Piercing the mundane…
…but not quite at marvelous…yet.
Right, I’ve had my bit of catharsis by airing the ‘blankness’ of my creativity. Thanks for the encouraging words! But now time to get on with it!
The Guild-Intended-Kiddie-Fetchings are done and washed, which did them a world of good. Softened and fuzzied ‘em right up so that they won’t scar the little hands that wear them. And the keep-them-from-getting-lost string, which looked goofy prior to washing, is now just the right retro touch, I think.
Also got along with the Branching-Out-Initial-Attempt-At-Lace. Finished the knitting, but for the life of me can’t find a single pin to do the blocking. Much of my time is spent asking myself ‘Where did I put….?’ and then realising it’s in a box stored about 30 miles away! Sigh. But overall, I’m happy with the knitted result, am looking forward to the blocked version, and have tossed it in the Christmas-Gifts-Done pile.
What next?
Well, I think I’m back to tried and true comfort knitting. Have an idea for wild and spotty felted clogs to add to the Christmas knitting. Starting with this palette for the base….
And adding these bits of spotty colour…
If I can’t find a Relative-To-Be-The-Christmas-Gift-Recipient, then I’ll gladly wear them on my perpetually cold tootsies. Spottylicious!
And then…
In addition to nicking Holly’s good idea for doing Christmas knitting in the first place, I’m now nicking Isobel’s good idea for the 7 hour flight to the US. As I’m trapped in a confined space for a good portion of time, I hope to finally learn to crochet! Thought that a wonderful use of time since knitting needles are still taboo, which….well, don’t get me started…oops too late…
Warning: Airline Rant Approaching
Okay, so I’m fine with the fact that metal knitting needles are not allowed on planes. They can do damage. Have you ever run into a needle? I know people who have and it does leave a mark.
But tell me…what exactly are wooden knitting needles? Yep, pencils without lead! I am amazed that pencils are still allowed on airlines, but wooden needles, even circulars, are not. Why, I would think that the lead would be the dangerous part! In fact, couldn’t I take a basic No. 2 pencil, take out the lead and knit with ‘em? Yes, indeedy. But will I? Nope, too much trouble.
And so I’ll learn to crochet, bringing the bluntest, wobbliest hook known on this earth so that no one will worry that I might put an eye out or threaten my neighbour.
You know, I’ve taken circulars on probably about a dozen flights & had no problems. I’ve been taking the Takumi needles, which are bamboo, but I’ve also not had much problem with the metal ones (Addi Turbo). You might enquire, and bring some cheap ones which you don’t care about along, just in case. For a long flight, I can’t imagine not having the respite of just being able to knit, rather than fuss with crochet (I’ve never tried, though, so maybe it’s more intimidating than it is for you).
06 Jun 2007 at 7:56 pm
I did crochet one time while waiting in the departure lounge for an Aer Lingus flight. It did help pass the time but carrying enough variety of yarn to make it interesting wasn’t worth the trouble. I usually just stick my nose in a book, no matter how long the flight. Happy flying!
07 Jun 2007 at 10:10 am
I suppose that you could pack a pencil case with some pencils, a few pens, a pencil sharpener, an eraser or two, small bits if sandpaper, other miscellenous non threatening things and a few small pieces of dowels in the right diameter and make your own en route.
07 Jun 2007 at 1:07 pm
the colors for the felted slippers are lovely. and just to add fuel to the rant, you could make knitting needles out of chopsticks and say you needed them with you always!
though learning to crochet would be a good to know since crochet always looks lovely trimming a knitted item. glad to see you got through the doldrums. take care.
07 Jun 2007 at 5:01 pm
There are some really lovely chopsticks in the world, and I can truly see knitting with them. Especially if you brought along end-caps, so that you wouldn’t lose the piece.
07 Jun 2007 at 7:13 pm
I say learn to crochet. This is the perfect chance!
07 Jun 2007 at 9:06 pm
While I haven’t flown internationally in the last 6 years, I too have flown quite a bit in the US post 9/11 and not had any trouble with wooden or bamboo needles - circular or dpn’s. For me, since I despise crocheting, I would call the airline to find out about in-flight knitting from the horse’s mouth. You, of course, can teach yourself to crochet if you like.
08 Jun 2007 at 9:26 pm