How To Tell if You Are a Knitter

Last night we had a pretty formidable ice storm. After surveying the wonderland from the safety of my bedroom window, I leapt into action and dressed for the day. I settled on my favorite destroyed jeans, a t-shirt, and a Pendleton wool shirt that makes me feel like Johnny Cash. Here I am, ready for a day of pattern-writing:

Notice anything unusual about my Johnny Cash wool shirt?

How about now:

Yep. Those are stitch markers. I hooked them through the buttonhole on my shirt last time I had it on (who remembers?) to avoid losing them.

And then forgot all about them until today.

Knitting has become part of my body. An integral part of my everyday goings on. To the degree that I (and those around me) don't even notice. Three people and a dog saw me this morning before the first photo, and not one commented on the stitch markers. Okay, I'm letting the dog off because he might have tried to tell me.

And this is by no means new. I once had a hair stylist nimbly remove a cable needle from behind my ear. I'm forever stabbing myself on errant DPNs in the depths of my handbag. And don't get me started on the stitch markers. They are found in every conceivable crevice.

Yep, Knitting, I belong to you. Whether you want me or not, I'm yours. I've been assimilated. I hope it works out the way we both want.

New Year, New Pirate

You know how it goes: I finished the Dread Pirate Jeffery hat, plopped it on my head just long enough to take a terrible selfie to show you, and gave the hat away.

And THEN tried to write the pattern. Yeah.

Fortunately, my dumb can be used for your smart. I made another hat, and photographed it properly (on someone ELSE's head) which you now can see much better:

This pirate is actually Dread Pirate Jeffery's bother, the Dread Pirate Phillip. He's an easily accessible model, and my dog really likes him. Bailey always notices the minute I grab my camera, and hurries to get into the shot:

NOTE: Bailey would like you to know that yes, he is an actual Scottish Terrier, even if he doesn't look much like it at present. Bailey was lately the unwitting victim of an inexperienced dog groomer (not me!). I frequently reassure him that his beard and dust ruffles will grow back. In the meantime, we are telling him he looks athletic. And sometimes I make him wear coats.

Since Boxing Day, I knitted the (second) hat, wrote the pattern (includes detailed instructions for knitting Latvian Braid and notes on sizing), formatted the chart and graphics and shot the photos. Then I realized that I now have enough work in this pattern that you probably won't mind if I charge a little something for downloads. Inside you'll see credits and links to the original motif chart, too. CLICK HERE for the complete pattern.

I hope you enjoy this one, and please do share photos.

A triumph for me, A present for you

I did it! I finished the Brother In Law's Deathflake hat in time for Christmas. It's now known as "The Dread Pirate Jeffery". I completely love it and I'm thinking about making another one with the miles of yarn I have left.

I'm not going to publish the pattern because I didn't draw that great chart myself, but if you're interested, send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to tell you how I knitted it.

In other news, I made you a present!

How cute is that? It's called "Wink", and it's a free download for you, on Ravelry. CLICK HERE to get it.

I know it's the 11th hour, and for those who are all done with Christmas knitting, Congratulations! You are superior beings and we love you for it. For the rest of us, I offer this quick "Holy-Cow-How-Could-I-Have-Forgotten" pattern. You can seriously knit one of these in less than an hour. And no, you don't have to embroider a monogram like I did, unless you just want to. Here is a great place to find beautiful monogram patterns, if you're interested. I think it's super cute au natural, or you could add any kind of embellishment. How about applique, or a fabric ruffle? What about leather trim, or beads? Go big. You can get this done in no time flat.

Merry Christmas, Gentle Readers. I love you.