Stitch Witch

The trouble with polite knitting… October 14, 2006

Is that eventually you have to finish that project… long after the meeting is over. I am one foot into my polite socks of doom (easily identified by their short row heels).

Fear not, the Birch Leaf socks grow ever longer, their insistent chart instructions are calling me.

OK… and now to not succumb to second sock syndrome. Maybe I will save the next one for the plane ride to Orlando next week.

You think Mickey Mouse knows how to knit?

Polite Knitting: Socktoberfest on the Road October 13, 2006

Just back from a four day gathering (well, actually called a “retreat” but when it is work it does not feel so restful). What a conundrum! My Socktoberfest socks are lacy, and involve a chart. It is one thing to knit in the back of a room full of people when one’s knitting is discrete and small. Sounds perfect for socks, right?

But once we have the addition of a chart, and a stand, and the marking of rows, etc. we have a whole new problem.

There are several ways to ensure that your knitting is polite and nonobtrusive (and thus allowed… which is the most important part).

 1. Pick a project that is relatively small and can be knit from memory. I decided to start another set of the oh-so-polite socks of doom.

2. Always inquire if your knitting will upset anyone. I find a good question sounds something like this: “I find that keeping my hands busy allows me to listen better. Would anyone be offended if I was knitting quietly during our session?” Be sincere. If someone seems like they will be upset, put the knitting away.

3. Make sure you really are listening! Contribute to the conversation, if there is one.

4. Set down your knitting every once in a while. Always do this if you are supposed to be looking at a handout, sharing with a neighbor, or writing something important down.

5. Engage with the speaker. Periodically look up and catch the speaker’s eye. Indicate that you are paying attention either by nodding sagely, or by allowing a questioning look to cross your face.

All of these things and more will ensure that your polite knitting is welcome at these meetings. In all likelihood someone else will bring a ball and two sticks to the next one!

Socktoberfest: ‘Tis the Season October 3, 2006

What is a fallen warrior to do once their time in Sock Wars comes to a close? I was wondering the very same thing, when I discovered Socktoberfest! My first thought of course was that here lay my perfect excuse to start work on some arrrgyle socks… but alas it seems important to maintain my discipline. But when I read Lolly’s suggestion that Socktoberfest might be a good time to finish all those lonely socks in progress…. well! That doesn’t count as a new project right? Clearing out the old to make way for the rebirth of the new is what this season is all about! Plus gratitude for the harvest of course.

 That said, I sat myself down to some painful truthtelling. Other than completing my weapon of doom for  Sock Wars, I have yet to really finish a pair of socks (Note Exibit A above). Even those deliciously soft-looking mulberry colored socks (in Cashsoft… yum!) are not done. I have left them in this sorry state for months! Just awaiting the weaving in of loose ends.

 Oh the scandal.

And that lovely striped sock is lonely… its mate succumbing early to second sock syndrome.

 Why on earth did I bother with all the knitting if I can’t be buggered to finish them off? Well, the truth is that socks have become my polite travel knitting. I first took a class just to learn how to work in the round, not to mention that the use of two circulars fascinated me. But then I realized, as a happily rounded woman who flies a lot for work, that knitting socks allowed me to a) knit on planes b) not have to carry anything terribly bulky when I travel and c) take up less room on the already overcrowded torture tubes with wings.

Sock knitting pulls your arms close to your body and enthralls those around you (who are quite possibly wondering why on earth someone would knit a sock. Ha! Clearly they have yet to experience the delicious comfort of a hand turned heel).

I did have one fabulous plane ride on a puddle jumper (you know, those planes where you would almost be willing to pedal if it would make you feel more confident that the silly buzzing thing would stay in the air). I was seated next to a crocheter in a double seat. We lifted the armrest between us, snugged in for some good fiber work, and had a fabulous time. The flight attendant kept chatting with us, hoping we might make him a sweater in a size medium before the end of the flight. 🙂

 Anyway, last night’s virtual typhoon blew many of the leaves off the trees, heralding the strong presence of Autumn. Would could be better to do post Equinox than knit some warm, snuggly socks?