Bobbles, Poking, Weaving and Uniforms

I'm having this strong urge to knit something like a blanket or maybe a dish cloth. Gosh knows, I don't need either all that much as I'm always a little afraid of picking up something wet and stinky out of the sink, but still.

The dish cloth-blanket thing could be a side effect of reading Mason-Dixon Knitting. I was skeptical at first--don't know why, because these gals are so talented--but once I sat down and looked through it, I found myself wanting to knit something simple next time I pick up the needles. And that is a compliment more than anything.

I think anyone who has designed patterns--or even one who knits more than a baby bootie now and again--knows that complicated doesn't always mean stylish. Unless, of course, you're knitting something like a wrap or a scarf or a hat.

I keep thinking, what's a bobble for except ornamentation? I mean, unless it appears on one of those knitted breast replacement things, I don't see a need. Sure, you can put a bobble just about anywhere on a child. It can even work on a sleeve of a woman's sweater or maybe placed in a strategic area or two, but if a bobble is located on the backside of anything, just try to drive a car comfortably. Or sit in a chair for any length of time, much less strike a pose without jutting the bobble out in some unfortunate fashion. Worse, you could be dancing with a guy who does those funky Jazz Fingers or maybe Disco Points and he could poke right through one of those little holes a bobble creates and get his finger stuck.

Mind you, this wouldn't be the worst of all worlds if you're dancing with George Clooney, but there's probably not much of a chance of that. He'd be the last guy to do a Disco Point.

So simple knits. There's nothing wrong with a stockinette top. Sure, it can be a boring knit, but if you want to flatter your body, you'll be needing at least a little bit of it. But that might just be me. Fine cables or color work is cool, too. But nothing beats simple. Nothing beats no seams.

Because I know: There's nothing worse than weaving into the night, cursing under your breath, or maybe weaving into the night because you absolutely just have to weave into the night because a certain someone is expecting a certain something that has lots and lots of seaming and weaving to be done and you really want to stick your nose way, way up on that. So there. Simple is best. (If you don't know the story; I'll probably write a book about it one day, so don't ask.)

By the way. I'm knitting up Tulip (look at her sidebar for info) out of the Katia Jamaica. So simple. And a perfect knit for someone looking for something new. Also, Girlfriend was Pocahontas today, instead of a princess. That was totally cool, except for the checker at the drug store asked me if she was a Camp Fire Girl.

I said, "No, she's in the Toddler Indian Guides. Haven't you seen their new uniforms?"

Comments

[Angela]

I have been knitting for less than a year, so I haven't gotten to anything more than simple YO work. But, I have learned what you're talking about, complicated doesn't always mean super stylish. I've knitted two shrugs and two pairs of booties that were both very simple to make. It's all in how you make it look in the end, I guess.

[wanett]

At least she let's you put shorts on under the costume. My Missy wants to wear a sheer ballet skirt with just panties under.

[Katy]

I love the Jamaica, I just finished a couple of little tank dresses with that yarn. I like that the yarn does most of the "complicated" work for you.

[Angelia]

Toddler Indian Guides! LOL! And Girlfriend is so damn cute!!

[laurie]

thanks for the idea, i have some Jamacia hanging around but only 2 balls, think i can shorten the top?

[Wendy]

The Jamaica has some serious yardage. If you are knitting a small top, why not try?

[Kirsten]

I just recently saw that color of Jamaca. Love it! Thanks for the link to Tulip.
I couldn't agree more on the bobble issue. What is with certain knitting magazines filling their garments with them. Most of us don't need the added bulk of bobbles. Some of the most beautiful objects, worn or otherwise, have simple clean lines.

[shobhana]

love that shade of Jamaica! can't wait to see your progress on Tulip!

[Shelagh]

Your little Indian Guide is so squeezable.

I really like the colors of your Tulip.

[--Deb]

I really don't like bobbles. I don't like making them. I don't like the way they look. I just don't like them. But I have to admit that the bobble trim on the Fiddlesticks Lotus Blossom Shawl is darn pretty AND the extra little weight makes the shawl hang just right . . . who knew? Sometimes they do actually have SOME use....

[Elizabeth M.]

I've never made a bobble in my life. I've designed and made about 7 Aran sweaters, but never included a single bobble.

I see GF has Mavis in her hands. Our Thomas RR holdings could put most day cares to shame.

[sprite]

Even if the MIL doesn't appreciate all the work (and misery) that's gone into the project, we do.

[Kristina]

Weave woman, weave! Time is running out.

[Kat]

Wow! I'm having flashbacks to the YMCA Indian Princesses from 1972. Girlfriend's uniform is much better than the one I had.

[Darci]

I am loving the tulip pattern but I think that I really like that Back in Black that she just finished...thanks for the link.

My daughters had a Pochantas costume, also - my husband made it for my oldest one Halloween and it never went away!

[Lynae]

The baby blanket I just finished is taken from the Mason Dixon book - the log cabin blanket. It was easy but interesting enough because of the color change.

I think that some of us NEED simple, mostly because we multitask as we knit.

[lisag]

One of the LYS I go to always makes me feel like simple is not "good enough" but then that is the same way I feel when I don't buy the cashmere they made the sample in. I have been working and frogging the first five rows of a cabled tank in Berroccos'Suede, for my sister, for four nights now and am disgusted. It is an annoying complicated repeating twisty cable pattern. I may have to admit defeat and see if I can get Back in Black to work with the yarn, which stretches unbelievably for anyone interested in using, make a size smaller.

[Judy]

As the mother of an oh-so-sophisticated 12 year old girl, I kind of miss those days of princess costumes and Pocahontas dresses. Now she wants to imitate much less savory fashion trends! We have clothes fights all the time...

[JeninChicago]

Pocahontas is beautiful. Just beautiful. Congratulations on being able to stay with your Little Indian through these precious years. You're a very lucky woman. :)

[Gina]

I was a disbeliever in the Mason-Dixon book as well. I also thought that I didn't need 50 patterns for Log Cabin Blankets or Dishclothes (annoyingly called warshrags). The cutesy-pie lingo made my skin crawl. And then it happened -- they snared me, and I started a dishcloth.

[Stephanie]

Wendy,
What is the color number for that Jamaica colorway? I really like it. I've been wanting to make that top from Katia 48.
Thanks!

[Meilynne]

I've truly enjoyed reading your funny & inspirational blog since I started knitting. You're quite talented, pretty, and your little girl is a cutie. She reminds me of my sister and I as kids, with a white dad & se asian mom. My little girl looks nothing like me either - she inherited blue eyes & blondish hair.

[deanna]

I'm a big beleiver in simple knitting - "just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should do it".

I'm currently knitting Holly (http://www.magknits.com/Oct05/patterns/holly.htm) , and its the simplest of simplest, and I love it!

[Isela]

She is gorgeous!!!

I have a question about the yarn, is it self-striping like that? It is awesome

[Monkeygurrl]

A-hem. That's "Toddler *Native American* Guides", little missy. Don't ever let us catch you being politically incorrect!

I know you must hear it all the time, but it bears repeating: Girlfriend is GORGEOUS. I just want to hug her and squeeze her and call her George.