Holiday Trip Knitting

Whenever I go on a trip, I have to plan out whatever knitting I need to bring. We were driving for this particular trip so I didn't have to worry about bulky or packing effectively, but I did want portability and ease of knit, because there were going to be plenty of younger kids (4-7) around for the holidays, not to mention conversations with the adults. So I needed something(s) that was going to be easy to memorize and the ability to knit while talking...or to stop if necessary due to child antics.

Two projects came to mind:

--> a pair of vanilla socks -- two at a time; toe-up; on two circulars. The pattern was a SideStream master sock from New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One by Cat Bordhi.

--> Night Sky Karius shawl -- an easy 8 row pattern with increases in specific areas. Plus, I could use my hand-dyed / handspun yarn (Nightsky handspun)

I started both projects (because I hate casting on in a moving car) and got both to a point where it'd been easy to just pick it up again. I also decided that I would bring two spindle spinning projects as well.

So, I loaded up my Nantucket Knitting Bag (I picked up used on Ravelry) with my 4 projects.

I found myself knitting on the parts of the trip where I didn't need to drive, and during the family get-togethers.

Unfortunately, I had left my generic sock pattern at home (OH NOES!) but some very nice people on Ravelry were able to give me the rest of my Master Numbers (I had my gauge, RPI, and foot sizes, but didn't know the rest) and I was able to finish the sock (sans cuffs) on Thanksgiving Day.

I'm also about 40% done with my Nightsky, knitting most of it during the drive up and down, as it's a relatively easy pattern to memorize. I also managed to get some knitting done while sitting on couches and talking to friends at LosCon. My Nightsky Karius easily fit into my little travel purse so I could leave the large Nantucket behind.

Unfortunately, I didn't touch either of my spinning projects the entirety, but of course, if I had left them at home, I would have desparately wanted them.

Bison Fiber!

In Lamar Valley, where a lot of buffalo roam, we wandered some of the fields before Lamar River, taking care to stay away from the bison on the *other* side of the river.

We were avoiding bison patties, when I saw them....fur. Specifically bison fiber. I nearly jumped up and down in excitement. DH laughed at me. I picked up a bit of down -- very soft; as well as darker fur (probably the hump fur) which was very very coarse and very very dry.

There were a lot, but most were all matted. But I managed to get some that looked relatively clean and mat-free. I didn't get enough to spin a lot, but maybe if I work it in with other fiber?

Trip Knitting & Spinning

We're off to Yellowstone for the week. I've packed two knitting projects & a spindle to go with me...just in case I get bored.

Project A: A new pair of socks using Colinette Jitterbug. I've just recently cast on both socks at the same time, and have worked my way through the toes.

Project B: the Slouchy Cardigan. I'm currently working on the front right piece of the cardigan

Project C: The last 2 oz of the night sky project I'm currently *trying* to slog my way through. It's on the Kundert Spindle.

Trip Knitting

On the trip to Moab,AZ, I brought two knitting projects to keep me busy. I ended up knitting mostly on the plane, with only minor knitting at the end of the long day while I was waiting for the photos to download onto the computer.

For one project, I started yet another sock project, but this time it was two socks at a time. I cast-on while still at home the night before I left, so I could work out all the twisty and tangles that I *knew* was going to happen.

First, I put the single cake of yarn in a old nylon so that I could knit from two ends of the cake without getting tangled. Then, I ended up frogging 4x before I got it right. I tried to do the magic loop with two socks. It ended up a tangled mess, so I gave up on THAT idea (especially since I can't do any magic loop with a SINGLE project, let alone two!). I opted for two circular needles instead.

I frogged THAT 3x before I got it right. I couldn't figure out why I was getting tangled. It would have helped if I had two different colored needles or cable to figure out which needle went to what, but since I was going on a plane, I needed to use my wooden needle sets....which are, unfortunately, exactly the same. *sigh*

Once I got that cast onto the needles and worked 3-4 rows without tangling, I worked up both toes (and all the increases for that) and left the foot length (just before the arch expansion) for the plane as there really is no increase for the rounds.

I had forgotten to photocopy the actual pattern from my book, so I brought the whole book (to my complete and utter detriment because I *forgot* the book on the plane on the last leg of the trip home. So I had to order another one so I can finish the damn socks (plus I actually really do like the book))

Now that the socks are past the early set of rows, it's relatively easy to knit both socks at once (until I do a brain dead manuever and use the wrong circ needle, which then leaves me with both socks on one circ needle, but luckily, it's an easy fix). Now, I don't have to worry too much about getting both socks *exactly* the same. Previous, each sock was just *slightly* different from the other (either a little long in the foot or leg), but not enough for anyone to notice...except for me.

In addition to the socks, I brought a simpler project -- a moebius cowl -- which totally appeals to the mathematician side of me (I double majored in CS & Math). It's a simple knit & purl combination of rows worked in a simple 3-6-9 pattern (3k, 3p, 6k, 3p, 9k, 3p, 9k, 3p, 6k, 3p, 3k). I cast on several days before the trip (using Cat Bordhi's YouTube video on casting on a moebius), and got about 4 inches into the project. It's worked on a single long circular needle with a twist to get the moebius effect. There's no dangling needles and it packs up pretty darn compact.

What's nice about this project is that it's really simple and mindless, and can be taken in-and-out of the bag relatively easy and you really don't need to think about where you are...just look at either a purl or knit row. Consequently, it was a nice trip project to bring in for the airport, or when you know that you don't need to concentrate all that much. I'm currently using the tencel/merino yarn I bought at Stitches and it's just absolutely lvely to work with.

Both projects were small enough (or wrapped small enough) to fit into the backpack with room to spare. The small REI stuff sacks were absolutely perfect to use, as they're nylon and I don't have to worry about the needles poking through...plus they just pack small.