My Home in Israel

As some of you may know, I’m a knitter. I started a group in Jerusalem that meets bi-monthly (twice a month–not once every two months) and I’ve become addicted to Ravelry.

Here is a nice little video about the site:

I’ve got to start my knitting for a special friend who is going to have her babies before I even start knitting…..I need some help. I originally was going to knit in cotton (doubled) and use the pattern for the “Moderne Log Cabin Baby Blanket” from Mason Dixon Knitting. Now I’m not so sure.

I’ve purchased my colors…4 shades–one set in bright primaries, and one in antique shades (did I mention she is having twins?). And now I think that I’d rather not do all the picking up that is required. I saw a really fun scarf pattern with a nice wave to it, and I thought that would be a good blanket. Since it is striped, I could use the four colors, and stripe them. There is a stripe generator program that could help me decide on the widths and color changes.

Any thoughts? These blankets are going to be heirloom quality (do not ask me how much I spent on my yarn….) and I am afraid to start because I want to do it right!

Advice from non-knitters also welcome (of course).

As for completed projects, I just finished Craft Magazine’s Knitted Bicycle Ear Warmers for my dad. They look great, I just need to drop them in the mail.

I’ve referenced Franklin here before, but this story

just takes the cake .

Please don’t eat or drink anything while reading this story…you have been warned.

Closeup of Socks

Originally uploaded by safranit.

These are the first pair of “daytime socks” as opposed to Slipper socks. They were knitted on handmade needles which I made from Bamboo shishkabob skewers that I sanded to about a size 2.5mm. The yarn is Fortissima Colori 1000 by Schoeller Stahl.

The one suggestion which I should have followed was to do them both at the same time. I became very mixed up on the second heel (partially because I didn’t follow only one pattern for the first one) and they don’t look the same.

I did do the kitchener stitch on the toes…it is intimidating, but the results are worth it.

I’m not so into the colors, but my daughter picked it out. Now I’m trying to decide if I’m going to make mittens with the remaining yarn. It isn’t a very thick yarn, but it is wool, and the weather in Israel doesn’t require super heavy stuff most of the time

I’ve become involved with a program to get yarn and needles to any location in the north where someone is willing to teach kids/adults how to knit to help pass the time. This is also available for those who are displaced by the current situation as well.

It appears that we have some serious suppliers from the US, I just need people who need and their locations. This can include organizations as well as individuals, but we want to be sure it is getting to the right people. I currently have one person via Rock of Galilee, but any and all are welcome to contact me.

*Yarn snobs not welcome*

First a quick note in memory of St.-Sgt. Pavel Slotsker and Lt. Hanan Barak both 20 who were killed this morning by our “partners in peace,” and prayers to the family of Gilad Shalit who is being held prisoner. May he be returned home safely.

Now on to my life…

• Work is going well, if anyone wants to know about Israeli propaganda films made in the 1940’s, I’m your source….well, not really but I’ve spent the last 3-4 weeks working on one film that was made between 1946-1948. My favorite document was the letter to the final editing crew to change the intertitles from “Ben Shemen Youth Village in Palestine” to “Ben Shemen Youth Village in Israel.” It seems like it took until January 1949 for people to be convinced that it really had happened.
• I spoke briefly with the women from whom we are buying the apartment. She was very sweet, and I think this will all go well. Unfortunately, the timeline is moving later. I think this will work out okay, because then we will have the time to do some renovations before we move in. Everyone has said this is a good idea. If anyone in Jerusalem has some painter reccommendations, please share them.
• Healthwise, I’m mostly back on track–but there are still some issues to be worked out. Big girl has strep throat, but we caught it early and she only missed Friday at pre-K. Little one fell and bit her lip which was a bloody mess…which hubby didn’t know how to treat. She is fine.
• Hubby is keeping it all together in preparation for his exam. I have faith that all will go well. He is more relaxed than usual–before an exam. I’m doing everything I can to give him his space.
• Tomorrow is the end of year gathering for big girl. We are going to Ein Yael with the class. No siblings allowed–I think that it will be nice to have some rare alone time with my big girl.
• Finished knitting the Bad Juju voodoo doll for my sister to use against her ex. (Why do I think of the song “You’re so vain” when I think of making something because of him?) It was a good project, although knitting in black at night, outside was a challenge. It isn’t my most beautiful work, but it shouldn’t be!

And that sums up my life currently….

I can’t believe I’m actually doing it!!! I was given double pointed needles made from dowels by a friend in my knitting group, and I was terrified to touch them. They just looked too dangerous to me. But I cast on with a spare ball that I was given (I think it is Noro–but maybe not.), and I’m going to make a sock. The weird part is that I’m certain that I will have enough for even one sock. This will either become a momento of learning to knit socks, or a donation….we will see.

The good news is:

Finished the hat for my father!

Finished the Hallowig!

The mediocre news:

The scarf with funfur is going slowly, because I can’t do it on the bus. It is strictly a home project…even though it is just a seed stitch, because it is so furry I need to focus and not be on bumpy roads.

New project news:

I cast on the Danica pattern, but I’m using left over yarn, so that must count for something! It is a great project by the way…lots of fun. I like carrying around the pattern because yarnboy is just too cute.

Totals:

Two projects on needles and two more completed. Yaaay!

Well, I guess I’m off to a good start, or maybe I’m hopeless! I completed a baby hat that I was working on. I also pulled out the 3/4 completed baby sweater. I think I’ll start that again in 2006, but I still need a break from it. The Hallowig is about a week from completion, and the scarf hasn’t moved much.

Also, I cast on for another hat for my dad, but it is a really bulky yarn, so it will be done quickly.

Totals: three projects on needles, one project frogged, one project finished, one project started.

KAL for those not-in-the-know is a Knit-along. The one I am joining is called the “Naked Stix in 2006″ (see the button on the left). It is more for the knitter that has too many projects going at once, but I have actually not that many. Only four projects I can think of. One is a sweater that must be completely torn out (frogged), a baby hat, a scarf and a hallowig (for Purim). Hopefully this will inspire me to get these projects done and start moving on the next batch.