Ever since finding the Pony Double Ended Crochet hooks, about two years ago, I have been using experimenting with them for knitting – thinking this might be good for kids (and grown ups) to help in learning knit techniques. When I started tripping over reference to Portuguese Knitting and its use of crochet hooks, naturally I got curious but then and now, there just never are enough hours in the day to “research”.

Recently Abby wrote about Andean spinning and that reminded me of how often I wished I could ask her Dad, Ed Franquemont about this. He was such a fountain of historical information – usually with good data to back it up.

Well, the last few weeks, it seems I am on something of a tear attempting to find more info about “Portuguese Knitting” which seems to share some technique with the Andean poeples as well.

What I have been able to find “so far”, mostly surmised from YouTube Videos, vagure memories of watching Ed Franquemont showing some “Incan” knitting and pictures in a few books, is that some how yarn is tension either by wearing the skein like a necklace, or using a pin on one’s shoulder. (See the picture of Andrea Wong here

Thus the yarn is between you and the work “most of the time”. And the yarn is manipulated to form the stitches, using your thumb in a seemingly very efficient manner. BTW, if you are a “visual” learner, then you may just find that the YouTubes with the voice over being in Portuguese to be the most helpful/clear.

Although many have suggested Andean & Portuguese are the same, so far only “Portuguese” knitting seems to use crochet hooks and at least one of the more esoteric suppliers of fiber art tools, sells these needles – hook on one end, point on the other in a limited variety of sizes, in sets of four or five per size – suggesting use for in the round type project.

I have been told that

Andrea Wong’s Video is an excellent resource, but unhappily it will not play in any of our machines.

Several have suggested I might find more information in the out of print book, Andean Folk Knitting: Traditions and Techniques from Peru and Bolivia. by Cynthia Gravelle Lecount, ISBN: 0932394078, but so far I have not been able to find an affordable copy and/or library that has it.

I was able to find lots of sources for Marasha Lewandowski’s

Andean Folk Knits: Great Designs…

So Abby, (or anyone else) I’d love to hear from you – Or should I just resign myself, accept I can knit with crochet hooks and will never know the history

It is the VETERAN’s who have honored their country since 1776 with their service.

Today, Veteran’s Day is when we celebrate on this anniversary of the first Armistice day, the end of World War I, whose peace became official on on November 11 at 11am – thus the 11/11/11

They are our grandfathers, our fathers, our brother and uncles, our mothers, our sisters and aunts, and all our family of friends – we have honor this day

May we always

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the courts
who has given us the right to keep and bear arms

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,
and serves under the flag.

There are many ways we can honor those who served, but may we never leave our Veteran’s standing alone.

Did you know the USPS had noticed that “In recent years, knitting has become quite popular again, both in the United States and internationally.” So has created some Knit Stamps for the 2007 Holiday Season?

YARNandTHREAD folks just gotta love these, they may have been machine knit, but using the High Res images that can be downloaded will allow any Yarn minded Philatelicists to hand knit, tapestry crochet or use duplicate stitch to create make these for your holiday decorations

© 2007 USPS. All Rights Reserved.

Not a YARNandTHREAD person? Well think about cute little miniature ornaments for in Counted Thread, a graph is a graph – Peyote Stitch Earrings, thread, yarn, its all just string – some is just lumpier than others….

So many possiblities, so little time…. guess I will just have to go research the applicable fair use to avoid any copy right issues.

Almost enough to make me think about starting to address those Christmas greeting cards early or at least on time this year or quick gifts or…..

I was pleased to read Carol Ventura’s recent blog-a-mentary detailing on her view of “Free” patterns and information.

Carol’s commentary opens the door to an important discussion and I would hope one that helps us all to understand the difference between that which an author/teacher choose to gift to Stitchers and that which is taken with only the most base of rationalizations.

So what is the issue?

It is about the MIS_USE of Complimentary Patterns, Charts, & Instructions

And, how often, almost innocently damage is done by that Mis-Use through a desire to “help”

Usually not realizing, but all to often simply not caring, if by helping some, you are hurting others.

It does not matter what the craft, but for today, it’s Crochet.

At the core of the discussion has to be and is the shared basic belief of the importance of “passing on the traditions”

To name just a few others, and in no particular order other than alphabetical by first name
Darla Fanton, Janet Rehfeldt, Jean Leinhauser, and
Kim Guzman

All of the above, like Carol, give of their time and expertise not just thru their publishing and teaching, but by their participation “on line” helping others to “learn the craft” and by offering help in a dozen other ways.

Aside from excellence in teaching and a dedication to producing quality patterns another thing all of above share is that they have been victimized by those who improperly share their work, both what is for sale and what is offered via the web on a complimentary basis.

When an author or publisher offers knowledge on their website, in a “group” or through “A-Longs” on their blog for your personal use, that is truly wonderful and you should take advantage of that offering for your personal use.

We need to distinguish what and how we can ethically share the information and knowledge offered for so tiny a price as to be considered free.

First, Personal Use does not grant you right to copy and distribute

Second, “Education” does not, unless you are a licensed educational institution, permit copying and distribution.

This means:

It is NOT OKAY to duplicate and distribute it without specific permission of the author.

It is not okay for another teacher to take that and share it by using it in their own classes without specific permission.

It is not okay for a shop owner to download and print out patterns – with or without charge

What is OKAY is to provide a link and then the “Personal User” will be obtaining the information in a fair and ethical manner.

Why, because as Carol so correctly pointed out in her blog

” Back to reality. Free patterns are part of my answer to (gaining) increased visibility – and it’s working. My books are not flying off the shelves, but they are slowly making their way into loving homes. “

The very small price these sharing individuals are asking is that the individual visit their websites, groups and blogs to obtain their gift to you the stitcher. They sincerely hope you will find the information and instruction they share for your personal use is helpful.

It is also, as Carol pointed out, their hope that as a result of that visit you will find their style and presentation will lead to your investing in one of their publications or taking a class with them.

Don’t we owe each of these sharing individuals that iota of courtesy and respect?

Shouldn’t we be willing to pay the tiny price of a moment of our time for all the instruction and inspiration they freely offer to us?

P.S. My thanks to Carol for raising this issue, and more importantly for that class at South East Fiber Forum so many years ago that taught me Tapestry Crochet – I happily recommend all of her books.

n keeping with my new tradition of Saturday & Sunday are meant for Silliness, my new BloGoal is to share at least one “just for fun” thing each weekend. Better will be two. Since this week had a double whammy of Harry Potter

We again celebrated TheHenry’s Birthday last week end with a day at the National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

It is really wonderful to have a chance to learn all the history and see so many examples of the wonders of flight. Did I mention I am a space junkie? It just never cease to amaze and delight me.

So what has all this to with with Harry Potter you reasonably ask?

Well The Udvar-Haze center has an IMAX theater. We were sort of disappointed when the sign at the gate said the shows were sold out, but decided we would see one of the others.

Well someone up there watches out for Fools, Little Children and The Birthday Boy – cause guess who got the LAST two Tickets for the ENTIRE day. (and yes there is a reason for the sign at the gate-parking is charged – museum admission is not.

Still wondering what makes this entry Silly? Why getting Sorted. IT is just amazing how many sorting hat quizzes are out there – you can find under Harry Potter in the links –

Oh, you may not think I’m pretty,
But don’t judge on what you see,
I’ll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I’m the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.

There’s nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can’t see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
So put me on! Don’t be afraid!
And don’t get in a flap!
You’re in safe hands
(though I have none)
For I’m a Thinking Cap!

Thanks to the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, I am now
Queen White Thunder of the Hogwarts House of:

visit Ravenclaw.Info

where… “Here in wise old Ravenclaw, if you’ve a ready mind, Those of wit and learning will always find their kind.”

Here is a link to the quickest Sorting Hat Quiz

Have Fun