As Time Went By

Last week was one of those weeks where time seemed to evaporate, and I have a hard time actually accounting for the things I accomplished. And looking around at other bloggers, I don’t seem to be the only one. In my case, it might be the “post-Rhinebeck syndrome". I get so excited by my purchases that the project in the works seems less exciting as my mind races to the things I could be making from the new members of my stash.

And, in fact, my current project is less exciting. I’m knitting away at my checkerboard scarf, and I am making progress. But what can you say at the end of a night’s knitting besides “there are a few more checks on it”. This is where it stands now:

I will use up the ball and see how long it is. When I wrap the unblocked version around my neck, it still seems too short. I ought to have enough for six feet, and that is what I’d like. I’m having a bit of trouble with the color today—it is really a dustier rose.

I think that simple knitting is not for me, even though I need to do a little more. My mind wanders, and although I can pay more attention to my audiobook, I don’t. I still find myself rewinding (can you say that if the book is on an iPod?) to be sure I heard a passage correctly. But one particular reverie did solve a problem that has persisted for years. When I knit gauge swatches, I will try to keep track of them. Sometimes I do this as notes on the pattern. But if I find the swatch at some later point and can’t locate my notes, I have no idea what needles I used. I usually remember what yarn I used, but not always. On one episode of Knitty Gritty, the guest knitter suggested knotting the tail you leave when you cast on—the number of knots is the needle size. This is ok, but if I’m using size 6 or above, I seem incapable of putting that many knots on the tail. And if I pin a little paper information sheet to the swatch, it comes off. So here is where Staples came to my rescue:

Those neat little price tags are just big enough for the information I need, and they might just do the trick.

Comments

[Caroline M]

I use tags like that for my spun yarn, time has shown that my memory isn't all that I think it is. They do the job very well indeed.

[Lorette]

Pretty scarf! I've used those string tags for a long time. I think I read about them in Maggie Righetti's Knitting in Plain English. Just use waterproof ink or pencil. Ask me how I know that.

[Robin]

I like the tag idea. You can definitely say "rewind" when referring to going back to an earlier audiobook passage on your iPod - at least that's what I say. The scarf looks great - nice color.

[WoolEnough]

Excellent idea. I've always had the same problem with swatches. Yellow stickies fall off, pins get tangled in other swatches, nothing really works.

[tiennie]

Even though it's not exciting to knit, I think it's wonderful. Somehow it's project like this that really impresses non-knitters, isn't it?