Friday, April 25, 2003

 

Do you know how hard it is to take photos of yourself?

I thought I would post some pictures of how I changed the way I hold my yarn to tighten my tension. I decided to make the change after 10 years of knitting, following the advice on someone on knitlist. It worked for me, and might work for someone else. But, even with the timer, I just couldn't take a good photo. I'll see if Craig can take some photos of me tonight, or maybe my daughter who's pretty handy with the digital camera for a four-year-old.

Now that I've changed tension I have to decide what to do with some of my WIPs. Sitcom chic and basic bag are knit the new way; koigu and able are the old way. I will keep koigu the old way because it is mostly done, but able is only about 28 rows done (down 3 needles sizes) so I'm not sure if I should rip it out and start again or just leave it. I'm leaning towards ripping because I think after letting it sit for a month I want to make a clean start with my new style of knitting.

Back to thesis work for me. I haven't done very much this week and I'm getting behind. It turns out my self-imposed deadline for my method chapter:

May 15

is the same day as I have to present a-yet-unprepared paper for a conference at the Centre for Research in Women's Health. So much for taking charge because there's no way I can get both done. But, all is not lost, as this paper will end up being part of my thesis. (Aren't I a pollyanna today?!)

10:43 AM

Thursday, April 24, 2003

 

Things are progressing:

I had a lovely almost-week off for Easter. The weather was lovely, the kids were filled with chocolate and my parents entertained them while I knit.

I've changed the way I hold my yarn (I knit continental/left hand hold style). I now wrap the yarn around my baby finger to increase the tension on the yarn, which has changed my gauge. I used to have to go down 2+ needle sizes to get gauge and now I seem to be right on the needle size (at least for these two projects). It makes swatching easier because I don't have to play: "guess which needle" and knit a bunch of swatches. I'm a self-taught knitter, and have been refining my technique over the years. It's good to know that I can still change for the good. Though, I've got a a sore shoulder from the change--which will hopefully go away. I'll post some pictures of old and new styles soon.

My mother-in-law suggested we go to the Creative Sewing and Needlework show this Sunday. I was going to stay away (all that yarn is TOO tempting) but my husband said to go, find the kilim kit (hope Philosopher's is at the show!) and have a good time. HOORAY. (I don't need his permission, but love the fact that he supports my craft).

I confess I'm not a great stasher. I have a sizable and growing stash, but 99% of the yarn has a purpose already attached to it. I don't buy unless I know what I'm going to do with it. So, instead of a stash, I have a large collection of unstarted projects. I love the idea of yarn that is not predestined, but that seems to go against my nature. Maybe if I keep adding to the stash, I might develop this ability...

10:02 AM