A red sweater

When the cool winds begin to blow again, I start to crave yarn. The softer the better. And knitting stores call my name. It's so easy to visit the local yarn shops and pick up yarns to grow my stash — which grows and grows very easily and very quickly since knitting is a slow process for me.

Each year, though, I learn a little bit more. I started with scarves. For years I constructed lots of really bad scarves. And then I took a mitten class. Best thing I ever did for my knitting — it boosted my confidence, and I came out of it with a pair of pretty nifty chunky blue mittens.

Last year I knitted Geoff my first hat in a luscious deep gray and bright orange. (It matches his coat.) I also finished my first truly challenging gift, a fun scarf made from hand-dyed organic yarn. That was my first attempt at ruffles (and at a pattern that went beyond straight knit or knit-purl) and it turned out quite well, if I do say so myself. The gift was meant for Christmas — and even though I missed that deadline by a few months, it was still cold enough for the recipient to wear it a few times before the warm weather hit. This summer I finished a pair of fingerless mittens for myself. I knit all through a road trip to and from Portland, Oregon. And I love every little stitch.

Anywho, this fall I've finally cast on my first sweater. It's a pattern I've had laying around since before I picked up my first needles. And the yarn, cozy and candy apple red, has been taking up room in my stash for years now.

As you can see, I'm not far. This is the first of five components (the neck) that will ultimately be stitched together.

While I'm proud of how far I've come, I'm just as proud right now of a little DIY accomplishment. See that wine cork on the end of my needle?

Cool, huh? 

I realized my stitches were so stuffed on the needle that I should probably invest in some end caps so I wouldn't lose stitches in between knitting sessions. I visited a few stores, but 1) didn't really like any of the caps I found and 2) didn't want to pay $5 for a cap. So I came home, a bit dejected.

But as I sat in my living room one day, and saw the glass jar full of wine bottle corks on my coffee table, I came up with an idea. I grabbed a cork, ran upstairs and shoved it on the end of the needle.

Voila! A knitting needle end cap that fits any size needle. And I've got tons of them ready for any project.

I like them for another reason, too. Every time I see a cork, I'm reminded of a wine I shared with my husband and/or friends. (In this case, one of my favorites, an Aveleda Vinho Verde.)

So my motto for today? Recycle, reuse, remember and knit on, my friends. Knit on.