I used to knit?

I need motivation. I haven't seriously knit anything in months. I started another test knit for a hat pattern I created, but I really don't want to finish it. I have project requests up the wazoo (some even offered to pay!) but I just can't get my butt into gear. Like, I still LOVE knitting but for some reason, I can't get myself to pick up a pair of needles. My husband (who would complain about how much time I spend knitting) even said, "Maybe you should knit something." I just need to find SOMETHING to get me going again. The problem is, what? New yarn? New needles? New patterns? HELP!!!

But I don't wanna...

So this blanket I've been working on for my cousin-in-law has me actually afraid of it. I picked up and completed a hat and am in the process of test knitting a new hat pattern I created, but I can't get myself to knit any more rows of this blanket (currently only 25% done). Oh how I wish I could tell her that I can't do the blanket... but I've already put so much effort into it.  I guess I'm gonna have to commit to knitting one row a day until it is finished. Hopefully at the end I will be happy for following through and completing it, because right now I just want to throw it away and pretend it never happened.  Wish me luck!

I Knit Because I'm Old

I logged into Ravelry a few weeks ago, and realized that I had been knitting for exactly one year. I decided to write about it, and I asked my brother for an idea for a topic name. He and his friend started listing some things that pretty much had to do with the stereotype that knitters are old grannies making afghans. It was actually perfect, because it gave me an even better topic.
I know most people take offense to stereotypes, but not me. I don't believe in letting stereotypes define who I am, so its easy for me to have fun with them. I joke that I can't dance because I'm white, and that I'm smart because I'm Asian. I think most people out there just are too quick to take offense in things. I know there are some negative stereotypes out there, but rather than sit there and get angry about it, why not prove people wrong? Even better, just don't care what people think of you in the first place (gotta thank hubby for that sort of thinking). The people who really matter wouldn't label you with a silly stereotype and take it seriously anyways.
All in all, if you take life too seriously, you'll never enjoy it! Anyways, here's to more years full of yarn and wonderfull knitted projects!

My love/hate relationship with intarsia

So a few months ago, one of my husbands cousins announced she was pregnant, and asked me to knit her a baby blanket. Of course, I said yes. She then told me she didn't want any ordinary blanket, she wanted something worthy of hanging on the wall above the baby's crib. Apprehensively, I told her I was up to the challenge. A few weeks later, we agreed on a geometric pattern my husband and I designed. I decided to use it on the Big Bad Baby Blanket by Lisa Shobahna Mason, a pattern I came across in my first and only knitting book (yes I am planning on expanding my library in the near future). It is a simple blanket so it would  be easy to throw some intarsia in there, right?  When it came time to actually sit down and knit the dang thing, I thought to myself, what in the WORLD did I get myself into???

Getting my gauge, which I highly recommend, was really easy. Creating my intarsia graph, on the other hand, wasn't. After about four frustrating hours of trying to do it myself, I turned to the internet, and found the beautiful chart generator that is knitPro. Instant  headache relief! Today, I actually was able to start the intarsia part of this project...

I absolutely LURVE me some intarsia, post knitting. Getting it to that point, however, is not exactly my idea of a good time. Especially on a project of this size. I spent quite a bit of time separating yarn onto bobbins for each little section of color. I still ended up having to detangle everything at the end of each row. I suspect part of the reason I appreciate the end result so much is because of the hard work I put into it. There's just something about putting hard work into something and have it turn out beautiful. Like having a baby. That would explain why I feel a little separation anxiety whenever I send off a project I spent a lot of time and effort on.

It makes me a bit sad knowing that the recipients may appreciate the gift, but never fully understand it unless they are yarn crafters themselves. It feels good knowing that there are random strangers out there who can look at a picture of my FO, and instantly understand what I went through to get there. The internet is a wonderful place.

Needle Depression

Last week I picked up a new project Coachella, I was pretty excited because it looked pretty cute and the pattern was fairly easy. Four days later, I completed it and tried it on. To my disappointment, it was too short, something that could easily be remedied had it not also been extremely wide. I talking about gaining about 20 lbs and 2 or 3 cup sizes to fit into this. I may be over exaggerating, but it was really big. So, I decided to frog it and start all over. Enter my dilemma. The pattern calls for two different sized needles. I finished using the larger set, but to restart it, I needed the smaller set. Not a problem except... where the heck did I put that smaller set??????? If only I hadn't been sick this past week maybe my mind would be clearer and I could actually remember what I did with them! I have torn up my house searching for them, all in vain. So I am left here in my sad little bubble complaining about it on my blog, because, at this moment, that is all I can do.

If I were to read a blog post like this a year ago, I would have thought the writer was nuts. What's the big deal with knitting (or crochet) needles? They are replaceable right?

Okay, YES, I can go to the store and buy a new set, but I am very particular with the type of needles I use. I despise plastic or aluminum needles, while they are extremely cheap to buy, they hurt my hands too much and I don't like the way my yarn feels on them. My preference is bamboo, since its cheap compared to other materials that can be found in nature. While Michael's carries bamboo needles, its selection is small. I often find myself driving a good thirty minutes away to a yarn store that carries an abundance of needles.

On top of that, my hobby is something that I really enjoy, so my tools are very important to me. Imagine if you are a big video game player and you lost a controller? Or if you loved to bake and you lost your favorite cookie sheet that always bakes your cookies to perfection?

I have tried using the yarn to make other things with other needles, but I am just not into it. In my head, that yarn already had something it was supposed to become, so for it to be used for anything else just doesn't sit right with me. I guess my only choice is to ditch my daughter at dance (don't worry, she won't miss me) and head out to buy a new set. Maybe I'll even get yarn. That might make me happy.

My Mini-Me

My daughter saw my last project and automatically said, "aww I want one." I told her I would do it because  it really wouldn't take as much time to make. It also gave me a chance to use up some of my stash yarn I've been desperately trying to get rid of (so far it was almost made into a hat, a sock, a bag, and an amigurumi monster thing... all projects were frogged halfway through). I might let her wear it to school if I can find a cute shirt to layer underneath

Oh, Lelah My Lelah

I have been looking forward to knitting Lelah  for awhile. I didn't pick it up as soon as I wanted because I had other projects for other people to make. When I DID have time, I didn't have the funds, as good yarn can get a little pricey. So, for our anniversary, my husband took me yarn shopping so I could finally start. I was so excited. I cast on Friday night. My anxiety to get it done increased by the day, so I spent longer and longer amounts of time each day knitting it. I finished late last night, making this complete in FOUR days (I originally calculated to be done within two weeks).Wow do my hands hurt. but it was worth it. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. It's a little long and loose, but I can deal with it, hopefully some blocking will help. It's great to be able to actually keep something I've worked so hard on! Of course I want you to see how it looks!

Now on to my next project... baby blanket for my friends soon to be nephew

Pokemon Fever

Pokemon Black & White was recently released (March 6th 2011) and I admit, I let myself get swept up in the new gamer craze. After almost three weeks of having my brother and all his friends constantly having their faces pressed against their DS(i) consoles, I found myself longing to play, too. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a new DSi and Pokemon Black this past weekend for my birthday. My brother's friend Mark was over today, and after spending some time playing together, he asked me if I could knit him a cozy for his DS. After an exhaustive search for a suitable (and creative) pattern, we decided that I would just make a plain case, and knit a pokeball charm to attach to the zipper.

Unfortunately, there was no knit pokeball pattern to be found. It was up to me to design one. I found this simple ball pattern, and took an extra step and created my own color chart to create a ball in the likeness of a pokeball. I've decided to be nice and post the color chart I've created so other crafty pokelovers can enjoy it!

Follow color chart row for row with the pattern. Don’t worry, the hardest part of the chart is worked over rows 11-18, so you won’t have to worry about increasing or decreasing while changing yarn colors

Pokeball Color Chart

I will be casting on the cozy this weekend and I PROMISE to post the finish product as soon as it's done!

**updated 4/14/11**
Knitting in this in the round with dpn's makes it come out MUCH nicer! Just join in the round replace rows with rounds and P with K, and boom! Instead of binding off purlwise, draw your yarn through the remaining stitches, pull closed, and weave in your end!  It's done faster since there is no need to sew it up after! Just don't forget to stuff it!

Roadblock

I have an ever growing stash of leftover yarn. After each project I complete, I have quite a bit of left over yarn. I hate to admit it, but I think my mom passed some of her hoarding habit down to me. Even if it is just a small bit of yarn, I can't bring myself to dispose of it.

I recently vowed to not purchase any new yarn until my stash runs dry, but its proving to be more difficult than I thought it would be. I tried knitting amigurumi (I made the hubby the cutest little turtle), but they don't take  much yarn, so I'd have to knit a whole army of those guys before I ran out. So I set out for bigger projects.

I picked up an elephant pattern for my mom. Yes, my fifty something mom, requested I knit her an elephant. If you knew her, you'd understand. I thought that I had just enough left over yarn to complete it, but, as luck would have it, I ran out of yarn just before I started the ears. So I have an ear-less elephant. I decided to put that down until I come across some yarn that would make acceptable ears.

For my next project, I chose a scarf. Simple, and a quick knit because I would be using chunky yarn. Chunky yarn knits up easy, and fast. Halfway through my scarf, I ran out of yarn. A little frustrated, I ripped the whole thing and scoured Ravelry for a pattern that would accommodate the type of yarn I wanted to use and its yardage. I found a cool hat and cast on. Just as I was finishing up the very top of it, I ran out of yarn. By this point I wanted to throw down my yarn and scream, "Come on!" I ripped the hat.

 So here I am, with a box full of yarn, taunting me. Maybe I'll just start making washcloths and potholders. Anyone need a potholder? I'll personalize it with your initials.

A penny for my thoughts (but I'd prefer a dollar for my scarves)

Being a domestick diva (yes, I meant to spell it that way!) is so crazy sometimes, and I really wish it paid for all the time I put into it. If you calculated, I should be making a decent living for all the work I do. I'm a chef, baker, cleaning lady, chauffeur, nanny, nurse, loan shark, tutor, photographer... am I missing anything? On top of that, I "work" an at home business, knit, and take time to remain social with what few friends I have left. While I do try to stretch our dollars out the best I can, I always feel that I can financially contribute more to the family. My husband and I go back and forth about me finding a part-time job, but it always comes down to childcare. Any money I could make would all go straight to childcare, so really, what's the point in getting job if I'd never see a paycheck? I enjoy working my at home business, but I'm not willing to put in the hours OUTSIDE of my home to really make enough to make me feel like I'm helping to support the family. So what do I do now?

Since I began knitting, I have received numerous requests for knitted pieces in exchange for money, but I was nervous about selling something I made from a pattern designed by someone else. Last week, I discovered a conversation on Ravelry about this exact issue. One Raveler said something that made sense. If I made brownies for a bake sale, would I feel guilty using someone elses recipe? No. Its the same sense with knitting. I'm asking for payment for my time and effort, not for the idea of the pattern. So now that my guilt has been lifted, I am open to being paid for what I put into making something for someone.

Which brings me my previous topic. My mom has been telling me for months she would start me off with all the supplies I would need to run my own business, so I decided to take her up on the offer. I have decided to go slow and  dedicate a period of time to exclusively knit things, then put them up for sale. Over time, I'm hoping to receive special requests from people and I will be happy to make them! I have had a few people express concern that my hobby will turn into work, but honestly, I don't mind. I held very few jobs that I didn't enjoy doing, mostly because I enjoy making money. I'd rather get paid to do something that I LOVE, AND still be able to stay at home with my crazy family and domestic duties. I probably won't get rich, but coupled with the money I'm already bringing in, I should be able to feel content that I am contributing enough.

Custom Fit

After seven years of being a mom, my body has changed a lot. So have my tastes in fashion (thank God, if I still dressed like I did when I was twenty I'd make people laugh). Unfortunately, my body doesn't always fit my tastes.

Over the last six months, I became increasingly aware that my clothes weren't looking that great on me anymore. Coincidentally, I began knitting six months ago. I have pored over pattern after pattern on Ravelry, looking for tops I could knit for myself. I came up with nothing, because everything I wanted to make, wouldn't look that great on me. More fitted tops accentuate my pooch and love handles (when did those get there?!?!?!), and a looser top just makes me look like I'm wearing a tent. Right around Christmas I fell in love with Camden. My first thought was, "This body can't pull off that sweater".  I really liked it though, so I added it to my favorite patterns list.

Just after New Years, I was getting out of the shower in our hotel room, and couldn't help but glance at my body (Why do hotels have wall to wall mirrors? Some of us don't like looking at our bodies that much!) And I just felt sad for myself. My husband deserves a sexier wife, my kids deserve a mom that is in enough shape to dance around crazy with them, and my clothes deserve a body that they can look good on.

After a couple of weeks of moping around, I came across Camden again, and I decided I was going to make that sweater damnit, and I was going to look good in it! I am estimating it will take me a few months to complete this project, just enough time for me to get back in shape! I'm very excited to complete both goals and can't wait to post the picture of me in my new sweater!

Pieces of Me

It has been a stressful but joyous holiday season. With all the shopping, cooking, present giving, and family visits done and over with, I finally have time to sit and write. Shortly after the new year began, my husband and I packed up our kids into the car and headed to Vegas, where my mother-in-law and her hubby were vacationing. I was forewarned of cold weather, so I made sure to pack hats, gloves, and scarves for everyone. I was secretly happy for the cold, because that meant I had an excuse to make my 15-month-old wear his brand new knit beanie (I was inspired to make it from this blog: Coffeebra).

Before this trip, I had NO idea how much my projects meant to me. I have made a few things for others, and I always felt a little pang whenever I would send the finished product off to its new owner. I quickly got over it by starting a new project. It took a baby who hates wearing hats to teach me how important my knitting really is for me.

Twice during our trip, I thought we had lost his beanie. I need to start off with saying that my daughter lost hers right away. I really didn't care, it was something we got at Wal-Mart for $1. Just two hours later, I thought my son had dropped his while we were out shopping. I FREAKED out, frantically tearing up our hotel room in search of it. I have to say that I have a wonderful husband, he was right there next to me helping me look. I was relieved to find it on the floor of our car when we left the hotel later that evening. My second scare happened when we returned to our car after going out for dinner that night. I was so happy when we found it again in the car, it was like being reunited with a lost child. As we were driving back to our hotel, I realized how much knitting really meant to me, why I felt that pang whenever I would give away something I spent time making. No matter the size of my projects, I grow to love them with every stitch I make. All the frustrations I suffer when I make mistakes are long forgotten when I hold up the finished product.

For some people, its their cooking, others photography, the list goes on. We all have that one thing we love to do that we pour our heart and soul into. For me, it really is knitting. So as I go on and on about my infatuation with this craft, you can sit there and look at me like I'm crazy all you want. That's fine with me, I just won't be knitting anything for you anytime soon.