitches over the others (as I need to with afghan stitch) is nice and easy. The fact that they're square doesn't seem to matter to me except I think the squareness makes it easy for me to hold the needles a little looser so there's less tension in my fingers. The jury is still out, but I think I can give these a thumbs up so far. (Not to mention, I absolutely love their Dreamz needles.)

Oh, and I think this thing will be a circular scarf that I can double up and use as a cowl.