Ruth had her baby!

We got word in the shop today that Ruth had her baby yesterday, October 8. Our information is second hand, but here's what we know: the baby was 9 lbs + and she had a c-section, but both mother and baby are doing fine. And his name is Samuel. Pictures to come!

And if you hear anything about Holly, let us know!

Another Blue Ribbon

As you are all well aware, Knit Nook customers were well represented at the Kentucky State Fair. But last week, we discovered another one, a blue ribbon winner no less! Here he is, with his blue afghan and his blue ribbon. Congratulations, Jared!

One Good Thing About Hot & Humid October

I think we can blame it on the weather. Despite the unrelenting 90 degree heat, it's October. My allergies are blazing, my nose is running, and I'm sweating. I can barely drink hot coffee. A sweater is out of the question. Last week at the shop, we got to talking about how much knitting we've finished but have yet to wear. Whole sweaters, washed and blocked since last spring, waiting for a crisp fall day.

And while plenty of folks are even starting new sweaters and finishing those, I just can't bring myself to do it. So I started digging around in my stash.

This is a sweater I started last spring out of Katia Linen and Noro Tidiori. I made it up, meaning it didn't look nearly as awesome in real life as it did in my head.




So I tore it out and started knitting this. I paired the Tidiori with some Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran that used to be a vest. (I bought it when I worked at my old yarn store and it's been five years at least.) I'm thinking about recycling the Linen as a bag, maybe the one from No Sheep for You everybody seems to be making.

I've decided that until the weather cools off, I'm just going to raid my stash and knit small things. It's the only thing I think I can tolerate in this heat.

Knitting for babies

It seems like the last year has been overflowing with babies. I would almost bet that every knitter I know has knitted at least one baby thing in the last twelve months. I'll go one step further: I would say at least one in three of all new or returning knitters walk into the yarn shop because of a baby. (I've also heard that 73% of all statistics are made up on the spot.)

But for all the baby knitting enthusiasm, the anxiety can be equally overwhelming. Will I be able to learn how to do this? Is this yarn washable? Will the mother spend the time handwashing when the baby has thrown up on it? Do I even want to give this nice yarn to a puking baby in the first place? Will I finish this in time? What if I labor on this pink blanket and the baby ends up being a boy? What if the baby is huge and doesn't fit in the 0-3 month size? Should I make a 12 month size? Two year size, just to be sure?

But we do it anyway. Embark on the impossible tasks like the steeked fair isle baby cardigan or the intarsia alphabet blanket (holla, Tonya!). I've got a few theories about this.

1. Babies are a reason for celebration. This means presents. Knitters will find any reason to knit their presents, spending $30 on yarn for cashmere baby booties rather than $5 on a pack of onesies. Knitters are very practical people.

2. Babies are small. Ask any knitter if they would rather make a sweater for somebody 8 lbs. or somebody pushing 200 lbs, use up 2 skeins or 20. The math works out in a baby's favor.

3. Babies are defenseless. You can make them wear anything. They haven't reached "But the Hollister sweatshirt is softer than the Target one!" or "This makes me look fat!" phases. They haven't even reached "This is itchy!" yet, mostly because they don't know how to talk. Babies will wear hats with faces and ears on them. You know, all the stuff that is really fun to knit.

4. Babies are cute. And what better way to accentuate the adorableness of your own knitted item than to have an equally adorable baby wear it?

But knitting can be a struggle. Some people will give up. The half finished basketweave blanket will end up in a Kroger bag at the back of the closet for "next time." The organic cotton will be forfeited for something more "practical" like squeaky acrylic. Or even worse, handknits will be accomplished, only to be lost in the flurry of the new baby, never to appear in person. Not even in a picture.

But that didn't happen to Ellana. After laboring over the cotton fleece and lace charts, the duplicate stitch and I-cords, she finished the Frog Princess outfit. And getting this picture in her email made it all worth while.

Charity Knitting: Afghans for Afghans

The Duduza dolls and the Red Scarves have been sent. Thanks to everyone for participating!



Our next charity knit will be Afghans for Afghans. While they accept lots of knitted and crocheted items, we will be collecting squares for blankets. Make your squares 9 x 9 inches. Any pattern goes, but please do not include faces or animals since Islam prohibits depicting likenesses. For more information, please visit their website.

Harper!

Pictures of my dog, but not quite as gratuitous as last time.

I love dressing up animals. And that is why I have a dog and not a cat.

Leo's First LYS Visit!

Last week, Leo made his first venture out into the world. Where do you think his momma took him? Knit Nook's Stitch and Bitch of course! (While some, acquainted with the adventurous knitting and the raucous bitching, might disapprove, saying, "You might as well have taken that vulnerable infant to a biker bar before the smoking ban!" be reassured that we were on our best behavior.)

So Leo made the rounds and met everyone...


...while Tonya met the supplies for her Tangle Yoke Cardigan! This sweater is proving to be this year's Central Park Hoodie! Tonya has selected Silky Wool for her project, which has the same gauge as the Felted Tweed.

Here is a picture of the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. So far, Liz, Tonya, and Erin have started it, while multitudes are still discussing it (including me).