Never Get Too Excited. . .

Since Wednesday I have been doing A LOT of knitting. I realized that time was getting short on finishing the Kiri shawl, so I have really buckled down and have gotten to the last set of repeats. This is where you shouldn't get too excited about almost being done. It seems that since I started this last section, that if it could go wrong, IT FREAKIN' WILL! I cannot begin to explain how badly I hate taking out rows filled with yarn overs (YO's) But, I believe now I have it come to a place where the shawl and I can agree and things will be ok. The good thing about this is when I get crazy with frustration, I pick up my sock project and can soothe my pissed off inner child. I have one sock done and the other is about ready for the heel turn.

My weekend goals, relax, knit, enjoy a good bottle of wine and a nice dinner.

S.

Here is the heel of my footie. It actually fits my heel perfectly, so that is one thing I do like about this experiment.  

Finally a few minutes to take pictures. This is the footie that I'm winging it. What I've done is taken the parts I like from different socks I've made and just put them together with a few modifications to make this footie. So far there are 2 things that I'm not happy with. First the sock is tight so I either needed to add stitches to my cast on or next size up in needles. Second, the yarn. It has been REALLY humid here in Georgia and this yarn feels like there is a thick icky coating over it, espcially when I have taken this project out with me to work on. I am all ready dreading making the second one. I am hoping that a good sock washing will make a differece for me.  

Twisted German Cast On

When I am sitting at the corner table at Barnes and Nobles with a stack of knitting books and a hot non-fat latte it's amazing at the knitting friends I make. Ladies that knit and some that don't all will make a comment about the books, their likes and dis likes and sometimes I get the question "do you knit?" But last night was special. I noticed a lady kept looking at the books and when I got to one about socks she came over. She introduced herself and you couldn't help but notice her thick German accent. She told she knitted and that she learned as a little girl from her grandmother back in Germany. She said it was her responsibility to make the socks for the family. Each of her sisters, mother and grandmother had certain clothing items that they "specialized" in. Since she made socks she was interested in the book. She as she is going through it, she is making comments and showing me things that to her were incorrect and could be done differently and easier. LOL. I thought this was pretty cute and I learned a whole lot from her. The biggest thing that she said she sees with American woman knitting is that they don't relax and let knitting flow from them, and it shows in their garment, and she said that we must be very careful with the cast on especially for socks, a very comfortable cast on must be made. She went on to describe her cast on, which is what I was taught as a Twisted German cast on.

So after about an hour of talking with her I was pretty inspired. Her belief is that from the first cast on to the last bind off they should be as beautiful as the garment it's self. The cast on is the foundation of the garment, it sets the tone for the whole thing. With socks, you can have a beautiful pair of socks and if the cast on is wrong, no one will want to wear them.

We are having coffee again Friday evening and she is bringing some of her socks and other items for me to see. I can't wait.

Satori

Your Blogging Type is...

Your Blogging Type is Artistic and Passionate

You see your blog as the ultimate personal expression - and work hard to make it great. One moment you may be working on a new dramatic design for your blog... And the next, you're passionately writing about your pet causes. Your blog is very important - and you're careful about who you share it with.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

Yarn Addictions

If you are addicted to yarn, then I have the place for you. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Proud To Be A Yarn Addict" and join up with the rest of. Then you can proudly and boldly display your disfunction with the rest of us.

Have a great weekend.

Satori

It's Hot & Humid in the south, let's talk SOCKS

One of my favorite shows is Knitty Gritty on DIY (Do It Yourself) Network. I may have all the shows taped, that's how much I enjoy this 30 minutes. One of the great things about this fun and informative show is their web site. Not only do you find all the directions and guides, but there are these little mini videos of some of the technical parts of each project. (and you can play them over and over until you get it) VERY COOL.

Well, one of their episodes, on sock knitting is what renewed my interested and love for socks. This is a very basic fun sock to make. It's a heavy sock for late Fall and Winter, or if you are like some members of my family, the minute the air condition comes on these socks are on the feet. LOL. Anyway, if you are new to sock knitting this is a great pair to start off with, you will be using larger needles and it gives you all the basics that you need. Here is the link Sock-It to Me - Episode DKNG-204 .

Since I'm talking about socks, I have started another pair of footies. This time though I am changing the pattern around. (of course) It's like a combination of my favorite heel, heel turn, foot and toe decreases. I'll have photos and explanations coming soon.

Have a wonderful day, hang in there it's almost Friday,
Satori

Is she ready for her close up? Doesn't matter I took one anyway.  

Kiri Shawl row 103 on my new Skacel 47" needles.  

The Florida Footies are finished. These are made on size 2 double points out of Moda Dea Self Stripes and the color is Swish. Since I knit a little tight, I should have made these on size 3 needles, but lets see how they do after their first wash.  

I'm Out Of My Mind

This morning has been perfect. A hot cup of coffee, breakfast bar and knitting. Plus the house is still quiet. The joy of summer in my house is that the kids sleep in. Since during school we always got up at 6:30am. Anyway, the only noises are the cats having their delicious breakfast and my knitting needles. Then suddenly I look and some of my stitches have came off needle 3. ( I'm on the toe decreases for the last footie). And it is at this moment that I realize I have lost my mind. Here is the reason, I caught myself talking to the dropped stitches as I am trying to get them back on the needle. When you are begging a stitch not to drop down any further but to please get back on the needle and to cooperate you have either entered a "special" place for knitters or you've just lost your mind. Since it's Monday morning I'm voting for the lost mind. I hope that there are others that do this or I will be a very lonely nut case. ;-)

Satori

Row 91 of the Kiri Shawl

Last night I got to row 91. I would add a photo here, but it looks just like it did at row 70. LOL. (so scroll down and take a look at row 70).

Anyway, I don't remember if I gave this link out in the past, if I did please forgive me. But, there is a knit a long (KAL) on Yahoo for the Kiri Shawl. Everyone is at different stages of the shawl and there is TONS of help. All the knitters there are at different levels in their knitting experience so you will get a wide variety of help when needed. Another great thing about this group is the photos. Talk about inspiration. So if you are interested in making this shawl join this Kiri shawl KAL. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kirishawlkal/ . (I've also added to the sidebar, if you will scroll down a little, a few other Yahoo groups that I hang out at).


Have a great day,
Satori

She Did It

My daughter has graduated from home school High. The state of Georgia and released her from their watch, stating that she excelled in all her subject and achieved more than what was required by the state.

Now she wants to work, save up and head off to college. I am so proud of the woman she is turning out to be. Independent, self motivated, sets her goals and achieves them and yet keeps this wonderful human side balanced by her spirituality. She's pretty cool.

Added to KnittingSatori.com

Just a quick post tonight. It's been a VERY busy day and I all ready have most of tomorrow scheduled with work. The things I do to purchase yarn . Anyway, today I added a couple of charts to my knitting satori web site. One is of flames and the other just a simple pattern. If you go to the site, www.knittingsatori.com click on Patterns, once there, if you click on the pattern you want it will then take you to the full size chart. Just right click and save. I hope over the weekend to have some time to post more.

Blessed Be,
Satori

New Needles Coming !!!!!

I am so excited. I just ordered a new pair of Skacel Addi Turbo 47" size 7 Circulars. Since I do a lot of shawls I figured it was time.

Also, I added the other day to the side bar a place where if you wanted to sign up, you could get the notified of posts from Knitting Satori delivered to your email.

Row 70. Over the weekend I didn't get to knit as much as I would have liked to, so I'm feeling a little behind on my progress. The truth is this shawl is coming together so well. Usually with lace I'm so focused on the counting and the pattern that my mind doesn't really rest while I'm knitting, but this pattern is easy to catch onto and you can relax while making it. To me that's part of what knitting is all about, enjoying, relaxing and letting your mind heal from all the "have to's" in your life.

Another idea for left over yarn

My family has concluded that I am not only a yarn-aholic, but a book=aholic also. They have accused me of having a second home at Barnes & Noble's. LOL. I'm not confirming or denying any of their statements but I have a book I want to share with you. One of the reasons it caught my eye, is that I love to work not only with fun yarns but different stitches, and once I learn them I then want to use them in shawls or pillows, etc. This book is pretty basic, (there are a few blocks that will need you undivided attention) but the blocks give you an excellent opportunity to get familiar with the stitch and pattern and then when you are done, sew them up and you have a nice sampler afghan or bed top. If you quilt also, you will love the section on arranging the blocks. There is no limit to what you can do with these blocks. I kind of look at this book as a stepping stone to get the imagination going for bigger and better projects. My motto lately is "Make It Your Own." and this book will get you started in doing that. (Amazon.com has it for $16.97 regular 24.95)

Happy knitting
Satori

What do you think about this?

For many years I used Earthlink as my ISP since I'm DSL now I use another service but I still have email accounts with earthlink. So this morning on my Earthlink page I saw the following headline/story. Now I have copied it exactly from the page so that I won't get into any trouble but I wanted to know your thoughts on this article.


Zeta-Jone's knitting frenzy
July 10, 2005 5:15 AM EDT

Hollywood star CATHERINE ZETA-JONES has been impressing her celebrity friends with her knitting prowess, despite the hobby being associated with less-than-glamorous old ladies.

The 35-year-old passed time on the set of her husband MICHAEL DOUGLAS' new movie THE SENTINEL by getting busy with a ball of wool, creating cuddly presents for friends and family.

Douglas says, "She's a great knitter - she comes and hangs out and does her knit one, purl two thing!" (ZJS/WNTST/GES)

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What a Friday so far

Fridays have always been my favorite day of the week. I just love them, Fridays have so much potential for setting the "mood" for the rest of the weekend. So I was really looking forward to today. And to be honest, even with the little bump in the road this morning, it's been good.

The little bump was a 225.00 surprise that I had to pay out. It could have been more, but I am just glad that I had the resources to pay it. It seems that one of my back tires on the PT Cruiser had some threads showing on the inside. When they checked the other one, guess what? You got it, he gave the other one about a week before it did the same thing. So I have two new tires and a safe car for my daughter and I to drive. Very Cool.

Now on the knitting front. My first footie is just about done. I should finish it tonight and I just finished row 60 of the shawl. If you want a fun shawl to make this is the one. I don't remember ever enjoying the process of shawl making in such a light hearted way. The cool thing too with this shawl is while I'm knitting, I am thinking about what it would look like in a different gauge. All ready planning ahead.

Well I'm out the door to see Batman Begins. (again) To all my knitting friends and visitors have a wonderful weekend and please keep the families that have injured or lost love ones and in London in your thoughts and prayers.

Blessed Be
Satori

Kiri Shawl

Today I have several breaks in the routine where I could knit. So sometimes I worked on the footies and the others the kiri shawl. If it's been awhile since you knitted a shawl, I suggest you get your needles ready and try this one. It is so much fun, and is working up quickly. There is a link to "All Tangled Up" in the sidebar, that is where you will find the pattern.

Today I had a nice surprise in the mail. Knit Picks catalog came. The timing was perfect. I had stopped for lunch so while my food was in the microwave I ran out to the box and got the mail. Needless to say my 30 minute lunch was 60. LOL

Blessed Be
Satori

Close up of stitches 

Can you believe I finally got off my &ss and took some photos of current projects? This is the Kiri shawl. My only wish is that shawls in the making would look as nice in the process as they do after blocking.  

Forgive the little bit of blurr on the photo but I wanted to show you the NO purl heel.  

Here is the Florida Footie I started the other night. It's coming along really well. The pattern calls for a NO Purl heel which is pretty interesting. I have not done that before. If you are looking for a quick, fun project, to take with you and just something different while working on a bigger project, I highly suggest these little socks.  

Footies

This morning I was bouncing around the internet and I found this web site that has the cutest footies. Here is the link Mom's Fast Florida Footies . I have some Moda Dea sock yarn that I think would make these up really cute. One thing that I really like about these footies, it the photo of them. You would think most footies would be in a white or solid color and these aren't. Very cool. So now have the first 7 rows done.

While I was casting on for the footies, I realized that maybe why I have been kind of down in the dumps and sort of feeling like I was wandering around without purpose is that I didn't have several knitting projects going. I was putting so much pressure on myself about the reunion shawl that I hadn't started anything else. So now I have learned a great knitting lesson. It's good to have some intense knitting and some light hearted knitting going on. It balances you out mentally. Now I know that I NEED to have either socks or a hat going on at all times. LOL. (I am pretty good at rationalizing.)

Have a great day!
Satori

Life's ups and downs

Since I have been back from Tennessee there have been a few good things going on, but it seems like many things I have set my hands to do have not worked out. Then today I found out that the family reunion may not happen. The timing was interesting because I stayed up late last night and worked on the "reunion" shawl, only to find this morning that I had made a big mistake about 8 rows back. So I did something that I don't usually do. I didn't start unraveling it, I laid it down, and found another shawl pattern and started another one. When my heart break is over from the mistake and I will fix it and continue it.

The new shawl pattern I started is the Kiri Shawl. There is a link to All Tangled Up where I found it under my favorite blogs. Since I ordered extra of the lace yarn I'm using for the other shawl, I thought I'd just use it for this too.

Over the holiday weekend I will have a lot of time to knit. I hope you will too. Have a wonderful, fun and safe holiday.

Satori