Knitted Toy

I've started and finished my first One Day Knitting Project!!!


I used the free Teeny Tiny Knitted Toys pattern by Little Cotton Rabbits as found on Ravelry .

I intended to make a rabbit, and did follow the stitch count instructions, but the ears wound up looking like a mouse or pig's ears, so I've changed my mind and made this a "Gloomy Day Piglet".

I was thinking of making a rabbit for Frank and a bear for Jack for while I'm gone in Cheyenne... this one took me about four hours, in part because I knitted the limbs into the body as I went instead of stitching them on at the end. I really do want to make a rabbit, so I'm sure I'll be doing it again soon...

Flip-Flop Knitting

I've been knitting so much this week that my hands have literally dropped the needles. I've also been enjoying knitting as never before. Why then is everything feeling like it's flopping and needs to be frogged (a knitting term for ripping something out, you know "rip-it, rip-it")? Do I dare rip all my work out and start over?


My Swyaze Socks. My socks, mine. The first is ready to bind off, and guess what... they don't fit. I can't get them on. So, do I send them off to an Aunt and mourn my lost yarn or do I frog them and mourn the lost sock and time?


My Sunrise, Sunset Shawl. I LOVED the first yarn. I don't like the second. I've also realized I just don't have enough yarn to finish the pattern the way I've done it. So, do I frog a whole 170+ yards and change the pattern? Do I add the first color back in? Do I keep going and see how big it is, then add more of the darker color at the end, by the faded color?


Why do I expect *everything* to be perfect? Can't I just let something go and be imperfect? Would I be able to enjoy the finished object, or would it ALWAYS bother me?


On a positive note, I am making progress on some projects for my Mom and her friend's costumes for the Arizona Renaissance Festival. They run a play place for kids called "Toy Island", and all three members of the troop wear red and yellow. I'm working on quilted hats, knitted mitts, and here is one of the crocheted scarves for them...


Thanks for listening to my rambling. Last week I was so excited by my knitting and this week it all feels like a flop! ;P

Shawl-itation

I've been busy knitting a shawl for the past four days. Now, it's time to add the second color and I'm hesitating. Here's the planned skein wound up and sitting in the middle of the shawl-in-progress.


The yarn I'm using is wool. I do have a similar weight of acrylic of each color already in there (hot pink, turquoise, and purple).

What do you think?

Should I abandon my multi-color project and fiber content to keep a consistent color palette?

Should I just go with the original plan and see what happens?

I thought this day would never come...

You know the one? The one where I'm enjoying and looking forward to time spent knitting. The day where I'm shirking other responsibility (like cooking and cleaning and talking with people) just so I can sit and knit! Yeah, that's the day I never expected to see. It's ONLY taken me 25 months of diligently performing my Domestic Duty of knitting to stumble upon The Project. The one with the perfect yarn and the perfect needles and the perfect me!

Since I hurt my back over Thanksgiving weekend, I've been required to do a whole lot of resting. After talking with my friend Marie about a shawl (Show Your Colors by Spunky Eclectic) we saw at her former LKS (local knitting shop), and how much she loves her finished version, I dug around in my stash and found some Sport Weight Lorna's Laces Wool Yarns I'd bought in California last Fall.


I've since started the shawl, which I intend to use all three color-ways (called: Child's Play, Apple Hill, and Uptown). I'll be knitting them progressing from dark to light (or right to left in the picture). And I just LOVE making it! It's the first knitting project I've worked on that I WANT to do (not just NEED to), know what I mean?

{the above is a photo of the test swatch, not the shawl}

This morning, Tom said "What are you doing?", then looked over to find my head literally bobbing along in time with my stitches. It was so subtle I didn't even realize I was doing it. I was just in a groove and smiling as I stitched away. This is my biggest project so far, and I know it will feel slower going as I move along, but I hope I can keep up my enjoyment with it and that I'll love the finished product as much as I am enjoying making it!


I also love watching the way the color pools together... look how it coagulated perfectly on my needle on this row.


By the way, it's quite a bit bigger now, this photo was from two days ago. ;)

What are you doing on your holidays?

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This is my 400th blog post, and somewhat by the way of noting it, I've updated the blog format AND, ***FINALLY***, created my own blog header. Anyone recognize the objects used in the photo? Mayhap I'll send a prize (I've been cleaning out my sewing studio and I have collected a nice little bag of goodies) out to someone who knows from whence the objects come. I'll give you until noon on New Year's Day to figure it out and leave a comment! ;)

Knitting & Crochet - Finishing Spree

Today I can pat myself on the back… I went on a little finishing spree and tied the ends into twelve different projects. I did it, while babysitting, during nap time. It only took a few minutes and now a feel a fresh breath of knitting air… not to mention my knitting bags now have ROOM in them again! Yeah me!!! :D

The neighbor girl is modeling for me...


This funky little "Faux" Scarf (Bento by Berroco #255 Design)...


When I was in Pleasanton, CA, last year, I liked the pattern and the yarn. Now that I've made the scarf (eleven months later) I'm not sure why I liked it so much. Hmm. In any case, it was always destined to be a gift since it really is a lightweight little decoration, and here, in Wyoming, we need REAL scarves! If anyone is in love with this, you should let me know... perhaps you'll find it in your mailbox!

I struggled to finish this silly Superman washcloth for MONTHS!


I've decided I should just crochet my dishclothes / washclothes.

I can pump these little coasters (or dishclothes) out SO FAST ... as long as I'm crocheting them.


Actually, while I'm at this Yarn Posting, would you like to know how to make these little crocheted gems? It's really very simple, but I have written it down for you...

Quick Crocheted Coaster
With a bit of scrap cotton and a 6mm (G) hook you can quickly make a pile of coasters for yourself (or, I like to give them as a Hostess Gift).

Approximate Finished Size 4¼" Diameter

1. CH 6.
2. Connect to first chain with CH making a loop.
3. Add SC in back loop (one or two per chain as needed to keep flat).
Make six continuous rounds (like a snail).
4. CH in next SC. Cut a 2” tail and weave into back of coaster.

Here's another knitted cloth... took me FOREVER!


My favorite part of the Red, White, and Blue "Tribble" is the picture with the little hands holding it. I had Jack kneel (he had black fleece pants on today), in the sunlight, and I took a flash-free close up photo with my new camera. I think it's a nice photo! :D

Knitting Ugh!

So. I've been making progress on my sock for my Aunt. I'm ready to do the first heel. But I'm thinking there will be a difference on the leg part, so I review my notes. I don't understand... my cables go straight up the middle of the sock. I look on Ravelry, and sure enough, EVERYONE else's go zig-zagging around...

This Sock is by TheBlackSheep.

See how beautiful their pattern shows up on a solid colored yarn.
Why am I bothering to even try a pattern on a varigated yarn?
Is it so my "mistakes" aren't as visible,
and when I switch to a solid color I can do it right?
Yeah... that must be it!

I've ONLY been working on these stupid sock six months now! I realize that I would have to take out 36 rows (which is over half my work) in order to put move the cables around. My question to you is, would it look totally weird for the cables to be straight on the top of the foot, and then start twisting and turning on the leg? When you're not looking at other versions, and only at the one's I've made, would this look balanced and okay, or should I RIP it (almost) all out and START ALL OVER AGAIN.

This Sock is by SuzyQSparkles.

Where is my pattern at?
Why am I photographing with the flash at night?
Is it so I can post to my blog while I'm thinking about it,
or so I can be really exhausted tomorrow because I stayed up too late worrying about A STUPID SOCK!!!?

Also. Are these "ugh" feelings normal in knitting?

I think they are normal in life, so maybe they are normal in knitting too.


PS: After writing this post, I took some pictures of the sock. Granted it's late and I should be in bed. This also means, the flash is going off and you loose some depth, but I realize that mostly you just don't see the stitch pattern in the sock... at least on screen. This makes me feel *a little* better about the design not being "pattern perfect".

The Things I Worry About

Oh sure, there are LOTS of things I worry about. Actually, I worry so much that I don't know what I'd do if I had NOTHING to worry about. Luckily, I don't have to think about that because I can always find something else worthy of giving my time and energy and emotion to.

Wow! That's depressing and enlightening all at once.

In any case. I realized I've been fretting and thinking and debating and pondering over a lowly sock toe for something like three days now!

First I spent almost three hours on a test swatch for a Jaywalker sock pattern, before deciding I wanted to try a toe-up sock. Then, I spent a measly hour starting my first pair of toe-up socks only to realize I'm ... using the wrong yarn. I mean, it's the right yarn, but my Aunt indicated she'd *like* it if the toes and heels were made form a different, contrasting color.


The Jaywalker test swatch is on the right. And, yes. I know! That LITTLE BIT of knitting on the left ACTUALLY took at least an hour! But hey! It's all new stuff to me... figuring out the Magic Cast On and then trying to keep stitches tight between two needles while adding stitches. I don't like the increases. I don't like one side where it's all poking out and big.

So, for several days now I've been debating... keep the blue start, add a red stripe, then return to blue. Or just rip it all out so both socks have two matching red toes?

On one hand, my only pair of handmade socks (so far) have toes that are slightly different, and I have found that I like this because it's easier for me to wear the same sock on the same foot each time (and I don't know WHY I do that, probably because the toes are different and I can). So, do I allow my Aunt the same touch of wonkiness and keep going by putting a red stripe in this toe and a solid red toe on the other sock? Or do I try to make them "match"?

Every time I think I have the answer, I trick myself by thinking of something else.

Boredom Haiku

Coughing and Hacking,
Killing Time on Computer,
Hacking and Coughing.

After several days of restraint, I'm bored. I'm surfing more, but not really accomplishing much.


I could be blogging more.
I could be editing pictures.
I could be knitting more.
I could be reading.

I still can't talk much.
My sinuses are blocked.
My cough is ever present.

I'm lethargic.
I'm bored.

Knitting Links

Here are some Knitting Links and other pointers I've found to be invaluable:

KnittingHelp.com - My friends tried to teach me to hold the yarn with my right hand and I do better with the left... I figured that out with videos on this site.

Ravelry.com - You need to request membership. It's a WAY cool way to organize your supplies, ideas, and projects and also a great place to surf for ideas. I really like how you can see one project made by so many other people, along with their comments. Anyway, check it out. When you can look, I'm at SiouxzQzz.

Start with a natural fiber (cotton or wool) yarn and bamboo needles. Also, light or medium colored yarns will be easier to see your stitches on than dark colors. Seeing your stitches is helpful when you're learning what to do.

Lovely sets of bamboo needles can be acquired from SusanCraft6798 of SusanCraftDesign on ebay.

Lion Brand Yarn - Nice selection of free patterns, plus e-newsletters, and supplies.

Mary Maxim - good prices on yarn and supplies for all sorts of hand crafts (knitting, crochet, embroidery, etc.)

Manly Scarf Pattern - Free Online - GREAT for beginners, just uses three stitches (slip, knit, and purl). Just using this "basket-weave" idea, you can make each section as wide and tall as you like. Mine are all three stitches wide, but each section is a random number of rows.

Multidirectional Scarf Pattern - Another good beginner project, it had three stitches (increase, knit, and decrease) plus casting on. I think this looks better in a variegated / striped yarn than a solid.

Silver's Sock Class to help "see" how to make socks. This isn't a pattern, so much as detailed instructions for each step of making a pair of socks.

A good beinner sock yarn and pattern are Moda Dea Sassy Stripes Yarn, and the Knitted Socks pattern LM0131 by Grace Alexander.

I'm told that learning to crochet first is easier for most people; knitting first and then crocheting tends to be more difficult. So, if you already can crochet, you're half-way there! If you're new to yarn crafts, try picking up a crochet hook first, and then moving up to knitting.

I've found that being able to click or look at video or pictures over and over is really helping me along with knitting. I've also discovered that the natural fibers (wool/cotton) and needles (bamboo) are really big helps for beginning knitters! I hope these links help you as much as they've helped me!

An Update from the Nearly-Mute Girl

I'm feeling better still today... not so congested.

Tom took yesterday off, but today he's not had ANY calls... so, he's been able to spend the whole day playing on the computer... I mean resting!

Jack and Frank seem to be fine. Hard to keep tabs on their rambunctiousness while nearly Mute myself.

As of this morning, I've finished sewing FOUR Halloween costumes (pictures of all the kiddos will come after they wear them tomorrow) and am about 1/4 done on the second sock to make my FIRST PAIR of socks.

Also, I made my family's Zucchini Brownies Recipe and mixed in some chips / Reese's Pieces. They all sank to the bottom! My neighbor told me I should bake 1/2 the batter for 5-10 minutes, and then sprinkle the goodies on, and top with rest of the batter. I guess every so often, I need to have a cooking attempt flop! Oh well! You live and learn and they still taste good.

I'd thought about carving our pumpkin this afternoon, but it's a VERY tall and skinny pumpkin and I just don't feel like I have the energy at the moment, so, we'll see!

How did October get over? I have so many fun Halloween-y things to do and I did so few of them. I never even got out my Halloween decorations, and I know right where they are and I can reach them... it just didn't happen. And quilting, I have plenty of projects to do for Halloween that involve sewing... but wait, I did sew, and sew, and sew! Costumes times four kids! Se-la-vi (did I spell that right).

Oh yeah, and today's Heather's birthday! I hope you're having a GREAT DAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!!!

Suzy :D

Knitting - Sassy Stripes Sock for Suzy

I JUST finished the FIRST sock of my first pair of knitted socks!

{Yeah Me!}

I'm making them for myself. I started this last November. Yes. It's slow going. But. Now that I've finished this, and done much more knitting in the process, and have some wonderful, delicious new yarns (from my trip to California) I'm far more motivated to finish the second sock and get working on other projects.

I'm delighted with what I've accomplished so far...


This is a little taller than my "usual" socks... but actually, I should say than my "Arizona" socks, because last winter I discovered that I needed taller "boot" socks for my riding and snow boots. So, I made this sock the same height as the boot socks I started wearing for Wyoming.

This uses Moda Dea Sassy Stripes Yarn, colors 6946 Crush (red/pink variegated) and 6930 Stormy (gray/white toe). It uses the Knitted Socks pattern LM0131 by Grace Alexander, with a few modifications of my own (at the cuff and the heel).

When I started this sock, I'd only "successfully" worked one scarf... and two other "flop" projects. This knitting thing for me has been self-taught, primarily using KnittingHelp.com and occasionally stopping in the local knitting shop when I have a question I can't figure out on my own.

If I can do this, so can you!

Although, I've discovered (from talking with other knitters) that it is best to learn to Crochet (something else I taught myself (before the web, so from a book)) first, and then pick up knitting second. Something about the flow of them, if you learn knitting first, crocheting is near impossible to do.

Any yarn-crafters out there want to second this?

Which skill did you learn first?

How did you learn to do it?

An Idea from Ravelry

I just have to mention this Yarn site my friend pointed me too. It's called Ravelry.com. It's an online group / forum / journal / inspiration for yarn-users. You can enter your projects, and how much you've done on them. You can rate the project as well as the yarn. You can enter your stash and your supplies. You can look at other peoples work and mark favorite. You can get totally sucked in and never actually WORK with your yarn!

Still, if you are interested in yarn crafts, I'd recommend you request an invitation to join Ravelry (it takes them a few days to send you an email).

10:00
That said, I was surfing Ravelry and discovered this DIVINE scarf.


I WANT ONE!

I found a more detailed post on her blog.

I also found a source for the yarn, and added it up... $52! Acghk! For a SCARF!?!?

But it's so pretty...

I also found directions on the technique of creating a woven look, called Entrelac, which I've been admirring. A lady from the Knitting Circle made a headband and then a bag using this technique last winter. I'm glad to know there's a general name for the technique.

Lastly, I found this scarf pattern, using the very same yarn, just all one color instead of different skeins.

One other thing, there are so many beautiful yarns, I'd be tempted to try my own color scheme on a project like this, but I REALLY like the way her's came out.

The only thing I'd be leary of is that I haven't actually touched this yarn and they can be itchy and that would be terrible, but they can be soft and that would be LOVELY!

Knit & Crochet - Scarves

This evening I finished up two scarves. I've had them both done for weeks (or months) now, with just the ends to tie in. I needed a break tonight and sat down and did this.

The first I started last November and is my First "Successful" Knitting Project. Two years ago, my friends from the XRC in Arizona, tried to teach several of us to knit. I had trouble because of several things...

1. I was using aluminum needles.
2. I was using Fancy Fur type yarn.
3. I was using the American, Right-Handed Method of Knitting.

So, last Fall, I went to the local Craft shop and explained this to them. They had a scarf sample that I liked. They recommended I use a more natural fiber and bamboo needles. I bought some supplies and then found KnittingHelp.com - which has great online videos. In May, I finally completed my scarf:


I made it using Karen Baumer's Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf pattern. I used a cotton yarn (Kraemer Yarns Tatamy Tweed DK) in blue and red. I started with the blue, but switched to the red at the mid-way point upon the suggestion of a knitting circle I'd been going to most weeks during the Winter and Spring. I like the variety changing the colors added and think it would be fun to do this pattern alternating colors... it's made up of triangles like the blue one you see, so, different colors for each triangle could be fun. For more info about this scarf, and to see HUNDREDS more samples, look on my site on Ravelry.com.

The second scarf I finished today is a crocheted one of my own design. I made this one to match the fleece hat I enjoyed so much last year. I'm looking forward to being a little more coordinated this winter. :D


This is the third such scarf I've made (one for me, one for Auntie, and another for me). I plan to make SEVERAL more of this exact pattern in different color ways. It's a lovely soft, warm-but-not-hot, scarf. I wore the first one a lot last winter, and kept wishing for other colors.

I use Lion Brand Yarns... Tiffany and MicroSpun Yarns. The microspun is soft and "squishy" and the Tiffany is a super-sensual fake fur type. Together they look like a fuzzy-caterpillar in the making! Certainly not the right mental image for how incredible they feel together!

I now have the yarn, and just need to get busy making them. I made my Aunt's in four (dedicated) days, so, I really could have a pile for myself by the fall.

Anyway, I was glad to finish these two projects off (funny how they've been sitting around all Summer, and a little bit of cold inspired me to get them ready to wear by weaving in the ends!)

Musings - Nails, Knitting, and New Houses

My nails look great! Better than they ever have before! This is such an accomplishment because I was a nail bitter for almost thirty years. They are not overly long, but are all uniform. I noticed it a few days ago and put some clear and then light-sparkly peach polish on them. I've noticed in the past that just one clear coat per day will help preserve the strength of nails. Now they feel HARD too! I actually tried to take some pictures, but hands are tricky to photograph. So, just know that I'm delighted by how pretty they look.


Yesterday I started working on my first pair of socks. Actually, I just have been working on the sample swatch. It's been really busy here and I've been anxious to actually start knitting on all the needles in the round. I think I'm going to do that when I get done typing. :D

Last year a group of friends wanted to knit... several of us wanted to and others knew how, so, we had a few sessions. I started out with aluminum needles and Fancy Fur yarn. My scarf actually turned out like a bonnet. I tried again, same setup of needles and yarn. I got a skaddy-wampus scarf and stopped. (Frank actually complains about the holes in his scarf. Phooey on him!

Moving to Wyoming I realized that even if I didn't like it, I needed to figure out how to knit for utilitarian purposes... wool hats, wool scarves, wool socks, wool mittens. All necessities in this cold place and times four of each would be VERY expensive to procure (not that the wool is cheap, but I can do it myself for a little less cash out.)

I went to the local specialty craft shop (they sell quilting AND knitting supplies, as well a small assortment of several other crafts.) They recommended a sport-weight tweed yarn and bamboo needles. In November I started another scarf using the Multidirectional Scarf Pattern. I finished it six months later (just two weeks ago!) It had three stitches (increase, knit, and decrease) plus casting on. After a couple of months, I think in January or February, I started going to a weekly knitting circle with a paid "helper". I've learned a lot just watching. I've finished my first scarf, plus a third of a wool one for Tom. I'm about to start my first pair of socks with the lovely sets of needles I ordered from SusanCraft6798 of SusanCraftDesign on ebay. I'm making a cowl, for Jack... I guess I suddenly have several patterns "OTN" (on the needles). I've learned a lot from KnittingHelp.com and am planning to use Silver's Sock Class to help with the socks. I've found that being able to click or look at video or pictures over and over is really helping me along with knitting. Oh yeah, and my friends tried to teach me to hold the yarn with my right hand and I do better with the left... I figured that out with KnittingHelp.com.

Oh yeah. And the Buyer accepted our offer for the Duplex I mentioned a few days ago. So, we are on our way to Wyoming Home Ownership. I know I should be eccstatic, but, I'm actually going to look at two FSBO houses tomorrow. I told Tom that just like my Home-Ec Teacher in HS said... if you are getting married next week and someone asks you out, go out on a date... you're not married until you're married, but then it's a done deal.

I AM looking forward to the inside of the house, just not the outside and the location (by the freeway). I do like the neighborhood and the street itself. So, I'm basically thinking of it as an investment. In a few years we intended to move closer to our family (to the NE) and so, we'll just enjoy the inside and deal with the other things.