I Am A Bunny Ears Genius

I've always known that I'm smart, but I never suspected I was in the genius class until yesterday. Yes, it's true. I invented a new knitting decrease. It’s a single decrease which makes 2 stitches out of 3. I was trying to find a symmetrical way of going from an odd to an even number of stitches as I charted “Corona” (See Barbara Walker #2 ). I crave symmetry, and so my brain responded to that need by giving me one of my best ideas ever: The Bunny Ears Decrease. (The eyelets shown here are for photographic purposes and added 2 rows later.)

Here’s how it’s done over 3 stitches:
Knit 1rst and 2nd stitch together, but leave 2nd stitch on L needle. Reorient the loop of this stitch, then knit 2nd and 3rd stitch together through the back loops. (Which will now actually be the front loop of 2nd stitch.) See? Bunny Ears!

I asked so many boards on ravelry if anyone had heard of this, I was accused of spamming by a stern doily-making Norsewoman. (I just didn't want to take credit if someone else had thought up Bunny Ears first.) But no one had heard of it, and I mean lace knitters who've been decreasing for the last 100 years. So. I may be a genius, but I'm rotten at explaining things. Here's a (Continental-style) video on YouTube djinnj of ravelry "just threw together" to try to help herself understand my garble:

And then, because I'm can't let well enough alone, I started messing around more and came up with the version I like best. Note how the "slipped" middle stitch disappears instead of elongates? I'll use this version more! Version 2: Ssk stitches 1 & 2, reorient 2nd loop onto L needle, then k2tog this 2nd loop & stitch 3. Slipped middle stitch disappears! Simple and beautiful, So why don’t more knitters know about it? (Frothing at the mouth….)



This decrease may well revolutionize the world of knitting pattern stitches. Here's another video about The Bunny Ears Experience from the amazing djinnj of ravelry:

I find it really hard to believe I invented a new technique in the venerable world of knitting. So if anyone else has seen or heard of this, do tell, so my head can deflate a little!

Update: Okay, my head can get through the door again! There is nothing new under the knitting sun! A raveler pointed me to a link which explains Robert Powell's 3 to 2 decrease. The final outcome looks basically the same as the 2nd version of Bunny Ears though it's somehow bulkier, though I'd need stronger glasses to see why. I suspect it's because he slips the 1rst, not the 2nd, stitch. "Our" way of doing it is faster, once you get the hang of it, if I do say so myself! And why not? It's my freaking egomaniacal blog, ennit?

Baby's First Socks

Here they are, the first pair of socks I've ever knitted. I'm a proud parent: these are the socks, with the help of books and some Internet guidance, which taught me how to cast on toe-ups, knit two at a time on one Magic Loop, and turn hole-free short-row heels. That all took some doin'! My tongue was sticking out of the corner of my mouth a lot. These are a little snug, which is tough on the lace pattern around the ankle, but they're still cute and wearable. Next time I'll allow more ease. I couldn't have done this a year ago. Cock-A-Doodle Doo! Here's the biggest advantage of this sort of sock knitting: no row counting to make two socks come out exactly the same size! "O, How I Loathe — Counting Rows — I Always Lose Track — And It Shows." The pain and agony of figuring out this unusual method was definitely worth it.

The Best Of The Best Of

The Riverfront Times XXX (30th Anniversary) Best of St. Louis Issue is now on your newstands. I think all the blurb contributors to The Best are supposed to remain somewhat anonymous, since I have no byline. My name does appear, however, under "writers" on the masthead. So let's just say a certain someone who also authors this blog may have had something to do with the following:
Best Junk Shop, Best Thrift Store, Best Antique Store, Best Sammiches, Best Kept Secret (Bar Division).