21 January 2008

a loose, sloppy melange

Loose. I'm a loose knitter. It's official. I was knitting next to the TsockTsarina at Panera's yesterday, bemoaning how ridiculously low I have to take my cast-on numbers to avoid making socks that could fit around my head. She graciously checked my gauge. Oh... my... God... On #1 needles, with fingering, I was getting 5-6 stitches per inch. (Note: the Tsarina did not call me loose, else I would have begun to wail, right there in Panera.)
I posted on the "Techniques" forum at Ravelry for suggestions. So far, I've gotten some good ones, such as changing where I hold my index finger. I have to do something. I've been seeing my knitting getting sloppier lately. So that's me: loose and sloppy.
(How does one's knitting become loose when one is anxious and wound up as tight as can be?)

Not only am I loose and sloppy, I'm way uncoordinated. I tried spinning for the first time, using some fleece that Maven gave me. Literally, I could not coordinate my two feet to alternate in pushing the pedals! Probably just as well that I don't get a spinning bug right now - I'd probably spin loose, sloppy yarn...


I just volunteered to index When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön for the Shambhala community at Tanjur. As soon as I saw the thread on the Mindful Knitters forum at Ravelry, I joined the project. I was just about to begin rereading this book, and I'm a librarian - what a perfect opportunity to be useful to myself and others!

12 comments:

Carrie K said...

You loose, loose woman. ;)

Jennifer said...

Loose stitches? I'm not sure what to do, grip the needles harder? When I knit super tight, it's usually because I'm gripping the needles too hard.

Aunt Kathy said...

I love it, my friend Shelly laughed when i read her this, don't be surprised if she pops on here too.

Donna Lee said...

I knit loose too. I've accepted my flaws and still love myself. I love the writings of Pema Chodron. They often appear as the inspiration of the day. That should be an interesting project.

Unknown said...

i practices pedling my wheel for a full month before i was able to make it consistantly go in the right directions.

that's pretty normal!

as for loose knitting, its better than tight (easier to learn to tighten stitches, or to go down a needles size or 2 or 3 too!

Loose knitting isn't a problem..

its just a style.

it really doesn't matter if you need size 0 or size 00 (to my size 1.5 or size 2 needles to get the same gauge.

Use what ever size you need, to get the gauge and fabric you want!

gfh said...

Welcome to the Club of The Loose Knitter! I don't have to check gauge to know what a loose woman I am:). I can wind myself up tightly, too - perhaps there is a correlation? Doesn't make you sloppy, though - I refuse to believe that.
:)

SimplyMe said...

How does one's knitting become loose when one is anxious and wound up as tight as can be?....are you sure we aren't twins separated from birth????? I'm right there with you sistah!

Okay, Shelly's solution...use size 0's and buy the book "Sensational Knitted Socks" by Schurch. It gives you these great charts for sizes and gauge, so no matter how "loose" you are....life is still good.

sunt_lacrimae_rerum said...

Loose is good. Loose is generous. Loose is giving. Loose is a poem. Make the yarn and the needles adjust to your loose; don't lose the loose. It might be a beneficent metaphor. Like everyone else said....

Stay loose!

nonizamboni said...

There are many alternatives to being 'loose' most of which involve up-tight, meager and a Mr. Burns-likeness, none of which you are. Where would the world be without you loose types?? Now if you find a way out of being a little uncoordinated, please write me first!

Paula said...

LOL! I am just the opposite!
I am even to tight in the spinning too!

Khadijha Caitlin said...

Thats weird because I knitted a hat for Mohemmed and the knitting was so loose that when it was finished I wouldn't let him wear it. I'll never knit with super wash again. Regular wool all the awy. At least then if I get a little loose I can felt it a little:0
How weird would this topic sound to non knitters?!?

Maven said...

I am a budding fan of Pema Chodron. I have several of her CDs, and I listen to one each night as I Prepare for bed. There is something inherently soothing about hearing her speak her own words, rather than having someone else "recite." I highly recommend listening to any of her CDs, as well as reading. I have on my bookshelf, "The Places That Scare You," and to be honest, I haven't started reading it yet; but I am enjoying listening to the CDs and benefitting from it, even on a subconscious level. I THINK! Her CDs have some moments of levity, she's a great compassionate speaker. It's almost as if I am a kid again, with a parent telling me a story before I go to bed. Hearing her speak is THAT comforting to me.