Mastering the one-handed hipster photo

I don’t make resolutions, as you know, but if I did, mastering the art of the one-handed hipster photo would have been on the list for 2010.

Clearly, I need to learn where to point the camera to make best use of the auto focus. Nevertheless, despite (or, possibly due to) my own ineptitude with the camera, I somehow managed to obtain documentary evidence of Finished Objects.

Yes, that is Citron, fetchingly draped around my neck, and those are Driving Miss Daisy gloves on my fingers, the pattern for which, I am happy to say, is finally ready to rock and roll.

The gloves were knit first, and the ample skein of March Hare wool and silk (in “Victoria’s Ball Gown” purple) yielded enough leftovers for an almost-Citron. I finished Section 4 of the scarf, skipped Section 5 and went straight to the final ruffle, which I worked for 14 rows, instead of 11, because I had enough yarn and I could. I finished with two rows of garter stitch, and bound off in purl, to keep the ruffle from curling.

I enjoyed every minute of knitting this pattern, even when it grew to over 400 sts. It’s fairly mindless, and yet at the same time offers a thrilling sense of accomplishment when you reach the end of each section. The finished piece wraps neatly around the neck, and the ruffles and puckered bits create a nice texture, without being overly girlie. Like Joy, (who reminded me of the pattern’s existence) I could quite happily crank these babies out for the rest of the winter.

Finally, I want to share my newest favorite art blog, which perfectly captures the subtle poignancy of Missed Connections ads. (Which I can never read without thinking, “Why didn’t you SAY SOMETHING while she was right there next to you??”) I had planned on passing this one along in the podcast, because the art is just so lovely, but today’s Missed Connection, a lovely visual paean to subway knitting, is too perfect not to share immediately. Knitting Girl on Train 7 introduced someone to knitting, and also made that someone’s day. Apparently, knitters are warm people. Which sounds like it should be on a T-shirt, but is no less true.