Knitting Notions and Purls of Wisdom

Before You Learn To Knit...Some Great Pointers You Should Know

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:02:00 GMT

Learning to knit only involves five steps:

Making a slip knot
Casting on your stitches
Learning the Knit stitch
Learning the purl stitch
Binding off

Once you know these you are ready to go! The next few blogs will go over these techniques to help you get started with the wonderful world of knitting! But first I thought I would share with you some great things to know as a beginner.

Remember Rome was not built in a day...so take it slowly with some patience...before you know it you will get the hand of the knit and purl stitch
Try both English and Continental style knitting to see which you prefer
Learn a few ways to cast on to see how this process works and how different cast on's have different looking edges
Once you feel comfortable with your knit and purl stitch, try a small project...there is no need to try cabling or lace now because it will just overwhelm you
Before you start your project, read through the knitting pattern completely to ensure you understand all of it
Always knit a swatch before you start a new project...there is nothing more frustrating than spending hours knitting a sweater and then finding out it is either ten times too big or ten times too small! Also, with your swatch you can learn how to bind off your stitches.
If your first project requires a few balls of the same coloured yarn, be sure to check the dye lot to make sure they match
Do not stress if you run into problems...remember even the most experienced knitters have issues from time to time

Click, Clack..Which Needle Type Is the Best?

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:45:00 GMT

When you are a beginner you may not realize the pros and cons of different knitting needle types. Matter of fact when you go to buy your first pair you may be confused by the different types starting back at you from the shelves.

There are three basic types available:

Metal - These are the traditional needle type. They are the heaviest and do not bend easily. They are perfect if you tend to have a really tight tension as you do not have to worry about accidentally snapping a needle in half. (This may sound funny...but I know of someone who knits so tightly that they have trouble getting their stitches off their needles...I guess they are pretty wound up and the tension is coming out in their tension?) Metal needles are very slippery so you will find that your stitches slip off the ends easily...this is one reason I would not suggest a beginner to use these. When you are more advanced in your knitting technique you may like the way the stitches slip easily off the needle...it means you can knit super fast! Metal needles are not that great to use with smooth yarns such as merino, cashmere, etc may slide off too easily! One little benefit of metal needles is that you really hear the "click, clack" of your knitting...it really helps for those of us who use their knitting as meditation (maybe this is not working yet for my friend with the really, really, intensely tight tension?).

Plastic - These are cheap and very easy to use. They are light weight and great for people with arthritis. These needles are also flexible, but sturdy. You can easily use most yarn types on plastic needles...though you may still find them too slippery for some smooth yarns.

Wood - This is the latest craze in needle type. They have a fabulously warm feel to them when you are knitting. Wooden needles are great for smooth yarns and perfect for all knitting skill levels. You can choose between a variety of woods, for example bamboo, rosewood and surina wood. Some wooden needles are highly smoothed (ie. rosewood) and do not "grab" the stitches as much as bamboo or surina needles. So keep this in mind when choosing which wooden ones you would like to use. Also, wooden needles in smaller sizes can accidentally snap, so you will want to take care when using them.

My personal favorite is wooden needles. I like them the best because they are the most comfortable (I find metal really harsh and hard on my joints...I do have some carpal tunnel issues still). I also like wooden because they are more environmentally friendly (I try to avoid any excess exposure to plastic...don't think I am a freak...I have just read too many scientific reports and books on the negative effects of plastic on the body and the environment...I am a "greenie").

Regardless of my opinion, I suggest you try all of the types before you settle on one. You need to find the one that you love the most because it will mean you enjoy your knitting even more!

Journal Your Knitting: A Way To Remember All Those Thoughts About That Yarn or Project

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:57:00 GMT

Some of us journal and some of us don't. But if you want to journal I thought I would share the type of stuff I think is worth keeping track of:

Title of the Project/Pattern and Where You Got the Idea From
Type of Yarn Used and Amount
Colour of the Yarn
Crochet Hook Size Used
Gauge/Tension of the Project
Recommended Care Instructions for the Yarn
Any Problems with the Pattern or Any Pattern Adjustments
Notes on Anything You Liked (or Didn't Like)
A Photo of the Finished Item
Any Issues After You Started Wearing the Garment (ie. Did the yarn bloom a little or a lot? or Did you find the yarn could handle being in the washing machine? or Did the colour bleed heaps?)

Are You Genetically Programmed To Never Knit A Swatch?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

I had someone ask me about tension and knitting gauge importance because they are (in their own words) "genetically programmed to never knit a swatch." This friend is a new knitter but just does not want to mess with swatches at all....so I told her that if she was that dead set against knitting a swatch, then the best course of action is the following:

Stick to projects where tension does not matter (ie. scarves, pillow cases, afghans and shawls)
Do projects where you can get away with it if the size comes out too small or too big (ie. baby or kid's clothes)
Start knitting what ever project you want, but measure your tension about 10cm into the project and if the tension is wrong, FROG IT, Rip it out and start over....hopefully the second time you get it right...if not then I really hope the third time is a charm!

If you are "anti-knitting-a-swatch" then I suggest keeping a knitting journal so that you remember your tension for particular yarns for projects you do later...or stick using the same yarn all the time....this way you could get away with only knitting one swatch or using the same tension for later projects.

Starting Knitting? What Tools You Need?

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:14:00 GMT

For those of you interested in learning to knit, you only need 2 things to get you started:

one pair of straight knitting needles in one of the middle sizes (For example, try a size 5mm and avoid anything below a 4mm...you do not want to cramp your knuckles with super thin knitting needles for your first attempt at knitting). I would suggest wood or bamboo needles to start with. I personally cannot stand knitting with aluminum needles so I never suggest using them...but if you really want to try them first go right ahead. I think bamboo and wood are just so much nicer to work with. If you happen to find a great bargain on plastic ones then these are also ok to start on.

a ball or skein of worsted weight yarn that is smooth and even in texture (it is much easier to see stitch definition on this type...avoid any overly furry or slub yarns because you may not notice if you drop stitches or you may just find the yarn frustrating to work with as a beginner). Be sure to pick a yarn you love in a colour you love!

I would suggest avoiding acrylic yarns for learning to knit because it may be too scratchy for your liking. When you start pick a soft, smooth yarn that you will enjoy working with. You do not have to spend much for your first yarn...you want to be frugal, not cheap. You want to make sure you enjoy knitting before filling your home with yarn.

I think it is good to start with knitting a swatch first and then move on to a simple project like a scarf or a vest that requires little (if any) shaping. So, other tools you will find useful are a pair of scissors and a yarn sewing needle. This will help you finish your first swatch and project. You may also need a crochet needle...but it depends on the exact first project you try. I will help you learn the stitches and get you knitting (and purling) soon.

Common Knitting Abbreviations: Learn the Lingo to Get You Started

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:34:00 GMT

The following is a list of common abbreviations used in knitting patterns. This will helps us get ready for upcoming projects. Please let us know if we have forgotten any by adding in a comment below this post.

alt	alternate
approx	approximately
beg	beginning/begin
bet	between
CA	colour A
CB	colour B
CC	contrasting colour
cn	cable needle
co	cast on
cont	continue
dec	decrease/decreases/decreasing
dpn	double pointed needles
fl	front loops
foll	follow/follows/following
inc	increase/increases/increasing
k	knit
k2tog	knit two stitches together
kwise	knitwise
LH	left hand
lp(s)	loops
M1	make one stitch
MC	main colour
p	purl
patt	pattern/patterns
pm	place maker
p2tog	purl two stitches together
prev	previous
psso	pass slip stitch over
pwise	purl wise
rem	remain/remaining
rep	repeat/repeats
red st st	reverse stockinette stitch
RH	right hand
rnd	round/rounds
rnds	rounds
RS	right side
sk	skip
skp	slip, knit, pass slip stitch over
sk2p	slip one stitch, knit two stitches together, pass slip stitch over
sl	slip
sl1k	slip one knitwise
slp1	slip one purlwise
sl st	slip stitch/stitches
ssk	slip one st, slip one st, knit the two slip stitches together
sssk	slip one st, slip one st, slip one st, knit the three slip stitches together
st	stitch
sts	stitches
St st	stockinette stitch
tbl	through back of loop
tog	together
WS	wrong side
wyib	with yarn in back
wyif	with yarn in front
yfwd	yarn forward
yo	yarn over
yrn	yarn around needle
yon	yarn over needle

A Knitting Joke My Friend Told Me The Other Day

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:03:00 GMT

My friend told me this joke the other day...

A cop car chased a speeding car and when he caught up with it he saw a women inside knitting. He began to yell to her "Pull Over! Pull Over!." The woman yelled back to him "No! It is a cardigan!"

Do you have any other knitting jokes?? Please let us know below in the comments.

What Is Stitch Definition?

Fri, 15 May 2009 09:38:00 GMT

Stitch definition is how clearly you can see individual stitches in a worked fabric. For example, knitting with cotton yarns usually gives you great stitch definition where you can easily see all of the stitches. Knitting with mohair results in a fuzzier fabric where the stitch definition is not as easily distinguishable. Some natural fibres can be felted which disrupts the stitch definition where they are less distinguishable.

Knitting Pain? Some Info On Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Fri, 01 May 2009 10:13:00 GMT

Not too long ago I was at the doctor's for a check up and found out that I had Carpal Tunnel syndrome. The doctor uttered those unimaginable, dreaded words...."You must take a break from knitting and crocheting!"

My Carpal Tunnel is related to my pregnancy but I know many people develop it as a result of repetitive finger and thumb motions. When I got home that day, I quickly researched what causes carpal tunnel and what can be done about it because I could not imagine not being able to knit or crochet!

WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by abnormal pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. The median nerve rests in the "tunnel" shaped structure called the Carpal Tunnel. This tunnel is filled to the brim with tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and the median nerve. There is not much room left so when any of the structures in this "tunnel" become enlarged and swollen, pressure is exerted onto the median nerve which results in pain, burning, numbness, tingling or weakness. These symptoms can progress to the point where an individual loses strength in their hand as well as possibly losing the ability to make a fist or pick up objects.

WHAT CAUSES CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?

The most common cause of Carpal Tunnel syndrome is repetitive motions when the hand is flexed at the wrist. These motions exert pressure on the carpal tunnel area and the tendons and ligaments react by swelling, thus putting pressure on the median nerve.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel syndrome include prolonged computer keyboard typing, driving long distance, use of tools, fluid retention, cysts, tumours, wrist fractures and arthritis. In my case, the swelling associated with pregnancy caused my Carpal Tunnel.

Some theories state that some individuals might be at higher risk of developing Carpal Tunnel syndrome due to their genetics. Basically, their genes determine the size of the Carpal Tunnel therefore some of us may just have a smaller amount of "room" in our tunnel compared to others.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?

In my case I was told to use a wrist splint to keep my wrist mobilized. This gives the area a good rest and kept me from doing anything that may irritate the condition. I also used this when I slept as I found that I would wake up with that infamous "pins and needles" feeling in my hand.

The doctor advised me to do some stretching and isometric exercises to help the wrist and prevent the condition from worsening. He also mentioned that when I do start my knitting up again, that I should take frequent breaks.

I did some research to find what other things have worked for Carpal Tunnel sufferers who are knitters and crocheters. One site recommended that you keep several projects going at once that used different gauges and types of yarns and needles....I was really happy to read this suggestions as my husband always laughs at how many projects I have going at one time. He always asks..."why do you not do one at a time?"...I told him he just would not understand unless he learned to knit!

Another suggestion for when your pain is really bad, is to do a project that uses an elastic yarn versus a non-elastic yarn until the pain subsides. You can also use circular needles versus straight during a really painful time with your Carpal Tunnel. Circular needles tend to take the weight off your hands and wrists in comparison to straight needles.

Other suggestions include knitting and crocheting in a warmer room as you are more likely to develop joint stiffness in cold environments. Also, improving ones posture and making sure you are not bending your wrist too much while knitting and crocheting can help avoid putting too much pressure on the area.

KNITTING AND CROCHET IS BENEFICIAL TO YOUR HEALTH!

Remember knitting and crochet should be beneficial to your health...not harmful! So if you are experiencing painful episodes in your hands and wrists like I did, then you should see your doctor to be properly diagnosed.

Thankfully, in my case, my symptoms should start subsiding now that I have had my gorgeous little one. So I will be able to continue my knitting and crocheting soon....I just have to first figure out how to do it without falling asleep (since I am bit sleep deprived at the moment!).

Knitting Superstitions: The Boyfriend's Sweater Curse

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:36:00 GMT

I guess it is only natural that knitting has some superstitions around it. The one that always has intrigued me is known as "the boyfriend's sweater curse."

Basically, this curse states that if you give a hand knit sweater or jumper to your significant other, you significant other will leave you. There are versions to this curse that state that your partner will leave you while you are still knitting the sweater.

Where would such an idea come from?

With some research I found that the following ideas surround the origins of this myth:

With all the time and money you put into making a sweater for your boyfriend, you may get very emotional and touchy if they do not appreciate it or wear it enough for your liking....therefore tension is created in the relationship which may "unravel" your special bond
Maybe because of the hard work and emotion attached to making a sweater, you may just remember a break up with someone you knitted for? If this is the case, then everyone would have a "boyfriend sweater" story to tell...which would prolong and heighten the idea of this curse
Giving a hand knit sweater too soon in a relationship (or before a relationship is "serious" enough) may put too much pressure on the receiver, therefore scaring them off.
Is it possible that since some people take a long while to knit their sweater, the relationship just has run its natural course and has come to end just at the time you happen to finish your project?
I think if you are going to knit your significant partner a sweater, make sure it is stylish and something they will want to wear. You do not want to give them a dreaded "Christmas themed" sweater or a colour that they would never wear normally. You need to make sure it is something that they will wear in public without worry. If you give them something hideous, they will not want to wear it and may leave out of guilt...or you may start arguing because you feel they did not appreciate such a heart-felt gift.

Can the curse be broken?

Ideas to break the curse involve asking your significant other to share in planning the project by letting them choose what they want made. This will help you gauge whether the gift is a good idea or not because you will be able to see their response and commitment to the idea.

I am not sure about this curse because, to be honest, I have not knitted my husband a sweater before. Maybe I am superstitious but cannot admit it to myself? I think it is more that I love knitting lacey, girlie projects and I know that my husband will want a simple, dark coloured jumper (which I might find a bit boring to do right now?). Or maybe I should just knit him a scarf, hat or gloves and see how that goes first? (He has been asking me to make him something lately...so I think I will give it a go and just make him that plain charcoal colours jumper he wants!)

Use the curse to your advantage to get rid of your man?

Just a thought...if you are trying to get rid of your partner...maybe you should hand knit them a sweater and see if this makes "getting rid of them" easier? This could be an easy method to use for breaking up. (I think in this case you should make sure you do not get too far along in actually making the sweater)

I would love to know your stories and thoughts on this curse!! Please comment on this blog or start a new forum topic to share your tales.

What Can We Do With That Swatch Now That We Are Done With It?

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:22:00 GMT

Once you are done with your swatch you can unravel it to keep as extra yarn...but I usually do not do this because it has been washed and blocked already. This is why I recommend having an extra ball of yarn for your project because you may have to complete a couple swatches to get your knitting right.

With your natural fibre yarns you can easily wash the swatch again (or even a few times) to see how the yarn blooms...or maybe you want to see how it felts? Then get that swatch in some hot water and try your hand at felting. If anything it just can help inspire you with what else you can do with your knitting.

I knew someone who kept all their swatches and then would stitch some together for rags to clean the house. I knew someone else who would keep them to make patchwork blankets out of them later. Some of the blankets did come out gorgeous and had an amazing array of colours and textures.

If you have anymore ideas like this please add them to our forum...we would love to hear about them!

You Have Knitted a Swatch...Now What? Check Your Gauge!

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:34:00 GMT

Once you have knitted your swatch, you need to measure your gauge. Some people recommend washing and letting your swatch sit for a bit before measuring to allow the yarn to settle. If I can be patient enough to start my project I will follow this advice (especially if I am using a natural fibre yarn). So hand wash your swatch and block it, letting it lay flat to completely dry.

Why wash and block your swatch? Because some yarns will stretch with washing so you want to make sure your project will end up perfect and not get all wrecked after one wash. Before you start a project is the best time to make adjustments. Another great thing about washing and blocking is that it will help you see how the finished fabric will look.

Now pin down your swatch so it lays flat. Just make sure you do not pull it tight, otherwise you may accidentally skew the measurements. Some ribbing does use a gauge based on it being slightly stretched...so if this is the case just slightly stretch the swatch...but not too much. Place a ruler down on your swatch and get your ruler. I suggest a ruler because some tape measures have a little stretch to them and we want to be as accurate as possible with our measuring.

Using the ruler, place two pins apart from each other horizontally which are 10cm/4 inches apart across your stitches in one row. Repeat this with two more pins in the vertical direction so that you can also count your number of rows. Now count your stitches and rows. I always repeat this count at least once. The first photo here shows green pins placed for counting stitches across one row. The second photo shows green pins placed for counting the number of rows vertically down the swatch. ((Please forgive me but I could not find my ruler today!))

Some recommended gauges will be given as the knitted swatch slight stretched. This is usually the case with ribbed gauges. So in this instance it is ok to slightly stretch your swatch when pinning. But only do this when the pattern calls for it. I know we all try to cheat on this sometimes (especially when we are soooooooo close to getting that recommended gauge). But it is best to try to avoid doing this to make sure you do not cause a problem later on. We need to be honest with ourselves here. (I have been at this point many times where you are out by one stitch...I know we all try to fool ourselves because the last thing we want to do is make another swatch...we want to get on with our project!...but you may want to still try a different needle size so that you do not need to make any pattern adjustments.)

What happens if I have too many stitches and too many rows?

You will need a larger needle size for your project. If you are way out with your swatch with a lot of stitches it may be best to go up 2 needle sizes and repeat making a swatch. If you are only out by a few stitches redo your swatch with one size larger needles. Note: It is a good idea to repeat knitting the swatch to make sure you have the right size needle (I know at this point we always want to get on with our project...but trust me, it is a good idea to redo your swatch)

What happens if I do not have enough stitches or not enough rows?

You will need a smaller needle size for your project. If you are way out with your swatch it may be best to go down 2 needle sizes and repeat making a swatch. If you are only out by a few stitches redo your swatch with one size smaller needles. (Again, it is best to redo your swatch to ensure you are using the right needle size)

Does the number of rows really matter?

A lot of times you will not have to be concerned as much with the number of rows because a lot of patterns give you a length to knit to. But if your pattern is based on using a chart, then the amount of rows is very important. Another reason row gauge may be important, is in a pattern with set in sleeve or cap sleeves. Without a correct row gauge, your shaping may be all skewed and ill fitting.

Now that you have checked your gauge/tension and you have it spot on to the recommendations...you can finally get started on your project! Happy Knitting!

What So Many Of Us "Try" to Avoid...Knitting a Swatch!

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:35:00 GMT

I know we all do it at some point. We get tempted to skip this step of a project and we give in to that urge, only to find at the end that we have a ridiculous large (or small and stiff) finished item. It is so heartbreaking that you spend all that time doing your project to have it come out this way. You just have to cry!

What is the best way to avoid this scenario? Always knit a swatch....and I mean always. I know we can easily talk ourselves out of doing this but it really is an important step in a successful project. Afterall, it would be ashame to have to unravel your gorgeous sweater or jumper that you just spent so much time making. Who wants to have to do that? (Speaking from experience...it can bring tears to your eyes when you are pulling it all apart and having to start over)

I have always wondered why we avoid swatching? I tend to knit with a loose tension on my swatches which has surprised me...I always expect to have it knit tighter because I am so anxious to get the swatch completed that you would think that my "tension" would result in a tighter swatch "tension." Or maybe because I am knitting so fast to get it over with that I do not pull my yarn tight enough? Regardless, I find my tension sometimes does change slightly between the swatch and the actually project I am working on. So I have learned that it is best to knit a large swatch to ensure that I get a true representation of how I will be knitting in my actual project.

I guess we just have to remind ourselves that everyone knits differently and our own knitting tension can actually change as well. I know that during stressful times I do knit tighter. Therefore, since our knitting can change a swatch is important to make before all our projects (even when we really want to skip making it).

We just need to get through the negative thoughts we have about swatches, tension and needle sizes. I have a friend who panics over using smaller needles, so she does get a bit of a mental block when a pattern calls for one needle size and she actually needs to use a much smaller size to get the recommended tension. I keep telling her to not look at the needle size of the pattern...that this is just a recommendation or starting point...that she just needs to worry about achieveing the correct tension. I may actually need to "white out" the needle sizes on her patterns so that she stops avoiding some great patterns just because she is afraid she will need a smaller needle size.

I think the best method here is to think of your swatch as your test run with the yarn or pattern. You can get used to the way it knits and find out if there are any issues with it. For example, maybe it is the first time you are using a ribbon yarn? So you knit a swatch and get used to how the stitches work and how the drape of the fabric comes out. Maybe you are working with a mohair yarn and your last 10 projects were all a smooth cashmere or merino? So you knit a swatch to get used to the "furriness" and how it works on your needles. Or maybe you are trying a new cable or lace pattern with a yarn you have used for ages? Again, making a swatch will get you used to how the yarn handles this new stitch pattern and if there are any issues you need to watch out for. Lastly, with colour, maybe you are wanting to combine two colours together but you are not sure if they will come out looking fabulous together? So sit back and knit your swatch to see if you like how they look.

Knitting a swatch only takes about a half an hour to do on average so it is not much time when you consider how much time it will take for your actual project. It is much better (and easier) to work out any "kinks" with your project in the beginning instead of at the end when it is too late. Swatching is your best tool to ensure a great finished result for your knitting because it will get you comfortable with that new yarn or pattern before you start the "real deal." It will help you achieve more accurate and precise measurements in your project.

Swatches basically are the first step in working out if you need to make any adjustments with your pattern in order to have it fit perfectly. Your swatch does not have to perfectly fit the pattern...obviously it should be close to the recommended gauge...but it can also help you make a custom fit. I am sometimes in between sizes so I use my swatch as a basis for how I can make slight alterations to the pattern to make the end result fit better. You could consider making swatches as the first step towards learning how to design your own patterns.

One last thing about a swatch is that it may help you realise you absolutely hate the yarn you are working with. At least it saved you so much time and pain from trying to do a project with a yarn you just cannot stand. So I guess the moral of this story is that we really need to make swatches our friend and not our enemy.

Interesting Fact On Knitted Socks and the Football Field

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:35:00 GMT

Did you know that the average paid of adult knitted socks is usually done with about 400 yards (366 metres) of yarn? What is really crazy about this, is that this amount of yarn can stretch over 4 football fields! It is hard to believe that a few skeins in your hands can actually cover quite a long distance.

Knitting Keeps Your Healthy: One More Reason to Have a Massive Yarn Stash

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:55:00 GMT

Experts say that knitting and crocheting help to keep us healthy by lowering our stress levels as well as keeping us balanced. I think most of us will already agree that this is true...but science now has actual "evidence" to show that knitting and crocheting has a positive effect on the body.

Today we are overwhelmingly exposed to graphics and audio signals which flood our senses constantly. Knitting and crocheting gives us a "time out" from this overload, therefore giving our body some much needed relaxation.

Science has shown that people who allow themselves to take part in activities that they really enjoy are less likely to get sick, anxious or depressed. The happiness we experience from taking the time out to knit or crochet actually halts the release of cortisol which is a stress hormone that has been shown to weaken the immune system. Therefore, our crafting helps us reduce stress and boost our immune system. This effect decreases our chances of catching that awful flu or cold going around town!

The repetitive motions of knitting and crocheting activate the same areas of the brain that meditation and yoga do. This activation lowers blood pressure as well as our heart rate and can reduce overall pain levels. The clicking and clacking of the needles, or the looping of the hook, induce a calming mantra on the body just like meditation does. In fact, knitting and crocheting have been beneficial in reducing asthma, panic attacks as well as helping to manage ADHD in children.

So with this evidence in mind, we should be encouraging everyone to pick up their knitting needles and crochet hooks for a little while everyday! I guess it is like the saying "An apple a day"...but instead we should saying "knitting and crocheting every day will help keep the doctor away!"