June 15, 2005

the past week's knitting highlights

Last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I made good progress on Tonton Guy's sock while waiting for doctors, at a meeting for knocked up anglophones and on the metro. I turned the heel and I still have a good chunk of the ball left before I get halfway. I only have one ball, so I'm weighing it from time to time to know when I should start the second sock. If they seem a little short, I'll have to add some charcoal stripes up at the ankle or something. In a couple days, I'll put up a photo to show you just how big these socks are.

Friday and Saturday I knit a lot on my top priority project (no photos, sorry). I finished the back yesterday and the design element actually worked like I wanted it to. I was so relieved because as the end of it approached, I was getting nervous that I would have to redo the whole thing. Today I started the sleeves and I decided to knit them both at the same time. I haven't decided if this is the best way to go or not. They go more slowly, but at least I won't have Second Sleeve Syndrome. I love finishing stuff. I just wish I could show you.

Yesterday, Blossom sent me photos of her knitting. I'm so proud, I'm bursting at the seams! Check this out! (Sorry chica, I didn't ask you if I could post these. I assume it's cool. Why don't you get a blog?!?)

I'm dragging her down a slippery slope. She's been buying some expensive yarns and she was online shopping for swifts and ball winders. Poor girl. Plus, she's more up on blogs than I am. The other day she said to me, "Did you see that Blahdablee from the Boobahdoo blog is spinning now." I said, "Huh? Who's that? What?" No offense, Blahdablee. I'm clueless. I don't know anyone. And Blossom, my dear, don't go getting any crazy spinning ideas in your head. I feel guilty enough about the knitting thing.

Today's highlight is I listened to the newest knitcast and got dragged into the world of Get Knitted and I've spent the last two hours trying to convince myself that it is unreasonable to order yarn. But I can't get any of these yarns in France! No, Kate, you can't but you don't need any yarn. But they are so pretty! No! Step away from the computer. But... No! (I'll see you later, I'm going sit here and fight with myself)

Posted by kate at 07:41 PM | Comments (5)

April 13, 2005

So freakin proud!

She knits, she purls, she casts on like a pro and she's started her first project! She's making herself an i pod cover and she doesn't even have a pattern. She's just making it up! How kick ass is that? I couldn't be more proud. My little Blossom has turned into a knitter. It took you long enough, chica!

And to those of you who emailed offering support, the toothpaste is gone from the mirror. I appreciate your concern.

Posted by kate at 06:55 PM | Comments (8)

March 14, 2005

Thanks!

Thank you all for your excellent suggestions and advice!
I'm ready to get started.

Posted by blossom at 07:34 PM | Comments (1)

March 07, 2005

Blossom - about my best pal*

January 1998 - August 2000 She worked with me... or rather, I worked for her, we ate lunch together nearly every day and I often dragged her half across town to go to the Yarn Connection during lunch.

She had no desire to knit.

2000 - 2001 We didn't work together anymore, but I still rambled on about knitting to her.

Still no desire to knit.

Summer 2003: She came along on a two (three?) borough yarn tour on one of the hottest days of the summer. And she claims she had fun.

Still no desire to knit.

More time passes Knitting got cooler, books came out, I got a blog, which she reads but doesn't comment on. I sat and babbled to her about knitting on the phone and emailed her sketches for ideas.

Still no desire to knit.

Now, after a long period of incubation, she has finally caught the knitting bug and I'm not there to hang out with her and teach her. So, what I'd like to know is, how did you learn to knit and how can I help Blossom while I'm 3628 miles/5,838 kilometers away from her? I learned by myself using library books and trial and error and just making stuff up (next time I'm at my parents' house, I'll show you and subject myself to ridicule) but I'd like her to have an easier, less lonely, more enjoyable time of it. And before you even bother to suggest it, the book that everyone has and talks about, you know, the one with the curse word in the title, she told me it's out of the question. She's too damned tired of hearing about it all the time.

*name has been changed to protect the fiber virgin.

Posted by kate at 11:56 AM | Comments (34)