The Might Could List

Might could.

It's a phrase packed with wonderful possibilities, isn't it?

This lovely linguistic gem comes from the American south, where it surfaces in various ways. As a statement, it can confirm something will happen: Yes, I might could do that. It can convey agreement without actually making a commitment, thus leaving some waffle room: Yes, that might could happen. In a question, it often takes the form of a gentle, understated request that's hard to resist: Might could you do this for me?

I've been thinking about the power of might could, because it's the perfect phrase for knitters. Or perhaps, it's simply the perfect phrase for this knitter.

For example, I might could seam my Angletyn afghan this week.

I might could strive to get better photos of Alaris, my cape-poncho-shawl-wrap.

I might could cast on a new project.

Or, I might could cast on two.

Where a to-do list often feels rigid and demanding, the might-could version is upbeat and inviting. Plus, it inherently offers a little wiggle room, which for me definitely adds to its appeal.

So that's it, my Might Could list for the week. What's yours?


To read more of the Might Could story, see Might Could Works.

Might Could Works

As every maker knows, small things can make a big difference.

Such is the case with the streamlined, pared down, low-key Might Could list I shared a few weeks ago. Since then, here's what I might did:

1. Seamed this vivid version of my Angletyn afghan:

2. Wove a few final ends on Alaris, the wrap-cape-shawl-ruana, and worked to get a slightly better picture:

3. Completed the strips for the summery rainbow version of the Tikkyn afghan. I'm weaving ends now, then it will be ready to assemble.

4. Started (yet) another afghan, which has seen some action since this photo, but which is mostly waiting patiently for its turn in the spotlight.

5. Drafted a design for something I desperately need, a light, fluid spring-summer shawl suitable for the cool mornings and evenings we're experiencing.

6. Finished writing several patterns, which will head to the tech editor soon.

Dazzling? No. Progress? Yes.

In fact, the results have been so satisfying, I'm developing an updated Might Could list, to see what other things this understated, loosey-goosey, weirdly motivating strategy might be able to manifest. If you haven't tried it, stroll over to the dark side and give it a lazy whirl.

Who knows what you might could do and might could make if you had a Might Could list of your own?

Connecting with the Linkups in the sidebar.

Searchable

In theory this site is searchable, but in reality, sometimes the search function works well and sometimes it doesn't. The Google overlords routinely change search algorithms, which often has a direct, surprising effect on the results even the simplest search will produce.

ALIEN PARASITE ANTIBODIES

(They also routinely alter formatting algorithms, so blog posts have an annoying interesting tendency to reformat themselves and suddenly appear different from one day to the next. But that's a topic for another day.)

Back to searchability. There are more than 400 blog posts on the Knitting | Work in Progress (KWIP) site, so if you're looking for something specific, here are some tips. 

If you want to:

• Buy patterns, click on the Patterns tab (above).
• Read about patterns, go to the Browse category in the sidebar, scroll down the list and click on Patterns.
• Find a post about a particular topic, go to the Browse category in the sidebar, scroll through the list and click the appropriate tag, such as Ombres & Gradients.
• Find an earlier blog post, use the Search box and enter a keyword, such as afghan, mitts, rainbow, etc.
• Locate something specific, enter it in the Search box with quote marks, such as "Tikkyn afghan" or "Christmas trees" or "Might Could List."
• Read a post from a particular timeframe, go to the Archive list in the sidebar, select the correct option and it will display everything posted that month, e.g., March 2017.

I'm evaluating the pros and cons of moving the blog to a different platform that offers more layout options, better search functionality and greater flexibility. Until that happens, I'm soldiering on here and hope the suggestions above will help make it easier for you to more quickly find what interests you.

If you have feedback or a specific search-related question, just let me know, and I'll do my best to address it.


Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Summer Means Red, White & Blue

Summer has arrived in every sense of the word.

It's Memorial Day weekend, which in the US is the defacto start of the season. And after a very cool, grey and rainy spring, we're experiencing a stretch of warm weather accompanied by the delightful humidity that makes summer in this region so sticky memorable.

Regardless of the weather, makers and non-makers alike will be unfurling flags, pulling out decorations, and preparing all things red, white and blue (RWB) for summer duty.

As I was going through this annual ritual, it was a bit disconcerting to realize for the first time in several years, there have been no new additions to this cloth and coaster collection.

Obviously, this is a problem that must be rectified. There are several projects in various states of doneness (that's a word, right?) and a long list of items clamoring to be cast on, but as a knitter I can feel the RWB collection tugging at my maker's heartstrings.

The only logical option is to update the Might Could list and cast on at least one item to freshen the collection. 

What will that be, you ask? I have no clue. 

I've been thinking a handknit towel and/or placemat would serve as an anchor for the 27 coasters and cloths. (Yep, I counted.) The collection has actually grown smaller, since several items have found new homes with friends and family.

I'm especially fond of the RWB Hearts and Spots (which are beginning to show signs of wear), so new ones are a real possibility. 

Or if I get ambitious, I might tackle a table runner. What do you think: Perhaps a long stretch of blue accented with red and white stripes at each end? Or something in red and white that would work for Christmas and Valentine's Day, too?

I feel confident with your input I'll make a sound decision.

Meanwhile wherever you are, I hope you're having a relaxing weekend. And if you're in the US, enjoy your holiday weekend by celebrating with family, friends and something handcrafted in red, white and blue. In many ways, they're the true colors of summer.


PS: Hard to believe, but Independence Day (July 4) is only a few weeks away. In the meantime, for those of you who live in the US, Flag Day (June 14) offers another opportunity to celebrate with red, white and blue. 

Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Simple Works

Does it seem life is growing exponentially more complicated with each passing year?

From family and friends to readers and colleagues, everyone seems to agree: Modern life has become so fast paced and convoluted, it's often overwhelming.

As outside forces grow more complex, I've learned (the hard way) how important it is to streamline, pare down and simplify other aspects of life.

There are limits, of course, to how much simplification specific activities will tolerate. Knitting serves as one of the few exceptions, because it's controllable, flexible and scalable.

In other words, the more demanding life becomes, the greater my need for simple knits. I relish their soothing therapeutic effects, value the opportunity to make something tangible and useful, and welcome the respite they offer from a world that's spinning too fast.

For me, the best projects are also compact and portable, which means I can carry a maintenance dose wherever I go. 

My fondness for fast, easy and compact projects is no secret. From an execution perspective, they hit all my hot buttons. From a stashbusting perspective, they offer unlimited potential. And from a design perspective, they're infinitely interesting and adaptable.

Because I can't change the course of world and life events, I'm focusing on factors within my span of control.

I'm resisting the urge to cast on all the things. I'm developing another Might Could list in an effort to introduce some semblance of order. And I'm working hard to remember in life and knitting, simple works best for me.

When life gets crazy, what type of projects appeal to you?

If you're seeking ideas for simple knits, you might enjoy these posts on fast & easy projects.

You Might Be a Knitter ...

It must be love. 

When the godkids expressed an interest in learning how to knit, I was delighted. When they “oohed” and “aahed” over their small knitted Christmas gifts and repeated their desire to learn, I was thrilled.

Thinking about the challenge of teaching fundamentals to a brand new crop of potential knitters has motivated me to take a fresh look at this fascination with fiber. 

I made a few discoveries, and while I can’t say they will help with the knitting lessons, they’re certainly giving me some insights into my own obvious obsessions. (Yep, plural.)

I’ve come to the conclusion you might be a knitter if you  …       

1. Knit shawls but do not wear them.
2. Knit [fill in the blank] but do not wear or use [fill in the blank].
3. Have more UFOs than Area 51.
4. Have made an afghan for everyone you know.
5. Made an afghan for each room in the house … including your home office.
6. Realize yarn, WIPs and knitting paraphernalia are the source of your clutter problem.
7. View yarn and knitting time as far more valuable than professional therapy.
8. Invest way too many hours (and dollars) to make someone you love a hand knit item.
9. Display yarn as décor.
10. Conceal yarn in cupboards to disguise your addiction.
11. Organize yarn by color, weight, fiber composition or all three.
12. Organize yarn by future intended project (socks, sweaters, shawls, hats, household, etc.).
13. Hear the word “needle” and think “knitting.”
14. Have family or friends who hear the word “needle” and they think “knitting.”
15. Have a chair you refer to as your knitting chair.
16. Have a space you refer to as your knitting zone.
17. Have a knitting room, stash room, craft room or studio.
18. Have shelves, drawers, cabinets and/or tubs devoted exclusively to yarn storage.
19. Take portable projects to appointments, kids’ events and the grocery, bank, drug store …
20. Pack and take projects, needles and yarn on vacations and business trips.
21. Own duplicate sets of needles made from different types of material.
22. Have every needle size in DPNs, short straights, long straights and circulars.
23. See the letters EZ and you immediately think “Elizabeth Zimmerman.”
24. Struggled through foreign language classes, but you see “Ktbl, yo, p3, sl1 pwise wyif” and think, “Well, that makes sense.”
25. Realize knitting is the only foreign language you can actually read and speak.
26. Read patterns and stitch combos, but instead of swatching, you imagi-knit them in your head.  
27. Find the Perfect Pattern, then make a list of modifications so it’s even more perfect.
28. Post pictures of your WIPs, UFOs and FOs.
29. Post pictures of your freshly reorganized yarn (needles, books, patterns, knitting space).
30. Bought a decent camera so you could take even better pictures of your knitting (yarn, project bags, stash, etc.).
31. Bought a dress form to model knit items … and then gave your dress form a name.
32. Refer to “Edwina,” and everyone knows you mean your dress form.
33. Have yarn or UFOs older than your oldest child.
34. Have yarn you inherited from your mother, aunt, grandmother or friend.
35. Have a jar, vase or bowl filled with tiny balls of yarn from each project.

Yikes! I don't do all these things, but let's just say many of them strike very close to home ... and this list barely scratches the surface of the wacky and wondrous ways we reveal our passion for knitting.

I have knitting sessions to plan, but clearly I got side-tracked. It's time for me to stop playing around and start figuring out a strategy.

Meanwhile, feel free to share whatever quirky things you do that indicate you might be a knitter, too.

11 Color Combos for Kids

Soon, several babies will be joining our network of family and friends. In preparation for these happy events, I've been scouring patterns and playing with yarn and color in an effort to find just the right combinations for each new arrival.

Others view this as a strange obsession, but you understand. Creating things for little ones is just one of many threads that bind us together as makers. 

Decades ago, for example, my great aunt crocheted a charming baby sweater for my sister. True to her independent nature, Great Aunt M eschewed traditional girly shades and instead used a fresh mint green accented with cream, the perfect complement to my sister's lovely red hair and peachy skin tones. That little sweater may be gone, but its legacy lives on.

In terms of current trends, Pantone has selected not one but two colors of the year: rose quartz (soft pink) and serenity blue (periwinkle). Alone or in combination, they could be ideal for baby knits, and as an added plus, Pantone assures us they create "a sense of calm and relaxation."

That sounds desirable, but because I'm not totally convinced, I've continued compiling options. If knitting for a kid is on your list too, here are 11 color combos with universal appeal that might help jumpstart your own planning process.

Boyish

Navy, cobalt, true blue

Girlish
Bright pink, medium pink, light pink

Neutral Boy
Grey, soft turquoise, cream

Neutral Girl
Grey, rose quartz, cream

Neutral Unisex
Grey, butter, cream

Primary Pure

Red, yellow, blue

Primary Shift
Deep rust, gold, dark blue

Purple 
Deep purple, medium purple, lighter purple

Rainbow Bright
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple

Rainbow Soft
Rose, marigold, butter, mint, sky, lavender

Trendy

Turquoise, coral, lilac gray

If many of the combos seem rather conventional, you're right: Year after year, kids gravitate to the same time-tested selections. We long to change things up, but they don't.

That said, I often find it difficult to land on the perfect combination for a particular child. If you struggle with this too, these strategies might help: For a baby, use the mom's preferred color scheme. For a young boy, opt for his favorite superhero or team colors. For a young girl, use colors worn by the lead female character in her favorite animated feature. For a unisex combo, go with the selection above or substitute minty green for butter yellow. For tweens and teens, use school colors.

If your project isn't secret, sit down with the youngster in question and scroll together through these selections to begin paring the list. If you're completely stumped, talk to the parents, mimic the kid's bedroom decor, or pay attention to the colors they wear most often.

Finally if all else fails, follow my personal kid-knit rule: When in doubt, opt for rainbow shades. It's one combination most children (and many adults) can't resist.

     Breidan

For fast and easy kidworthy afghans, see Flashpoint.

For a different take on rainbow color schemes, see Color Check.

For more thoughts on color, see Tips & Tricks.

Why Knit? 10 Simple Reasons

Not long ago a friend and I were talking about our respective creative passions. (She's a talented photographer, and I design, knit and write.)

During the course of the discussion, I found myself describing knitting as the process of using yarn and needles to build an afghan (sweater, scarf, hat, sock, whatever) one pixel at a time ... stitch after stitch, row after row, inch after inch.

The silence was deafening as she mentally worked through the daunting implications. Then she asked: Why do you do it?

DOJELING (WIP)

That's a very good question, isn't it? It's one many of us wrestle with from time to time.

We knit for many reasons. Some are obvious, others are more complex and esoteric. After much thought, here are 10 simple reasons why yarn and needles are integral to my life:

1. Creative Needs. From color to stitchwork and concept to structure, knitting taps into an elemental creative need. For me, it's infinitely fascinating to see how the smallest changes can produce dramatically different results. You and I could knit the same pattern, but every choice we make transforms that design into something personal and unique.

2. Fidgets. Patience isn't my strong suit. Knitting is the ideal diversion for airplanes, bleacher benches, car rides and  waiting rooms. It occupies my mind and hands, calms me down, passes the time, and helps me feel productive.

3. Fiber. I've been fascinated by fiber and fabrics in all their forms since I was a child. Through the years, I've tackled weaving, natural dying, batiking, sewing, quilting, embroidery, cross stitch, macrame, crochet (sort of) and knitting. From time to time I still do these activities, but knitting is the only one I feel compelled to do every day.

4. Listening. I'm a vocal person and can chat up a storm. Because knitting taps into a different part of my brain, I talk less and listen more intently whether I'm on the phone, having coffee with a friend, or enjoying a family gathering, This is a good thing.

5. Maker Genes. Like most families, we have our fair share of brainiacs and boneheads. We also have a remarkably long line of makers both male and female. From quilting to embroidery and toolmaking to glass blowing, my maker DNA can't be denied.

6. Passion. Yes, we could go out and buy afghans, booties, cowls and hats, but as lovely as they might be, they're mere things. When we craft those same things by hand, they're instantly infused with our affection for the recipient, individual design sensibility, and our passion for fiber and craft.

7. Portable. Part of knitting's appeal is its easy portability. With a little thought and planning it can go almost anywhere, which is why I'm an avid fan of modular designs and try to have at least one portable project on the needles at all times.

DOJELING (FO)

8. Relaxation. Like many of you, my work and life schedules are demanding, and at the end of a typical day, I'm lucky if two gray cells are still sparking. Knitting satisfies my need to feel productive, but it also offers the rare opportunity to relax, renew and regenerate at the same time.

9. Results. Much of what we do on a day-to-day basis occurs in an ethereal digital universe. While digital output is "real," it's not tangible. From concept through execution and use, the knitting process is physical, tactile and engaging. Finished items exist in the here and now, have dimension and substance, and are real in a very meaningful way.

10. Sanity. Need I say more?

DOJELING (PATTERN)

This list is a decent start, but it barely scratches the surface. So, tell me your tale: Why do you knit (crochet, embroider, sew, quilt, etc.)? Feel free to share, your secrets are safe with me.


Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Lost in Neverland

My sister always said in my world, every skein of yarn and knitting project had a story, and she was right. This particular sweater saga is just one example, something I alluded to in a recent stashbusting post and reader Martina insisted I share.

The tale begins on a gorgeous fall day. I was out of town staying with a dear friend, and we'd decided to spend the afternoon running errands and doing casual things. We tackled a few items on her list, then popped into a local yarn store so I could fondle fiber and inhale yarn fumes.

I quickly discovered a pile of Korall, a lovely chunky merino yarn that was exquisite and expensive. Enamored with the soft hand and beautiful clear red, I stood rooted to the spot, stroking it and admiring the color.

Perhaps I muttered something about a sweater. Perhaps I sighed audibly, knowing full well I'd already spent every cent of my yarn budget on premium yarns to make gifts for friends and family.

Since I was browsing not buying, I stiffened my spine and moved on, petting random skeins while I explored the store. As we climbed into the car to head to lunch, my friend handed me a bag filled with the lush Korall and said, "I saw how much you admired this, so consider it a belated birthday gift."

I was speechless. Not only was it a thoughtful gesture, that bag of yarn represented an outlay far greater than our traditional token gifts. I stammered my thanks, we hugged and then got on with our day.

When I returned home, I started searching for a suitable sweater pattern. With the limited yardage typical of most chunky weights, it was painfully evident I would need more yarn. (The loose and relaxed look I prefer requires plenty of yardage.) After lots of math and preliminary swatching, I realized I needed roughly 15 more skeins to make the vivid red cardigan I imagined.

And so it began. I hit the phones and called every local yarn store. No luck. I contacted the original yarn store to try to snag more, but the Korall was gone. I searched online, contacted more stores, and struck out again and again.

Finally I managed to track down 10 skeins of red and 10 of black at two distant locations. After months of searching, I wasn't willing to risk running short: I bought all of it, paid a bundle for shipping, and soon it was on its way. Finally, I would have sufficient yarn in hand.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months as I swatched and searched for a design that would optimize this new mix of red and black, hoping to create the wonderfully wearable cardigan I envisioned. As time marched onward, I began to wonder if adding a third color might improve my options.

Yep, you guessed it. I tracked down a gorgeous purple (Torino Bulky), bought a handful of skeins, then returned to sketching concepts and scouring books, blogs and Ravelry in an effort to find the perfect pattern.

Therein lies the rub. I swatched repeatedly and tried the growing assortment of bulky yarn in one design after another to no avail. In more than one instance I knit significant portions (50%, 60%, 70%) before it became evident the design wasn't right for me, the yarn or both.

Time and again, the Korall was swatched, knit, frogged, rewound and returned to stash. I simply couldn't seem to land on a combination that did justice to it and my friend's generous gesture.

Then one day, the right light bulb turned on. I worked up some sketches, whipped out my needles, knit several swatches then made this:

While I'd cheerfully forego the years of trial and error when the yarn and I were lost in Neverland, this version of Flashpoint worked up so quickly and was such fun to make, I couldn't be happier.

Clearly from the very beginning, the yarn longed to be something other than a cardigan. This is actually good news, since many bulky merino skeins remain in the stash, eager to find their purpose and fulfill their destiny. As afghans, not sweaters.


UPDATE
And more are OTN or in the pipeline.

10 Terrific Fall Color Combos

Now that autumn has arrived and the leaves are turning, fall color combinations are on my mind. After a slow start, the trees are now ablaze with color and the ground is lightly coated so every footstep is accompanied by a satisfying rustle and crunch.

Twegen Harvest

To mark this transition, the summer-weight afghans have been stowed and their autumnal siblings have been released from storage. There's at least one afghan draped on a couch or chair in every room (including my office), so something cozy is at hand as the days grow shorter and the temps grow cooler.

 Twegen Coffee

I love neutrals, but as the temps fall, I become ever more enamored with rich, hearty colors to offset the growing grey and gloom. Mother nature seems to feel the same, since she's pulled out all the stops and delivered a true visual feast of heartwarming hues.

 Herlacyn Heatwave

Now that Herlacyn with its warm, saturated shades is finished, I've been entertaining myself thinking about favorite color combinations particularly well-suited to fall. If your thoughts have been traveling in the same vein, you might find some of these options useful.

Here are 10 terrific fall color combos:

Classic I
Coffee, currant, squash

Spice
Clove, cinnamon, nutmeg




Warmth
Bark, olive, squash




Greenery
Rosemary, sage, thyme




Fresh
Sage, orange, ginger




Classic II
Olive, currant, honey




Trendy
Lake, deep rust, gold




Rich
Old pewter, ruby, old gold




Foliage
Sugar maple, oak, aspen




Harvest
Apple, pumpkin, cider

As always, this assortment doesn't come close to exhausting the full range of possibilities, but if you're on a fall color quest, they'll get you started.

Spice, Greenery and Foliage would look lovely worked as three- or five-stage tone-on-tone ombres or gradients, and you could create a fun rainbow effect by mixing and matching colors from different clusters.

If you're seeking surefire combinations for the guys on your knitting list, it's difficult to go wrong with autumn-based schemes, which most men seem to find naturally appealing. Whatever course of action you choose, have fun and experiment.

Meanwhile, I can't think of a better way to make the most of this colorful season than by knitting something in enticing fall shades. Can you?


RELATED

11 Color Combos for Kids	11 Rich Color Combos

To see all Color Talk posts, click here.
Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.