Four

What do you think of the number 4? I think of it in a whole different way than my new 4-year old does.

I think of 4 as being huge. Not being a baby. I think of 4 long years to get to know someone inside and out. I think of 4 hard years of screaming, tantrums, crying and being exhausted. Of love and smiles and snuggles and kisses. I think of 4 years of memories of a little person.

He thinks of 4 as being the gateway to 5. Of almost being big enough for big-boy school. He thinks of 4 as a quick way of forgetting 3. Of being the same as his favorite buddy and his favorite cousin. He thinks of 4 and sees the possibilities of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

I see it and remember 1, 2 and 3.

As I look backward and he looks forward, we meet at 4. An amazing number. A memorable number. A number we won't see again.

I love my Punky. My 4-year old.

Lucy Came to Town

We are delighted to have been able to spend the day with knitting royalty. Lucy Neatby was in town giving some workshops. The Baadmedicine crew spent the day learning finishing techniques from the Master.

We discussed grafting (and we now refer to it only as grafting, and will no longer refer to the Kitchener stitch).

We practised doing mattress stitch. We did short rows (Japanese short rows to be exact) and buttonholes. We even talked about STEEKING! (Gasp.) And you know, it wasn't as scary as we thought.

There were photo opportunites.

We made new friends.

We at Baadmedicine are feeling a little overwhelmed with everything we took in. Lucy's DVDs are great teaching tools so if you're looking for something that is practical and user friendly, this might just be for you.

"Knitting is just a fabric we have a strong emotional attachment to."
Lucy Neatby, November 2007

Shareef Don't Like It....

...Block the casbah!

Block the casbah!

Ok. There have been a few comments lately regarding blocking lace. Here's how I do it. I'm sure there are many ways of blocking and I'm pretty sure that blocking techniques differ depending on the fibre that you're blocking. Here is my Swallowtail Shawl, which I knit with about a half a ball of Zephyr laceweight yarn in wool and silk.

First, I gather my tools. I use a plain old towel that has been washed a few times so it's not too linty and the color is set. I like to use pins like these. I know that some other people use blocking wires but I've never use those. Stick with what you know. Lastly, grab that used Kleenex and head off to a sink.

I like to soak my tissue in warm water for a few minutes, anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on how patient I'm feeling and how long my kid decides to nap. Gently, squeeze out the excess water. Don't wring it. This is going to be lace, after all.

Lay out your knitting and give it a look. It probably looks better already. Try to arrange the knitting in the desired shape and start to pin your knitting to the towel. You may choose to measure out your piece and make sure that the finished size approximates the finished size from your original pattern. I don't measure. I make the lace look pretty to my eye and then start pinning.

Sometimes you have to pin out special details individually. My Swallowtail Shawl has little peaks along the edge that require a little special attention. Take your time because your efforts here will pay off.

Go eat chocolate and drink wine in another room. You don't want to spill anything on your lace and you will need something to distract you because now you have to wait until your lace is dry. I like to leave my lace for a couple of days, if possible.

Carefully, remove all the pins and toss your shawl around your shoulders. Admire yourself in a mirror. You've worked hard, now enjoy the fruits of your needles.

Christmas season has officially arrived.

How do I know this? The start of my Christmas season begins with the Eggnog Latte, Starbucks style.

Pure deliciousness, spicy richness, all goodness. I love them. Love them to no end. And when they arrive at my local Starbucks I know tidings of comfort and joy.

I love Christmas. I love the preparations surrounding Christmas and the excitement building up to that day. I love the thought of my boys being so excited they can't sleep. I love being so excited I can't sleep.

This year I'm doing more knitting for Christmas than ever before. There are socks, accessories, hats, and baby sweaters. I have a few things done (check out the sock tally) but am pushing myself to get everything done. Spending so much time making something for the special people in my life is what the season is about. It's about putting something into every stitch. Good thoughts, prayers, memories and love. And I've let go of the need for the recipient to understand that. Especially the non-knitters. It's not about them or how much they like what I make (ok, it's a little bit about that, but not much). It's about me doing this for them, keeping them in mind when I'm making them their gift and really giving from the heart.

So, the countdown is truly on. I've got a lot of knitting to do. Better go get another Eggnog Latte!

In which J. takes a break with stocking stitch

I know that sometimes we like to challenge ourselves with our knitting. We take on projects that are complicated with pages of charts for lace or cables. I myself have develped quite the obsession with lace.



For November, however, I have decided to dedicate myself to projects that are mostly stocking stitch. You know, go back to my roots as it were. I'm working on some plain socks that shall remain under wraps until Christmas.



I'm also working on the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. Now, I know you're thinking to yourself that this sweater obviously has some cable work, it's in the title. While that may be true, I am going to have to work through many thousands of stitches in either a garter rib (which is all right side knitting and wrong side k2,p2) or simple stocking stitch.



Note my progress.



If I happen to finish this project and have some November leftover, I think I'll whip up this little number. My yarn has just come in from Knitpicks and is the same color as the sweater above. (The intended recipients are different. ) Also stocking stitch with some simple shaping. Lovely.



I'm sure December will find me knitting cables or lace again. This month, however, I am taking a break.