Can I really knit anywhere?

My simple answer is NO!

I would really like to think I can knit anywhere but I'm finding the reality is that I have a limited number of places where I can knit comfortably.

All that is required to knit is a place to sit and adequate light for the project you are knitting. For some of my projects I can actually almost knit in the dark. Of course in my living room is my number one favorite place to knit and I can knit in the car also.

But what about when I'm out with friends? When and where is it ok to pull out the sock with all those needles protruding and start knitting? I think I'm a very polite knitter... I can knit and look at the person I'm talking to at the same time so it's not like I'm staring at my knitting and ignoring my surroundings and the people I'm with. So you would think a seasoned knitter (who's addicted to the hobby) would knit where ever and when ever she could. WRONG!

It's not so easy. This weekend I travelled to Fredericton, NB for a birthday party music jam. I brought my portable sock project of the week and knit on the way up in the car. When I got to the jam area and settled down on a couch to talk to friends I pulled out my knitting. I got some weird stares and then a couple girls asked what I was making. There were no other knitters in the room. This is where I disappointed myself and all my fellow knitters... I put my knitting AWAY because I felt too EMBARRASSED and uncomfortable! I even shocked myself with how uncomfortable I felt.

I don't even get it why I feel this way... why am I ashamed of such a creative and productive hobby? Why do I have to keep my hobby in the house or in private or only with other knitters? Does anyone else have issues with knitting with groups of friends? How do I break these barriers?

Knitting Blogs

Fundy Studio Tour

I am now back in NB and just in time too. The Fundy Studio Tour is going on this weekend and my friend Line and I went on it today. My Flower Garden sock came along for the ride also. I need every moment I can grab to knit if I'm to finish by Tuesday.

Here are the list of studios we went to:

1. Change of Pace Pottery
2. Cornucopia
3. Kindred Spirits Stained Glass
4. Hearts of Fur
5. The Bird Garden
6. Wendy Johnston Pottery
7. Peck Inn Tea House (this wasn't on the tour we had great chowder there)
   
8. Studio on the Marsh (bought a print of Sackville, NB here by Lars Larsen)
9. Fundy Fine Furniture
10. Studio Maza
11. An Artist's Garden

There were a few we missed because we ran out of time. We started out from Riverview at about 11am this morning and didn't get home until 6pm so it was a full day.

Some highlights were the security guards at the Peck Inn Tea room. The geese actually charged the car TWICE while we were driving up the driveway.







The glass blowing at Studio Maza was also really neat to see. We got there just in time to see Jon Westrup creating a vase from start to finish. It took much longer than I thought and was really hot to watch, but well worth it. I bought myself a blown glass ball there to hang in my window.

To see more photos of the Studio Tour go to my Flickr site.

The sun shines on St.John's

Our final day in St.John's and the sky is blue as can be. I'm very excited the sun finally has beaten off the fog, but I do wish it could have happened earlier. Better late than never.

Foggy in St.John's

Woke up this morning to a foggy view from my hotel window. St.John's really is foggy. Too bad because it is such a pretty city. The row houses are so colorful and the shops on Duckworth are awesome.



I'm going to soon run into trouble with my sock. I forgot a needle and I'm at the toe. Not sure what I'm going to do because I can't graft it without a needle (at least I haven't thought of a way yet), but I have 2 days left here and I really want to start the next sock... might have to risk it and leave the stitches off the needle until I get home. It's worth the risk to get a good start on the next one.

Heading to the edge of Canada

I'm off to St.John's NFLD today. My flight leaves Moncton at 12:30pm and I'm returning on Friday. I'm bringing my Flower Garden sock along for the trip. Hoping to get some knitting in, but the days are full of work and hopefully the nights are full of exploring George Street.

Wobbly bag is looking kind of Wobbly

The first side of the Wobbly cirlce bag is almost complete. A little imagination is required to picture it felted, but I think it will be good. Currently it looks pretty bad, with holes where colors were joined and it's knit pretty loose. The colors are coming together nicely and I think they will be bright enough to stand out after felting. I'm anxious to get this bag knitted up so I can see what it will felt up like. The socks I want to give to a couple friends are getting in the way of that. Never enough time for knitting!

Fall is coming?!

I've picked a fall project, well actually a project that I want to complete by the fall. It's my first ever mohair sweater. I bought some amazing 78% mohair(13% wool, 9%nylon), which comes from Angora goats like Maple (check out London Wul blog for more info). I'm loving the color too, can't wait to start this one. I have to restrain myself until I get 2 pairs of socks done that I want to gift to someone (can't say who, they might be reading shhh). And the wobbly circle bag !!

Next week I'm heading to St.John's, NFLD for 4 days. Looking forward to the trip and some dedicated sock knitting.

Alana's fabulous felted bag

This has got to be my favorite of all felted purses so far. I made it a few weeks bag but was gifting it to a friend last weekend so I couldn't show it to anyone. I made the pattern up (but wrote it down this time) and used Patons Classic Wool. I really love the way that Paton's felts up. If you look closely you can see that it creates a really cool texture. I hope Alana likes it... it's her colors!

Secret Pal 8 Questionaire Answers

I've joined my first every Secret Pal exchange! Whoohoo!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Favorite yarns - hand dyed wool, sock weight or worsted - love Fleece Artist yarns of all types
Haven't met a fiber I absolutely didn't like.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

A plastic drawer (very sad).


3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting since I was 5 years old. I'd consider myself advanced with a ton to learn.


4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No, I have no wish lists, at least not posted ones.


5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I like vanilla and fruity smells, hate flowery scents.


6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Chocolate!


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Quilting, card making, scrapbooking, crocheting... mostly knitting these days though.


8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love all types of music, except for opera. Especially blues rock and some jazz too.


9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

Currently my favorite color is Green. I tend to like earth colors or pastels.


10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Husband, 2 dogs and 1 cat... full house.


11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes to all the above.


12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks and scarves right now, but I have made sweaters for my whole family, all for the same Christmas.


13. What are you knitting right now?

- Wobbly Circles felted tote
- lace scarf
- lace sock
- self patterning sock
- cabled sock

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

YES, doesn't everyone?


15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Straight needles preferred, but I do use circular for felted bags. Bamboo or wooden are my favs.


16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No, but I really want to


17. How did you learn to knit?

My aunt showed me the basics and then I taught myself by making doll clothes in the beginning.


18. How old is your oldest UFO?

3 months (if they get too old I tear them apart)


19. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas


20. Is there anything that you collect?

Just craft supplies.


21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Yarn Harlot book is on my to get list. I don't subscribe to any knitting magazines, just pick them up when I see them. Latest buy was Interweave.


22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Two needle sock knitting, if I can knit 2 socks at the same time.


23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes of course. My foot is 6.5"

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

October 20.. won't fall in this Secret Pal exchange.