Cat Hair in My Belly Button

So now, did that get your attention? This isn't going to be an entry about cat hair in the belly button, though I do happen to find some there occasionally. And in my ear. Don't know what's up with that.

It Looks So Easy

This is a sweater. Or at least it will be. The other night I was looking for a summer-type sweater to cast on. I wanted something light and lacy. And, it wanted to be able to make it from yarn already in my stash. In digging through patterns, I came across a couple I ordered some time ago from Just One More Row. They're very similar patterns, but then I find that to be true with many of its patterns. Anyway, these sweaters are very lacy and don't take a lot of yarn--relatively speaking and for my size.

After finding the pattern for the Flyaway Jacket, I determined I had enough yarn and cast on for the swatch. Though measured on the stockinette portion, it suggests you practice the veil stitch, which I did. It includes crossover throw stitch I wasn't familiar with, but it came easily and isn't nearly as complex as one might think from the instructions.

It's an easy pattern, and I'm making some changes, but I do have a word of advice. Don't use Knit Picks nickleplated options for this. Now, you all know how much I love them, and really, nothing has happened to change that. This sweater is supposed to be made with bulky yarn or with two thinner ones held together. I didn't like those options, so I'm using Lion Brand's Cupcake. I heard someone call it Homespun for kids, and that's about right. But, I like it and, more important right now in my knitting life, I had some in my stash. The sweater is worked on an 11 or 13 needle, so the fabric is very loose. Couple that yarn with the nickleplated needles, and it's a fun time in the knitting house tonight! Can I just say "slippage"? The yarn slips all over the place. But, despite that, I'm actually enjoying working on it. Perhaps there's a bit of masochism in my knitting bag.

It Seems to Come So Naturally
I try to remember to post on Plurk and assorted other lists I frequent when I update the blog. I try to remember to post on Plurk and assorted other lists I frequent when I update the blog. Call me strange, but I would like people to read this. Someone on Plurk mentioned my writing style, saying that it seemed to come easily, naturally. I assured her that I didn't always find the entries easy to write, and it isn't always because of subject matter. Sometimes it's just hard to come up with ideas, or at least ideas that I would naturally be drawn to.

The other night, I was just sitting and knitting when, for some reason, I noticed my thought process. (Hey, it's all about me, remember?) I think like I write. There are complete sentences, properly placed modifiers, no split infinitives; it's as though I'm writing in my head. Sheez, I even caught myself going back and editing. All I'd have to do would be put the thoughts on paper, and I'd have a blog entry, story, or even a--shall I say it?--novel. And yes, most of this blog entry was written in my thought patterns long before I sat before the computer. I call this process thoughtwriting(TM).

Since this epiphany, I've caught myself thoughtwriting(TM) many times. Actually, any time I paid attention to what I was thinking. Who knows, perhaps I'm thoughtwriting(TM) my life. And now that I'm conscious that I'm doing it, will my life change? I'd like to think I'd throw in some goodies once in a while.

OK, I have a headache now. . .

As soon as it's thoughtwritten(TM), there will be another blog post from me this week. This one will feature knitting, including info about a new yarn club that I think everyone will enjoy.

When I Rule the World . . .

the first thing I'm going to do (well, one of the first anyway) is to standardize colors. I love color. Though my wardrobe is rather color limited, my socks stand out. One of the reasons I wanted to learn to knit socks was so I could you the colorful sock yarn that is available.

But, as much as I love color, that's how frustrating it can be. Case in point. I'm designing a very special sock. I need to use teal, so I went to the LYS to buy yarn. The teal is nice, but as I looked at it once I got home, I wasn't sure it was what I really wanted. So, off to the Internet I go, stopping at Knit Picks. I was using Palette for a sock in progress, so I looked there. One of the offerings was called Teal. How appropriate. It looked a bit greeny, but then I know that colors can be off on computer monitors. Heaven knows I've ordered tons of yarn from them, and not once was I disappointed.

Until now.

When I opened the box, there it was: forest green Palette. No, wait. The label says it's teal. Well, it's not like any teal I have ever seen. I'm back where I started--no teal. Someone suggested a Knit Picks yarn that is more teal (though it's not called teal), but I'm hesitant to order. I may end up dyeing my own. Worse things have happened.

That brings me back to my first edict as Ruler of the World. Each color would have a basic formula. For example, green would contain a specified amount of blue and a specified amount of yellow. Anything combination that deviated from that could not be called "green." If Knitting Purls came up with the color, it could be called Knitting Purls Green, but it could not be called just green. That way, there would be no question what you would get when you ordered something in a specific color. Of course one must allow for the differences in color depending on the surface to which it is applied, but we would live with that. I just want teal to be teal.

Who would make up the specific recipes for the colors? Frankly, I don't care. Pantone seems a logical choice, but then, I don't care. I just want what I want. And remember, it's all about me.

Needle Woes

Most of my family members are getting knitted gifts for the holidays. So, I've be knitting away with with my Knit Picks Harmony and Option interchangeable needles. There have been many complaints about these needles (especially the Harmony) on many of the lists that I frequent. But, I loved them.

Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time, but over the weekend I was plagued by some of the problems experienced by other Harmony users. The points for 2 sizes came out of their metal base. In the middle of a mitten I was Magic Looping, the cable broke from its join.

Needless to say, I'm a lot less enthusiastic about Knit Pick's interchangeable needles--especially Harmony needles--this morning. Many have said how helpful Knit Picks has been in replacing its faulty products. I just sent them an e-mail, so we'll see.