"Tinking"?!

"Tinking" is the act of unknitting stitches one at a time, to correct a small and recent mistake. "TINK" is KNIT..... backwards !

We Love Lesley!

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO??!! SORRY TO BE SO LATE POSTING THIS....

Our group members were delighted to receive a visit from Lesley Jennings some weeks ago. She is a very talented knitter and pattern designer, who sells kits online at sweatersandsuch.com, and gorgeous handknit items in her Etsy shop "Cape Cod Knits". We pored over her photos of completed projects, passed around colorful design samples, and listened with rapt attention to her tales of working with a particularly challenging client. It was so inspiring!!

WE REALLY DO LOVE YOU, LESLEY!

They Quilt, They Knit......They are Men !

Maybe you saw this article in the Wall Street Journal, March 29, about long-distance truckers in the Midwest.....

Kevin Abraham-Banks learned to knit last year. So far, he has finished a scarf and socks, and is working on a sweater for his wife. "The fact that you can take strands of thread and basically make something out of it, that's awesome, I think. It's pretty cool stuff, man.", he says.

Thomas McConnaughy doesn't let on to other truckers that he keeps fifteen skeins of yarn in his cab and makes what he describes as "really cute slippers".

Dave White has a sewing machine in his truck's sleeper cabin, and spends up to three hours a day stitching quilt tops - seven since last August. Way to go, fellas!!!

(Thanks, Marie, for bringing this to my attention.)

Please Touch

"Ever heard of the 'knitter's handshake'? Someone approaches you, hand outstretched, but reaches for your sleeve instead of your hand - she or he wants to touch your sweater! It is almost unconscious at fiber-related events. After all, we're all constantly touching everything that's on display or for sale, and some of the most wonderful things are on the other knitters. You may feel someone stroking your shoulder, and turn to find a stranger. Most people quickly grow accustomed to the experience. In fact, most people quickly engage in conversation with the other knitter. What yarn is this? Did you make the pattern yourself? Do I recognize the stitch?
We're a sociable bunch.
Knitting is a very visual activity, yes, but it's also extremely tactile. You see the sweater and you want to touch it. If you saw wallpaper in the same beautiful shade, you wouldn't feel drawn to touch. The tactile pleasure comes from the yarn itself, and also from the knitting. The fabric can be smooth or pebbly, sculpted or thick and cushy, all depending on the knitted stitch."
Lisa R. Meyers says this in her book, "The Joy of Knitting". She delves into the world of knitting, exploring the many facets of the knitting process and its global community, and includes an original pattern at the end of each chapter. See for yourself....

You Know You Knit Too Much When....

....the fact that one of the characters in a novel is a knitter, is enough to get you to read it.

Does this sound familiar to anybody?

Happy New Year!

Did you know that knitting burns roughly 80 calories per hour? (There are some variations for style and speed.) This is excellent news, if you have made a resolution to get more exercise!!
"Stitching Tales" is still meeting, and we have a very enthusiastic new member. (Welcome, BJ!) We are beginning a new group project, making helmet liners for the brave men and women in our armed forces, who are about to be deployed overseas.
How many of you gave (or received) handmade knitted or crocheted items for Christmas?