mamadeb

I decided that I wanted an example (and a dry run) for my knitting class.

So I made a baby hat, for the baby staying here.

Pattern is as follows - measure or guess the circumference of the head, and add a half-inch. Or not. Cast on enough stitches to go round the head. I guessed 12", and cast on 60. Knit an odd number of rows in garter stitch. Then knit an inch in stockinette, ending on a knit row, turn, knit the next two rows. This creates a purl ridge. Repeat until you read 1/3 or so of the circumference, ending on a purl row. Bind off. Sew the side and top of the hat together to make a sort of envelope. If desired, and I DID desire, make a pair of tassels to tie at the corners.

Took me about three hours and it fit her.

I love stranded knitting.

That is all.

Actually, no.

I have another idea. I have the *best* friendslist ever. You've taken what could have been controversial topics and turned them into interesting, interactive and, above all, CIVIL discussions. I am absolutely kvelling.

So. A poll. (And I know I have one question repeated. Just ignore it. Please.)

Open threads: I basically make a post, and you start a discussion. Yes - I would be relying on you to entertain me.

[Poll #1309613]

Conditions last night were very different than last week - I had no errands beyond the comic book shop, dinner was leftover soup and, when I went to the coffeehouse, I just wanted to, well, have a cup of coffee and knit.

And there was a young woman sitting there with knitting in hand, visible through the window. So, I went in.

I stayed for two hours, all told, and got to pretty much the last repeat of the second of my pair of socks (finished now. ataniell93, email me your snail address, please.) We talked - she *just* moved to NY from San Diego last week, she'd been a crocheter for years, but was taking up knitting now, she's a teacher and just needs to get her paperwork done to teach in NYC. She thinks Park Slope is beautiful. And she was determined to finish her knit long-ways cashmere scarf before she left that night. She was going to wear it home.

Her technique was awkward - at her request, I tried to show her how to purl properly - fortunately, she knits continental (yarn around the left hand), which makes sense for a crocheter, so I could show her. However, purling, apparently, harder continental style. I was thinking of showing her how to do it combined instead, but decided against it. She did get to the bind-off row while I was there, and so I could give her the bare hint she needed to remember how to bind-off (knit two, pull the first stitch over the second, knit one, pull the first stitch over and repeat to end.) And I could lend/give her a tapestry needle to do the final weaving-in. She couldn't find hers and, as she was using worsted weight and I have a superfluity of large tapestry needles anyway, it was an easy solution. What with my current sock obsession, I'm not knitting that thick anyway.

I'd have liked more people, maybe, but it was very nice.

(Did a post on the Knitblog today, too.)

When my right thumb began to hurt, I figured it was the knitting and decided to just rest it.

At that point, it was more or less normally flexible - just doing the click and pop thing.

I stopped using it - I left off knitting for weeks, and used the thumb as little as possible. And then I didn't have a choice. I could type but I couldn't bend it at all, and even trying was painful. My orthopedist prescribed more rest, not using my carpal tunnel brace because it hit right at the base of the thumb and mega doses of Ibuprofen.

It didn't help.

He gave me a shot of cortisone. It didn't help.

Finally, I started doing a little knitting again - just a half hour or so every other day, just to get my husband's socks finished, and then to start another pair and to start my mother-in-law's lace scarf. And gradually, I started knitting more.

A few weeks ago, I noticed my thumb was hurting more, and I realized it was because I was bending it more. It hurt, but it was bending. And the only change was that I'd upped the knitting.

I knitted a sock last week - fastest I've ever knitted a sock (for the record - toe-up with a heel-flap gusset heel. Best heel I've ever made.) Today my right thumb is bending more than it has in months. It hurts, but it bends. It's just so counter-intuitive - not knitting made it worse!

Three finished projects plus works in progress on my knitblog.

Finished hat and mitten photographs on my Knitting Blog..

Is it wrong of me to be bothered by the whole Prayer Shawl thing?

( Read more... )

After many false starts and an object lesson in getting the correct gauge, I I finally finished jonbaker's watch cap. Pictures here on the knitblog.

So far, as long weekends go, this has been...social. Very social. Too social.

( Shabbat )


( Sunday )

( Monday )

And now I'm exhausted and feeling rather socialized out.

It's no one's fault, really. My mom did show me the right way, but I forgot (and it's hard for my mother to teach me. She's left-handed, although I believe she knits right-handed. Still.) It was decades ago, after all.

And while I've knitted in public since, it wasn't in situations where anyone would watch me knit - filk rooms and panel rooms at cons, or on the bus. I couldn't even tell you who among the fannish knitters knit continental or, um, the other way that my hands simply won't do. So, I really had no idea.

For that matter, I wasn't in a position where I could see I was doing it wrong and correct it myself.

( Read more... )