So, what is it?

In an earlier post here, and on our family blog, I introduced a lacy project that I am working on. It is turning out to be just as I labeled it, a exercise of "self" encouragement. In all my excitement of getting it photographed and posted, I failed to mention what the heck the project was. Looking back at the photo I can see that it isn't very obvious to the viewer. Toiling over it as I have, it seems obvious to me what it actually is, but not so apparent to others.

Drum Roll Please . . . . . . . . . This lacy creation is a scarf, but not just an ordinary scarf, it can be worn as a stole over the shoulders, a neck gaiter, or of course as a regular scarf.

Perhaps the dramatic introduction was a bit disappointing, after all - it is just a scarf. Admittedly, not MONUMENTALLY awe inspiring, but definitely a beautiful project that is fun to work on - - - - in between the frustrations of working through a couple of glitches.

This brings me introduce a book I came across and want to tell you about.

Last month, while shopping at SAM'S Club, I found myself checking out the all the new books being displayed. I quickly noticed a knitting book I hadn't seen before and upon opening it, was taken by more than one project that the book had to offer. I was looking for something new to knit that had more to it than a mindless pattern. This book was the ticket to solving my thirst for adventure, (okay, the patterns aren't that difficult, but they beat the seed stitch cloths I have been making lately)

So one week later, I have the book, the right yarn, circular needles, and no time to start a new project, but take the time anyway. Making do with bamboo needles, not the perfect choice for this yarn, I finally was on my way to making this beautiful scarf a reality.

The book I am introducing is titled KNITTING CLASSIC STYLE, written by Veronik Avery. The beautiful photography was done by Sara Cameron. What makes this book fun, besides all the great ideas, are the descriptions of what was behind the designing of each of the patterns. There are thirty-five different designs to create from this book and each one has come from an inspiration of fashion's past. The author explains a bit of history behind the fashion that inspired the pattern that is being introduced.

The scarf I am knitting is called Mohair Portrait Scarf and I wish I had a photo to post to show how beautifully it can be worn, besides just the traditional "wrap around the neck scarf". Perhaps when it has been completed, I can get a picture of someone modeling it - this would be the only way to fully appreciate the pleats, and "gentle undulations" it creates when worn flat over the shoulders as a stole. It is knitted on circular needles, in a tube. The increases and decreases, as well as all the lace pattern make this interesting to the eye of all admirers.

The author and crafter of this book describes the inspiration of this scarf as coming from 16th and 17th century Europe. To imagine it in more recent and familiar times, the author refers to what Gwyneth Paltrow wore in a scene of Shakespeare in Love, filmed in 1998.

The scarf was moving along nicely until the cable broke on my circular needle. Thankfully, I was able to secure all the stitches on another needle, before disaster struck. Everything is on hold until I can get replacement needles, of the required length, that will bring back the enjoyment of knitting this project.

Mohair Portrait Scarf
(more than 1/3 complete)

Hear Ye, Hear Ye .... Knitting is good for your health!

Reasons you should start knitting today. (For those of you who already knit, get those sticks a movin')

Knitting is good for your mind. The thought processes used in knitting will keep your brain exercised and healthy - think of it like as mental yoga.

Knitting is good for your body. When you knit, you can't snack. Okay, you really can, but you are not as likely to engage in snacking when engrossed in a project. If you haven't seen the Yoplait Yogurt commercial about the woman who knits to stay thin, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAHWyoZFI00

Knitting keeps your hands and fingers nimble. Also, with the added exercise of your fingertips, your nails could grow more quickly. However, that might cause a dilemma, time out to give yourself a manicure or knit, knit, knit - you be the judge. But on that note, knitting has been suggested as a way for someone to break the nasty habit of nail biting - yuck!

Knitting relieves stress. We all have stress in our lives and knitting can help you with the release of your daily stresses. It is easy to get lost in your project - the rhythmic sound of the needles and movement of the stitches as they are moved from one needle to the other - ahhhhh, just thinking of it lowers the blood pressure. Some might feel a bit stressed as they learn the art of knitting, but it will finally become a relaxing craft for you to enjoy for years to come.

The fun begins when you are planning your project. Looking through patterns, discovering new yarns, imagining the finished product, are all part of the enjoyment.

Knitting is good for your spirit. There is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment when you complete a project. Whether is a gift or something for you or your home, that knitted item is something you created from sticks and fibers.

Knitting for a charity, like Project Linus, Hats for the Homeless, and many others, warms the soul.

Knitting can save you money. Saving money makes you feel good, right? Knitting your gifts saves money and shows the recipient that they are loved enough to have received something made by hand. Yarn can get expensive, but there isn't any need to fall into that trap. Many yarns at craft stores just as good as those from the fancy knitting stores.

Watch for coupons to your favorite place to purchase yarn - just remember to purchase enough from the same dye lot. Think about selling your knitted wares - then you have a self-supporting habit!

How cute are these "yarn" cones?
Would you rather knit than eat ice cream?
I certainly would!

Better yet, how about having your yarn and eating it too!

If yarn could be eaten, I would personally be able to feed
a small nation with the "stash" I have collected.

Happy Knitting!!!

The Little Knitters

The Little Knitters - Painting by Swiss artist - Albert Anker (1831-1910)

The little girl is knitting on double pointed needles and it appears to be a sock that she is knitting.

If you look carefully, you can even see the detail of the purl side of the knitting. (and she holds her yarn like I do)

The artist must have known something about knitting when he painted this - someone in his life must have been a knitter. I wouldn't have thought to put a project like this in the hands of this small child. That is most intriguing to me. The child sitting next to the girl is serving as a "yarn guide" - while patiently watching the yarn turn into knitted fabric.

The painter had six children, two died very young . The four that lived sometimes posed for his paintings. I tried to research if the two children in "The Little Knitters" were actually children of Albert Anker, but was unable to find that information. I did learn that Albert Anker's father, a veterinarian, had to be convinced to accept his son's desire to seek an artistic career.

So that is my art history lesson (of sorts) for today.

Have a great day!

Joy's soul lies in the doing.

Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing ~ William Shakespeare

I don't know if I am like most seasoned knitters, but I like to have at least two types of knitting projects available to me at all times. One, a mindless pattern that can be done at cheering at my son's basketball game or a more elaborate pattern that requires moments of silence as I k1, yo, k2 tog, pssk, (p4, k1) 3 times - my fellow knitters know what I mean.

My latest project is knitted in a lacy pattern from a mohair blend yarn. Unfortunately, there appears to be a slight glitch in the pattern so I have had to adjust it a bit, which has added a bit more spice to the project than I was looking for.

What might have made this go smoother was using metal needles, instead of bamboo. I love bamboo but it just isn't slick enough to keep the fibers from occasionally splitting while knitting. Since this is just a trial run and the project will be done in a better yarn later, I will forgo the purchase of the perfect needle until I find the perfect yarn and color.

So back to Shakespeare and the title of this post - I don't have a clue what will become of this project but working out the glitches is like exercise for the mind - brain crunches, firing of the neurons, and a sense of accomplishment. After it is completed, it will most likely be enjoyed by someone, hopefully my daughter, but my pleasure will have been in the "doing" more than the "done".

So on I knit, celebrating each row as I stitch my way to completion of this lacy creation.