Monkey Report

Thankfully, no visit from the Moose last night. I am trying to think of a way to protect my baby apple tree (Honey Crisp--this years Mothers Day gift). They've nibbled on the top, but not enough to affect its growth. I'm thinking of that bird netting stuff that keeps birds out of fruit trees. Maybe make a tent around it-if I can find a 6 foot high 1x1 in Sweet Hubby's stash. Yes-that should work.

I've been reading in the forums on Ravelry. There's lots of interesting stuff. One item in particular was a post by someone who wonders if we should be politicizing knitting. Now, I willingly admit, I'm not so sure I know what that means-politicizing, but I got the general idea of this persons concerns. She doesn't like the traditional stereotype of a knitter-little old granny in a rocking chair making a hideous sweater. There are legitimate business owners in the knitting industry who have run into some serious discrimination because knitters are not taken seriously. Take for instance, the fiasco experienced by Blue Moon Fibers-something I didn't know about until yesterday which you can read about in Yarn Harlot's January 11th blogpost. I am shocked by this and other stories I've heard. I know when I tell people I'm a professional knitter I do NOT like the reaction I get. It's insulting.

Anyway, they were discussing ways to overcome the stereo type and someone talked about how we all should KIP whenever we can. There's a term I was not familiar with. What is KIP? The answer is Knitting In Public. If more people saw us who are not old ladies in rocking chairs knitting, the stereotype would eventually go away. I took this to heart.

Ruth and I took the Echo to Jiffy Lube for an oil change yesterday. I took my Monkey Sock and worked on it while we waited for the car. It was busy. Standing room only in the waiting room. (Fortunately I had a chair near a little table where I could lay my pattern and row counter) I got stares, and eventually inquiries. People are fascinated by the fact that my Dad taught me to knit. I finished the heel flap and got about halfway through the gusset before the car was done.

However, later in the evening I discovered, while watching Last Comic Standing (which was boring-sigh), that I'd somehow screwed up on the decreases at the very beginning of the gusset, so I had to frog everything I'd done at Jiffy Lube. Well, at least I KIPed. I'm going to do that more often. KIP, not frog. Heh heh. Since I've gotta be knitting at least one pair of socks a month (because I joined the SAM4KAL) I might as well haul them around with me. I've got a cute little leopard print purse that a sock project fits nicely in.

Oh yes. I should tell you I have ordered the Bee Fields Rectangular Stole pattern from Knitspot. I have not knit a lace shawl in years, but I HAVE to make this one. It is SO gorgeous! I've also ordered the Oregon Red Clover Honey Laci yarn from Blue Moon Fibers to make it. What do you think the chances are of me getting it done in time for the cruise?

If you knit, KIP! Lets educate the public out there.

Have a great day.