Enlightening Conversation

A couple of weeks ago, I had a chance to sit and knit with the Wednesday afternoon knitters.  The conversation is always interesting, you never know what you'll learn, and I always seem to come away with something new to think about. 

People talked about what the group had meant to them and how coming to the group had really opened their eyes and made them feel better about their knitting. 

Before attending the sit 'n knit groups, some knitters had been hard on themselves when it came to their knitting.  It's funny, but although making mistakes is common for everyone, we seem to think we aren't very good at what we do.  We harbour the illusion that everyone else probably goes from beginning to end of a project without any mistakes or 'frogging' (rippit, rippit!).  Over the years, I've gotten pretty good at fixing mistakes and tinking (unknitting) my work ...because when you make a lot of mistakes, you get a lot of practice!!!

So, I guess, the message today is that knitting is like life.  Mistakes are human.  Learning to deal with them and then "get on with it" is what is most important.  And unlike life, there are lots of do-overs in knitting ...and that's a good thing!

Watch What you Say

You have probably noticed that I like to add quotes to our monthly newsletter.  This month, there was, "Will knit for chocolate, beer, wine, coffee,  ...or whatever," and "Will trade husband's tools, ...or husband, ...for yarn, needles, or whatever." 

The other day, Sue took a phone call from a new customer who asked about one of our programs.  She had received her first LRM newsletter and was interested in trading in her husband's tools because he was older and really didn't use them anymore.  What did she need to do to make this trade?  Sue wanted to giggle, but listened, realized that the woman was serious and explained that this was just a silly saying from a button. 

Happily, she really didn't want to give up her husband. 

His Majesty

This week, spinning night had a special guest.  Janice brought along King Henry VIII, her "50-hour" project for the OHS spinning program. 

He was jauntily attired with a duck feather and beads edging his cap, and gold metallic yarn, all so necessary for royalty, such as himself.

This regal fellow was hand spun and hand knit but demanded much more than the required 50 hours to complete: Janice spent more than 90 hours working on his lordship.

His well-padded body required several layers of undergarments, including this charming "cod-piece," a definite "stand-out" feature!

We were all charmed by his masculinity :)

Well done, Janice!

Knitter's Fair 2011

Here's our Little Red Mitten booth at the K-W Knitter's Fair ...before the crowds arrived!

What a fun event!  So many knitters - young and old, female and male - we are a lively, friendly, varied and creative bunch.  I feel so lucky to be part of this great community of knitters.  This is exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up ...but didn't know it back then :)  

I had a chance to walk around the event before the day ended and saw lots to inspire me. 

I think that is what I love about knitting: there are so many variables. 

You can get totally different results just by changing the yarn ...or the needles ...or the edging, or the shaping ...and the list goes on.

And we live in a time where the choices are virtually endless.  We have multiple fibres and breeds and weights to choose from.  It really wasn't that long ago that knitters spun their own yarn, all from the same breed of sheep, often the same weight yarn and with a limited choice of colours.

Yesterday was a feast.

Today, I will try to digest what inspired me.

Friday Night Visitors

We're an eclectic bunch at Little Red Mitten.

You just never know who will pop by to sit 'n knit on a Friday night!

(Thanks for carpooling with these charmers, Michelle.)

Scott brought along some yummy cupcakes disguised as a turtle.

The turtle was made to honour another beautiful season at the Blooming Bog north of London.

And Isa brought along this cutie from the Patons "Monkey Business" booklet (available at LRM).

I feel like the luckiest woman alive when I get to sit and knit with the inspiring women and men who join us twice a week.

Thanks. You keep me in stitches.

Janet Morton: Tangled

If you're looking for something knitting related, and maybe a bit "out there," then try to visit the "Tangled" exhibit at Museum London.

The work of Guelph-based artist, Janet Morton, will put a smile on your face. You'll see knitted houses, a large wall overgrown with knitted vines, flowers and found objects, and a tree-like shape with its own knitted "sweater" and tangle of yarns at its base.

"She pays homage to the skill and time required to make hand made objects and resists the demand for mass-produced and ready made." And this lady once covered her home in knitted fabric!

If you're like me, you may come out dreaming about future yarn storming activities. Remember the flowered ankle bracelet idea for Jumbo??? Anybody with me?

The exhibit closes September 18, 2011.

Museum London is at the fork of the Thames, at Dundas and Ridout Streets.

If you're curious, you can read more about her as "Artist in Residence" at U of Wisconsin.

http://www.arts.wisc.edu/artsinstitute/IAR/morton

Elephant Ankles

What a sweetie pie! Knitting a scarf for his monkey. Giraffey already has one. :)

* * * * *

I have an idea that has been percolating in my mind for a few weeks. Last night, while watching the news, it all came together. Here are the stories:

• St. Thomas made headline news in both the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star. Apparently, we made the top of the list ...of cities hit hardest by the recent economic downturn.
• Nelson Mandela celebrated his 93rd birthday on July 18. In honour of the 67 years that Mandela worked for equality, people of South Africa are donating 67 minutes of kindness.
• Local yarn shop owner notices endless numbers of tourists visiting Jumbo Monument. "Every time I look out the window, there are happy people taking photos of the big guy," said Joan Janes. "This tourism is a much needed boost for our local economy." (Okay, this didn't actually make it into the news.)

So, what if everyone in St. Thomas spent 67 minutes doing something for their town? It could boost morale! It could be the start of our great recovery!!

But what can we do?

Some might choose to improve their front garden, pick up litter, smile at a stranger, donate time or money to a worthy cause, or promote local heritage. I'd like to make an ankle bracelet for Jumbo. Okay. It's not exactly an earth shattering plan, but I think that stitching up pretty flowers to adorn the chubby ankle(s) of the world's favourite elephant would make people smile. Tourists would remember the cheerfulness and happy spirit of our city. Colour, flowers, elephant ankles. I can see it all now. Can't you? Are you in?

* * * * *

...and regarding the comments for my previous post about the "dumbing down" of patterns, I wish someone would dumb down "blogspot." After spending a half hour crafting a response to all 3 comments, do you think I could post to my own blog???? It just disappeared into the cosmos. Rather than face more failure and frustration, I picked up my knitting and chilled.

By the way, the comments are well worth a read.