I frogged it...just like that

I really hate to admit that I have frogged something, especially online. But it is the truth and although it hurts my knitting ego to say it, it has to come out: I frogged my EZ bonnet and my BSJ. There it's out. I said it. I need something I can do quickly and easily as the baby was born ten days ago and I have to get this gift off to her mommy in Germany. I also realized that the yarn I was using was way too big for the needles I was using and the bonnet was so tightly-knit, the baby's head would have been boiling. Hot Baby=Crying Baby=Headache for Mom

Although I love and admire EZ designs, I can't really make sense of the patterns in the Opinionated Knitter, even with the help of the most experienced knitting mavens. I think I may just have to break down and shell out the big bucks to School House Press for the how-to DVDs on the BSJ and other beloved EZ patterns. I know they sell them at I Knit London, but I am not sure I want to give those boys my money yet (which is a subject for another post entirely).

Trolling my blog roll last night, I read a post from travelknitter on an adorable and *easy* design by Jacki Kelly Seamless Baby Kimonowhich I promptly cast on and made significant progress. I haven't given up on EZ, but I will have to postpone my puzzling for the sake of the gift.

Acute Fiber Insanity - AFI

Some people I know are very methodical about their yarn purchases and have managed to accumulate no stash whatsoever or hardly any except for the projects the have queued. I try to be one of those people, but alas, I am what the Yarn Harlot calls an 'organic knitter' and that leads to a many of yarn purchases on account of a condition known as 'acute fiber insanity', or AFI for short.

Elizabeth at Fibre + Clay told me this morning that she also buys a wool without having any idea what to make out of it - purely out of infatuation or even AFI. It goes something like this, won't you agree:

There it is in the corner, tucked away and almost seemingly hidden from the shop's normal stock, calling you to scoop it up and caress your neck with it. Its color fascinates you and the texture sends you into throws of unspeakable ectasy. You lose all touch with the world around you and realize...it will be mine. It almost sounds like that scene from Waynes' World where the object of affection is instead a white Fender Stratocaster and any semblence of ecstasy is nipped in the bud by the 'No Stairway to Heaven' sign. Bummer, Dude, I got mine,

For me recently, it was Debbie Bliss Alapaca Silk in a fabulous deep plum (you know, the one that is all the rage this season on the High Street)...and it was 40% off. How could I just let it sit on the shelf? That would be cruel and unusual punishment for such a beautiful yarn, let alone myself. So I bought every ball the shop had with no idea what to make out of it.

One of the mavens at F+C told me it knitted up quite quickly, so I decided on a shrug-type garment (since I only have 10 balls) and scoured the net several times with no luck. Today, though, Lady Knitting Luck smiled favorably upon me in the form of Kim Hargreaves' "Thrown Together". What a talented designer, although Ms Purly Whites doesn't seem to think so. I guess it is all personal preference and style, really. And this cute, retro feeling does me fine. If Hargreaves wanted to do haute couture, she would have sold her soul and be designing for Marc Jacobs. Sorry to be so simple minded about this, but hey, that's the way I see it.

There are so many fantastic designs it was hard to decide. I have decided on 'Aimee', the quick and easy shruggy-like thing with a cowl that graces the cover of the book. It is exactly what I was looking for, except the shelling out of nearly 13 Pounds. But I am all about supporting talented (and sometimes untalented) people as well as my LYS, so I bit the bullet. Besides, I can spend money on a pattern book if I got a bargain on the yarn, right? Here it is, awaiting me; my tension square begging to be finished:

I cannot wait to get started on Aimee, but unfortunately I have to finish my EZ bonnet and booties which I am desperatlely behind on since the expectant mother gave birth three days ago. Still got a ways to go on this project. Good thing it's ity-bity:

Then there is the Bainbridge Scarf for a deserving woman in my life I have been moonlighting with (er, does moonknitting work?)....sheesh, so many projects and so little time. 

But at least Bearski has some brand new Caribbean socks thanks to the help of Ann Budd:

I took these photos with my old Canon Powershot and I really notice the difference in quality between it and my Nikon D40, so I will try to use the latter exclusively from now on - for all our sakes.

Knit well and knit often.

Domestic Miss Give Away Contest: Addi Turbo Needles and Artisan Buttons from South Africa

Yes, I know it has been over a week since my last post. I am a lazy blogger, but a binge knitter and that has led to some strange RSI symptoms. RubbishKnitter at BornKnitty suggested paracetamol (European equivalent to acetaminophin) before bed and seconded my learning Continental style.  And I spent 3 days on the back of a motorcycle ogling sheep and the amazing Welsh landscape. Hence I have been off the needles for nearly five days until today.

I had my first internet date today with DomesticMiss, one of my first friends on Ravelry, to check out her LYS, Fibre + Clay in Knutsford, Chesire and its biweekly knit-in. We had a pre-coffee and a post-coffee and talked about so many things we are both passionate about (writing, knitting, etc).

In celebration of the impressive completion of her first big knitting project, a lace scarf, Domestic Miss is giving away a pair of Addi Turbo Needles and 4 artisan buttons from South Africa. Congrats, Steph. Well done.

Fibre + Clay, BTW, is absolutely amazing! I cannot even tell you how inspiring it was to be surrounded by so many beautifully crafted objects, amazing wools, haberdashery, bags (squeal!) and an incredibly library of borrowable books. So good. Can't wait to go back. More in my next post.

The BSJ is in its second incarnation. I have changed needles and wool and am having a much easier time with the aid of Dawn Adcock's notes (hat tip to Knitlist). I am not good at reading conventional patterns, so a little help understanding the method of EZ's (ingenious) madness is most welcome. Will post pics soon once the one-piece wonder has taken a more concrete shape.

Be nice to those wrists. Knit well and knit often (but remember to take breaks!)