and knitting

No, it's not a big knitting project gone horribly awry. I was just knitting another neck cosy and realized that I was wussing out on the width and needed to make it bigger. Three strands of this pixie dusted yarn held together are doing the trick. Triple stranding it means I'll easily finish the cosy in a sitting or two. I love finer gauge projects, but right now chunky, fast knitting is working best for me. I'm sure there will be a finished project post soon.

My recent aptitude for chunky knitting is why I ordered Wenlan Chia's newest book, Twinkle's Weekend Knits. I've been a Twinkle fangirl for quite some time, and this latest collection of patterns didn't disappoint. If you are familiar with Big City Knits, then you know the sort of patterns to expect. The photos and styling are wonderful. My favorite is the meridian tunic. It's probably a bit ill-advised for my figure, but the stripes are calling my name. The lilac mist throw and sand dune hanger covers are also lovely. [thanks to the Ravelry Twinkle Knitters member, lingy, who was kind enough to post those photos]

As its title suggests, all of the projects in Weekend Knits are meant to knit up quickly. That means there are quite a few wraps and scarves. These sorts of project appeal to me, though I know some look on them as filler. If you want a preview, you can get a free pattern for one them, the Riverbed Shawl, in this PDF on the publisher's website.

There have been a few less than sparkling reviews of the book. In part that's due to the scarf issue and also because the Twinkle style is now such familiar territory. Wenlan Chia has a third book on the way this fall, Twinkle's Town & Country Knits: 30 Designs for Sumptuous Living. From the name I am guessing that the book will focus on something new -- knits for the home. Blankets and pillows aren't my thing, but I'm sure it will be fun to look at. The word in the twinkle knitters group on ravelry is that Wenlan Chia also has a mohair-only booklet coming out soon. Hopefully somewhere in there, she'll publish patterns for some of the pieces from her fall 2008 show. Stylepoints' Sara Glassman has posted a few photos from the show on her blog, and you can find more on the Fashion Week site.

The Project:Yet Another Mock Brioche Neck Cosy
The Yarn: Nashua Handknits Ivy purchased at Clickety Sticks' liquidation sale - triple stranded
The Needles: 5.0mm
Started: February 2008

This election is our chance - our moment - to restore the simple dream of those who came before us for another generation of Americans. But only if we can come together and like previous generations did and close that divide between a people and its leaders in Washington.

Because in the end, the choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It's not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white.

It's about the past versus the future.

It's about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today, or whether we reach for a politics of common sense and innovation; of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.

Support Barack Obama on February 5th.