There is little in more controversial in the US than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Regardless of how one feels about the wars, there is one thing that all are in agreement with--the soldiers must have our support.
Here is one way knitters have to support the troops--Sock For Troops. This group is collecting hand knit black socks to send to the troops oversees. Fancy not required--it's even not accepted. To get more information, contant Sockforsoldiers at Yahoo Groups!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Happy Knitting Recipient
When the flooding ended in July, a little kitten was found in someone's backyard. After a while, the person who found him decided he couldn't keep the little furball, so one of my coworkers took him. She and her husband named the wee one Noah.
It is tradition that I knit a blankie for the new kitties (and even one baby mouse) who find their ways into the lives of people I know. And Noah was no exception. His mom's favorite color is green, so this green alpaca and acrylic blankie became Noah's. As you can see, he likes it a lot.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
New E-Mail List Announcement
I am a big girl (some might even say a very big girl), and I love to knit. But, it can be hard to find patterns that flatter--or even fit. It can also be hard to find knitting-related e-mail groups that deal with this. There are a couple, but there's room for one more: Big Girls Knit Too. Come and join me and hopefully many others who share those characteristics. We'll learn from each other and, though we'll try to stay on-topic, well, I can't say we won't stray.
Big Girls Knit Too is a Yahoo group. If you have trouble finding us, let me know (ida@idawalker.com)
Big Girls Knit Too is a Yahoo group. If you have trouble finding us, let me know (ida@idawalker.com)
Friday, July 28, 2006
Gnitting Gneedles
I love gnomes. They're about the only things I collect--except for yarn, of course. I even have them in my office. Imagine my delight then when I discovered the website www.DesignsbyTami. And what to my wondering eyes did appear but gnomes sitting atop knitting needles. It is impossible to say just how fast I ordered those little cuties, and I wasn't disappointed when they arrived. Those little gnomes are adorable.
I was visiting eBay the other day and noticed that she has items up for auction--including needles and stitch markers with alpacas on them. Yep, they are on their way to me.
So--if you're looking for the unusual, check out www.DesignsbyTami.com. (NAYYY)
OTN: Berroco's Maura sweater and the Cocoon Jacket
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
The Red Scarf Project
We knitters are a compassionate bunch, and there is an organization that needs our compassion. The Orphan Foundation of America sponsors the Red Scarf Project, and I encourage everyone to participate.
The Orphan Foundation of America is collecting 2,000 scarves to include in their Valentine Care Packages that will be given to America's college-bound foster youth. Your knitted, crocheted, woven, or sewn scarf will be the personal touch in these packages and bring students the support they need to move forward and graduate to a brighter future.
Here are the guidelines:
Size: Approximately 60 inches long and 5 to 8 inches wide. Scarves should be long enough to be wrapped around the neck with tails long enough to be tied in the front. Fringe is optional.
Style: Unisex collegiate. Both males and females will receive these scarves.
Color: RED!! But, that covers a lot of territory, including burgundy, cherry, russet, red stripes with other colors, multicolor hues including red. Don't like red? Well, other unisex colors such as black, navy, gray, teal, olive, or gold are also welcome.
Texture and weight: Soft and supple. They should not feel scratchy on the neck, and they should drape and tie easily.
Finished and Tagged: Yarn ends should be secured. For the personal touch, attach a tag saying "Handmade for You" with your name, city, and group affiliation, if any. If you wish, you may include washing instructions or a brief message of encouragement as well.
Scarves should be mailed in January to:
Orphan Foundation of America
Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive, Unit 130
Sterling, VA 20166
Or, if you'd like to send them to me, please e-mail me and I'll give you details (ida@idawalker.com).
Please help send warmth and encouragement to these special young people.
The Orphan Foundation of America is collecting 2,000 scarves to include in their Valentine Care Packages that will be given to America's college-bound foster youth. Your knitted, crocheted, woven, or sewn scarf will be the personal touch in these packages and bring students the support they need to move forward and graduate to a brighter future.
Here are the guidelines:
Size: Approximately 60 inches long and 5 to 8 inches wide. Scarves should be long enough to be wrapped around the neck with tails long enough to be tied in the front. Fringe is optional.
Style: Unisex collegiate. Both males and females will receive these scarves.
Color: RED!! But, that covers a lot of territory, including burgundy, cherry, russet, red stripes with other colors, multicolor hues including red. Don't like red? Well, other unisex colors such as black, navy, gray, teal, olive, or gold are also welcome.
Texture and weight: Soft and supple. They should not feel scratchy on the neck, and they should drape and tie easily.
Finished and Tagged: Yarn ends should be secured. For the personal touch, attach a tag saying "Handmade for You" with your name, city, and group affiliation, if any. If you wish, you may include washing instructions or a brief message of encouragement as well.
Scarves should be mailed in January to:
Orphan Foundation of America
Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive, Unit 130
Sterling, VA 20166
Or, if you'd like to send them to me, please e-mail me and I'll give you details (ida@idawalker.com).
Please help send warmth and encouragement to these special young people.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
My Knitting Buddy
On May 7, 2006, I lost my knitting buddy, McKittycreek Lily McMunster, to a blood clot. She was just a month shy of her fifth birthday.
Lily and I had a special relationship. I love all of my cats, but there was just something unique about the bond she and I shared. She was my first female and my first Maine Coon. I never had to keep track of when my period was due; she let me know. Uncanny, but amazingly accurate.
I've been lucky that my cats generally don't bother my knitting. Of course it could be that they think I'm making something for them. Clarence likes to hit the end of the needle while I knit, but that's about it.
Now, that is. Lily didn't really bother the knitting. She'd lay quietly on a box at my feet, and I'd not notice she was there. Until the feeder yarn became a bit wet. I'd look down, and she'd be grabbing the yarn as it went from knitting bag to my project.
I miss that kitty slobber. And I miss my knitting buddy more than I can believe. The pain of loss is almost unimaginable.
I love you Lily. I always will.
Friday, July 14, 2006
On the Needles
My delight in easy patterns is no secret. Frankly, I see nothing wrong with anything knit in a garter stitch in bulky yarn and with big needles--got to love those 50s!
This week I used Homespun (OK, shoot me), but I used small needles, a size 7. And what was I knitting? Why, I mat for a baby mouse--or as I call it, a mousepad! (I crack myself up.) My boss's son found a baby mouse on his bedroom floor. As much as I dislike mice, it is a cute teeny thing. I have a habit of knitting blankies for new pets, so of course, Thimble the mouse got his. Around mother's day they got a new kitten, and I knit 2 blankies for Minnow.
A coworker adopted a very young kitten this week. The poor thing survived the flood, and except for some fleas and mud, seems amazingly healthy. I'm off to knit a blankie for Noah--in green, his new mom's favorite color.
This week I used Homespun (OK, shoot me), but I used small needles, a size 7. And what was I knitting? Why, I mat for a baby mouse--or as I call it, a mousepad! (I crack myself up.) My boss's son found a baby mouse on his bedroom floor. As much as I dislike mice, it is a cute teeny thing. I have a habit of knitting blankies for new pets, so of course, Thimble the mouse got his. Around mother's day they got a new kitten, and I knit 2 blankies for Minnow.
A coworker adopted a very young kitten this week. The poor thing survived the flood, and except for some fleas and mud, seems amazingly healthy. I'm off to knit a blankie for Noah--in green, his new mom's favorite color.
Friday, June 30, 2006
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.
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.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
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.
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.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
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.
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.
Friday, May 13, 2005
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.
Nah, I'm not obsessed.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
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...
Hmm. Perhaps I should shave the carpet...
Sunday, April 17, 2005
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.
The one thing I do know is that the ghosts must be quite talented.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
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 . . .
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 . . .
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
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
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
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