Work in a Library . . . Keep it up at home!

So there I sat this morning . . . with my knitting and my coffee. I guess my impatience started to surface because I started to think about what to knit next. No, my sweater is not done. The front is, and I am halfway up the back. Yes, I know it will need 2 sleeves. Yes, I also know this is how those UnFinished Objects . . . aka, UFO's are created! But still . . . there went my mind thinking ahead.

So I then decided to take a look at my favorites and my queue on Ravelry. Well that was a mistake! Not only did it remind me of all the things I want to knit . . . but hey, how come I didn't post the baby sweater I just knitted? How come I didn't post the sweater I made for Judy, and those fleece-lined mittens? 

Then I looked at my library. How come I don't have all my pattern books/booklets added? I mean, really. You should see my bill filing system. All labeled with a label maker, alphabetical order (duh, of course!), and even color coded folders. So how did I get to be such a slacker with my knitting books? For heaven's sake . . . I work in a LIBRARY!! 

So I perched myself on the floor (carefully of course so I wouldn't spill my coffee), and added all the books/booklets that were missing to my Ravelry library. I feel much better now.

Wouldn't you? All my Norah Gaughan's are together, all my sock books are together. I know, I know. You would think a library worker would have them arranged in alphabetical order by author. I chose instead to just make up my own personal Dewey system. But the great thing about a Ravelry library is you can just re-arrange them however you want, whenever you want!

Go ahead. Check out my Ravelry library. I am Plymouthkaren. It's very organized.

If you haven't gone on Ravelry yet . . .well, OMG!! What are you waiting for? It's like Facebook for knitters . . . only better . . . 'cuz, . . . well it's knitting!

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.
(And of course, keep your books organized!)

Talk About Last Minute . . .

Starry Night Hat by Vibeke Langerud
 - a free pattern on Ravelry!

I've done it . . . I've done what I say every year I will not do!
I started a scarf and hat last week. At least I was somewhat smart enough to use bulky yarn - so the scarf is done. It's a simple infinity loop done in seed stitch.

Here's the hat . . . if I go home and hide upstairs in my bedroom, I can get the last 10 rows done  . . . then quickly wrap it before the recipient arrives at the house! (Can't I??)

Happy Holidays to you and yours!!

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

You Know You're A Knitter When . . .

Are you still thinking about how knitting fits into your life? For many people knitting starts out as a hobby. A great way to make a scarf to match your new coat, a sweater for your daughter's American Girl Doll or Bella Gloves for your Twilight fan. These are 'people who knit'. For others it's a little bit more . . . these are 'knitters'.

If you're not sure which group you are in, well, here's a few clues. You know you're a knitter . . . 

. . . when you start to plan your vacations around the locations of knitting shops. 

. . . when you see a scarf in Macy's that you like and you not only think "I can make that", but you stop and count how many stitches there are and start to write down the pattern on a scrap of paper. 

. . . when you don't see a problem in having 3 or 4 pairs of the same needle size because you know someday you could have a different project going on each of them.

. . . when you would give a stranger from the subway station a cashmere cabled sweater instead of a cherished family member "who will just throw it on the floor".

. . . when you fall in love with a beautiful hand-painted colorway, purchase the yarn, knit the sweater and then buy the outfit to go with it. 

. . . when you leave baskets of yarn out "just so you can look at them".

. . . when you go on Ravelry "for a few minutes" and then realize the sun has set and people are wondering where dinner is.

 Hmm . . . when did you realize you were a knitter? Let me know.

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

Favorite Websites

When you work in a library there is always this compulsion to make lists. Lists of your favorite books, lists of mystery writers, lists of MA authors . . . it goes on and on. 

So here is the beginning of a list of my favorite knitting websites.



http://www.knittersreview.com/ 
http://www.twistcollective.com/2013/fall/magazinepage_01.php?nr=0 
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEdf13/index.php 
https://www.ravelry.com/account/login 
http://www.berroco.com/
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/


Let's share the list . . .  add your favorites to it!

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