Growing Up is Hard to Do

I've only been knitting for five months, but I feel like I have been doing this for years. My knitting skills are much more advanced than they were even 3 months ago. I try to view every new project as an opportunity to learn. No other project as helped me grow as a knitter as much as my current one. Let me start off by saying that when I first found this project the pattern said it was "designed for the discriminating knitter". Which I took as, "This is not your average blanket so be ready to put some work into it." Since I learned early on to practice new patterns in my gauge square (avoiding mistakes in the actual projects), I was up for the challenge.

It seemed easy enough for me. the pattern consists of cabling and lace. I've done cabling no problem, it was the lace that terrified me a bit. So I decided to practice it before I started. After about 4 tries, I felt I had learned to do the lace portion of the pattern just fine. I decided to go ahead and cast on. About 16 rows into the pattern, I stopped and realized I had messed up. A lot. So I cried in frustration for about thirty seconds, and frogged it. I started over again, and caught myself making the same mistakes, but this time I realized it much sooner and took a deep breath and unknitted back to the point of my mistake. Pretty soon, I was getting the hang of it. Then I suddenly realized how I would keep making the same mistakes. By this point my head was pretty clear and I decided to try to come up with a better solution rather than give myself a few seconds of deep breathing before tinking back. My biggest problem is that I would keep forgetting yarn overs.

Let me stop for a second to explain WHY this is such a big deal. When it comes to a row with yarn overs I make about thirty. Missing just ONE would be very noticable. The only thing is, its hard to notice you missed one until you get to the next row.

Fortunately for me, I discovered that I could easily pick up some yarn from the previous row and mock a yarn over, and it really doesn't look that different! I stood up and did a booty dance. Okay not literally, my family would laugh at me, but in my head I was doing it. 

I'd like to say that it was smooth sailing, but sadly, it wasn't. No one is perfect, especially not me. As much as I try to pay attention and count everything, I still mess up. Sometimes I forget to change up my pattern, other times I accidentally drop a bunch of stitches. The only difference is that now I know how to fix my mistakes with grace and you can't even tell. I wouldn't call myself a stitch "Doctor" just yet, but I have definitely progressed to stitch "Nurse."

Looking Through Rose Colored Glasses

I was just logged into Ravelry looking at my completed projects, and I came to the realization that I REALLY like pink. With a exception of the brown shrug I made for my first project, everything has some sort of pink worked into it. Apparently, I have yet to discover other parts of the color spectrum! So I think that I will ban pink from future projects for awhile, maybe until my birthday in March.

I don't exactly remember where I read it, but I read a blog where this girl would buy sweaters or other knit items that were on sale in stores, and unravel it to use the yarn for another project! Genius! Why didn't I think of this?! I am contemplating sneaking into my mom's closet and stealing some of her ugliest sweaters (none are pink!) to take apart and use for my own projects... maybe I can make her something less ugly, haha. Talk about being green and recycling!

Warning: Project in picture may turn out better than it appears

So there's a saying that goes, "Never judge a book by it's cover." In the knitting world, it would be, "Never judge a pattern by its picture." I would have to say that is my BIG lesson this month.

Everyone seems to be having babies. I recently completed my first baby blanket which went ok, my gauge was wacky, but I my friend won't even notice ;) . Last week, I realized I have to begin the blanket for my husbands cousin, and soon, seeing that she's due in less than TWO months. AND another friend of mine asked if I could make a blanket for her sisters baby (thankfully, I can put that one off for awhile as she JUST found out she was expecting) So I jumped on Ravelry and began searching for baby blanket patterns. After two hours, I went to bed with a headache. I logged on this morning to look at a project someone had made and saw a blanket she had completed a few months ago. It was gorgeous. What's funny is that, the pattern she used was the one I was going to originally use to make the first baby blanket. I changed my mind after I found a pattern for a "cuter" blanket.

How wrong I was to base my cuteness scale on a picture. You would think I would know by now that there are three factors that determine the outcome of any knitting project: yarn, needles, and the hands that make it. So OF COURSE my project would look much different than a picture of the same project someone else made. From now on, I will definitely keep this important lesson in mind when searching patterns. As I type this, I realize this epiphany of sorts doesn't make my life any easier. In fact, it does the opposite, because NOW, when I search patterns, I will envision how different it can look with a different type and color yarn!

This is why I need to just create my own patterns...

I'm officially a designer!!

If you look under the "Designs" tab you will see a special section to help you search for things created just by yours truly! I have put up my very first pattern, the Hello Kitty leg warmers my sister requested for her birthday. I searched for hours on the web trying to find something remotely close to what my sister wanted, but found nothing. So I decided to just try to make some on my own. While I loved the challenge of creating my own pattern, I think I need to work on my knitting skills just a bit more before tackling any more . Feed back is very welcome, please feel free to share any changes you may have made when making this for yourself!

Hello Kitty Legwarmers

Finished measurements:

Gauge: 4”= 26 sts

Materials:

Size 5 US dpns (set of 4)

(A) 2 skeins Berroco Pure Merino DK in Black Magic (100% Merino 50 grams/126 yards)

(B) 1 skein Colinette Cadenza in Magenta (100% Merino 50 grams/132 yards)

(C) 1 skein Berroco Pure Merino DK in Ecru (100% Merino 50 grams/126 yards)

(D) 1 skein Berroco Pure Merino DK in Cardinal (100% Merino 50 grams/126 yards)

(E) 1 skein Berroco Pure Merino in Mimosa  (100% Merino 50grams/92 yards)

3 stitch markers

**Note Color (E) is only going to be used for two stitches (really) so if you have any leftover yellow yarn that you think will work for her nose, feel free to substitute it in**

CO 64 sts with (A). Divide sts onto 3 needles (20, 20, 24) Make sure the needle you will be working with first has the largest amount of sts.

Join in round. Place stitch marker to indicate beginning of round.

With (A), work 1x1 rib for 12 rnds

*With (B) knit across for 8 rnds

With (A) knit across for 8 rnds

Repeat from * 2 more times

Begin working row 1 of color chart 1 for 24 sts. Finish round with (B)

Continue in this fashion through row 8 of color chart 1

Begin working row 9 of color chart 1 for 24 sts. Finish round with (A)

Continue in this fashion through row 16 of color chart 1

Begin working row 17 of color chart 1 for 24 sts. Finish round with (B)

Continue in this fashion through row 24 of color chart 1

With (A), work 1x1 rib for 12 rnds.

BO loosely

repeat for second legwarmer except use color chart 2

Color Chart 1

Color Chart 2

Burn, baby, burn

I've become somewhat of a yarn snob. I didn't mean to, honestly. I started out trying to be frugal, after all, not knowing how deep into it I was about to get. So when I began working on the back pack for my daughter, I figure, hey its for a six-year-old, no reason to drop a load of cash for her. How wrong I was. I fished out $20 for four skeins of worsted 100% acrylic yarn, and was left with a LOT of left over yarn. I've used it to knit a couple of cell phone covers, and currently working on a hat with kitty ears. Let me tell you, any time I have good yarn I spent good money on, I am quick to begin working with it. My kitty ear hat sits forlorn on my nightstand, day after day, while I knit up blankets, hats, legwarmers, and a shrug with better quality yarn.

So why the standoffish attitude towards the cheap yarn? I like quality. I understand that for most things, if you skimp on the dollar, you skimp on the quality. My husband is just now beginning to understand why I'll spend $60 for a pair of jeans at a department store, instead of $20 at a discount store. Cheaper yarn generally isn't high in quality. The manufacturer uses a percentage of the fiber that makes good quality yarn, and substitutes acrylic in for the rest, making it cheaper to produce. So obviously the cheapest yarn out there will be 100% acrylic. While that makes it easy on my wallet, it takes its toll on my knitting. It's hard for me to work with. I find myself putting more effort into making those stitches because the yarn won't slide off my needle or through the old stitch easily. I don't know why, but it also dried out my hands. Besides, the finished product just LOOKS cheap. I don't want to make something that looks like it could be purchased at the local dollar store. I'm tempted to host a bonfire and just use all that acrylic for kindle. I wonder how it will burn? I know that sounds dark, but really, that's how much I dislike that yarn. I am now a firm believer that acrylic should be for my nails ONLY.  From here on out, if it isn't found in nature (on a plant or from an animal/worm) then it isn't for me!

I'm a Barbie girl

Over these past few months, I've had to buy many kinds of yarn for all of the projects I've done and have collected a bit of a collection of the left over yarn. I grew up in a home where being wasteful was a big NO-NO. I don't know how many times my mother told me, "You better appreciate what you have, because your cousins in the Philippines don't have it."

So, naturally, I look at all that left over yarn and automatically start thinking of things I need to do with it so it doesn't end up in the trash. I've knitted a couple small pieces (baby hats, cell phone covers) and have grown quite bored making them. I entertained the idea of making some amigurumi but I don't know how far I can go with that before everyone gets tired of receiving them from me!

Then a GENIUS idea came to me. Why not knit barbie doll clothes? She spends half her time naked anyways (you'll understand when you have a little girl in your life under the age of 10) Not only will I have something to do with that extra yarn, but I will be able to practice making all sorts of different projects (just miniaturized) AND barbie will have an extensive FREE wardrobe! Can I get a what what?

Knit me baby, one more time

Wow I have been so busy. I have completed a few projects these past few weeks, will add them to the end of this blog.

I find it really funny that when people FIRST find out I knit, I get one of two responses: "Wow, you're an old lady now, can you knit me something?" or "I have ALWAYS wanted to learn how but never had the time(don't have patience, it looks hard, etc), can you knit me something?" Since I am still fairly new to the knitting world and obscenely obsessed (I caught myself smelling my yarn in the car), I am pretty generous with knitting things for people right now. The ladies at my LYS did make a valid point with me yesterday. Only the people who are crafty themselves will truly appreciate what it takes to make that sweater. So I decided to reserve my big projects to immediate family only. The one exception to my new rule is a pullover hoodie my cousin wants me to make her by Christmas, but that's because she is buying the yarn.

About to start my sisters birthday present. She requested pink and black striped leg warmers with a Hello Kitty face on the calves, so this is a totally custom made pattern. I am currently working on my gauge and trying to make a color chart that will fit. This has to be done in 3 days! I've got my sweatbands on and "Eye of the Tiger" playing in the background. Let's do this!!!

And now for pictures! I recently completed my daughters backpack and the baby blanket for my friend:

Time to Get Back on Track!

I spent the past two weeks cleaning out my mom's garage and backyard, preparing for my nephew's birthday party. It was a big project that has really taken it's toll on my body and mind. I am hoping to take the next few days easy and just concentrate on working on the baby blanket, seeing that I am depressingly behind by a few days. Yes, I have OCD and even with knitting, I have to organize it. After completing the first section of the blanket, I calculated with how much time per day I would need to put in to complete the blanket. I calculated that if I dedicated 4 hours a day I would have the blanket complete within two weeks. Four weeks after my cast on date, I am only sadly halfway through. My goal is to complete the blanket by this Friday, even if it means having to burn the midnight oil a few nights. I would really hate to present this to her at her high school graduation!

For the Love of Knitting

Over the past two months, my mom has walked by my shaking her head asking, "What have I started?" Since knitting is a relaxing thing for me, I do it often. Not to mention I have a very important blanket to finish before the baby actually debuts. I can't help it though, I LOVE knitting. It just fascinates me. My sister even gives me a look when we're in a store and I find some random knitted piece, look at the label, and declare that not only can I make that, but it would be tailor made. Once I figured out what makes knitting, KNITTING, I have noticed how ever present its always been in my life. I love looking at something and realizing I know how it was put together, and that MY hands can put together a similar project. And if my family deems me crazy for that, so be it.

First project!

Here are the pictures of my very first project ever! Can't wait to have many, many pictures of my creations to go through! I just started the backpack for my daugter, I'm hoping to finish it before the new school year starts!

WIP #1: Complete!

As of Wednesday night, I completed my first project! When I was about halfway done with my shrug I noticed I had made a couple mistakes. I was actually able to go in to my LYS  and (with help from the sweet girl there) fix my boo-boos, and Wednesday night I finished! Pictures will be posted soon. It is a crazy feeling to know that I took some yarn and two needles and made something wearable! My mom is super excited to wear it! I just need to block it and it will be ready for her. I showed a good friend of mine the completed shrug and now she wants one, too. I have two projects ahead of hers to finish first, my daughters punk rock backpack, and a baby blanket for my good friend who is going to be a first time mommy this September. I love doing this so there is never too many projects for me! I'm so excited!

WIP: Summer Shrug

I am up late waiting for the hubby to get off work so I can pick him up. I think to myself, this is the perfect time to work on my project! After about 3 hours I decided to take a break and upload some pictures.

I attended my very first class and it was so much fun! I was a little behind because there was a yarn entanglement issue so I started a little bit after everyone else, but I think I made up for it at home tonight!

And now with pictures! These are from my very first attempts, I made a little swatch of each before I moved on to the next technique. They are a little sucky, but I've only been at this for a week!

Garter


Stockinette

Seed

Rib

Cable

Heart design

I fell in love

I have never in my life found something I was good at. I don't dance or sing, I can cook ok, but I could never think of anything my friends could say, "Oh, Mary's good at that." Until I started knitting. Maybe that's why I love it so much.

Two and a half years ago, I was hospitalized to receive some medication to help manage my latest MS attack. I sat in a room for five days feeling fine (other than the fact that I felt numb head to toe). You can imagine how bored I was. I mentioned to my husband that I wished I could knit, then I would have something to do AND the use of my fine motor skills would help my hands rehabilitate faster. You never know how much you depend on your hands till they are hard to use! So, my affair with knitting was born.

Just kidding. I actually was so busy after I got out of the hospital, that I never had time to pick it up. I kept telling myself it would happen, but it never did. I couldn't dodge it forever, though, thankfully. About three weeks ago, my mom brought home a whole bunch of knitting gear. Her friend was a big knitter (TWENTY years ago!) and wanted someone to pass it on to. My mom, being the pack rat she is, offered to take it all home.

Since it was RIGHT in front of me now, I couldn't really ignore it. So, about a week later, I grabbed a pair of size 10 aluminum needles and a skein of baby soft yarn (100% acrylic, gasp!) and sat down with a learn how to knit guide. Six grueling hours later, I successfully cast on my first row! Since that day I have dedicated at least an hour to knitting and have picked up quite a few techniques (pictures of my laborious work will soon be posted).

A friend of mine suggested I go join her knit group that is held at a LYS (Don't know what that is? Why are you reading this blog?) she used to go to when she lived here. So, a few days later, I stopped by the store, and met the most delightful woman. Though she claimed to be a crocheter, she had no problem pointing me towards the books that could help me and walking me through the store describing the different kinds of yarn in there. I couldn't wait to return the next day for their sale (every woman's four letter word).

I left the store the next day with an amazing book, Stitch 'N Bitch, by Debbie Stoller, and three skeins of chunky baby alpaca yarn. I seriously spent the next four days having everyone who came to my house pet my yarn, its that soft. Or I'm that crazy. I prefer the former to the latter. I also signed up for a class to teach me how to knit a shrug. My very first project! First class is tonight, I can't wait to put up pictures of my project!

And that's how I fell in love with knitting. After some horrible knitting puns from my husband, who has kindheartedly listened to every word I've put in on the subject, I was told to go talk to people who would not only care about what I was talking about, but actually understand my new found obsession. Since I don't really have any friends who knit, blogging about it was the next best thing. and My Knitche was born.