I have never been a stress eater. But I am a stress knitter. Under stress, I will sometimes pick up an existing project (knitters call this a work in progress or WIP for short) and knit away. Other times, and despite my best efforts to limit the number of WIPs I have on hand at any one time, I will cast on something new. Just like that.
I loved this post Joyce. I'm a 68 year old (at the moment!) liberal, white guy in central Washington, and my stress reducer, esp since covid, has been quilting. I made one in 2013 for my wife, but then since Covid, I've made 25 quilts, and I'm in the middle of my 26th. They've all been focused on providing new, colorful places for family parents to roll around the floor with their kids. It has been so fun! Thank you!
Joyce, and anyone who reads Letter from an American. Be sure to read it today. I think she’s drawn the outline around the environment for the next coup attempt: weakened congress, govt, military, diplomatic corps.
You’ve noted weakened but critical components of our government foreshadowing the “next coup attempt: weakened congress, govt, military, diplomatic corps.” Without a functioning House of Representatives, held up by the vacant speakership, the entire government is paralyzed. Without military promotions, held up by one senator, our defense capability is hobbled. Without securing classified information on U.S. nuclear submarines, defense of the Asia-Pacific is compromised. I think the entire end game of MAGA fascists is to break the government. The extent to which other areas of our national security have been compromised. Right now, the U.S. House can halt government by refusing to fund our own domestic programs as well as defense for Israel and Ukraine. Tuberville can continue to hobble the military. With good reason, our allies question the stability of our government. Meanwhile MAGA fascists will stoke fear about spending, when they have robbed the treasury with tax cuts for the super rich and multinational corporations. It’s not inflation or government spending that’s rattled the markets; rather it’s arguably the unprecedented, wild uncertainty being generated by MAGA extremists themselves.
Except maybe that the endgame is to install trump as dictator. As you know weakened government, non-functioning legislature is invitation to strongman takeover. See, Weimar Republic. ( someone else pointed that out i am not a historian )
Exactly. You’d have to break the government first, then install Trump. Yes, I’ve been following Timothy Snyder and Ben-Ghiat on the ascent of tyrants; and for two years we have been contemplating immigrating to Portugal next spring, 2024, if we can get out. Mid to late 70’s, we think our last decade could be worse here than there.
Today: IRS just announced it finds Microsoft owes $29 billion in back taxes. Just one example, imagine the capacity of the Treasury to fund social programs if the array of other multinationals were to pay up and continue to pay their fair share.
I think we’re seeing the prelude to protracted, disputed election results in 2024, which could leave us without a functioning government for months. And war-like chaos, invalid passports, stalled supply lines of critical goods. The House is positioning for that very eventuality. Make no mistake: it’s what they intend.
I’ll reply twice today. I have been very concerned about the 2424 election being thrown into chaos, having no government for weeks, if not months, and a realized coup. I typically read HCR before I get out of bed, start the day with her framework. I have not done so today, as I had an early MD appointment. Will read and follow up, as I am a historian also.
I'm a spinner. I have oh, maybe ten or twelve large bins of clean fleece upstairs. Read a few of the posts below. Not what I need today (actually 2 days later- busy week). Thanks to you and Joyce, today I'm going to take my wheel apart and place an order for a couple parts I need to get it in running order. It broke just before Covid and I was unable to get it somewhere to be fixed- so spent almost 4 years pondering what it needs. Turns out I can do this myself. I need to turn off the computer now.
Great job, Jerry. I’m a quilter myself. Although I still work full time and then some, I have managed to crank out a number of quilts, small gifts, baby blankets, bags and purses over the last few years. Stress quilting is my go to when I need a total break from what’s going on. Although I do admit to listening to the Sisters in Law podcast while quilting!
That Norwegian sweater is to die for! Just stunning! I wish I were stress knitter. One could do a lot worse, as you have shown us with your many projects. Keep those needles flying and be kind to yourself.
The Norwegian sweater is gorgeous:) Still returning to Bella's soulful eyes...taking the Dachshund and Shiba Inu for a walk along our river. Chibi sheds - and his fur looks like your latest fluss yarn:) The other one just does the 'Doxie alert' and runs the show pretty much...So grateful for your posts, leadership and keeping us informed🐣🐕🐈💙
I once saw a gorgeous sweater knitted from Samoyed fur, and there's a book titled "Knitting with Dog Hair" (but you'd have to spin it first, and only the undercoat works for that). I couldn't help wondering, though, if you'd smell like a wet dog if caught in an unexpected shower.
A friend of mine spun some of my dogs' undercoat and knit a book bag for me. The dogs were blue merle Shelties, and it is so soft and beautiful, a pale grey. Both dogs are passed now, but I still have my bag and so many good memories. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/59/9a/dc599a85549ee7423216658714ec0731.jpg
Subtitle is "Better a Sweater From a Dog You Know and Love Than From a Sheep You'll Never Meet"! There are probably spinners out there who would gladly contract with you to do this if you're not a spinner yourself...
Samoyed is as nice as, say, cashmere. And no, it doesn't smell like wet dog. SOME dog-hair yarn does: it tends to be from the ones with less soft fiber, like German Shepherd Dogs.
I went through a phase of spinning fine yarn and knitting lace shawls. In one of them I included German shepherd undercoat and silk along with sheep wool. It did not smell of dog and had a fluffy halo. It was all dyed in shades of purple. It was a gift to my niece, and she tells me she still loves it.
Chibi means ‘little’ in Japanese. Chibi and his brother were temple drops in Japan, rescued by my friend and came to the US as wee puppies. I took ‘adopted’ Chibi when my friend passed because I knew him from the time he came here. He is very chill… He doesn’t bark at all. But he cries when he’s upset which is rare. When he does cry, he sounds like a baby. The AKC says the Shiba Inu Chibi is the top loyal breed, and.the oldest of the domesticated canines. He adores people. When strange dogs approach him, he just stands and looks at them, as calm as he can be. He is very elegant and it’s sort of would be beneath him to get excited. The Dachshund on the other hand….. they are wonderful bubbas🐾🩵
Yes yes! That nordic sweater is amazing.. i am so struck by those who can do “real” knitting.. i am a mere mortal man who can only use a round loom to “knit” hats to gift people during the winter months to fight depression we Norwegians feel then.. Joyce is amazing..
I was on the varsity diving team in high school and i think that was way easier than kniting.. i was also kicked out of Boy Scouts for being a lousy knot tier.. get the picture? You are amazing
I work in a yarn store & teach knitting in person & will soon start doing it on ZOOM for clients who can't make it into the store. Many yarn stores (not the big box stores) have knitting classes. Look for those. You Tube has wonderful videos for knitters of all skills. Knitting well is just practice. YOU CAN DO IT!!
That is the thing i like more than “knitting” the hats.. going to all the yarn stores on the hunt for special and different yarns!! One can combine two different yarns on the loom and end up with pretty amazing colors and textures…my wife hunts for batik and i head for the yarn section..small shops are so
I’ll admit they can be fiddlely. However once you get a size you like with the needles and yarn you are using they can be lifesavers especially with lace.
Personally when I knit fairisle I only need to memorize the row I’m on then I’m off to the races. Some times with smaller patterns all the rows are easy to memorize.
There are so many skilled knitters on youtube who give tutorials! find a simple pattern and whenever you don't understand something, just google it, and there will be lots of videos by amazing people who can explain it to you. I'm kind of new to knitting and that's how I've learned lots of things.
I have been knitting off and on for many years, but was drawn into quilting and have done more of that for a long time. I’m back to knitting more and have learned so much from YouTube videos. There is no LYS where I live. The one I loved closed after the worst of the Covid pandemic. I follow a number of knitters on Instagram, many of whom are happy to answer questions and offer advice. I knitted my first pair of socks three years ago, and haven’t stopped since. It was delightful to find out that among her many talents Joyce is an accomplished knitter!
I'm thinking that sweater might be done! One of the latest styles (reborn) is a sweater with cap sleeves worn over a blouse or thin long sleeved sweater. It really needs to be worn someway because it is truly gorgeous. As a Norwegian, it touches my soul. Knit on!
Joyce, you are such a treasure! I often wonder how you get so much done. I love seeing your knitting projects, chickens, dog, kittens, and so appreciate your values and insights. You will never know me, but i consider you a friend.
And you can totally do that steek! It's so scary the first time, but you feel like a total bad ass when you've finished. My kid has worn the heck out of a cardigan I knit back in 2020 with steeked buttonband, arm holes, and scoop neck and the steeks are still holding up just fine. You've got this!
One very helpful tool to have when you sew the steek is a walking foot for your sewing machine. This allows the presser foot to "hop" with every stitch, so there is no drag on the fabric. Essential tool, IMO. Quilters love them too.
I haven’t yet steeked by hand, largely because I have only done it on kids’ sweaters, for which I have used machine washable yarns. Here’s the last one I did—was very fun for my sci fi obsessed kiddo! https://www.ravelry.com/projects/ellenwixted/star-wars-charts
Look forward to a parade of finished projects some day! Thanks for sharing and for your kind words—on top of your razor-sharp legal analysis!
Sterling has always kept me from doing that type of sweater. For me, I think, it’s something about taking a pair of scissors to all the time and focus that went into to it!
I love your general advice about being mindful of what we do to comfort ourselves when we are stressed. Recognizing it, we can better take care of ourselves. Definitely need to do that to stay strong for the “interesting times” that lie ahead!
I did a sample steek (I was curious about if it would work before investing in a Norwegian sweater) and croched a line 2 stitches from the cut. Gave me the nerve to make the cut.
Just think about how warm that sweater will be come cold winter evenings. Time to finish that wonderful sweater so you can wear it not just look at it and sigh. I’m pretty sure you have a knitter friend who would be happy to sit at your side and help you breathe when you make that first cut.
Thanks Joyce. I am a fly fisher woman and tying flies grounds me like knitting grounds you. Thanks so much for helping me learn about the law and the judicial system! Keep on knitting!
Thank you for your comment. I never tied flies. But you reminded me for the first time since my childhood, when my Dad showed me how to tie hooks onto the fishing line. And that reminded me of learning how to clean fish on a big rock sticking out of the water near the shore. These are not acts that ground me today, but the memory of those times does. I never saw my father happier than when he was wearing his waders, with a pipe in his mouth, chest deep in a lake, fishing. (And if it started to rain, he turned his pipe upside down to prevent the tobacco from getting wet and just kept on fishing.) Thank you, Lisa!
Holy cow! There are people who read patterns through before they start??? Where's the sense of adventure? Where's the Call for Higher Thinking??? Where's the fun of Ripping Out When You've Made a Mistake?? I do understand swatch for gauge however. I mean, my first pair of knitted socks would have fit a club foot giant! And I do find it challenging to knit a complicated pattern while watching a show with subtitles, but I have even mastered that, for the most part. Thanks for sharing the comfort!
I am also a free range knitter. I’m helping a friend with a Cocoknits pattern (the best! They fit beautifully) and she is being very precise. I’m apparently totally cavalier—close enough is close enough!
I always figure it out in the end. Sometimes my finished product doesn’t look like the picture but, as long as I don’t wear the picture attached to the knitted item, no one’s the wiser, wink wink!
Exactly! The worst that could happen is... fine. Because the process is the point, and the end result is a nice souvenir / gift. Tho I should confess that I sometimes find myself annoyed that the sleeves are wider than they need to be. So I'm trying to be a little more disciplined about that. And similarly, I made my oldest son (now 23) a lovely version of The OA (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-oa) and those sleeves were too narrow, so I guess now I have to figure out how to steek them to add a gusset? Adventure awaits!
When you mentioned your first pair of socks, Gina, it made me think they would have gone well with my first (and last) sweater. I knit it for my high school boyfriend who was 6'3." I was so proud of how good it looked when I finished it, especially the cables. And it would have looked great on him if only he'd been about seven feet tall.
Oct 10, 2023·edited Oct 10, 2023Liked by Joyce Vance
In my younger days and when it was all the rage, I was a stress cross stitcher. :) The Twelve days of Christmas only made it to about seven swans a-swimming....
Awwww. Love the pictures…I didn’t get all the way through the read on knitting when I saw Bella’s precious face (she de stressed me entirely ..then Tofu:). Blessed are we with our four footers🩵🐾
Golda Meir polished pots and tea kettles to relieve stress. Legend has it that she had a kitchen that outshone the moon and a large swath of the fixed stars.
My mother taught me to crochet in the third grade. Also to use her Singer sewing machine. So I understand the calming effect of concentrating on rhythmic activity.
(You do need to remind me how you get knitting needles on a plane.)
Wear it around your neck. They think it's a medallion. They don't care. Plus, it's close by when you need it. I put one in a metal tin of sewing/knitting/craft items. Never a problem.
I had mine on my Keychain but I'm basically a rule follower so I gave it up once I realized it was verboten. Now they allow small scissors or there are needle threaders with tiny blades in the end.
Use a circular needle with needle heads that unscrew and can be changed. I have a kit with needle points ranging from size 2 to size 12. You can knit back and forth with the circular needle. As a bonus, your elbows stay in your seat area instead of knocking into the serving cart or your seatmate.
My grandmothers were knitters, mainly the one who lived in another part of the state. I still have an afghan & sweater received in high school. I’m 73!
I have been stress knitting and crocheting for the past few years, and it is what keeps me reasonably sane these days. Also have various WIPs in baskets around the house. Love the Norwegian and Saturday sweaters! Thanks for sharing!
My wife crochets, not knits. She learned when she was young, but then didn't do any for years. Then she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Since then she's crocheted every day, and make some really pretty afghans. It's something she can do without figuring out directions or patterns. I think it's made life a little easier for her.
That is truly wonderful . My mom had a long journey with Alzheimer’s , unfortunately she hadn’t learned to do much with making things. So, her days were filled with “looking, re-locating and hiding things she felt were valuable or useful to her. Really quite agitated most of the time, until the disease quieted her mind enough to be more still. Then I wished fore, before. I am so happy that your mom has this ability, a blessing for sure❤️
What a lovely post, thank you! I tried knitting for The Italian Lesson and, well, epic fail. Much admiration for those who are successful at it. Perfect words and adorable pics for today. Thanks again.
I loved this post Joyce. I'm a 68 year old (at the moment!) liberal, white guy in central Washington, and my stress reducer, esp since covid, has been quilting. I made one in 2013 for my wife, but then since Covid, I've made 25 quilts, and I'm in the middle of my 26th. They've all been focused on providing new, colorful places for family parents to roll around the floor with their kids. It has been so fun! Thank you!
Amazing!
Joyce, and anyone who reads Letter from an American. Be sure to read it today. I think she’s drawn the outline around the environment for the next coup attempt: weakened congress, govt, military, diplomatic corps.
You’ve noted weakened but critical components of our government foreshadowing the “next coup attempt: weakened congress, govt, military, diplomatic corps.” Without a functioning House of Representatives, held up by the vacant speakership, the entire government is paralyzed. Without military promotions, held up by one senator, our defense capability is hobbled. Without securing classified information on U.S. nuclear submarines, defense of the Asia-Pacific is compromised. I think the entire end game of MAGA fascists is to break the government. The extent to which other areas of our national security have been compromised. Right now, the U.S. House can halt government by refusing to fund our own domestic programs as well as defense for Israel and Ukraine. Tuberville can continue to hobble the military. With good reason, our allies question the stability of our government. Meanwhile MAGA fascists will stoke fear about spending, when they have robbed the treasury with tax cuts for the super rich and multinational corporations. It’s not inflation or government spending that’s rattled the markets; rather it’s arguably the unprecedented, wild uncertainty being generated by MAGA extremists themselves.
Except maybe that the endgame is to install trump as dictator. As you know weakened government, non-functioning legislature is invitation to strongman takeover. See, Weimar Republic. ( someone else pointed that out i am not a historian )
Exactly. You’d have to break the government first, then install Trump. Yes, I’ve been following Timothy Snyder and Ben-Ghiat on the ascent of tyrants; and for two years we have been contemplating immigrating to Portugal next spring, 2024, if we can get out. Mid to late 70’s, we think our last decade could be worse here than there.
Today: IRS just announced it finds Microsoft owes $29 billion in back taxes. Just one example, imagine the capacity of the Treasury to fund social programs if the array of other multinationals were to pay up and continue to pay their fair share.
Exactly
I think we’re seeing the prelude to protracted, disputed election results in 2024, which could leave us without a functioning government for months. And war-like chaos, invalid passports, stalled supply lines of critical goods. The House is positioning for that very eventuality. Make no mistake: it’s what they intend.
I’ll reply twice today. I have been very concerned about the 2424 election being thrown into chaos, having no government for weeks, if not months, and a realized coup. I typically read HCR before I get out of bed, start the day with her framework. I have not done so today, as I had an early MD appointment. Will read and follow up, as I am a historian also.
My wife and sister have made numerous quilts for disaster events .. some sent to ukraine and recently to maui.. keep up the good work!!
You, like Joyce and so many others, are one of the healers. It's so refreshing to hear stories like yours during these challenging times! ☮️
Wow! Impressive!
I'm a spinner. I have oh, maybe ten or twelve large bins of clean fleece upstairs. Read a few of the posts below. Not what I need today (actually 2 days later- busy week). Thanks to you and Joyce, today I'm going to take my wheel apart and place an order for a couple parts I need to get it in running order. It broke just before Covid and I was unable to get it somewhere to be fixed- so spent almost 4 years pondering what it needs. Turns out I can do this myself. I need to turn off the computer now.
Great job, Jerry. I’m a quilter myself. Although I still work full time and then some, I have managed to crank out a number of quilts, small gifts, baby blankets, bags and purses over the last few years. Stress quilting is my go to when I need a total break from what’s going on. Although I do admit to listening to the Sisters in Law podcast while quilting!
Awesome Jerry!!!
👋👋 I’m a quilter too. That’s also my stress reducer. Especially hand appliqué.
I hope you make your annual pilgrimage to the Sisters (Oregon) Quilt show and if so, look me up!
That Norwegian sweater is to die for! Just stunning! I wish I were stress knitter. One could do a lot worse, as you have shown us with your many projects. Keep those needles flying and be kind to yourself.
The Norwegian sweater is gorgeous:) Still returning to Bella's soulful eyes...taking the Dachshund and Shiba Inu for a walk along our river. Chibi sheds - and his fur looks like your latest fluss yarn:) The other one just does the 'Doxie alert' and runs the show pretty much...So grateful for your posts, leadership and keeping us informed🐣🐕🐈💙
I once saw a gorgeous sweater knitted from Samoyed fur, and there's a book titled "Knitting with Dog Hair" (but you'd have to spin it first, and only the undercoat works for that). I couldn't help wondering, though, if you'd smell like a wet dog if caught in an unexpected shower.
A friend of mine spun some of my dogs' undercoat and knit a book bag for me. The dogs were blue merle Shelties, and it is so soft and beautiful, a pale grey. Both dogs are passed now, but I still have my bag and so many good memories. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/59/9a/dc599a85549ee7423216658714ec0731.jpg
A neighbor had shelties that beautiful color
My brother has a hat made from Samoyed fur. It does not smell like wet dog!
ps: I had a Samoyed - what a loyal animal:)
Love this. Chibi is blowing his coat right now. I just groomed him outside:)
I will check out ‘Knitting with Dog Hair.’
Thank you for recommending:)
Subtitle is "Better a Sweater From a Dog You Know and Love Than From a Sheep You'll Never Meet"! There are probably spinners out there who would gladly contract with you to do this if you're not a spinner yourself...
Oh my! Thank you. Chibi sheds tons:)
I used to have a Samoyed and often wished I had the talent to make something of her blown coat! It really is incredible stuff! :)
Samoyed is as nice as, say, cashmere. And no, it doesn't smell like wet dog. SOME dog-hair yarn does: it tends to be from the ones with less soft fiber, like German Shepherd Dogs.
YES! I've seen that book on some knitting sites & thought the same!
Yes, you would.
I went through a phase of spinning fine yarn and knitting lace shawls. In one of them I included German shepherd undercoat and silk along with sheep wool. It did not smell of dog and had a fluffy halo. It was all dyed in shades of purple. It was a gift to my niece, and she tells me she still loves it.
My parents had a dog named Chibi when I was a wee babe. She wasn’t a Shiba Inu, though. A friend has a Shiba Inu and he’s the most chill dog ever.
Chibi means ‘little’ in Japanese. Chibi and his brother were temple drops in Japan, rescued by my friend and came to the US as wee puppies. I took ‘adopted’ Chibi when my friend passed because I knew him from the time he came here. He is very chill… He doesn’t bark at all. But he cries when he’s upset which is rare. When he does cry, he sounds like a baby. The AKC says the Shiba Inu Chibi is the top loyal breed, and.the oldest of the domesticated canines. He adores people. When strange dogs approach him, he just stands and looks at them, as calm as he can be. He is very elegant and it’s sort of would be beneath him to get excited. The Dachshund on the other hand….. they are wonderful bubbas🐾🩵
That’s sort of how Buttons behaves. He also wears bow ties, which adds to the elegance.
Yes yes! That nordic sweater is amazing.. i am so struck by those who can do “real” knitting.. i am a mere mortal man who can only use a round loom to “knit” hats to gift people during the winter months to fight depression we Norwegians feel then.. Joyce is amazing..
It's really not hard. You just have to dive in.
I was on the varsity diving team in high school and i think that was way easier than kniting.. i was also kicked out of Boy Scouts for being a lousy knot tier.. get the picture? You are amazing
I work in a yarn store & teach knitting in person & will soon start doing it on ZOOM for clients who can't make it into the store. Many yarn stores (not the big box stores) have knitting classes. Look for those. You Tube has wonderful videos for knitters of all skills. Knitting well is just practice. YOU CAN DO IT!!
That is the thing i like more than “knitting” the hats.. going to all the yarn stores on the hunt for special and different yarns!! One can combine two different yarns on the loom and end up with pretty amazing colors and textures…my wife hunts for batik and i head for the yarn section..small shops are so
Much fun…
And be able to count and knit at the same time
That’s what stitch markers are for.
See? I knew they were something like that but not what they’re called. Another pro knitter.
LOL It truly is just practice. Many of us who knit while podcasting (that would be Joyce, not me) or attending lectures find it helps us focus better.
I tried those, more than once, and found I spent felt to be as much time dealing with those as knitting,
I’ll admit they can be fiddlely. However once you get a size you like with the needles and yarn you are using they can be lifesavers especially with lace.
Personally when I knit fairisle I only need to memorize the row I’m on then I’m off to the races. Some times with smaller patterns all the rows are easy to memorize.
And if she's knitting while doing the Sisters podcast, she has to recall all that legal "stuff" too. Too much for my brain to handle, for sure.
There are so many skilled knitters on youtube who give tutorials! find a simple pattern and whenever you don't understand something, just google it, and there will be lots of videos by amazing people who can explain it to you. I'm kind of new to knitting and that's how I've learned lots of things.
Will give it a go
I have been knitting off and on for many years, but was drawn into quilting and have done more of that for a long time. I’m back to knitting more and have learned so much from YouTube videos. There is no LYS where I live. The one I loved closed after the worst of the Covid pandemic. I follow a number of knitters on Instagram, many of whom are happy to answer questions and offer advice. I knitted my first pair of socks three years ago, and haven’t stopped since. It was delightful to find out that among her many talents Joyce is an accomplished knitter!
She is indeed amazing!
I'm thinking that sweater might be done! One of the latest styles (reborn) is a sweater with cap sleeves worn over a blouse or thin long sleeved sweater. It really needs to be worn someway because it is truly gorgeous. As a Norwegian, it touches my soul. Knit on!
What a great idea! And I think it needs to be out in the world to be seen, and worn for enjoyment. Way too beautiful to sit in a drawer or a closet!
Joyce, you are such a treasure! I often wonder how you get so much done. I love seeing your knitting projects, chickens, dog, kittens, and so appreciate your values and insights. You will never know me, but i consider you a friend.
My secret is that I don't clean. I've learned to let my husband do the kitchen after dinner and not fuss if he does t do it the way I would 😂
I have a tea towel that says, “A woman who has enough time to clean, is not reading (read: stitching) enough.” I keep it within sight every day.
"Done is better than perfect!"
Let's give this comment 35 likes!!!
Haha! You are way too modest!
That’s sweet.
amen
I relaxed just reading your post. I've been stress knitting the past two weeks and I now forgive myself. You rock, Joyce!
Hoo boy, does this post resonate.
And you can totally do that steek! It's so scary the first time, but you feel like a total bad ass when you've finished. My kid has worn the heck out of a cardigan I knit back in 2020 with steeked buttonband, arm holes, and scoop neck and the steeks are still holding up just fine. You've got this!
One very helpful tool to have when you sew the steek is a walking foot for your sewing machine. This allows the presser foot to "hop" with every stitch, so there is no drag on the fabric. Essential tool, IMO. Quilters love them too.
I'm going to do it by hand. I've actually done some small ones, I know how to do it, it just feels like such a big step here 🙄
I haven’t yet steeked by hand, largely because I have only done it on kids’ sweaters, for which I have used machine washable yarns. Here’s the last one I did—was very fun for my sci fi obsessed kiddo! https://www.ravelry.com/projects/ellenwixted/star-wars-charts
Look forward to a parade of finished projects some day! Thanks for sharing and for your kind words—on top of your razor-sharp legal analysis!
That sweater is a phenomenal project with all that color work. I would give an Oscar to anyone who could accomplish knitting that project. 👍🏼
Thanks! Color work is soothing to my brain, but steeKing was definitely a hurdle!
I’ve knitted for over 50 years. I have never had the courage to ‘steer.’ Check out my Ravelry: rosestrain
Sterling has always kept me from doing that type of sweater. For me, I think, it’s something about taking a pair of scissors to all the time and focus that went into to it!
I love your general advice about being mindful of what we do to comfort ourselves when we are stressed. Recognizing it, we can better take care of ourselves. Definitely need to do that to stay strong for the “interesting times” that lie ahead!
“Steeking” is not a word autocorrect appreciates! 😂
LOL!!
I did a sample steek (I was curious about if it would work before investing in a Norwegian sweater) and croched a line 2 stitches from the cut. Gave me the nerve to make the cut.
I knit a Scandinavian shawl in the round several years ago. I've never worn it because it needs to be steeked. I'm terrified of it!
Just think about how warm that sweater will be come cold winter evenings. Time to finish that wonderful sweater so you can wear it not just look at it and sigh. I’m pretty sure you have a knitter friend who would be happy to sit at your side and help you breathe when you make that first cut.
Thanks Joyce. I am a fly fisher woman and tying flies grounds me like knitting grounds you. Thanks so much for helping me learn about the law and the judicial system! Keep on knitting!
Thank you for your comment. I never tied flies. But you reminded me for the first time since my childhood, when my Dad showed me how to tie hooks onto the fishing line. And that reminded me of learning how to clean fish on a big rock sticking out of the water near the shore. These are not acts that ground me today, but the memory of those times does. I never saw my father happier than when he was wearing his waders, with a pipe in his mouth, chest deep in a lake, fishing. (And if it started to rain, he turned his pipe upside down to prevent the tobacco from getting wet and just kept on fishing.) Thank you, Lisa!
That's cool you do that!
Holy cow! There are people who read patterns through before they start??? Where's the sense of adventure? Where's the Call for Higher Thinking??? Where's the fun of Ripping Out When You've Made a Mistake?? I do understand swatch for gauge however. I mean, my first pair of knitted socks would have fit a club foot giant! And I do find it challenging to knit a complicated pattern while watching a show with subtitles, but I have even mastered that, for the most part. Thanks for sharing the comfort!
I adore adventurous knitters
Try it, you’ll like it! Eyebrows contorted, knitting tools in mouth, and lots of grumbling and swearing....come join me!
And then I have to go to a yarn store for help which always means....guess what???
I love customers like you! <3
I am also a free range knitter. I’m helping a friend with a Cocoknits pattern (the best! They fit beautifully) and she is being very precise. I’m apparently totally cavalier—close enough is close enough!
I always figure it out in the end. Sometimes my finished product doesn’t look like the picture but, as long as I don’t wear the picture attached to the knitted item, no one’s the wiser, wink wink!
Exactly! The worst that could happen is... fine. Because the process is the point, and the end result is a nice souvenir / gift. Tho I should confess that I sometimes find myself annoyed that the sleeves are wider than they need to be. So I'm trying to be a little more disciplined about that. And similarly, I made my oldest son (now 23) a lovely version of The OA (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-oa) and those sleeves were too narrow, so I guess now I have to figure out how to steek them to add a gusset? Adventure awaits!
And I have no idea what steeking is. I did learn I-cord recently though.
PS I am Evowoman on Ravelry. I took a 2 hour class on how to use Ravelry and have been adding my projects! I like that pattern you linked!
When you mentioned your first pair of socks, Gina, it made me think they would have gone well with my first (and last) sweater. I knit it for my high school boyfriend who was 6'3." I was so proud of how good it looked when I finished it, especially the cables. And it would have looked great on him if only he'd been about seven feet tall.
What is wrong with men anyway???
In my younger days and when it was all the rage, I was a stress cross stitcher. :) The Twelve days of Christmas only made it to about seven swans a-swimming....
Awwww. Love the pictures…I didn’t get all the way through the read on knitting when I saw Bella’s precious face (she de stressed me entirely ..then Tofu:). Blessed are we with our four footers🩵🐾
Golda Meir polished pots and tea kettles to relieve stress. Legend has it that she had a kitchen that outshone the moon and a large swath of the fixed stars.
My mother taught me to crochet in the third grade. Also to use her Singer sewing machine. So I understand the calming effect of concentrating on rhythmic activity.
(You do need to remind me how you get knitting needles on a plane.)
All it took is a Congresspersons spouse to want to knit on the plane and voila--knitting needles were allowed. Go figure.
Meanwhile for us stitchers someone ratted us out on the Clover cutters!
Wear it around your neck. They think it's a medallion. They don't care. Plus, it's close by when you need it. I put one in a metal tin of sewing/knitting/craft items. Never a problem.
I had mine on my Keychain but I'm basically a rule follower so I gave it up once I realized it was verboten. Now they allow small scissors or there are needle threaders with tiny blades in the end.
Circular needles are the flyer’s friend!
Use a circular needle with needle heads that unscrew and can be changed. I have a kit with needle points ranging from size 2 to size 12. You can knit back and forth with the circular needle. As a bonus, your elbows stay in your seat area instead of knocking into the serving cart or your seatmate.
Bamboo doesn’t show up on the scanner.
My grandmothers were knitters, mainly the one who lived in another part of the state. I still have an afghan & sweater received in high school. I’m 73!
Loved your chicken cap present!
I have been stress knitting and crocheting for the past few years, and it is what keeps me reasonably sane these days. Also have various WIPs in baskets around the house. Love the Norwegian and Saturday sweaters! Thanks for sharing!
My wife crochets, not knits. She learned when she was young, but then didn't do any for years. Then she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Since then she's crocheted every day, and make some really pretty afghans. It's something she can do without figuring out directions or patterns. I think it's made life a little easier for her.
That is truly wonderful . My mom had a long journey with Alzheimer’s , unfortunately she hadn’t learned to do much with making things. So, her days were filled with “looking, re-locating and hiding things she felt were valuable or useful to her. Really quite agitated most of the time, until the disease quieted her mind enough to be more still. Then I wished fore, before. I am so happy that your mom has this ability, a blessing for sure❤️
Beautiful work! Knitting is your valium as needlepoint is mine! 🌺❤️🌺
Xanax is my Valium xo
Maybe if you didn't live in Florida...?
Hahaha! 😂
Bwa ha ha!
What a lovely post, thank you! I tried knitting for The Italian Lesson and, well, epic fail. Much admiration for those who are successful at it. Perfect words and adorable pics for today. Thanks again.