It’s the little old knitter from North Carolina

One of my (k)nitter pet peeves is the stereotyping of knitters as little old ladies or of all little old ladies as knitters. We’re not little old ladies. Most of the knitters that I know and hang around with are younger than 40 and many of them are male and many many of us started knitting in our high school years or earlier. I knitted my first sweater which was also my first piece at age 16. Now that being said…it’s my birthday week and I will officially become a little old (k)nitter even though I don’t feel old and will probably stab with my sticks the first person who calls me that and the threat includes my HS classmate who’s been talking about how ancient he is for months now. One reason I don’t feel old is that I do hang out with younger knitters. I believe there are stories circulating in the knitting world about some of my adventures with younger knitters. The highlight of my birthday week so far has been the sighting on the city streets of a young-strapping-kilt-clad-shirtless-sweatshiny-tattooed lad with Ragnar Lothbruk hairdo.  Unfortunately I couldn’t drive,ogle and take a picture all at the same time. So my driver’s license and my Medicare card may say I’m old but I (k)nit real fast and I (k)nit real hard.

Now on to the just (k)nits bound off which is Gothic Lace Cowl. I used US size 7 needles and 41 stitches instead of 49. I started with 49 stitches but thought the cowl too wide and probably could have dropped down a needle size but liked the fabric so decided to decrease number of pattern repeats. I also made it longer than the pattern suggested basically using all the yarn, Cascade Tangier in Beach colorway. I’ve also found a new button source, Fastenation Studio, and am seriously considering adding some of Hannah’s buttons to this piece. I have some stash buttons that will work. I’ve ordered buttons from Fastenation Studio in an appropriate color for use on my Shaken or Stirred and once they’ve arrived I’ll decide ifi the color is right. Of course I’ll have to buy more.  Hannah gives fast service and she’s fairly close geographically which makes post times quicker and also her selection has more adult buttons. Also she has sale buttons which are stock (read stash) buttons. (yeah this is gonna be trouble)

I bought two skeins of the yarn and the second one is becoming Zuzu’s Petals, my new just (k)nits for others, on US size 6 needles. I’m using the suggested numbers for the large gauge and when I measured yesterday I’m “dead on” gauge but am finding that at the suggested joining point the opening is too small. The designer, Carina Spencer, gave yarn percentages and I have plenty so will knit the recommended rows for the small gauge. I don’t normally swatch for accessories but am beginning to rethink my process.  My past thinking has been that I can knit a good bit of project during the time it takes to swatch and frogging if I’m too large or small doesn’t seem daunting. However, I don’t have a clue how the fabric will look after washing/blocking.(After looking at Ravelry notes on this pattern, I’m seeing that others are having this problem.)

Just (k)nits for fun is still Shaken or Stirred which is to the point of picking up button bands. I’m using US size 3 and 4 needles and Quince and Co Chickadee in Frost, Delft and Crocus. While this piece has some ease, I’d hoped for more so will knit a larger size next time. Since gauge was dead on, I must be fluffier than I thought–oops! Even though I love shawl collars on others, I have no neck and don’t think they will look right on me so I’m going to substitute a 16 row garter rib button band.

I’ve decided to just (k)nits cast on the Undersized Unicorn when baby Dannie’s mommy goes into labor. Dannie will be the recipient of this just (k)nits for others and I think knitting it to celebrate her birth and to send prayers for her healthy arrival is appropriate. I originally planned to use GnomeAcres Squishy Gnome in Bertie Botts which is the colorway Mommy selected but I found some Luna Lovegood which I like better for it so will probably make both and let Mommy pick. I forgot about Luna when I gave her the choices.

Once Zuzu’s Petals is just (k)nits bound off I’ll be just (k)nits casting on my second February Lady Sweater in Cascade 220 with buttons from Fastenation Studio. My first FLS has been one of my go-to sweaters so I thought I’d make another. It will be red.

I’m also mentally planning South Park Jeans which will be a top-down crew neck incorporating the cable rib from Mr Greenjeans. I will probably submit that plan to paper once I start (k)nitting the FLS. The Jeans will be from Quince and Co Lark.

Till next time, no frogs, no tinks, just (k)nits.