Don't Forget Your Needles

The Thistle stole is nearly complete!  Today I'm cutting the steek, finishing the ends, and blocking it.  So for those who are worried that it takes a long time to knit, fear not - if I can do it (minus a thumb!) so can you.  I'll post updates on kit shipping as soon as I can.

As I was finishing up last night, I realized that I wanted to give my Madrona Students and kit-buyers advance notice:  You'll need a couple of LONG circular needles to make this project.  Since there may be one or two sales going on today, it's a good time to start shopping so you'll be ready when your kit arrives.  Here's what you'll need:

1 60" (155 cm) size 2 (2.75 mm) circular
1 60" (155 cm) size 3 (3.25 mm) circular

Or the sizes you require to get a gauge of 28 sts and 30 rnds in 4" (10 cm), in 2-color stranded colorwork (larger size is for the main body of knitting, smaller is for the hem facings). 

The yarn in your kit will be a true sportweight, so if you have some yarn to play with for practice, check the ball band for a similar gauge.  And remember, it's a stole, so as long as you like the fabric you get, it really doesn't matter too much what your gauge is.

Oh, and if you prefer wooden needles, I'll save you some time:  I only found one brand that is both wood, and long enough:  addi Natura Bamboo.  Get them HERE, or ask your friendly LYS to order them for you.  Happy Hunting!

 

Adaptation

Thank you, Thank you, Gentle Readers, for your kind words of get-well-itude, and encouragement to enjoy my three days of not knitting.  Thank God that's over.  The family and pets all survived my short hiatus, but I didn't do much of a job enjoying it.  Everything I could think of to distract myself with also called for the use of thumbs, so other than reading and sleeping, there wasn't much I was good for.  I admit that I did try to "sneak-knit" a few times, but Some People kept calling me out and saying I was only going to prolong my own grief.  Lindsay and Campbell never let me get away with anything.

Fortunately, the "respite" is behind me, and I'm happy to say that I am able to knit again, with certain limitations.  The huge stoopid cartoon bandage on my thumb is cumbersome, and I lack the ability to pinch my fingers without pain.  Who knew how much of my knitting is actually pinching?  I found that I could compensate by using my index finger against the tip of the needle to advance the stitches along.  That worked really well, until the stiletto needle started to inflict damage on that digit.  Undaunted, I retrieved a leather thimble from the sewing box.  Of course, it's sized for my middle, not my index, so it kept popping off.  After which I applied some of this swell bandage-tapey stuff they gave me at the hospital to keep it on.  Not weird at all.  Much.  But I AM knitting, which is all that matters.  Because you cats who are joining me at Madrona for Eeek! Steeks! must have your kits, and I must know how much yarn to put in them.  So there it is.  Slowly.  Knitting.  Thistles.

They are pretty, though, and totally worth the effort.

Oh, I did do something useful with my three days of down time:  Thank you for the suggestion that I design something new.  I came up with a swell idea to help out a friend, which I'll tell you all about next time.  

Warm Hands, Warm Hearts

Some of you will remember from taking my Selbuvotter classes that this is the sample I present as the Quintessential Norwegian mitten. 

Those who attend my Sassy Selbuvotter class get a different pattern, but a few of my 50 New Best Friends from the Knitters Review Retreat asked if they could have this one, as well. 

I thought I'd put it up on Ravelry for them, and anybody else who's in the mood for a little warm-hearted knitting.  Click HERE to get it!

When given as gifts, Selbuvotter traditionally incorporate symbols meant to impart special sentiments to the wearer.  This pair include:
 
        Selburoses for luck and protection
        Hearts for love and courage
        Crosses for faith and humility
        Nets for protection and prosperity

Those are my wishes for you, Gentle Readers.  Feel free to pass them on!