Saturday, March 26, 2011

Raise Your Glass

Right right, turn off the lights,
We're gonna lose our minds tonight,
What's the dealio?

Drinking and knitting seem to go hand in hand. The only problem, unless you use a straw, is that you have to quit knitting to take a drink!

When I say drink, I don’t mean it has to be alcohol. Some like to have their cup of coffee when they knit. Others like to knit with tea at their side. Some do prefer something a little stronger, or maybe in some cases a bit more relaxing. Wine is a favorite, any color, any kind. Beer is a standard too, especially for some of us West Texas girls. Some even prefer something a little stronger. I’ve heard about a yarntini and a knittini someone had at a party once but I don’t know what the ingredients were. But don’t worry. Friends don’t let friends knit drunk!
It is fairly well known, especially with those having experience of the stronger flavored beverages that keeping the knitting simple works best. It’s no fun to figure out the next day, after two or three hours of knitting and visiting the night before, that you’re horribly off count. Chart knitting is also not recommended as it’s easy enough to get off line without drinking anything but water! Add a little alcohol and, well, it could make the picture not so pretty!

I’m a radio junkie. I listen all the time when I’m driving. Since I already told you it’s not safe to knit and drive. I’m a channel changer. I like all kinds of music; country, pop, rock. Well, I like all kinds of songs in those genres! Anyway, lately there has been a catchy song that I keep hearing. It’s by an artist called Pink, stylized as P!nk. I’m finding I really like a lot of her songs. What I don’t like is that there is always (I think) a ‘clean’ and a ‘dirty’ version. I don’t see the point in that at all. But it’s her choice and she gives me a choice too.

I tried to find out if P!nk is a knitter. I couldn’t find anything but I doubt it since she’s very active in PETA and actually did a video against the purchase of wool. If you do watch the video be forewarned it’s a bit graphic. It might give you something to think about. However, it’s possible she could still be a knitter. There are many non-animal fiber choices to knit with.

Okay, back to the song. I don’t know what made me think of it, except for the fact she says nitty gritty and my ears hear KNITTY gritty. Also there was the time at WHIBSIB (my Texas girls knitting retreat) that our group had a great time just saying ‘drink’ when we wanted, and we all took a swig of our wine or whatever the choice was. Anyway, I’ve ‘re-written’, and I’m not saying well, P!nk’s song to suit knitting. So now, with full apologies to P!nk, here it is.

If you’ve not heard her song, play the video on YouTube but sing the knitting words. Do this in the privacy of your home so nobody will think you’ve lost it!
 
Raise Your Glass (Knitting Version)

Right right turn on the lights
We gonna wind our yarn tonight
It’s no big dealio.

I love when it’s not too tough
Now it’s time. Turn the radio up.
Let’s knit to rock and roll.

Yarny stasher, needle grabber,
Call me up if you’re a knitter,
Don’t drop stitches,
Try it lacey,
Knit delirious...

So raise your glass if all your stitches
Are laying the right way.
All my knit sistahs, 
we will never be, never be
Anything but proud
And Knitty gritty, rosy little cheeks.
Won’t you slip one, and purl one, and
Raise your glass!
Just slip one and purl one and
Raise your glass!

Wham bam knitting’s glam
What kind of stitch don’t you understand?
Wish you’d just rip out (rippit already).
Can’t stop coming up short
I should be looking at this chart
My count is off right now (it’s so off right now).

Yarny stasher, needle grabber,
Call me up if you’re a knitter,
Don’t drop stitches,
Try it lacey,
Knit delirious…

So raise your glass if all your stitches
Are laying the right way.
All my knit sistahs, 
We will never be, never be
Anything but proud
And Knitty gritty, 
rosy little cheeks.
Won’t you slip one, and purl one, and
Raise your glass!
Just knit one and purl one and
Raise your glass!
Just slip one and purl one
Raise your Glass!
Won’t you slip one, and purl one, and
Raise your glass!
Just slip one and purl one and
Raise your Glass!

Oh darn my glass is empty...
that sucks!

So if your knitting is so cool (I mean...)
And your needles are your tools (needles are your tools)
You can choose another yarn
You can cast on, you can cast on
Knit it on your own…

So raise your (oh yarn!)
So raise your glass if all your stitches
Are laying the right way
All my knit sistahs,
We will never be, never be
Anything but proud
And Knitty gritty, rosy little cheeks
Won’t you slip one, and purl one, and
Raise your glass
Just slip one and purl one

Won’t you slip one and purl one and
Raise your glass
With me
Just slip one and purl one
Raise your glass…with me

Now go get your needles and your yarn. Or grab that project you’re working on now. Fill your glass. Get comfy. Knit one and purl one. And slip one and purl one. And raise your glass! Enjoy!

So if you're too school for cool,
And you're treated like a fool,
You can choose to let it go
We can always, we can always,
Party on our own

Where has March gone? Blown away somewhere if you’re out here! I read recently that time seems to pass more quickly when you are older because in childhood, experiences are novel and distinct but in adulthood each passing year converts some of this experience into automatic routine which we hardly note at all, the days and weeks smooth themselves out in recollection, and the years grow hollow and collapse. (William James).  Day 357 of knitayear is March 23. I have a meeting in San Angelo, about 120 or so miles away from work. They were kind at least and start it a little later so I don’t have to leave the house at, as my friend puts it, the butt-crack of dawn! It’s a nice drive and I saw a few wildflowers. The meeting is interesting, and relevant, which is unusual! I stopped for StarBucks on the way home and since Michaels is sort of in the area went by and scored on the dollar aisle! Some were $3.00 to $5.00 but all good, regardless! I chose green boucle that has multi color strips woven through it for the day. Day 358, March 24, is another meeting, at work this time. I am just the host for a local school district. I facilitate and get supplies, etc., and listen to the dialogue. If they practice what they preach after the meeting it could really be good for the kids. And that is what the whole education business is supposed to be about! I choose light green wool that has pink, purple and blue woven through it. March 25, day 359, and only six more days after today of the knitayear. Kind of sad in a way. It’s a slow day at work, not many people there. After work a friend and I decided to get a pedicure. It’s the first one of the season for me. Sandal season that is! It was fun and it’s amazing how much better it can make you feel. Even pretty! I choose pink yarn with a little silver sparkle for today. Day 360, March 26, is Saturday. So many things to do but I haven’t done them yet! I have to go to Austin tomorrow so will wash and pack for that trip. It’s a change of schedule but won’t be bad. Alan wants to do Atkins. I don’t but if I’m cooking I guess I will be too. Maybe it will work and I’ll lose weight. Maybe! I choose blue fancy fur for today. Now I’ve got to get busy. First I think maybe I’ll get something to drink. You don’t have to be knitting to raise your glass, right?
To date for this strip
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass.
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass!

14 comments:

  1. Oh, I love you, my knit sistah!! You are so talented....in music and with knitting needles! I'll listen to the radio, (and raise my glass) with a new outlook!!

    Debi

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  2. I am raising my glass... If you do find out if Pink (p!nk) knits do let us know - you posed a good question.

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  3. Enjoyed the song & the read! You need to buy this book with your gift cert http://www.knitpicks.com/books/Pints_Purls__D31207.html

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  4. Love it! You can be a songwriter in your next life!

    (And how cute is "knittini?" I say you make up a recipe. I will be happy to sample it for you!)

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  5. Don't know if Pink knits but will ask some friends back east and see what I can find out...Alecia went to the middle school where I taught so still has ties to the area.
    Thanks for another inspiring yarn (story)! Am raising a toast and 2 sticks!

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  6. I like to have a glass of wine when I knit - it also helps me to feel abstemious too as I drink more slowly!

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  7. Love your knitting song! I make up new words to songs all the time...or make up songs. I have cursed my children with the talent...they do it to. I blame reading Mad magazine as a kid...with their redone lyrics.
    All that to say... I raise my glass in toast to your song! Ya know...you could fill a Camel Back (used by hikers and cyclists) with a drink and still knit. :-)
    P.S. - I love P!NK Her Glitter in the Air is one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen.

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  8. Yes I'm behind. But I love this!!! SuRe will miss raising a glass with you tHis weekend!

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  9. @Debi...so good to see you stopping by! Wish you were at WHIBSIB. We'd raise our glasses for sure!!!

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  10. @Mr Mrs Crafty and Carol...since she went to the middle school where you taught maybe you could find out! Be sure and let us know if you hear anything. Cheers! ha ha

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  11. @Bev and Brenda...will miss both of you at WHIBSIB too. I'll raise my glass in your honor! ha ha I'm so far behind now I'm not sure when I'll catch up!

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  12. @Miss Bee...I'm working on that recipe. I'll have to watch it or I'll become a knitaholic! :)

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  13. @Robin...we make up silly word games here too, including new lyrics! I really like Pink and that video is pretty. I hadn't seen it until you mentioned it. And where can I buy a Camel Back? ha ha

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  14. @Catherine...sometimes I can make it last and other times it might be a two glass night!

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