So! Craft thread! I am attempting to take up knitting again. I started to learn about eight years ago, started the interminable scarf and, of course, quit.
Then this past flu, I decided that I had all this yarn, and knitting seemed like a good sick activity. And lo and behold, it was much easier this go around. I started out with potholders, cribbing off lj synecdochic's advice to do dishcloths. And that went much better, and I felt like I was achieving something, and whoo.
I'm still doing that novice thing where my stitches are too tight on the needle, and I am somewhat baffled by the various methods with which I'm supposed to hold the yarn in my fingers to maintain tension. But it's fun, and I'm doing better.
So my question is, will I be able to knit on the train? I'll have a total of about 72 hours where I don't have to drive or pay attention to anything much, and with my recent bouts of insomnia who knows if I'll be able to sleep on the train. So I thought maybe I could bring my yarn and needles. Any reason why I shouldn't?
I knit on the NYC subways often, I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to on the train. YAY knitting.
If your ticketed seats are too tight a fit to knit comfortably (I'm often afraid of hitting someone with my elbows), you can always sit in the, what's it called, the car with the big windows that usually has the snack bar downstairs, and get some knitting in.
That sounds good. And -t, we actually have a sleeper for the longest part of the trip, so elbows should be okay. Yay! So my current project is an Ohio State themed thinger, because I had those colors (red, black, white, grey) plus turquoise for a Navajo kinda thing. But maybe I could stop by the yarn store before I leave. (Ha. I know we have a yarn store, but I haven't been in yet for fear of losing my paycheck. All I want is an excuse to go.)
Next up I want to do something in Pittsburgh Penguins colors for the SO, but I hate the Steelers, so I'll have to do something that is clearly one but not the other. Ha.
Sleeper cars are of the good.
Ha. I know we have a yarn store, but I haven't been in yet for fear of losing my paycheck.
This is how I am with the quilt store. I'll go with my mom when she has something specific to look for, but I won't buy anything because I already have too much fabric. Up until the last time I went in when I just had to get two fat quarters (they were on sale! And adorable! It was unfair)
I have knit on many a train; usually there's somewhere with enough elbow room, and if you use circular needles you're less like to have something poking somebody.
My local yarn store carries a special colorway by Lorna's Laces called Steelers' Pride. I've been making hat and scarf gifts from it in the worsted weight. There is no Penguins' Pride, alas.
I second circular needles. I am a big fan for a number of reasons:
1) if there is only one piece, it is harder to lose one. (I cannot overemphasize this one)
2) The weight of the knitting is more centrally supported, between two hands or on your lap
3) No Long Pointy Things that freak people out and poke your neighbor
I do not have circular needles. I will have to try them.
I agree that they are probably best for traveling and for any project that is liable to get big and bulky. (The first time I used circs it was for a baby blanket project. . . it was ages before I actually used them to knit in the round.)
I bought the most delicious sock yarn - I wanted a good bright shade or red to make these socks - I had a bluer red but it wasn't really what I wanted. So I went to the Blue Moon Fiber Arts website and bought this yarn for those socks and then because I've been looking at this stuff for eons I also picked up Valkyrie from the Raven Clan colorway - and it's simply gorgeous! The picture just doesn't do it justice.
Now I want to order skeins of each and every one of the Raven Clan yarns.
