YOOOOOHOOOOOO

Hallo Vp , i thought long about your answer and my answer ,,, of yesterday I know you are aware of what `s happening here , but i don`t think many of you REALY understand what is going on ... I get up every morning and look at my poster of particpating in the exhibition CAPTURED MOMENTS , That travels Israel as a Support gor the Families of Udi Goldwasser , Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit , will come home ,,,,I have added Alan Johnston`s name to these.. I think his family should join the three Isreali families in this FIGHT against Unhumanistic behaviours. Iam concerned for the people in Shderot , it is hell living like this, while they know that on the other side of the border a moovement paid and supported by somebody [ Iran] who daily claims he wants to DESTROY us are getting stronger. This is a Crazy world , a Member of UN can Openly declare it`s plan to Destroy us and the world doesn`t say any words .... To my generation it sounds SO familiar ,,, we have been there ,,,,,, and Suffer the conseguences on our bodies till today ,,,,,, Had that Man Threatened in this manner Any Other Country , how would they react ? how would the world react ,,,? Not that he is not a threat to others , he is ,,,but they all put their heads in the sand and say "oh it is only Israel he is after ,,,," . WAKE up world ,,, He sees himself as the Pioneer of the World Culture war ,,,, That is already happening in YOUR Back yard ,,,,,, Look at North Lebanon where factions of Al Quaida are fighting with the Lebanese Army ,, The fight goes on in Paris Riots, the fight goes on in every class room and work place in Europe where locals are Expected to See little girls wearing big Headscarves, Nothing to do with their religion, everything to do with FUNDAMENTALStrong forces , wanting to control lives of all . Some of them live in Luxery hotels, not at all in the manner they demand of their `people`. We can all leave in peace, health hapiness ,,,,

But i go on living making my art , just made a new one for an exhibition for peace , and wishing for the BEST FOR ALLLLLLL mirjam

I don't think many of us can really understand Mirjam. Until we live through it like you do and understand the background and culture like those who have first-hand knowledge we'll never really know just how things are.

That's true of all sorts of situations all over the world. We have a tendency to be insular and to look away from troubles that don't affect us directly.

I am very aware of how lucky I am to live where I do. It's a peaceful country and on the whole people are clothed, feed and have the shelter they need. Most people in my country don't know what it's like to even hold a gun let alone experience rocket attacks. For many their daily preoccupation is wheather they have the "right" car or TV or some such trivial thing. The only act of terroism in my living memory was when the Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior was bombed by French spies in

1985. There was only one casualty.

I can't really understand what life is like for you, I can read, listen and think. I can shake my head and feel sadness but I can't really comprehend and as selfish as it may, I don't want to understand properly; it's painful.

I deeply admire your commitment to your art and that you are passionate about peace.

VP

Thank you for your answer Vintage Purls, I learned a lot about UK and USA , after i lived there ,,,, no film newsreal tv can really actually give the feelings. IT is OK , at least you are understanding that you can`t understand it because you aren`t here , But there are so many people OUT THERE who think they have the right to tell us what and how to behave ,,,, During last Summer while my part of the country was Shelled with missiles i had European relatives who scolded me [personally] for deffending ourselves, and i won`t repeat their language here,,,,,

I am esp thankful that you write that you acknowledge not understand the cultural background , it is hard even on me who grew up here , to understand all the various groups undergroups and factions ,,,, sometimes it seems that everyone who can raise a gun Opens his own little Militia,,, it is all sad ,, and as i observed Years ago There are dark ages Looming over all of us, Our Volunter groups [UN says Israel has the biggest number of volunter groups] try to travel to other p[laces as well and help thereas much as we can , really physicly not only with money but with people .

We try to live Normal , to prevent troubles we caheck bags every where and live , Both my art and mywish for peace are part of me as breathing, and i do peaceful actions for the things i believe in , but i also insist that i and mine have the right to live just as anybody else and that those who come to kill me and mine should be stopped from killing . I am also very disappointed that the WORLD hasn`t learned anything ,that Incitement goes on against other hhumans , that it seems ok that people take money so called for food and buy weapons with it , or use it to EDUCATE for hating for Xhenophobia . Any so called education is brainwashing. We always should teach our kids and pupils, not accept all studies with out questioning the motives behind it . mirjam

Thank you for your answer Vintage Purls, I learned a lot about UK and USA , after i lived there ,,,, no film newsreal tv can really actually give the feelings. IT is OK , at least you are understanding that you can`t understand it because you aren`t here , But there are so many people OUT THERE who think they have the right to tell us what and how to behave ,,,, During last Summer while my part of the country was Shelled with missiles i had European relatives who scolded me [personally] for deffending ourselves, and i won`t repeat their language here,,,,,

I am esp thankful that you write that you acknowledge not understand the cultural background , it is hard even on me who grew up here , to understand all the various groups undergroups and factions ,,,, sometimes it seems that everyone who can raise a gun Opens his own little Militia,,, it is all sad ,, and as i observed Years ago There are dark ages Looming over all of us, Our Volunter groups [UN says Israel has the biggest number of volunter groups] try to travel to other p[laces as well and help thereas much as we can , really physicly not only with money but with people .

We try to live Normal , to prevent troubles we caheck bags every where and live , Both my art and mywish for peace are part of me as breathing, and i do peaceful actions for the things i believe in , but i also insist that i and mine have the right to live just as anybody else and that those who come to kill me and mine should be stopped from killing . I am also very disappointed that the WORLD hasn`t learned anything ,that Incitement goes on against other hhumans , that it seems ok that people take money so called for food and buy weapons with it , or use it to EDUCATE for hating for Xhenophobia . Any so called education is brainwashing. We always should teach our kids and pupils, not accept all studies with out questioning the motives behind it . mirjam

Do your testing at a "clothing optional" beach.

Many of the northern California ocean beaches have water that is cold enough that you will appreciate the warmth of wool. (In fact, on some of those beaches and days with an onshore wind, you will want good wool from ankle to chin : ) That gives you an excuse to avoid the older body in younger bikini issues : -))) On those days with an onshore breeze, the girls lying freezing in their bikinis will NOT regard you as old, or odd, but just wise in the ways of beach wear.

Now, does anyone have a pattern for men's knee length swim trunks in fine knit wool? With a matching gansey, it would be great for wading in tide pools, clam digging, & beach combing. How come I do not see patterns for men's knit shorts? Is there a problem with knit shorts that I do not understand?

Aaron

Yes. Do you seriously want one?

VP

Yes, Please, if it is not too much trouble - otherwise, I will adapt the men's sport shorts from the KnitPicks site. Actually, the intended purpose is to wear under powder pants when skiing on moderately cool days. I am fed up with synthetic underwear. I note the high end extreme skiers have gone back to wool underwear- but that stuff costs $300 for a pair wool knee length.

Thanks in advance.

Aaron

Right then, I'll need to rifle through the stash and I'm snowed under with work tonight but I'll get on to it tomorrow. I've got several patterns of this ilk and I have a funny feeling at least one is bathing trunks only (i.e. no top section).

VP

Hi Aaron,

For you sir:

do have some other patterns but this is the "classic" style. I havea "racer back" version but I suspect that isn't really what you areafter.

If you knit this (or something based on it) I MUST see a photo (preferably modelled by a real live man).

Have fun!

VP

Wow! Thanks! Just my gauge too (7 spi) : )

Bone Needles? I have some virgin Bamboo that will have to do!

Viyella yarn - as I remember, it was a merino / cotton mix. The cotton would help it keep its shape and strength when wet., but for skiing, cotton would be very cold, I think I will use . . . . . Umm - do not rush me, I am thinking! Let me just say, it is not in the stash right now. Life with synthetics has taught me that perhaps vapor management is more important than warmth for under garments. Perhaps a long staple wool would be even more appropriate than merino - even though merino is soft enough for wear next to the skin. (No! I do not knit ski gear out of Alpaca! It would not be "manly"!)

For a big boy like me, and because I want the legs a little longer, it looks like 110,000 stitches - almost the same as for a gansey. It is not going to be finished much before snow flies.

And, it will weight more than my synthetic stuff. I hope it is more versatile, so that I can take less stuff over all.

I had been thinking of knitting my trunks in the round. This approach of knitting in two pieces and stitching together seems much easier.

As for pictures, I am knitting this to be my ski underwear. Are you really soliciting pictures of me in my underwear? That is fine. I am always willing to post a salacious yarn.

Thanks again.

Aaron

No. 10 needles = 3.25mm. I'd be using metal needles.

How is Alpaca not manly? Alpaca would be warm and light, but perhaps not elastic enough on it's own. An alpaca wool mix would be a great choice I suspect.

Another good reason for a lighter fibre. If not alpaca/wool what about a silk/wool mix?

It doesn't have to be *you* specifically, I just asked to see it modelled on a live man. So I'm soliciting a picture of *someone* in your underwear (which do you find more challenging - another man wearing your underwear or posing in it yourself?). The shot may be from the neck down only to protect the identity of the model. :)

VP

GEMINI Happy Birthday And if you want it i got my own pattern for such a crochet bag that rolls into a small ball ,,, mirjam

I like some flex in my needles. Bamboo is not quite flexible enough to use like gansey needle, but it can be set in a knitting sheath so that the spring action of the the needle does half of the knitting action.

Sometimes I just make fun of the folks around here that I see buying exoctic fibers. I know it is not nice, but what those beginning knitters do to good fiber is not nice either. Sorry!

Merino is actually about as warm as any protein fiber for the weight. I know that silk is hollow and all that, but tightly spun and tightly knit wool is better at trapping a volume of air than knit silk. However, as we learned from synthetics, moisture management is a good part of the job of underwear. The fiber par excellance for moisture managemnt is -- the long coarse staple of the -- Cotswold.

Somewhere there are pictures of me skiing the Yosemite backcountry in the buff. I know that pictures of me rock climbing on that very hot day down at Pinncles, still come up in Bob's slide show everytime he has a party - and that is coming on 17 years now. I have no problem posing in my socks or my underwear - but I am going to tease you about asking for pictures of me in my underwear. Besides, I has to be me, because I am going to knit it to fit me!

Thanks again!

Aaron

Alpaca is exotic? Cripes it's easier to get Alpaca fleece than merino here in NZ some of the time. I think a lot of people here keep Alpaca's as quasi pets. They certainly don't seem concerned about making a lot of money from their fleece (often they sell it for the cost of the shearing).

I know what you mean about "trendy" yarn prices though. I struggle to buy yarn from mainstream yarn shops - I'm too tight to front up $10 for 50g of wool and I prefer to knit with finer yarns than is currently fashionable. Am I only only one who struggles to knit with needles larger than about 5mm? I knit like a child if I have to use something like 10mm needles.

I knit my winter gloves on 2.25mm needles in a 2ply fingering weight yarn I spun (1ply merino, 1ply alpaca). I knit them to fit snug, a cable in the wrist keeps them tight there and the fingers are just the right fit - they are far warmer than any commercial glove I've ever purchased and warmer than the chunkier gloves I was knitted as a child. I've knitted the same gloves in wool before and these are warmer - I'm pretty convinced the mixture of alpaca and wool is a winner.

So you are planning to spin your own yarn for this project or can you buy a suitable yarn?

Please also adopt a suitable vintage pose - pipe in hand or leaning on a spade are two off my favourite. :)

VP

Thank you, Mirjam! :o)

I would love to have your pattern for the crochet bag that rolls into a small ball. Thank you! If you want to email it to me, my address is gemsawriterATyahooDOTca

*hugs* Gemini

I look forward to it, Mirjam. Thank you! :o)

*hugs* Gemini