Yesterday I was working mostly on creating alluring new vistas in the toy section. There are far fewer shoppers now than there were during the back to school rush, so we are trying to clean up and restock. But there are always some customers, and most of them make a little conversation as I commune with the computer on their behalf.
The sufferings of the people on the gulf coast, the relief efforts, the possibility that New Orleans will just sink like Atlantis, and the price of gas were the topics most people chose.
There was one woman, though, who said, “I heard that Canada was the worst threat in terms of weapons of mass destruction.” I was confused, I will admit. I thought she meant that Canada was at the greatest risk of being invaded.
“Because they have less security?” I hazarded.
“I don’t know why,” she said, “but they are the greatest risk. And they have oil reserves that would supply the U.S. for 50 or 60 years. Sometimes I think we’re fighting the wrong people.”
In case you are wondering, this was a little blonde preschool teacher buying books of nursery rhymes and a bead maze, not one of those heavily tattooed guys who come in sometimes to get lab equipment.
So, dear reader, I have some questions for you.
Was this woman suggesting that the United States invade Canada and steal their oil? Is there anything else she could have meant?
If this is indeed what she had in mind, then is this a common point of view, and I just don’t travel in those circles? Are there indeed Americans who believe that we should even contemplate going to war with other Americans — not because they say “about” funny, but in order to steal their oil?
How high would the price of gas have to get before you would be willing to be part of the barbarian horde? Would you cut your energy use by 10% in order to avoid bloodshed on the northern border?
How about Oklahoma? I bet they have oil. Maybe we could invade them.
While you consider your answer, here is Brooklyn. I am not sure that it is possible to see the selvedges in this picture. If you look very closely, you might be able to see that the last two stitches on the edges of the left and right fronts — here shown stacked — have been knitted on every row, producing a nice edge on which to sew the zipper.
Those with a high level of visual/spatial intelligence, whether they can clearly see what a nice edge this makes or not, will have realized that I have done this nice edging on the same side on both the right and the left fronts. I have in fact made two left fronts.
I did not realize this until I got ready to do the raglan shaping. Thank goodness I realized it then. I could have frogged the whole right front and begun again. I could have dropped the edge stitches on both sides and picked them back up in the correct pattern. However, I always make a 1-stitch selvedge, so I just corrected myself and I am trusting to the zipper to cover up that errant stitch. That and the fact that it’s dark blue, and therefore the details are invisible.
I fervently hope that knitting errors are the worst trouble you find yourself in today.
Most Okies are so nice, they’d give you their oil. I’m sure there are plenty of American corporate oil stockpiles. Let’s invade them, instead.
So how do you strand in the back when you’re knitting fair isle flat? If you turn the work, then you have to strand in the front. Unless you can knit left and right handed and never turn the work. Splain, Lucy!
Oh, and from long ago, the science books I found are used. I don’t think they are in print anymore. But they are from Grolier, “Biology Basics: Science Activities,” and also one for chemistry, physics, general science activities, along with a teacher’s prep guide.
Oh, and finally, I think Fair Isle is typically circular, because sweater yokes and hats and mittens and stuff were knit in the round traditionally, like stockings (in stockinette). Have you read “Knitting From the Top Down”? Anyway, I could be misremembering, but I’ll go check and see.
Shhoot! I’m all over invading Oklahoma! What’s there of any importance anyway?
Besides maybe dodsonj. But he’s not even posting right now and may have fallen off the face of the planet.
I beg your pardon.
The Gleeson family is in Oklahoma, smack dab in the middle of the state.
And we’re quite important, in my personal opinion.
Of course I may be biased.
Well, I’ve looked in “Art of Fair Isle Knitting,” which includes history and techniques, and I cannot find any mention of Fair Isle ever being knit flat. Please let me know what you do, though, because I’m fascinated! I’ll never say never in knitting!
My comment was meant to be read with tongue firmly in cheek, of course – I know you weren’t serious 🙂
Besides, we’d kick yer butts.
I sincerly hope that the blond womans comments were a case of her tongue getting in the way of her eye tooth so she couldn’t see what she was saying. What the heck. Sometimes you wonder. About Brooklyn bule is my favorite colour so I like it already but the two left fronts, tee hee, sorry but it sounds like something I would do. Sounds like you have a plan for recovery. Can’t wait to see the results. : )
Dispite their sweet exterior I have known many a preschool teacher that i wouldn’t want to a) meet in a dark alley; or b) let any children I have go near. I don’t think that one fits either category, unless vapidness and ‘foot-in-mouth’ disease are contageous. As far as invasion of Oklahoma goes, I’m sure my ancestral enemies, the Cherokee, would love to get in on that action. 😉 So if someone does invade they should play nice. 😉
On a more serious note, Americans are already at war with Americans… just look at what’s happening along the poor Gulf Shore. Right now I think invading for oil should be put on the back burner until we can get those people out of there and into safety.
Me again! In the photos I’ve seen of traditional fair isle, they are using wires, and knitting in the round. Sometimes I think it looks like two straight needles, and it may be two wires used like long, flexible, double points.
I’m not disputing you. There may be a tradition of people knitting Fair Isle flat and I’ve never seen it or read about it. And obviously, it can be done, because you’re doing it. I’ve already started my design in the round, or I might try it. Next time I want just the swatch, I’ll try it flat and I’ll let you know if I have any trouble. I do the weave thing too, but of course, on the back, when my float gets too long, more than 3 stitches.
Have a great weekend!