Way to Go, Girls!

Sheesh.  I went and read this and now my bloglines are up to like 867 New Items.  This happens to me every year -- I'm not sure what it will take for me to learn the lesson.  Do not follow every link these girls lay before me!

Yesterday's knitting was limited to nearly completing a pair of fetching mitts out of my hand spun.  Dance Mistress tencel blend to be more specific. 

And I learned a lesson.  The gauge of the item one knits from the beginning of the skein of hand spun yarn can vary widely from the gauge of the item one knits from the middle of the skein of hand spun yarn.  Case in point.  You be the judge.

You might say, "But you must have knit a different number of rounds between cabling!"

To which I'd say, "Nope."

And the stitch gauge isn't even that different.  It's row gauge.  Spun tighter, maybe?  Plied tighter?  Does that influence row gauge and not stitch gauge?  It's a mystery to me. 

Oh, I'll wear them regardless, because they are wicked soft and warm warm warm.  My hands have been cold for days on end now.  I've taken to wearing husband's sweatshirts so I can pull the sleeves down over my freezing fists.  Now I have Mardi Gras colored mitts to wear.  Almost.  I'll finish that thumb and weave in ends after this post.  And I still have some wonky hand spun to make into something.  Like 50 yards or so including what's yet to be plied up.  What else should I make?  By tomorrow?  I'm thinking Caliometry.  Or a third mitt that just might match one of the two I have...

Speaking of tomorrow.  It's January 6th... Epiphany ... you know, the beginning of Carnival Season.  Which culminates in Fat Tuesday.  Which is followed by Ash Wednesday.  Which means another season of Lent.  Which means 40 Days For Others.  I think I'll start a blog for it this year.  Anyone have any charity knitting they want to accomplish?  I already have two sweaters, a scarf, and two hats to throw in the ring.

This year I'll knit for the St. Vincent de Paul Church homeless outreach.  They like real wool for their contributions.  Dennis tells me that wool is warmer, and his recipients don't tend to wash, or even keep their stuff year to year.  "They don't have cabinets to keep it in, you know, " he said.   

Um, he's right.  So.  Wool it will be.  Hats mostly is what he needs.  But he'll take any knits.  They have lots of men, but can distribute items to families as well.  They also take bedrolls -- quilted and knit.  So we can piece knit or sewn squares for bedrolls too.  I'm contemplating asking for squares... give me some time to figure that out, k?  Anyone else want to knit for charity this winter?

Comments

[Mindy]

I have a hat for a kid. I'd like to make more stuff though, not sure what yet. I started some crocheting and am tempted to crochet some plain squares....I'd like to join your knit for charity. I like the idea of it benefiting my town.

[Bridgett]

I'll do it again. The knitting for charity last lent helped my knitting in general--I am much much faster now. One of those unforeseen positive consequences. I can help out with St VdP, or else I will donate to Centenary Methodist Church outreach downtown.

[Zarah]

I'll join you in knitting for the men at St. Vincent's. Sounds like a great cause.

[Jennifer]

I'm in for 40 days for others. I think I'm going to concentrate on knitting hats for various charities.

[sarahkate]

I'll make hats with you during Lent.

[Lucia]

I'm definitely in. Don't know what charity yet, but, alas, the need never gets any smaller.

(WWJK?)