What I shouldn’t do
So I’m watching the original Star Trek, after finishing and absolutely adoring Next Generation and Voyager. There are parts of the original series I like (Spock, episodes written by Mr. Roddenberry) but for the most part I’m actually pretty disappointed. In my opinion, TNG and Voyager’s strengths were in how they rose above petty boring typical conflict and actually talked about interesting important ideas. But more often than not, the conflicts in the original series are just a tool to talk about sex. Which is boring and limiting and kind of infuriating. And also the first season is just so incredibly sloppy. And also Kirk is a boring ass.
Anyway, one thing I like about the original series is this thing the doctor says in the episode where Romulans (seriously, SUCH a typical and boring adversary) are introduced. I like it so much that I want to change the last word and embroider it for miss Grady Edna Isabel:
“In this galaxy, there’s a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million galaxies like this. And in all of that, and perhaps more, only one of each of us. Don’t destroy the one named Grady.”
It’s spiritual but not religious, it’s honest but loving, and I really really love it. Reasons why I shouldn’t make it:
- Because those figures are probably totally inaccurate.
- Because what if Grady grows to resent Star Trek and eventually hates me for making it.
- Because I should focus my time on actual practical things.*
But you know what? I’m going to do it. Granted, it’s going at the end of my very long list of things to make, but I’m going to make it. I think I’ll embroider the Enterprise in light blue on white, and then embroider the words in dark blue over the ship.
*Psh. What am I talking about, that’s all the more reason to make it. Time-wasting as a form of revolution?
THIS YARN
I am in love. Here’s some evidence:
I know, I know, I know, there definitely doesn’t need to be another post about some knitter weeping over how soft Manos del Uruguay is. But goddamn, it is soft. Touching it makes my spine tingle.
I’m really glad that I’m not disenchanted with yarn and knitting yet. I mean, I’ve certainly knitted with the typical luxury yarns – Manos, Malabrigo, MadelineTosh, Koigu, etc. – before, but it’s been a while. Long enough that I can still get so thrilled by a nice yarn.
The project I’m knitting will likely be done soon, because I can’t put it down. But it might turn out to be a terrible idea, so I’ll wait until the verdict is in to blog more about it.
Inspiration struck
After writing this post I combed the internet, twitter, books and my refrigerator for an idea of what to stitch next. I kept gravitating and then getting repulsed by negative ideas for stitching – like those cancer cells I mentioned. I think I couldn’t get them out of my head because the freeform shapes I made are so reminiscent of atoms and cells. Finally, I heard Grady cough in her sleep and remembered that she’s really all the inspiration I need.
I had no desire to stitch up a birth announcement after she was born, but now felt like the right time. I’m really excited about how it’s turning out, but unsure of how to display it. I don’t want it framed, but am concerned about just pinning the fabric up because I used quilt batting to back it. And I think that kind of takes away from the simple beauty of the handkerchief. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll figure it out.
What have you been making lately? I so love learning about what readers have been working on.
Germs? Or maybe a flower.
Last night, after running into dead ends on several projects*, I haphazardly started this little freeform guy. With absolutely no idea of what I was doing, I made these shapes in french knots and chain stitch with hand-dyed embroidery floss on a vintage hankerchief**. I’m not sure I like it, but I guess that’s not the point. And I really have no idea where to go from here. I was going to make the shape of a cancer cell or some type of germ next, but it turns out they’re not shaped like what I thought they were shaped like. Any thoughts on where I should go from here?
*ran out of yarn for a blanket, yarn in the mail for an infinity scarf, unreachable iron for an embroidery transfer, total lack of desire to work on a Valentine’s Day gift.
**Relax, I have a bajillion of these. I have no concerns about wasting the lovely fabric on something stupid like this.
New in the shop!
A couple months ago Amy of A is for Ampersand (who took this gorgeous photo) asked me to knit her two pair of fox mittens, and I jumped at the chance. Instead of adapting a plain mitten pattern like a sane person, I made the pattern from scratch and these are what I wound up with. And I’m so happy with the finished product that I’m now selling custom fox mittens in the shop!
These will be made to order in any size from 2T to adult large. They’re 100% wool, with a tight fit so you don’t completely lose use of your hands like you do with loose mittens.
Eventually, when I get the nerve to tidy up my pattern and send it to a test knitter, I’ll be selling the pattern in the shop, as well. And then maybe even adapting it to make other cute kitschy mittens like kittens, pencils, and whatever else I can think of.
So what do you think? For more details and pictures check out the listing here.
Optimism.
It’s no secret that I love to make ugly things. So when I saw this horrendous yarn at Hobby Lobby, I knew it needed to be in my life. I bought one skein, and it sat in my knitting bag for months waiting for inspiration to hit. Then I bought two more skeins, and then I saw this pattern. The yarn and the pattern ran toward each other in slow motion in a dewy* field while Michael Bolton sang a heartfelt ballad, and soon three baby squares were born:
Three down, 17 more to go. So, yeah. I’m making a 100% acrylic adult-sized blanket in garter stitch. Don’t hate. I figure if I can make one square a day, and apply champagne** liberally while working those tedious borders, I can have this baby done in a month. Optimistically. If I don’t get sidetracked by other projects. And I have a kind of gigantic Valentine’s Day project in the works, so this blanket will probably have to ride the bench*** for a couple weeks.
Also, let me just say that I’m definitely not framing these log cabin squares in black as knitters are so wont to do. That’s one of my knitting design pet peeves – when knitters combine black with jewel tones to try and mimic stained glass. In my opinion it’s hideous 99% of the time. I’ll be framing these blocks in white or a very light grey.
This yarn just makes me giggle so much. I can imagine some yarn designer at Hobby Lobby headquarters saying “I have an idea! Let’s rip off classic Noro colorways in crummy acrylic!” Such a silly idea. It’s like a junior high rock-n-roll band trying to pull off Bowie.
By the way, this whole “I’m going to make an insane huge blanket!” idea is so typical for a knitter in January. Once our Christmas responsibilities are done, we tend to get a bit nutty.
*Yeah, apparently that’s how it’s spelled. News to me.
**Things champagne makes me good at: Boring knitting, pleasant conversation, lipstick application, Tetris. I will never beat my New Year’s Day Tetris score.
***Somebody’s been watching Friday Night Lights.
Excuse our dust …
I’m in the middle of a wee redesign, and making a real mess of it. Excuse the ugly for the next few days, please.
Stitch stitch stitch stitch stitch.
Damn, folks. Christmas is close. I have a lot of stitches to stitch in the next few days.
