I did it for the Knook...

So when I was asked to be a stop on the Knook Tour, I had only one question: Ahem, um, can I have one? I work for cheap. So last Friday, I picked up my Knook, the book (included in the set with beginner projects), and some yarn.

First, the cautions: My crochet skills are slim. I learned to knit first and loved it, fell headfirst into a baby afghan and never really looked back. As I was the Knit and Crochet Director at the time, I also learned to crochet. (BTW, this is also how quilting came into my life. I'm afraid we'll start a lawn and garden division next and I'll be the director and I'll have a real moral dilemma on my hands. Not really. I don't do yard work for any reason.)

I am the World's Second Tightest Knitter (after Art Director Rhonda learned, she knocked me from my throne) and if I was doing anything other than growing a small black dog with an insane vertical leap and overwhelming need to be in my face at all times, I'd be knitting something. Why? I like working with my hands.

So, having said all that, I have a Knook. I learned everything I know from the book and the helpful videos at http://www.leisurearts.com/how-to-knook. (waving at Lindsay and Sarah)

1. If you crochet, you won't have the two challenges I have: which stitch is the first one that I work into and also how to keep my stitches nice and even. Once you get past the foundation chain, the first one is addressed. The second requires practice.

2. If you already knit a bit, maybe you'll miss twisted stitches because the way you work into stitches and work with the yarn seems strange if you've been a crocheter forever. To me, this seems just like knitting. Left to right to knit, right to left to purl. Easy. Knits and purls will take you a long way, too.

3. If you don't do either, you could start right here with the Knook. See what I did there?

I found knooking quick and fairly easy to understand. I do like the bamboo hook too, even though I miss the squeaking noises my knitting needles make as I saw them together. Not really.

I started out with one of the projects from the book: a garter stitch scarf. I only had to master the knit stitch. And then I just had to do that over and over and over. This worked really well with my first knit baby afghan, but I wasn't sure it would hold my interest. Plus, someone actually asked me if I could purl. I took that as a challenge. So I tried it. Indeed, I can purl without much difficulty. Next I will try walking and chewing gum at the same time because I think I'm on a roll. I did a practice swatch, and then I decided...what the hey, let's do something for reals.



I looked around at the free projects. I looked around at the $2.99 downloads and picked the fingerless mitts. I've been threatening to make a pair for some time. Here's where I am:

Lunch, Day 1: Wrist ribbing, DONE. That's 6 rows combining the knit AND the purl. I'm probably not setting any land speed records yet, but that could be said of me in every area.





So, do you have a Knook? Look for them at Wal-Mart. If you do, check out the downloads like the fingerless mitts (and really, really fab baby legwarmers...so cute!) HERE.

Someday, I'll have one of these mitts. Why one? I'm sort of like that. I might even swing two if the yarn holds out. I'll keep you posted.

So, now to the reason you've dropped by...leave me a comment with your best guess on when these fingerless mitts will be complete....that means finished, sewn together, and able to be worn on hands so I'll need an actual pair. Leave me a date including year (and maybe an encouraging word, couldn't hurt, right?). And because there's absolutely no way to know, we'll let Randomizer pick the winners on August 6.