Keeping a Few Things Handy

When it comes to knitting, I like to keep a few things close at hand.  One is a pencil or pen, another is a small notebook.   I also keep scraps of wool in bright colors, several of them, a couple of crochet hooks, and  some scissors.  I put all of these things into a bag large enough to hold the knitting needles I'm working with, the wool, all of it, as well as the aforementioned items.

I get ready before I knit, even if it's just a simple project.  Firstly, I simplify the instructions into how I understand things work and write them all down in the notebook, leaving spaces for me to make tally marks for each row I do.  What this does is re-familiarizes myself with my project and I have an easier time of it if it's something I've done before.  I can then refer to any quick pattern anomalies I might encounter, because I've taken notes on any issues that crop up, so I know how to handle them if they come up again.  I also keep a copy of the full pattern, just in case I need to double check something.  Those bits of colored yarn come in handy not only as markers, but can double as stitch holders.  The crochet hooks are great, you know when you drop stitches... You can easily pick them up and crochet them back in.  It just simplifies the process.  I tend to keep my bag small and purselike, but holding only my crafting tools, and I can easily scoop them up and take them with me wherever I go.  I can shut things down at the drop of a hat, and pick it  up later, whenever I want.

The great thing about knitting is how  portable it is.  You can take it anywhere and work on it.  One piece of advice, watch out for people who like to pick up your work and take a good look at it.  It's the easiest way to drop stitches.  People mean well, they just want to see what you're doing and how it works.  I keep track of stitches and rows in my notebook.  I always know where I am.  That way, if something unforeseen happens...(eep the cat), I can quickly sort out the problem without  too much unraveling.

Unraveling is a vital part of  making a garment.  Sometimes tensions loosen or tighten and you are just not pleased with how things are going.  Don't be afraid to unravel.  You can pick up the stitches easily enough and work them back to where you were.  Look at it like a lesson, or practice, be forgiving and kind to yourself.  They are only stitches and there's plenty more where they come from.

Above all , have fun with it, as you progress, things become easier and soon you are designing things in your head and looking at patterns and going yep... I see how that works.

The Economics of Clothing Part 2 (More reasons)

I keep thinking about clothing and how quickly we go through things, and it bothers me.  I look at the pajamas with the tears in the fabric that my son purchased less than a year ago... That should not be.  I look at where we get the majority of our clothing and our fabric from.  The affordable stuff, comes from India or China, and it leaves a huge carbon footprint on this old earth (and most likely is manufactured by children who are overworked and underpaid).  It just doesn't seem right when I know there is a forest full of fiber, as well as local sheep, alpaca and more.  It is not hard to spin, in fact, wouldn't it make more sense to spin something locally and dye it locally and weave it or knit it locally and wear it locally.  Wouldn't one logically assume that we grow what we need, and the warmth that we need to cover out bodies in is right here.  Everything we need.

For instance, I use a kick spindle when I spin.  What's a kick spindle.... below in that picture is my kick spindle.. you put it on the floor and kick the wheel and round it goes .  It was made from local cedar, by someone locally who crafted it so that I could spin.  It's a great little spindle and I love it.  Much faster than a drop spindle once you get used to it.  On there I spin wool so that I can make hats and mitts and things to keep you warm and dry.

You see, one of the great things about wool is it's ability to keep you both warm and dry, and should the wool get wet, you will still be warm.  It's amazing.  As long as the wool has some lanolin (sheep fat) it will keep things water proof.  It's rainy here where I live and wool  does well here.  As well wool breathes, which is better for your skin then clothes made out of synthetics, which don't breathe.  

At this point I've been thinking, with so many people out of work, why aren't we creating a cottage industry where you have home spinners who create textiles, and designers who make things from the fabric or wool,or textile creators who design and create clothing themselves.  Locally without that carbon footprint that is going to get bigger as gas prices keep going up.  

This is just a little food for thought, but I'm going to go back to spinning now and figuring out how to make a working textile industry in a stuck economy :D... 

The new Hood

So here I am in my new Hood.  She's a beaut, and she worked up quickly.  I used a double strand of wool, one dark green, one royal blue, so it was then like an chunky weight.  I had to unravel a bit when it came to taking off the ends, and fudge some things, but the back looks good now.  I made it as kind of a pixie hat, and it does have that air about it, but check it out.

I got my son to try on the hat, and He looks good in it as well.  I was thinking it was a more girly hat, but no... It looks good on both genders.  I had a lot of fun with this and will be making another shortly... I'm thinking maybe pink and orange.. or maybe just one color... I'm going to go through my balls of wool and see what I have that would look good.  Not so sure I want to do another two tone, just because I want to see it all in one color... Hrmmm maybe a natural...

As for how I feel, I'm getting better.  I might give the kick spindle a go tonight if I'm not knitting, but I'm thinking it's time for round two of the hat and to write down the pattern... :D

Take a break when you're Sick

So, I've been ill, so sick I couldn't do a thing. I did try to knit... no dice, and spinning was not working either.  I tried reading and everything was gobbledy gook, TV was just plain nonsense, and all I wanted to do was sleep.  In fact, my body would not allow me up.  So I've had some sleep, I've had toast and soup and pasta for meals.  I've realized that most of the last week is a complete blur and I'm still too sick to care, but not so sick that I finally can't pick up a simple knitting project.  Not quite up to the kick spindle yet, but when I am, I'm going to be trying a fingerling weight for socks.  I figure I need to get it nice and fine and then ply it together.  Ahh but that is too much for my head to dwell on right now.

I have always believed that you put what you are feeling into your work.  So I try to be happy or just plain clear my mind and get into the zen of the art.  Not always so easy, but I work on it.  I often get invited to knitting gabfests, and I usually bring something that never gets worked on.  I don't want gossip and snide comments and hatefulness in the creations.  It's not fair to put that kind of negativity into the items, considering they are to be worn.  I usually watch something gentle on TV or put on something instrumental and positive or happy, or just basic simple music when I'm working and I also try to have alone time with the textiles.  However I found something interesting and I'm thinking I might weave some mythology into my work.  I have discovered this show called Once Upon A Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhvwthzmd_I  I love this show and hopefully can find a copy of the pilot that can be played in Canada.  I have only found episodes 15 and 16 on CTV available in Canada and all that does is pique my interest.  I'm thinking watching mythological works will definitely be interesting while I"m spinning and knitting.

It will still be a few more days until I'm fully up and about, but at least I'm at the point where I can knit a little and look for ideas... Once I'm better enough I'm going to be doing some dyeing of my fleece and yarn.  That should be fun. :D

The mind boggle, I mean the Kitchener Stitch

Okay, so I'm working on socks, and everything goes well until I get to the end.  It's grafted together with the Kitchener stitch and as luck would have it every time I get ready to do it, someone logs on with something they need to talk to me about.  Every time it's been stressful and it occurs as soon as I've put on the video to watch and go along with, which in my opinion is to fast to watch and learn, but hey I really know it's me and I'm having troubles with it and I'm not the only one.  It's mind boggling at best and with everyone else tossing crap my way it's never going to be learned without interruptions.  I get them here at the house to.  My well meaning son offers to make lunch.    It's not fair to him... It's not his fault.  My neighbor needs a hand getting to the store.  My other neighbour is having a big fight with her bf and things are being chucked out the window. then there is the clatter of feet and pots, pans cutlery exacerbating me. I'm already frustrated and every noise distracts me because I'm trying to teach these 50 year old hands new tricks, and they are saying mind boggle.... mind boggle... I just want to scream and toss my knitting... Always a good sign, because it means I'm close to an epiphany, that the way to do it is almost clear that once I release the fog of frustration I will see clearly how it works together.  However I'm not there yet.  Using the video is useless, it's like a magnet so I found this http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html and all I can say is I love you Theresa.  Today I will finish an ugly toe on this sock.  it'sok... I'm good with that... Once it's done I"m going to do a little quicky knitting and knit up something with only a few stitches a handful  on each needle... That's only 5 and I will practice the stitch... then I"ll unravel and start again.  I will learn it slowly and not be afraid that I'm ruining a sock... No I'm learning a trick that will help me loads.  My frustration level is very high at the moment and if I weren't so mad about the interruptions, I would be in tears at my failure, so maybe mad is a good thing... tears often lead to headaches for me.  I'm thinking something fun to watch might help change my mood... Ah yes and the tension in my shoulders yes.. not a good thing for a knitter... I'm going to hunt down my A535, quit my whining and get back on the horse/ewe LOL And with that my sense of humor is starting to return.  At this point my son has heard language from me that he rather would not have and has ducked into his room.  I don't like making him feel uncomfortable... Perhaps I should make lunch today and then work on the sock.  :D  I won't feel entirely better til this stitch has been mastered.  I do know I don't  have to understand how it works.  I just have to let my fingers learn to make it work. :D

Pale Lavender Socks and a Pledge

So here they are, my socks, made from and angora blend.  This was hard to work with, a little slippery so the tension was tricky to maintain, but I persevered.  Also, I should have looked more closely at the pattern.  These were men`s sizes and next pair I make myself will be in extra small.  I enjoyed making these, so here is the pattern I used http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-skyp-socks .  I still find the Kitchener stitch a little difficult, but am sure that will come with time.  The best instructional I found for the Kitchener stitch was here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYEaM6g4NBc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0 . The instructions are really clear and she shows you what is going on.  I think the big issue for me is that my knitting has become a magnet, the moment I pick it up, there is a knock at the door, or someone needs something, especially when I hit play on this video.

I`ve also noticed something interesting.  When people ask me what I`m doing, I tell them ``I`m knitting.`` `` Oh so you`re just knitting.`` They reply, ``Then you won`t mind giving me a hand.``  I reply back again with the I`m knitting and I`m busy, and they roll their eyes at me.  I love knitting.  I create beautiful things out of my own imagination, or from nothing more than a strand of yarn and a few sticks.  Knitting is no longer done by lonely old Grandmothers any longer.  In fact knitting is beautiful http://www.whiteliesdesigns.com/ as these knitted designs will attest to.  I don`t just knit and purl, I do math in my head as I`m going along  I keep track of stitches, rows, rounds.  This is more than just a mere past time.  I`ve made a pledge to create all my own clothing from the source or from local friends sources, doing as much as I can on my own, including shoes.  That the articles of clothing I make will be practical, wearable, durable, pretty, fun, unique and keep me occupied.   Slowly I will be phasing out all of my old clothes and replace it with something hand made by myself.

Learning Curve

So above is the first pair of socks I knitted.  Not perfect, but not bad, just basic little socks.  They fit well and I used an alright yarn I guess.  It's a mystery yarn, not sure of the weight, but it worked fine.  They seem to lack some shape, but I did want something simple for my first time, and that's exactly what I got.

After making my socks, I decided to make a pair for my grown son.  I used the same pattern, same math and got that monstrosity of a sock.  It is too lose at the top, fits all right at the foot, but it's so misshapen.  I was disappointed and frustrated the whole time I was knitting it.  I could see it was not doing what it should even though the bag of wool said that this was sport weight... yeah right, it was not sock weight, more worsted and it looks terrible.  I also used the wrong needles.  With the socks for me I guess I lucked out.  For both socks I used DPNs 3.5mm my favorites for knitting up a hat on the fly.  Yeah socks are not a knit on the fly type thing.  

  Now I'm working on a sock with a pattern, Skyp socks to be exact.  I have some very lightweight fluffy wool in a color I like.  I also have some DPNs 2mm this time around.  So far this looks much more like a sock and I'm feeling better about the thickness.  I'm going to find some grey or another dark colour (anything but black) so I can make my son some socks, and I'll see from there.  

Things I've learned:  *make sure you have the correct yarn and gauge

                               *make sure you have the correct needles to get the gauge correct.

                               *with socks size matters, triple check the gauge.

                               *when starting with socks, math is for mathematicians, use a pattern.

I'll be posting when the socks are done.

Finally completed the sock.

It has taken me a bit to grasp the making of this sock.  I suspect part of it is that I'm not up to par, everything is kinda achy and I'm feverish. However, a little flu will not get this knitter down.  I'm going to make it's match a little later, but it's good to see that math was true to the pattern.  What is interesting about this sock, is it was made without a real pattern, just an idea of what a sock is, with math for stitches to make it fit, and information on knitting the heel, the gusset, and the toe.  After that it's all easy. :D

The sock is a good fit, no tightness, but perfectly snug.  Also, the garment breathes well, and my foot is warm, but not overheating.  Who could ask for more.  I'm going to be working on some more different patterns as time goes on, but for now, I'll just settle on creating the mate over the next couple of days.

Adventures in Sockery

I have to admit, I have never made a sock.  I don't know why, but I always put it off.  Lately, my views on sock making have changed and I had some yarn.  I have no idea what it is, it's mottled and actually knits up prettier than I thought it would.  I've only started the ribbing, but I found a basic sock making pattern that just explains the math and how to make the heal and toes and all.  That's what I wanted.  I know that once I get the rhythm I will figure out a pattern.  For now, I'll be wearing bright socks because I have plenty of the mottled mystery yarn and the desire to really get it down to a fine art.

Yesterday, I finished the blue hat.  It's a pretty little thing, and I'm pleased it knit up so easily.  The pattern, as always came from my head based on what I wanted in the hat, which was a couple of cables, some ear flaps, a slightly loose fit and braided ties. And here it is in all it's simplicity.  It's actually a darker brighter blue, and the cable is so beautiful on it.  I wish the photo did it justice, but I'm working on creating a studio to better show my creations, and today was not the day to work on it... Today was for socks.

The Economics of Clothing Part 1 (The reason)

I watched this film today  Sacred Economics and it explains a lot about my belief in economics and life.  I have been on a journey to discover myself and during that journey, I found myself back to learning and embracing my childhood teachings and loves.  I have been to local wool shops and the cost of buying a ready made skein of wool, enough for a hat, is $18.00 for natural fibers (that's wool, nothing nearly so exotic as silk or angora).  Now add onto that the cost of time to create that hat, I'll set it at $10.00 an hour (my time is really worth way more than $10.00, but I'm learning to let go of that it's more about explaining what is going on in the world) and it would take me an evening to create it, so times that $10.00 by 6 and add that to the cost of the fibers.  Now you are looking at $78.00 for a basic hat, that you can buy at Walmart for about $10.00.  I know it's not wool, but hey, it's $10.00 and it's cheap, it is also perfect (because it's made by a machine) and it will last me the season and that's all I want it for, besides, I can get another one next year; and this is the thought that allows us to continue to fill our landfills with fibers that cannot biodegrade easily if at all.

I have a wool toque my mother made me about 15 years ago.  It still holds it shape, and is a timeless classic.  I also have the sweater I made in my teens.  It had a hole in it where I snagged it on a tree branch when I was walking in the woods, but it has been repaired, because it was worth it... Wool lasts you see I've had that sweater 35 years and aside from the little hole, it's still in good condition.

Now, I also have a pair of pants that I purchased just before Christmas, they were $20.00, and were what I could afford at the time.  I've been wearing them a lot, but not every day, and they are almost ready for the rag bin.  They are thin and are starting to get holes  in some places.  I don't use bleach when I wash and I've had to start babying them and washing them by hand because it would seem the pants don't do so well in our washer and dryer (none of my other clothes have this issue).  Ouch... this is the harsh reality of many of the clothes today.  They last until the fad of them is over.

In reality, with today's standards for earning a living, by applying regular wage practices to Textiles, clothing becomes unaffordable, unless you shop at Walmart and smack down the $20 bucks for the pants, which you will have to keep replacing every few months, because there is no integrity in the fiber or the quality of the goods.  I know if I can get a good pair of wool pants, they will last me for years, and years and are worth repairing.  The issue becomes, in this economy how do you get clothes you need to rarely repair.  How do you afford to dress yourself in clothes that will actually keep you warm and comfortable.  Shoes fall into the same boat.

So here it is in a nutshell.  I want to start making a difference.  My desire is that when I have free time, and I am not working on my business, I am going to  make my own clothing from scratch.  I will spin it, weave it, knit and crochet it.  I will figure out how to make my own shoes (ones worth fixing).  I will only wear what I have made.  I will replace all my cheap, crappy old pieces with new more exciting, original pieces that will keep me warm and classically fashionable and have lasting sustainability.

We need to start wearing natural fibers again, and learning to purchase clothes that will last, making that investment in ourselves, because we are worth it.  It is not just the high cost of textiles that are a problem for us.  In our society, prices keep going up on basic necessities, such as food, rent, gasoline, electiricity, but our worth, has gone down, we are downsizing, lowering paychecks, loosing hours, and our reward for all this is that prices skyrocket.  I was reading an article the other day and it mentioned that food prices have gone up 5% in the last year and how hard that was.  I bought milk the other day, 2 liters for just under $4.00 ($3.99) last year it was just over $2.00 ($2.19 at the beginning and then it rose rapidly).  That is a lot more than a 5% increase, that is almost doubling the cost of the same product.  Look around your grocery store and double check those prices for yourself and remember when last year you paid $3.00 less a kilogram for beef.

This all looks pretty grim, but I'm working on some solutions, one is to offer lessons on creating your own clothing out of fiber that you create yourself, how to dye it and process it.  How to Make a few luxury items (that should not be luxuries, but staples) that last.

Finally, when all is said and done, how long do these clothes take to break down, these clothes made from synthetics.  How long do they sit on our landfills, completely useless.  Natural fibers do not have that issue. 

Arabian Knit Dreams

I have been working on these mitts, and a hat to match the last few days.  I sometimes get interrupted while I'm in the zone and I loose my concentration, there is a knock on the door, or someone wants something.  I depart my world of knitting and give a hand, I come back to my work and start up again, but I'm not yet in the zone and I find it hard to get back there.  Luckily I don't get so deep in that  getting back to where my head space at is a problem, but when it does occur, I unravel and start again, that is what happened with these.  I was counting cable stitches and just well my counter was adjusted, it was just one of those things, but I could really see the cable was off.  I tried to just go back a little, but no, the unfinished glove was telling me to unravel all and start from the beginning.  It was worth it... These knit up quickly after that and I am learning to say, I'll be with you when I'm done.  I'm working on a hat to match, when that's done I'll post.  this pair of fingerless mitts was fun to make and they are nice and warm.... I love the color; I call it Arabian Knight Blue, it reminds me of the deeply star speckled starlit skies in all those movies about the Arabian knights.