The Time Has Come

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

And also to talk of “Trading Spaces,” because we are “Movin’ On UP.” Okay I’m stopping now!

Yes, the time has come and we are moving the Comfort Zone website AND Knitting Thoughts blog, which will now be known as “The Comfort Zone.” Please visit the Comfort Zone and let me know what you think of the look. Any ideas will be appreciated.

I have committed to posting twice a week to start, and then try to move into daily within the next six months. (It’s good to have goals). I appreciate so much the comments that have been made here, and hope you will bookmark the new blog and comment often.

A lot has been said lately about blogs that don’t get many comments. I am thrilled by every comment I receive, and by “meeting” so many new people over the last two years. Knitters are among the best people in the world. I find most knitters to be calm, clear thinking, goal oriented people, and a pleasure to spend time with. When someone comments on this blog I feel as though I have spent time with that person, drinking a cup of coffee and knitting a few rows. It also gives me the chance to visit other blogs that I might not have found otherwise—and, I have found some good ones! So, please come visit me at The Comfort Zone, and we’ll knit together for a while. Life is good….

How Did Alpaca Get So Cute?

So cute, and so soft. They look like they might be good pets! I bought this brown baby alpaca yarn some time back, not knowing what I would do with it. Last week I ran across a pattern for a scarf/head wrap here, and knew I had to have it, and ordered the turquoise alpaca for the edging. I cast on as soon as the pattern and yarn came in, and immediately discovered that I love seed stitch. Yes, you heard that right, I love seed stitch. There is a nice rhythm to it that almost lulls me to sleep. I have to put it down now and then, and pick up my sock to stay awake. At first I thought it was boredom, but it isn’t that, it is more a peacefulness that comes over me as I switch the yarn back and forth to make the knit and purl stitches.

Knit, purl, knit, purl, isn’t easy for me because I am a thrower. I’ve tried Continental knitting, but it just doesn’t work for me. No, that is not an adequate description—I am Continental method challenged! I have taken two courses from knitting instructors in an effort to learn Continental style, both with no success. My brain and my left hand just don’t work that way. During one lesson I managed to get the yarn irreversibly tangled around the needles and my fingers, and in another session I became so frustrated that I threw my knitting project across the room, and then left quietly before I was asked to leave. I think the problem is that I can’t find a comfortable way to hold the yarn, even though I have tried every finger-winding method there is. When it doesn’t work again and again, the answer is give up and slink back to the English throw—defeated and disgraced. Whenever I knit in public people continue to tell me that I don’t knit as they do, or that I “knit funny.” Yes, yes, I’m just a knitting tragedy. It’s so sad…

Anyway, I love seed stitch!