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Knit Blog: Chic Knits |
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Monday, December 13, 2004  Monday Morning Mirth
It's that time of the Year again and over here at ChicKnits we're checking out lists and making them twice: TOP 10 WORDS OF 2004
1. blog
2. incumbent
3. electoral
4. insurgent
5. hurricane
6. cicada
7. peloton
8. partisan
9. sovereignty
10. defenestration
OK! QUICK! Just what does *peloton* mean???
...according to Merriam-Webster's
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Tuesday, December 14, 2004 
a Tale of Two Sleeves
Most people I know who LOVE to knit sweaters HATE to knit sleeves! For me, it signals the stage in the project when the Honeymoon is over and when Marital Counseling might become necessary...
This time around on 2 of my WIPs, I'm trying something different. On 2 different sweaters, I have two seperate sleeves on the needles. One is the Shazam Cardi and the Other is a Ribby. When I get tired of one, I switch to the other and WOOT! It's (sortof) cured my 7-year Itch, to borrow a phrase...
I thought for those of you who are knitting the Ribby as your first sweater, you might enjoy seeing a little comparison. 
WHAT's UP with those Ribby Sleeves?
YUP! They're really skinny! That's because the ribbed pattern wants to scrunch itself all up when it's in a relaxed, unworn, position. You can't see any of the hills and valleys of the rib - which is weird! It almost looks like bumpy Stockinette st.
It also looks alot smaller than the non-ribbed sleeve.
But now the FUN happens - you just love FUN don't you!?
If you slighty stretch the Ribby sleeve, you see that it is the same size as a normal, non-ribbed sleeve. WHEW!
Now I understand why some people on the #66 think I'm knitting a scarf when I'm wailing away on my commute!
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Wednesday, December 15, 2004 
hey Kidz! What day is it?
It's WashDay! Time to take that honkin' mistake project and send it to the TUBS!
To go any further on my Shazam Cardi, I've got to farm back into a couple of leftover pieces for their precious yarn. I *unwind* the piece into a center-pull ball using my little ball winder. Then I make skeins from the balls, using my swift and loosely tie in 3 places so they don't seperate in the next step...
Now I fill my kitchen sink with warm water and 2 tiny drops of plain dishsoap and soak, rinse with plain water after I've seen the loopies relax, then dry flat...
Just for fun, I added a couple of skeins of Fuschia variegated wool from a trial project that didn't turn out. It's now destined to become a cowl...
I wore one in Low Teen Temps all day yesterday working outside and with it up around my ears, didn't even reach for my hat!
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Friday, December 17, 2004 
the backstep tango
Having one REALLY easy project to soothe the weary mind is always a good idea...
I look at my WIP list and see two complicated projects and one sort of easy project. MISSING: that REALLY easy mind fulffer-nutter! So I started a little slotted scarf like the one Theresa made. Mine is out of some WILD Noro Kureyon that jumped out of the stash to beat any SADD that might be hanging around (it ALWAYS cheers me up to see COLORFUL accessories on other folks necks and heads, so I though I'd return the karmic dues). BUT, I wasn't really happy with the way the mid-section was turning out using this yarn, so I RIPPED it. NOT in the mood to wash the kinkiDEEkoo's out of the used yarn, I tried something completely different.
Using my old faithful ball winder, I made a medium-loose center pull ball as I frogged. Every inch or so of the new ball, I would spray it with water. Then I would frog some more until the ball was about an inch bigger and spray with water. When the scarf was completely frogged, I wrapped the ball in a terry kitchen towel and MICROWAVED it on low for about 10 sec. (I read this microwave hint earlier this year where someone MICd a skein of yarn but I can't find it - anyone?) I microwaved more in small time increments until the ball was completely saturated with steam.
I let it cool to room temp and VOILA! Kink Free!
May your Holidays be so LUCKY! BEFORE: the slot is too skinny
AFTER: a combination of the Bow-Knot & the Try This Slotted Scarf Pattern gives a little wider slot area...
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Weekend, December 18 - 19, 2004 the Ghost of ChicKnits Christmas Past!
this list first seen in 2002...
If you are a Professional Procrastinator like me, chances are a couple of people slipped between the lines of your Christmas List...
There is still hope - that is, if your friend is a knitter/wannabee knitter,
like YOU! **************************************** 
ChicKnits
Top 10 List
of Last Minute Gifts
10. Make a pretty *Coupon for Knitting Lessons* from you...
9. Make a *How-to-Knit Kit* out of 2 - double pt needles (wrap a rubber band around one end so stitches don't popoff) and a small ball of yarn and a little homemade coupon *Knit Lesson* (from you!) One set of Double Pts. will make 2 Kits!
8. Dig in your stash and find enough yarn (combine more than one if you need to) and make a *Scarf Kit* with the yarn needles. OR, call it a *Hat Kit* and felt a hat together...
7. Get a Spray Bottle, Heavy-Duty Straight Pins and a couple of nice cotton towels, include directions, wrap and call it a *How to Block Kit*.
6. Get an inexpensive 4'x6' Indian Type Rug and label it *the Ultimate Blocking Rug* including directions.
5. Make a coupon for *Learn Finishing Techniques* if you know how to Mattress Stitch, Three-Needle Bind-off, and Chain Stitch. Three lessons at your pleasure...
4. Make coupon good for *Seam the Newbie's Sweater* because this is a daunting thing for most people to do and that's what friends are for.
3. Really suck it up and Make a LARGE coupon good for *Total Finishing of the Sweater of Your Choice* which would include blocking, seaming, banding, buttons, etc. Of course, this is worth millions and lifetime devotion so be very very careful...
2. Get a wonderful *Steamer* like this if you don't have one get one for yourself as well) for finishing - it is a million times better than an iron and will send your finishing into orbit!
1. Break the bank($35.00) and make a person a coupon for *Membership in the Fiber Art Shop's Online Video Knitting Classes* - you register, pay and pass the password on the coupon. These are very cool...
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©Bonne Marie Burns
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