In which there is actual knitting content...

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...or at least discussion thereof.

First of all,

I AM AN ENABLER!

I believe I've found a kindred spirit in my new friend and coworker L., (yes, of the much belabored hockey stick story). She mentioned in an instant message a few weeks ago that she was on her way to a sewing class, and I knew immediately that she possessed the crafty gene and was therefore easy pickings for knitting instruction. I told her I was a knitter, and she then shared that she crocheted and wanted to learn to knit. (Mwaah-ha-ha! My evil plan was working!) So last week I packed a ball of yarn and a nice pair of Brittany #8 straights in my suitcase, just in case an opportunity arose to teach her. (I think I'd read that the Yarn Harlot always carries extra yarn and needles with her when she travels, for just such an occasion. One smart cookie, that Stephanie.)

Sure enough, opportunity did arise after dinner Wednesday night, and L. picked up the knit stitch with lightning speed. (I cast on for her, to speed the class along. She'll need to learn that, as well as purling and casting off, in this week's lesson). While she knit, I gave her a little primer on yarn (crap yarn vs. good; craft stores vs. yarn shops), and have convinced her that we need to stop by the Columbia LYS sometime this week. So if anyone in the Baltimore-Columbia area is reading this, we may go there this Wednesday between 5 and 6 pm. I'd love to run into other knit-bloggers.

[Edit: I forgot to mention that during L.'s lesson, I told her about the difference between Continental vs. English/American style knitting. I'm right-handed and currently only know English style, which is the method I taught her, but since L.'s a leftie, she took it upon herself to go to KnittingHelp.com and teach herself continental knitting over the weekend! I think I've discovered a knitting savant!]

When we were both back at our respective homes on Friday I sent L. an email with a list of Toronto yarn shops. Turns out she lives just a few blocks from the infamous Lettuce Knit, (not to be confused with the LYS here in Richmond of the same name, but which has no website whose website is here). L. was so cute -- she asked me if it would be "cheating" on her instructor (me) if she went to Lettuce Knit over the weekend to check it out. Can you imagine? I told her "Vaya con Dios" and to tell me all about it this week.

And so, fellow knitters, there's a new knitter on the planet. Rejoice!

Secondly,

Scout's UFO Meme:

Darn Scout, for casting the spotlight on all my unfinished projects! But, sometimes it's good to make lists - they can motivate productivity. So, here in its entirety, (I think), is a list of all my unfinished projects:

• Chemo cap (yes, it is truly shameful that I've never finished this)
• Plymouth Sinsation felted chenille scarf in turquoise (I just have to weave in the ends and felt this! What's my problem?)
• Plymouth Sinsation felted chenille square in navy for the Warming Grace project (again, what's my problem? it's a doggone square!)
• Lorna's Laces sock via Magic Loop method (I'm at the heel flap and just need a kick-start, no pun intended, to move forward)
• Blue Heron Rayon Metallic shawl (yards and yards of garter stitch - zzzzz)
• Pink Heart Scarf for Syd's "Think Pink" challenge (I'm so close on this)
• Eros skinny scarf (I actually knit on this last night so I can wear it for work this week - I think I'm almost done - should finish tonight)
• 9½ more mini-stocking ornaments for my nieces & nephews
• 25% left of secret knitting project for secret gift recipient (who might be reading this)

and several dozen other projects and skeins of yarn waiting in the wings.

And because that list up there is surely not long enough, I think I may cast on yet another project this week while traveling -- a Mason-Dixon Knitting ball band warshrag. I received the book for my birthday and read a few pages each night when I'm home in bed. Last night I read the pages that included the warshrag pattern and I closed the book and hugged it. Hugged it! Needless to say, I love this book and those ladies.

And finally, here's the lovely yarn that lovely-and-talented Courtney sent me after winning her blog contest:

ArtYarns Supermerino, color # 138

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Extreme close-up

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Those purples are hard to capture accurately, whether indoors or out, natural light, flash or incandescent. Neither picture is quite right, but you get the idea. I think this yarn may become a hat for my purple-loving niece's birthday in November. Anyone have any hat patterns that an 11-year-old girl would like? Anyway, thanks again, Courtney! I love this yarn!

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Welp, that's it for now. Another (even longer) week of vendor demos ahead of me. I catch a 4:40 train today, so must get my act together to leave on time.

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