Knitting storage

I have this problem with finding the "perfect" bag. This problem is not restricted to my daily bag that I cart around with me, but it extends to what I carry my knitting in. I've been using the two tote bags above, but they are rather shlumpy and I need something with a little more construction. I scored one of those Built market totes at Marshalls which is still a soft tote, but it's waterproof, cute, and not as thin as my current totes. It smells like I should be surfing with it (it's made of neoprene), but may be perfect for when my daughter's swimming lessons start next week and I'll be riding the bleachers at the local pool twice a week.

But if anyone out there really needs a great idea for my upcoming birthday, here it is.

Oh, and these are the socks I'm working on when I'm not avoiding schoolwork, housework, or any other sort of work. I don't know why they're taking me so long, I guess that means I've been working too much. I used to knit socks in college, so these are the first pair I've knit in, well, let's just say a long time. (I have a friend from college who used to knit and drive. Evidently at one point I said to her "Why can't you just do one thing at a time?" or something like that. I've never been known to mince words.) I'm using Berroco Sox sock weight in Day-Lewis.

Could I have said it better myself?

Take a look at Yarn Harlot's post "A Problem in the Wiring" about parenting (you'll have to scroll down to August 31st)...it made me laugh, cry, and shudder all at the same time.

Taking a look at some of my favorite knitting books

When I take a break from knitting, I always feel like there's no way I can go back. I compare myself to other knitters that can whip out that Norah Gaughan Cardi in a week, I lament that I'll never, ever learn how to do colorwork, and that the handknit wraps, hats, cute sweaters and socks are for others to excel at. That I should just return to my books and be done with it. Throw in the skein, so to speak.

So I do return to my books, but I make sure they're knitting books that inspire me to keep learning, playing, building up those brain cells, and stimulating the economy with the money I spend on yarn.

One of my all-time favorite books is Knit Knit by Sabrina Gschwandtner. There are still lots of knitting books out there with futzy mohair sweaters and cute teddy bears in matching sweaters and hats, but this is not one of them. Knit Knit's subtitle - Profiles and Projects from Knitting's New Wave- says it all. The knitters in this book aren't just making clothes- they're creating pieces of art in the form of giant American flags, teeny, tiny sweaters, and telephone pole cozies. The knitters are young, old, male, female, scientists, housewives, writers, and more.

The most important thing about Knit Knit is that it introduced me to the work of Norah Gaughan. I'm not sure how long it will take me to get to the level where I can make a piece from her book Knitting Nature, but it's good to have goals, right? I am working on Gaughan's Flow tank, so when I go to interview her I'll have something to wear that's from one of her books. (Ok, so I'm not scheduled to interview her, but that doesn't mean it's impossible...have faith, people.)

I also don't think I'd get through some trickier stitches with my Vogue Knitting book. Plain photographs, clear instructions, I usually have it next to me when I'm trying to figure out a pattern.

Some others I've really enjoyed:

Knitting America: A Glorious Heritage from Warm Socks to High Art by Susan Straw Fun to skim through if you're interested in the history of knitting.
The Swedish Mitten Book: Traditional Patterns from Gotland by Ingrid Gottfridsson Way to expensive to purchase, but our library has a copy that has been fun to peruse for ideas.
Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti My husband doesn't understand why I would sit around reading about knitting, but I found her tips very helpful and her story inspiring.

Even with TV I am still working on this one sock. Very sad. it better be the best sock in the world when I finish, then I'll make something really good...

In the meantime, I am still discarding books at a frightening pace. (Not really discarding, just passing over any that can't make me interested after 20 pages.) A. told me I should make a list of what doesn't pass muster...I'll save that for next time.