Yeah, I know. It says it right up there at the top. "K's Knits and Knotes", and the only thing I've posted about has been ripping out an old project so I can recycle the yarn.

So, I'm reading the Harlot's blog one day in which she mentions this book and the fact that there is a pattern for an Japanese samurai hat. In my attempt to get the husband interested in knitting, I show it to him. His response? "Can you make 3 or 4 of these?"


Over a year ago, the husband signed up for Iaido classes at the dojo where the kidlets take karate. He wants the hats to present as jokes to various people. It's supposed to be a surprise, but I'm pretty sure that karate sensei's don't read blogs about knitting.

I'm currently working on hat number one. Instead of using the Euroflax that the pattern calls for (at $18/skein, 4 skeins/hat = too pricey for jokes), I'm using Knitpicks merino. This is the first time I've used the yarn, and so far so good. It's very soft and springy, and I've had no problems with splitting.

The pattern is fun to knit and it goes rather fast, but I'm at the 'finishing' and it's rather fussy. The dragon on the top of the hat requires about 50 impossibly small beads to be sewn on, which means threading impossibly tiny needle eyes at a time in my life when I'm getting precariously close to needing bi-focals.
Did I mention that he wants more than one ruddy hat?

What the H was I thinking?!

I'm rethinking this whole blog thing...it seems to be more trouble than it's worth (remember, I'm technostoopid).

But enough about that. When I first learned to knit 20+ years ago, my first project was a cotton tank out of this beautiful yarn (don't remember the manufacturer - didn't bother to save the label - young and stupid). Well, I no longer have the tank owing to the fact that I've put on a few pounds. If I'd had the foresight to save it, my daughter could now be wearing it.

My second project was a blue sweater of some tweedy wool (again, didn't save the label) that never really fit correctly. It turned into a tunic, was (at the time) way to bulky, and I never really got the neckband right. There were huge gapping holes where I picked up the stitches. But I saved it because it was so big and I never out grew it. It's not picture worthy, so you get a picture of the drying yarn.

So I'm in the process of ripping it, washing the yarn to get out the kinks, and it's been drying on the kitchen table for 2 days. As I was ripping it, I got to see how much I've improved as a knitter. My finishing techniques really weren't that good. I still don't think I've reached Fantastic Finisher status, but it's something to strive for.

So, I challenge you to rip out that first or second project to see how you've evolved as a knitter/finisher. You may end up being very proud of yourself.

Meanwhile, I'll be fighting the computer Don Quixote style....

And away we go...

I've been mulling this over for some time. What could I possibly offer that no one else had? Nothing. I don't have a particularly unique hook. I'm just me. So, here goes...

I would love to give the credit to the first person to do this, but I don't know who you are..

15 Things about me:

1. I knit.
2. I don't know how to spin, but would like to learn.
3. I love a clean house, but I don't love to clean house.
4. I'm basically lazy (see above).
5. I absolutely hate hearing someone else's radio/CD while sitting in traffic.
6. I actually enjoy bagpipe music.
7. I really love hot, humid weather. I call it the "over air/conditioning of America".
8. I don't like to be cold (o.k. - this one's a gimme)
9. I love crazy Britcoms and movies. Blame Monty Python.
10. Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Ritchie, Tori Spelling and their ilk make me itch. I mean does anyone really care that they just had a fenderbender or what they are wearing or who they vote for? Why is this constantly being crammed down our throats? I'm off my soapbox.
11. I must be the only Republican, semi-conservative blogger that I know of.

This is harder than I thought...

12. I'm technostoopid - the appearance of this page is proof of that.
13. I am going prematurely grey - anytime your hair turns grey it's premature!
14. I like animals, except when they are peeing on my floor. We just got a new puppy.
15. I prefer Coke over Pepsi - and never Diet.
16. I prefer peace and quiet - so I am blessed with a husband with a large voice, and 4 loud screaming, rambunctious, running, laughing, young children.
17. I've never, ever seen an episode of American Idol. Taylor who?

I'll post pictures on the next post. I'm just learning, be patient.