I’m pretty sure I’ve been working on a programming project for Second Life too long when I’m researching something on the wiki and find I’ve done a search for “hot cheese” at some point in the past…

Opening text:

Okay, well, it’s not text.  But it’s the beginnings of a mini-saga, so how else should it open?

Imperial Cog motif from this site.  I’m also going to be using the Stormtrooper Helmet pattern from here.  Yarn is Dale of Norway Falk, which I picked up from Webs.

Knitting this on a 16” US 3 Knit Picks metal circular.  I’m kinda wishing they had introduced the wooden ones when I’d ordered it, but it’s only a minor quibble.  I’m really liking the wooden DPNs – wood just feels better in my hands than metal.

Everyone, get your minds out of the gutters.  Now!

So normally knitting projects got set aside this weekend for a new endeavor. May I present not one, but two works in progress?

Knitter Ally and Knitter Katie!

Spent the weekend visiting my family, and Ally (on the left, in pink) asked if I’d teach her to knit. What aunt would say no?

One trip to Ewenique Yarns later, I had some pink Lamb’s Pride and a pair of short size 9 needles. I sat down with Ally after school and started teaching. I did find out pretty quickly that getting used to both holding yarn and needles seemed a bit much, so I put the needles away and started with finger knitting a chain. Much better, and she was really enjoying herself.

Of course, this is when Katie asked to learn, too. I was a touch hesitant – she’s only five, while her sister is almost eight. But I figured she could at least tie knots, if nothing else. After some suggestion from Dad on how to help her visualize it (involving Ariel, the Little Mermaid, swimming in and out of a cavern), she was making her own chain!

The most amazing thing is that they both sat still for nearly an hour – Katie for 45 minutes, Ally for an hour and a half. Knowing them both, that’s unheard of!

The next day I cast on for Ally again, and she did a few rows entirely on her own. Sure, I started her with twenty stitches, and she ended up with 28 before long, but every beginning knitter does that. I’m still proud of her! I just regret that I don’t have a picture of her knitting. However, I should be back this weekend, so I’ll take a picture then.

So, do I get forgiven for not having any knitting of my own to show off?