Little Red Mitten: 2013

Monday, August 12, 2013

My Summer of Squares

I am always curious about people who say they don't knit in the summer. They cite the heat or gardening ...but don't they have air conditioning? ...how do they stay sane? ...how do they keep on top of their stash?

Okay, I admit that my knitting production may be down a bit this summer, but I think I've finally figured out why.

I need more auto pilot knitting!

I have MANY projects on the needles, but they all seem to be at a point where I need to think, plan, measure, or write down what I'm up to. That just doesn't cut it when I'm distracted and rushing around. Even my 3 pairs of socks are at that point. What are the chances?!?!?

This past week, I've been designing and knitting "spa cloths" ...or glorified dishcloths.(The name depends on whether you include a lovely bar of

lavender soap with the 'cloth', right?)

I'm thrilled with how quickly they've knitted up and it's been lovely having something simple to occupy my hands.

My late spring and early summer knitting was occupied with two renditions of

the Building Blocks Afghan by Michelle Hunter.

Preparation for a new class tends to keep me on task, so I quickly finished my green afghan. When it was done, I started the cream version ...just for fun.

Since each block was small, portable and rewarding, it travelled with me on vacation.

I kept two blocks on the go, so when the scenery distracted me,

I worked on the simpler one.

As our afghan class nears the end, I realize that most of us have kept up with our

1-2 blocks per week schedule. Well done, knitters!

Conclusion: Squares Make Good Knitting.

What are you working on this summer?

ps. This class will run again on Saturday mornings this fall.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Knitting in Nfld.

We're back from a week in Newfoundland where we had 4 lovely, sunny days. Since the only guarantee you ever get with the weather there is that there will likely be lots of RDF (rain, drizzle, fog), a week is really too short ...unless you are a duck

...or dressed like a sailor.

We toured around dressed in layers, with umbrellas and hoods at the ready, and saw lots of knitted goods for sale in tourist locations and craft/gift shops. I was thrilled to see so many good quality items, many made with Briggs & Little yarns. Most articles were sold under the NONIA "umbrella."

NONIA, or "the Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association, was founded in 1920 to assist in providing medical care to the outports of Nfld, (which included anywhere outside of the capital city, St. John's). It continues today as a not-for-profit cottage industry producing handknit items that reflect the spirit and tradition of Newfoundland and Labrador."

If you wanted, or needed, a pair of mitts, you were in luck!

Fun thick socks were another popular item.

Pictures of moose, puffins and maps of Nfld. were everywhere, ready to warm up someone's feet!

And because the items were sold through NONIA, we were sure that they were well made. My friend spotted a sale bin. Inside was a marked down item ...due to uneven knitting.

So maybe there really are knitting police?