So…
I have this new drink bottle –
– and I want to knit a bottle cozie.
I’m thinking some kind of ribbing, so it hugs at the narrow part and fits around the wide parts. This idea eliminates making a felted cozie (I have a couple of cute patterns for those).
Perhaps an undulating ribbing…
The thing is, I want it to be absorbent, too. Wool, then, or cotton??
Any ideas appreciated.
I am perhaps slow to become aware of the availability of digital subscriptions to the knitting magazines, but I think I am happy about it.
Usually, I browse the current issues of knitting magazines at my local bookstore, then select which ones to purchase. Subscriptions are certainly less expensive per issue than buying off the newstand, but we all know not every issue of every magazine is a “keeper.”
So, recently I noticed that Creative Knitting (you can get a sample digital issue at that link) and Verena US edition are available as digital subscriptions at a lower price than the print subscriptions. I will be placing my orders shortly.
I see some real benefits to this option. First, issues should be immediately available; no waiting for or loss in the mail. Second, while I like to look at magazines (and read books) in hand, when I want to knit a pattern, I like to have the instructions handy on my computer or PDA. Third, storage (and weight). How many of us sacrifice our magazine stash for space. And space brings me to another advantage — at least, I hope it will be an element of the digital issues — and that is organization. Being able to find that particular pattern which you cannot remember the cutsie title of the article, or the issue the magazine, just the color, or type, or technique, or yarn!
Primarily, though, I wonder if – and hope that — this option may enable the publications to continue to exist. We’ve all heard the falling circulation for newspapers, and with the hundred and hundreds (at least it seems that way) of magazines now being published, can they be far behind?
Off to check which other magazines are offering digital subscriptions . . .
Not a good way to head off to a job interview:
Although I don’t wear it often, this is was one of my favorite “special” beads. While trying to put it on a spiral beaded neckchain this morning, it slipped, bounced and shattered in my bathroom sink.
Somewhere I have a photo of how it used to look; I’ll try to find it later.
Oh. The interview. Well, who really know until they call. Or don’t.
(I’m not as blue as I probably sound, so no worries, friends.)
– this is now my FIRST pattern available on Ravelry ! ! —
Early this week, a co-worker showed me she had made these. On Thanksgiving Eve, I grabbed a skein of Patons SWS (Natural Demin) and made a pair.
My gauge with the recommended needle was only 5/inch instead of 5.5/inch, so they were a bit bigger. I like them okay, but want to do them over in smaller needle size.
In the meantime, I had an idea about diagonal ribbing, but the stitch patterns I found for “diagonal rib” were not true ribs. I determined that I would use increase/decreases to get the shape I wanted.
On the first attempt, I increased (then decreased for the second half) only at the end of every row, after casting on only 2 stitches. The result is an elongated diamond shape. It makes a nice little wrist-warmer, with a pointed overlap on the underside. The top of the hand is well-covered, and there is less bulk under the wrist.
The second attempt, increasing (decreasing) at the beginning and end of each row makes a nicely squared piece. I worked even for a few rows at the middle to have a wider area over the pulse point. The finished “hand-topper” can be worn three ways: folded with points toward fingers, folded with points toward elbow, or not folded at all.
I love the thick fabic of the K1P1 ribbing that this method provides. Only problen ow is that I have one each of three wrist-warmers and need another skein of yarn!
Patterns follow.
Diamond Ribbed Wrist-Warmers
(These are fast to knit: about wo hours for a pair.)
Patons SWS, Natural Demin
US Size 6 needles
Cast on two stitches.
· Slip 1st stitch on needle as if to purl; bring working yarn from front to back between slipped stitch and remaining stitch. K1, P1 in the remaining stitch. Turn.
· Slip 1st stitch as if to purl on every row.
· Continue in K1P2 ribbing across every row.
· Increase IN PATTERN* in last stitch of every row until there are 31 stitches (or until half the desired length, i.e., half-way around wrist including 1 ½ -inch overlap for closure).
· Make one even row, then begin decreasing at end of each row until two stitches remain; cast-off.
*IN PATTERN INCREASE: If last stitch is a knit stitch, K1P1 for increase.
If last stitch is a purl stitch, P1K1 for increase.
©2008 Cynthia S. Wetzel
Diamond Ribbed Hand-toppers / Cuff-warmers
(Probably about 3-4 hours a pair.)
Patons SWS, Natural Demin
US Size 6 needles
Ribbing Gauge: 6 rows, 4 knit stitches = 1 inch
Cast on three stitches.
· K1P1 in 1st stitch, K1, P1K1 in last stitch.
· Continue to increase in 1st and last stitch of each row, in K1P1 pattern throughout row, until wide enough to reach around wrist.*
· K1P1 even for 9 rows.
· Now begin decreasing at beginning (K2tog or P2tog) and end (SSK or P2tog) of each row until three stitches remain; cast-off.
· Seam together along the 9 even rows.
*Measure wrist; calculate number of stitches to gauge for widest row (model was 51 stitches).
©2008 Cynthia S. Wetzel
I guess PIF (pay it forward) is not as recognizable an acronym as RAOK (random acts of kindness), but both occurred to me yesterday.
Sitting in a line of traffic at a signal light on my way home from work, movement in my side-view mirror caught my eye. The gentleman behind me was getting out of his car. As he walked forward toward my car, I also saw why: the door to my gas tank was open. I rolled down my window to thank him, and realized he was replacing the gas cap as well!!
What an encouraging event in these trying days. Oh, and he had out-of-state plates on his car!
As I drove home, I recalled the very first “accident” I had as a new driver. I had exited the highway on my way home from college, and was sitting at the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp, behind only one car waiting for traffic to allow us to turn left. I saw the car in front of my move forward, and thought it made the turn, but ran into it because it did not.
I was horrified and scared to death. I don’t remember what kind, or whether there was any damage. What I remember is that the grandfatherly gentleman let it go.
There must have been some kind of damage to my vehicle though, because I had to tell my father. All was well, though, and he related that his father, my grandfather had been rear-ended in a similar manner by a young girl once. And he had not reported the accident, but allowed her to go her way without getting into trouble….
ROAK & PIF
I will look out for my chances to “pay forward” the stranger’s kindness from yesterday.
Pardon another post with non-stitching content.
Since I finally found a countdown code to fit my sidebars here, today seemed a good day to put up the countdown to commencement… because I received notice from the Graduate Studies office that my application is processed and everything in order for this point in time. All that’s left are my comprehensive exam and the last six hours of my coursework! Definitely a needed smile for the day.
I am camped on the sofa today, too groggy to read or sew or anything but nap and watch TV. Thank goodness for DVR’s and DVD’s!
After a less than appealing “complimentary hot buffet breakfast” at the hotel, I at least had a good coffee from the JavaWerks bus before dropping DH off at the Mississippi Forge Council meeting. Then, finding Ross’s not yet open I wandered in Kohl’s for a bit — pricier than I was willing to indulge for new clothes. Fortunately Ross’s provided much better prices and I found good deals.
I am notoriously slow at shopping for clothes. I don’t really like shopping for clothes in the first place. I was so long at it this morning, I had to leave my cart, go pick up DH and return to look through the suits. My goal was to begin to establish a more professional wardrobe for myself. I did find one black pantsuit, and another black & white tweedy skirt and jacket. The skirt has to be altered, as do a pair of black slacks. I want, however, to find a navy suit, also something gray, and maybe brown.
Also I snagged two more pair of the Bill Blass blue jeans, which I love. A few more shirts and sweaters and I’d done quite a bit of damage to my bank account. All for a good cause though.
I manged to be *just* in time for our EGA chapter meeting, and delighted to find four members already at the library when I arrived. We had no planned program, but a fun afternoon of stitching and chatting! Cass worked on a beautiful cross-stitched sunflower design; Ann was stitching a canvas geometric, while Gloria and Cathy continued to stitch the silk ribbon design Rissa taught a few months ago. We were all pretty surprised how quickly 3:30 arrived, and we had to put away our stitching. Oh, I was knitting a dog sweater which is becoming sized for a very large dog!
What then? Well, I felt good enough for that Mexican dinner tonight: carne asada y camarones diablo — a large meal which DH and I share. Then, of course, a trip to Hudson’s where I found a few more shirts/blouses and sundry other goodies.
We were late heading home, but DH didn’t want me to spend the money for another night at a hotel. Thanks, hon! I even managed to stay awake for most of the trip home.
~~written on the road; posted at first Internet opportunity~~
I believe I may have written before (but probably on my other blog) about how I often feel like a different person in the EGA enviroment than I do at work or school enviroments, or even at home. It’s very difficult to describe, but I left Birmingham following the region meeting with that same feeling. I guess it just comes down to taking on a different role in each situation.
Tennesse Valley Region is the third EGA region in which I have participated in regional meetings, the other two being Mid-Atlantic and South Central. It is interesting to see how even with the same goals and functions, each have their own unique character. I’m glad I volunteered to chair the SAS 30 seminar committee; I am enjoying being part of the regional “machine” again… and making the new friends that come along with that level of involvement.
So, we have a working budget, our seed money, a theme, a logo (pending National approval), and a full committee for SAS 30, and are looking forward to faculty selection in early 2009.
Tonight DH & I are back in Jackson, again driving Interstate 20 in the afternoon and enjoying the fall color. My lunch did not settle well, and so tonight instead of a rich supper at our favorite Mexican restaurant in town, we had a light supper of salad, soup, and sandwich — and delicious pumpkin cheescake — at McAlisters. It was close to the hotel, quick, and quiet. I was feeling better, so we stopped at the bookstore for DH to get his magazines. I was sorely tempted to get a copy of Gregory Maguire’s new book, A Lion Among Men (3rd volume in his Wicked Years series), but I will just wait for a library copy to finish it (I read the first portion online at browse.harpercollins.com where one can also read the full-text of the first volume, Wicked). For now I’ll just have to be content with my current reads.
~~written on the road; posted at first Internet opportunity~~
Regarding yesterday’s post… I emailed and heard back from Karen at RoyalHare.com about the yarn for Waves of Grain (I inquired about additional colors) — so, I’m still in the same dilema about choosing a color, but she would do the dying and I’d sill have my white Zephyr for something else.
The drive from Meridian to Birmingham was delightful, if somewhat longer than expected. Usually it is very early in the day when we make that drive, arriving for lunch, not supper… the afternoon light set on fire the beautiful colors of the fall leaves. Those who say there is no autumn color in the South, should have made that drive with us.
{insert beautiful autum photo}
But, Silly Me forgot to take any photos I was so busy enjoying the color.
Tonight was my first official meeting as seminar chair for the 2010 TVR Share-A-Stitch event. It was wonderful to talk out the plans and receive feedback from the other SAS committees and our RD. The logo committee brought two lovely graphic ideas for our logo! I’m anxious to get the chosen one approved by the National committee and begin to use it. Best of all, I feel more connected with the other members of the SAS 2010 committee! Already these ladies have worked hard and shown themselves to be extremely creative, as well as willing to work together to make this even a success.
