Not Rocket Science

or How to Knit Legwarmers

Use Worsted weight yarn and whatever size needles you usually use with worsted. Better yet, use needles one size smaller.

Cast on 48 stitches and join to work in the round.

Work in k2, p2 rib, changing colors as you fancy (or as the yarn supply dictates) until they are long enough.

Bind off loosely.

If you want to make these for a child, cast on 36 sts and proceed as above.

Edited to add: further discussion/elaboration here, here and here.








Not fancy, but functional. This one is about 3/4 done.











The Mix It Up socks are 100 per cent done. I was working on these at my regular Thurs night group last week and happened to mention that this was not self striping yarn. For some reason, this impressed two of the others beyond measure. I don't get it. One of them was working on lace, and the other has made a sweater with stripes. Maybe they were just being polite.



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Category #14 in the life destash project is "Things You Can Palm Off on Others".

Here are some nice pieces of cotton fabric, not big enough for actual garments, but would be good for cute crafty projects.






I do not sew worth beans, but I know some people who do. If any of these people happen to show up at Last Saturday Knitting, and happen to want any of this, I'll be hauling it along. Just sayin'.

Some benefits of the grand dispersal

My hands are in pretty good shape, considering that it's winter, from working on using up the 1/2 bottles of hand lotion.

I found a pair of nice warm mittens I had completely forgotten about.

Mr S was inspired to get a hanging organizer for the back of the coat closet door. I think it was really designed for shoes, but the pockets work equally well for hats, gloves, even collapsible umbrellas. (We saw this in action when visiting sister Annie P, and thought it was brilliant.) So the nice warm mittens are easily accessible, yet out of the way.

I can see sections of my bedroom floor that haven't been visible since the turn of the milleneum (also dust and cobwebs that have been there almost as long).

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Today I ventured into the basement and found



smocking books. When the dearest daughter was very little, I used to sew for her. I'm sure there are still a couple of smocked dresses in the attic (I haven't ventured that far in the clearing out process yet, but I'm sure they are there). I haven't needed these books in a long time, and probably never will. (If/when grandchildren arrive they will get hand knits). So why hold on to them? I just have a hard time letting go of a good reference book. I dunno, knowledge is power?

For now they will go into the "think about it stack". The think about it stack has been a useful tool in the divestment process. It sits where I nearly trip over it, so I have to notice it. And usually by the third time I look at/trip over something I had thought I might want to keep I say "naaah, let it go." I'm not numbering this bunch yet, though. I just might want to keep them.

Dispersals

Today I am letting go of (#12) some things I've kept out of a sense of obligation.

For the most part, these were gifts. I have a hard time feeling that I can dispose of a gift without in some way rejecting the giver. It's sort of magical thinking, I suppose. Certainly not rational, but there you go. I tend to feel rather guilty..... All the same, I'm letting go of a candle holder and a couple of books, a pin and some CD's, a dress. Call it guilty relief.
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On an unambiguously cheerful note, the little baby socks I did on a whim have found a destination. I'll be sending them as part of a package for the Ravelry KFO group's current service project. That just makes me feel good.

Hmmm, could be a slipper....

I did this



to test knit a heel. Wanted to make sure that the numbers I came up with on paper actually worked. After setting it down and glancing back at it, I realized that if I just kept knitting a while and then put a toe on it I would have a slipper. I want some slippers, but in heavier yarn. So what you see is probably as far as this particular piece will go. I'll tuck the idea away for later, though.

The yarn is Bernat "Sox", a 60/40 Acrylic/Nylon blend. And for what it is, it's not bad at all: Which is to say, Acrylic will never be Merino, but I've also felt wool blends that weren't appreciably softer, to my touch anyway. My feet (I can't think of a way to put this more delicately) sweat a lot. So for my own use I want sock yarn with some wool or cotton in it. Still, I could see using this yarn for kids' socks, or for a baby sweater.

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Today's disposal category is "Things that need to be washed first". (I'm sure St. Vinny's gets lots of donations that aren't clean, but hey, I'm trying to be virtuous here). This lot (#11 ) is just two aprons and a bathrobe. I would show you, but they are in the washing machine.

Reminder to Self

" Simplicity means to be free of desires and attachments, and supremely happy within.... It entails neither hardship nor deprivation, but the wisdom to work for and be content with what you truly need."
-Paramabansa Yagnanda

Hat Tip Revisited

Phyll commented that spinning pet fur isn't that uncommon, and she's right. My favorite aunt knit a sweater from her Newfie's wool.

What made me initially think the video in my Monday post might be a bit tongue in cheek was the totally deadpan aspect of the testimonials. Much as I love my cats, I'm not sure I want to be carrying around their fur after they are gone. (On the other hand, I may well still be sweeping up their fur long after they are gone, without even a purse to show for it.)

Also, I thought the shot of the cat in the blow dry chamber was totally hysterical.