Okay, a slow weekend to be sure

So I did ZERO KNITTING this weekend. I suck. I did however switch around the bedroom and both Adam and I love it WAY more now than before. I decided to ditch ever using the window for decent light and put up a tacky set of curtains so I could put the bed in front of it. I have a high headboard and the curtians make it almost look like one of those fancy bed-suites. Anyway, it turned out for the very best and made up for my sadness in not having any time to knit.

BUT...I wanted to show off the stuff I got for the 'Mohawk Cap'. I am really hoping this is as easy as Jane at the Needle Emporium says it will be. I just tend to hold off on stuff cuase I dont want to screw it up...the procrastinators life for me.

Anyway, it's Monday and I should get to work. Talk soon!

~

Just fine...

My 'Tiger Washcloth' done! It was a tough project and I thank sweet jeebus that it was a tiny project or else I don't think I would have ever finished it! The cotton doesn't give and I looked and felt so tense trying to pull it while knitting. Anyway, it is my first finished project for my blog. Yay me!

So here is the scoop on my next project. I bought the book 'Pretty in Punk' ( I think that is the title) because it has a bunch of really fun and funky punk ideas like armbands, goth web-shirts, and such. BUT, the reason why I got it is because of the 'Mohawk Skull Caps'. I LOVE these things. It is a super-fun cap with a 'Mohawk' of big bright wool shaped in. But...it looks hard and I am new, what to do? Where do I go for help?

The Internet of course. I went online and found a place in Ancaster, Ontario that sells wool and all kinds of knitting accouterments: The Needle Emporium. Perhaps someone there can help me kick start my confidance level.

Getting there around 4:30ish last night, I walked in to the warmth of a million skeins of wool. The shop, located in a heritage building, is filled to the brim. I immediately fell in love with the place. Jane, who seems to be the shops single employee besides the owner herself, was very welcoming and I immediately wanted to squeeze her brain for all it's 'knitting knowledge'. Feeling this may be inappropriate upon having only just met her, I decided to simply look around a bit to get to know the place.

Wandering around the rooms I realized I am woefully undereducated and have no idea what I am looking at, or doing. There are a thousand different kinds of wool. Colours I never thought existed. I became somewhat disillusioned as to my quest, and my enthusiasm took a big hit.

Another woman came in shortly thereafter. Jane, the shop lady and the new customer seemed to know one another well and immediately lapsed into a warm banter. It was nice hearing women talk to one another like that since my tenure in the political arena has made me jaded enough to be surprised that sarcasm and caustic remarks are not a way of life and practiced everywhere all the time.

Wanting to get involved even a tiny bit I asked the two knitters my burning question: what made them start to,or get involved with knitting?

At first Jane thought I was talking about the shop. But making myself clearer that I was asking for her personal experience, she smiled and simply stated that it was through her mother she came to love knitting. Learning at the knee of her mother she learned all there was to know. She said it was such love for her mother that I was almost a little jealous of that connection between mothers and their young children. She said that she still helps her mother to this day by turning the heels of socks that her 80 something year old eyes just don't seem to see that well anymore.

The other lady stated that she has knitted her entire life AS her way of life. Recalling a story of how she was caught knitting in line in Grade 3, she had her knitting taken away, never to be returned by a horrid teacher. Did I tell you I dislike teachers? Well now it's slightly worse because really, WHO takes away a little girls knitting??? That just makes no sense.

I thanked the ladies for their openness, then, feeling the time was right, pulled out my current project to get their insight on what the hell it is exactly I am doing wrong. First, I am doing the wrong stitch. I am supposed to be doing a stockinette stitch and not a garter stitch. Secondly, my moss stitch is leaving a little to be desired. Thirdly, and surprisingly, my gauge was pretty good for a beginner Jane stated.

WHAT?!?!?

I was floored! I was proud! I was not even the least little bit pissed off that I would have to rip out nights and nights worth of stitching all the way down to the cuff to start over again. It rejuvenated me. I was so happy since I honestly thought my gauge would be the death of my knitting affair. Is it perfect? No way. But in the words of Jane which will be saved in my memory banks for all time; 'your gauge is just fine'.

I will leave the rest of the story of my visit to the Needle Emporium and the subsequent purchases for the next blog. Yes I have a new project, and I have a new excitement for knitting after some sage advice, and for right now, I am really very happy with being 'just fine'.

~

My first picture!

Okay so I brought my project into work cause I thought the camera is better here.

Um, not so much apparently.

Anyway, I wanted to get a picture up so I could show off a real project that I have on the go. I blabbed to Adam and the girls at work that I have a knitting blog to go along with my new hobby. Adam is thrilled for me. The girls are just, well, not laughing AT me at least. I am not surprised at Cathy cause she is my little ludite. However, I am surprised at Heather, becuase she owns an iTouch for petes sake! Oh well, they just dont get the joy of mixing the tactile with the technical!

I am a little bit on the fence with this particular knit. I think it jsut might be the cotton yarn. I don't like it as much as a big ole ball of chucky wool. Anyway, the 'loop stitch' was SUPER easy to get after I spent some time examining this site:

http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2005/12/loopy_is_the_ne.php and I was able to really get the hang of it. Thanks to Crazy Aunt Purl!!!

Still working on the Skull Shrug and a bunch of Fluer de Lis washcloths. Will post more pics soon!

Trying new things

This past weekend was SO BUSY! I didn't have any time to just sit to relax and knit. I have a couple projects on the go, both of which I will post pictures of when I actually get two minutes to myself to upload.

So currently, along with the 'Skull Shrug' I've started some 'Lion Wash Cloths'. I got the idea from this site: http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATTgrrr.html and am making some for my nephews. Who am I kidding? I will make one then move on...but with some encouragement perhaps I will make one for each of my nephews instead of having to apologize to my sister for only making for one.

AS WELL...my lovely partner in this delicious crime called life got me my house cleaner back as a Christmas present! So whilst I am typing this post, she is at my house cleaning the multitude of sins I call Home Sweet Home. With the divorce and all I had to give up some things in order to afford others. My house cleaner Karen was one of them. I love Adam so much for such a great Christmas gift!!!

Well...back to work , then to a clean home to do nothing but make dinner, then sit and knit. Today, life is VERY good.

Welcome to Duck Row...an adventure to be sure

so, yeah...knitting.

My friends will roll their eyes and ask 'why' when I have had everything in my life change on me in the last 11 months. Learning a new hobby is not really something that should be high on my list right now. Re-aligning all the mixed up facets of my life is where I should be focusing all my energies into. Let's face it, an impending divorce, a new 'old' house, my daughter starting high-school, and a brand new relationship should be my top priority. But it is my need to find routine, to find something that is warm and comfy and SOLID, which drives me.

Which is the point. Everything is so different in my life now. So drastically changed that I needed some sort of stability. I have 3 years left with my daughter living at home before she leaves for university. I have to make these years as inviting and stable for her as possible. I need something to calm my mind and my soul in order to be as present and engaged for her as I can.

I could find religion. But instead, I found wool.

Enter knitting.

I don't really know how to knit. I mean, I can knit and purl, but that's it. I can make a great scarf, but I am really only good at starting something and never finishing it. Casting off is a rarely used technique. That would involve finishing a project.

But this I want to finish. I need to grab onto something that I can learn, grow, and play with. Writing didn't fill up that space completely at this point in my life. I am going to try knitting.

Here is where I will bring along anyone who wants to travel down this road with me. This may not be an exciting romp. No, it is an effort in finding peace.

Oh, and you might wonder why this is titled 'Duck Row'? I have been accused on many MANY occasions throughout my lifetime of having troubles 'keeping all my ducks in a row'. No truer words can ever be spoken about me. Duck Row is a tribute to, and a reminder that, some ducks will never fall into line. Nor should they.

Those are the ones that make the world exciting. Especially when they wear hand-knit fluffy sweaters.

Welcome to my adventure.