It’s been a hell of a year for us at Social Knitworking. There were epic road trips, knitting retreats, new jobs, moves, relationship changes, unemployment, and more, all the with knitting holding us together. I feel like I’ve just written a blurb for a crappy chick lit novel, but it’s true.

I’ve had a couple of great knitting successes this year. I finally knit a sweater that I love. It was my House Colors project for Rhinebeck this year, Pioneer in orange Silky Wool. I also knit a lovely scarf for my significant other, the Stained Glass Scarf from Handknit Holidays.

My half success was completing one sock out of a pair of Galadriel. Perhaps for 2012 I’ll aim to finish the second sock. Also plugging along is my Blankie. It’s cozy to knit now, keeping my lap warm as I knit.

We’ve started our 2012 knit planning. I have the aforesaid sock to finish. (The heel has turned, all that’s left is the endless lacy leg.) Jenn and I are planning a Tangled Yoke Cardigan knit-along starting in February. There’s The Blankie to work on and I’d love to add to my basket of weird knitted creatures.

What are your knitting stories of 2011 and your plans for 2012?

Last month I said the following to our audience, “If you’re not a member of Ravelry, you’re a fool.” It may have been a little strongly worded as there are many perfectly understandable reasons to not participate in in the site. However, for a knitter like me, Ravelry has been a godsend.

The pattern database is extensive and easily searchable. If I’m looking for a lace jacket made with worsted weight yarn, I can narrow the list down with those variables. And then to be able to see other people’s results when creating the projects, reading their notes on changes they made or types of yarn used; that curiosity of “I wonder how this will look in x size or in x yarn” happens far less often.

I’m also a big fan of the yarn database. It’s a virtual yarn shop only with more information. There are descriptions of yarn, lists of what projects have been made with yarns and links to what’s available for sale or trade by other Ravelry members.

And let’s not forget the community. Frankly, I’ve made brilliant and wonderful friends on the Ravelry forums. Our weekly Tuesday night knit and crochet group formed from a post a few years ago & from there the Social Knitworking Podcast. The Cult of The Blankie has it’s own forum for trades and pictures and Blankie discussions. I can talk to other toy knitters. There is always someone to talk to about life or craft.

So my dear Ravelry, thank you for existing and growing and being the super community you are.

With much love,
Joanna

Now, FL Friend would like to work on other projects. But as we all know, Michael’s is quite limited in their selection of yarns. Especially in South Florida. I suggested she use online sites like KnitPicks and Yarn.com being that there are virtually NO YARN STORES in her immediate area. Another question we have is, what can one really knit for FL weather? The heat rules out many favorite patterns of mine. Does anyone have a favorite yarn, or project that you think is appropriate for FL? Feel free to leave comments here or on the feedback line: 215.839.6373 (215.839.NERD), or use the Google Voice widget we’ve installed on the blog.

The concept behind The Blankie has been around probably as long as knitting.  Use scrap yarn to slowly, square by square, make a blanket.  It was The Heathen Housewife that took that idea a crazy step further and, back in 2006, blogged about it for all the knitting world to see. Why not make a mitered square blanket with sock yarn?  Since then I’m convinced the Sock Yarn Blankie has taken over a sizeable portion of the internet. 

I was first introduced to The Blankie by two members of our Tuesday night soiree, Jenn and Krista.  They would sit next to one another on the sofa at the back of the coffee shop, quietly knitting their blankets.  They would discuss yarn swaps and trades they had joined in order to increase their stashes of sock yarn.  When trades would come in they’d bring baggies of colorful yarn on Tuesday for one another to squish and squee over. As each week went by, the two blankets got a little bigger, the colors more hypnotic.  

In the end, it was the bags of mini-skeins of yarn that captured me.  They’re just so little, colorful and awesome!

Here’s a photo of my Blankie in progress. Whenever I knit in public (often) I get compliments. The latest was “something so beautiful should be worn and not be a blanket!” I love it, love it, love it.

From

Since I started knitting a Blankie, I think most of our knitting group has started one of thier own. And each and every one of us will happily enable more into The Blankie fold.

Yeah, we’re a cult – and it’s awesome.

In honor of The Blankie, our knitting group, The Third Street Ravelers, is holding a Knit in Public Day. Anyone participating doesn’t have to have a Blankie with them, however it’s likely one will be on their Ravelry queue the following day.

August: We <3 Nerds
From Dr. Who scarves to Murloc toys, we’re going to be talking about nerdy knits this August.  And maybe we’ll also talk a little about how the Social Knitworking podcast came to be.

September:  We Get Our Drunk On
Hey look! September is drunk podcasting month. (The history of which you can read over at Hipster, Please!)

We at Social Knitworking are fans of the occasional tipple. No really, we are! In addition to knocking back a few drinks, we’ll be talking to our resident cocktail fan, Connie. She’s sure to share some fun recipes. Also, we’ll chat about some knits that can used around the bar or at the table.

Also in September we’ll visit with the Cult of The Blankie.  If you haven’t started your own sock yarn blanket, you soon will.  Yes, you soon will. 

October: Road Trip!
The Social Knitworking crew will be hitting the road for that east coast fiber mecca: The Sheep and Wool Festival at Rhinebeck, NY.  We’re looking forward to some special interviews from the festival field.

If you have any questions or suggestions please remember our feedback line is up and running.  Give us a call at 215.839.6373 (215.839.NERD).