You know when...

You know that moment when you realize that you should have been listening to that little voice that has been nagging you for the past, oh, let's just say, 8 hours of the knitting project you are working on? Yeah, "that moment". I was just there.  It's kind of funny to look at what follows that moment, because everything that follows that moment is what you probably should have done immediately before you started knitting, with the exception, reasonably, of the swearing, crying, and tearing out.  But first, I digress...

I've got a lot going on right now; you know, stress.  We all have it.  Sometimes it's just deeper and more of an obstacle than others.  Like any knitter, I decided an easy, frivolous, mindless project was in order to soothe my soul and fill what little down time I have so that I wouldn't obsess over the things I don't have control of.  And so, I selected a pattern, pulled the perfect combination of yarns from my stash and set upon said "mindless" knitting (insert wild laughter here.)

At this juncture, I'd like to make a suggestion:  If you find yourself looking for a "mindless, soul soothing knit project" with the intent of de-stressing your life, pick a project you've done before, successfully, and loved. Do not do what I did.

The pattern I selected came in two languages.  This should have been warning flag #1.  If the pattern comes in two languages, you might be wise to determine which of the languages is native to the designer, and if that language differs from your native language.  Now, before you throw things, I will say, there are some wonderful designers out there who are either very fluent in multiple languages, or who have reliable, accurate translators.  For this particular pattern, this is not the case.  It is merely by the grace of the gods that the original pattern and native language of the designer in this case is German, and I have a good friend, whose native language is also German, and who happens to be an expert knitter. I know we'll sort it out (if and when I release the project from the pile of shame).

Warning flag #2 should have been when it "just didn't look right".  I'm going to state the obvious here: If it doesn't look right, it isn't.  I ripped back 3 or 4 times because it didn't look right.  I managed to make changes to make it look "better" but didn't take the time to match "better" against the completed project photos.  That too, would have been smart.  Ravelry provides such a luxury of resources to us, including millions of photos of completed projects.

Warning flag #3 is, of course, "Little Voice".  Why, oh why, don't we listen to Little Voice?  Little Voice is reason, responsibility, reflection and your rudder to smoother sailing.  It's your knitting GPS... nagging you to make a u-turn at your next opportunity rather than 8 hours into what is clearly the wrong path.

Someday I'm going to find a way to amplify "Little Voice" for all knitters.  That is my million dollar idea, because I am yet to meet a knitter who hasn't said at least once to me that they "should have listened to that tiny voice telling them" to check the pattern, gauge, errata, picture... AND I'm yet to learn to listen to it myself.

So, what happened in "that moment"?  Well, there was a long, silent pause.  Then there was a flurry of activity and research, including a lot of squinting at pictures, re-reading English pattern instructions, copying German text into an online translator, laughing in amusement, squinting at pictures, reading other knitters notes in vain, re-reading English pattern instructions, re-reading pattern instructions translated by a computer from German, laughing bitterly, ripping back MILES of yarn, re-knitting a section, squinting at pictures, ripping through the house to find reading glasses, more effective squinting, re-reading English pattern instructions, stuffing it all in a bag, and leaving a message for my German speaking friend and tossing said bag onto the pile of shame, secretly wishing the whole damn pile would catch fire. Did I mention that the knitting was in one room, the computer in another and the pattern in yet a third room, and that only at the very end, whilst wondering why my reading glasses were in the bathroom, when I packed it all up did it occur to me that the entire knit-fit I had just thrown would have been far less stressful and exhausting had I moved all components to one location?  Yeah.  Little Voice one, Me zero.

What makes you happy?

Today is a GREAT day!

I received my shipment of yarn - 4630 yards of dye-able woolly joy, I had brunch with a dear friend, dinner is in the crock pot and already smells wonderful, I scored an incredible deal (50+% OFF!) on a couple very cool items for my wardrobe, the 36th person has signed up for my Mystery Sock KAL, and in just a little while, I'm headed out to my LYS to visit with friends and teach a Yarn Dyeing class. An all round fabulous day.

What makes you happy?

Mystery Sock KAL - General Info / Links

I'm very excited to announce that I will be hosting a Mystery Sock KAL beginning November 15th.  Those wishing to participate are encouraged to visit my Ravelry group for information and to sign up for early notification.

Early Sign-Ups Thread
Pre-Event Information (dates, materials, general info)

New Pattern Available: Ship's Ashore

“I sat for years awaiting my ship to come ashore,

testing the winds and looking toward the horizon. 

Want was much and need was more,

then I picked up the oars.

Now, my ship’s ashore.” -JML

Finished Measurements and Yarn Requirements will vary based on your yarn & needle selection as well as chosen number of Body Chart repeats.  As a general guide I offer the following:

Sizes:
Blocked dimensions (3 body chart repeats): 74” wide x 27” deep

Yarn Requirements: Approximately 490 yards of fingering weight yarn for shawl as shown (3 body chart repeats).

Shown in Fino (color: pocketwatch) by Manos del Uruguay.

Approximately 630 yards of fingering weight yarn for shawl worked with 4 body chart repeats.

Needles: Size 8 (5mm) 47-60” circular needles

Note: For garter stitch tab and first couple of rows I prefer to work on either short straights or DPN’s.  It provides more control and less clutter, allowing you to establish your setup with more stability.

Supplies: Four (4) Stitch markers (sm), tapestry needle.  Row counter may be helpful.

Gauge: Your gauge will vary depending on your yarn choice and number of pattern repeats.

Available now on Ravelry - $4.00

There are a few spots left...

Sample of Hand Painted Yarn Using
Techniques Presented in this Class

Tuesday, November 5; 2-5 pm ~ Yarn Dyeing with Acid Dyes

Love those hand-painted yarns? Learn how easy and fun it is to create your own custom colorways using Jacquard Acid Dyes.  Class will cover choosing colors, basic dye preparation, various application methods, over-dyeing, “breaking” dyes and heat setting.  Please wear old clothes that you don’t mind making a colorful artistic impression on, and non-slip shoes.  Bring 2-3 skeins of white, cream, light grey or light pastel worsted or DK weight WOOL or WOOL BLEND yarn (no cotton) and note taking materials. NOTE: Yarn should be in skein format.  Students with balls of yarn should arrive at the store 30-45 minutes before class to meet with instructor to re-skein yarn.

This class is always great fun.  Please either call or drop by the shop today to sign up.

Who's up for a mystery?

I've had several requests over the past year to host a Mystery Knit Along, and so, I've created a special new sock design for just that purpose.  Interested?  Please leave me a message over in my Ravelry Group (HERE) for early notification.  I am aiming to begin the KAL November 15th.