The Knit Before Christmas

Written for The Knit Before Christmas by Whipstick Knitter,  Catalina

The Whipstick Knitters are members of a larger Internet group called The Gunroom which is devoted to discussing the novels of Patrick O’Brian, the era in which they take place, and, as we say, "everything else."

The formation of our litttle group grew out of a lively discussion of knitting in the novels. Casting about for a name which would be both nautical and knitty, the whipstaff of a ship which is a vertical steering stick attached to the tiller a deck below was changed to Whipstick to make us sound handy with our needles. Our motto, "Which it will be ready when it is ready!" is borrowed from Jack Aubrey’s grumpy but devoted manservant, Killick, and is intended to put pressure on no one.

Columbus Day (in honor of another mariner) was chosen as the date to upend our seabags for muster and shake out our finished projects, mailing them to one member located in New York who then made the delivery accompanied by another (non-knitting) Gunroom member seen holding a copy of O’Brian’s HMS Surprise, the third novel in the series in the photo. We had decided on a goal of 21 knitted items, as there are 21 books in the Aubrey/Maturin canon, including an unfinished one. Having met our goal earlier this year, we did a further volley, as it were, or a second read-through with two to spare, submitting 44 items in all.

We currently number 13 Whipsticks from all different states and maintain an internet sub-list for our knitting activities which includes knitting for other charities and our own projects. Most of us have never met one another, only one knitter having actually come face to face with two others but on separate occasions and one of those with a sister in the group. In spite of that, and in the best tradition of Jack Aubrey’s delight in a pun, we are a close-knit group!

The log of our progress (and more photos!) may be more closely followed at the Whipstick Knitters’ Blog.

If you or your knitting group would like to write a guest entry, please do!  

I think 2007 is the year of the sock in the knitting universe.   So far, Christmas-at-Sea has collected nearly 300 pairs of socks, more  socks than ever before.  But seeing as its the year of the sock,  I think we can double that number by December 1, and I would like to challenge all of the CAS volunteer knitters to help me meet this goal. I certainly can’t knit them all myself!

As an incentive, any Christmas at Sea sock knitters who contribute socks by November 15 will be entered into a drawing to win this beautiful skein of Socks that Rock, generously donated by Blue Moon Fiber Arts.

 This post is inspired by Socktoberfest! a month-long celebration of sock knitting hosted by  Lolly Knitting Around.  Lolly posted this sock knitting questionaire on her blog. I’d love to see your answers, feel free to leave them in the comments or send them by email.

Good luck and happy knitting!

When did you start making socks?

2002

Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I "taught myself," meaning that I read a lot of tutorials and instructions thoughtfully prepared by other knitters.

What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?

My first pair was a basic sock with a ribbed cuff made from Trekking. They were a gift to someone I rarely see anymore. I have no idea how they’ve held up.

What would you have done differently?

I did a sloppy job with the toe. It was too pointy!  I wish I would have ripped it back an inch and re-grafted it.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

Socks that Rock, Opal, Regia, Koigu, Tofutsies,

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

Magic Loop! I love knitting socks this way. I used to use 5 DPNs but I often broke them. This year I’ve knit all of my socks on a circular needle and I have been much more prolific.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

Heel flap.

How many pairs have you made?

More than 10, fewer than 20.

Are you a designer? How about trying your hand at designing a pattern for Christmas at Sea?

Christmas at Sea is looking for both crochet and knit slipper patterns for gifts for cruise ship workers.  Please send in your pattern by October 1. A sample slipper is also requested.

The official cruise ship worker slipper pattern will be announced in the next print issue of the Knit Before Christmas.  The Institute plans to distribute hand made slippers in 2008.

SCI provides pastoral care and hospitality services to thousands of cruise ship workers docking in Manhattan; Red Hook, Brooklyn; and Cape Liberty, Bayonne, NJ each year.   Cruise ship workers visiting our centers are able to wire money, make phone calls home and use the internet.

Most cruise ship workers work up to nine straight months with few or no days off.  Sitting at my desk this Monday, after a beautiful weekend, it’s hard to imagine what that’s like. 

To learn more about why these services are important to cruise ship workers follow the link:

 www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section