A Little Knitting

It is a wonder that I get anything done around here. Yesterday, I had a series of different projects going, and only one of them got finished because I kept losing my supplies. It is possible that I was just having a bad multi-tasking day, but I am starting to believe that a portal to an alternate universe exists in my home and van, and that is where everything is going. Some family in the alternate universe is enjoying my iPod shuffle, A’s headphones (which I was borrowing), a Phillip’s head screwdriver, three buttons, and a sewing tape measure. They kindly returned one button so I could finish the knitted neck cowl that I started in the summer of 2013 when I found out that we would be moving east.

I do not knit very much. I did go through a phase of knitting often, but that was many years and one kid ago. Now, I typically pick up a project when my mother visits. She is a whiz with the needles, and she is very inspiring. My mom understands knitting patterns which remain mostly a mystery to me. Beautiful things materialize from her needles which click together all year around. She was here a few weeks ago, and I was motivated to finish a couple UFOs (unfinished objects). During her visit, we drank mugs of pumpkin-flavored coffee, chatted nonstop and knitted away. I completed a hat and a neck cowl. The hat was a dud, but the neck cowl showed great promise. It just needed buttons which I had purchased in 2013.

I searched for the buttons, but I did not find them. I looked for them on and off for a few weeks. I admit that things are still not very organized here at BHH. There will be plenty of time to work on that during the long, cold winter. With snow in immediate forecast, I decided to just buy new buttons and cut my losses on the old ones.

Long story short, yesterday, I replaced the lost buttons with new buttons. Then, I lost one of the new buttons in the van when it slipped out of my fingers and through the portal to the family in the alternate universe. After searching for fifteen minutes, I found it in a crevice on the floor where I was sure I had looked before. That is why my alternate universe idea has some merit don’t you think?

I did not use a pattern for this cowl. I was inspired by a ready-to-wear piece that I saw in a catalog last year. I used straight knit stitch, back and forth, until it was the proper length. I used a chunky wool yarn, Paton brand, from JoAnn Fabrics. I think that the buttons are a bit large, and I would likely use smaller ones if I had it to do over.

This is how it looks with a nice coat. I intend to wear it on fancier occasions, and especially in the city where it is very blustery between the tall buildings.

I would like to make a matching hat, but my mother is not coming to visit until later next year. I will have to be my own motivator if I want to make that happen.

Let’s talk about you. Are you a knitter? If so, what is on your needles? Alternate universe: yes or no?