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07.27.2005 :: Koigu = Pretty
Here is a close-up on the ribbing of the little pair of Koigu socks that I'm making for one of my nieces.
I'm knitting the socks toe-up with a PGR heel. The ribbing pattern came out of one of my miscellaneous stitch pattern books. It's a slip stitch pattern that's alot like the one I used with my unfinished pair of LL socks (the blue/green pair).
I think the pattern is:
row one: K2, P2
row two: sl2 with yarn in front, P2
(in the round)
Freecycle.org
I just learned about this new community today. Freecycle is a program where people post items that they want to give away and other people post items that they need. No trades, no money. Just give something away or get something for free. The idea is to keep unwanted items out of landfills.
I donate lots of clothes and household items to local charities like the Salvation Army, but sometimes I have something that I don't want to dump in the garbage, doesn't seem right for the salvation army and it's not something that I want to bother shipping (so I don't list it on ebay). For example I have a bunch of silk screen supplies that I've posted as an "offer". This seems like a great solution. I found three large groups in my area and I'll be interested to see how it works out.
(note: I found out about freecycle.org from the National Downshifting Week site. This was a week event held in the UK - I haven't yet explored whether anything like this has been organized in the US. I was busy exploring the freecycle postings! All of this stuff, the "eat local", recycling, etc. has been on my mind for the last couple of years. It's all coming together and I'm no longer just worrying or thinking about it, but actually starting to act. A little at a time. Eventually, I hope to be able to seriously down-scale my life so that I have more options and won't be so reliant on *the man*!)
Posted by Mary on 07.27.2005 AT 05:22 PM
Comments
Great pic, Mary. I was just searching through your archives looking at your Inishmore. So beautiful. Did you ever finish the brown one? I'm thinking that will be my next sweater. Or maybe Kinsale....
Posted by: Annie on 07.27.2005 AT 06:56 PM
Freecycle is a neat site! We belong to a local group here in Des Moines. I'm enjoying your posts regarding the 'eat local' and things like Free Cycle. It just feels good, doesn't it?
Posted by: Liz on 07.28.2005 AT 12:12 AM
I really like the strands in the socks! They mix up the beautiful Koigu colours so nicely.
Posted by: Nadia on 07.28.2005 AT 12:19 AM
Hi all,
Thank you for mentioning my site, the awareness campaign National Downshifting Week.
It was launched in the UK this year and I had so many communications from all over the world, I am looking to take it international in 2006.
I have been speaking to lots of folks and there are a good handful of organisations in the US who are moving towards simpler living, so if I can get a network of support together, I will most probably do it!
The response from the UK events was tremendous. The media loved it too and were very supportive.
I will drop you another note here when I finalise the plans, in the meantime, thank you kindly for spreading the word about National Downshifting Week and I hope more folks get on board!
Kind regards,
Tracey Smith
Columnist, Broadcaster
& Creator of
National Downshifting Week
www.DownshiftingWeek.com
Posted by: Tracey Smith on 07.28.2005 AT 04:04 AM
I have had great luck with Freecycle here. I have used it to give away tons of usable things that just don't fit in my house anymore. There hasn't been a single thing I've offered, that someone hasn't needed.
Posted by: CarolineF on 07.28.2005 AT 08:18 AM
Mary's Knitting = Pretty.
Thanks for that link! That is right up my alley. Along those lines, I save my best kid's clothes (no stains, barely worn, in style, sometimes even with tags on) for a 911 family. I get to see those clothes around town on the 4 young kids in that family - it makes my day.
Posted by: Mary Beth on 07.28.2005 AT 08:24 AM
Thanks for the Freecycle link. There are groups in two of my neighboring towns, but I am tempted to join all just to see what is out there. And I don't need more stuff that is for sure.
The socks are gorgeous. But then, you can't really go wrong with Koigu, can you?
Posted by: Teresa C on 07.28.2005 AT 09:50 AM
Great socks, I love the ribbing!
Freecycle is another love of mine. I love being able to get rid of things that still have a *useful life*, since our town dump doesn't have a swap shop anymore. So far, I've been good about not taking anything.
I love seeing the changes you're making, Mary. It's making me remember my own journey to the "simple life" and the excitement of going outside the mainstream. :)
Posted by: Liz on 07.28.2005 AT 11:20 AM
I notice you did this sock with a nice big cuff to fold down. This is how I normally wear my socks, so I'd love it if I could do the sock I'm working on (in the pattern you sent me for that blue/green one you had done).
Were you able to do a whole sock that way with just one skein of Koigu? I only have 2 skeins to work with, so if it took more, I won't be able to do it with this pair.
Posted by: Leisel on 07.29.2005 AT 02:15 PM
that is soooo pretty. I just love Koigu, thanks for the close-up
Posted by: michele on 07.27.2005 AT 06:19 PM