Springboard into Summer

Now that I am off my soap box, it is back to the business at hand.  With the warm weather on the horizon, and this yarn, the Berroco Weekend in my stash, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to knit up this cute little tank.  Knit in one piece from the bottom up, it is knit in the round using a circular needle.  I used a #24 inch circular.  I did my staple crab stitch around the neck and armholes, to work as reinforcement, and hopefully help keep the garment in its original shape.

These days there are a lot of seasonal knit patterns and pattern books available for spring and summer.  Gone are the days where we knitters are relegated to knitting just for the winter or the fall.  Knitting is not just for sub-zeros temperatures anymore.

The Hymn of Risking Distinction

I recently read The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. This book generated quite a bit of press, and created quite a bit of controversy.  You Tube is inundated with interviews with this author. Magazines have done spreads of her smiling flanked by her husband, daughters and two dogs, looking every bit the happy family.  There are too, photos featuring her standing grim faced, over her children as they practice their instrument.  One daughter plays the piano, and the other plays the violin.  I might add that both are accomplished musicians in their own right.  About a couple of months ago, my nephew handed me an article, which featured some excerpts from Amy Chua's book, that was read and discussed in his class  It seems that her book has sparked some serious debate and discussion regarding her parenting style, and her broad views on what is lacking in Western culture in terms of how Westerners rear their offspring, and the overall superiority of the "Chinese Mother" method of doing things, if you will.  While my nephew didn't offer an opinion one way or the other, he seemed curious as to what my thoughts were.  He being very familiar with my parenting style, having me as a second  mother, in addition to observing my parenting of his cousin, my six year old daughter. I am sure too, he recalls with  great affection, when I started him with piano lessons at the ripe age of 5.

 Having read the article, and being somewhat bemused by the content, I went ahead, got the book, and gave it a read.  Amy Chua's book, The Battle Hymn of the Tiger, reads like a memoir.  She gives a little family history, regarding her parents, and her own childhood.  But most of the book centers on the journey of parenting her children. She begins ceremoniously by telling us that her children were not allowed play-dates, sleepovers, or to participate in school productions, or to complain of these restrictions.  They had to practice their instruments for at least two hours every day.  No matter where they were, be it on vacations, the author would seek out a piano, and travel if necessary to where ever there was a piano, with her daughter in tow, so that she could practice.  Her other daughter needless to say, went everywhere, including vacations with her violin.  A grade less than an A is unacceptable.  Oddly enough, on the face of it, I don't disagree.  It is apparent that Ms. Chua holds both her daughters to a very high standard.  She expects that they work at all times to their fullest potential.  I certainly can't disagree with that.  In fact, I can admire Ms. Chua's determination, in not allowing her daughters to work "half assed" or just enough to "get by" in any of their endeavors.  And two hours of practice, every night?  I don't think that is terribly excessive, for middle school aged children who are serious students of music.  Play dates?  Sleepovers?  While I am certainly more liberal in my own parenting style in terms of play-dates, and sleepovers, I don't begrudge Ms. Chua's decision as a mother not to have her children engage in what she considers non essential extra curricular activities.  She kept her daughters busy.  Ms. Chua also remarked that she didn't let her children pick their own activities, or their instruments for that matter.  She as their mother, did the picking and choosing on both their behalves.  Admittedly, I don't find this egregious.  I don't believe being "strict" is necessarily a bad thing. What was not clear for me however, is the "why".  I  don't see, or understand why Chinese Mother's or the like are superior.  Is it because they are Math whizzes?  Top of their classes?  Get nothing but A's?  Play an instrument?    Is it because many get into Harvard, Princeton, Yale, or Brown?  Oh, maybe NOT Brown, as Ms. Chua states in her book, having overheard a conversation between a Westerner and a deranged "Chinese Mother", who happened to be observing her daughter play at a Tennis Tournament, all the while telling the the Westerner, how "weak" her child is, and how, the sister, is "much better", "much stronger", "she goes to Harvard".  The "weak" child who they were watching beat the ball back and forth, attends Brown.  I can only hope that  this "weak" child, was envisioning the head of this ignorant woman calling herself her mother, as she whacked the ball with her racket, away from her to the other side, and back again.  Is it because the other child goes to Harvard?  Is that what makes the other child "stronger"?Ms. Chua, while quick to say that this "parental favoritism is bad and poisonous",  is in her next breath quick to defend this insanity of the "Chinese" by citing examples of how this kind of undermining and comparison of siblings goes on in other cultures, even the Bible. And this makes it OK, because . . . . .?

It is acknowledged, rather fleetingly the suicide rates, among these over achievers, parented by maniacs, by condemning that "I did not want her (referencing her daughter) to end up like those weird Asian automatons who feel so much pressure from their parents that they kill themselves after coming in second on the national civil service exam".  Note that this acknowledgment comes disparaging, seemingly in direct contradiction to the 200+ pages.  The author spoke of hovering over her daughters' during their practicing, where she readily admits often lead to routine yelling, and screaming matches. Harsh criticisms, of their playing ensued.  But this wasn't simply in regards to practicing.  It lent itself also, to a harsh critique of a birthday card from her four year old, handing it back with a "I reject this", along with a diatribe of all that she does as the child's mother, for her birthday " I spend half my salary on stupid sticker and eraser party favors that everyone just throws away".  This to a four year old.  I am sure that the author would use this opportunity to say that Chinese parents can get away with addressing their children in that manner. "Chinese mothers can say to their daughters, "Hey fatty—lose some weight." she writes.  OK.  But should this daughter grow up to marry a man who would habitually address her that way, would that be be OK?  Perhaps it would.  Perhaps it is "Chinese" culture to crudely address people who you supposedly love and care about.  Ms. Chua's contempt for the way "Westerners" concern themselves with nonsense like self esteem is not lacking in subtlety.  Every other page seems to ridicule, belittle and condemn these "Western parenting" anxieties. What was interesting is she gives no mention of  how these children, or adults, reared by overly accommodating parents were ultimately impaired as a result.  Her husband, is in fact the product of such a household.  And as a Professor at Yale, I am going to go out on a limb here, but I surmise he survived.  I found it fascinating that Ms. Chua seemed very concerned with having her daughter's compete.  They both played, and won awards, and special acknowledgment for their musical achievements. The older daughter won the privilege to play at Carnegie Hall, and the younger child it was decided she should prepare, and try for Julliard's Pre-College Program. Why the constant competition?  Is it to send the message that you have to be the best?  Is it so she can say her daughters are the best?  Does this make them better people?  And how exactly, if this venture,  wrought with behavior bordering on abuse a benefit in the long term?  Or is this just another silly "Western" preoccupation?  I suppose it will look good on a college application.  Ms. Chua's uses the word "depth" frequently.  From her description of choosing the right hobby for her child, to her expert analysis of what was lacking in a speech her daughter wrote for her father's 50th birthday celebration.  Yet, what was was glaring to me was how hollow and devoid the author's sentiment.  It  rang superficial and exceedingly external.  That however is not to say that she is a mean spirited, hollow shell of a human being, but to say that much of her book, from my point of view presented her that way.    Ultimately however, I will say that I do feel that much  of her methods, she describes in her book,  for dealing, and addressing discord with her daughters' bordered on abusive.  Yelling and hollering hurtful and derogatory things and depriving food and drink, borders on abuse.  When it is habitual, then it is abuse, whether it is an Ivy League educated parent, going off about practicing piano, or a parent with a 10th grade education, going off about staining the carpet.

Nonetheless, having said all that, I must make the admission that I found my myself seething during the course of this fascinating, albeit frustrating read.  Without a doubt, this book triggered a lot of my own personal issues surrounding the way I was parented, and as a result, I can't hold the author entirely responsible for my visceral reaction to her book.  Although I can appreciate Ms. Chua's quest for imparting the importance of hard work and the benefit of discipline, I found her "voice" to be beguiling, misguided, self serving, and morosely lacking in compassion. Her broad generalizations regarding "Western" parenting got on my nerves too, as she offered nothing to substantiate her point of view that resonated with me in any way.  Her book, and it's tone overall seemed to mock "Western" parenting, in a way where initially I thought for a moment it was a parody.  I don't doubt for a second that this author wants nothing but her daughter's to succeed, and to succeed for themselves.  I believe sincerely that she believes she has their best interest at heart.  While she stated that she herself never thought in terms of "happiness" or being "happy", it is my hope that she begins to consider the importance of being happy, and the necessity of emotional health, in which joy is an important component, for her own sake, and for the benefit of her family.  Ms. Chua may think that happiness is perhaps a silly Westerner concept, but at the end of the day, is it better to be the janitor who is happy, and finds joy in the most mundane of activities?  Or to be a depressed, Harvard Medical School Graduate who speaks mandarin, plays virtuoso piano, and finds joy in nothing? 

It's a WRAP

My dear friend Sister Helene asked if I would make a shawl.  A shawl, preferably triangle in shape.  I was only too happy to comply, for a couple of reasons.  Number one, it is what I do.  And secondly, because I simply adore her.  My friend happens to be a nun and the head of the religious education department at my parish.  In fact, when she approached me, a little over seven years ago, and asked if I would teach a CCD class, I had no choice.  For a couple of reasons.  One, because I adore her, and well secondly, it was an opportunity to be involved with my parish in a meaningful way.  In any case, now that there is a prayer shawl ministry, it is kind of a no brainer that I would, because I could contribute in this way.  In my stash, there were 5 skeins of the Berroco's Comfort Chunky that I used to crochet this shawl, which is a house pattern of
Stitch Therapy called the Spider Shawl.  How apropos that that the yarn I used has the word “comfort” in its description. It is my hope that it will offer hours of cozy comfort to the recipient.

Two-timer Twice

Hooray!  Just finished these gloves for my nephew Chris.  The tingly sensation continues, as I successfully completed another project using the Magic Loop technique, and made a beautiful pair of gloves.  Fortunately I like my nephew enough to hand over these hand crafted beauties, which he will probably lose in a matter of seconds.  This confirms that I can not only Magic Loop, but that the process no longer freaks me out.  The story of these gloves is simply a labor of love.  It would have to be.  Gloves are laborious.  The finishing tedious.  But the nice thing about making gloves, or these gloves rather, is get a skein of yarn with good yardage, and you are good to go.  I got this pattern off a website for Vintage Knit pattern site.  Am feeling good about my new skill set of not only Magic Looping, two at a time, but being able to translate the pattern (usually written for dpn use, one at a time.)  The pattern itself was confusing, and for the most part, I don't consider myself particularly skilled at reversing patterns,  however, this was yet another opportunity to hone a useful skill set.  Making the pair at the same time proved useful in reversing this pattern, because I had access to both gloves, and the visual was invaluable. Made the gloves using alpaca, which feels great, and should prove to be nice and warm. 

NoNsENse Knits

originally uploaded by ThatGirlKnits.

This is my latest project using Magic Loop. Clearly I am on a Magic Loop kick at the moment. These gloves are for my nephew. I am hoping he will like them. While I know that for the most part, he prefers black, and no play with texture, these gloves seemed "masculine" enough, that I thought I would give it a whirl. This pattern comes from an online site of vintage patterns, and truth be told, I found the pattern to be somewhat confusing. But that could be because I've had to translate it so I could do it two at a time, magic loop style. In any case, my new found skill has me thinking about making a pair of legwarmers. I've also been entertaining the idea of knitting socks, now that I can do it two at a time. The thing is, who would I make socks for? No one in my house, including me are good with socks. They always get lost, and I end up wearing more mismatched socks then I care to admit. But one thing I could do is make a pair of navy socks that my daughter can wear to school. My knitting has to be functional. It has to make sense. I have in my travels come across a number of books, leaflets, and online patterns of things that I wouldn't make because it seems pretty useless. One thing I've seen a number of patterns on that I find silly are wrist warmers. What the hell is a wrist warmer, and do wrists get cold, and need special warming? I never found myself thinking "My wrists are freezing. Boy could I use a pair of wrist-warmers. Why not then just make gloves, or fingerless gloves. At least gloves, even fingerless gloves are practical. You have access to your fingers to grab that set of keys buried into the abyss that is your purse. And by your purse I mean my purse. Even fingerless gloves are handy. Your hands are warm, and you can have your fingers free to play with the apps on your stupid Iphone. And what's with the knitted thing you put on a cup when it is too hot. I don't even remember what that's call. I think it's called a "cozy".  I guess it so you don't burn yourself. But then you can usually get the cardboard sleeve to put the cup in, drink your coffee, tea or whatever hot beverage, and throw it out together. Why would I knit that? I confess, I think that is pretty useless too. I see that getting lost, and thrown out by accident. There are also a number of cute patterns for knitted toys. Thats nice. If you have a glass case to keep it in so you can look at it. Could a knitted toy really withstand a crazy toddler, that spends their free time getting filthy? Or a teething baby who will just chew the shit out of said knitted toy? Could you really throw a knitted toy into the washing machine? I stick to knitted hats, and sweaters and such for babies, little kids. There are all kinds of knitted knick knacks. I have no use for knick knacks, so I am certainly not going to make them. And what's up with this pattern of booze bottles? What the hell is that, and if you can't get even a buzz, what is the point? This pattern describes them as "pillows". But it isn't big enough to use as a pillow. If anything, dogs and cats will love these things as chew toys, and who is going to want to touch that when it's been in a Rottweiler chops? Well that's just me. Some of this stuff is nonsense.

Two at a time ACCOMPLISHED

Cafe au Lait Mitts

It's official.  I'm magic looping.  Having just finished my first magic loop project, I feel accomplished.  I feel masterful.  I feel a tingly sensation all over.  There is great satisfaction with making a pair of  mittens, socks or sleeves two at a time, I must say.  It was for that reason alone that I felt compelled to learn and hone this skill.  The thing about Magic Loop is, it can be daunting.  It probably slowed me up, and didn't help with sanity maintenance that I was working  an 8 row- lace pattern repeat, coupled with a brand new technique. Doing lace fucks with me in the best of circumstances, so I probably should have known better.  Be that as it may, I did it, and have manged to do so without hurting myself or anyone else.

The concept itself is not that complicated.  Essentially  you are just knitting as the pattern dictates.  If you can count, you can pretty much translate any pattern calling for dpn's to Magic Loop.  The cast on can be confusing, and that is simply because of the tendency to over think which will complicate the process.  Not to mention that it is kind of messy.  Yarn seems to be coming out of everywhere, and those first few rounds will convince you that you have no idea what you are doing.  Trying to figure out where everything is supposed to be, in addition to keeping from twisting the rounds, lest you have to rip out, and start over, is enough to make the most well adjusted, grounded, and emotionally stable individual to completely short circuit. As knitters, we are all too familiar with the term "frogging" otherwise translated "ripping it out", can have some frustrating connotations, just based on the way the stitches are set up in this technique.  I will be the first one to admit that this can be a colossal nightmare.  The benefits though, do offer quite the pay off.  You get the pair, at the same time.  It is easy to carry with you.  I for one, had this project, when I wasn't working on it, stuffed haphazardly in my bag. Those stitches would have never survived on dpn's.  I have come to see that Magic Loop is a good technique to know.

What I would recommend to make learning this technique easier is to NOT do it two at a time the first time in.  Better you do one of the pair for your introduction. Learning how to manipulate the stitches on a long circular needle is vital.  By the time you have completed the second of the pair, you will likely feel a profound level of comfort with the scooting, and pulling process that goes on.  When getting ready to advance to working the pair at the same time, I would suggest, a simple sock, mitt, or better yet, a simple legwarmer pattern.  This way the focus is on the new technique, and not a complicated stitch pattern.  What I found helpful, was labeling each needle/side that you are working.  I would recommend using locking stitch markers of different colors, and placing it on the end of each cast on edge.

Assorted colors of scrap yarn is fine too.  The idea is to help you keep track of what you are working on. This will assist in keeping your work straight in your head, so that when yarn is coming from every direction (and it will be), this will help reorient you. The one thing that my knitting/teacher buddy Kris Percival said that was extremely helpful in making sense of the execution of this technique, was the reminder that the working yarn is always in the back.  And finally, make sure you have taken your medication.

TWO-TIMER

I've decided to give this Magic Loop thing some serious attention.  I've decided that this is yet another technique that requires my mastery.  And why?  Well, because it is practical.  I have put off making mittens, gloves and legwarmers (which seem to have made a fashion comeback) and other such items, until said time that I have mastered Magic Loop.  Magic Looping is using one very long circular needle, as opposed to double pointed needles, which is presently the way I do it.  The benefit of Magic loop is traveling is much easier, and I would suspect you'd  worry less then you would transporting work on dpn's.  But most importantly, with Magic loop, you get to do two at a time.  So if you are going to say make mittens, gloves, sleeves, or socks, you can do the pair as opposed to dpn's which you generally do one at a time.  Long ago, in my attempt to make a pair of socks, I knit one sock.  I still have that one sock.  Never got around to making the other.  Magic loop would prevent such a travesty from happening in the future.  Then I put off jumping on the Magic Loop band wagon, because, well, I actually am quite comfortable working with dpns.  And then I further distanced myself from the whole Magic Loop experience, having convinced myself that this technique is best served by sock knitters.  I am not a sock knitter.  As you probably guessed, because I made just one useless sock.  One lonely sock.  And it wasn't for anyone in particular.  I just wanted to prove to myself that I could make socks if I wanted too.  Or in my case, a sock. But I have come to see the error of my ways.  Why Magic Loop, really is Magic!  To think that the next time I make a sweater, I could just do it Magic Loop style, as opposed to the one lonely sleeve at a time.  I could bang out mittens, legwarmers two at a time.  And so I plan to sit in on my knitting compadres Magic Loop Class.  Wish me luck!