Knot Knecessarily Known Knitting

On Saturday, North Georgia Knitting Guild took a day trip to Seven Gables Farm in Milton, Georgia. In addition to the guild, many thanks are also due to Knit Witch and Only Ewe and Cotton Too for organizing the outing. We had a lovely time both watching the animals and enjoying our outdoor picnic. There was also a lot of socializing and a lot of knitting. We were lucky, too, because the day was overcast in the morning. As it got sunnier around two or three o'clock, it got hot and less comfortable outdoors. The alpacas share a pasture with two burros and many goats. One of the goats was clearly a male, who strode about like an emperor overseeing his peasants. When we first arrived and a few of us walked over towards that pasture, this goat came over but not too close. He was checking us out and making sure we understood that this place is his domain. (See photo at right.) After lunch, I spent a fair amount of time out in the pasture. Most of the animals only let me get...

Just wanted to share two photographs Leena sent. Her book and cards arrived safely on the 18th, which was ten days after I sent them and less than the two weeks the mail clerk anticipated. I am impressed by what a talented photographer and gardener Leena must be. This first photograph is peeking down inside the mail envelope. I never would have thought of putting the purple flower in the corner of the image. This second photo is the congratulatory cards. I love the flowers and the play of sunlight. :-)

The post starts: It began with the forging of the Great Stashes. Three were given to the cats, immortal, wisest, and fairest of all beings, because, you know, it's good for hunting and batting with your little paws. Seven to the Crochet Ladies, great hookers and craftswomen of the church halls. Follow this link to read the rest. (Thank you, Elalyr!)

You may recall more than a year ago that I entered a pair of socks in the Think Outside the Sox contest. I didn't win any prizes, and my socks weren't chosen for publication in the book. But I did make a friend thousands of miles away. Leena Siikaniemi e-mailed me last year after seeing my post . We exchanged e-mails about the contest and about knitting. Because the socks came to STITCHES South, I was able to see and touch Leena's socks. And she shared with me a secret -- her socks, which appear to be circular intarsia, are actually double knitting! If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you've probably figured out that I am a fan of double knitting. I might have thought of it for a sock cuff, but not for the whole sock. The idea is true genius! So I am very excited that the Think Outside the Sox book is now out and available. You can follow the pattern to make Doublefun socks for yourself, beginning on page 120. Leena also created the very first s...

My mother taught me to do cross stitch when I was four years old. That means I learned to handle a needle and thread before I learned to write my own name. My paternal grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was about ten. And between these two wonderful women, summers with my maternal grandmother, and classes with the White Rose Embroiderers' Guild of America chapter, I learned many, many needlework techniques. My mother especially enjoyed cross stitch, crewel, and eventually canvas work. Needlecraft was a hobby we shared together, a point where we could connect regardless of our differences. But my mother does not knit. About a decade ago I discovered knitting. Oh, there are still cross stitch kits and other needle arts tucked away in the cedar chest in my guest bedroom. But I went off and discovered a new territory where my mother had never been. I love the way I can think in three dimensions with knitting. I love how knitting can be functional. And I love how knit...