Tapestry photograph

Sock knitting gone bad

The first time I ever tried knitting socks, I finished the first one and never got fired up about knitting the matching sock. I always make a mistake in my knitting that I turn into a positive, and I think I will remember what I did to personalize the pattern. I usually write it down…on a post-it, or on the pattern, but never written in a way that I will understand when I need the directions again.

I now knit socks as a pair, at the same time, on two sets of double pointed needles. I still make mistakes, but I keep on going back and forth between the two stockings. I have a bad habit of leaving my knitting project on the back of the couch where I spend my knitting time.

Yes, the double pointed knitting needle in my sweet poodles’ hair came out of an active row of knitting on one of the socks. I now face my worst knitting fear…I quiver with apprehension whenever looking to replace a knitting needle in a dropped stitch, much less a whole row of dropped stitches.

In the past I have been known to rip out an entire project to start over rather than try to decipher how to undo the damage. I don’t have that kind of time or patience anymore, and I now am only held back by trying to find a suitably small crochet hook to replace the stitches onto the knitting needle. I still have a hard time keeping the knits and purls going in the correct direction…

Crazy Quilt

Yarns of many distinctions

Last winter’s spinning and dyeing ready for a project or two…

Alpaca at the door.

Winter is around the corner, and now is the time to plan for the cold weather by knitting a luxurious Alpaca sweater or shawl.

Spinning on a summer day

I taught myself to spin with a home made drop spindle. It takes patience and plenty of interest in the subject to keep going and improve your drawing and spinning capabilities.

When starting on my antique spinning wheel I was unable to treadle and draw the Alpaca top fast enough. This is akin to patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time.

I’ve come a long way in spinning singles and plying, but there is always something new to learn.