Tag: train

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In the Name

Naming patterns is sometimes the most difficult part. I find myself having designed and worked through an entire pattern and then I sit staring at my computer completely baffled for what to call it. Like right now, I’m working on this cabled stole in Rewind. And what have I been referring to it as?? The Rewind Stole. Not a name that screams “make me!” Plus you can’t use descriptives like stole, shawl, hat, etc. in names on Ravelry, so there’s that to consider.

I used to use a lot of musical inspiration for my pattern and yarn names. These days, though, I find myself drawn to places. Eventually I’ll run out of local spots, but for now I’m finding inspiration in my surroundings. I think it’s because of my daily long train rides to and from NYC. I pass the signs at the station and am reminded of local history and the beauty that surrounds me here on Long Island. (And also of course the really broken down and unloved places too. Life isn’t all puppy dogs and roses.)

I think I might go with the name “Forest Hills” on this particular design. Yet another stop along the LIRR. And when I run out of LI places I’ll just have to go on vacation for name inspiration from other locales. 😬

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Train Knitting

Knitting on the train is very limiting. For me it is anyway. I was never one of those avid sock knitter types. I admit, I actually find knitting socks pretty boring. Even if they are highly patterned. And I never wear them. Nope. I’m all about the mass produced low ankle sport socks. But I digress.

Trying to knit or crochet on the train is difficult. The morning commute is a little easier. I take the 6:55. It’s slightly over an hour (presuming everything is running on schedule) and it’s sleepy and quiet. My stop is far enough east that there are still plenty of open seats. I can sit down and get all settled and set up with my project before I have someone sitting with me.

The ride home, however, is an entirely different beast. Leaving from Penn station at 6pm along with the masses of other people scrambling to get on a very busy branch… it’s chaotic and hot and noisy. People push to try and get a seat (the first stop isn’t for a very long 45 minutes if you’re standing) and often the aisles are packed with those unlucky enough to be at the back of the pack and miss even the worst of seats. Knitting anything very large or complex is impossible. And if you know my designs you know how I love shawls that lean toward the highly patterned.

With that being said, I am attempting this rather large project. It’s a simple top down raglan sweater using We Are Knitters “The Meri Wool” in Sprinkle Pink. In the morning I can usually work on it without issue. Much of the time it proves too large for the evening commute. It does fit the bill on simple, though.

When I first started commuting I wasn’t really knitting at all on the train. I tried and it was too much trouble. I’d take my project out and put it away. A ew Stitches here and there. Same project stalled on the needles for months. Now, though, I’m embracing the simpler designs and have begun utilizing my few hours a day on the train to play with yarn. And it’s so satisfying.

Simple doesn’t have to mean boring. Simple has its place. Lesson learned. I’ve also branched our to more crochet projects. Turns out crochet is fast and sometimes easier in cramped spaces. Yay crochet! However, knitting will always be my true yarn love.