Bits & Bobs

A collection as colorful and eclectic as my jars of leftover yarn

Creeds on the Winter Solstice

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As the teen sleeps in on this dark solstice morning, I’ve been catching up on podcasts. On Being’s “Conversation in Music with Carrie Newcomer” really resonated — the minute the episode ended, I tuned in to the unedited version. And I’m already planing to give it a re-listen today as holiday preparations continue.

Life has been, well, messy of late. Too many days and weeks of the sort that leave you drained of energy and spirit. Rest assured, the knitting hasn’t stopped even though the blog went on a long hiatus. But the performance of “I Believe” and Krista and Carrie’s reflections on the “so very holy” details of life left me wanting to start a conversation with my blog and Facebook friends.

If you were to write a creed of the earthy details you hold to be true, what would it include? Here are my shared favorites from Newcomer’s song (video below if you want to give it a listen):

  • I believe in socks and gloves knit out of soft, gray wool.
  • I believe a summer tomato is a cause to rejoice.
  • I believe in the kindness of strangers and the comfort of old friends.

Here are a few musings from me:

  • I believe in the steadying feel of wool winding through my fingers and the metal clinking of needles matching my breathing.
  • I believe my pets are Wim Wenders angels that more than earn their keep.
  • I believe in the sacrament of good chocolate melting on my tongue.

What do you celebrate as “so very holy” in your world?

WIP Wednesday: Magical Mystery Socks

| yarn & yarns

When it comes to board games, I’m not that big on Monopoly. But the kiddo is. REALLY is.  Luckily, we found a special edition Beatles version at the cabin we rented. Mix in a new pair of fantastically bright socks and I was ready to play several rounds.

Pattern: AfterThought Heel Socks
Yarn: Regia Fluormania in Neon Flower

Friday Finds: The Unexpected Effects of Knitting

Video | | yarn & yarns

As knitters, we know that our time with yarn and needles = relaxation. No need for a study to tell us that. (Come on. Even my pets have deduced that knitting chills me out and improves my mood.) But if the muggles want to study the connection, who am I to object?

Turns out, they discovered something kind of awesome: Knitting can actually change your genes.

Knit on, my friends, in good health and with a clear conscience! And if you’re so inspired, knit a neuron or two.

Friday Finds: Jewelry Stitch Markers

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Now that I’ve been knitting mostly with fingering weight yarn, I’ve found that I don’t have enough stitch markers — well, pretty stitch markers. Besides the lovely set Jane gave me, the only small ones I have are plastic. (Yes, #firstworldproblems.)

I was browsing the jewelry supply aisle at Jo-Ann’s a few weeks back (looking for some replacement wires to fix a few pairs of earrings) when I, excuse the pun, found these lovely silver findings. They’re the perfect size for needles up to at least a US 8 and since they’re completely closed, there’s nothing that snags. Best of all, I got more than 30 of them for under $5.

stitch markers

Friday Finds: Cryptozoology by Annie Watts

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Think this gem of a pattern book has been out for several months now, but I just discovered it today. Since I want to knit at least half of the patterns (3/6, see below), “buy individual patterns or book” question has been answered. But I need your help deciding:

  • Book or eBook?
  • Which pattern to cast on first — Neck Kraken, Bigfoot + Yeti, or Sea Serpent Squish?

Please “cast your votes” in the comments!
cryptozoology

Thoughts on Winter…in April

Video | | yarn & yarns

I’m blessed to work with some funny & clever people. Always a good thing but especially helpful when it’s April 2nd and another round of “icy mix followed by plowable snow” is headed your way. (Yep, any and all motivation to leave the house is much needed.)

And just to be clear: I had nothing to do with creating this video — despite the fact that it features knitting, ice skating, and a dog in a sweater that looks an awful lot like Violet.