Blanket update number one

Posted on by

The blanket is still going well.

I have changed from a KnitPicks needle to an Addi Turbo just to keep it fresh. (We will reflect later on the fact that I am like… 1/8 of the way into this blanket, and have already decided to try and “keep it fresh.” Bad sign.)

Moderne2Nd110609

That’s all I’ve got – except for the news that this morning I spit a stitch on it, but I noticed right away and fixed it… so it was fine and not really interesting. Sorry about that.

(I told you this was going to be boring. I’m going to have to think of something.)

182 thoughts on “Blanket update number one”

  2. Goodness, am I first?! I do like the color combination, even if the picture hasn’t changed much since yesterday 😉

  3. Hey, at least you made it to 1/8th through before needing a change. I’ve had socks that only made it through the cuff before I got bored. 😉

  4. I was thinking that you could make up a story as you knit, like, put in stitchmarkers for each character and make drama to entertain yourself, and when someone catches you talking to yourself about how Sheila and Marcus will never get together because they’re just too many rows apart, you can claim you’re doing it for ironic absurdity.
    Or you could rent SGA episodes and watch them while you knit. When I was weaving my blanket out of my handspun, I watched 7 seasons of South Park online (surprisingly insightful and clever).

  5. Actually just as garter stitch can be comforting to knit, I find it comforting to look at, especially in those pretty shades.

  6. Hey Stephanie,
    I am trying to knit my first pair of socks. (You just seem to shoot them out! I want to be able to do that!) but I keep getting ladders where I join them. I am trying to two sock at a time method on addi turbo circulars with some really pretty merino. Do you have any tips at all? Or am I stuck with getting a weird little area at the top of my sock? Also I know you prefer DPNs, but they scare me a bit, and I am afraid, having never made socks, that I might get stuck in the second sock disease, so I thought it would be best to do two. Thanks! I have been enjoying your blog, calendar and books for awhile now. I work at a book store and always have your books featured 🙂
    Meghan

  9. Just wondering – what yarn are you using? Looks like a scrumptious, heathery wool. Patons, perhaps? Or, are you going superwash so that it can go in the washer?
    Inquiring minds want to know!

  10. Steph–you must *really* be bored with the blanket if you “spit a stitch on it!” (I guess you meant you *spLit” a stitch, which I’ve done many times!)

  11. Ya know, it is boring. That much is true. On a better note. We’re here to help you along like reading your blog helps us to keep going. (I’m currently working on a sweater that is complete stockinet…boring, but good for tv knitting).
    We’ll still be here when the blanket is finished and you move on to something new! So don’t fret too much. ^_^

  12. Just keep putting up pictures. We all like pictures of knitting – even in garter stitch. ; )

  14. Sometimes boring is good – right now I have so much “real life” going on that boring sounds a bit like a haven. OK – I’m heading for home to start the garter stitch modern blanket!

  15. Garter stitch may be boring, but would you rather have a complex project that drives you absolutely batty? (I could look some up from the archives… but I won’t. :D) Maybe with something this brain-dead, you run less risk of anything going wrong.
    And like Rosa said, we’re not here *solely* for the knitting (though that is entertaining). We’re here for your writing, for your wit, and for the crazy stories about your life that make us laugh coffee out our nose and reassure us that we’re not the only ones who have “those days”. Rest assured, we’ll stick around. 🙂

  16. After the SS’09 fiasco and accompanying diatribes, you deserve to give us boring just to keep you sane. Or if it’s too late for sane, consider a garter stitch blanket the padded cell of knitting. Love all your writing!

  17. You could make it sound dramatic…like “spitting” a stitch was a horribly harrowing experience that you will only get over after years of therapy.
    Or maybe somebody in your house distracts, and you purl a row…yeah that’s it…oh the horror of the purled row…to tink or not to tink! To rip or not to rip!! Alas, I must lay down with a cool cloth on my face…

  18. Not boring – soothing. Reassuring. Comfort knitting, comfort blogging. It’s good for the sanity.

  21. Daring… I’m never brave enough to change needle types within a project, I seem to knit at completely different tensions with different makes.

  22. I am just binding off the border on the very same project as a “off to college” gift for my daughter. Boring, it was. I’m glad I didn’t have to blog about it. It was also as others have said soothing, great for watching the Red Sox whilst knitting and turned out to be a pretty nice looking throw to cuddle up in when the cold wind will blow down here in Massachusetts.

  23. What a project! Miles and miles of garter with only the occasional “spit” (or split, as the case may be) stitch to keep you from insanity. Good luck and looking forward to updates.

  25. You might, if you have the time, do a little sleight of hand and draw our attention in another direction, by starting to update the MSF totals.

  26. I know you said you were on a deadline but how far do you think you will get before you cast on something else to take the edge off?
    I did briefly think about starting one myself from three shades of indigo cotton dk. Fortunately sense kicked in before I got to the needles, it would squash any baby that managed to wriggle under it.

  27. Even if you are on deadline, I am having a hard time believeing you have only one project going. Surely all this garter stitch is going to cause repetitive motion injury to your brain. Your stash called this afternoon and begged to hold an intervention. Come on…just a few rows of lace or a small cable, just for a relish, just to keep things lively? You’ll come back to your garter stitch refreshed and alert. Come on…You now you want to. xo

  28. It may be boring but it’s going to be a beautiful blanket. It might have to hop in my queue for the winter and lots of arena knitting (works like a lap robe too). If it makes you feel better I’ve got knitter’s ADD and cast on Viper Pilots today. These charts might keep me up nights!!! Hope mine turn out half as nice as yours. Cheers! (Hey with garter, you can enjoy more beer before you’ve had to much to safely knit!)

  30. Know what you mean about boring knitting not making good blog fodder. My current wipeout the WIPs phase means blogging is dullsville. I’ve taken to posting photos of the knitting in progress at various venues just to keep myself interested. Fine for socks but the blanket is now 60cm long and 120cm wide (30% done). Not really a carry around project anymore.

  31. Even if you are on deadline, I am having a hard time believing you have only one project going. Surely all this garter stitch is going to cause repetitive motion injury to your brain. Your stash called this afternoon and begged to hold an intervention. Come on…just a few rows of lace or a small cable, just for a relish, just to keep things lively? You’ll come back to your garter stitch refreshed and alert. Come on…You now you want to. xo

  32. I hope you have something like Netflix in Canada, because you’re going to need a LOT of good DVD’s to get through that sucker.

  33. i LOVE the log cabin and have it in my queue but among the 20 million other things i have going i hope i get to start it soon..yours has BEAUTIFUL colors!

  34. Glad to see you have a case of “stickitis” to this project. It is going to be lovely with that yarn and the colours. I might just be tempted to try it. Oh oh a trip to the lYS is looming closer.

  35. You are so funny I could just about spit a stitch every time I catch up on your blog!
    First kinnearing, now spitting stitches–keep going and you will make serious contributions to the English language….

  36. You said you knit “sort of fast.” Talk about an understatement!
    Could you please tell us about the yarn you’re using? I’ve made one of those Moderne Log Cabins and I need to start another (off to college gift) so I’d love to know what you’re using. Thanks!

  38. I made one of these last summer (the baby blanket size). The first few squares go really quickly but, then, yeah… not that interesting. May the force be with you and help you move through it quickly and before deadline.

  39. Something tells me there’s going to be an awful lot of these “the blanket is still going well” posts, aren’t there?
    At least keep us informed as to the color changes or something. Like “I went from the medium light gray to the medium gray today, and tomorrow will be the darker one. I can’t wait!”

  40. We don’t care if you’re boring, we’re already addicted to the blog.
    It’s like drug dealers: they hook you with the good stuff at first, then eventually start giving you the low quality crap that they’ve cut with powdered milk or sawdust or something, but you can’t tell anymore because you just need the fix.
    You started us off with well-written stories of project infidelity and rampant mistakes and we got hooked. Now you’re cutting the blog with garter stitch, but the high we derive from experiencing the blog is still there. We will keep coming back. We need the blog fix.

  41. I’m right there with ya. Trying to finish a sleeve on circulars. The only thing of any interest is an increase every 6th row……..I’m drooling to start the Eriskay Gansey. Sooooooonnnnnnnnnnnn.
    I know that YOU think this will take a long time, but with your speed, I’d bet you’ll be LONG done before me! HA!
    Great colors.

  42. I love the boring – I made a pile of these log cabin blankies for gifts a couple of years ago – freshened them up with elaborate Nicki Epstein edges, they were and are beautiful! I’ve still got my own personal blankie on the needles, but it’s so big, I can’t lug it around anymore. I love it because it’s all out of my stash, so the bigger it gets, the smaller my stash is. It’ll be on the needles for awhile, I think.
    My own persona

  43. I love the boring – I made a pile of these log cabin blankies for gifts a couple of years ago – freshened them up with elaborate Nicki Epstein edges, they were and are beautiful! I’ve still got my own personal blankie on the needles, but it’s so big, I can’t lug it around anymore. I love it because it’s all out of my stash, so the bigger it gets, the smaller my stash is. It’ll be on the needles for awhile, I think.

  45. It may be boring to you, but these little updates, heck, even I can keep up with them. As was previously noted, there’s enough excitement everywhere else to make up for it.
    Although, I *am* giggling at the thought of you spitting on a stitch – just the one.

  46. Having made two of these, I can sympathize ! They were both loved by their recipients…but not a glamour knit at all ! Do tell what kind and color of yarn you are using – it’s very pretty.

  47. I made this blanket and it was so boring that I made like 5 other things and it took 6 months to finish. But it looked great in the end!

  48. Hee hee, I love the little updates too. I’m sure the blanket isn’t the most exciting knitting ever, but it sure is pretty to look at. Love the colors!

  49. Are you caught up on Doctor Who? You probably have time to watch all of them… not just the new ones! heh

  50. Not wishing you any bad karma, but isn’t it time for another household appliance to go kerplooey??

  51. That blanket is really pretty. I’m half-tempted to make a 10-stitch garter stitch scarf just for the hey of it so I don’t have to think about following a pattern. 🙂

  52. Hi! It is a lovely blankie, and we are here to cheer you on as it gets larger. Maybe one day you could talk about color – choices in general, and why this one is grey? Although it does look very studious and tailored, I must admit.
    Maybe you need to have some sort of contest surrounding the blanket? That could generate some bloggish excitement!

  53. Here’s how I know you are already bored. Post = 8 sentences, 1 typo. Really, you spit on a stitch? Maybe it was to ward off an evil curse? Sorry, I just find this funny. It’s been a long day….

  55. OMG it’s a nice blanket & all but you’re gonna go nuts, I’m knitting a baby sweater in garter stitch & I’m already booorrreeeddd.

  56. does that mean you’re taking suggestions for post topics?
    how ’bout a knitting for beginners post?
    I’ve been lurking here for years, and want so so so much to be a knitter. i even have needles – my grandma left them to me when she passed away – but i have no idea what to do with them.
    i want to be in the club. i want to make socks. i want to not feel like it’s the 2nd grade and i’m sitting alone at lunch because the cool kids won’t talk to me.
    so how do i start? is there an awesome book that i can use to teach myself? suggestions? pointers? tips? help!
    aaaand…. go.

  57. For some reason, I’m getting flashbacks to the saga of the green afghan from the Yarn Harlot book. Sure hope this one goes better than that one did.

  58. We need to boring to appreciate the non-boring! (Though the boring part is what is holding me back from the Modern Baby Blanket…or most blankets for that matter.)

  59. Steph, keep in mind that people physically show up to watch people run marathons. A garter stitch marathon is just as fascinating, and for the same reasons. (how can they bear it? why do they do it? will they survive?)

  60. What I’d like to know, is how many Ravelry queues was this project in before you posted yesterday, and how many Rav queues it increases to as you blog about it…I think it would be a neat study to consider the YH impact on a pattern’s popularity…
    🙂

  62. I found this blanket a really soothing knit when I made it. Even now it makes me happy every time I see it. Hopefully it’ll be the same for you once it’s done.

  63. Not boring…..it looks great! It’s the type of project we all need sometimes. 😉

  64. You are always fun and entertaining no matter what you do. I like to see that you spit stitches – mkaes me feel less frustrated with my small efforts at knitting and it makes me laugh. Love it! 😀

  66. To spit an object: to poke something sharp right through it, to put it on a spit (which is a sharp metal object). Example: to roast meat (or vegetables) over an open fire, turning it on the spit so that all sides cook evenly.
    It works for me.

  67. We could run a betting pool as to the exact moment you go crazy and start knitting something else. Then we could run another pool as to what you would switch to. That might help liven things up.
    Kel? If you’re paying attention, there are a lot of free videos on you-tube that will take you through the whole process. Casting on, knitting, purling, and everything else. Just pull up google and type knitting lessons. Or if there’s a good yarn store nearby you could go in and ask for help.

  69. You spit a stitch! That sounds hardcore! We will all have to start doing this!

  70. I don’t care if it’s boring, I like simple knitting to show up on blogs once in a while for two reasons.
    1. I get a break from feeling like a lame-ass for my lack of superfancy complex knitting.
    2. It’s soothing and inspiring to look at pictures of simple beautiful knitting in simple, beautiful wool.
    We should all make time for simple knitting, I think…

  71. Love the blanket and I’m not bored about it. But just to show how “out there” I am, I read the “spit” as “split” and didn’t see the typo. See, we read your blog no matter what.

  72. I am working on the “Warm Shawl” from Knitting Classic Style. Four HUNDRED and eighty rows of garter stitch. I feel your pain.
    Um..the last time you came up with something interesting, we got the Sock Summit. The time before that was the Knitting Olympics. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

  74. Your blanket is not boring! It is beautiful and I bet the texture is squishy and a delight to the fingers. A project like that sounds good to me! And I like your color choices, too.

  75. well, if your really desperate… you can figure each stitch represents 1 km and see how many times you lap the earth in the making of this project. Or 10 if you need… ;o)

  77. I love you for more than just the knitting, you know. There’s your charm! And your wit! And your stunning personality! We share so much more than just the knitting.

  78. Are you trying to tempt the Knitting Gods?!? Two days in a row, proclaiming uneventful knitting?!?
    Have you even read your books?
    😉
    (j/k…even the boring posts are fun with pictures…)

  79. hey-can you knit with your eyes closed? perhaps this is the perfect project to find out…THAT might be interesting…

  80. You spit a stitch? Is that how you knit so fast? (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) Actually, I’m sure you knit faster than you could spit…

  82. Okay, I’m upping the ante. $20 says you knit on something else (anything else) before you finish the blankie…lol. The deals will begin soon…If I knit three rows by lunch, I get to work two rows of a colorful sock, if I change to the next color before nightfall, I get to take this wonderful, colorful new yarn to bed and get to knit this gorgeous little swatch (because swatches don’t count as knitting…lol). At least the colors you are using aren’t…um…green.

  83. What I love about boring knitting is all the ideas one gets about other knitting to do. So you’ve got a win-win here!
    (I’m pretty certain there is no off stitch on your genius button)

  84. That was a typo, but I like it better!
    Was to be switch, not stitch!

  85. Kel at 6:57, walk into your local yarn store, present your needles, and ask for help. If you don’t have a local yarn store, Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman is a great starting point!

  86. This is a nice lesson in self discipline and in the end you will still be rewarded with something that you’ve made. Your posts – have an underlying sense of humor that I really do appreciate.

  87. so, i kinda like the boring…sort of what i need with 3 children right now. Thank you for keeping us updated. I love the blanket colors by the way, so absolutely calming and lovely 🙂 Have a great day and keep on going, 1/8 is more than 1/16….

  88. You know, you are REALLY tempting fate with all your “this is so easy it’s going to be boring” talk. Although I can’t foresee what could go wrong with this, you of all people should know that when knitters get cocky, there’s an eventual reckoning.

  89. Bravo you for garter stitching a whole blanket, I think that would hurt my hands too much. The blanket is very handsome already. BTW, I am finishing up yet another of your Daisy Sweater (found on Knitty). I just love that little sweater, this time I made it a bit longer so it is more of a coat…tee hee. I like to make it out of two colors too.

  90. New Dr Who? Huh?
    I’m curious as to the yarn also, the suspense is really getting to us, all part of your plan I’m sure. The which wool is she knitting campaign will be bigger than “who shot JR?” I’m thinking ecological wool, which is what I would like to use. Before you post publicly, you should email me privately so I at least have a chance of buying some before everyone else runs out to buy it all. (I’m remembering the great Noro drought of ’08 when you were knitting the scarves.) I was planning on purchasing a pair of Addis this weekend, I’m sure I won’t be able to find any now ((sigh))

  91. New Dr Who? Huh?
    I’m curious as to the yarn also, the suspense is really getting to us, all part of your plan I’m sure. The which wool is she knitting campaign will be bigger than “who shot JR?” I’m thinking ecological wool, which is what I would like to use. Before you post publicly, you should email me privately so I at least have a chance of buying some before everyone else runs out to buy it all. (I’m remembering the great Noro drought of ’08 when you were knitting the scarves.) I was planning on purchasing a pair of Addis this weekend, I’m sure I won’t be able to find any now ((sigh))

  92. Maybe you could explain about picking up stitches. I tried to help my 10 yr old start that blanket b/c he needed a simple project. It was a disaster b/c apparently I don’t know how to pick them up well enough to make it not look like a rollercoaster on meth. BUT I seem to do fine with pick ups for gussets on socks. Go figure.

  93. Garter stitch is so handsome, especially worked in machine spun yarn. It has a vintage look to me.

  94. For people who like garter stitch but don’t want to make a blanket, I recommend the Einstein coat from Sally Melville’s book (can’t think of the title right now).

  95. Oh, I made a log cabin blanket like that too! It took me almost a year to finish it. So boring! But I love the result and I’m secretly thinking about starting a new one…

  96. Oh come on–we can make this exciting. JUST LOOK AT THOSE SMOOTH JOINS BETWEEN THE SECTIONS!!! This is crafted by an EXPERT KNITTER who can PICK UP STITCHES like nobody’s business. . .
    continue in this vein. You’re welcome.

  97. Use all this no-brain knitting time to think out your next book. We will survive with some short updates as long as there will be a reward like that in the end. As long as even your smal twitter messages are amusing you’ll never loose me as a fan.
    ;^D

  98. Maybe you could put in a lifeline and suggest to the knitting that things will start to get interesting very soon. Might not be exciting for you, but the color combination looks great.

  99. What yarn? Come on, give. It’s niiiiiice. It looks smooshy and the right kind of woolly for me.
    Also, to brighten up blogland, a wee tutorial in how in the name of wool you pick up yr stitches so neatly. Show and tell time!
    Maybe a post on how that gansey for your adoring husband is coming on?
    *runs away*

  100. The blanket looks lovely. I am not a fan of garter stitch myself, so I sympathize with the boredom – tho I like to do it in the round, because then I get to knit and purl, and because of my combined knitting style, I purl like the wind!
    But I digress. I am really writing to ask: what does it mean to spit a stitch? Drop it? I don’t believe I have ever heard the expression before (tho since I’ve read all your books except the newest, I must have come across it before).
    Do tell!
    Helen

  101. It’s reassuring to me that you’re not always doing lace and sweaters and Battlestar Gallactica socks. Since I turn to my knitting for down time, I really like simple things. When I retire I’ll do more complex projects. I need small successes on a regular basis, so I favor dishcloths and blankies. But part of me feels like an underachiever…for now the best I can do is collect complex patterns. When you’re not making me laugh, you’re teaching self-acceptance. And you can even make garter stitch funny…you go girl!

  102. Have made three of these (baby ones) myself, I also admire your stitch picking up. I am, in fact, quite curious to see the back side, and I’m also with everyone else wanting to know about the color choices and the type of wool. Yours is looking lovely. I really enjoyed knitting mine until I got to the blocks that were intarsia with a whole blanket in my lap.

  103. Having made three of these (baby ones) myself, I also admire your stitch picking up. I am, in fact, quite curious to see the back side, and I’m also with everyone else wanting to know about the color choices and the type of wool. Yours is looking lovely. I really enjoyed knitting mine until I got to the blocks that were intarsia with a whole blanket in my lap.

  104. I just want to let you know that because of you and your beautiful lace of estonia scarf i went and bought the book yesterday and now i plan on making the same one you did because it looked that magnificent! Thank you!

  105. Hi Steph, you just gave me a great idea of what to do with the two sweaters that I just unraveled. I’m going to make a log blanket too! I’ve the Mason-Dixon book, but I didn’t know what to do with all the yarn I unravaled (lots of red, light purple, dark purple and white). Now I’m excited. Thanks!

  106. When I did this blanket, I found it helped to knit while watching telly, visiting friends, and so on. I also made bets with myself as to whether I could get a certain section done in a certain time (for example, can I finish this one while watching “Iron Chef”?), so you might start reporting like that. I also made it more entertaining by using multiple circulars and not binding off, but leaving live stitches to catch up next time. From a recent post on the Mason-Dixon blog, this seems to have been a wise decision.
    At least, other than the “spit” stitch, garter doesn’t have the possibility of as much trouble as lace or cabling would if you’re knitting on deadline.

  107. The colours of your blanket are absolutely gorgeous! I love grays and beiges 🙂 I can’t wait to see the completed project!
    Pop an audiobook into your CD player while you knit, maybe. That always makes the time fly by for me!

  108. I understand what you’re going through. I’ve made that blanket. Let me re-phrase that. I’ve made that blanket smaller than originally intended because I was going to have to kill something if I had to make another garter stitch rectangle. Good luck!

  109. I understand what you’re going through. I’ve made that blanket. Let me re-phrase that. I’ve made that blanket smaller than originally intended because I was going to have to kill something if I had to make another garter stitch rectangle. Good luck!

  111. I really love those colors… i am not bored! I actually queued that blanket awhile ago but you are giving me inspiration to start it soon! 🙂

  112. You would be funny reading the phone book. One question – how in the WORLD do you pick up your stitches that they lie so perfectly nestled with the previous row? I’ve never been able to master that as well as you do it. Share, please!

  113. Au contrare your blanket report is very interesting; “spit” a stitch sounds very dramatic. Like, “I was so mad I could “spit” stitches.” Beautiful knitting.

  114. Remember, sometimes boring (erm, less than exciting?) is good.
    btw, thank you very much for the rapid refund from SS09. And everything is HAND WRITTEN? Of course, given the past history with computers, I understand. I was amazed.

  115. You could always spice things up by writing about: your appliances (never seen anyone who could write so compellingly about appliances–it’s a gift), your children (teen angst!) or the reasons why we have not heard anything about The Gansey in ages.

  116. You could always spice things up by writing about: your appliances (never seen anyone who could write so compellingly about appliances–it’s a gift), your children (teen angst!) or the reasons why we have not heard anything about The Gansey in ages.

  117. On the Mason-Dixon blog, there was an example of an “exciting” log cabin blanket. Someone who was returning to knitting had bound off the sections too tightly so her blanket curved. Be careful what you wish for.

  118. You are never boring. Neither is the blanket. I love the soft colours. Boring can be a refreshing time in between those insane bouts of so much to do with no time and I need some sleep!
    Relax, enjoy, put some music on. Have some wine! Or… be a Harlot and think of what else is in the stash……

  119. It may be boring to knit endless garter stitch, but keep your eye on the prize….a huge cozy blanket that will keep a loved one warm. And maybe rent a few movies. I’m halfway through square 7 on this blanket right now. BTW, what yarn are you using? And how do you pick up your stitches so perfectly?

  121. How about a cumulative stitch count? Or turn it into a knit-a-thon for KWB? We could pay you for error-free rows, blocks, days, etc? Just trying to keep it interesting….
    every day we watch
    as the harlot posts again
    yet more garter stitch

  122. Okay, having teased you yesterday, may I humbly ask if you would identify the yarn? It’s so pretty, and looks nice and soft and woolly warm.
    Let’s see, you started a day or so ago and are 1/8th done. I owe three people nice warm blankies, so I’m thinking, maybe this is the right pattern and for that matter the right time? Cause I got paid back for yesterday’s teasing — I’m facing the aggravation of foot-in-cast and want something soothing to knit.

  123. Nice neutral palette, there. You could tell us about the yarn, non? Unless this is a *Secret* Project With a Deadline.
    (In which case, dude, you’ve already blown it by posting photos and links, so you may as well dish away.)

  124. Beautiful, keep boring us with this lovely neutral blanket.
    I’ve made two of the Moderne Baby blankets. Totally boring, but worth it in the end. I love the colours you have chosen.

  125. I’m ducking out of work early today and possibly won’t have access to my computer this weekend so I wanted to bring up a couple of things that were noted on my Yarn Harlot calendar.
    Hope everyone gets out to knit in public on Saturday! Unfortunately, there wasn’t any knitting events in my local area last year, but I did go to my local bookstore and knit. And you’re right, you do get a lot of looks from nonknitters.
    And, more importantly, happy birthday Yarn Harlot. I know it’s not til Sunday, but wishing you a peaceful day of knitting. Take care 🙂

  126. I really think you may be tempting the appliance gods. If you continue to talk about how boring your knitting & blog entries are, then SOMETHING is going to break and require having a wall removed or Joe getting the car stuck or something. Maybe you should put some fiber outside and see if you can catch a live action squirrel shot? 🙂

  127. I’ve been thinking of making one of those, since I have the book. Treated myself to a birthday present of Free-range Knitter. Have to take my daughter to Happy Wheels for a birthday party tomorrow, so I will enjoy not being sociable with the other moms, and read my new book!

  128. I recommend a good audiobook, and just concentrate on that instead of the knitting.

  129. Love the blanket. First thing I thought when I saw the picture was … soothing. I’m putting money on the yarn being Eco Wool. How many skeins do you figure it’ll take?
    Would love more details on picking up stitches so they look so neat and purdy.

  130. Kel at 6:57, I find the free videos at KnittingHelp (http://www.knittinghelp.com/) very useful.
    Other ideas:
    Check your library for learn-to-knit books- it’s a great way to ‘test drive’ a book- when you find something you really like, you can get your own copy.
    As Nancy and Meghan suggested- check your local yarn and craft stores- lots of them offer knitting classes.
    Ask around among your friends and relations- you may find a closet knitter or two who’d love to share their skill.

  131. Will you be at TNNA this year? Or will I have to go have some Jeni’s Ice Cream in your honor? 🙂

  132. I am making one too for my first baby due in November. I am so bored with it that I have stopped and now am making socks for myself 🙂

  134. Well, it’s looking lovely so far! Make sure to take some time away from the garter stitch this weekend to properly celebrate your birthday! (Don’t worry, I’m not a creepy stalker, I just always remember your birthday because I share it with you)–Happy Birthday!

  135. Mosasic knitting will allow you to work some simple patterns on some of the panels and probably won’t throw off your gauge.

  136. Mosaic knitting will allow you to work some simple patterns on some of the panels and probably won’t throw off your gauge.

  137. It may be boring, but it looks beautiful! Please share with us what yarn and colors you are using. I don’t usually like these kind of blankets because they have such a mix of colors in them, but yours are such a nice combination.

  138. Maybe the blanket can take some questions in the next blog entry. Like where do you see yourself in 5 years?
    or
    Do the other projects around the Harlot’s home mock you when she is out of hearing range?
    KImber

  139. Maybe the blanket can take some questions in the next blog entry. Like where do you see yourself in 5 years?
    Do the other projects around the Harlot’s home mock you when she is out of hearing range?
    KImber

  140. I’m echoing (is that the right spelling?) many others on the yarn you are using. I love it! Can you give us any idea as to what it is? Or did you by chance spin it yourself?

  141. Kel, get yourself a skein of yarn, a simple little how-to book and dive in. That’s how I did it. You will love knitting. Now with the internet there is so much information available that there is no end to the learning–and there’s pictures!
    Ms. Harlot: it doesn’t take much to entertain me. I love just looking at that beautifully wound ball of yarn. I’d love to do that, take a lovely skein of yarn and wind a geometrically perfect ball of yarn.
    See? I’m easy. Garter on, I’ll watch.

  142. It is really pretty- and a soothing color combination. And sometimes it is nice to not have to pay too much attention to pattern and just let your hands do the work.

  143. The yarn is really pretty. What is it?
    I, for one, am glad that you have something boring going on. It will give you a breathing space. You know- the tightrope walker walks on the rope from platform to platform, then to the ground- it isn’t endless miles of tightrope. You know this, right? The wedges of socks knit during waiting in an airport lounge, probably on a molded plastic chair, probably aren’t considered especially soothing.
    Do please stay healthy and balanced, more or less. You are very dear to all of us.

  144. I can’t tell you how much this makes me want to come over and play with a Fiddlesticks pattern in Zephyr yarn while you knit that. I think that might make me a bad person. Pretty sure I can live with that.

  147. I think your blanket is lovely, and not boring at all. There’s much to be said for lots of garter stitch, especially after a rough couple of weeks.

  148. Maybe here is something you can share about your blanket “experience”. When I began doing one of those awhile back. I always thought the line of picked up stitches looked crappy. Could we see the other side of the blanket and have you comment on making it look decent? Much obliged. (o: Julie

  149. happy birhday tis been a whole year?
    tis the blanket heavey to handle
    thank you for shareing

  150. Hi Stephanie, always love your blog, and now we share a project in common. One bit of advice, though, please go check because there is errata for the pattern as it is printed in the M-D book. It’s one of the last blocks, but I can’t recall much other than the fact that they don’t tell you to pick up the right number of stitches. I found this out AFTER I finished, when my blanket was a bit short on one side…sort of a trapezoid instead of a rectangle. I was too garter-ridged out to even go back and frog it and do it right…so I sent it to my sister in Chicago…it’s too cold for them to bitch about a trapezoidal blankie. 🙂

  153. Please knit carefully! It will be big and get heavier — your tendons don’t care if it’s easy garter or not. Don’t OD.

  154. Let me get this straight … It’s June … finally in Canada you can open a window without freezing to death … so you are knitting a WOOL BLANKET !!!! Great fodder for your next book tour!

  156. I have knit five of these blankets and I have another in process. I love them! But, I enjoy reading and knitting at the same time. During American Football season, they are perfect knitting!!

  157. While your blogging, at this time, may be boring, the comments from all your readers seems to be making up for it. You’ve got some pretty funny readers out there!
    I have to add my plea to post what yarn you’re using, how big it’s going to be, and show the back. As I’m *still* in the process of my LC, I’m of the camp that cast’s off, and then picks up the stitches again when I come back around. I think this gives the *very heavy* blanket some structure/strength for the long run, though that’s in the kitchen cotton, not sure that it would need it in wool.
    I also have a question – did you start out with a red center? I’ve heard it represents the hearth fire, which we all know should never be let to go out… though I didn’t know this was a tradition at the time when I started mine, so I’m going to go back and sew a red patch in the middle of my starting block. I’ve already started planning my next LC. :::sigh:::

  158. You’ve mentioned that you are knitting on a deadline. It might increase the interest level if we knew when the deadline was. IE how are you doing at actually meeting your timeline.
    I know this is an awful thing to suggest, but I couldn’t resist.
    Melissa

  159. This isn’t boring at all. What IS boring is my moderne blanket, which I started last summer and have managed to get about 1/10 of the way through.
    A comparison … watching a flower bloom (pleasant but could get a little slow) vs. watching a timelapse sequence of the same thing.
    Your blanket … the furthest thing from boring!

  160. Ooops, I missed that you were knitting to a deadline.
    What I was going to suggest was that you upgrade the KWB (MSF) total. It would be an exciting, alternate activity from garter stitch, n’est-ce pss?
    Janey

  162. How are your appliances? They are usually good for a story! But maybe your whole life is going along smoothly….

  164. Oh and Happy Happy Birthday tomorrow, Stephanie! Are you going to spend some quality time with the blanket? (I read the calendar leaf one day ahead to make sure I had the day right.)

  167. I had to post again to wish you a happy birthday tomorrow. Happy Knitting Day to you!
    I know it’s your birthday because our knitting group celebrated Knit in Public Day and last year it was on your birthday.

  168. Happy birthday Stephanie! I just flipped the page on the calendar and noticed. I hope you DO get to knit to your heart’s content.

  169. Happy birthday Stephanie! Have you given yourself an extra birthday treat by starting something else?! Or are you just plugging away at the blankie? Have fun, whatever you’re doing.

  171. happy, happy birthday ! thanks for sharing your wonderful insights and humor with us.

  172. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday — I have never posted here before but wanted to thank you for all you’ve contributed to the online knitting community! You’re fabulous!

  173. Happy Birthday, Stephanie! I love your calendar–it’s the only day-by-day calendar that I’ve ever read and used day-by-day! Enjoy the day-long knitting!

  174. Happy Birthday!
    I hope your day is as relaxing as you wish it to be and that somebody provides you with a fantastic dinner this evening.

  175. Happy Birthday, Stephanie!
    Have a wonderful knitting day! I’ll be knitting along with you.

  178. Happy Birthday, Steph. I hope 41 sailed in smoothly! Best wishes for a happy, healthy year of rich and wonderful memories.

  179. I don’t think your blanket is boring, I think its beautiful. I’ve made the more traditional log cabins from the book, but haven’t tried the one you’re doing. Will have to now, I’m in love with how yours is turning out. Maybe one to match the new house…

  180. If the knitting itself isn’t interesting, you should knit in interesting situations.
    Some possibilities are while skydiving, with your eyes closed, while at a concert or any number of other situations.
    Then you can blog about what was happening to liven up the knitting.
    The blanket is really pretty regardless

Comments are closed.