From Analog To Digital

I'm not really sure what "analog" and "digital" really mean, but my household finally converted to digital cable.

A Whole New World
We've always had basic cable service, and of course internet service through our local cable company. Recently, they (Comcast) offered a deal to us that would allow us to upgrade from basic to digital and get HBO for $10 a month extra.

A phone call, a brief visit to my local Comcast office, a little bit of rewiring, and now we have lots more channels (mostly bad), HBO (mostly bad) and on-demand. I honestly had no idea how much free stuff was available through on-demand. I could teach myself how to play guitar, take a video kickboxing class or watch the entire last season of "Extras" from HBO/BBC.

Plus, the new digital cable boxes are now very small...about the size of a VHS video cassette.

Overall, I'm very pleased.

Current Knitting
In addition to the dark tweed pullover, I have continued to put some time in on the latest colorblock sweater.



You'll note I've added a little more to the sweater, and I also positioned the knitting with the butterfly bobbins showing, for those who've never done intarsia before.

I have also finished about 14 inches of the back of the dark tweed sweater, but I don't have a picture.

Back Spinning Again
Up until recently, almost every time I'd sit down to spin, Gage would arrive shortly thereafter to take a prominent place in my lap, and then "help" by trying to bite the spinning single. Despite how difficult he made it to spin, now that he's not here, spinning turned into a sad occasion for me, and I wasn't spending much time doing it.

This past weekend, I resolved to finish the final spool of the to-be, 3-ply, multi-colored, Merino yarn.



You'll notice I didnt' quite meet that goal, but I did make more progress this past weekend than I have in a while. Eventually, I know spinning will be a more joyous activity for me again.

Readers' Comments/Questions
Regarding my list of must-have knitting books, Ted asks, "Yes, Joe, but why do you prefer the BW Treasuries to the Harmony Guides? What's the difference that makes the difference?"

It's really a very subjective reason. I like the size and layout of the book, and I think the printing and photography is clearer. I have both sets of books, but I almost always refer to the BW Treasuries.

Gail noted, "I would probably including a finishing book in my list, like Nancie Wiseman's "The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques". I find its really handy, and it improved my finished garments immensely."

Thanks Gail, that looks like an excellent book. I like that it's spiral bound, and I will have to order a copy to add to my library.

Nancyneverswept writes (and Marilyn seconds), "I'm surprised you don't include any of Elizabeth Zimmermann's books, especially Knitting Without Tears!"

This was a purposeful ommission. I consider EZ's books to be more about philosophy of knitting, rather than any other category, and I don't find philosophy books useful. Books like Stephanie's books, and tomes like "The Tao of Knitting" don't resonate much with me, so I didn't include them as must-haves.