World Wide Web

It's always nice to be reminded, blog writing does go out to a world-wide audience

Web Lesson
For those of you who have never created a web site with a "Counter" feature (the box in the right column of my page that tallies the number of hits my site gets), some of the counter softwares provide additional features.

For example, my counter software lets me look at not only the number of hits to the site, but also where those hits come from. So for instance if someone like Wendy puts a link to my site on her blog, anyone that clicks on that link will show up as originating from www.wendyknits.net.

International Blog Mention
Yesterday, I was browsing through my counter software, and I noticed a hit from the following link:

http://ihmissuhteet.blogspot.com/?pamaus=1250-30092003

Since the blog was in a foreign language (sadly, I don't even recognize the language), I did a search for Queer on it, and here's what it said:



It was posted by Henry, but other than that, I couldn't begin to tell you what he says about me (I'm assuming Henry is a man's name in that country too). I'd go to the Babel Fish website to try to translate if I even knew the language.

Anyone care to tell me if Henry hates me or likes me?

Knitting Progress
Today's entry is a short one.

I got no knitting done last night or this morning, so there's no progress. Instead I had 90 minutes of pure, unadulterated indulgence last night.



I also haven't had the opportunity to do the gallery pictures of Passing Lane.

Readers Comments/Questions
Rachael asks "You must be tired of people telling you "It'd be faster if you learned to pick the yarn.""

I have to say, in all my years of knitting, I have never had anyone tell me that I should change how I knit. Honestly, I think it's because I'm a man, and whereas knitters have the nerve to tell a woman she should change how she does her knitting, they don't have the same gall with a man.

At least that's my theory.

And for me, speed isn't the goal. It's enjoyment. I knit at a decent speed, and I turn out sweaters pretty quickly because of the time I allocate to my obsession, but I'm not concerned about increasing my speed.

Barb asks if anyone knows of a decent synthetic worsted weight besides Canadiana?

Canadiana is a pretty inexpensive option at under US$4.00 for 100 grams/228 yards. Especially since my favorite synthetic that I've used is Plymouth Encore. It's not completely synthetic (75% acrylic, 25% wool), and there are a bazillion colors to choose from. It retails for just under US$5.00 for 100 grams/200 yards. Folks tell me it wears like iron, and there are lots of sources on the web to order it.

Sorry, that answer probably doesn't help at all, and I loved the story of your Great-Granny.

Political Rant

When did it become more important for a candidate for public office to have witty reparte in a debate, than it was to have credentials, or experience or leadership abilities?

California Recall
I branch out for a little bit in this one section of today's blog to wonder publicly how the political debate process got so twisted.

It seems the media, and the American public now assess their candidates on how well they sniped at their competitors in debates.

While I'm glad I don't live in California, because I think the concept of a recall based on popularity doesn't have a place in a democracy, the problem of sarcastic barbs making a candidate more qualified is nationwide in this country.

Did it start with the Vice Presidential debate where Quayle got slammed when he tried to compare himself to JFK, or has it been going on forever in politics. Regardless of when it started, I will be happy when slugfests, like the carnival they called a debate in California are over, and candidates debate the true issues.

Passing Lane
Here's the pictures I promised yesterday of Passing Lane. I'll have a gallery of me modelling the garment later sometime, but for now, these will have to do.

Here's one the show's a closeup of the collar and the patterned rib stitch I used.

I wore it to work today, even though it was knit for someone larger than me, and it's not really a great color for me either. This sweater is VERY warm, and very comfortable. A perfect ski lodge sweater.

Rebekah Sweaters
First of all, the finished Rebekah sweater (as promised). This is the one done in cotton and Trendsetter Flora on the trim.

Now for the progress picture on Rebekah II. I've completed the bottom up to the sleeve holes, and the back and back collar. I've started knitting the front as well.

While I'm moving along very quickly on this one, I don't think it will be ocmplete by the time I get to Stitches. But I'll still be able to give a good idea to the editor of what it will look like.

Reader Comments and Questions
Debi asks, "Are you a continental knitter or an English knitter?"

It's actually not a silly question at all, and I'm not really either. When I first taught myself to knit, I had seen most American knitters throw the yarn, but I taught myself by reading an English knitting pattern book.

I ended up with a combination of both styles. I hold the yarn in my left hand, as an English-style knitter would, but I throw the yarn, as a continental-style knitter would. In other words, I don't hold it up and pick it with the right needle, I wrap it.

It's not a unique style, as I've met others that knit that way. And like Debi, I think there is no wrong way to knit as long as it gets the job done. Also like Debi, my knitting is very even.

Peter asks why I keep a box of tissues in my knitting tool box next to my TV chair.

Actually, tissues are clearly just a fantasy that Peter conjured up in his own dirty little mind. Perhaps because he keeps a box handy by his bedside himself?...hmmm?

The box I assume he mistook for tissues is actually the box that the Weavette is in, that I discussed in prior blog entries.

Keep those lecherous questions coming :)

Busy Boy

No, I haven't died, faked my own death or gone to Ireland unexpectedly. I'm still alive, but busy.

Getting Ready for Stitches Weekend
This whole past weekend was all about getting ready for next weekend.

In addition to Stitches on Thursday and Friday (I won't be there Saturday), I have a memorial art show on Friday night. I'm hosting a brunch for 25 people on Saturday morning/afternoon. I have a birthday party for my mom's husband (who turns 80) on Saturday night. And finally, I have a dog show on Sunday afternoon, where my best friend's Springer Spaniel will compete for the first time as a champion.

Flea Market Gift from Thaddeus
Since it's my only picture today, I'll talk about this great gift idea Thaddeus came up with for me at the Flea market.

He got tired of seeing all my knitting tools and paraphernalia hanging everywhere in the house, so he bought this cool old tool chest.



It has compartments for stitch holders, scissors, circular needles, measuring tapes, etc. And it has holes (originally for screw drivers, I think) that I can use to hold my non-circular needles (I rarely use the word str@ight).

Isn't Thaddeus the best!?!?!?

Passing Lane
There's good news, and bad news.

I worked like a maniac, and got Passing Lane completed, sewn up and ends woven in. Yay!

The bad news...I didn't get a chance to take any pictures. Yet. I'll try to post some tomorrow.

I love the way it came out, and I think the editor from Unicorn will too. Cross your fingers for me.

Rebekah II
In addition to finishing Passing Lane, I also finished sewing up the original Rebekah sweater, and I got a few inches done on the body of Rebekah II. But again, I don't have a picture of either garment yet.

I'm going to be working on Rebekah this week, until I head to Atlantic City. I'm not sure I can finish it in time, but at least I can show the editor the completed version in cotton yarn, and the version in progress with his yarn.

I'll post pictures tomorrow.

Blog Contest Entries

As the final chapter in another QueerJoe blog contest, I present all of the entries. Which would you have selected?

Guest Blog Entries
I was going to try and combine all of the entries into one HTML or PDF page, but it proved too difficult for my technical skills and/or patience. Instead I present links to each blog entry.

Enjoy the reading.

Antonio 1
Antonio 2
Antonio 3
Antonio 4
Barb 1
Barb 2
Catherine
Jet
Joanne
Johanne
Michael (Aubergine)
Sean (Sean080808)

Passing Lane
I finished a few more inches on the final sleeve for Passing Lane, and it's moving along at a good clip now.



I am more and more optimistic each day that I'll be able to present the Rebekah II sweater to the Unicorn editor at Stitches.

I also have to get a picture of Rebekah wearing her cotton version of the sweater when I get it finished. Those of you who know me, know I'm not overly fond of children. I make the exception for some children, and Rebekah is certainly one of those for whom I make an exception.

She is an absolutely beautiful child with a matching personality.

Wrist Hurt?
There are a lot of folks that know Annie Modesitt from her blog, Modeknit. She's quite an amazing designer, but she's also given a great gift to those of us who suffer wrist pain when we knit by documenting what she calls combined knitting.

http://www.modeknit.com/combined.html

It's basically a method of creating the same Knit and Purl stitches as standard knitting, but done without as much wrist turning.

When I first taught myself to knit, I taught myself incorrectly how to purl (by wrapping in the wrong direction), and ended up with twisted stiches. I knit that way for the first year.

Now Annie shows how I could use that to my best advantage. Thanks Annie for documenting a great idea and sharing it with web knitters.

Reader Comments and Questions
I just wanted to thank you all for your nice comments on both the picture and our relationship.

Multiple Projects - Again

It's nice being back to working on multiple projects.

Rebekah Sweater
I have finished all of the pieces of the Rebekah sweater, and now just need to sew on the sleeve, sew up the collar/neck, weave in ends, and wash and press the finished sweater.

I had the opportunity to have the recipient try the sweater on this past weekend.

I was chatting with her mom outside, and showing her the sweater. She was quite pleased with the result. Her daughter, Rebekah, came over and started talking to us, and then noticed the sweater. She kept eyeing it, and finally said, "that's a very pretty color".

I asked her if she liked the sweater, and she said she did, very much. I asked her if she'd like to try it on and she was thrilled to (even with a missing sleeve). She could have cared less that I made it for her.

The sweater fit perfectly, looked great, and I got my neck opening measurements.

As mentioned in the last entry, I have a second Rebekah sweater on the needles. If I can finish Passing Lane quickly enough, I'll work on Rebekah II to try to get it done for Stitches as well.

Passing Lane
Despite having worked on the two other Rebekah sweaters, I was still able to finish the first sleeve and I have also made some progress on the second sleeve.



Working like a dog, I should get this sleeve done by Friday or Saturday, and get in some knitting time on Rebekah II over the weekend.

I'm looking forward to having five sweaters to show the editor at Unicorn now.

Partnership
Thaddeus and I were at a party a while back. It was a housewarming party of a friend and former neighbor who moved about 30 minutes away into a new house.

He took the following picture, and it's one of the only pictures where both Thaddeus and I like the way we look in the picture.



October will mark our 20th anniversary, and despite the fact that it's a picture of a photograph, I thought you might want to see it.