I've Felt Better

I seriously need to examine my inexhaustible level of denial.

I’m not in denial about my curly hair. I’ve wasted years ironing, blow-drying, and painting it with chemicals for a few moments of straightness. My formative years were filled with the smell of burning hair. I’ve learned from those experiences I will always have curly hair.

I am in denial about how to care for curly hair. One would think I would gain the skills over the course of time as my head has always, even from birth, had hair. Evidently, not so much. I vow to see the hair doctor as soon as humanly possible.

Those who suffer from unimaginably unmanageable curly hair, or U²CH, will attest to the reality; human hair felts. I felts for putting it to bed wet. I felts for swimming. I felts for not feeding it enormous amounts of conditioner. I felts for not feeding it deep conditioner when it has a hankering for it. I felts if you go into moist tropical places. I felts for photo shoots . Yes, U²CH not only has violent mood swings, it is also psychic and will habitually felt before any photo. Example:

*sigh*

Okay, moving on... Due to the fact that I desperately need to visit the hair doctor, I’ve been thinking about felting. As mentioned previously, I’m making some throw pillows for my living room that will double as extra seating, and I want to pretty them up with flowers. I think I’ll experiment with the Jamieson’s, Hifa, and Rowan (perhaps?). I’m also playing with a potential felted handbag design so I have an excuse to buy the handles and experimenting with Baby Alpaca and Malabrigo Chunky for gifts for my nephews.

Question:

Does one gift an infant with a teal hat, and a 5 year old with a blue one? Will the 5 year old believe he is being slighted the other “blue” hat that will of course not fit him only because he believes it to be the prettier blue? One cannot fathom the fashion decisions of 5 year old boys.

Update! I've seen the hair doctor who surgically removed about 6 inches of "felted animal" that was attached to the back of my head. The hair feels lovely and light. So much so, that it now defies gravity. yay...

Handy Reading

Caution: Rant ahead. Use blinkers.

I’m a reader.

I read a lot and I’m not too picky about the source. I enjoy classic literature, magazines, subtitles, blogs, as well as the inconsequential minutiae on boxes of dry goods (seriously Annie Chun’s Miso Soup FreshPak Noodle Bowl is fascinating). If I learn something or expose myself to a new way of thinking, then it’s good reading.

What’s more, I realize there are others in the world who read as well. So, I try (probably don’t succeed much) to give voice to good and noble thoughts.

Whoa Nellie, I just read myself and boy did it seem pretentious! Let me explain…

It started in a creative writing class in college, with a sage professor who carefully explained and illustrated the power of words.This scholar systematically showed each of us the prejudices we developed (through no fault of our own) from societal pressures and perceptions. One never writes about (gives voice to) thoughts that malign or degrades others. Words can traduce a person to believe an untruth, or more often, disbelieve in themselves. I am grateful to have met such a wise woman.

Did I catch anyone there? Did you lull yourself into thinking my professor was male?

The point… thank heavens, she finally gets to it… I am trying to make is people will always have their tired old prejudices and narrow mined thoughts, however one should not help to perpetuate those views by making light of them in text, especially when it was someone else’s view. It gives permission to readers to believe these views are okay.

Therefore, I am saddened by some of the comments of book reviewers (that men and women equally hold) which questions the sexuality of male knitters. People forget history. Should we question the sexuality of women who can repair their motor vehicles, or should we call them handy? I’ll let you decide.

Meanwhile, back on the road to Knitopia…

Now that I’ve carefully stored away my soapbox in a safe place, look at these new books!

OMG! I love it when the new book fairy arrives.

So far I adore “The Best of Interweave Knits”, edited by Ann Budd who also authored another new favorite from her getting started series: “Getting Started Knitting Socks”. Like her other books “Getting Started Knitting Socks”, is a library treasure. Clear instructions, beautiful photos, where a knitter can pick any yarn, knit any size, and add any detail to make unique socks. Lovely.

Speaking of socks, “More Sensational Knitted Socks” by Charlene Schurch is a keeper as well. Until this book was printed, I would always tell customers “Sensational Knitted Socks” was my favorite sock book. Now I’ll have two.

Cat Bordhi’s “New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One” is certain to get attention. All of the inspirational designs and ideas make my little brain throb with possibilities. Don’t worry, I assure you like roller coasters, I find it a pleasurable experience.

With so many great books out right now, it might be confusing which one to buy. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. It’s “The Knitting Man(ual)” by PDX design maven Kristin Spurkland. Just look at the pretty:

I know! That sweater is so hot!

The pic at the top is my favorite. As I float off to my “happy place” I imagine the dashing Willoughby snatching me up, cold, wet and injured from the moors, and spiriting me away to his lovely estate where he alternately brews tea and bakes crumpets for me, while he knits this vest. That Willoughby is so handy.

Class Act (or Why I Need a Straight-Jacket)

I want to apologize dear readers for my recent blog near inactivity.

Additionally, I would like to apologize for that last sentence. It doesn’t make sense to me either.

I believe I’ve corralled the sinister beast we call “computer” into submission and now it will show the general public our current class schedule. It’s been a rough 2 weeks surviving without food or sleep during my ordeal, so my language skills aren’t at their best.

I’m finally eating lunch today and I made the decision to eat my tapioca pudding first (why yes I am a reincarnated old man). I figure if I slip into a coma from low blood sugar, I’ll lie in my irreversible torpor appreciating the comforting taste of vanilla as the staff in the long term care hospice gaze at the Mona Lisa-esque smile upon my face and wonder what causes me such pleasure.

With any luck, I’ll not “accidently” throttle the unknowing soul who points out the errors.

Rockin' in the Free World

I would like to introduce everyone to a new knitter, Jessica Ferguson.

She’s so fresh and new, (less than a month in the fold I believe) she still has that new knitter smell on her which is like a new car smell, but with less vinyl.

Jessica now carries the “rockstar” crown because she just completed her second project: a knitted purse. She used the Rowan Big Wool and the ShibuiKnits purse handles. She purchased the retro-cool fabric from Josephine’s. She wisely suckered, uh, er… convinced Sandy Kay to sew the lining in for her.

The life of a rockstar is frought with difficulties. There’s the rampant drug use which ages you beyond your years, the sex scandles, and the unimaginable pressure to maintain (or aquire) winning looks. Issues with the band’s image can destroy you. A rockgodess must ascend all of these tribulations and always project an air of “cool”.

So the reason Jessica is a rockstar is she didn’t cry. As in baseball, there’s no crying in knitting. She believed in

herself even though she’s new to the art and didn’t have any experience or indication she would succeed. There is nothing cooler than believing in your own abilities even when you have good reason to doubt.

Jessica: “Keep on rockin’ in the free world”.

Update: A note from Rockstar Jessica in the comments We'll miss you dear!

Endless Possibilities

I feel like the cat’s pajamas.

I’ve succeeded threefold:

● I’ve created through knitting something functional, yet stylish.

● I’ve convinced my roommate, a.k.a. non-knitter, that knitting is really cool (again).

● I’ve also convinced the non-knitter we need felted throw pillows to be used as extra seating. (I imagine she believed it a bit too “Miss Bates”)

All because I knitted a flower pot sling for our balcony out of hemp.

Now the photos are from my cell phone so they’re awful. I was too chicken to hang over the balcony to show the purse stitch panel that runs from front to back, but I think the linen stitch side panels are visible. Now, take note of the skillful square knot fastening:

Ooo! Aah! Oh!

Right now, I’m so high from my victory, I’m channeling Martha and I think I’ll match the floral notes in the wing-backed chair with the new Schaefer yarn. Perhaps I’ll create a flower or two as accents out of Malabrigo.

The possibilities are endless