Blowing In The Wind

It goes without saying, or should, that learning to knit is as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Stitches can be simple or maddingly convoluted; just as picking out which pattern to knit can also be a chore, if you let it. Needles and accessories can drive you crazy if you let them; but don't let them. Keep everything as simple as you can; that's the only secret to doing anything well.

Then there is the subject of yarn. If you've ever tried to untangle yourself from a completely twisted skein of the stuff, then you know what I'm talking about. Some yarn, like some people, is difficult indeed. Try to follow your way out of one of those yarn mazes, and you'll have better success losing your mind! Bent, crisscross, tangled, contorted; these words don't give the whole endeavor justice. If you're familiar with Larry David's "stop and chat", then you know the only thing left to do is to "stop and snip". Unless you have the next week, uninterrupted, to devote to such inanity! I don't usually give it 5 minutes.

I work too hard on my knitting to keep anything from letting me get to the finish line. Opportunities abound every day to just keep knitting! You can be in your home or your car; sitting in traffic lines with no where to go; isn't that a little like purgatory? Sometimes the radio helps, sometimes it just makes things worse. So bring your knitting and never let anything stop you again!

With May slowing rolling to a close hurricane season is on the horizon. According to the National Hurricane Center, there could be another active season to look forward to. But, take it as a challenge and don't let it get you down!! Be prepared as best you can, and if you must leave home for a while, don't forget your knitting! Nothing soothes the soul better than listening to the calming click of your knitting needles. Maybe that's why women through the centuries chose to keep knitting when the necessity for it had actually passed; they knew something about life, that sometimes we forget. Sanity can be found in the simplest things; knitting is simple.

Next week, be sure to check out my brand new article on yarns; how they differ, how they are alike, which one is best to use for different projects. It will be posted at my website, The Knit Stitch.com

That's it for now -- tell me what you think!

Oprah, Cakes, and Chels

Mmmmmmmmmmmm-mmmmmm!!

Have you taken a peek at the luscious cakes that Oprah is revealing on her show this week? Have you ever seen more beautiful confections than those T-cakes, red velvet cakes or cinnamon raisin scones? Sweet potato pie, anyone? I'm hungry just thinking about it!

You know, it reminds me of looking at knitting yarns. The colors of yarns today are simply gorgeous! The textures, too, are something to see. So many different types of yarn; looking at them you would think they are impossible to knit with. The ribbon yarns are some of my favorites; easy to use, and they look much more complicated when knitted up then they really are. You can definitely fool everyone, where your knitting prowess is concerned, with ribbon yarn!

The cutie staring at you up above is none other than my little cupcake, Chelsea! Isn't she just a calendar dog? She's almost 11 years old!! She loves to smile for the camera, too!!

Of all the items I've been knitting over the years, I've yet to knit Chels anything! But, why cover up beauty?! Her spots are just right and her red flea collar is all she needs. Dog patterns abound on the Web, so be sure to find yourself some. A good place to start is Knitting Patterns Central.
You could spend all day browsing through....................................................

And when you are ready for bed just jump into your jammies and be comfortable!



And keep knitting! Later!

Monday Musings

Tell me ..... what do Patrick Kennedy, Donald Rumsfeld and Tony Blair have in common? No, don't tell me they're all men, famous in their own ways, or even that two of them are American and one is not. There is something they don't do. (At least I don't think they do.)

Give up? It's K-N-I-T!! They don't know how to knit! Maybe their wives know, but they never learned. Could be, that's what's wrong with the world. Too many men don't knit. They'd rather play with guns.

The reason I bring this up is because knowing a craft is so satisfying. It takes us right back to our essence; creating something with our hands, which wasn't there before, and has been solely thought up by us. It can even sound a little scary when put that way! But, that's what makes knitters so nice!

They know their own minds. We know full well what we are made of. We've learned a craft; practised it to the point where we have become very good at it, and hopefully, share it with others. Knitting, like any craft, takes time. Usually a scarf or a sweater, or an afghan or baby item, placemats, shrugs, or ornaments are not knitted in one sitting. More like a month of sittings, if we find the time. Yet, with each passing day, a little more has been done; another section of rows completed; an arm, or another square knitted off. We keep on going until we can finally put the needles down and either sew things together or put on the finishing touches.

Then, we step back and admire! We've created something! Simple yarn and needles, with simple instructions, we did it! And it looks so complicated, that's the fun part; that we can knit it so well, that it looks so hard-d-d-d-d!!!! But, it's easy, so easy anyone can do it!

Even Patrick Kennedy, Donald Rumsfeld and Tony Blair!
What do you think?

Out of Gas? -- Try Knitting!

I can remember growing up. Almost no one I knew knitted. My grandmother crocheted, and if I asked her once, I asked her one hundred times to teach me how to crochet. She would patiently show me the basic stitches, but I could never get the hang of how to crochet!

Finally, I just gave up. Then in high school, I found a great little, green book on learning to knit. And I taught myself. Back then, of course, my best girlfriend knitted as did her mother and younger sister. So we would always be exchanging how-to's and advice, but once I moved out of that circle I was all alone in a knit-less world.

That's why it's so inspiring to see so many newbies knitting! And one of them can be you!

Everyone should learn to knit! It doesn't matter if you are 12 years old or 12 years past sixty. Learn to knit! I can't begin to tell you what fun it is, what benefit to your stress levels you can gain, how portable it is, how many items you can create with the simplest of stitches!

If you need a helping hand, try my ebook, "Ready Or Knit,... Here I Come!" -- you can find it at http://www.theknitstitch.com

Let's start a whole new mind-set in 2006. Instead of hopping in our vehicles, wasting gas (not to mention mileage), plop down in an easy chair with your friends and start knitting! I can't think of anything nicer, more relaxing, more of what we're here for, than to create with our hands in the company of friends or family!

You know, there is always something or someone to buy a gift for. We all have birthdays, graduations, holidays, weddings, babys, picnics, celebrations, anniversaries, happenings, new pets, new homes, and just no occasions at all, to be buying gifts for.

Home-made is nicest of all. Years ago, that word sounded cheap, tacky, like you didn't have enough money, so you made something yourself. But, if you get really good at knitting, your family and friends will want your "home-made" stuff. And they won't be able to get enough of it!

So, who cares, if you are 15 or 50, or if your name is Stephanie or Stephen, just learn to knit!

You'll be glad you did!