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Knitting for ALL!!

Here are some interesting facts on the history of knitting. 

( Fact #8 explains how knitting was initially a MALE-ONLY OCCUPATION). So for those of you that continue to believe that knitting is just for the ladies, you're wrong! The numerous health benefits of knitting apply universally to both sexes. Happy Knitting!! 

Here is a link to the article

46 Facts about knitting-

http://facts.randomhistory.com/knitting-facts.html#.VnA1hlNhICY.facebook



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THANK YOU to our knitwear designers!

A member of the "Knitting" group on Facebook had commented that $6.00 for a pattern download on Ravelry, in their opinion, was too much to pay for a "One time project," that I recently Knitted and posted in the group.   I thought I would use this opportunity, as an aspiring knitwear designer, to address the price of patterns. Designing a pattern is a lot of work! It can take hundreds of hours to put together a design. The folks who provide us with patterns have poured their heart and soul into every stitch. Graph paper and pencil in hand, knitting swatches, ripping back,doing it again, and many late nights wondering if people will love what you are striving to create, make a pattern not just a work of art. The process of creating a unique design and being willing to share it with us all is a gift to be treasured and cherished. I personally hold a deep appreciation for those who are willing to take the time to share their gifts with us. My love of knitting is filled with the inspiration and beauty I find in the ladies and gentleman whose work continues to awe me and drive my own desire to push my creativity beyond its limits and never stop challenging myself to new heights. From the beginner, to a seasoned pro, we all benefit from the hard work of those who have contributed so much to bring the joy of creativity to our lives. Happy Knitting!! :)

Needle Navigation- Knitters Pride Karbonz

     Through the years I've acquired different sets of interchangeable knitting needle sets including my most commonly used: Addi and KnitPicks.  I tend to bounce back and forth between my wood sets and nickel plated brass sets depending on the project and the type of yarn I'm using.  My new set of Knitter's Pride Deluxe Karbonz Interchangeables just arrived today.  In ordering this set of needles, I'm attempting to address two issues.  The first one being the inconsistency of the way the cables attach to my needles on my other sets.  I've had problems with gaps in the fittings of my interchangeables that cause some snagging in my yarns.  I've also had some problems with cables that are so badly produced that my needles can't screw on all the way.  Now those issues have always been addressed promptly by my vendors so I won't complain.  However, it would be nice if there were no issues to begin with.  The second reason I wanted to try the Knitter's Pride Karbonz is that I've developed some issues on my right wrist.  I'm a continental knitter and so a lot of my knitting action comes through my wrists.  Also, for some reason at age 37, I've got some arthritis in my knuckles as well (binding off stitches is a total pain).  So because Knitter's pride Karbonz are made with the nickel plated brass I love so much on these tips for swift processing, plus the warm feel and almost weightlessness of smooth carbon fiber construction, I decided to give them a try.  They feel almost weightless in my hands as I mentioned, and they have some unique pliability to the body of the needle.  The cords on this set are the most flexible I've ever worked with!  The needles feel great and they actually put less strain on my wrist.  The needle points are perfect.  They are sharp but not painfully so; neither are they so blunt that they prove useless in increases, decreases and other maneuvers.  I love the tips!

.  What I can tell you is that I knitted a small swatch, checked each cable and needle to ensure a smooth fit and I've found that everything is in good order.  In the short time I've tried them, I'm certainly impressed.  I did notice that working the first two rows after cast on I had more grab across the carbon shaft then I would have liked but once I got used to them, my tension seemed to adjust and I was knitting away as fast and smooth as I liked. In my next project, I will be knitting a another summer shell in Cotton Fleece and it will be interesting to see how well that works with my new Karbonz needles.  I do also have to mention that when you knit with these Karbonz needles, you look super cool!  One thing I can tell you for sure is that if you want to give the fellow knitter's in your knitting group needle envy then these Knitter's Pride Karbonz are the way to go!  LOL  - I'll post more once I've had more time to use these.    

I want to be a process knitter

It's been a while since I've had an extra moment to breathe, let alone sit down and take a minute to add to my blog.  It's been a long couple of years, dealing with illness but still pressing on and completing the first round of my undergraduate studies in substance abuse and psychology.  I have a little break now until I move on to my my clinical psychology studies at Whitworth University here in Spokane, Washington.  It's super hard to knit when academic rigors demand so much focus.  I've had to put some projects to the side while I've worked on my newest project, a knitted baby blanket for my nephew, Carter, due to arrive on May 21st.  I'm on track to start tackling my queue of projects and my out of control stash.  Yes, just because you aren't knitting, doesn't mean you don't quit buying the yarn.  I was watching an interview with Stacy Perry, of Verpink.com/ Verypink Knits and Judy Graham, knitter to the stars, who also has a great site on youtube called, "Knitting tips by Judy."  Stacy was talking about how she admires yarn when she sees it but has no desire to buy what she's not using and stash it.  Stacy said she usually casts on what she buys within 2 days.  Maybe I've become an impulsive yarn buyer.  Yes, I admit, when I see any sort of sale, or discontinued item I must have, I just can't resist.  Stacy got me thinking about cutting down on my own purchases and focusing more on what I'm knitting at the moment.  I have so much yarn in my stash, that at the rate I'm going, it would take years to process it all.  I just have to laugh at myself and move on.  I have a few months a vacation and a lot of knitting I want to do.  There is one great lesson I've learned over the last year.  If you are to tired to knit, don't feel like knitting, or are disenchanted with a project you are working on, then put it down!  Why knit if you don't love what you are doing.  And if you knit, knit well.  No need to rush a project, cover mistakes, and stress out just to get it done.  Take your time, relax, rip it out if you need to, because what you are creating is art.  What you knit should be a treasure, a love gift, an heirloom.  So, even though I have only a few months of free time, I'm going to work on being more of a" process knitter", and less of a "project knitter".  This was another epiphany I had while watching Judy Graham interview Stacy Perry.  Very wise words!  That's what I love about knitting.  You never stop learning!  Here's a link to Judy Graham interviewing Stacy Perry of VeryPink.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F2ecDzqMNM

When can I knit?

It seems like time is speeding up.  Doesn't it?  I  managed Marriott hotels and I was a General Manager for the last ten years.  Now, I'm a college student.  I became disabled a couple years ago, but I decided that I am determined to get back to work.  I wanted to do something that could really make a difference.  I wanted to touch peoples lives on a deeper level.  So I decided to become a Psychologist.  It is my dream to get well and be able to go back to work.  I want to make my time count.  I want to make every day count.  Going back to school has been very rough on me.  My health challenges continue to place limits on my energy level and I fight like hell to make the grade.  I was thinking this morning about how fighting illness and trying to go to school at the same time might be similar to, let's say, being a Mother, Father, working full time with children, or single and working two jobs etc...  We all have something in common, time is short, and we are only human.  For those of us who enjoy knitting and other crafts, it is often hard to fit our hobbies into our schedule.  Do you ever find that just when you get a chance to rest, you don't feel like knitting or when you want to knit, you don't have the time?  I do!  I don't have a group of followers on my blog yet, but if I did I would want to know how they do it.  How do you fit your knitting and crafting time into your busy schedule?  I struggle, I try to set aside time for my knitting projects, but many times I am interrupted.  In the past I've become frustrated and have put aside projects for months at a time because I can't seem to make progress.  I try and push knitting into my schedule wherever I can.  I would certainly be interested to hear how other people fit their own knitting or hobbies into their lives.  Trying to strike that balance today between life and craft.  I'll get there, someday!  Best Wishes!  -Bill

Winter Coping Skills

Everyone I know has a way of filling their free time during the many months of dark, rainy, snowy, cold we are beginning to embark on here in Spokane, WA.  For instance, Mt. Spokane is great for snowboarding, skiing, or just hanging out and taking in the sights.  Then there's league night at Lilac lanes! You could certainly make a healthy habit out of attending every Chief's game.  Go Chiefs!Or, you may choose to experience a delicious meal at one of the many great dinning spots here in Spokane.  You could fly south for the winter with the rest of the "snow birds."  You could make use of the downtown nightlife, have a few too many and end up experiencing yet another of Spokane's attractions, It's local cabs.  I say that jokingly because I often wish I could have seen the day when crowded Spokane streets bustled with street cars, horses, and model T's.  It seems, these days, that Spokane could use a little glitz and glamour of it's glory days.  So while the Mayor and Mr. Worthy work on that, the rest of us have to find a way to bring a little glamour into our own lives.  Never is this more important than in winter.  I believe that what winter lacks in color, even though I love the tremendous white sheen of an early morning snow, knitting, crafting, and crocheting are what brings us glory, glamour, and beauty during these long winter months.  It's ok if you have 10 projects you've started and not quite finished yet.  So do I!  Think of what it means to learn, practice, and pass down a skill to your children and loved ones that will last them a lifetime.  This is certainly the time of year where many knitting needles, crochet hooks, sewing machines, glue guns, and first aid kits come out of their closets. But don't neglect your creative side this year.  No matter what you do to fill your free time this winter, remember, every culture throughout time has had one thing in common; it's ability to create and to beautify the lives of other's itself and others.  Let's take a lesson from our early ancestors, never stop creating!  Keep this winter season alive by sharing your craft(s) with your family and loved ones.  For me, this is the essence of how and why I endure these long cold winters up here and don't run screaming back to Miami.  The essence of creativity and the spirit of giving.  Whatever your crafty endeavors, I wish you all the best!