For the Knitters

When I began this blog, I called it "No Idle Hands" -- taken from both the proverb ("Idle hands are the Devil's workshop") and from a book of the same name by Anne L. Macdonald -- subtitled, "The Social History of American Knitting".  It's quite the tome, and I confess I still haven't read it!

Later, I changed my blog title to "The Lady Who Knits on the Bus" -- my nickname at the time, given me by one of my fellow-commuters, who was fascinated by the way I passed the 1/2 hour or so to and from work every day.



"The Lady Who Knits on the Bus" was also my blogger URL (before I registered my name as my domain) and the initials TLWKOTB are still part of my signature whenever I check into Clara Parke's Knitter's Review Forum.

I learned to knit over fifty years ago and despite all the quilty goodness you see going on on this blog, knitting remains my first love.  I rarely pass a day without knitting, and there is always some in my tote.  That's right: tote.  I don't carry a purse; I carry a knitting bag with a wallet in it! Currently I'm working on UFOs with great intention.  In my hands at right is the body of a camisole, knit in one piece from the bottom up.  The yarn is 'Desire' from Diamond Yarns -- bought long enough ago that it's now discontinued.  It's a yummy blend of 75% silk and 25% cashmere, and I must have bought it at a discount from Elann.com, or I doubt I could have afforded it!

The pattern is "Silk Camisole", found in Last - Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson; the bookplate I put in the front shows I bought it in 2004.  Heaven knows how long ago, then, I got the yarn and began the cammie!

All this is to say that today begins Week 2 of my 10th Blog-aversary celebrations, and the Goodie Pack this week is for yarn lovers. (I apologize in advance to crocheters; feel free to enter and enjoy the pack if you win, but I don't crochet (except chains for edgings and very wonky Granny Squares), so what you see will generally be knitter-related.)

The pack includes:

• A kit from Sweaterkits.com for a "Three Silk Scarf" -- pattern and yarn, being three types of hand-dyed silk in deep purples and blues: silk chenille, 'plain' silk and silk ribbon;
• A kit for a lace bookmark in Qiviut, from the Needle Arts Book Shoppe -- a mini-skein of lace-weight 2-ply Qiviut in deep teal, and a selection of three patterns from which to choose;
• A pristine copy of  The Portable Crafter: Knitting by Leanne Bennett -- just the right size to tuck in tote of a knitter on-the-go; and 
• A pristine copy of knit wit: 30 easy and hip projects by Amy Singer, beloved founder and editor of knitty.com.

All comments from Week One have been dispensed with; it's time to start afresh.  As before, all comments to this blog post and to every post between this one and 8 a.m. Friday, February 22 will be eligible for entry into this give-away (even if you comment more than once).

And...as in week one, there might just be a surprise draw for a treat or two in between now and then.  So...my yarny friends, do please drop by and say "Hello!"  :-)