Knitting Circles

I recently joined a knitting circle in my neighborhood sponsored by the local yarn store. At first I was a little nervous about going because I didn't know what it would entail, besides 'knitting'. Well I was so pleasantly surprised. I met some really nice ladies there. Its a wonderful experience to share the very basic commonality of knitting. I've been learning little things here and there about knitting and realizing that knitting is 'fun'. When I first started on this journey of knitting, I was in a mode of 'beat the clock' syndrome, but now I am learning to enjoy each stitch as I go along, enjoy the fruit of my labor and labor of many who put these beautiful yarns together. I am understanding there is a deeper connection between the movement of my knitting fingers/hands and the fibers. Fibers have come from live animals, and hopefully still alive, and my hands/fingers are alive as well. Something is happening something is connecting. Something is become an heirloom for someone to cherish.

At the knitting circle we are each creating, exchanging, laughing and learning. If you haven't joined one yet, check one out in your neighborhood or even start one. You won't regret it.

New York City's Subway System and Sock Knitting

I have heard that there is a 'snobbery' that happen with knitters. I was a bit skeptical about that labeling until I realized I became a 'knitting snob'. I must say there is nothing wrong with it. . .

I have become a little more comfortable with my knitting in public. I can actually work on my socks while standing at the platform waiting for the train. I don't need to sit in order to knit my socks. Socks are wonderful. They are portable, the needles don't get into others' 3 feet of space limitation and gives a quick gratification for those who need to see some results yesterday rather than today!!

Well recently, I had to stand all the way home as I was not quick enough to grab a seat. So I stood against the door, although all New Yorkers know we are not supposed to lean against the door, but as New Yorkers go, we do nevertheless. Anyway there I was knitting away at a sock I had just started. For those of you who do not knit socks, the first fews rounds are a little awkward and sometimes the needles flay ever so slightly. Well I was happily knitting along when all of a sudden a woman screeches out "are you knitting socks?" to which I shyly said yes. All heads in the particular train car looked my way. I just wanted to melt into the door. I don't like attention brought to me, I am more comfortable being a wallflower. Anyway she continued to tell me how she knitted only one sock, of which she was quite proud of, in a neon green no less was the color chosen for her sock and how she found it quite boring. Well that she found socks boring made for less conversation. . .mind you, all this was said at the top of her lungs and everyone was listening. All I could do was nod nicely and nicely nod I did.

I couldn't wait for her to stop talking so I could get back to my knitting. She finally got a seat to which I gladly did not push her over so that I could get that seat and I finally got back to my sock!!! As all knitters know, every minute wasted is a minute a stitch could be knitted. I realized then I had arrived. I became a 'knitting snob' and proud of it I am!!!!

Colinette Jitterbug Yarn

Some have asked me how do I like this yarn. I must say I love it. Of course, I compare all yarns against Jade Sapphire's Mongolian Handspun Cashmere yarn and nothing compares to the softness of that yarn, but this yarn is fun to work with. Because I am not as experienced at knitting as some others are, I find that I cause the yarn to split. This yarn is excellent in that it did not allow me to split it easily. The ply was a tight ply unlike the Cotton Panda yarn which split too easily, that doesn't mean I didn't like Cotton Panda, I loved it and loved the product it produced. Jitterbug feels very substantial in the hand, and I noticed that with the heat it would get a little crunchy, possibly because my hands were starting to sweat. Who knows, but overall the yarn lent itself to the pattern very nicely and it has a little sheen to it. I don't think that can be seen in the picture but it does, trust me. Very slight sheen, which I like. Would I use this yarn again ABSOLUTELY!!! The color is very pretty. That moss green color has little flecks of cranberry spotting throughout and it falls ever so nicely on the sock. Just love that about the yarn.

Free and Easy Pie Wedge Shawl from Lorna's Lace - Helen's Lace Yarn Division

I started a shawl from a free pattern I got when I purchased Lorna's Lace Hand-Dyed Yarn's Helen's Lace colorway Black Purl. The shawl is made in the short row technique similar to socks' heels. I am using US #8 circular needles.

Flying Geese Pattern Socks

These socks are my very first attempt at following a pattern that contains a graph chart with corresponding symbols for each stitch to be created. It was a good exercise in learning to read charts, doing my very first cable stitches and my very first attempt at an 'intermediate' pattern. Whoa!!! I think I'm doing pretty good. . .wouldn't you agree?! The yarn is by Colinette 'Jitterbug' colorway #75-Moss, using US Needles #3 and 4. You can click on the photo to enlarge it and you can see the design of the 'Flying Geese', pattern by Needful Yarns.