Instant Knitification

It’s that time of year, for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere to cozy up to something warm. I’ve a hankering to learn how to rug felt and would love to take a class from Nicole Chazaud Telaar at Festive Fibers…that woman rocks! One little big problem… she’s in New Hampshire, I’m in southwest Virginia and there’s a lotta asphalt in between. Her class schedule is here and, like I said, I’d love to make a felted rug or an ottoman. Taking one of her classes is on my “goals and dreams” list; does anyone know of a similar teacher in the south, preferably VA, NC, WV or SC?

All year long, I knit, but this time of year, I’m churning out hats like heads depend upon my needles to keep warm this winter. By the way, is it just me or just anyone else find it mildly amusing that needles is spelled need les. So does that mean if one has knitting, one has enough? Or, one doesn’t need to knit…nope, cannot mean that! Perhaps Maslow had it correct…food, shelter, clothing and knitting…ya think?! Hmmm, I look for hidden meanings far too much! smile

In process of going through the house and labeling things to sell, give away and keep, I’ve found several knitting projects that need some serious attention; as in, finish me now or frog me now or pay someone to finish me now. And, frog means to ripit, ripit, ripit…rip out the knitting…get it? No? Oh well, it’s knitting lingo and a lot of knitters find it wildly amusing.

These knitted and purchased goods were supposed to go to those folks taking shelter in the National Forest. That was last year and my intentions were good but the grief felled me so I just kept knitting and now have even more goodies to give away. I’ve asked a neighbor preacher to help find a contact person who takes supplies to those forest folks; hopefully, that will happen soon. If not, there are a lot of people locally for whom finances are tough and a small “God loves you” gift will warm them twice. No, I won’t wait for Christmas, it’s chilly now, especially for those living in their cars or tents.

These huge balls of wool yarn are going to be knitted into a shoulder cowl for me and I’ll dye in a jewel color either before, or after, knitting; I’m not sure when. I rarely knit something for myself and have determined to change that. Each year, I’m going to knit something for me; this year it’s going to be this cowl and I’ll finish the scarf I started while Dave was in cancer treatment. Even though I’ve been knitting for donkey’s years, I’m not an accomplished knitter, perhaps a middling one, at best. The nearest yarn shop  is more than fifty miles away and at the price of gasoline, I just don’t jump in the car and go. With not much band width, the i-net is, for the most part, a foreign land to me as well. Pretty much, I’m a self-taught knitter and keep to the simple patterns. Simple patterns are best because I have to steal time from the farm, Dave’s estate…still haven’t finished that!…, the house and the community. We’re all busy, crazy busy, and in order to get my knit fix, I keep it simple, sweetie.

Having said I rarely knit for myself, this mobieus was knit with acrylic wool yarn purchased in Budapest. Dave sent me to Eastern Europe the summer before he died in November, 2011. He wanted me to grow my wings, batten down the fear and not forget how to LIVE just because he wouldn’t be around to catch me should I fall. Dave, I’m in process, Beloved and thank you.

Thus, the “instant knitifcation”…cute, eh? Yeah, I like quick, simple, easy projects that I can churn out in a day or even a few hours. Hats, scarves, hand arm warmers, throat cozies, shawls and socks fit that bill, although, I’m still…still…trying to learn how to turn a heel! It’s insane! I’m relatively smart, have taught at University and lower levels, taught in Russia and Eastern Europe, navigated this first year without Dave, traveled by myself to foreign climes and I still cannot turn a heel. I’m flummoxed! If I had more time, I’d send out invitations to my pity party. Would you come? Note to self…change your self-talk…begin saying, “I knit wonderful, fabulous, fantastic socks with beautiful heels!”

This yarn needs to be dyed purple…fast! Again, last year, I gave the kit to Millie for a Christmas gift and told her I’d dye it for her. Good intentions…good grief…it’s time to DYE! Perhaps I’ll dye my white cowl yarn purple at the same time and use one dye pot; come on, good weather! Do you think purple and gold yarn might be nice together?

There’s a fine line to walk when I visit knitting blogs of Very Accomplished Knitters. I want to ooohh and aahhh but not compare myself with folks like Vicki at 2 Bags Full. Vicki is one of those Very Accomplished Knitters who has a huge heart as well; visit her Sacred Yarn Room and then, sign up for her Grow Your Blog Party coming mid-January.

The gas logs are lit, chairs and side table pulled front and center, cozy on a full tea pot, mug waiting, lamp at the ready. Now all that’s needed is me and the knitting bag; there’s a spare chair, care to join me?

Originally posted on Thistle Cove Farm.