Knit Once, Purl Forever

Defensive Knitting

Ever feel that you need to fight for your right to knit? Well, maybe not fight for the right, but do you ever feel the need to defend your sanity for spending so much time obsessed with the fibery endeavor? Assuming knitters are in fact sane, that is.

While most of the people in my life now appreciate my yen for all that is knitty there are people out there who will never get it. Some people even seem annoyed by the constant knitting. Who knows, maybe they're jealous because they don't know how to knit or don't have any hobbies of their own. Whatever their problem, wouldn't it be fun to go on the defensive just once?

The offensive remarks listed below are things that people have actually said to me about my knitting, the defensive responses are things I wish I had the nerve to say, or rather the little devil on my shoulder would like to say:

Offensive remark: "But who wears the stuff you knit?" some foolish person might ask this question while at the family picnic. (Now this person is known for lacking that filter most people have that prevents them from saying every thought that crosses their mind, but is that really a valid excuse?)

Defensive response: "THIS is a dishcloth. I doubt anyone will wear this. As for my other projects, I only knit for those who appreciate it."

Offensive remark: The offhand remark, "Wow, you got skills."

Defensive response: "I got the Madd Knitting Skillz, get it right."

Offensive remark: And the most clueless question of all, "You're going to knit HERE?"

Defensive response: And, because the best way to answer a stupid question is with another stupid question I would love to respond, "Do you see the yarn? Do you see the sticks? Why yes, I do believe I'm knitting this right HERE!"

Okay, so I realize that there's no need to actually go on the defensive. We all know it's better to take the high road, but don't you ever wonder if the low road is where all the fun takes place?

What Blog?

Blog? What blog? Oh, this blog?

We've been so busy that I fell out of the habit of blogging. And you know how much blogging gets done when that happens--not much!

Anywho, I'm back with a blog entry consisting of mostly photos, but at least it's something...

 

Check out the wonderful package of goodies I received from Cynthia in one of her many prize drawings for the Warming Grace project a while back. I'm always happy to knit for charity and one look at Grace was all it took for me to cast on with the pink. Of course, I didn't expect to get anything in return. That said, I absolutely love the Fleece Artist Cashmere yarn and I can't wait to try the handmade wooden needles. The yarn came complete with a scarf pattern on the band, which answers that eternal question* for me. And I love the soft green and purple colorway.

Did I mention soft? This stuff is so soft. I can't seem to put it down. Hmmmm. Wonder what my next project will be??? I'll give you three guesses, but the first two don't count! Thank you, thank you, thank you Cynthia!

* The eternal question is what pattern should I use for any given yarn. That is always the hardest part of the knitting puzzle for me.

So what have I been knitting this week?

I've been trying to finish up those dishcloths I started a while back. I think I would be finished by now if it wasn't for the fishing taking place. CATfishing, that is. (Click to see larger image of the trophy CATfish.)

My Brain

This is my brain.

This is my brain as a pattern. Stolen from Vicki.

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is an incubator for good ideas, it just takes a while for them to develop. But when you think of something, watch out! Your thoughts tend to be huge, and they come on quickly - like an explosion. You tend to be quiet around others, unless you're inspired by your next big idea.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Our Bundle of Joy

Since I'm posting while I still can, I couldn't pass on posting a couple shots of our little bundle of joy modeling none other than the Bundle of Joy Baby Blanket.

Meet my niece, Jesyca.

And here's a swaddled little Jesyca:

She's such a cutie--I'm glad I stuck with it and finished the blanket. Almost makes me want to knit another baby blanket. Almost is the operative word here--I don't think I have the patience for another baby blanket. Maybe something smaller next time.

Silenced by Technology

Or rather I’ve been silenced by so-called “technology” because what good is technology if you can’t use it? If I'm gone for a while this week, please be advised that the silence isn't by choice. The Internet, or my ISP, or my cable modem, or something is trying to shut me up. Of course, that just makes me want to talk more than ever.

I’m funny like that. I’ve probably been a victim of reverse psychology more than once as the quickest way to get me to do something is to forbid me from doing said item. Once forbidden, I’ll do it before you can say lickety split. Not that you go around saying lickety split or anything.

So yeah, this Internet problem is indeed a BIG problem. It’s a big intermittent problem. Please bear with me while I figure out the cause. It may be a bit quieter around here than the norm.

Clarification for Yesterday's Entry:
We have (soon it will be had) digital cable with On Demand, DVR, and all that jazz through our local cable company, but they were charging much more than a pretty penny for this service. In an effort to lower our monthly bill, and because the satellite service offers better programming for less, we decided to switch to the Dish Network instead.

Wanting to cancel our phone service really had nothing to do with anything. We still want to cancel it, but it is needed for the satellite service. Plus, we're too chicken to cancel it anyway. We were early adapters of cellular phone technology, but there's something stable and reassuring about having a home phone. So, for now at least, the land line stays.

I haven't been knitting much. Too much going on at work and at home.

And now I'm crossing my fingers and hoping this will post.

Just in case I'm MIA for a while, happy knitting everyone!

In and Out

In and Out on the 'Net
This will be short and sweet as our Internet connectivity has been in and out all night long. Actually, it's been more out than in, which is a major problem in my book. Of course, I always have something to say when I can't say it. We're not sure what the cause of our Internet trouble is--it's sure been acting up quite a bit lately. The last time we had trouble it turned out to be our cable modem, but we replaced it a year ago or so and I wouldn't think that would be the cause of our trouble this time. One never knows, though...

In and Out of Technology Stores
We've been very unhappy with our local phone service. They messed up our bill a while back and it has been like pulling teeth to get the problem corrected. We actually considered dropping the landline in favor of additional cell phones for the boys. And then our sanity returned we decided to switch to Dish Network so we will need a working phone line after all. Best of all--we will get the DIY network. Jiggety jig, jiggety jig (that's my happy dance)!!!! Can't wait to see some knitting shows.

In and Out of Knitting Time
I don't have photographic evidence, but I've made quite a bit of progress on the Hopeful sweater. I just need to pick up stitches for the sleeves. Hopefully, I'll have a new sweater by the end of the three-day weekend--no pun intended!

Sorry for such a dull entry--at least I was in and out quickly!

Procrastiknit

Hours ago, I told the Hubby I would join him in bed after completing one more row on Hopeful. He believed me, the unsuspecting non-knitter that he is. THE FOOL! Instead, one more row became one more row, which became MANY rows as I'm unable to put this project down. Actually, the being unable to put a project down part is nothing new, I guess.

What IS funny about this is the fact that I've spent the entire week avoiding this project. In thinking back to other projects I realize that this has happened before: I get to a seemingly complicated step in a project and I push it aside for a while. Sometimes it's a long while. Projects have languished forever in my KIP (Knits in Progress) basket at this point. Some have even surrendered to an untimely death by ripping.

In fact, when knitting sweaters in the round, I usually pause at the point in the pattern where I must join the sleeves to the body. In Hopeful's case I've been avoiding the shaping of the neckline. I've been dodging it with non-knitting related blog posts. I'm been rambling on and on about utter nonsense--anything to take the focus off the next step in this project. I've even been loitering near the KIP basket eying other projects, such as one of the unfinished dishcloths.

I've been dawdling, dabbling, delaying, frittering, idling, loafing, playing, puttering, toying, and any other method of procrastinating that is possible.

Finally, I followed the same advice I offered Gina on her site, I "sucked it up" and plowed ahead. And this project rocks! I LOVE it! I forgot how much fun it is to knit Hopeful, although it's highly likely that all the mistakes made on the last Hopeful overshadowed the fun. (No fault of the project. Purely my fault.)

So what projects, or what aspects of a project, make you procrastinate in any method possible? Are you a fellow procrastiknitter or is it just me?

Waste Not Want Not

"That's a waste of yarn."

The Hubby had the audacity to say this to me upon learning that I had previously knit a Hopeful sweater that I never wear. The fact that he doesn't have a clue how to knit nor has he ever attempted to even repair his own garments, let alone MAKE one from scratch, isn't missed by me.

I think the yarn and time spent knitting the first sweater was well worth it as the first Hopeful sweater was rife of lessons learned.

1. For example, I learned what happens when you don't pick up enough stitches when knitting sleeves. I opted for longer sleeves instead of the little cap sleeves native on Hopeful. I think I was on the right track, I just didn't pick up enough stitches. This will be easy enough to correct the second time around as I will be able to compare and contrast.

2. I knit a size too small last time. I was still in denial about my expanded size. I cast on for the next bigger size the second time around.

3. I prefer a longer top, but hadn't planned for that the first time around on Hopeful. I ended up ripping back the cast on edge; however, I wasn't careful when picking up those stitches again and there's one row of ugly stitches. I thought I could block it out, but I could not. The second sweater will be plenty long from the get go so there will be no need to rip back.

I learned these things by trial and error. I learned by making mistakes, but at least I learned. I do not consider my time spent knitting the first Hopeful as wasted time, nor do I consider it a waste of yarn.

Would I rather not learn all my knitting lessons the hard way? You betcha! But I'll take my knowledge any way I can get it.

Apathy is the New Black

Apathy: 

1. Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.
2. Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness.

So I'm feeling bad. I'm fearing that my previous motivation and competitive edge have been replaced with apathy when it hit me: Apathetic people don't sit around worrying about where the motivation has gone. They don't worry  about, nor do they mourn the loss, of motivation because you can't miss what you never had.

And I should know something about apathy because about ten years ago I dated the poster child for apathy. On the surface, Mr. Apathy had a lot going for him: looks, charm, great friends and family, a full time job and a joint business venture. And Mr. A was HHOT. One H is not enough to describe his brand of hot.

In reality, Mr. A  was often at odds with his family and friends; he slept on the couch in his parent's basement; he worked one part-time job; and there was no joint business venture. There were no ventures at all. There was; however, a bag of weed a week habit, which I identified as the source of his apathy. Apathy isn't a good quality in a boyfriend, lover, or friend. Needless to say, our relationship didn't last long. But did I mention that he was HHOT?

I did learn a few things during our brief relationship. Mr. A blamed everyone except Mr. A for his problems in life. He complained about his lot in life, but never looked inside himself for a solution to his troubles. Instead he embraced his black cloud of apathy.

I don't want to do that. And I know I'm not. I'm sure my lack of motivation is just a passing thing. I'm sure it will return. It's just a matter of time and it will be back. Back in black.

My Flipflops Don't Have Bootstraps

Meaning of the phrase "pull yourself up by your bootstraps":
To improve your situation by your own efforts without any help from other people.

What motivates you? I often wonder what motivates different personalities. In my work experience, my successful co-workers usually fit into one of two categories: those who are very comfortable in their present jobs with no interest in progressing further and those who are constantly eying the next rung on the corporate ladder.

Now the people I have in mind for the first category excel at their present jobs. They have mastered their careers and they really know what they're doing. This is not to say that they are not still learning or growing as that is a necessity in this age of advancing technology, but they are very happy with what they do. They've been doing it for a long time and it is obvious that they will be excelling at their existing jobs for a very long time.They are very happy with their lot in life and not looking for change.

The people in the second group are epitomized by my first mentor who confided that each time she received a promotion she celebrated for five minutes before hatching her plan of action for the next promotion. These people also excel in their jobs, but they always have their eye on the prize and are always planning their next step. They take these steps after they pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

I used to be of the bootstrap group, but lately I've been less than motivated. At first I just thought I was in a funk and that the fire in my belly would return (and I'm NOT talking about indigestion), but now I wonder. I wonder if my previous motivation was inspired by something or someone other than myself. I've been lucky to have had some rather remarkable mentors and leaders. I've also had some fierce competition from my co-workers. Maybe my inspiration never existed within myself. Maybe I was never a "bootstraper" after all.

So I wonder, what motivates you? Are you inspired by your environment or does your inspiration come from within? Or is it a little bit of both? Do your shoes have bootstraps or are you like me and wearing lovely flipflops?