A Day Just Like Any Other Day?

When I first heard about Worldwide Knit in Public Day, I didn't really understand the concept. I mean, I knit in public ALL THE TIME. On public transportation, in the car, in restaurants,in airports.....at any seated event really. And some un-seated: in line at the post office, at the bank...I could go on and on. So, what's the point of a whole entire day devoted to knitting in public? I already do that!

Then I realized that I have only certain types of projects that I knit on in public. Socks are the most likely thing you'll spot me working on because they are so portable. Mittens and gloves are up there too, closely followed by hats and cowls. When I knit in public, I don't drag out the afghans, the color work, the sweaters knit in pieces with 2 sleeves on the needle at once, the snowy white lace that I'm terrified of spilling marinara sauce all over, for obvious reasons: my own convenience and the convenience of those around me. Trust me, you don't want to be in line behind me at the bank when my number is called and I'm wrestling with 8 balls of yarn in a fair isle vest!

And this realization has shown me the meaning of Knit in Public day. For one day, it's about the knitting rather than the convenience. For one day, it is acceptable to knit a huge, in-pieces sweater that hangs down my lap.

For one day, I'll work on my pretty white cotton project and take care to safeguard it against stains (Note that although I am sleepy, and although I am in a coffee shop, I AM NOT YET DRINKING COFFEE. It is a greater duty [and honor] to safeguard the sweater.)

And, since it is still a day in MY life, I'll cast on a sock, with yarn that I love (Bare Essential Tweed hand-dyed by me with food coloring in ultra-vibrant rainbow colors!)

Happy Knit in Public day everyone! I hope to hear about all your great experiences when I'm back next week!

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Comment by Nina on July 15, 2009 at 7:45am: Hi Peggy! I sure did make it! The pattern is the Pimlico Shrug from Knit 2 Together, which is a super easy pattern! I changed the lace pattern of the body of the piece (which is easy enough for a beginner to do sine it's basically just a big rectangle) and knit that piece shorter than the pattern suggested, because it comes out huge otherwise. If you make one, I'd recommend checking it out on Ravelry and seeing all the cool modifications people have made. Let me know if you tackle it!

Comment by PickleSue on July 14, 2009 at 11:57pm: Just now read your oldish blog (sheepish grin). That shrug you are wearing is absolutely the coolest one I've ever seen. No frills, basic, gray even. Totally something I would wear. Could you share if you made it? What pattern and what it's of? Thanks bunches... -Peggy

Comment by Peggy Stuart on June 17, 2009 at 7:23am: That was quick! Thanks! That's interesting, and helpful to know. I can't wait to give it a try! Of course, I need to keep working on my Nonna, my CLC and my Kristi socks. Those and my spinning are a priority. As soon as I can get back to dying, though, I'm going to try space-dying that nice big hank of yarn. --P

Comment by Nina on June 17, 2009 at 7:20am: Nylon is similar in structure to proteins, so it does take food dyes rather well! Acrylic and other synthetics won't, however.

Comment by Peggy Stuart on June 17, 2009 at 7:18am: That's really neat. I'm going to have to invest in some neon food coloring. I have some Bare Imagination I would like to dye. I wonder if the nylon will take the food-coloring, or if I have to use regular dye. --Peggy

Comment by Nina on June 16, 2009 at 7:49am: Hi Peggy!

I used a combination of the neon colors and Paas easter egg tablets, and then space dyed the yarn in jars and steamed it to set. SO much fun. And the nebs in the tweed don't take dye, so the crazy-colored yarn has crazy colored fleck, to add to it's craziness!

Comment by NoKnitSherlock on June 15, 2009 at 7:35am: okay, now this would be a dilemma for me.... not drinking coffee in a Coffee shop - torture!!! But on I totally understand not wanting to chance an accidental spill. :)
LOVE the hand-dyed yarn Nina! Happy belated WWKIP day.
~Susan xxx

Comment by MicheleLB on June 13, 2009 at 9:45pm: I went to two KIP events, one at the Hollywood Farmers' Market, and one downtown at Pioneer Courthouse Square! But I only brought the easy projects, so I could chat and knit at the same time. It was a good day!

Comment by Peggy Stuart on June 13, 2009 at 7:16am: It's still raining here, so probably no doggie hike. I'll have to find another way to KIP! I adore your yarn! Did you use the neon colors? I've been experimenting with KoolAid and black food coloring and Corriedale roving, and Ireally like the results. My friend Linda, who has alpacas, has done some rovings with neon. Wow! Happy knitting in public! But keep your yarn dry! --P

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