December 5, 2013

Stealth

I think I've been pretty clear about how it is that I like to get through the holidays.  I find that the more I do in advance, the more organized I am, the more that I engage in this time of year like it's "Operation Ho Ho" than a holiday, the better a time I have.  Ironically, since I started pulling this thing together with a list and a schedule and a real sense of how much work it is, we look a lot more like a family and less like a group of shattered people helplessly wrapping things at midnight while silently holding each other responsible for the nightmare it's all become again.

So far, so good this year. There's a tree up in the living room. It's naked, but it's there, and thanks to the system, it is exactly the right height.

(We started taking a measuring tape to the tree place, which sounds obsessive and weird, but it's a lot less weird than having a tree that won't fit and hacking bits off of it with a strange old saw while trying not to have Christmas argument #4 - Working Title: Why do you care so much about the height of the tree/What is wrong with you that the tree has to be a specific height.) Sam and I will decorate it this evening, and then tomorrow I'm off to North Carolina for the last trip of the year (there might still be room for the talk, I'm not sure) and then when I get home, it's full steam ahead on the holiday.

I feel bad this time of year, because the blog sort of dries up knitting wise.  Here I am, knitting a veritable mountain, and there's almost nothing I can show you, because it's all sort of stealth.  A lot of the things that will be coming off the needles are gifts, and I don't want to ruin anyone's surprise, but that makes things a little boring.  I think you're going to have a lot of shots like this one to look forward to - if it's possible to look forward to a shot like this.

That's a little sweater for Christmas, coming right along as I flew home earlier this week. (Before someone asks, the fab box bag is from Splityarn.) Extra bonus points in the boring department go to me, on account of the picture is also blurry. 

I'm relying on Gifts for Knitters to make things just a little more interesting, so here we go.

Gifts for Knitters Day 4: Good Tools.

There's a few things that your knitter uses all the time, or if they don't use them, they probably wish they were.  A decent ball winder, swift and scale are pretty basic places to start.  If your knitter doesn't have these three things, then I can pretty much promise you that any one of them would be appreciated and used.  If your knitter is just starting out in the tool department, then good places to start are the Royal Ball Winder,  a pretty nice umbrella swift, and a pocket scale .  If your knitter is seriously into yarn, and they already have this stuff, then think about upgrading them to some seriously fly gear.   I have a Hornshaw wooden swift, and I love it.  I make do with a plastic ball winder (I know it's almost used up because it's started making yarn breasts, rather than balls) but when I allow myself, I dream of a Strauch.  The scale of a knitters dreams? Lee Valley has it - if only because all their stuff lasts forever, and it weighs in all standard formats, plus pennyweights, and who wouldn't want that. It's charming.

Gifts for Knitters Day 5: Jewelry


Oh, the lovely things there are if your knitter is the type.  How about something knitting themed, like these earrings, or these ones, and if that's too cute for your particular knitter, how about something more subtle, like this or this. Wait! This is nice too!  Got a funky knitter? Then maybe they'd like this necklace, or this one, made from sliced up knitting needles.  When in doubt, remember. Most knitters feel an affinity for sheep


Posted by Stephanie at December 5, 2013 12:50 PM
Comments

ok I just have to tell ya, I live in Indiana 2 hrs from Ft. Wayne

Last week I'm in NC visiting my son and his family for the holiday, and your in IN

This week I home in Indiana and your in NC

maybe sometime I can get on your schedual

Posted by: Robin at December 5, 2013 12:53 PM

I'm with you on the planning. I get really microscopic about it but it means, in the end, I'm prepared, less stressed, and things go SO much smoother. My Mom even complimented me on my planning when I hosted Thanksgiving. I'm not sure she is completely sold that my method works as opposed to doing it the exact way she has always done it, but the compliment was a big thing.

I'm trying so hard not to knit things for Christmas this year but I keep seeing those bulky cowls everywhere and I know I'm going to succumb and then I'll be knitting at midnight on Christmas Eve. See? If I'd just planned them...

Posted by: Laurie at December 5, 2013 1:16 PM

So much looking forward to your being in NC near me! Bring a raincoat or umbrella--weather forecast is for rain and (for us, anyway) rather chilly temperatures after Friday during the day.

Posted by: Gentle One at December 5, 2013 1:16 PM

Can't wait to see you tomorrow night in Chapel Hill! Safe travels!

Posted by: Pam at December 5, 2013 1:17 PM

Now that you are teaching everyone how to lever knit, maybe one of the suggestions on your gifts for knitters list should be where to buy knitting belts and sheathes. Just sayin'!

Posted by: bittenbyknittin at December 5, 2013 1:28 PM

Love this time of year and your gift links!! It's so much fun, I end up buying knitting gifts for myself :-)

Posted by: HelenSF at December 5, 2013 1:34 PM

When I was looking for a swift, someone suggested the Hornshaw swift saying it was an "heirloom" piece and I can't agree more. I love it oodles! That ball winder may be going on my list and I'm hoping I wasn't too naughty this year so I get it.

Posted by: Susie at December 5, 2013 2:09 PM

Love your gift ideas! I have to add that I have the heavy duty ball winder from Nancy's Knit Knacks http://www.nancysknitknacks.com/ball_winder.htm and it is very sturdy, and would probably be a welcome gift in the tools department :)

Posted by: Cynthia at December 5, 2013 2:38 PM

Dude, your blog could never be boring. Even if you tried, really hard.

Posted by: Allison at December 5, 2013 2:49 PM

Oh! And please do show us what a yarn breast looks like! I'm having a hard time picturing that. :)

Posted by: Allison at December 5, 2013 2:52 PM

I'm sure we can all live without exact pictures, but the stories keep us going.

Posted by: Whitney at December 5, 2013 2:58 PM

If you take pictures of the mountainous amount of knitting that you are now doing, at least half of January's blog will be written (once you add the bit about the pattern, the yarn, etc. and any "interesting occurrences" that happened on the way to the finished object...

Or you could write them as you go on whatever your word-processing program...and have it all written...and then it would just be tea and knitting and January.

Posted by: Leslie F at December 5, 2013 3:29 PM

Thanks for the tip, I love the sound of the Lee Valley scale. I've been wanting a scale but haven't started looking around for fear of what the prices would be (and yet I'd probably still buy it) but these are totally affordable. :)

I really need a scale because I have a 3,500 skein of cobweb on my swift I'm dividing into two balls. I started at either end and was winding a little at a time (like 10 yards on that ball, then 10 yards on the other ball) to make sure they were as even as possible. Oy! I didn't get very far - it takes a significant amount of time for cobweb to look like a deliberately made ball, even if you start it around a cotton ball. I put it away in the closet, swift and all, til I'm more ready for such boredom and sore arms. With that scale, I can just wind and weigh, wind and weigh. :) Yippee!

Love the bicycle bag.

At bittenbyknittin at 1:28, I just read up on knitting belts/sheaths in the 'Principles of Knitting' - sounds like a great tool.


Posted by: janelle at December 5, 2013 4:10 PM

Stephanie, email me. I have an almost-new Strauch ball-winder with cover (only used a few times) that I would love to send you... You pay for shipping (from Richmond, VA USA) and it's yours!

Posted by: LindaM at December 5, 2013 4:12 PM

Love the swift and ball winder ideas. Now to update my wish list.

Posted by: Carla at December 5, 2013 4:19 PM

Actually, I love the "sneak peak" pictures. It's like a little guessing game of what it's going to be.

Meanwhile, I think I will be knitting hats for the next 3 weeks. At least they are all different. :)

Posted by: Emily at December 5, 2013 4:28 PM

Stephanie, thanks for the ballwinder link -- I bought that years ago when Fricke still made it and I desperately need a new belt for it. Ta da! They have them.

Posted by: ElizabethD at December 5, 2013 4:30 PM

I sent a couple links to knitting needle sets I wouldn't mind getting (one of) this Christmas to my sons and husband. Elder Son wrote back: "But then what would I do with the walrus? Oh crap, pretend I didn't say that."

Posted by: kmkat at December 5, 2013 4:37 PM

... I will make you all jealous when I tell you that I found a Strauch winder at Value Village for $4. My gasp (and unknitterly like exclamation that I just couldn't help) was heard through the store. I dropped everything else in my basket and ran to the cash to pay, just in case someone took it from me.

Posted by: Caracara at December 5, 2013 4:37 PM

I'm trying to find the link for the beautiful dpn wooden needle cases that you listed in a Christmas past and can't remember what year it was that you recommended it. How I would love to have one of those beauties! Help?

Posted by: Staci L at December 5, 2013 4:47 PM

Thank you SO MUCH for the knitter's gifts listings! My business partner and I own Tea For Ewe in Denver, CO (An awesome tea and yarn shop, if I do say so myself!) and I had NO idea what I was going to get my partner for Christmas. I just went to an Etsy site, on your recommendation, and found the PERFECT knitterly gift!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Posted by: Robbie at December 5, 2013 5:36 PM

54" diameter, 90" tall. I may not know my bust measurement, but I know how big a Christmas tree will fit in our space....

Posted by: Kelly at December 5, 2013 5:59 PM

I love the wooden swift. A swift and ball winder have been on my mental list for years.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at December 5, 2013 6:13 PM

Silly, silly Harlot ..... you couldn't write a boring blog post if you tried! Almost 10 years now, and not a dud in the bunch!

I really, really want one of the scales, but I'll have to get it for myself. Santa doesn't bring me anything anymore, and the cats aren't allowed to buy things off the internet.

Posted by: Cherril aka Nicewitch at December 5, 2013 6:51 PM

My 6'8" husband's one rule on trees is ours has to be taller than he is.

Mine is, if you really insist(ed) on buying a plastic one you're the one who's going to wrangle it out of the box in the garage.

Posted by: AlisonH at December 5, 2013 7:51 PM

Speaking of jewelry, years ago there was a company that made fabulously glitzy pins that spelled phrases in rhinestone pins. I still kick myself that I didn't get the one that said "Yarn Diva".

That would qualify as jewelry, wouldn't it?

Posted by: Ted at December 5, 2013 8:03 PM

Completely off-topic: I know you're always looking for ideas for sour cherries in the summer. I just came across this recipe for sour cherry vodka and thought it might be a great idea for you next year. Make the vodka when the cherries are available and it will be ready for Christmas presents (shortening the Christmas spreadsheet!) and/or to enjoy throughout the entire holiday season.
Link: http://fancynapkin.blogspot.ca/2011/09/sour-cherry-vodka.html
(Not much help this year, I know. Sorry.)

Posted by: Tricia H at December 5, 2013 8:45 PM

I LOVE you for finding the sterling silver sheep necklace!!!! (Well, among all the other reasons I love you, that is.)

Posted by: Vicki at December 5, 2013 9:18 PM

I bought an earlier version of the Lee Valley scale a few years back, and it is handy not only for yarn questions, but also in estimating what Canada Post is going to charge me when I get up to the counter with a letter that actually contains something like, oh, say, a pair of handknitted socks!

I have found, though, that since I don't use my scale that often, it is better to store it with the batteries out, and pop them in before turning the scale on. This has made the difference between looking for new batteries every few months and having them last well over a year now...

Posted by: Christine at December 5, 2013 10:22 PM

It's too bad none of the scales combined both ideas. . .and gave weights in carats (used for gemstones)! [sings] "But square cut or purl shaped, these rocks don't lose their shape, diamonds are a knitter's best friend. . . ."

Posted by: Anonymous, too at December 5, 2013 10:34 PM

It's thanks to one of your posts that I have the Hornshaw swift also, a gift from my husband last year.

Even if you don't post yarn and knitting, I like to see photos of what's going on at Harlot Land. I made the peppermint meringues you posted a couple years ago, and then ordered reindeer cookie cutters. I'm a copier. I copy what you knit. I copy what yarn you buy. I copy what sweets you make for Christmas. One of these days I'll make a decision on my own, but I'm not there yet.

I'm loving the giant double points used to make the baby sweater. Must.Buy.These.

Posted by: Sans at December 5, 2013 10:48 PM

My hubby just got me the Strauch ball winder for Christmas, and he loves me so much he opened it in the car for me to see as we drove away from the store. I got to use it as soon as we got home (because who wants to wait 5 weeks for christmas) and oh.... the balls I wound... simply lovely.
On another topic - when are we going to see finished photos of your Afterlight sweater - I can't wait to see you in a sweater that actually fits you!!

Posted by: Monica at December 5, 2013 11:40 PM

You said, "we look a lot more like a family and less like a group of shattered people helplessly wrapping things at midnight while silently holding each other responsible for the nightmare it's all become again."

This is exactly the point where I realized that Martha Stewart was a dream, and not real life. She sells the perfect look, but not the perfect life. Of the two, I'd rather have the life. (And knitting I didn't have to take out over and over until the yarn is grubby.)

Posted by: Wendy at December 5, 2013 11:55 PM

A winder and a swift are the two best things that I have ever bought. Great choices!!!

Posted by: silverarrowknits at December 6, 2013 12:54 AM

I have yet to read a boring blog post from you and this ain't my first Christmas season with you!! Even my non-knitting sister reads your blogs (and one of your books when she stayed with me this Summer) because of your way with words. Don't worry about us, just keep us up to date on your crazy good organization of Operation Ho Ho!!!

Posted by: Fran at December 6, 2013 6:16 AM

"I think I've been pretty clear about how it is that I like to get through the holidays."

Your efforts to entertain me are much appreciated.

(For myself, the goal is to eliminate one holiday task each year until it is blissfully serene. As of now, it looks like I'll get there when I'm 90.)

Posted by: Presbytera at December 6, 2013 7:55 AM

I wonder, do you warn the etsy shops and so on that you are going to bombard them with business? I've got a couple of "sorry that item is sold" messages on your links already! I do love those necklaces made with the cut up needles. I think she also makes bracelets of the old coloured plastic needles.

Posted by: Mary deB at December 6, 2013 8:51 AM

"Live by the list. Die by the list." is my motto. I use Outlook and it has recurring tasks so that when I click one done it shows up on farther down the list on the day I set it to. My family makes fun of me, but if I was list-less they wouldn't like the results. My husband says it's me compensating for being right-brained.

Also, please post a pick of the yarn breast. I'm intrigued.

Posted by: Sarah at December 6, 2013 9:02 AM

Can't wait to see you tonight!! We're providing a variety of season options for you - summer/fall/winter :)

Posted by: Laura at December 6, 2013 9:35 AM

I don't know if you take recommendations for Gifts for Knitters, but for any knitters with children I would recommend the book Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett - it's lovely!

Posted by: Amy at December 6, 2013 10:59 AM

Thanks so much for fueling my bad habit of buying presents for myself instead of telling people what I would like...! Just purchased a pendant from Etsy. Upside is, when I bought mine I also found one (non-knitting themed) for my niece.
Well, maybe I will tell my husband about the Hornshaw swift. So lovely!

Posted by: uptownknitting at December 6, 2013 1:40 PM

I'm incredibly disappointed to miss you in NC! This is the first time you've been nearby and my sister in law had a baby this morning so I'm going to miss it! Hope you like our state!

Posted by: Alyce at December 6, 2013 3:18 PM

I managed to fall splat on my back and rear earlier today, so there goes an afternoon of anything productive (also twisted my right hand), but may get it back if the storm hits us here in Asheville NC, so not panicking yet! Chapel Hill too far, alas, but have a wonderful time and hope the traveling is the right balance of knitting time but not too much getting stuck in an airport.

Posted by: fibersong at December 6, 2013 3:52 PM

oh, and I have both the ceiling measurement AND all the ingredients to purchase for making homemade ice cream, in my phone. And my license plate number. Just saying - lists rock.

Posted by: fibersong at December 6, 2013 3:53 PM

Stephanie,
I have followed you for YEARS, have your books, and your are both my knitting hero and a voice that I really relate to. All this to say that this is my FIRST comment.
I too reduce most overwhelming life events (such as Christmas) to spreadsheets. With columns of dates and gifts and measurements all in one nice place. Somehow it makes it all seem so much more possible and less overwhelming.
Here's to making the holidays more fun, less stress.
Cheers! You ROCK!

Posted by: Jane at December 6, 2013 4:16 PM

Delurking to say that I love all your posts, and if the photos are blurry and mysterious, all the better! I just wanted to be sure that you know we are still out here, waiting for your next post with baited breath (eew, what does that mean, exactly?)

Posted by: Pamela at December 6, 2013 6:08 PM

Just received the ball winder, swift, and niddy noddy I ordered for my daughter for Christmas. She's off to college in the fall (taking one of her spinning wheels with her and wanted to have all the equipment she'd need to keep spinning yarn for her knitting). Please send good thoughts our way - decisions being released as I type for her first-choice college, and we're anxiously awaiting! (Part of the first choice rationale is that William and Mary is next to Colonial Williamsburg - where she's hoping to get a volunteer position in their spinning/weaving/knitting facility.) Fingers and toes crossed!

Posted by: Beth at December 6, 2013 6:47 PM

I had enough money several years ago to get a Strauch ball winder. Outside of the occasional hank that doesn't want to be wound that way, it's great. (Why, yes, some hanks insist on being hand-wound, for reasons I don't understand.)

Posted by: P J Evans at December 6, 2013 6:57 PM

to Pamela at 6:08 You mentioned baited breath and I just had to go look it up cause I have used it and didn't know what it meant either. It started as bated breath, from abate meaning to lessen, so it means eager anticipation, or holding one's breath, which we all do sort of as we wait for the next episode here. Thanks for making me learn something new.

Posted by: Adele in N. Minn. at December 6, 2013 9:05 PM

Stephanie, may I ask if you block baby garments with non-rinse wool wash such as Eucalan or Soak? I'm making gifts and don't want to have baby break out in rash. I trust your experience.

Posted by: Judy at December 7, 2013 4:54 PM

Oooh, the swift is NEAT! The one I have is alike, but much simpler and it cost me 30.00 or something. It's from Fiber Artists Supply Co., LLC.

It's maple, incredible quality.

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