I'm an idiot

My problem wasn't only row gauge, but reading comprehension.

"36 Garter Ridges" are not the same as "36 Garter Rows"

Once I stopped counting rows, started counting ridges and only picked up every other row when starting the next block, things have gone swimingly. (pix to follow)

Yummy yarn broke my heart

Under the heading of "never too experienced to be humbled by gauge" I bring you the following tale of heartbreak and (row) gauge betrayal.

With the combination of a pending birth within our circle of friends and a %30-%50 sale at the LYS around the corner from where I work I went a little mad and bought a mess of Silk; Silk and Cotton; Cotton and wool. I got gauge (stitch per inch) on all yarns and started out making the Modern Baby Blanket from Mason-Dixon Knitting. mmmmm 3 different textures, 4 different colors... this is going to be WILD!!


Some of you out there already see the problem, don't you?


After doing 4 blocks of this modernized log cabin blanket, I stood back and looked at what should have been a tidy rectangle and saw this:I DIDN'T CHECK THE ROW GAUGE!!!

I tried to convince myself that "it will even out with steam blocking" but let's face it; there ain't enough steam or pins in the world to fix this!

So, I'm ripping the faded blue denim block at the top by frogging it out as I knit it into a baby kimono (also from M-DK). Meanwhile, I must plan another trip to LYS to try and come up with enough of the Berroco Touche in 3 other colors. That yarn feels like the perfect yarn for a baby blanket.

Guess I'll just have to come up with something for myself out of the silk and cotton/silk yarn.

Darn. ;-)

My new found enthusiasm for the fiber arts becomes contagious.

Coworkers have started to pick up sticks, hooks and string. Long lunches are now spent at nearby yarn stores (LYS) and weekly “show and tell” coffee klatches have become routine as we show each other our latest finished objects (FO). I have lobbied for weekly “meetings” where we actually book a conference room, and have an onsite Stitch ‘n Bitch session; sharing our knowledge with those who constantly mention that they’d like to learn. The idea hasn’t caught on – yet. Once all the new year incoming work-work slows down I will re-launch my campaign.

I’m nothing if not obsessive.

How it started: Part The First

I learned to crochet and knit (but not bind off) when I was a child. My mother didn’t know how to “end” with knitting, so we had this big bag in the closet with a long strip of knitted fabric that we would pull out and work on when we had the urge to knit. Oddly enough I lost interest in this pursuit at a very early age.

When I went to college, I decided to lean how to really knit. I took a class at a Local Yarn Store (LYS) (http://www.depthoffieldyarn.com/) and learned the hard way that I’m very allergic to mohair. (The rose pink sweater is still in my possession, though I haven’t worn it in 15 years or so). Oddly enough, I lost interest after blowing sixty precious student dollars on a sweater I couldn’t wear without taking benadryl. In the late mid ‘80s, that was a lot of money for a student! My portion of the rent was around $120!

So, about 2 years ago, my sister-in-law went through a phase and was struggling with casting on. I helped her out and was amazed at how quickly it came back to me. I dug out my old knitting bag and made a lame vest with some old Lion Brand homespun I had from when I last gave up knitting (circa late mid ‘80’s). A quick trip to a real yarn store along with the discovery of www.elann.com and I was hooked once again.

Well, how about that!?

I managed to figure out how to upload a picture. My, my, my; I suppose my technical skills aren't that barren these days after all.

Next week, I'll try to post some actual Fiber Content!

Inaugural post:

So, they say to me: the material is going to print soon, do you have a blog address we can add to your information?

Not wanting to be a *total* loser, I signed up here.

Hope to blog lots about fiber arts. we'll see how it goes.