Knitting

“The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.” — Thomas Moore

The genesis for this blog was my passion for knitting.

My Mom taught me to knit as a child and I can still remember the mustard yellow, garter stitch hot pad that was my first real project. I think I was about 10.

Mom also taught me sewing, quilting, embroidery, crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch and even tatting. In a pinch, I can still do them all and I have found sewing to be quite a handy skill. However, nothing else grabbed me like knitting did.

Since that first hot pad, I've knit everything from Barbie doll clothes to a blanket. In the words of the inimitable Elizabeth Zimmerman,

"Most people have an obsession; mine is knitting."

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Following are descriptions of the labels, I've used on my knitting posts. Sometimes labeling is easy and self-evident, but not always. This list is to help ME remember the rationale for each label.

Ideas and Inspiration - The place to save things that strike my fancy: designs, colors, stitch patterns, etc. It replaces the black hole that has been my "ideas" file folder.

Patterns - When I manage to actually translate my notes into a written pattern, this is where they'll be. These are all my patterns or my modifications to someone else's pattern.

Projects - I started out putting all projects in this category. I'm working on getting more specific and adding categories for hats, gloves, socks, sweaters, scarves, etc.

Stash - Yes, I have been known to buy yarn without a specific project in mind or sometimes with just the germ of an idea ("this yarn would make a great ________"). Now that I live on a small island, it's actually easier to "shop" my stash than anywhere else. Of course, that means I need a well-stocked stash. In this category, I document my stash and how I work from it.

Techniques - I've been knitting for more than 40 years and I'm still learning ... and re-learning. From cast-ons to finishing methods, these are techniques I've tried and my opinions about them.