Big 10 Knit-a-Long: (Mostly) Ridge Rib Afghan Block

(Mostly) Ridge Rib Afghan Block

This afghan block features the stitch pattern from my free (Mostly) Ridge Rib socks. On the reverse it just looks ribbed.

You'll need: US Size 7 needles or size needed to achieve gauge of 5 sts = 1 inch; Worsted weight acrylic yarn. Finished size should be 7” x 9”.
 Cast on 32 stitches
Row 1:  (k2, p2) across the row
Row 2: (k2, p2) across the row
Row 3: purl all stitches
Row 4: (k2, p2) across the row
Row 5: (k2, p2) across the row
Row 6: knit all stitches

Repeat these 6 rows until piece measures approximately 9 inches. Bind off. Weave in ends.

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This will be the last afghan block this year! Stay tuned for word on sewing up parties (I'm hoping that KnitOasis HQ will be rebuilt and ready!) and more info about how the year-long knit-a-long wrap up! If you're just joining us, it's not too late to churn out some blocks for blankets for our charity, the Carolina Youth Development Center. More details and previous patterns here.

When life REALLY gets in the way...

For years I've been encouraging my students and fellow knitters to knit a little bit every day, no matter what is going on in life. I have lived by this motto through tough times, through busy times, through boring days and days with a little too much excitement. I will continue to live by this for years to come, and I will continue to encourage other knitters to do the same. Here's why:

On Saturday night, October 3, we had a bit of trouble at our house. Despite being a mile from the beautiful Ashley River, our house flooded with water that came from the opposite direction. It came fast and hard and by the time it had stopped rising, we had 3-4" inches of brown water in every room of our one-story house. Now, weeks later, the shock is just wearing off. It's difficult to look at the photos of the night our lives were changed by the "1000 year flood." The pic above is of our driveway and the tree next to it, and no, we don't usually have waterfront property.

As we await having our house rebuilt (when you go through a flood, they rip out your floors and at least 4 feet of wall in every room. It's not pretty.), we are beyond grateful to have so many friends who have come forward to help with a place to stay, with food, with gift cards, cash, encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, help packing....the list is endless.

For several days after the flood I couldn't bring myself to knit; I was just so overwhelmed with all that was going on. When I finally managed to pick up the needles again to knit for a few minutes, it was nice to be doing something that felt somewhat normal, because normal had been in short supply for a long time. I even bought yarn to make "displacement socks"--KnitPicks Stroll Tonal in Canopy. I love sock knitting.

I was also able to follow through with the Felted Bag Workshop I had been planning. We needed a new venue and I changed the menu a bit (home cooking needs, well, a home!) but it was so nice to spend time with some friends, to knit and to feel normal. It has also spurred a knit-a-long (a race, actually) between some of us working on the project, which is fun. The act of doing something, something meditative, constructive, and enjoyable, has been so healing for me.

Eventually life will again have the rhythm and routines that gave us meaning and structure and purpose. I am told it will be a lovely thing to have a "new" house, but I'm having a hard time coming to grips with that, since honestly, I liked the "old" one. We are diverting ourselves as best we can, staying busy with looking for contractors and deciding on paint colors and trying to remember which of our friends ended up with the box of books that had been on the bedside table...

And I am knitting. Sometimes with friends, sometimes with Hulu (currently working through "Whitechapel"), and sometimes in the car while riding back and forth to our house to check on the progress of ours lives being put back together---but knitting is happening and knitting is helping. Everyday.

Big 10 Knit-a-Long: Pixels Afghan Block

Pixels Afghan Block

This month's free afghan block pattern is charted for your pleasure. Seriously. I tried writing it out and I thought, they are all going to think I've lost my mind. So, since I designed it with a chart and knit it from a chart, then by golly, here ya go: A chart.

Sometimes it’s just the arrangement of simple knits and purls that gives a pattern rhythm and design.
This block is reminiscent of computer pixels, with its subtle basket weave effects and is a quick knit.

You'll need:

• US Size 7 needles or size needed to achieve gauge of 4 sts = 1 inch in stockinette stitch.
• Worsted weight acrylic yarn.

Finished size should be 7” x 9”.

CO 30 stitches
Work chart one time. Bind off loosely. Weave in ends.

Just getting started in our Knit-a-Long? You can find more info and patterns here:

Charity Knit-a-Long

Want to sign up to get patterns emailed to you? Go here: Big 10 Sign Up

CYDC Annual Benefit Gala

Do you ever have those moments where you think, wow, who'd have thunk I'd be here now?

That was exactly how I felt last night. The hubs and I were invited by some wonderful friends to attend the Carolina Youth Development Center's 2015 "A Night for the Children" Gala. It was a beautiful night filled with beautiful people, especially the young adults who spoke about their time at the CYDC as kids and how much it meant to them to have people really care and be the family to them that they needed. I love this organization and the work they do SO much!

There were amazing items in both live and silent auctions and an auctioneer who knew his stuff, "You said $1000, madam? Someone give her another drink!"  A toe-tappingly good live band, delicious food by McCrady's, and glitz and glamour and laughter and serious fund raising for a very worthy cause.

There were so many lovely moments during the evening, including getting a message from the Palmetto Fiber Arts Guild saying they are going to encourage their members to help us knit afghan blocks for our Charity Knit-a-Long! Wasn't that great timing?

Other lovely moments: partying with our friends Kathy and David (that's him in the tux--a true highlight of the evening was when he walked up with a plate of amazing teeny desserts), catching up with Chief Curator Grahame Long from the Charleston Museum (seriously, Grahame, I really am waiting for your next book! The first two were so good!), and some photo booth fun with hubby. We met a lot of fun people, I managed not to fall over in my new heels, and we didn't get rained on until we were headed home. All in all, a GREAT evening.

Don't forget...during the month of September, if you donate afghan blocks for our Charity Knit-a-Long, you are entered in the drawing for our fabulous yarn giveaway!

Read more about the September contest here and more about how you can get involved here.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to put up my tired feet and knit for the kids at the CYDC!