MaggieBKnits

I freely admit that I have been in a massive knitting slump. It is not something that has happened to me often. In fact, I can only think of one other time that I was without knitting for an extended time. I was living in the Philippines, for 3 years-- and if you have dwelt that close to the equator then you have a pretty good idea why there was no wool moving thru my fingers. Actually, since this was before the days of the Internet , email, cell phones, etc, and communication itself was challenging. No, I am not talking clipper ships (I'm a bit younger than that) but obtaining wool by mail order would have been challenging and, honestly, wearing it was inconceivable. I used to phone home twice a year (sometimes only once, at Christmas). I would have called more often but between the international operator challenges (formidable) and the cost ($100, and not exactly a long call) well, let me just say that $100 then was a whole lot of money. A stamp and a letter, while way slower, ...

There has not been a ton of knitting around here, but do have a couple of photos to show you, and I also want to publicly remember a great man on his day. Most people are familiar with MLKjr's "I have a Dream" speech, in DC, and if you have never heard his delivery of this speech, I highly recommend this , to see for yourself... but there was so much more to this wonderful man. Last evening my husband brought down an enormous book called The Essential Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr. Our children looked at it and said, that is just his "essential" writings?? How much was there all together? Well, a lot. His death was a great loss to our entire nation. I am glad we have a day to remember and honor him. Thank you, Dr. King. On another note, here is the sorry state of son #3 sweater: Today I might get some knitting done on it, believe it or not. It is seriously crushing my knitting output. Unless I am in a slump. Say it isn't so. Here is the crumpled stat...

If there is even a faithful reader remaining, you are certainly wondering what in the world I am doing. Not knitting, anyway. At least, not much. I have made some progress on the Brown sweater for son #3. The thing is, it's just so Brown. Flat dull brown, and the yarn feels less luscious than the last Malabrigo and... right. Actually, yes, there is something else I'd rather be working on, but son #3 is dying for his sweater and if he even saw me working on something else... well, he'd realize the sweater is moving into the "when are you going to work on my quilt mommy?" zone. (Notice: not "when are you going to finish it?" but "When are you going to work on it?" Sad, very sad. And I feel a beast. Yes I need to just work on it, but can't I unpack my knitting books first? :)

Merry Christmas, all. Hoping yours was as wonderful as mine. We are now in our new home, it is wonderful and feels like home right from the git-go, and I simply cannot think of anything to be unhappy about. (not like I'm trying to be unhappy or anything.) Room for my stash, my books, my knitted objects, my lace-blocking... oh yeah, and room for my family too! ;) I would like to suggest that moving into a home on December 22 can be a trifle stressful. However, when the home is as yummy as ours, even the stress is nice. I have promised to teach a lace knitting class after we get settled in, and am thinking about first-time lace knitting concepts. Looking for opinions for the following: Good yarn for first project Good concept for first project Remind me to tone down my expectations and class plans, since lace knitting comfort rarely arrives overnight I am thinking of a rectangular shawl (possibly a scarf for the nervous-of-too-big-a-project, quite possibly a very wise position c...

I just got this last night (it got snowed on, but luckily those USPS priority mail envelopes seem to have some Water Repulsion Capability). Yes, it's a Bohus Stickning kit. I purchased it from a friend, who did not want to/have time to knit it. It is my favorite, I think (though it's a tough league-- they are all stunning). Forest Darkness. This picture (of course) does not do the colors justice. Nor, of course, the texture. Half angora. Half Merino. Really, what is not to like in that? I am going to start it in January. My only nagging anxiety is the fineness of the gauge, in combination with the miles, and miles, of black stocking stitch. Not sure how I will deal with that...unless because this yarn is Luxury Personified and who can resist working with it, black or otherwise. Now, I am sure some of you can appreciate my falling off the wagon for a Bohus kit. At least, I would hope so. But what about the other 24 (or thereabouts, what's 5 or 6 more between friends) skei...

Howdy. You'll be glad to know that somehow, despite my yarn fast, and determined reassurance that I have Not Purchased any yarn, something came today. I don't know how these will appear on your screen, but none of them are quite right on mine. Regardless, son #3 says it's the most beautiful yarn in the house, and when are you going to start it, Mommy? I feel like a criminal when I look at the stack of costume sewing I have remaining but, humorously, (he well knows me) he pointed out that there are lots of places we go that the sewing machine can't go, so I can bring his sweater and work on it then... What a cutie. The other funny thing about this yarn is that, to me, it's Ordered Clothing, not really Yarn-- perhaps as a knitter you understand. So when my DH told me "here's the receipt for your yarn order, sweetie," I gacked. "Yarn order? What yarn order? I haven't bought any yarn!" He just looked at me, a bit astonished, and hande...

Knitting done in last 4 days? A big fat Zero. No, not a slump, a time crunch. I have promised (and yes I freely acknowledge that my promise was foolhardy) to make the costumes for a Christmas drama that our church is putting on. Deranged, that's me. One of the actors is not a small man. I have two large bags of fabric staring at me (reproachfully: why have I not yet been cut out?) and a household that is moving into our new house in 16 days, and clearly I am out of my mind. In case you did not already know. No longer knitting on, but looking crabbily at fabric...