Writing and Knitting in South Louisiana

FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2010

2010-03-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

I have a KNITTING JOURNAL-and I write in it as often as I blog...Ah ha you say...that often, huh? So, right now I am looking thru my journal to refresh my memory. Since finishing the lacy baby blanket ( a friend has since advised on how to post non-gigantic pictures, hopefully some of those little bitty pics will follow) I have finished other small knitting projects-Whoo Hoo! Remember those gloves? Well, they are just a memory, because I ripped them! That's me, the expert frogger. I couldn't help it! Those tiny bamboo needles were poking so forlornly out of my knitting bag...I knew I wasn't going to finish them. And when I took a KNOTTY glove class at The House of Yarn in Broussard, Louisiana, I knew the first pair of gloves were history.

I probably, more than likely, pretty sure, have said I have an aversion to multiple projects. OK-I have to take that back. If I turn around now I would be looking at my knitting bag with not one, but two on-going knitting projects! ( one more at home) And two more project bags awaiting a start in my large knitting tote-which by the way- the husband says weighs a ton as he hefted it out of the car last night. Oh, and before I forget-the Knotty gloves were done on the magic loop-and I like it!

Projects completed: (not in order)

1. Knotty gloves in Happy Feet yarn by the Plymouth Yarn Co. in a smoky blue
2. Ribbed fingerless gloves using Brown Sheep Nature Spun worsted weight in Bordeaux ( I love Brown sheep yarn!)
3. Baby pink eyelash yarn boa scarf ( the yarn was a yard sale find)
4. Red heart scarf using color 39 red by Sierra
5. Knitting for the troops: One black helmet liner-using Cascade superwash
6.) Self-striping socks that my daughter claimed right off the needles
7.) Wam Bam Thank You Lamb chunky cowl (http://www.ravelry.com/) using Lion Brand Chunky yarn in black-gave to same daughter who stole socks....hmmm....

On the needles:

1.) Using gray Baby Alpaca in worsted weight: fingerless gloves in the pattern TOASTY ( http://www.ravelry.com/)
2.) Toe up, two at a time socks, knitting using the magic loop-and Sockin' Sox yarn in blue and grays by Plymouth Yarn
3.) a KAL at The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company using the Scalloped Shells pattern from the Book: Ocean Breezes-knitted scarves inspired by the sea By: Sheryl Thies.

Well, that's not too bad now that I see it in writing-I think it's the projects that are lined up like little soldiers waiting their turn that might be what's making me feel a tad bit overwhelmed:

1.) Purple and gold yarn for a pair of LSU spiral socks (see previous post with note on being a hopeless sock knitter)
2) Cream colored Cascade yarn for the Martha Stewart Knitted Neck Scarf (http://www.marthastewart.com/)
3) A green on green ear flap hat for son in law using Cascade yarn and the THORPE earflap pattern (also from http://www.ravelry.com/)

Last but not least: Never leave home without your knitting bag! ( I did once-and it wasn't good) tote that tote with you-you never know when you'll get a knitting moment. And thanks to Amy at The House of Yarn and all my new knitting friends-2010 IS the year I'll become a better knitter.

Next time I'll report in on some charity knitting The House of Yarn is participating in...

Writing

I thought for awhile that I might be in a writing slump-I had alot of self doubt and thought about giving it up-then the writing assignments poured in! My doubt all started when my February submission to Acadiana Moms wasn't in the issue, and I didn't know why. But it popped up in the March issue-it is titled The Blue Bird of Happiness. I sent in my column for their April issue about Surviving an Empty Nest-pick up a copy to see how I coped!

Acadiana Lifesyle Magazine editor Cheryl made me feel better without even knowing she was helping when she called my ad writing for their March progress report section "poetry." She's such a peach! Check out the publication at: http://www.acadianalifestyle.com/. It's a great magazine chock full of good articles and information. I have a CPR article coming out in the April issue and for May Cheryl was nice enough to ask me to write a piece on Moms with Special Kids-be on the look out.

Sevie, my editor at 008 Magazine, asked if I'd become a feature writer for them. I've been writing for them for a couple of years now-and of course I agreed! I wrote about Doggie Dental Care and the Golf Digest for the March/April issue. The piece I finished on grass-yes, I said grass, as in your front lawn, will appear in the May/June issue along with a Horse feature and a neat new sports gadget piece ( my lips are sealed-you'll have to pick up an issue to find out what it is!) and the latest in pets-Toads and frogs-of the mini kind! Visit http://www.008magazine.com/ to read on-line these articles and lots more good stuff!

Happy writing

lynn

Writing and Knitting January 2010

2010-01-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

It is apparent I'm not a prolific or dedicated blogger. Kind of had a few technical issues with the blogger address-self-induced, of course. Then it was the fact that I didn't sit down to write. So, I'm trying again. In 2009 (I think) I vowed to become a better knitter. Slowly I have worked on this, intermingled with some crocheting, a whole lot of reading, four grandsons, a full time job and a freelance writing career I'd like to work on expanding.

How have I worked on knitting, you ask? Besides the spiral socks, I knit a garter stitch baby blanket using a free pattern from Lion Brand. I had some camouflage yarn in a beige/white/brown combo (hey, I have four grandsons! I'm bound to have some camo yarn) anyhoo, it wasn't working out as socks, go figure-see previous note to self- so when we found out our niece was having a boy-you can be proud now- I decided to knit a baby blanket instead of crocheting one. I have to say it came out really nice and matched her color scheme of brown and green nicely, too. I started another pair of spiral socks for the hubby, but I don't like the yarn, so they have gone nowhere. (I can't not knit socks, I'm doomed to be a sock knitter.)Recently bought more sock yarn...just fyi

Then my sister -in -law found out she was pregnant with baby number three. Yep, I started another knitted blanket. It's a girl. Getting a little braver I invested in a good pair of Addi-Turbo circular needles. I listened to advice from mom:

"Buy a good set of needles, honey" Words to live by.

Boy, was she right. But before I could start knitting, I had to sift through the ten thousand (slight exaggeration) patterns I have amassed. I'd run across what looked like a simple knitted lace blanket pattern when looking for a crochet pattern for a grandson's blanket. I eventually dug the pattern out of the pile and with new needles in hand and white baby yarn, I started. It took me awhile to memorize the pattern row, but once I did this pattern works up to a beautiful piece that looks more complicated than it really is. And I've only had to rip up twice! (note: don't knit and gab or knit and watch exciting TV while working on this pattern-you might have to rip up) It's been mentioned to me this pattern resembles the feather and fan pattern. You can get the pattern I'm using and others from: http://www.projectlinus.org/ or read below:

All Purpose Knitted Afghan

I am using a size 9 circular needle with Bernat Softee baby yarn in white, and cast on as directed for the smaller size.

Materials Needed:
40 oz. 4-ply worsted weight yarn for large afghan, size 10 circular needles

Directions:
For large afghan cast on 210 sts, for a small one cast on 144 stitches. Pattern is a multiple of 11 sts+1

Row 1: K 1,*yo, k3, k2 tog, k2 tog, k3, yo, k1. Repeat from * to end.

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: Knit

Repeat rows 1-3 until desired length.

I love yarn. I probably don't love it as much as some, but I have a healthy "stash" However, very few of these yarns are noteworthy by today's standards. I am just now diving into the world of Malabrigo, Rowan, and other exciting yarns. My first love is wool (but I'm learning to love others-it's easy!) but I was discouraged for years because I thought wool was a winter weather yarn (Norway-cold-snow-ice)Ha! I found out I can satisfy my need to knit with wool because of all these lovely wool and wool blends, and I can still live in South Louisiana. In fact, the The Vermilion Bay Light the newsletter for one of our fabulous Acadiana yarn shops, The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company(VBYC), had a column in their latest newsletter titled Wooly Misconceptions. When In Acadiana stop by, say hey! and buy some yarn from one or more of our yarn shops. You can never have enough yarn, right?

The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company
2100 Verot School Rd Suite 8
Lafayette, La 70508
ph 337-216-4564
http://www.vermilionbayyarn.blogspot.com/ or visit them on face book

The House of Yarn
3711 W. Pinhook Rd Suite B
Broussard, La 70518
ph 337-839-0006
http://www.houseofyarn.com/

The Yarn Nook
321 Oil Center Dr
Lafayette, La 70503
ph 337-593-8558
http://www.yarnnook.com/

Gloves

Moving along with the knitting I saw an announcement in The Vermilion Bay Light that they were having a glove knitting class. Should I? Dare I? After all gloves have fingers that have to be knit...separately...tiny little fingers. I did! Well, I signed up. Glove making class went well...until I got to the fingers part...let's just say I have two gloves knit one with two fingers and a partial thumb, and one with partial thumb, no fingers(yet) knit...moving slowly...I'm afraid of those small finger parts, I can't seem to get comfortable with the small needles. One good thing that came out of class...I now own a nifty set of size two bamboo needles. My next pair is gonna be those fingerless pairs I'm seeing so many patterns for. I wonder if there's a reason fingerless gloves are so popular? Hmmm...

More knitting projects

My next class at the VBYC was Fair Isle baby booties. What the heck, I thought. I've been knitting simple garter stitch booties for years. I bought some really nice Rowan 100% cotton in gooseberry (green) and bleached (white) With the first bootie I wasn't comfortable with changing the colors, but by the second I had it down pat. I actually knit both booties, sewed them up and made the cord for each. One finished project!

At the VBYC the other day I saw a neck scarf displayed on their finished goods table. I had just made a note to myself to look for a "lotus leaf" neck scarf pattern. And what was this? Yep, a lotus leaf neck scarf! What luck! And when I asked about the yarn used? Designer yarn by Kaffe Fassett for Rowan called Colourscapes. Wow. I bought a raspberry hank. Then the next week I was talking to my mom and without me mentioning anything she said: "well, there's a man who's a knitting designer, Kaffe Fassett, he's known for his colorful sweaters." What a coincidence! "I know now," I replied "I'm looking at one of his yarns as we speak."

More on wool....Brown Sheep makes a wonderful wool...I bought a ball in "army" green, although it looked brown at home, and knit a neck gator to send to the troops. This peaked the knitting interest of my daughter, who hadn't knit a stitch since her grandmother taught her 17 years ago! "I want to do that too," she said. (knit for th troops) So out came practice yarn and needles. And for her it was like riding a bike. She remembered everything, like she hadn't had a hiatus at all. When I told her grandmother (my mom) she said: Well, she's a natural, when I taught her I could tell." It's doesn't hurt that there is "designer" yarns, cute, up -to -date patterns, and knitting accessories either to keep her interested.

To get the free patterns for Project Helmet Liner visit: http://www.citizensam.org/

I want to try to track my knitting projects and my knitting progress for 2010. We will see...will those gloves ever get fingers? How about those Selbu socks mom knit and sent and all I have to do is finish a toe? Will the hubby ever own a pair of spiral socks to call his own? Only time will tell.

Writing

I was lucky enough to pitch an article idea to my editor at Acadiana Lifestyle on maybe running a knitting article. And they accepted! Look for the February 2010 issue of Acadiana Lifestyle and my article: That Knitting Craze. I also submitted to my February Acadiana Moms column- The Way I See It -about the Blue Bird of happiness...well, you'll have to read it to understand. Also February brings the Feb/March issue of 008 Magazine where I wrote about the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary and also contributed to the magazine's outdoor section with an article on doors. I have done some book reviews for Louisiana Book News, and contributed book reviews as a guest reviewer to The Daily Advertiser so far this year. Chere Coen, the Writers Guild of Acadiana's VP, is author of Louisina Book News and has a book column at the newspaper. She allows me to help out from time to time. And then there is blogging...

Happy writing and knitting...read a little, too.

And I did make an "old-fashioned" baby cape that I gave as a gift-but it was crocheted, so I really can't tell you about it because this is a knitting blog...but it was really cute! and it had pompoms...

Knitting March 2009

2009-03-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Not much knitting has happened since the last post. Our new "knitting group" is still in the beginning stages. A few e-mails have gone back and forth, but no definite date, time or place has been decided on. But it's a start.

I've been knitting small things. I did finish the spiral socks in camoflauge yarn. We call them "sleep socks" at home. I have "orders" for more. Note to self: boy was camo yarn hard to follow the spiral pattern on. Suggestion: thread a darning needle with contrasting yarn and move the thread up at your pattern starting point as you go. That's what I'm doing on my next pair, instead of trying to eyeball it.

In addition to the camo socks I knit two pairs of booties that I gave away. On pair in that lime green yarn I had left over from a blanket I made. Boy, has that leftover yarn come in handy-not only did I make a pair of sleep socks with it I used it to make a simple pair of garter stitch booties. It is washable and a funky enough color to give a basic bootie an updated feel. I have plenty left. I'll report in on what else gets knit up in some funky lime green yarn. Tip: try using some unusual colors for your baby knits, orange, lime green and red are just some.

There are several really cute and simple free bootie patterns on the Lion Brand Yarn web site. I made their t-strap bootie in red and it came out really cute and girlie. Visit http://www.lionbrand.com/ and look for their pattern tab. You might have to register to start getting their e-news letter and access their patterns. But it's worth it.

My cable bag is a bust-the yarn is too dark to "see" the cables as I go-and also I'm NOT that accomplished of a knitter. And the yarn cries out to be knit in a seed stitch-so I' m fiddling with that. I can see why there can be so many UFOs-unfinished projects-it's easy to get excited about a new yarn and then fizzle out when some other exciting new project comes along.

I have a knitting bag, but I also have a crochet bag. I also have a project bag (I'm using the clear plastic zipper bag comforter sets come in) that holds small balls of yarn and a bunch of black yarn given to me by my husband's cousin. What do you do with a bunch of inexpensive black yarn and a bag of yarn leftovers? You crochet granny squares! Yep, I'm back at it. I crocheted up about 40 of those little darlin's a few years ago before I pooped out. Well, the granny square project is back on again! Okay-I have too many oars in the water-so I won't tell you about my applique class yesterday and my shade garden project-two totally unrelated things to knitting.

Can I say crochet on a knitting blog?

Writing March 2009

2009-03-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Remember I said I might not be a dedicated blogger. March is almost over and I'm just now getting around to my March posting. Not only have I managed to mess up my blogger address, I can't seem to fix it-that's probably because I don't know what I'm doing. I have hope (a little) but not much because the "help centers" designed to answer all our questions-are basically no help. I need an e-mail address to send my dilemma to. So, don't GOOGLE me-because I ain't there-and yes, I said ain't.

Anyhoo, that was my frustrated rant for the day. Actually I am writing to talk about writer's block. If you are stuck, not a word flows from head to fingertips, then try jump starting your "serious" writing by updating your blog or sending e-mails to family and friends. This gets the creative juices going! Trust me, it works.

Article writing advice

If you sit frozen in front of a blank computer screen, stumped for your first words. Don't fret. Don't have a title? Type: Hey, I don't have a title for this. It will come to you later. Don't know where to begin? Just start! You're the only one looking at your work-no one else needs to know about all the corrections and paragraph rearranging. In writing articles, I just jump right in. 9 out of 10 times my beginning paragraphs are either deleted or moved somewhere else in the piece. Don't worry about writing "in order" just write and rearrange as needed. When writing an article allow yourself enough time to let the piece rest a couple of days. Then look at it again with "fresh" eyes. You'll be (pleasantly) surprised after a little rearranging and tweeking you have a finished piece.

Don't get discouraged if after all your hard work your editor "rearranges" and adds/ deletes to your piece. That's their job-they edit for space and content! I always re-read my submitted article in published form to make note of any changes to form and content. This makes me a better writer.

Now I have to go work on an article for 008 Magazine, and when that's complete I have interviews and research for an Acadiana Lifestyle assignment on the upcoming Airfest in New Iberia.

Check out the April issue of Acadiana Moms for my The Way I See It column titled: The Reading Gene

Happy Writing!

Knitting February 2009

2009-02-19T10:14:00.000-08:00

Well, my knitting class is coming to an end on Saturday, 2/21/2009. I'm to pick out a project to work on before I leave. I am coveting one of those cable knitted bags (purse) more on the larger side than small. I'm thinking dark gray tweedy type yarn... not sure of the handles yet... I need something to tote all my junk around in. Even though I already knew how to knit and purl...cast on...cast off...increase...decrease...and cable...the art of reading a knitting pattern eluded me. I could kinda figure it out...but never really felt secure that what I thought was right was right...thus the class.

In class I did learn a few things: I learned how to do a knit cast on-that's handy, and I've been practicing. Also some explanations in knitting patterns are "assumed." No wonder I was having trouble! Techniques and abbreviations are not made clear, but are instead assumed you would know the correct way to SSK-Duh...no! I'm on the right track now, with help from the class instructors. I do have a better understanding of patterns-the ladies at the shop are trying really hard.

What I wasn't expecting was that while in class I feel goofy and stupid-two feelings I really don't like. Therefore, I don't say much but quietly knit and pay attention. I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but I do know it wasn't what I found. I am getting better, but I'm still not at ease. I know it will take time and lots of practice. I have just finished knitting some cotton wash cloths from a class pattern. Hey, they were easy and fun to make!

Give it a try:

BASIC DISHRAG ( from http://majorknitter.typepad.com-free/ knitting patterns)

Requirements
1 ball of knitted worsted weight cotton ( sugar 'n' cream)50 gram size Size 9-10 1/2 needles
Directions:
Row 1: knit one row
Row 2: K2, YO ( yarn over) Knit to the end of the row
Repeat row 2 until there are 40 stitches (for the dish scrubber) or 50 stitches for a face cloth
Next Row: K1, K2tog (knit 2 together), YO, K2tog, knit to the end of the row
Continue decreasing until 4 stitches left. Cast off

My mother, the expert knitter-if only I could be half as good as she- advised to try Norwegian patterns She has been knitting since she was 5 years old from Norwegian patterns-so it comes easy to her. When I asked why she started knitting at five she explained: "It was out of necessity, honey!" So think about a five year old knitting to have mittens, socks, scarves and sweaters to wear, because she had to. Now she knits because she wants to, and because along the way it became-what we are all seeking-a pleasurable way to pass the time. And at the end you have a beautifully hand knit item, too.

My Spiral Sock Story

Mom sent a Norwegian pattern ( and a knitted example) of a spiral sock. I decided to jump in with both feet and try my hand at knitting spiral socks. (Heck, I'd just mastered dish rags!) And I did it! I read the (Norwegian) pattern and knitted the sock-I 'd look at the example sock to make sure I was on track until I got to the toe. After reading the pattern, staring at the toe, reading the pattern, staring at the toe...you get the idea...I finished my first spiral sock. It's done in bright lime green yarn withtwo pieces of blue yarn( used as toe markers) that make the creation look like a green frog with droopy blue eyes ( I haven't removed the markers yet.) I did call my knitting help desk ( that would be mom in Tempe) and explained what I did with the toe, and ask if it was correct. Have you ever tried getting knitting help over the phone?

"t looks almost like your (sock toe)," I said-as I read from the pattern to her.
"You read the pattern?" she said "I just finished off the toe like a regular sock"
Aha!
Yep, I read the pattern and this is what I did-I explained about how I knitted the two stitches together.
"That's how your grandmother does it, too" she said.
She also does sweater shoulders the same way I was told. For some reason that was a piece of information I know I'll always remember. I know every time now I finish a spiral sock toe knitting two stitches together-I'll think of grandma.

2009 is the year I become a better knitter

Writing February 2009

2009-02-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I don't write every day-it's true. Sunday I had the chance to sit down at the computer to write uninterrupted-instead the hubby and I watched movies while I knitted. (more of that later) For those interested my article on Greg Guirard-Preserve Cajun Heritage-in the February 2009 issue of Acadiana Lifestyle came out great thanks to fabulous editor Cheryl Robichaux! If you have a chance to pick up a copy I hope you enjoy the magazine-it is a great publication-filled with lots of useful information and great articles.

I need to write and submit before March 15th my column for Acadiana Moms. I am debating topics-as usual-but you can count on family being featured. 008 Magazine asked me to write about indoor set up trends for 2009-now I am inspired to do a little interior decorating! Look for the March/April issue. And if you are interested in recipes for your favorite poochie pooh-check out the mag's Rrrecipe section especially for pets!

On another note-I have been procrastinating-I really need to try to write on a subject/topic not assigned-and submit to other (major) magazines. I am getting better because I have pitched ideas to my local editors that they have accepted, but I have not ventured beyond my comfort zone. Thanks to the girls-yes that's you-Rhegan and Mindy-who stepped up to bat with article topic ideas. Ok-Mindy-the "let me go ask my aunt what she thinks," might not count. Needless to say-the brain waves just started working one day-and I saw article possibilities everywhere! (Or maybe I just woke up when the coffee kicked in) But the article ideas have not left the lists I have compiled! My fault-I am scared. So, if you want to write me words of encouragement to get me going into the big black abyss of freelance writing-outside the state of Louisiana-come on down!

That's all for my writing world-I will interview my mother who is a wealth of knitting, weaving and quilting knowledge and write about her....soon.

To read 008 Magazine go to: www.008magazine.com

And Acadiana Moms has a great on line forum for moms at: acadianamomslikeme.com

Knitting January 2009

2009-01-04T13:06:00.000-08:00

I decided since I was so slick about combining two blogs into one: writing and knitting, I would at least put separate titles. For all of those out there copied on the original knitting group e-mail-here's the scoop:

ULL Potpourri is offering a Knitting 411 class starting January 31-February 21 Course# 600013 and the fee is $75.00. Option 1: Monday 1-3 pm Option 2: Saturday 10 am-12 pm Phone: 337-482-6386 or http://www.ce.louisiana.edu/

I am treating myself for my birthday to this course. (Option 2)I need help with reading patterns. This course teaches the knit and purl stitch, reading patterns, casting off and more. I hope after this course we can start meeting on a monthly basis as our own knitting group. I will blog our escapades. Whoo whoo!

Of course, taking the class is not needed to start our knitting group, this is just something I want to do so I can become a better knitter.

Report in your thoughts on the class

writing January 2009

2009-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog! We are just back from the Bayou Writers Group (BWG)meeting. That meant a road trip and gab fest for Mindy, Rhegan and I. We weren't our normal gabbing selves so I only have about three note book pages of to do's, reminders, and self-imposed deadlines. Crazy business. But we love it! Speaking of things to do-learing to knit better in 2009 is on my list, not the dreaded R list(resolutions) more like stuff I want to try to accomplish. Starting a knitting blog was on my "to do" list for 2009-so I just combined the two. Pretty slick, ha?

Look out girls-I'll be emailing the "assignments," reminders and other good stuff

By the way the BWG says blogging is the way to go. I'll give it a shot but won't promise anything

I just finished an interview with Greg Guirard for an article due 1/14 for Acadiana Lifestyle Magazine on preserving the Cajun culture through pictures. Then on the 15th my column is due for Acadiana Moms. So, let's not hear any complaining about deadlines out there. I don't have a word written and notes from heck. My column is about family, and family gives you lots to write about. Just when I think there aren't possibly any more topics-I'm choosing between two or three. Watch for the February issue of Acadiana Moms and see what I picked and let me know what you think.