Friday, November 30, 2007

With You or Wich You

Hi Knitters,
Have you heard the song Clumsy by Fergie? Those of you with teenagers might know what I'm talking about. If not, let me fill you in. This is a song about falling in love where the singer is supposed to be saying, "with you" but repeats the line, "I'm so in love wich you," with emphasis on the "ch," over and over at the end. I think this is so funny. My 14-year-old loves this song. Oh, to be a teen. The funny thing (or not) is that I can't get this song out of my head. I guess that makes it a hit?

How does this tie in with scarf knitting you ask? Well, I'll tell you. The entire time I've been knitting on this scarf the song Clumsy has been running through my head non-stop. Yes, it's true, go ahead and laugh (at me). I would. Actually, it's a pretty cute song with a bouncy beat so it's not too bad.

Let me tell you a bit about this project. It is the hourglass scarf from Knitting New Scarves by Lynne Barr. This is a fantastic book filled with crazy, unique scarf patterns. I have several earmarked for this winter. I started with the hourglass scarf because I had this Koigu Kersti just waiting to become a scarf. Plus I had some really old Koigu 2 ply in butter yellow that worked perfectly for the accent color.
The cinching segment is so fun. You divide the stitches on 2 double-pointed needles and then you do a slip stitch sequence in the round in 2x2 rib using the two different colors. The dpns are several sizes smaller for this part and it really pulls the scarf in for a dramatic effect. The good thing is that you are knitting in the round and this keeps the scarf looking great from both sides, always a plus. The ribbed scarf section is knitted with two strands of the Koigu Kersti held together on fairly large needles. Talk about squishy, it feels so good.
You know when I started knitting this I was feeling kind of tired and I thought I would make up my own cinching technique instead of reading and learning Barr's new techniques. This was my mistake. I had to pull back and read and learn her ways. Her wording and descriptions are unusual but it actually didn't take me more than a second to figure it out. You can do it too.
It is always worthwhile to learn a new technique here and there. That's what keeps you growing and inspired. I am inspired by Lynne Barr. She is pushing the envelope, twisting and turning stitches, working from new directions. I should pay attention to this no matter how tired I am.
Okay, one more time, "I'm so in love wich you."
best, susie
p.s. I've heard a recent rumor that you're not supposed to post works in progress (wip) pictures on your blog, only finished projects. What? I love the wips on people's blogs and I have no problem seeing projects along the way, that's fun. Keep posting what you are working on, knitters, I want to see how you're doing on things.
p.p.s. I have to tell you that I didn't know that there is a fantastic giveaway going on for a Kristin Knits book launch celebration. You can enter on Kristin's blog through December 10th to win 20 balls of her yarn, Julia, in assorted colors. Enter quick, that is some prize. Good luck.

6 comments:

Betz White said...

no WIPs?! hunh...I'll get my bloggers rule book out. Yeah...

Yummy scarf! :)

Vicki Knitorious said...

Thank you!! I was thinking I was all alone in my (seems weird 'cuz I'm *too old*) liking of Fergie songs -- Clumsy is in my head all the time, too, as was her previous catchy song (that I can't remember the name of right now). Do you share my affinity for Mary J. Blige, too?
; )

Kristin's contest/launch sounds like fun. Thanks for the tip!

peaknits said...

I had kind of hear the same rumor - I say to heck "wich" em. I like to see the process too. The scarf is gorgeous! Thanks for the link to the blog contest - nice!

Susan B. Anderson said...

Peaknit-you made me laugh out loud! You are too funny! I agree wich you!

Vicki Knitorious-I'm not into Mary J. Blige, too much anguish for me, but she's beautiful to look at. I don't usually like Fergie due to songs like "my humps" and "fergilicious" (not for me at all) but Clumsy is fun and cute. I also like a couple of the Black Eyed Peas songs that she sang on.

Good comments!
best, susie

Admin said...

There's a knitalong for Knitting New Scarves at http://knittingnewscarves.blogspot.com/
If you're too busy to join, maybe you could mention us and/or add a link :)

knititch said...

i always that i was the queen of repetitious knits although with a little alteration from time to time. your knits are beautiful and i have to get kristin's book if not for anything else then to get in a good mood. boy i knit so much greyish stuff in tweed but i now how one can get a knitter's high by working in colours and stripes.
greetings from copenhagen. i will pop by again.
ps: it is absolute nonsense that one shouldn't post wips. this is what i read blogs for in a way and what can teach me new tricks of the trade.