Good Morning knitters. Just a little hello from Fort Wayne, Indiana, where me and a sock are drinking coffee, waiting for the sun to rise and getting ready to teach the last day at Simply Socks (I expect the sock to contribute little.) I don’t have a ton of time, so I have two things for you.
First, a (possibly) funny little time lapse of my journey, starting in a cab in Toronto, and winding up in speaking to a crowd in Indiana.
Second, to distract you from the fact that the funny little time lapse of a sock isn’t really a blog post of any weight, I give you the return of Gifts for Knitters. I’ve done this many years in a row now, and the idea is that you can direct your friends and family to the list and help them get some ideas for what a knitter might enjoy getting for Christmas – or you can do what I think is actually happening every year, and buy all this stuff for yourself.
I’ve tried to put it in order, so that your family actually has time to get this stuff if they want to, and there will be one category or idea per day until the day itself. Happy Hunting!
December 1st. Art for Knitters. Yeah, that’s right. We like knitting enough that we don’t just want to do it all day, we want to decorate our homes in a way that shows the world who we are. No matter what breed of knitter you’ve got, one of these will work for them. As always, TillyFlop is a big winner. Keep Calm and Cast On, a Knitting Rhyme Print, or "There’s no such thing as too much yarn" I love everything from this shop.
Fringe Supply Co. has a charming Yarn Pyramid poster, and there’s gotta be a knitter out there who loves bright colours and whimsical prints who would adore this Working Girls one. If your knitter things less is a little more, how about The Knitter? How about a poster for an edgy knitter? Viva la Yarnolucion? No? Maybe your knitter has the sense of humour that means they’d love to hang up this Knitters Eye Chart? (Trust us, it’s funny.)
If you want bonus points after you get one of these, have it framed. We’d love that.
2. December 2nd. Body Art for Knitters. Ok, so maybe we lack the nerve to get a real knitting tattoo (although trust me, a LOT of us don’t) but the fake ones are always fun. A cool stocking stuffer, temporary tattoos for knitters are a winner. These ones from Soak are tried and true (and get some Soak wash while you’re there, that’s good in a stocking too.) Tilly Flop has one I think is cool, and Kate Broughton has a great yarn one. (Her stuff is particularly great if you’re seeing a lot of sewing stuff around too, as your knitter has turned out to be bi-craftual.)
I’m sure there’s more out there, so check the comments. Happy Shopping, and remember, knitting stuff isn’t a silly gift for a knitter. We have this much because we really like it.
PS: Because I posted pictured of me knitting on a plane, I feel compelled to link to this entry. Yes. I knit on planes. Yes. It’s allowed.
I can’t even do fake tattoos – it’s just not me – but my kids would love to get these for me, so I’ll put them on my list anyway!
Looking forward to seeing all the gift list! I think the link to the Soak tattoos is wrong.
I can’t see much of it from the picture in the cab but from what I can see, your coat looks adorable! The color is wonderful and the material looks lovely too.
Thank you for doing the Gifts for Knitters this year too!
At our house when it’s time to unpack the woolies, we have our annual dinnertime lecture series on caring for handknits. It often includes readings and stories (especially for the preK-12 crowd). I may show these pictures this year, and see if they gasp appropriately when they spy the frothy, green knit caught (we hope not snagged) on those sock needles. Happy trails, and I hope the green thing is okay.
I have a real knitting tattoo, which I got this fall, and I love it. These posters are pretty fabulous, and there are a few I certainly wouldn’t mind one bit.
I always get so excited when I see that you’re in the Midwest. I hope that someday includes a trip to Milwaukee.
Tattly has good tattoos, too, but not any specific knitting ones. I like the one that says “Happy hour is the best hour.” http://tattly.com/
Thanks so much for coming to Indiana. We loved having you and I learned tons! Although my family is reconsidering the decision to send me as I keep threatening to lock myself in my room and not come out until I’ve knit a sock. 😉
I can’t say the same about myself. In Portugal knitting needles are forbidden items on hand luggage…
Good morning to you! Your progress on the striped sock may just inspire me to knit the final two (or so) rows on my Never-Ending sock. Whether I start the second of the pair is another question.
The “me” vs. “I’ thing gets you every time. Trust me, Stephanie, the “I”s have it.
Loved seeing you on Saturday and I hope your classes are going well (not that it’s really in question, of course)! I’m glad you didn’t have to wait until getting to North Carolina to be rid of snow. Thanks for the traveling you do, I was very happy to be able to hear you speak and have a more accurate voice in my head when reading your blog!
I AM REALLY WORRIED ABOUT YOU KNITTING ON A PLANE. YOU COULD POKE YOUR EYE OUT OR HURT SOMEONE ELSE. ALSO, I THINK IT’S NOT ALLOWED. ALSO, YOU MIGHT PUNCTURE A FLOTATION DEVICE. LET’S NOT EVEN MENTION THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE SHOULD THE NEEDLE GO THROUGH THE WINDOW.
It was so great to have you at Simply Socks!
Do you prefer toe up or top down socks. .or does it depend on the pattern?
Stephanie, thank you for the Knitting Art – now I really want the Knitter’s Eye Chart, although sadly I think I am the only one in the house who will “get” it.
Presbytera, I actually did laugh out loud.
1. Stephanie, please ignore the pedants above. “Me and a sock” worked perfectly. “A sock and I?” No. Snooze.
2. To my blurry eye this looks like a sock without a heel. Is it? Or maybe it’s for Pippi.
I have knit in planes all over the U.S. (and in the terminal) and I knit a whole bunch on a plane to and from China (a U.S. based airline). Definitely permissible in the US. AND the time when I get the most friendly questions about my knitting (that, and when knitting in a bar – lots of people in bars ask questions about knitting).
Thanks for posting the info about knitting on planes! I notice that your TSA link in your 2010 blog post isn’t available any longer.
So here’s the current (dated January 2013) TSA regulation about “Transporting Knitting Needles and Needlepoint” (although the article doesn’t even mention needlepoint): http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transporting-knitting-needles-and-needlepoint
Well, my experience of knitting needles on flights is mixed. Okay within US. Okay to Germany. Not okay on the way back from Germany. My sister had her turbo circular points CUT OFF and the cable tied in a knot when she tried to go from Ireland to the US. Now I always ask at the ticket counter.
^ Katie
I just stopped breathing for a minute thinking about that. The horror. And I bet they didn’t even reimburse her for the price of her (expensive) needles.
I put end protectors on the needles so they don’t have points when they go through the scanners. Some of them have recognized them as needles but no one has been worried about them. I don’t fly a tonne but when I have, it hasn’t been a problem even too and from Germany. In fact, an older fellow in St. John’s Newfoundland security told the young guy, that I would probably safer and calmer with the knitting than without. : )
Hi Stephanie! What pattern do you use for your toe-up socks? Thanks much and safe travels.
I was driving through Fort Wayne yesterday to get home from Chicago (where the fella lives). He said I should stop in and say hello… but that TOTALLY *would* be stalking, so I just waved in the general direction of the town as I motored past on the interstate 😉
I was told to put my knitting on cables and the shafts in with my pens and pencils. Worked for me the 3 times I have tried that.
BTW that shot of the wing thru your window is very odd. The wing tip looks like it is a shark fin.
Glad you are having a good time in the midwest and love that sock.
Coming home from Birmingham, UK in 2012, a ticket agent told me I couldn’t take my needles (with sock on them). I said, “Yes, I can.” Not a word was said at security in either Birmingham or Amsterdam (where they looked cross eyed at the little scissors – I said they were small enough and the man passed me through). Helps to have greying hair and look like everyone’s scout leader!
Yay! Your sock is growing quickly. Whew!! Hopefully it’s for the now-not-so-long-term-planning-box? haha
Have fun, travel safe (Calgary’s under a blizzard warning right now. Just thinking about it makes me chilly, even inside!)
Katie =^..^=
Bi-craftual– I love that word!
Loving the sock! Maybe, one of these days, I’ll figure out how to knit socks.
I’ve never encountered any problems flying with my knitting. Never even had the TSA say a word about my needles, circs or straights. Glad I don’t live in Portugal!
Dear Lord Katie, your sister must have been sick over that because it just made my tummy turn thinking about it.
I’m not trying to be ODC, but do you notice the colors jog more with those colors? The socks are beautiful, I just… once I noticed, I couldn’t un-notice, and I’m thinking it’s because I’m seeing just a picture, and in person you probably wouldn’t even see it.
I love knitting on planes when I used to travel to all the game/film conferences. I had one gentleman talk and talk and talk to me when he finally mentioned my knitting with TEENY TINY needles (0000 needles) and how it might be perceived as dangerous. I just looked at him calmly smiled and said “That’s why you never BUG a knitter working on a project!” Even with that said – I love it when kids sit next to me asking if they can help me knit.
Sorry if I missed this somewhere, but what is that yarn? My husband woukd dig that.
heh, all this time i could’ve been using fake ones? the real tattoo *hurt*!!! 😀 https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10832731/Pictures/yarntattoo.jpg
I am SO HAPPY that Presbytera recognizes the impending HORRIBLENESS that is BOUND TO HAPPEN by permitting knitting needles on planes. It gives me the SHIVERS to even contemplate what MIGHT happen!!
PS- I was sitting in court once, waiting for a friend, knitting a pair of mittens when a woman baliff almost SCREAMED when she saw me and insisted that I MUST BE INSANE to think that I could have the needles out while the judge was in the room. Sheesh. Like I could leap 4 rows and stab him with size 2 double points…
I always print out the page from the TSA website that says knitting needles are permitted. I’ve never actually needed to show it, but it makes me feel more secure.
That yarn is gorgeous! Please tell what it is.
I love the eye chart with knit abbreviations. Perfect for me as I am an ophthalmic assistant who loves to knit.
That yarn pyramid is priceless!
My daughter who just moved to Alaska says her roommate will buy a muskox for me. And comb it and hug it and call it George.
I haven’t yet had needles taken away, but knowing how inconsistent the TSA is, I try to make sure that the needles I take aren’t precious. And if they aren’t metal, that seems to make them happier too.
Anyone else always want to point out what they did with a ball point pen in Gross Pointe Blank when they get excited about knitting needles? I haven’t yet because I’m fairly sure that won’t help my argument at all. And it may result in me being on a “list” somewhere!
I knit on commercial planes all the time in the US. I do put the needles away for take off and landing. I use either circular or 5″ bamboo needles on the plane. People carry pens all the time and do not put them away! What is the difference between a knitting needle and a pen?
I love the links for the ideas for knitters. I keep looking for more ideas! Thank you!
zoogardner: Here in SF, bailiffs frown upon you doing ANYTHING while the judge is in court -even reading. I asked and it turns out they want you to pay attention, in case you end up as a juror. (Having said that, I still try to sneak in some knitting when the bailiff isn’t moving around!)
The knitting on planes is old news, but you and toe-up socks seems new to me. Those are fantastic, btw.
Oh thank you – I LOVE ( and need) the gift ideas, not being a knitter. I do want to keep my knitterly friend happy because she makes me and others, many lovely things.
You read my mind! I was browsing Etsy today for knitter-friendly home decor! Came across those things and a few other great ones!
Please…what yarn is that?
First time commenting but i love this lady’s art. For anyone who loves whimsical sheep, check out Connie Togel. I love her Sheep Incognito series . She has a website and etsy shop called Sheep Incognito. I have one print and two calanders, which even my kids love. They were my only non fiber purchase at Maryland sheep and wool. The prints are everything from to cute , to witty , to slightly macabre satire.
where oh where did you get that lovely sock yarn? it’s exactly what I have been looking for. i wants it, precious. i should get those tattoos for those not as brave as i. ;0
Zoogardener, knitting needles are VERBOTEN anywhere in the City-County Building in Indianapolis, and they are quite serious about it. I once had to walk a sock on a 9-inch size 1 circular 3 blocks back to my car or have it confiscated and thrown away. It may have something to do with all the criminal trials held in the building. Or maybe our city officials are freakin’ paranoids. Either way, it would make one dread jury duty, public hearings, council meetings, etc.
OTOH, I know at least one prolific knitter who works in the building and has a stash of needles and yarn in her desk for downtimes.
What bag is that in one of the pictures? I love the yellow interior.
Stephanie,I have pictures of you taking the pictures of the sock and us knitters in Ft Wayne. I am the one you took your shoes off for when we got our picture taken-NOT that I expect you to remember. :D:D You met too many people. Had a wonderful time. You were brilliant and we laughed and knit and laughed. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.
Whatchu watching on that iPad?
Those are cute sock needles! What brand are they?
Love the sock photos, and one of these days I’ll attend one of your workshops!
I just had my needles confiscated in Cabo San Lucas Mexico by a zealous agent, even though we were on our way home and the needles (two sets of double points and gasp, an Addi turbo circular) had made it without problem through security in Seattle and San Jose, California. I usually use wooden on planes but got overconfident. I can’t describe the pain of ripping the needles out of a sock and a baby hat and handing over that dang expensive Addi. Even though the TSA website says it’s OK, there is a disclaimer saying “at the agent’s discretion”.
I couldn’t believe my luck when I found out last Monday that you were going to be in Fort Wayne on the same weekend that we were going to be driving 300 miles from Ohio to visit my parents who live 50 miles from Fort Wayne. I saw you helping someone at Simply Socks and I went to hear your hilarious and wonderful talk. You signed a book for me and you were so gracious. Thank you for coming to the Midwest !! It was great.And I’m in a picture you took at the talk. I’m thrilled! I am taking your advice to not point out any mistakes when I make a knitted item. Thank you so much.
I attended the GROK class at Simply Sock Yarn. You were WONDERFUL Stephanie. I finished my sock ornament and have it ready to deliver! THANKS for a humorous, inspiring afternoon!
What bind-off do you prefer for toe-up socks? Mine seem to want to roll outwards and down, even at the top of ribbing. Purling across the last row seems to work better than knitting the last row, or binding off in pattern, or the “stretchy” bind-offs, but It still doesn’t look as good as a cast-on sock top. Any suggestions from the Blog Community? Thanks.
I’ve knit on international flights over both oceans. I guess security thinks its a quaint lady thing, but heaven forbid if someone brings on the nail clippers! “Keep quiet and knit on”
Seems like a long time since I’ve seen pictures with “the sock” makes you want to go Kinnear someone doesn’t it ;-D
[i do wish this forum would stop asking me if i want it to remember personal info IF IT’S NOT GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY!] sorry for the hissy fit.
ok, i haven’t flown since before sept. 11 not because i’m afraid of terrorists, but i’m afraid of getting strip-searched in public. things like being nervous will set you aside for ‘special attention’ from the tsa. i wouldn’t want to argue with them over knitting needles, but at the same time, i would not be able to get on the plane without them unless i was unconscious. if we can make lollypop sticks out of paper, why can’t some enterprising lollypop stick manufacturer take it one step further and make tsa-proof sets of needles? i think stephanie mentioned it in ‘at knits end’ that a man made his wife a pair but that must have been cumbersome to do it by hand. the technology exists! we should use it. does anyone know a lollypop stick manufacturer?
I was not able to take my knitting through security in Athens on my way to Amsterdam. Luckily a friend was able to put them in her bag that hadn’t been checked yet. Lost without knitting. Only time this has happened.
Thanks for coming to the Midwest. You’re talk was wonderful and I’ve been quoting you to anyone who will listen. My Sunday lunch group loved the Memphis baking powder story!
You take your Signature needles on planes? I dropped one on the concrete at the swimming pool years ago and got a nasty little burr that took forever (and the intercession of St. Jude) to rouge out. Another time I dropped one of my Celtic Swan Forge needles, and gave it up for lost; it was found in the parking lot where I was sure I had dropped it, and languished in the in-box of someone “sure to get it back to me” long enough for Maggie to forge me a new, matching needle. So now I have 6 of that set, which delights me since I can pick up sock gussets with a matching needle. (I know it doesn’t matter, but it delights me nonetheless.) Twice burned. The Signatures do go on vacations when I spend a week in a house we own but never come out in public, the Celtic Swan needles never leave the primary abode. Knitting on trains and planes and the grocery line is what God made Pony Pearls and Brittany birch for.
Love the socks you were making for Indiana. Could you tell me the name of the yarn so I could buy some.
I’m a bit late to the party, but wanted to share my plane knitting experiences. I always knit when I fly in the US and I haven’t had any problems. The one and only time I had a problem was flying out of Boston the weekend after 9/11 (understandably). Security confiscated my circular needles and scissors; I was heart-broken and mad! But also keenly aware of all the gun-toting soldiers around me, so I gave them what they wanted. From that point on, I always traveled with the page of the TSA regulations stating that knitting needles and small scissors were okay. As an insurance policy, I also carried a small, padded, self-addressed envelope that I could mail my needles home to me in case they were again confiscated. Never had to do it, but always felt well-prepared and maybe little smug!
Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crisis! – EZ
You’re knitting a toe-up sock!
I started bringing my regular metal sock needles onto planes a few years ago after reading your Extreme Reassurance posting, and yes, so far so good! Though if the needles ARE metal, they almost always want me to open up the bag after the scanner so they can have an actual look…
The funniest, though, is that I don’t think I have EVER sat beside a non-knitter on a plane who has not looked askance at my pointy handful of DPN’s and said “They let you through Security with those?!??” I’ve started answering, with a completely serious face, “No, I had to run around the line-up!”
Way to go, LP at 9:06–that’s an awesome piece of insurance if one is risking an expensive or favourite set of needles… =)
Wanted to let you know the Soak tattoo link actually links to a print. Found them via Google though (totally cool stuff)! Your words lift me up both in knitting and in life.
Further to Teddy’s comment knitting needles (wooden or otherwise) are not allowed at all flights departing from Mexico.
They cannot control flights inbound but they have all sorts of pretty (and likely previously confiscated) needles in the glass cases at the front of the airport that demonstrated what is and isn’t allowed in carry on baggage.
I was happy I researched ahead of our Cozumel trip in November to avoid any surprises at the airport.
Really enjoyed this blog article.Much thanks again. Awesome.
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