Why do you knit?

-Alexander Pope,

An Essay on Man, Epistle I, 1733

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;

Man never Is, but always To be blest:

The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home,

Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

Pope so eloquently expresses my reason for loving Spring; not necessarily for the intensifying sun nor the budding landscape, but for the renewal of hope. The hope to know better. The hope to do better. Shall we not hope to KNIT better? I certainly don't mean honing skill. That gift will come completely involuntarily and without condition as long as you keep at it. The "better" of which I speak will take on different implications for different knitters.

Have you ever asked yourself why you knit? It can be a formidable thought, but I think one worth exploring. I began knitting and crocheting for stress relief—a respite from intense studies while obtaining my undergraduate degree in nursing. My knitting has served as a coping mechanism for grief and loss, an escape from chores, stress relief and entertainment. Now, more than ever, knitting serves as a conduit for my creativity. No matter what your reason for knitting, which surely will be numerous and diverse, I hope you always allow for some peaceful time to knit your favorite fiber, with your favorite needles in your favorite chair to internally expatiate your spring of hope. Happy knitting!

click to enlarge

Knit Picks Swish DK - Eggplant
US 8, No Modifications

Ravelry Link

Inspiration...

circa 1830

I am a big fan of antique Blue Willow transfer ware. I remember as a young adult entering a bedroom of dear friends who were both interior designers during a tour of their wondrous DC home. They had an assortment of antique blue and white platters, plates and saucers from the late 17th and early 18th centuries acquired in their travels to Europe. The bone porcelain pieces hung above their bed upon a backdrop of the perfect shade of buttercup yellow paint. It left an impression!  They gave me a brief history of the pattern's origin and legend from 15th century China—be it fact or fiction. I've been a fan ever since. I could not only appreciate their dedication in finding the oldest and most beautiful original pieces they could find, but also the love and appreciation of every stain, nick and unearthing remembrance. It served as an allegory for their wonderful and well worn relationship. The china collection, which may at first seemed better suited for a dining room, suddenly became very apropos as a crown for their place of respite sanctuary.

Born August 9, 1910

Most of you also know I'm a big fan of one, Ms. Elizabeth Zimmermann. So, when I came upon a shawl pattern to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of her birth laden with thematic motifs representing her love for camping I knew I had to cast on. The "EZ 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl: Camping," is actually one of three shawls designed by Judy of Mwaa Knits. Judy is one talented lady and quite a smart knitter to boot. All of the repeats are in multiples of 8, 9 and 10 (the numbers of Ms. Zimmermann's birthday).  How cool is that?  Ms. EZ has regaled us with stories of knitting whilst fishing and camping in her books, which was evidently the main inspiration behind the shawl's design.  Also, Ms. EZ's Pi shawl pattern, as written in "Knitter's Almanac," served as the base for the anniversary shawls.  I'd like to think our "Mother of modern knitting" would be honored and proud!

click photo for a closer view

As much as I liked the shawl design as a whole, I was not particularly fond of the "paw prints" Haapsalu motif from the Estonian region. Instead, I started my Blue Willow shawl with a crocheted doily pattern I had been eyeing for years by Josie Barbier (entitled Cockscomb) in the book, Favorite Throws and Table Toppers to Crochet by Carol Alexander and distributed by Annie's Attic. Using a size 7 steel crochet hook and employing the "painted doily" technique, I crocheted the nucleus with 3 silk wrapped cotton/polyester sewing threads held together exchanging one thread at a time per 1-3 rounds to transition each color change. It's a wonderful technique and the term "painting" couldn't be more accurate. The undulating ombre effect that results is beautiful. I tried to pick not only the obvious colors of the Blue Willow china, but also the subtleties of grey, cream and aqua brought about by age, wear and the original copper plate transfer process.

Willow Leaves detail

I modified the doily pattern to achieve 144 stitches in the last round which was knit in mercerized, bedspread weight cotton, size 10.  I then picked up the stitches with a size US 5 needle and knitted one round of (YO, K1) to double my stitches to 288 which is where the middle motif, "Slanting Twigs," begins in the anniversary shawl pattern.  I'll be knitting the remainder of the pattern as written. I'm currently finishing the last two repeats of the "Willow Leaves" motif (my absolute favorite) in the white mercerized cotton.  I will be including some transitional ecru and navy rounds before completing the lace border in white.  I'll leave you with a few more glimpses and will be supplying more knitting details and photos in future posts, so stay tuned...TO BE CONTINUED

Anyone up for darning in some ends?

What if Charlie, was a yarnie...

Knitting on a Budget

fru⠂gal⠂i⠂ty

• characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources (Merriam-Webster)

With the way our economy has taken a nose dive the last few years—didn't anyone tell you...the recession is over—even us lowly knitters have had to look for ways to keep on throwin' and pickin' with a bit less exorbitant expenditure. Though purchasing less extravagant fiber or knitting with only free patterns wouldn't be an option for many of us, there are other ways to stretch your knitting dollar; so, don't go cancelling your Interweave Knits subscription just yet. I've spent some time putting together tips to keep on knittin' on without sacrificing a single camelid purl...

PATTERNS

1. Don't use 'em!  Try and come up with something creative and let your mind soar.  Some of the best ideas come from "mistakes."
2. Search through the patterns you already have.  If you're anything like me, you have a whole lot more patterns than you ever thought you had.  I have PDF downloads, a ton of needlework magazines, books, binders of printed patterns, etc.
3. Try knitting a pattern you previously used (and you particularly enjoyed) changing up the yarn, color or utilizing simple modifications in fit or construction. A great jumper knitted as a cardigan with a different collar, button band and yarn can bare little resemblance to the original.
4. Visit your public library.  Most libraries have a decent knitting section from which to pull inspiration, a new technique or an interesting pattern.
5. Three words...Ravelry, Ravelry, Ravelry!  It's the needle worker's best friend.  There are literally thousands upon thousands of free and low priced patterns.
6. Search out knitting blogs.  Most bloggers have at least a few free patterns or charts on their blog (I just added one to mine and have another one coming out next week).
7. The world wide web also has MANY free patterns available.  Just google "free knitting patterns!"
8. Email a favorite designer to see if they have any new designs or sizes to be test knit.  Sometimes they will even supply the yarn!
9. When purchasing patterns, choose patterns that aren't too trendy and have a classic silhouette which can be easily modified for gender, size or style to get the most out of your dollar.
10. Look for eBooks.  If you like the majority of patterns by a particular designer, buying an eBook with a compilation of their patterns will be cheaper than buying the individual patterns piece mill. 
11. Join yarn and knitting retail websites.  They always have free, promotional patterns listed on their site.
12. Knitty.com!  OB—SESSED!
13. Check out the sales bin at your LYS or favorite book retailer.
14. Don't be shy about contacting a favorite designer or knitting blogger.  If I had someone who

emailed me due to their interest in knitting a pattern, but was on public assistance, lived on a fixed income, was a student, was disabled, etc. and couldn't afford a pattern I had for sale, I wouldn't think twice about emailing them a copy.  Really!

FIBER

1. Go ahead. I give you permission to use a well priced acrylic!  That's right...I SAID IT!  A-C-R-Y-L-I-C!!!!  Listen, I LOVE organic, natural fibers as much as the next knitter, and knit with wool, alpaca, silk, cashmere and cotton about 85% of the time.  However, when I'm knitting for pets, babies, kids, or the laundry retarded I use an acrylic or acrylic blend.  I even knit items for myself from time to time for "go to" items like my white cardigan I wear over my scrubs that has to be laundered very often.  Here's the caveat—sometimes good acrylics/blends aren't exactly low priced, so don't automatically assume it's a budget saver.
2. Knit Picks has to be my favorite online, discount knitting store.  They have great quality items for great prices and they have THE BEST customer service of any online retailer I've ever encountered!!!  And, who doesn't like shopping in the comfort of your own home while in your underwear?
3. Check for sale yarns at your LYS!  Many times they will offer discounts on yarn that may be out of season, but by the time you finish knitting the item it may very well be the right season to wear or gift to someone special.  Many LYS's also offer large discounts on discontinued yarns they will no longer be ordering or novelty yarns that have gone out of vogue.
4. Knit with lace weight or fingering weight yarn.  You will get many more knitting hours per hank as compared to a bulkier yarn.
5. Go to a garage sale, thrift shop, or second hand store to look for sweaters you can frog and re-use the yarn.  This is a favorite method of mine and is a way to conserve.  Don't miss looking for sewn items that may contain great buttons for future cardigans!  Sometimes you may even have a sweater in your own closet that no longer fits or its design has gone out of style and is lying around waiting for a breath of new life.  How about a moth eaten sweater that may be knit up into smaller items such as a vest, scarf, cowl, hat or mittens?
6. Learn to spin!  I haven't tried this one yet, as I or no one around me is quite ready for another fiber-related obsession, but roving is cheaper than spun yarn and unprocessed fleece is cheaper still (though skirting, bathing, carding...I'm exhausted just typing it...spinning, and plying doesn't appeal to my general sense of laziness).  Besides, removing vegetable matter, is just code for picking out sheep poo!  Just sayin...
7. T-shirt yarn!  If you haven't been acquainted yet, go give it a look see. It's pretty ingenious really

and a great way to recycle old t-shirts. Basically you cut up a continuous half inch strip of an old t-shirt proper, less the hems and sleeves. When you give the strip a gentle tug it rolls up on itself and you have a bulky cotton yarn! It makes for a great utilitarian yarn ideal for trivets, pot scrubbers, oven mitts, etc. Just remember, when you are cutting up your hubby's dingy, hole riddled, yet favorite—it is better to apologize afterward than ask for permission beforehand!

NEEDLES

1. Most knitter's needle stockpile is akin to a crack addict's spoon, tourniquet and pipe collection.  Mine is almost embarrassing (my knitting needle arsenal, not the drug paraphernalia).  We are on some unrelenting search for the "Holy Grail" of knitting needle that will make all other needles obsolete.  It's a disease.  My point is, if you are a knitting neophyte ask around and borrow some needles for your first few projects.  You'll get to learn the eccentricities of different types and discover a favorite.  If your knitting friend isn't too far gone in his/her needle hoarding illness he/she may even let you keep it.
2. Interchangeable needle sets are generally a good investment, regardless of the brand.
3. Once again...Garage sales, Thrift stores, Second hand shops!  GTS...it's the "Jersey Shore GTL" of the knitting world.
4. Ebay!  Granted, the only knitter that would give up his/her needles would probably be a...well...dead one, but if you don't mind the whole deceased knitter thing then you can often find a good bargain on a whole slew of needles in bulk.  Added bonus: the non-knitters left behind will often sell them for much less than they're worth.
5. Again, Knit Picks, has their own line of interchangeable, straight and static circular needles (in wood, acrylic, and nickel-plated brass) with VERY flexible cables and decent joins for great prices!
6. Make your own!  This is a lot easier and less involved than it sounds.  All it takes is a couple of dowels, a pencil sharpener, sand paper/nail file and a little elbow grease.  There are even tutorials on how to make your own circulars.
7. All joking aside, once you are familiar with different styles or materials and narrow down a favorite, invest in the best needles you can afford.  You will spend years and countless hours knitting with them so it should be an enjoyable experience.

ONE FINAL NOTE...

This is in no way meant to be an all inclusive list, but hopefully it will spark a few ideas to help make your knitting dollar stretch.  I also want to encourage you to frequent and support your LOCAL YARN STORE!  Many store owners have responded well to the fluctuating economy and bring you an experience that is unsurpassed by any online retailer—some may even let you fondle the fiber in your underwear.  It's certainly a place to gain wonderful advice, knitting camaraderie, and creative entertainment.  One last thing I'd like to call attention to is BARTERING!  I would readily trade a few original patterns for a great hand-dyed hank of sock yarn.  Don't be afraid to think outside of the knitting bag!  I'll leave you with a purl of wisdom to ponder...even if you are a knitter who only wants to knit with vicuna yarn on Signature needles (which are amazing by the way), it's still probably cheaper than a month of therapy!

New Free Pattern

No Digital Love Without the eGlove

This is a handsome, customizable “glove” for your iPad, MacBook, Laptop, netbook, notebook, eReader, etc. Directions are given for minimal striping and a multi-toned cable, but the sky’s the limit for personalization. Choose a favorite cable, decorative stitch, intarsia chart or stranded color pattern to give your eGlove even more personal panache. The eGlove not only adds flair, but serves as a bit of protection while your electronic device is not in use. This is a quick, easy project that makes an excellent gift and is perfect for using up scrap yardage in your stash!

netBook eGlove 

Easy 6 stitch cable with duplicate stitching in navy and khaki

Directions include sizing info, technique for cleaner stripes in ribbing, &
video links for jogless stripes and cabling sans cable needles.

Made for my niece's computer utilizing the fair isle pattern from
Chelsea Fowler-Biondolillo's Skull Isle Pattern
as published in Debbie Stoller's book, "Son of Stitch 'n Bitch"