The packing question
So I’m leaving for Ragdale a week from Thursday, and the inevitable question has arisen: What knitting do I take with me? I’ll be gone for four weeks, and will have no responsibilities whatsoever apart from writing. Barring the truly exceptional marathon day, I can rarely write for more than six or seven hours on any given day, so it’s safe to assume there will be knitting time.
That said, it’s still only four weeks, and there will be other things to do. Especially at the early stages of a project, it helps me to work visually as well as in prose, so there will also be time spent drawing and working with cut paper. It isn’t practical to bring my oil paints (because of the mountain of additional crap needed to paint with oils, and are you even allowed to bring solvents on an airplane?) so I’m going to experiment with water color. It should do the trick when I need color to get the idea out, and it’ll be a good stretch for me. Water color forces you to think in terms of negative space, rather than in terms of building of layers. I’m all about building up layers, in paint and in fiction, so it will be interesting to see how the water color affects the writing…
My point (I swear there was a point), though, was that even with these four weeks stretching ahead of me dedicated solely to art making, I still need to resist the temptation to bring fifty knitting projects with me. So I need some help deciding what the bring.
As far as what is already on the needles:
The Turkish Cape from the Fall 2005 VK, which is about 15 percent done. Okay…maybe more like 10 percent (and yes, I made changes to the pattern. I’m not a checkerboard kind of girl any more than I’m a pink and turquoise kind of girl):
Mariah. All I’ve got so far is this little bit of a sleeve.
A pair of cabled gauntlets. I’m up to the gusset in the first gauntlet. You know what, though…forget about this one because it’ll probably be finished before I leave. Here’s the first partial gauntlet, anyway. I’m using KnitPicks Sock Garden.
The Corset Pullover is also on the needles, awaiting its sleeves and strappy bits, but I haven’t touched it in weeks. I’m kind of bored of it, so I think it’s best to let it wait at home. Absence will make the knitting heart grow yadda yadda etc and I will return home with renewed zeal to finish it. Or something.
Okay…now for the projects that aren’t started that are eligible for a four-week excursion:
That silk, mohair, and paper cardigan kit I bought from Habu.
Salina from Rowan Vintage Style
Gloria from Jane Ellison’s Noro Knits
Sad to say, I could easily have selected at least fourteen other projects to bring with me and start while away… I really have too much yarn in the stash. (But may I say, Mariah is being knit with yarn that had been in the stash forever, and all potential projects are coming from the depths of the stash.)
And do we have to count the sock projects? I’ll be bringing yarn for four pairs of socks, because I have a lot of gift sock knitting to do. But socks don’t count. Or do they?
What to bring with me? I think I should probably keep it to three main projects plus socks… Help!
Oh…and proof that I’m doomed. Oscar is fascinated by needles.
I believe my addi turbos are the most popular cat toy I have ever brought into the house; it seems the cables are delicious. As regards to your knitting projects; I vote for Salina and the Turkish Cape.
Posted by: laura
Ha, that is the best Oscar photo.
Turkish Cape, definitely. I want to see that baby finished when you get back.
And socks, of course.
Posted by: jackie
OSCAR IS SO CUTE!
But, you knew that and therefore it was not your question.
How about Mariah? I’m planning to pick that one up shortly myself.
Posted by: claudia
I believe my addi turbos are the most popular cat toy I have ever brought into the house; it seems the cables are delicious. As regards to your knitting projects; I vote for Salina and the Turkish Cape.
Posted by: laura
Ha, that is the best Oscar photo.
Turkish Cape, definitely. I want to see that baby finished when you get back.
And socks, of course.
Posted by: jackie
OSCAR IS SO CUTE!
But, you knew that and therefore it was not your question.
How about Mariah? I’m planning to pick that one up shortly myself.
Posted by: claudia
I’m with Claudia, I vote for Mariah. And socks, of course socks. Many socks.
That Oscar is the Cutest. Kitten. Ever.
Except for maybe NanC’s (www.toysaregoodfood.com) new kitten, who is equally as cute.
Posted by: chris
I’d say Salina, as it will take a while. Oscar is such a cutie!
Posted by: Lauren
FloMiO wants to knit! Look, he has fat l’il healthy kitten tummy! ;D
Posted by: Kel
I’m with Claudia, I vote for Mariah. And socks, of course socks. Many socks.
That Oscar is the Cutest. Kitten. Ever.
Except for maybe NanC’s (www.toysaregoodfood.com) new kitten, who is equally as cute.
Posted by: chris
I’d say Salina, as it will take a while. Oscar is such a cutie!
Posted by: Lauren
FloMiO wants to knit! Look, he has fat l’il healthy kitten tummy! ;D
Posted by: Kel
OH!!!
OSCAR THE POOF MONSTER!
I can’t wait to squish him!
Posted by: xina
Lookit the size of them paws. He’s gonna be a TANK, he is. Albeit a fuzzy, orange one.
Posted by: mindy
i really want to see that cape get finished. and then another one that is more mindless (guess the socks count for that). oscar is a full-on kitten!
Posted by: kaarin
Definitely take the Turkish cape…I am excited to see how that will look!
Posted by: Beth
Ooooohhhhh…. OSCAR! I have to keep telling myself about being alleric, and asthma. sigh.
Posted by: Cassie
The Turkish Cape will probably free your mind up after writing by forcing more concentration on the knitting. So if that’s what you want then I vote for that.
Posted by: stephanie
OH!!!
OSCAR THE POOF MONSTER!
I can’t wait to squish him!
Posted by: xina
Lookit the size of them paws. He’s gonna be a TANK, he is. Albeit a fuzzy, orange one.
Posted by: mindy
i really want to see that cape get finished. and then another one that is more mindless (guess the socks count for that). oscar is a full-on kitten!
Posted by: kaarin
Definitely take the Turkish cape…I am excited to see how that will look!
Posted by: Beth
Ooooohhhhh…. OSCAR! I have to keep telling myself about being alleric, and asthma. sigh.
Posted by: Cassie
The Turkish Cape will probably free your mind up after writing by forcing more concentration on the knitting. So if that’s what you want then I vote for that.
Posted by: stephanie
Um, Cari? You bringing a spindle?
Just checking… 😉
Posted by: Lee Ann
Aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Speechless, I am just speechless. The two lengths of kitten fur, they slay me.
Posted by: Cassie
I say Salina and the Turkish Cape. Salina, of course, because I love almost everything in Vintage Style, and it’ll be fairly easy, mindless knitting when you need that. Turkish Cape for the hard stuff, which you might need also, at times.
Posted by: Norma
Oscar is looking so great! What a turnaround from the kitty we first met. I say bring Mariah and the cape. And Gloria is pretty too. Is there blogging at Ragdale? 🙁
Posted by: Vicki
My vote is for Habu sweater, Salina, and the Turkish cape, definitely. And Gloria is just too cute. Oh, wait, you mean we were supposed to knock things off the list? Oh… well…
And excuse me for a moment while I squeal about your kitty:
OMG… BABY!
Sorry about that… I just couldn’t keep it in.
Posted by: Jenn
I’d say Salina for sure (you know, some easy stockinette for when you just want to vege out), the cape and mariah. So you get a little bit of everything, simple, color and texture! =)
Posted by: Angela
Um, Cari? You bringing a spindle?
Just checking… 😉
Posted by: Lee Ann
Aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Speechless, I am just speechless. The two lengths of kitten fur, they slay me.
Posted by: Cassie
I say Salina and the Turkish Cape. Salina, of course, because I love almost everything in Vintage Style, and it’ll be fairly easy, mindless knitting when you need that. Turkish Cape for the hard stuff, which you might need also, at times.
Posted by: Norma
Oscar is looking so great! What a turnaround from the kitty we first met. I say bring Mariah and the cape. And Gloria is pretty too. Is there blogging at Ragdale? 🙁
Posted by: Vicki
My vote is for Habu sweater, Salina, and the Turkish cape, definitely. And Gloria is just too cute. Oh, wait, you mean we were supposed to knock things off the list? Oh… well…
And excuse me for a moment while I squeal about your kitty:
OMG… BABY!
Sorry about that… I just couldn’t keep it in.
Posted by: Jenn
I’d say Salina for sure (you know, some easy stockinette for when you just want to vege out), the cape and mariah. So you get a little bit of everything, simple, color and texture! =)
Posted by: Angela
If you’re trying to choose three, I vote for Mariah, Salina and the Turkish Cape.
If this is like a democracy. And stuff.
Posted by: Rabbitch
I vote for Mariah, the Turkish Cape and Gloria! Oh, and of course you’ll need the socks. And maybe one more pair for good measure? I’m terribly jealous. Enjoy yourself!
Posted by: Nova
Oscar is such a cute little fuzzball! (Um… what else were you talking about? Oh, yeah, knitting… I have no idea.)
Posted by: Andrea
My vote is for Mariah, Salina and maybe the corset sweater? And socks, socks, socks!
It’s hard to imagine that little Oscar is the same crusty, flea-bitten bundle you brought home. Just goes to show what a little love and kindness (not to mention a good dose of antibiotics and a few warm compresses) will do. He looks adorable — although he’ll always be Floyd to me.
Posted by: Alison A
Cuatro semanas de retiro….que bien suena! espero que las disfrutes, aunque te echaremos de menos.
Los stitch markers perfectos!! me encantan y los estoy utilizando mucho, gracias una vez más. Un abrazo, Lia
Posted by: Lia
My choices would be Mariah for cabley fun and Salina for soothing stockinette. And some sock yarn, just in case.
Can I come too?
Posted by: Jessica
If you’re trying to choose three, I vote for Mariah, Salina and the Turkish Cape.
If this is like a democracy. And stuff.
Posted by: Rabbitch
I vote for Mariah, the Turkish Cape and Gloria! Oh, and of course you’ll need the socks. And maybe one more pair for good measure? I’m terribly jealous. Enjoy yourself!
Posted by: Nova
Oscar is such a cute little fuzzball! (Um… what else were you talking about? Oh, yeah, knitting… I have no idea.)
Posted by: Andrea
My vote is for Mariah, Salina and maybe the corset sweater? And socks, socks, socks!
It’s hard to imagine that little Oscar is the same crusty, flea-bitten bundle you brought home. Just goes to show what a little love and kindness (not to mention a good dose of antibiotics and a few warm compresses) will do. He looks adorable — although he’ll always be Floyd to me.
Posted by: Alison A
Cuatro semanas de retiro….que bien suena! espero que las disfrutes, aunque te echaremos de menos.
Los stitch markers perfectos!! me encantan y los estoy utilizando mucho, gracias una vez más. Un abrazo, Lia
Posted by: Lia
My choices would be Mariah for cabley fun and Salina for soothing stockinette. And some sock yarn, just in case.
Can I come too?
Posted by: Jessica
salina – because then you can call her your ragdale project, the turkish cape for some variety and mariah…hmmm just because. i’d leave socks at home – you can churn them out any time. these projects should be special and individual.
Posted by: jacqueline
I really like Gloria. Oscar is obviously thriving with your loving care.
Posted by: Donna
Well I’m fascinated by that picture of Oscar. He’s all…cotton candy and razor blades. I imagine he’ll change a lot while you’re gone.
I think there’s something poetic about knitting a ‘paper’ cardigan at an artists’ retreat…though I also feel like there’s something inspiring about the colors you’ve got in the Turkish Cape. And I’d like to see you knit Salina, for selfish reasons (will the seams for the cuffs go on the inside or the outside…is there a way to avoid the seam altogether…does it work to leave the sides of the cuffs open, like in the little ladder tableau at the beginning of the book?)
Ooh, and good luck with the water color. Someone put my box of oil paints on its side in the back of the u-haul we drove across the country, and it’s going to be a while before I want to deal with solvents and mediums again. I plan to try soft pastels instead, but water color and gouache have been tempting me, too.
Posted by: keli
I vote for them all. That way, if you were to be more prolific than average, you don’t run out of things to work on, and it gives you plenty of choices to suit any level of attentiveness and choices! A knitter never knows…
Posted by: Dianna
If you have to narrow it down to three, I say Turkish Cape, Mariah, and Salina: color work, texture, and simplicity. 🙂 Yay for gauntlets, by the way! I’m knitting several pairs for the holidays…
Posted by: Sneaksleep
Just saw you in Interweave Knitscene, amazing!
Posted by: Cirilia
salina – because then you can call her your ragdale project, the turkish cape for some variety and mariah…hmmm just because. i’d leave socks at home – you can churn them out any time. these projects should be special and individual.
Posted by: jacqueline
I really like Gloria. Oscar is obviously thriving with your loving care.
Posted by: Donna
Well I’m fascinated by that picture of Oscar. He’s all…cotton candy and razor blades. I imagine he’ll change a lot while you’re gone.
I think there’s something poetic about knitting a ‘paper’ cardigan at an artists’ retreat…though I also feel like there’s something inspiring about the colors you’ve got in the Turkish Cape. And I’d like to see you knit Salina, for selfish reasons (will the seams for the cuffs go on the inside or the outside…is there a way to avoid the seam altogether…does it work to leave the sides of the cuffs open, like in the little ladder tableau at the beginning of the book?)
Ooh, and good luck with the water color. Someone put my box of oil paints on its side in the back of the u-haul we drove across the country, and it’s going to be a while before I want to deal with solvents and mediums again. I plan to try soft pastels instead, but water color and gouache have been tempting me, too.
Posted by: keli
I vote for them all. That way, if you were to be more prolific than average, you don’t run out of things to work on, and it gives you plenty of choices to suit any level of attentiveness and choices! A knitter never knows…
Posted by: Dianna
If you have to narrow it down to three, I say Turkish Cape, Mariah, and Salina: color work, texture, and simplicity. 🙂 Yay for gauntlets, by the way! I’m knitting several pairs for the holidays…
Posted by: Sneaksleep
Just saw you in Interweave Knitscene, amazing!
Posted by: Cirilia
I’m all about Gloria. Salina is a close second.
Posted by: Cree
I once watched a young art student have all of her oil paints confiscated and thrown away by airport security. It was tragic.
I vote the paper cardigan and salina.
Posted by: Mandy
oh my gosh, Oscar is the cutest little cat.. he is like a fuzzball. I vote for the Turkish cape. It looks like enough knitting to keep one busy for 4 weeks.
Posted by: Diana
Habu for plain
Cape for colorwork distraction
The sleeves of Mariah are facinating, but the body is trance-like – so you could use it to bridge both needs.
Drop spindle, bag of fiber for mediative peace.
Have fun. Work hard. Do good.
Posted by: Juno
Oh boy, Looks like the kid’s feeling better….
Posted by: Julia
I’m all about Gloria. Salina is a close second.
Posted by: Cree
I once watched a young art student have all of her oil paints confiscated and thrown away by airport security. It was tragic.
I vote the paper cardigan and salina.
Posted by: Mandy
oh my gosh, Oscar is the cutest little cat.. he is like a fuzzball. I vote for the Turkish cape. It looks like enough knitting to keep one busy for 4 weeks.
Posted by: Diana
Habu for plain
Cape for colorwork distraction
The sleeves of Mariah are facinating, but the body is trance-like – so you could use it to bridge both needs.
Drop spindle, bag of fiber for mediative peace.
Have fun. Work hard. Do good.
Posted by: Juno
Oh boy, Looks like the kid’s feeling better….
Posted by: Julia
He looks like my Ziggy! All creamsicle-colored kitten!
Posted by: Bad Hippie
Salina for sure, and the Turkish Cape. Oscar is so cute! Thank you for acommadating his fans by sharing a pic 🙂
Posted by: emily
Is that your table underneath the knitting there? Man, that is gorgeous. Looks like a batik sarong or something…
Well, first I vote for the Habu thing, then I have to tell you I am amazed by the speed and agility of your knitting–not to mention the reading of Proust whilst doing so, holy cow–and I also want to see the Turkish Cape and the corset thingy and more socks and the Salina, so what the heck, just take it all! In four weeks, I would have about one sleeve to show, and no book whatsoever, so rock on. You inspire. 🙂
Posted by: Bettina
i say, bring only yarn for socks. then when you run out of things to knit, you can knit me a sweater. from my stash. yea!! that’s the ticket!
Posted by: carolyn
Oh my god, I am so totally stealing that cat.
What Juno said–I was thinking the same thing.
Posted by: Em
Bring Oscar!!! And the cape thingy, because I want to see it. And lots of socks.
Posted by: pippy
He looks like my Ziggy! All creamsicle-colored kitten!
Posted by: Bad Hippie
Salina for sure, and the Turkish Cape. Oscar is so cute! Thank you for acommadating his fans by sharing a pic 🙂
Posted by: emily
Is that your table underneath the knitting there? Man, that is gorgeous. Looks like a batik sarong or something…
Well, first I vote for the Habu thing, then I have to tell you I am amazed by the speed and agility of your knitting–not to mention the reading of Proust whilst doing so, holy cow–and I also want to see the Turkish Cape and the corset thingy and more socks and the Salina, so what the heck, just take it all! In four weeks, I would have about one sleeve to show, and no book whatsoever, so rock on. You inspire. 🙂
Posted by: Bettina
i say, bring only yarn for socks. then when you run out of things to knit, you can knit me a sweater. from my stash. yea!! that’s the ticket!
Posted by: carolyn
Oh my god, I am so totally stealing that cat.
What Juno said–I was thinking the same thing.
Posted by: Em
Bring Oscar!!! And the cape thingy, because I want to see it. And lots of socks.
Posted by: pippy
socks don’t count at all, and they doubly don’t count if they are gifts. (that includes sock yarn not counting as a yarn purchase.)
Oscar is hilarious; how are the dogs doing with him now? I’m amazed at the pictures he’s been in – it’s hard to capture the cats I’m taking care of when they’re in action.
Projects? Gloria, Turkish Cape and Mariah. That covers shaping/knitting, colorwork and cables – a good variety to choose from and enough to keep the juices running.
Posted by: Kristen
The Turkish Cape (which looks incredible so far)and the paper cardigan from Habu. I can’t wait to see them both! oh, and of course, socks.
Posted by: regina
Oh, I miss the kitten phase… But it’s true, you may never again have an unmarred addi turbo cord. They’re apparently even more fun than rubber bands.
Posted by: Anne
socks DO count. take sock projects, do the watercolors thing … simplify. socks pack sooo small! i don’t know about the solvents either … but the airlines have their prohibited items lists posted. will you be in a place that if you want a different knitting project, you can visit the LYS? use this 4 weeks as an opportunity to try something different 🙂 … and use an alias 😉
Posted by: gray la gran
I would take Mariah and Salina. And nah, socks don’t count so take a bunch of sock yarn.
Oscar is adorable!
Posted by: Karen
I read this entry carefully 🙂 You know what my answer will be – HABU! I wanna see that stuff knit up! cats with a love of needles = don’t let them (or their teeth)near expensive ebony needles…..
Posted by: Alison
socks don’t count at all, and they doubly don’t count if they are gifts. (that includes sock yarn not counting as a yarn purchase.)
Oscar is hilarious; how are the dogs doing with him now? I’m amazed at the pictures he’s been in – it’s hard to capture the cats I’m taking care of when they’re in action.
Projects? Gloria, Turkish Cape and Mariah. That covers shaping/knitting, colorwork and cables – a good variety to choose from and enough to keep the juices running.
Posted by: Kristen
The Turkish Cape (which looks incredible so far)and the paper cardigan from Habu. I can’t wait to see them both! oh, and of course, socks.
Posted by: regina
Oh, I miss the kitten phase… But it’s true, you may never again have an unmarred addi turbo cord. They’re apparently even more fun than rubber bands.
Posted by: Anne
socks DO count. take sock projects, do the watercolors thing … simplify. socks pack sooo small! i don’t know about the solvents either … but the airlines have their prohibited items lists posted. will you be in a place that if you want a different knitting project, you can visit the LYS? use this 4 weeks as an opportunity to try something different 🙂 … and use an alias 😉
Posted by: gray la gran
I would take Mariah and Salina. And nah, socks don’t count so take a bunch of sock yarn.
Oscar is adorable!
Posted by: Karen
I read this entry carefully 🙂 You know what my answer will be – HABU! I wanna see that stuff knit up! cats with a love of needles = don’t let them (or their teeth)near expensive ebony needles…..
Posted by: Alison
I would take Oscar.
Also Mariah – I did the back and fronts first, and the sleeves are not social knitting for me – is it for you?
Posted by: Patti
I’m too smitten with Oscar to answer your question. What was your question again?
Posted by: alison
Take something reassuring. Although writing workshops are great, there’s bound to be the odd day that kicks you in the pants. It’s good to have something that you know you can do, so when you need to, you can remind yourself that you actually can do *something*. Most of the time, it’ll probably rock, but just in case.
Oscar is awesome. You’ve done such a lovely job with him.
Have a good time.
Posted by: Marie
I’m going to have to put in a vote for Gloria. I just finished one myself, and I enjoyed the simplicity of the pattern. That may allow for moments of writing brilliance to come to you while knitting. Very wearable, as well.
Posted by: Krista
salina. because I want to see what it looks like when you knit it.
and oscar is the most adorable schmoo. EVER..
Posted by: Carrie
How will this cat blog survive for a month with you away from the cat?
Posted by: jennifer
I would take Oscar.
Also Mariah – I did the back and fronts first, and the sleeves are not social knitting for me – is it for you?
Posted by: Patti
I’m too smitten with Oscar to answer your question. What was your question again?
Posted by: alison
Take something reassuring. Although writing workshops are great, there’s bound to be the odd day that kicks you in the pants. It’s good to have something that you know you can do, so when you need to, you can remind yourself that you actually can do *something*. Most of the time, it’ll probably rock, but just in case.
Oscar is awesome. You’ve done such a lovely job with him.
Have a good time.
Posted by: Marie
I’m going to have to put in a vote for Gloria. I just finished one myself, and I enjoyed the simplicity of the pattern. That may allow for moments of writing brilliance to come to you while knitting. Very wearable, as well.
Posted by: Krista
salina. because I want to see what it looks like when you knit it.
and oscar is the most adorable schmoo. EVER..
Posted by: Carrie
How will this cat blog survive for a month with you away from the cat?
Posted by: jennifer
Expect a surprise in the mail from me soon!
Posted by: Cirilia
Okay, so you’ve already gotten tons of feedback, and you’re a much faster knitter than I am, but here’s what I did when I left last week for my two months of work at Kripalu Center in MA: I brought my sock yarn stash and mystery lace weight with FBS pattern.
I had thought of bringing yarn for sweaters, but I knew I wouldn’t really have blocking space (living in a dorm as I am).
I am totally of envious of your time at Ragdale, but am bent on making the most of my time here — including getting back to the editing, always the editing…
Enjoy!
Posted by: Faith
P.S. on the happy, healthy kitten — Yay! I miss my two cats, not to mention my human…
Posted by: Faith
Expect a surprise in the mail from me soon!
Posted by: Cirilia
Okay, so you’ve already gotten tons of feedback, and you’re a much faster knitter than I am, but here’s what I did when I left last week for my two months of work at Kripalu Center in MA: I brought my sock yarn stash and mystery lace weight with FBS pattern.
I had thought of bringing yarn for sweaters, but I knew I wouldn’t really have blocking space (living in a dorm as I am).
I am totally of envious of your time at Ragdale, but am bent on making the most of my time here — including getting back to the editing, always the editing…
Enjoy!
Posted by: Faith
P.S. on the happy, healthy kitten — Yay! I miss my two cats, not to mention my human…
Posted by: Faith