Tues...er, Wednesdays are for teaching
Okay, I'm trying to get back in the posting groove here. So, here's a little something-something for my beginner knitter peeps. I really will endeavor to come up with something interesting and educational (about knitting) on Tuesdays. Except when it's already Wednesday.
As I was casting on a hat for Someone Special (more on that later) instead of starting the Super Secret Stockings (They're actually not a secret any more -- go
here and bask in my almost-awesomeness. You'll have scroll down.), I realized that ribbing, while easy, is kind of weird for new folks. So, here's
Everything You Need To Know About Ribbing but were afraid to ask
A rib is a combination of knit and purl stitches, worked evenly across in the same pattern every row. The number of knit and purl stitches doesn't have to be the same, but they do have to be consistent in each row. Why would you want to use a rib stitch? There are two basic reasons for using any stitch pattern, and those are structure and appearance. In this case, a smaller rib or one that has an unequal number of knit versus purl stitches will tend to pull in and give you a very elastic fabric, even with yarn that doesn't really have any elasticity of its own (like silk and cotton). This can be handy for the edges of things, especially socks, hats and mittens/gloves. You can give it even more elasticity by using a smaller needle than you normally would with that yarn to knit the rib. Very large rib (3x3 or bigger) tends to not pull in so much, and is really for looks. I happen to like ribbing very much, and one of my favorite sweaters is ribbed all the way up in a 3x3 rib.
A rib pattern is a two row pattern (if you're working circularly, it's only one row because you're working the right side every row. If you don't work in the round yet, don't think too much about this -- it will only confuse you), for example:
R1: *k2, p1, rep from * across [the last bit of this is a standard bit of knitting instruction and means "Repeat the pattern beginning at the * mark until you reach the end of the row]
R2: *p2, k1, rep from * across
That's it. You can substitute any numbers and it will still be rib. What I have written would be called a 2x1 rib, because it's 2 knits and then 1 purl (looks like: kk p kk p kk p kk p kk p). You could have 2x2 (kk pp kk pp), 1x1 (k p k p), 3x1 (kkk p kkk p), 2x4 (kk pppp kk pppp) -- whatever you want.
Now, you can just blindly follow this formula and knit yourself a nice, tidy rib and not think too much about it. However, if you want to start thinking about the structure of the fabric you're creating, which I recommend as it will make your knitting life much easier, you should realize that one of these rows is the right side and one is the wrong side.
Remember: this is only true if you are knitting flat. All rows are the right side if you're knitting in the round. So, looking at the pattern above, you can see that on the wrong side (row 2) you're purling where you knitted on row 1 and knitting where you purled. This is also known as "working stitches as they appear" meaning if it looks like a knit stitch you knit into it, and if it looks like a purl stitch you purl into it.
You will occasionally see things in patterns or stitch pattern books that are called "rib" but involve all sorts of complicated manuevers and look really cool. These are not really rib stitches, but will give you either the same effect or a similar look or both. Don't worry about them right now -- if you want to incorporate them into your knitting, do, but try not to worry over much about whether or not something's a "true" rib. As usual, my advice to you is to knit what you like, no matter how simple or complicated it is.
And that's pretty much that.
UTA: Someone SpecialMy husband puts up with a lot from me and indulges me like you wouldn't believe. I've been promising him a sweater for years, started socks for his Christmas present (see the Snicket Socks meter, right) and finally, promised him a nice, warm alpaca hat this year. Which I haven't got to because of the socks for his sister and the scarf for the foster kid (see Red Scarf Project, right). So then I thought I'd knit it while I was waiting for the Seasilk for the Magical Stockings. Only the Seasilk showed up really quickly. But then this morning I decided to hell with it. If I have to give up a couple hours sleep in March to finish the stockings, it'll be worth it. See,
Chris Kit works outside, and winter finally came. So if I'm going to knit the hat, now's the time. I'm using bulky yarn and knitting on size 15 needles, so it shouldn't take too long (even though he does have a ginormous head. Truly. I'm designing a pattern just for big-headed people because past attempts to knit him a hat have ended in tragedy.). If you're very lucky and very nice to me (Erica), I'll post the pattern. Manly Muffler's just about ready to go up, promise.
Here's a little
Becky Fix -- more tomorrow:
Isn't she beautiful when she sleeps?
Not so much when she wakes up...definitely her mother's daughter.
There's the smile!
Good for me, bad for you
If "you" are one of the people waiting for a knitted Christmas present. Sorry. I just got some fabulous, fabulous news, and I'm not sure how much detail I can share right now, but what I can tell you is this: I will be knitting one thing and one thing only until mid-March, and my fingers may very well fall off. If they do not, I will then take up the Christmas knitting again. I apologize for the delay this is going to cause, but this is an opportunity I really can't pass up.
This will also be bad for my
Rockin' Sock Club plan, which was to knit each pair during the two months until the next kit is shipped. Since the first kit ships in February, that's clearly not going to happen. Also bad for the
Fetching gloves that I want to knit, and I finally figured out
which yarn to use for them, too (so pretty! so soft!). Sad. But not sad enough to make me pass this up. I will share more details about why things are being delayed as I can. I will be working on Christmas presents until I get the yarn in to start working on this new project, so cross your fingers. The present that gets knitted may be yours!
Becky Fix
These are actually from last week, but you know. It happens.
I've been bad about getting the camera out in the morning, mostly because I've been bad about getting up when Chris leaves, so I laze around in bed for 45 minutes instead of being up getting stuff done. Which is going to stop as of tomorrow. I have too much to do in the mornings and I end up not getting to spend much time at all with my little Beckykins. Plus I want to add in some daily situps and squats and curls, and really the only time I have to do that is in the morning during the time I've been lying around in bed or at night when I get home, which, seriously, is just not going to happen.
Since the New Year I've really been pretty good about getting to the gym -- at least 4 times a week, and at least half an hour of cardio for three of those four times (usually 45 minutes). I haven't used my sore foot as an excuse to wimp out, and I even went to the gym Friday when I was sick (but not Monday, because I felt like a truck hit me) I've also been pretty good about my eating habits, I think, but not so good about keeping track so I'm reinstituting the paper food diary, since clearly the electronic version is a bust. And yet I still weigh 174lbs. I do feel like I'm eating healthier, and I'm certainly in better shape than I was when I started out, but I can't help but feel like I'm failing. Maybe because I talked Chris into spending all that money on a personal trainer and I feel like I should have a smokin' body to show for it, or maybe just because dammit, I want to feel like a hottie again (I do not feel like the personal trainer has been a waste of money -- she's really motivated me and shown me some good exercises that I can do on my own and keeps pushing me, which lets me know that I can push myself, which is a good thing).
Inspiration
So there's this guy at the gym, and he's there pretty much every day when I'm there. He's maybe 6'3, 6'4 and has gotta weigh 450 lbs. Not muscle. Fat. Big fat guy. And he comes to the gym every day, and he gets on the treadmill, and he walks. He doesn't do it for very long -- maybe 15 or 20 minutes. But he's There. Every. Day. Dude's my inspiration. If I'm feeling crappy or worn out or my foot hurts (like it does now), I go to the gym. Because I know this guy feels a lot less like going to the gym than I do, but he's going to be there. I've thought about telling him this, but I'm afraid it's going to come out wrong and and be offensive and plus, that would just be way, way outside my comfort zone. So even though I'm pretty sure he's not reading this, I just want to say: Thanks. (Oh, Monday weigh-in was 174.5.)
And on the knitting front, I'm really finding the Big Purlescence competition inspirational, both for designing and writing (quick rundown in case you don't want to read through it: Every month there's a different fairy tale character and you write about what they would knit if they had whatever yarn they wanted. You submit the story, a sketch, and what you would need to actually make it if you win. If you win, you get the stuff to make your design.). For the first one I entered (Puss in Boots), I designed something totally way out there. I'm not going to say what it is -- I'm not sure what the rules are on that and I don't want to take a chance, but if I don't win I may go ahead with the design anyway, because I think it'll be really cool. If I win, obviously, I'll
have to go ahead with the design. I'm working on my story and design for the next character now, Alice in Wonderland. I didn't want to do what I did with the Puss story, which is begin where the original ended and carry on from there, so I'm sort of adding a chapter into it, which is really challenging. Puss in Boots is a folk tale, so I didn't have to worry too much about the style I used to write it, as long as it was consistent. This time I really feel like it needs to sound like Carroll might have written it -- like a lost chapter. So again, I don't want to give away too much, but I will tell you that the tea party features prominently.
For actual knitting I'm still(!) working on Colleen's second sock. Criminy. I feel like I'm never going to get to knit anything else! Seriously, no more size 1s. I am clearly a much slower knitter than I think I am. Happily, the vast majority of the sock yarn I've been
hiding from Chris stockpiling squirreling away collecting should knit up just fine on 2s or 3s.
For those of you looking for a
Becky Fix, there's really no exciting new news. I mean, she's just going on as the sweet, happy, googly baby that she usually is. She's got a couple of teeth getting ready to come in on top and a little bit of a cold (which Mommy has now, thankyouverymuch daycare), and she's maybe starting to get the hang of crawling forwards. Oh, and she says "Aba" (bottle) "Dada" and apparently "Hortense" (her stuffed giraffe). But not "Mama." Nope, the giraffe gets billing over Mom. Nice, kid. We'll see how that works out for you when I'm setting your curfew in a few years.
Scurvy Dogs
You may have noticed from past posts that I like pirate stuff. I want to make
this hat, I love books and tv shows about pirates (non-fictional more than otherwise, though I did enjoy the first PotC movie), and I'm thrilled that my no longer secret pal got me
this dicitonary. My favorite jokes are pirate jokes, and my favorite holiday is National Talk Like a Pirate Day. But after reading
this book, I got to thinking...in 200 years, will people be glorifying drug dealers? Because really, pirates were not nice people. Pirates were criminals -- thieves, murderers, rapists...not the kind of folks I want Becky to think of as mommy's heroes. So, no more pirate stuff (except for the jokes, because I do love me some pirate jokes). I'm still going to do the hat, only I'm going to use these awesome
Stormtroopers from the lastest Craft: mag. (Yes, I know Stormtroopers are also not good people, but at least they were on the right side of the law. Plus, you know, fictional.) I had been considering decorating Becky's "big girl" room with a pirate theme, but I guess that's out now, huh? Or am I just being silly and overthinking it waaaaaay too much?
Knitting Update
I've just finished the heel flap on Colleen's second sock, and am hoping to get the heel turned tonight while we catch up on TV. I'm also halfway through the scarf I'm knitting for the Red Scarf Project. I'm off work tomorrow but daycare is open, so I'm looking forward to some good crafting time tomorrow. Probably most of it will not be knitting, though -- I need to get the stair treads finished; I want to do some spinning on my wheel; I want to try out the shoe pattern from Craft: (if successful with the modifications I want to make, I may very well put some up on Etsy); plus there's some other sewing stuff I want to do, too. Plus I do have some work stuff that needs to get done. I mean, it could wait until Tuesday, but then I'd be slammed on Tuesday, so I'd rather put in a couple of hours tomorrow and then be a little less crazy Tuesday.
On the other hand, I'm really tired of knitting these socks and want to start another pair -- on larger needles! It's going to be a cold day in hell before I knit adult socks on size ones again. Gah! But it is, really, the perfect yarn for Colleen, so I'm not sorry I chose it, and I'd do it again. Hopefully, the other 4 pair of socks I have to knit for last Christmas will go much, much faster. Plus, no more of this heel flap nonsense -- I'm going back to my beloved Turkish heel for those! I do plan on experimenting with other heel choices as I knit more socks for myself, but for the Christmas socks, I just want to get them done already. And not just so I can start knitting for me again, although, to be perfectly honest with you, that is part of it. I'm my favorite person to knit for, and most of the yarn I buy, I buy because I love it and want to wear something made out of it. That's actually one of the reasons I joined the STR club this year -- I figure if I'm getting yarns I'm not particularly attached to, I won't mind making things for other people out of it.
Funny story about the STR club -- apparently, their bank decided that there was no way that so many people could possibly be interested in sock yarn, so they up and refunded everyone's money to them and refused to accept any more payments. Can you freakin' believe it? Read more details
here.
Okay, I'm off to finish up my entry for this month's
Storytellers contest. I have most of the story written and none of the artwork done. It's due tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Just because it ain't November, doesn't mean I can't say thanks
Let's get the grossness of my Monday weigh-in out of the way:
I'm back up to 177. This is actually where I was last week, but I forgot to post the weigh-in since I didn't post on Monday. So I've gained back 2.5 pounds. I didn't use my food diary the whole period between Dec. 22 and, well, today, and I really think that's a big part of it. So I'm really going to make an effort to keep up with that from now on.
Now, on to the good stuff:
Dude, a Pirate Dictionary AND Tillie Thomas?!?!
(Tillie gets her own picture)I'm not worthy (but that doesn't mean I'm giving it back). Plus, check out the cute clips -- and I never even told blogland what a whore I am for office supplies (until now)! And the soaps...so so yummy! The one is a lovely old rose-y scent and the other, the Princess Cracker, is "Mojito" which is this fab lime-y (but not in that sick sweet candy kind of way) scent...and there's matching lip balm! Plus the super cute Strawberry Shortcake lip balm that is wicked yummy as well and has now taken up residence on my desk. So huge, huge thanks to my delightful Secret Pal. I love everything, from this package and all the other fun ones you sent me over the course of the past few months.
UTI: Dude, I totally forgot the best bit of SP goodness -- she's making me an Irish Walking hat out of this gorgeous violet and purple Malabrigo. Lush!This was my first time participating in one of the SP exchanges, and I have to say I've had tremendous fun, both as a spoilee and as a spoiler. I would totally do it again (though I think not over a period that includes Christmas -- that's where my mailing of packages got all thrown off), and would recommend it to a friend. So big thanks go to the organizers of the SP exchanges for doing something that I know must just be a tremendous amount of work with very little payoff.
Finally, thanks to my spoilee, who is just too cool. She's a professional opera singer, for cryin' out loud! How cool is that?!?!?!?! Plus she lives in that Mecca of knitting, Toronto. Y'all know I can't wait to go. Thanks to her for meing so much fun to spoil...and I'm not done yet. I had planned on three packages, and three packages I will send. Package two goes out tomorrow, come hell or high water. Package three must be gathered, but I have inspiration and a plan. It won't be there by the end of the round, and, as you know if you've been following along, I'm really just a Pal now and not a
Secret Pal, but still. I like the lady and want to send her what I was planning to send her anyway. Because (see paragraph above) that's why it's fun.
Finally, here's a little
Becky Fix for you:
She got weighed and measured at the dr. today, but I'm completely fed up with him and her charts are all off and that nurse has never been competent anyhow so I don't even know how accurate they are. Here they are, subject to change when I get her in to see someone new: 20lbs, 28.25". 100% googey.
Squeeee!
Tired, must sleep, but had to tell you I met
my Secret Pal today (on purpose -- we decided to pretend it was the 15th so we could take advantage of Chris' generous offer to whisk Becky away for the afternoon) and seriously, she just spoiled the heck out of me! The best part, though, is that she's very cool and lives close enough that we can get together and knit and hang out every once in a while. Pics tomorrow. Here's a hint: one of the items in the picture has two T's in its name. Squeee!
Funny
Okay, first:
A funny, funny
webcomic for all my knitting readers.
Second, why can't Canada be located in a more Laura-friendly climate? All
the coolest people live there, and they've got lots of
funny people, and hey, even their
money is funny (
Moonies! -- Ha! I love it!). If this global warming thing kicks in, I'm totally moving there.
Let's just get the
Becky Fix right out of the way:
Here are a bunch from Becky's first Christmas (the black outfit is really Christmas Eve, but same diff). I realize now that the thing to do would have been to make a big pild of all the clothes and toys she got and plunk her down in the middle of them for a pic, but that will have to wait for next year. She got some great stuff: a Leap Pad learning thing that interacts with the DVD player from her Grandad and Nani and a walking, talking Eeyore from Grandma Tedi and Larry are probably her favorites (though she also seems quite fond of the drum from mommy -- it plays electronic musical notes when she hits it...I'm not completely off my rocker -- and the piano from daddy).
Okay, now, moving right along. I actually didn't knit at all during the week between Christmas and New Year's. I was home with Becky all week and man, that kid can wear you out. She's totally sweet, but very demanding. It was tough to keep on top of work stuff, but I managed to get everything done that needed to get done...and I got a great end-of-the-year review, too. It's always nice to be appreciated. I finally picked up the needles again on New Year's Eve -- Chris is so great about taking her when he's home so I can get some breaks, so by Sunday night I was beginning to feel myself again. I'm working pretty much exclusively on this:
Which is the mate to this:
Yes...those are the socks for my SIL. After those come the rest of the Christmas presents...basically, the stuff for the folks in Dallas, and Chris' socks. Oh, and I have to do my Red Scarf Project scarf, too. I neglected to take pictures of any of the scarves I knit for presents, and I'm pretty annoyed about that as they all really turned out quite lovely. My MIL almost didn't get hers, in fact. So anyhoo, after I finish all the Christmas stuff, I'm going finish up the little sweater I'm making for the Beckmeister, cast on some socks for me, and start Chris' long promised sweater (to be fair, I did already knit over half of the promised sweater once, but I screwed up on the first sleeve and it's ribbed all the way up and I just couldn't face all that ribbing, so now I'm starting fresh). Oh, yeah, and I need to work on publishable designs, and write up the Manly Muffler, and, and, and...yeah.
So, there's a lot of stuff I want to do this year, like lose weight, and get my house picked up enough that a regular normal dust 'n' wipe is all it really needs from week to week, and knit lots of socks and you know, basic resolution stuff. But really, what I want and need to do is get really organized. I need to organize my physical space (books, movies, clothes, etc.), my computer space (emails, files, desktop, etc.), and maybe most importantly, my time. I know it sounds crazy anal, but I think if I don't start really plotting out how I'm going to spend my time I'm never going to get any of those other things done.
If you made it all the way through this post, here's a bonus Becky Fix!
