April 25, 2003

Greetings from the lone knitter in the Lone Star State.

Well, I'm not really, it just feels that way sometimes. We have no Local Yarn Shop, I have to make do with National chains. Let's just say that I DO buy some of my yarn at Wal-Mart!

I also <> knit with acrylic yarn (smelling salts anyone?) (FYI, "<>" means "large gulp preparatory to uttering a shocking truth") (I also do lots of parenthetical asides, apologies to those who dislike parenthetical asides.) ( I also like the word "parenthetical".) ("preparatory" is another favorite.)

There's a perfectly good reason for this (knitting with acrylic yarn, not parenthetical asides). When I give something to one of my nearest and dearest that I have lovingly made with my own two pitty-paws, the first time it needs a cleaning, it will go straight into the washing machine. Then I get a plaintive call, "You can fix it, right?" Years of tea cozy making of the remains have led me to give only wash and wear. I have no desire to become the local laundress (I think that profession went out of vogue around the end of the Dickensian era?)

Lest you find me totally mundane and beneath your notice as a "serious fiber artist" (aka knitsnob, thanks for the term, wooliemama! I'll be linking to your blog soon!), let me rush to assure you that these hands have wrought wonders with wool, spun stupendously with silk, and created cornucopias with cotton. I just save those for people for whom I am willing to wash. (nice alliterations, eh?)

I'm not just a knitter. I also sew, weave, quilt, crochet, cross stitch, and spin. My husband and I live on 5 acres of heaven. I run our business, www.pocketponds.com, an aquatic nursery. I am mother to 4 - 3 boys (ages 24, 21, 12) and one girl (age 7). I grew the older two boys myself, with some initial help from dear husband. The younger ones are adopted. My younger sister and her husband were involved in a murder/suicide and I was in their will to be the children's guardian. Dear darling husband, Bob (my favorite palindrome), wanted to adopt them and have them take his last name so they would feel part of the family. So, we're back in the parenting business just when our baby was almost a college graduate. But, I finally have a girl to teach all I know to and to dress up!

I also design knitting patterns (really, I'm a pro! I've been paid for it) and I'll be offering some free patterns-with pictures- as this blog develops.

WIP's

Working on pin striped cardigan for oldest son (works for large technology company in the Pacific Northwest - finally SOMEONE lives in sweater weather!) and on Shapely Tee (www.whiteliesdesigns.com) for me. On the cardigan, I've finished the back up to the armhole and I'm halfway to the armhole on the first front. Since I'm designing this as I go, I'm writing instructions. Pictures soon, I promise! Also working on a lacey knitting dress of Lion Brand Microspun and mohair raglan floor length nightie/lounging gown. I also always have a Harry Potter scarf on the needles. When the new kids came to live with us last year, everyone was always saying that the boy looked just like Harry Potter. I thought that he needed the appropriate prop, so I knit the following:

My version of the Gryffindor scarf:

Size 8 16" circular needles
Red Heart 8 oz super saver worsted wt acrylic yarn 1 skein each in Burgundy and Gold

Cast on 60 stitches with Burgundy, place marker, join. Knit 25 rows, Cut off burgundy attach gold, knit 25 rows. Repeat for 17 stripes (9 of burgundy, 8 of gold), ending with burgundy. Attach fringe to close ends.

This is a variation of the scarf I use to teach people to knit. I've made at least 25 Harry Potter scarves since last year. It's good therapy for me and I always have one on the needles. I've given them to family, friends and to our church (St. Thomas Episcopal) for fund raising.

On the shapely tee, I've finished the front and am almost finished on the back. I don't know how this yarn will wear, it seems prone to curling a the bottom where the garter stitch meets the stockingette stitch. Since it is a silk blend, there's no elasticity, so it may end up needing some doctoring after some wear. Well, live and learn. I got the yarn on cones from an ebay source. It's machine knitting yarn that is very fine, so I have tripled it to get the gauge needed for this pattern. >http://prism.net/furia/kp/index.html is the website. She has some interesting stuff. It's awkward to work with three big cones of yarn, so this is my stay at home project.

I had gathered a small group of people around me last night by my KIP. They were marveling at my ability to knit and talk at the same time - without looking at my hands. For me, it's just like breathing - automatic and unconscious - , so I am always taken aback when others are astonished at my "amazing" ability. I wow 'em every time when I shut my eyes tight and crane my head backwards to prove that I am not cheating, that I can really do it. I should go on tour.

Take care, I'll be posting to you later.

-Gari