Maria!

"What do you do with a problem like Mariaaaaaa?" Doesn't that name just make you want to break out in song? Does me. But what can I say? "The Hills Are Alive" with music over here at our place. Though it's usually in the form of an incessant ratt-a-tat-tat of X-Box 360 Rock Band drums reverberating up from the basement, but music nonetheless. (Note to self: Get a copy of "The Sound of Music" - everyone should have more Julie Andrews in their life.)

Back to Maria - and knitting in general. Maria and I have embarked upon a new holiday special project. She is going to design and knit a set of felted drink-glass coasters for her Christmas holiday table or, perhaps, that of a friend's depending on whether she can part with them as gifts or not. Sharon suggested the idea of felting. Ever the practical one, she noted that it would be ideal for absorbing the moisture, as a coaster is intended, yet with ample thickness to support the glass and not transfer the moisture to the table beneath. Excellent idea, Sharon.

When it comes to gifts, I always find myself in this trouble. I announce I am making a gift. I embark on some clever this or that only to discover, mid-way through, a welling sense of pride of ownership develops, or maybe it's pride of creation - regardless, it grips me and I no longer have the desire to give my gift away. In fact, I almost get down right selfish about it (e.g., socks of previous posts). It's tough! So beware. You might want to keep your 'this shall be a gift' announcements to yourself until you've finished the project, just in case you change your mind and the first one turns out to be a little something for self. :-)

Regardless! Maria is making felted coasters! Not only making them, she is designing and developing them. Is that fun or what? She has a test piece going at the moment, first exploring the basic design. It is in just a bit of acrylic to see what it looks like. The plan is to get some 100% wool so it will felt, knit a swatch, measure gauge, felt, remeasure gauge, calculate the difference, grow the basic design to fit, knit large, then felt to the ideal size for coasters. They're going to be great.

First stop is ‎111 Ahuza St. in Ra'annana at The Gourmet Yarn Shop. One of the best parts of a new project is going to the yarn shop with a mission!

Now, once we've done all that, we're going to write up the pattern and make it available to others, so stay tuned, and we'll keep you updated on the progress.