Spending Time in the Knitting Hoosegow

So, remember when I mentioned I had an attack of startitis? Well, as you saw in the photo I posted, the Lily Pad was a complete success. Of course, now Eddie seems to have taken control of the blankie, so I may need to make another.

Do you know what this is? Yes, it’s the storage bag that comes with Namaste bags. I’ve mentioned in a previous post that I’ve adopted it as a project bag, especially since I seem to be more prone to startitis than to finishitis. Well, this storage bag has been pressed into service for another purpose. It is now the Knitting Hoosegow. So what did these projects do to warrant a time out? They didn’t

behave. It’s as simple as that. They didn’t act like good projects in progress should. I had frogged a shawlette to cast on the Milkweed Shawl. Three or four rows in, I noticed I made an error, so I frogged it and started over. I was so happy with how it was going. It lulled me into a false sense of security. It convinced me that the project would be smooth going.

Deceptor!

When I got to the end of the second or third row of Chart C, my stitch count no longer matched. Eek. I’m guessing that I missed a yarnover or two. I say “guessing,” because I can’t find the error. So, after looking and looking for the boo-boo, I put Milkweed on trial. It lost and was sentenced to time in the Knitting Hoosegow.

As you might recall, I also started my first Clapotis. This time, the yarn is the culprit. Seriously. It made me think it would make a beautiful scarf. And it probably will–if I can stand to finish the scarf. This is one of those times when I probably should have used wooden/bamboo needles. You see, the Ruca Multy (from Araucania Yarns) is made of 100% sugarcane. When I started using it, I was concerned about its propensity to split. I should have been concerned about its tendency to slip off the needles. I was afraid that frustration would lead to mistakes, so the Clapotis is now the cell mate of the Milkweed Shawlette.

So, now’s the perfect time to finish some of my UFOs. Yeh, right. I cast on another project, using yarn from my stash. This will be a pair of mittens or fingerless mitts; it depends on my attention span. The yarn is the No Man’s Land colorway, one of Sugarbeestudio‘s Politically Incorrect Yarns and Fibers. So far, so good. The yarn is behaving and, probably since I’ve knit this pattern many times before, I’ve not run into any difficulties. Of course, I’m just past the cuff, so there is still a chance that Milkweed and Clapotis will have a third “roommate.” But, I’m not going to dwell on that. I’m certain that this project will be a winner. I will be victorious. It will not defeat me. (Maybe.)

A New Season of Knitting Daily TV

Our local PBS station premiered the new season of Knitting Daily TV this morning. Why they insist on running the show at 7 a.m. Saturday mornings is beyond me, but at least they carry the show. I’ve had issues with the program through the seasons, but I still watch. After all, it’s about knitting.

I had been reading the new season hype, and this season looked promising. And, I must admit that I enjoyed this first episode. It featured Eunny Jang, showing us how to fix errors and overcome one of many knitters’ fears: knitting something to find it doesn’t fit. Shay Pendray interviewed Adina Klein on location about testing new techniques on baby items. There was no apparently obvious reason why the interview was conducted on location. There was no reference to anything going on around them; they stood behind a table, talking and showing the items (which I really liked, incidentally). Adina Klein has been interviewed in the studio many times. I can only guess that the interview was conducted outside the studio because of time and availability. And while I have no objection to on-location interviews in principle, please conduct them in a less-noisy location. It can be difficult to hear and understand what is being said when ambient noise is so loud.

One of the complaints knitters (not just me) have had over the past seasons of Knitting Daily TV is the frequent, unannounced appearance of other fiber arts on a show that, at least by its title, is supposed to be about knitting. This season, though the name of the program remains the same, there will be a segment called Crochet Corner. New this season is Kristin Omdahl of Red Heart Yarns, who is the host of that segment. She started Crochet Corner at the beginning: making a chain. This segment has the potential of being very helpful to those wanting to add crochet to their fiber love. I found it enjoyable, even though I know crochet basics, but I’m not sure I will be able to watch it. Omdahl has this habit of, well, the only thing I can relate it to is, sucking her teeth–loudly. Perhaps her mouth is dry. If so, I suggest she have a big glass of water before taping her segments. Yes, I found it that distracting.

The folks at Knitting Daily TV had lauded their new opening. I really looked forward to that possibility. First, the program begins by mentioning that the show has been sponsored by–and then lists a very long list of sponsors. If one didn’t know better, he or she could think they were getting in on the end of the program. Then, I’m sorry, but I find that theme music some of the worst I’ve ever heard. And to play it (loudly) while Eunny is introducing the show and again when she’s telling what will be on next week reeks of amateurish production quality. The only thing that has changed is the introduction of the hosts and the addition of a montage. That, of course, was made necessary because of host changes.

Despite these issues, I’ll still watch. Eunny Jang is the show’s strong point, and I’m not ashamed to say I’m a fan. I’ve learned a lot from her during the past seasons, and I look forward to continue to do so this season. Her segments are what keep me coming back Saturday morning after Saturday morning.