Intel Inside
The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. So says Oscar Wilde anyway. I have *not* finished either the farm mat or the Wing Top, though I have made progress on both. Considering the Bee Fields Shawl was buzzing at me from behind a closed door, I think it’s amazing I had the fortitude, frankly. Seeing Cara knitting along on it doesn’t help, either. However, yesterday while chatting with La, I came up with a very good reason to yield to my temptation. I realized that if this is going to be my vacation knitting, I need to make sure I’m happy with my needle choice, I have all necessary accoutrements for knitting it and that I understand the instructions without needing to resort to the internet since I will be disconnected. Right? RIGHT?? I am determined to pack light for once and I don’t plan to haul all my “in case” knitting crap this time. Vacation is a time to not be weighed down by stuff. I know most of you are freaking out right now. I know it’s traditional to take not only everything you’re currently knitting that is still portable, plus several projects you’d like to begin, printed out instructions for every pattern on the internet and some extra balls of yarn and several sets of needles you don’t think you’ll need. A few knitting magazines you’d like to catch up on, your ipod or MP3 player, a couple novels for the times when you don’t feel like knitting and whatever miniaturized databases you might have [pdf files on your phone or PDA, along with necessary chargers, extra batteries, etc.] round out the selection. Pack all this in a huge tote-hey you can take TWO carry-ons and those overhead bins are pretty big-and you’re pretty much prepared for that 45 minute layover in Chicago.
Now, I do tend to follow tradition, I get that part where we want to be prepared for every potential knitting situation. Stash Separation Anxiety Disorder [SSAD] can be very debilitating. But when I think hard about it, I realize that I never knit much on vacation. I really don’t. Those layovers are never as long as you think they are, what with the lines in the bathrooms, the lines to get coffee [that's my code for cocktails] and the last minute decision to stop in the gift shop and buy pepperoni pizza flavored combos because oh yeah, they don’t have food on the flights anymore. I get a few rows in, and then I might get a few in on the plane if I can stay awake and if the person sitting next to me will stop effing touching it* and telling me about how her great aunt Myrtle used to crochet. I might get a few rows in here and there at the hotel or during family stuff. But I’m not going to finish anything. I’m probably not even going to make an appreciable dent in anything. If I were being realistic, I’d probably take ONE sock pattern and leave the rest, but I don’t have a sock I love right this second. I only have eyes for Bees. And since it may be the only thing I take with me-and with the bare minimum of knitting notions, to boot-when I do have knitting time, it will get all my love and attention. But since it will be all I have, I need to make sure there won’t be any roadblocks. Yes, I can talk myself into anything. A N Y thing.
Therefore, I decided to cast on and perform the setup, which consists of a provisional cast on and 11 rows. There is this tricky little winglet bit where you bind off a couple stitches, but the last one counts as the next stitch. This makes sense, really. Eventually I remembered doing this in the Morning Glory pattern but I must admit that when I finish a pattern, all of the notes about it that I stored in my brain are instantly set to self-destruct. It’s true. I’m the same way with a lot of stuff, if I haven’t seen you within 24 hours, I can’t really recall what you look like. My brain files all information that it’s not currently using in the recycle bin and I often wish I could reset those preferences in my internal control panel, but there it is. Intel Inside. I found the chart to be much more intuitive than the long hand, although I was going to try and reverse my policy this time and knit using the the written. It’s definitely easier for me to find my place in a chart by seeing where the stitch I’m doing is in relation to the one below it, which I can’t really do with long hand. So here I am, back to my old ways and it only took three rows.
Behold!
Once I beat my brain back into submission regarding the BO stitches, I was able to soar through the setup chart. But you know, I kind of thought I should practice a bit with those winglets. Just to be sure. So I started the second chart.
I might have stayed up until 2 in the morning practicing. But this is IT, no more until the other stuff is done. I swear it. Except for maybe exploring the idea of taking out that provisional now and grafting it instead of waiting until the end. The dangling ends of the crochet cast on are bugging the crap out of me. (insert bee/bugging joke) That would definitely make it a better travel project, right? So I should do that. Glad we’re all agreed.
*Since I brought it up just now, and we kind of asked the question at Knitch the other day, but nobody really paused to consider it, I’ll put it to you for theories. Why do we have no issues when another knitter comes up and touches our knitting, but take issue when any old jackass in an airport [or wherever] comes up to us, grabs & inspects our knitting and strikes up a conversation? Or is it just me? I have a thing about strangers invading my personal space and touching something I’m clearly working on is a serious invasion of it, but if some strange person walks into the store where I’m knitting and grabs it, I don’t mind a bit. I took Morning Glory the other day and passed it around for everyone to see and touch-and they all sniffed it and rubbed it on themselves, too. Many of them I’d never laid eyes on before. I enjoyed it. Does someone have automatic implied trust because they’re obviously in the club? And if someone in an airport is interested enough to stop and do the same thing, why is that not a secret handshake? Also, would it be rude to wear a T-shirt when you have to go out into the outside world that says “Touch the knitting and I will needle felt your ass.”?
This post is too long, isn’t it? I have more I want to say today, but I was reading a thread on a forum that tells me I should just put up a picture and stop typing now. We can talk about that place everyone is so excited about another day. Here’s one of my many early birthday presents, courtesy of Claudia. It’s for this comment on one of her posts. No, it’s not a medal, but you can’t put likker in a medal and drink it, can you?
“The I-Showed-Claudia-Something-New-Mug” “To Jen For the encroachment short row heel”
July 31st, 2007 at 2:52 pm
So pretty! I lovelovelove that yarn!
July 31st, 2007 at 2:57 pm
That’s an awesome mug!
July 31st, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Because the folks at the yarn shop/knitting gathering aren’t in the Club and the people, usually hanging at airport terminals and on planes, are just using us as means of passing the time because they didn’t have enough sense to bring anything to keep themselves occupied. I’m not there to entertain them during their layover or while we’re number 392 in the landing order. And especially if I have my iPod headphones on and knitting needles going, I don’t want them tugging on my knitting in an effort to alleviate their boredom. Besides, they don’t really “get” the knitting, they’re only desperate to find a way to start a conversation.
Can you tell I hate people who fly without ways to divert themselves on their own?
Not only do I have bees buzzing in the stash closet, I have Morning Glories twining out the sides of the door. All due to my pledge to be faithful to MS3 being my only current lace knitting. All this has done is make me want to cast on every last lace project I own. Project monogamy is a killer.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:03 pm
My theory? Other knitters will not fuck up your knitting. Random non-knitting strangers just might. And they probably haven’t washed their hands since they ate a bag of doritoes just before accosting your knitting.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:14 pm
I’ll be the odd duck and tell you that, knitter or no, I don’t want people touching my stuff. I ALWAYS ask permission before touching someone’s knitting (unless it’s being passed around, which I assume is tacit permission) and I get pretty peeved if someone gets in my space and touches mine without asking. It could be Lucy Neatby or the Harlot, or Elizabeth St. Zimmerman herself, she had better ask.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:18 pm
PS - The shawl is lovely, and I’m soooo impressed that you waited as long as you did to start it.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I have a theory — it’s like being pregnant. It’s ok for people you love to touch your belly, but why do strangers think it’s ok?
Now, you all have to stop knitting these bee shawls, or else I’ll have knit one too!!!!
July 31st, 2007 at 3:37 pm
“Touch the knitting and I will needle felt your ass.â€
OMG that is the best. line. ever.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Personally, I thought you were crazy NOT to start the shawl before vacation. First off, I think you should always have a project on the needles before you fly - for some reason I think that will make the needles seem less intimidating to the TSA workers. Just a theory.
Mostly I think you’re absolutely right - every pattern has its own quirks and workarounds and you need to get past the first 10-20 rows before you really feel comfortable. ESPECIALLY with lace.
It’s gonna be FANTASTIC!
July 31st, 2007 at 3:52 pm
The Bee Shawl is looking great, and I totally agree that it is best to have started it before you leave. And you must take care of that provisional cast on too. Just in case. I suppose I don’t mind pretty much anyone touching my knitting, but do admit that I’m a lot more comfortable about it when it’s another knitter, and it’s probably because of what Beverly said - knitters won’t mess it up, and there’s a huge chance others might. But I really don’t get the whole thing about people trying to talk to you when the headphones are on, knitting or not - get a clue people!
July 31st, 2007 at 3:57 pm
people in general seem to think htat touching certain things is ok. It makes me cringe. Even if it’s not mine. I remember being in a coffeeshop and some woman went up to a very tiny baby and just started tickling her hands so the “grab” reflex would kick in on her finger. Not even a “hello” to the parents first. All I could think of was,”I hope she just washed her hands. Baby might get sick otherwise. Ewwww!”
July 31st, 2007 at 5:09 pm
LOVE the mug!
July 31st, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Love the lace and the mug!
Most people have issues understanding limits. I guess it could be okay for another knitter to touch if their paws are clean because they will see the real beauty and effort that has gone into your project. One rarely gets that from random touchy strangers.
And I wouldn’t put too much stock in what’s being said at that place. I’d tell you what I think, but you know what I think. ♥
July 31st, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Linz took my line!! I was going to say the same thing about the pregnancy thing! WHY do complete strangers think it is ok to come and rub on your belly like you are their very own personal buddah!!
I also agree with Beverly - other knitters know HOW to touch knitting (ie - without dorrito encrusted fingers) and I can’t even imagine what kind of fit I would throw if some perfect stranger started touching my lace knitting and some of the stitches came off the needles and unraveled! OMG……..that gets my blood pressure up just THINKING about it!! I’m pretty much over people anyway so I’m sure that would just push me over the edge.
July 31st, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I saw a lady I had never met knitting a beautiful textured sweater in a lovely cream wool. We were not in a LYS, we were at a coffee shop. I approached and spoke with her and admired the work, but never reached my (clean) paw out to touch her work, it was not offered. She did hand me the pattern to peruse, which I did, and ohhh’ed and ahh’ed appropriately. Even as a knitter, and after claiming said bond, I did not reach out to stroke the knitting… The nerve of some people.
Oh, and as a formerly pregnant person, no stranger EVER touched my belly, although I could see the look in someone’s eye as they approached…they got a look letting them know they better BACK OFF! I give the same look if someone without that look of knowledge approaches my project.
Needle felting an ass would probably work, but could possibly get you put off the plane.
July 31st, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I have been trying to stay away from the bees. I’ve got morning glories going and MS3, but all you bee pushers are breaking down my nonexistent will power. Looks so pretty!
Love the mug and the ass needle felting.
Hope you have a great trip!
July 31st, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Why is it okay for people at an LYS to touch and “strangers” not? Quite simply, RESPECT.
Fellow knitters not only know HOW to touch without damaging, but they show the appropriate respect to the work and effort that went into your piece. They know EXACTLY how much yarn costs these days and how difficult that (fill in the pattern) is. They want to touch because they have the same tactile responses we have when faced with knitting projects and they would never DREAM of touching anything with filthy hands or picking up that lace shawl and flinging it around carelessly.
Strangers, on the other hand, are bored. They want to strike up a conversation and are using your project to do it. They see the finished project and think “That looks easy.” Doesn’t matter that it took you years to raise your skills to the level this pattern requires, or the hours spent asking your LYS for help, or the 6 months to save up the money for the yarn. They just want to strike up a conversation because they’re bored. Not because they have any real desire to knit or crochet. In fact, they usually don’t even have the intellegence to admit they can’t tell one from the other. (And why do they always guess crochet???).
Strangers see knitting/crochet and think “Huh. Pretty.”
Knitters see knitting/crochet and think “OMG! That’s great! I want to do that! Where’d you get the pattern?Oooh. Cashmere!”
July 31st, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Do you have an advanced degree in rationalization? Because, dayum!
Great mug.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:28 pm
My yarn can NOT get here fast enough. Seriously.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:11 pm
it’s funny. when i’m out in public, and see a knitter (and not wearing a knitting t-shirt, lol), i never touch without asking first. just seems common courtesy to me, like not touching someone else’s child without permission. the only time i would would be if the child was in severe danger. maybe if she/he dropped a stitch?
August 1st, 2007 at 12:16 am
Every time I read a post about how blog posts should have a picture and a few lines of text, I find myself writing extra long posts. I’ve decided it works better if I ignore posts like that.
Nice mug and bee shawl! The problem with non-knitters is that there is always the fear they will pull your needles out or something.
August 1st, 2007 at 1:32 am
I am also working to pack my knitting that way for vacations. I really do think you have made wise decisions to get the project started the way you have.
I think the knowledge of how to properly handle knitting is important. Of course, I am a bit weird and am startled by knitters I do not know who just reach out to touch my knitting. I generally ask if I want to feel another knitter’s knitting or wait for it to be offered. I also feel that there is admiration and respect for the work, skill, and expense involved. Also, it is nice to show what we have done to someone who knows what we have done rather than a random jackass asking stupid questions and putting stitches in peril.
Love the mug!
August 1st, 2007 at 1:54 am
My son is a haptiker, always has been. He seems to get a lot of information about the universe through touching. When he was very small, it was “Mama what’s THIS?’ immediately followed by a yelp (thank god nothing worse) because he’d put his finger on an open electrical socket. Then there was, ‘Mama, is this burner still ho..OUCH!’ I’d love a skein of Koigu for every time I’ve said ‘Look with your eyes, not your fingers’ in stores.
It’s been a battle with the knitting, too, but since he sees how much work I put into something, he’s become genuinely afraid of messing something up by picking up the work and dropping stitches or something, which would make him feel awful. Fortunately, I never had to use the needle-felting threat.
August 1st, 2007 at 7:55 am
I HATE when random strangers fondle my stuff. If I show it and offer it to you, fine. But to come up and just touch it. NO.
So what was the FO you did for July UFOR? /runs
August 1st, 2007 at 9:31 am
I need to start my Bee shawl and you’re making me very tempted!
August 1st, 2007 at 10:21 am
Love the color of that new lace project! It looks like dessert somehow.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:46 am
No that’s an award! I love that! So glad you seem to be in *cough*cough*control*cough*cough of what you’re taking on the trip. I didn’t know that it mattered if we won’t reallt knit when we get there. And I thought you were gonna type Beehold!
August 1st, 2007 at 11:49 am
that’s an awesome award. and that forum of which you speak also forbids whoring for comments — not that i think you whore for comments.
hmmm touching knitting. i don’t like anyone touching my stuff. but i think if another knitter touches your work, they’re more likely to be careful with it.
also, i can’t help but touch babies unfortunately. i need to remember to ask the parent first. although i do talk to the parent before touching their child.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Time to get the CafePress shop up and running! I would totally buy a t-shirt that said, “Touch the knitting and I’ll needlefelt your ass.”
August 1st, 2007 at 1:40 pm
i love your bee. and you are TOTALLY entitled to practice winglets.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Hey - if you make up that t-shirt, order me one as well, OK? I agree that I don’t mind knitters touching my stuff because they know what they are doing and the chances that it gets messed up are smaller. But I appreciate if they ask, too. I love your bee shawl sample. Just take it and maybe you can find a sock pattern somewhere, just as a backup. Both projects will be tiny to carry around.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:23 pm
The mug is great!
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I think the knitting-touching thing is like having people touch your kids. Strangers better back the F up. Relatives or people with their own kids in view…. not so much.
It’s a respect thing. We KNOW other knitters GET IT! Whereas strangers just want to satisfy
a) their curiosity
b) their longing for some distant relative or
c) their longing for something meaningful in their lives and wish they could knit like us.
Either way… HANDS OFF!
I’m the same way with strangers touching me. My friends laugh and remind me, “But you were a massage therapist for 8 years.” And I have to remind them, “Yes, but that was ME touching THEM. They weren’t allowed to touch me!”