Puzzling Jigsaw Tangles

Thursdays are "Puzzling Thursdays" at the library. You can come in and work on part of a huge crossword puzzle, fiddle with a rubics cube or work on a jigsaw puzzle. When it's not a Thursday, the jigsaw puzzle is stored in the staff room.

Here is where I become puzzled. I have seen my co-workers spend their break, lunch and even go home late to stay and work on this jigsaw puzzle. They stand in front of it carefully scrutinizing, straightening and strategically moving around these small pieces. They do this for a long time. Then, they triumphantly turn around and announce to me "I got a piece in!" Really? Really? I confess I just don't understand it and can't quite share their enthusiasm. Don't they know how many rows they could have knitted on a project in the length of time it took them to latch one small piece next to another small piece?

Admit it. It has happened to you, hasn't it?
It's a challenge any knitter would tackle.
Spend hours untangling - as opposed to
cutting and having another end to weave in

Then this morning I had a little 'ahah' moment. Someone gave me a skein of yarn that needed to be use double-stranded for a project. There was a tangle in it that of course became worse during the transport home. Did I cut the yarn like any sane person would do? No. I spent (no, I won't even tell you how long I spent), untangling this mess. I sat there drinking my coffee working loops through loops, keeping it loose so it would not knot, following the path of yarn into the black hole of the tangle . . . and yes, it was relaxing, soothing and stimulating all at the same time. It was a bit of a  brain
                                                           test. I would not let this mess get the
                                                           best of me.

Then it hit me. This was my jigsaw puzzle! It's just that mine is made of yarn and can be picked up. Now when my co-workers happily connect those little squares of 1" cardboard pieces I will silently root for them. (Silently . . . because I wouldn't want to disturb their concentration.)

If you can, come in on Thursday and help them out with the puzzle.

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber. (Yes, sometimes literally in fiber!).

Sock Knit-a-Long #4

I'm still working away on my sock. When my mind starts to wander, I let myself daydream and try and imagine the kingdom of Henry VIII. I'm glad I wasn't the one to knit the socks he wore at the end of his reign (I'm also glad I wasn't one of his wives!). If he gained the weight history claims . . . well, that would take me a long time on my little double-pointed needles. 

While you are working on your sock, check-out Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.
She provides a great background on the evolution of hand-knit socks and patterns. When you're ready to try different types of heels and toes designs, her book will give you lots of options. There are also patterns for everything from a plain man's winter sock to a fancy infant's sock. Check it out. It's a great read for any sock lover.

click here to place a hold



Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

Sock Knit-a-Long #3

I've been knitting on my sock in the morning while I have my coffee. I have about 2 inches done.

 How about you? Do you have a few inches on your needles? Are you nervous that it might not fit? 

Here's a tip -
     Place all your stitches on a piece of scrap yarn. Tie the ends of the scrap yarn in a knot.





Now put your foot through it. If your ankle won't make it through, then you need to rip it out and start again with more stitches. (Better to find out now than when your sock is all done!) If your ankle fits through - put the stitches back on your needles and knit on without any worries!



 


Go ahead and keep knitting in the round in a K2P2 pattern for 6"-7", depending on how long you want you sock leg to be.

While you're knitting I thought I'd show you some of the sock books we have at the library.

Here's an excellent one. Nice basic instructions (with great photos). It's a great reference book if you are just starting with socks, but it also has some patterns with lace and cables if you want to be a little fancy!



to place a hold click here



More instructions for our sock knit-a-long and sock books to follow!

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

One day Suzanne* stopped at the circulation desk and asked me if I was familiar with Twist Collective. Since I wasn't, I quickly went on-line to check it out.

Wow! It's an on-line magazine that has instructional articles and some great patterns. (Wait, it's a FREE on-line magazine!) The patterns include everything from fingerless gloves to cowls, shawls and sweaters. The patterns are purchased and down loaded individually. No more buying a whole book for just one project!

Don't worry if you hadn't heard of it either . . . . they have back issues available. Check it out. 

Twist Collective

*Suzanne works in our reference department and she is also a knitter. One of her many responsibilities is purchasing the craft books for the library. (Can you imagine a job where you have to buy knitting books?!). She has selected some great ones!!
Come in and check out the collection and meet Suzanne. She's a great knitter, she's nice  . . . and also she also wears great shoes.

Until the next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

Since it was Labor Day weekend, I decided to labor all weekend on my shawl. It was a little easier with an audio book to listen to . . . . but I still have about 20 repeats to go. (ugh!!)

Hopefully I'll finish it this weekend and then I'll be able to start the cowl without any guilt!

Hmm . . . do you think I have to finish blocking it before I can start the cowl?

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.               

My latest project is a Lingering Doubts Shawl, designed by Gabi Bolland. 

I'm using Pediboo sock yarn from Frog Tree. The pattern is a 6 row repeat with a row of purl after each lace row. I used some of my brain cells to memorize the pattern, but now it's firmly etched in my brain . . . and I realize I have 47 more repeats to do.  (Can you hear my heavy sigh?)

I also have a pile of Jo Sharp yarn that I thought would make a great cowl using the linen stitch. Do you see where I'm going with this? I am on the verge of creating a UFO. The infamous 'unfinished object'. 

Maybe I'll get an audio book at the library today. I'll listen to Harlan Coben or Janet Evanovich tell me a story while I knit away on my shawl . . . and I won't start the cowl. . . I'll let you know if it works. 

Any advice? What do you do when you get tired of a project?

From the Library's Shelves

I've gradually been working on my bucket list. I still need to see the Grand Canyon, be able to make Boston baked beans from scratch, keep a plant  in the house for more than one year without killing it and finish the Knitting Guild of America's Master Hand Knitting program.

But then one day at the library I noticed Knitter's Life List by Gwen W. Steege. I quickly checked it out. Suddenly my bucket list was 320 pages long! The book has everything from a who's who in the knitting universe to descriptions of every fiber you could ever knit with. Add to that, technique instructions, tons of tips and yes, a check-off list for anything that could possibly be on your knitting bucket list.

Don't worry, I returned the book right away. This was one I had to have in my own library. Go ahead, go to the library and check it out. Let me know if you also return it right away and buy your own copy.

left click here to place a hold on the book. 

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.