KNITTING WITHOUT DOG HAIR IS NOT AN OPTION

Sorry, my dear knitting friends - this is mostly a non-knitting entry and it is especially for Ann and anyone else who is interested in some Bavarian traditions.

A while back, I posted a picture of two boys wearing lovely cable sweaters and Lederhosen. Ann asked if these pants are also called Plattlerhosen. Well, her spelling was a little off - Gerplatnerhosen - but close enough for me to understand what she was asking about. And the answer is yes.

Plattlerhosen are worn by Bavarian men when they perform a specific dance called Schuhplatteln. Prepare yourself for some funny tunes and dance steps. ;-)

With thanks to YouTube - you really can find anything posted there.

And from a Bavarian Schuhplattlers website:

Schuhplatteln, which means slapping the shoe soles, originated in the Alpine regions of Austria and Bavaria during the 17th century, and had a very practical beginning.

During the winter months, when the men went into the mountains to cut wood, they spent their evenings in a wooden cabin. Partly as entertainment, but mostly as a means of keeping warm, they began jumping up and down and slapping their thighs. This developed into a sort of competition to see who could jump the highest or stamp their feet the loudest. The story also goes that they had watched the male grouse drumming and strutting in the woods, and that some of the dance steps that were later developed depicted this ritual. After several weeks in the mountains, when the young woodchoppers returned to their villages, they tried to impress the girls with their Schuhplatteln.

It's always about the girls, isn’t it?

So, these Plattlerhosen are made of leather (Leder) and are therefore also called Lederhosen. I'm guessing that they make the pants out of leather because it makes a nice sound when you slap your hands on it. The most common leather used to make these pants is cowhide, deer or goat. Yeah, I know, it makes neck hair stand on end as well.

And now you can say "Ya know... I learned something today", just like the kids in South Park. ;-)

A little knitting update (still no pictures... I know - I need to get my behind in gear) to close this cultural post.

On Sunday, I started a baby blanket with little sheep in the pattern for my German coworker who will have a baby boy in June. I'm past the first couple of sheep and it is so cute. So cute that it made hubby laugh because the sheep's ears are knitted to stick out of the blanket.

I started yet another pair of socks - this time with the 6-ply Regia Polar I just got from Germany:

Since the yarn is very busy colorwise, I chose a super-easy ribbing pattern and I did the German boomerang heel on the first sock. I'm about 3-4 inches away from finishing the first sock. Knitting on US #2 and only 48 stitches around is an unusual sock pattern for me. I'm more the #0-68sts kinda gal. This means I'm getting closer to translating the Boomerang heel into English for y'all, even tho' I have to say I'm not really in love with this heel. It's very fast but it feels bumpy inside the sock.

And shockingly, those two projects haven't even made it onto my Ravelry list... Geez...

And last but not least, the top-down cable cardigan from my Mission: Possible 2008 list is making really good progress. I'm about 5-6 inches away from binding off the body. Which means only the sleeves will remain to be done.

I'll take pictures tonight. PROMISE!!!