In Time of Crisis--Knit

We're cleaning up from the biggest flood we have had in years. I mean "we" as in the royal sense, as my immediate area suffered no damage. Helicopters keep flying overhead, but now they are ferrying government-types over the area to survey the damage. Just a few days before they were rescuing people from their homes--and their rooftops.

The morning of the flood, I was glued to CNN, listening to what was happening in my area. I have been knitting pink scarves for the American Cancer Society, but I wanted something more challenging to keep my hands occupied. So, I started the Cocoon Jacket from Trish Designs. There were a couple of things about the pattern that I just could not understand. Nevertheless, I plunged ahead, and when I got to the parts that made me nervous, they suddenly seemed clear. The project is going to take quite a while since I'm kind of a slow knitter, but it's fun.

This project has also taught me two things. First, I have to inventory my yarn supply. I'm tired of buying yarn I already have. Though, you can't have too much yarn--it's just not possible.

Second, I need to break out of the box in my yarn selection. Yes, I have all kinds of yarn (though most seem to be from Lion Brand), but I seem to always pick out the Homespun. This means, of course, that I have to go buy yarn each time I do a project. My next project is going to be something other than Homespun. Oops. I've already bought yarn for my next project--a hooded sweatshirt designed in Homespun. I'll find a non-Homespun project--I promise.

Think Pink--and Do Some Good

In my last post, I told you all how you could make a difference in the lives of those affected by the tsunami and hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I have found another way we as knitters can make a difference.

There is a woman collecting knitted and crocheted scarves, which will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Any pattern or type of yarn will do. The only requirement is that they be pink. You can learn more about this project at http://pinkchallenge.blogspot.com.

I'm off to knit my first one now.

Another Way to Give

Well now, this might hold a record for length of time between posts. I'd like to say that I was just so busy knitting between the last posting and this one, but that wouldn't be quite true. Life intervened, and I wasn't even able to knit as much as I would have liked. But, after a couple of stress-related health issues, I have decided to knit at least a little bit every day--and to post more often.

Knitters and other needleworkers are well known for using their skills for the betterment of others. There are many, many charity knitting groups including Afghans for Afghans, organizations knitting burial clothing for babies or helmet liners for soldiers, and even those of us who knit blankies for animals in shelters. Knitters and needleworkers have big hearts and busy hands.

I'd like to call attention to another way to benefit people in need. I am fortunate to work for a publisher who also believes in doing good works. Through Village Earth Press, we are publishing books that will raise much-needed funds for organizations. Our first book, The Gift of Hope in the Wake of the 2004 Tsunami and 2005 Hurricanes will be available in July 2006. The publisher and our director of photography traveled to Thailand last year to document the recovery efforts in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami that hit the area the previous December. Later last year, they visited Louisiana, witnessing recovery efforts from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Gift of Hope is the result of those travels. Eloquent prose and evocative photographs gives testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. The Gift of Hope in the Wake of the 2004 Tsunami and 2005 Hurricanes can be preordered at Village Earth's web site: http://www.villageearthpress.com. One-third of the purchase price will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and Give2Asia, organizations working with residents to reclaim their lives.

Too Little Time

How can someone determine if they are obsessed? I watch TV and feel guilty if I am not working on one of my WIPs. I watch intently to see if anyone in a movie or on TV can be seen knitting. Since I am not sleeping well, I automatically decide that it must be because I haven't had time to do much knitting. I keep searching for new patterns that might be fun over the long haul. I'm already thinking about what project I should take when I go on a trip in October. When I'm working and reading about Canadian history I wonder what things women knitted. When I'm working and writing my book on Ireland, I keep looking for that "perfect place" to insert a sidebar about the Aran pattern. And, when I am working and writing my book on antidepressants, I wonder if these people would be better and med free if only they knit.

Nah, I'm not obsessed.

Knitting and Pets

I have six cats--three of them Maine Coons. What does that have to do with knitting? Well, aside from the occasional damp yarn as I am knitting, it opens the possibility of nontraditional types of yarn. Heaven knows they have enough hair. Now at coat-blowing season, I have a mohair carpet--everywhere you look there's mo' hair. I am learning to spin using a drop spindle, so perhaps I should give it a try. Let's see, Herman has red hair, and Lily and Eddie have brown and black hair. That could be interesting. And painful. I can't imagine Herman letting me take his hair willingly. As a matter of fact, he has to be knocked out to get a haircut. Perhaps when he goes to get his summer "do" in a few weeks I should have the vet save the hair! Of course it will take several sessions to get enough to actually make anything.
Hmm. Perhaps I should shave the carpet...

Knitting ghosts

I swear I must have knitting ghosts around here. I went looking for my Knit Cards and my Knitter's Companion and cannot find either one anywhere! I am pretty sure that the cats didn't take them--that opposible thumb thing. Then I decided to look for a skein of lavendar yarn. I bought it because it was lavendar and until the other day, didn't have a clue what to make with it. Well, it has vanished as well.
The one thing I do know is that the ghosts must be quite talented.

UFO night

Well, Monday was UFO night, and I worked on my poncho again. As I sat there watching 24 and knitting away, I kept thinking about what a lousy day I had and how soothing it actually was sitting there with my 6 cats knitting--well, I was knitting, they were sleeping. It really is a wonderful way to relax.
Now I want to learn to spin. I went to my LYS tonight after yet another crappy day at work (are we seeing a trend here) and bought some fiber and a drop spindle. Wish me luck.

Success

Well, it seems to be true. I do have a blog. And thank you to everyone who visited and left comments.
Now, on to the knitting.
Monday was UFO night. Lily (one of the furr kids--the meow variety) and I sat an watched 24 while I worked on my poncho. As the action on the show increased, so is my knitting speed. Amazing how much I got accomplished.
I am actually thinking of taking a knitting class. Big step for me, but I think it might be necessary unless I want to knit scarves for the rest of my life--not that there's anything wrong with that!
Off to feed the cats and work on my poncho. Wonder what's on TV . . .

I think I have a blog

I hate being left out, so I now have a blog--I hope. Obviously I am new at this, so it will take me some time to figure it all out. If you have suggestions or can offer assistance, FEEL FREE!!
Why do I have a blog you might ask. Nosey. No, seriously, because I want to. That should be reason enough.
Anyway, I love to knit, and since the knitting blog sites seem to have the cutest little buttons, I decided to make mine knitting related. I am a self-taught knitter and still learning. Since my skills are somewhat (OK, very) limited, I try to keep to simple stitch patterns. I am a really big fan of the garter stitch.
OK, all for now. Let me know if you stopped by.
Ida