Worsted...What the Heck is That?

As a newbie knitter. you walk into a yarn store and want to buy yarn. The sales person asks you about gauge and weight of yarn...Huh? The pattern says worsted...what the heck does that mean?

Knitting terms can be confusing..dk, aran, 16 stitches to 4", bulk, super bulky, gauge...There are many basic charts on the internet that will help you become more familar with the standards set by the Craft Yarn Council of America
 http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html  The chart lays out the different names used through the ages by different countries and the numbers that now go with them.

The term worsted originally comes from the 12th century weaving industry in Worstead England. It is also a term used for the carding of wool and the spinning of wool and the subsequent fabric made from it. Interesting but not relevant for the knitter who wants to know what size needles she needs and what yarn to buy.
In the end, its quite simple, its about creating a fabric that you like that will work with the pattern that you have chosen.If the pattern calls for a 4.5 mm needle and the fabric is too tight, then you are best to go up a needle size, and consequently if it is too loose go down. Making a swatch may seem silly or unnecessary, but it helps test the yarn you have chosen to see  if it works and mostly importantly whether you like it.  In the end its sillier to knit a whole garment to find out you don't like it or it doesn't fit.

What Colour Are You?

Yesterday, I was blue and red, You were green and yellow, She was pink and purple, He was brown and green, They were black and red.

Today, I am pink and purple, You are red and blue, She is yellow and blue, He is red and pink, They are brown and orange.

Tomorrow, I will be yellow and orange, You will be brown and pink, She will be black and green, He will be blue and yellow, and They will be white and pink.

What colour are you?

People, though they may look different and believe different things are all human beings made of flesh and soul and spirit. The idea that your life does not affect mine is for me an illusion and construe of society to allow bad things to happen to justify the concept of the greater good. I believe that even though you live in a far away country and I have no visible relationship to you...your life affects mine in the matrix of mankind. The reality that you live will change the reality that I live in and vice versa.

Random acts of kindness

 This is the bench, that the people who own Sunrise Vineyards, put beside the bus stop that is in front of their driveway. I stand at this bus stop numerous times in the week, the only lady in my neighbourhood who does, and was awed by the presence of this bench.  I saw the gentleman on Thursday and thanked him for putting it there and he said that he sees people standing at the stop and thought it would be a good idea..
Yess...its a good idea and thank you for putting it there. Since I live in a neighbourhood where people don't take the bus, the bus stop is...like on the side of the road...and if the bus driver sees you and stops that's great. One day I was wearing a hot

 pink top and an orange skirt and he drove right by me....he did hear my screams and eventually stopped.
Anyway, thank you Mr. Mueller for your random act of kindness.
p.s. Luka wasn't really that grumpy, it was 8 a.m. but the weather was warm and the view was great and in the end...life isn't that bad

Knit a Hat a Week

 I had this idea that I could knit a hat a week for a year. That way I would end up with 52 hats, most of which I probably don't need. I love to knit hats. They are easy and small and fun. They fit in your purse, you can do them on the bus, or while waiting for an appointment. I work in a well stocked yarn store and there is no way I could possibly make something out of all the variety that there is in the store. If I knit hats, I can try all the yarns I want to try and I haven't invested a ton of money or time and it satisfies my sanguine nature. One day it will be pink, the next day blue.... or whatever I want.
I consider this Hat #2 as last week I made the baby hat out of my handspun.
This hat is also my own design which I posted on Ravelry
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pink-passion-hat

Trading Talents

 Amy and I did a trade. I loved her Tulip vases and she my hats, so we each made what we are good at and shared it with the other. The trade happened at the Art of Yarn, so we didn't have any tulips. I thought her vases would also make great needle holders, so here it is. It looks beautiful with a tulip, but I could also imagine it on my desk holding my needles.

The hat was made with Noro yarn, a wonderful cotton and silk blend. Amy picked the colour which just happens to be my favourite colour and it matches my hair perfectly. Was a hard hat to give up as it look great on me too.
I loved the idea of trading and it was great to share our talents and bring joy to Amy and Amy to me