Category Archives knitting

My knitty history

When I went to the yarn store the other day the woman was shocked to hear that I had been knitting for over 20 years. It is true, just not on a regular basis (thus the reason I had to relearn some things). I originally learned how to knit when I was in elementary school. Most summers when I was in school, my friend across the street and I would knit together to pass time at night when it was too warm or buggy to sit outside.

She would always do small projects or more complicated items since her mother knew how to knit and could assist her. Her mother used to make gorgeous sweaters and other amazing things. Anyway, one year I decided I wanted to knit an afghan. I believe I started this either at the end of high school or when I was in college. I figured I would do it like the blankets that my grandmother and aunt make. This would mean knitting three super long strips and connecting them at the end.

Last night while at my parent’s house I went to my old room and opened up my craft bin. Inside I found that old project. 

The reason I NEVER finished projects in the past

Those are the two finished strips. In addition to this, I found more. Still on the needles was another strip that is probably half done. 

The 3rd almost complete panel

Eventually I want to finish this since I put a lot of hard work into it. I am going to talk to my Aunt T to see if she can help me to piece it together once I finish the last strip (between other projects – while relearning how to purl).

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Earlier Saturday, Laura told me to get some cotton yarn at the store. She thought it would be a good idea to make some wash cloths to practice casting on, purling, and binding-off. Ya know, make smaller projects that one can finish once the scarf  for JSL is done (which it practically is). The reason is I do not want to use the nice new yarn for my scarf to practice on.

Since the yarn was really inexpensive (and I can use the practice), I thought it would be fun for all of us to pick a color for me to make. JL and NHL were both game too.

I selected a yarn that was colorful, not too bold and made me know that I am the Estrogen queen in this house! It is called Potpourri.

My pick - lots of purty colors

JL selected a masculine mix of blues. It is called Faded Denim.

JL wanted this one

Then it was NHL’s turn to pick. Well, it speaks for itself.     *sigh*     *shudders*     This is called Lemon-Lime, but I believe I will have more colorful names for this soon.

NHL's "lovely" selection

Right after his own selection, NHL picked one for his little brother (thank goodness there were none with orange). This one is called Sea Mist.

NHL selected this for JSL

So to recap these are the yarns that were purchased for me to relearn how to do all things knitty. 

Practice project yarn

A special thanks to Laura for agreeing to help me with this and suggesting the cool new mini-projects. Now can someone please buy me some shades for when I tackle the one for NHL. . . ugh!

 

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The Knitting Bug Got me!

Today JSL and I had a busy day. It started off at NHL’s school for a meeting with his teachers (going over goals and things for next year). Then we went to meet up with the Squishy Yarn Guru that is Laura. She wanted to take me to a "real" yarn store to see what they had (ya know – not Walmart, Michaels . . . or anything like that). 

Anyway, she is EVIL I tell you. I want to start knitting with the really pretty new yarn that I bought. See here it is with the new needles that I bought.

Funky isn't it? New yarn with more needles

Problem is I can not start just yet. I must be patient (WAHHHHH). I must wait until Madame Squishy Yarn Guru shows me how to purl again (plus she needs to help me finish off JSL’s scarf.). She said she will show me something neat to do for this scarf to make it a little more interesting. Until we are able to meet up for the lesson I will have to sit and pet my new yarn. Here are two more close ups of the pretty fun stuff. 

Extreme close up anyone?

and another to show another section: 

So neat and different.

On that note I am off. JL and I are taking NHL out for a Big Boys night. My parents are watching JSL – thanks Mom and Dad! 

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Knitting update 1-14

I am taking a finger stretching beak from knitting to update on the progress of my project. Yesterday I took photos of the scarf to show to Laura. At that time I had approximately 16 1/2 inches  done and it looked like this: 

Knitty project update

And a closer look: 

Tis getting longer

As you can see it is progressing nicely. Tonight marked a week of working on it and I am now up to 20 inches. . . not too shabby! 

The best thing is from the most recent parts it has gotten more even as I am getting used to the tension I need on the needles and the yarn. I have also figured out a way to knit that does not seem to bother my fingers and wrists too much (I have some arthritis from being hit by a car when I was younger).

On that note I am off to work on a recommendation for a friend and then knit some more. 

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Knitting fool – c’est moi!

For the last few months I have been itching to learn to crochet. Why? I guess it was always something that seemed interesting to me. In addition to this, I have fallen in love with the beautiful work that Bethany has made and shown in her Flickr albums.  I found out that my grandmother and two aunts actually crochet, but with their busy schedules and my kids we have not been able to figure out time for lessons.

My desire to do something with yarn finally made me take a plunge. With some help from Laura I decided to head out get some new knitting needles (not sure where my old ones are – probably still at my parents house). So last weekend while NHL and JL were at a birthday party, I walked with JSL to Michael’s to get something for a project. I decided to make something simple that I should be able to finish. So, I am knitting a scarf for the little guy. They do not sell scarves in stores for babies and since baby necks get cold I am making him one!

Laura came over Monday to help me to asses the items that I bought (and pick up her Trader Joe order). I could not get the bamboo needles in the size that she suggested, so I stuck with the metal ones (I learned on those when I was in elementary school – so they work for me). The show off got me started with two rows. She wanted to see how many stitches to use. Later I counted and she supposedly thought that 49 was the perfect number.

I do not have a lot of time to knit, but it is therapeutic to do before bed to help me to relax some before going to read and passing out sleeping. How sad that the first night I sat there with my laptop and knitting so I could get pointers from Laura on what I was doing wrong since my poor hands were killing me. She had to remind me to relax my hands from death gripping the needles. . . ooops! Since then I have really gotten the hang of it and my hands only start to bother me after more than 2 hours of torture knitting. This is a nice break from typing/blogging and gives me a different type of obsession project/goal. Man can you tell I am getting punchy and my eyes are bloodshot as I type this after knitting for the last two hours?!?!

Here is a sneak peek of my knitting. The scarf is very wide for a baby, but I hope to tuck it under his coat some to protect from puke keep his neck warm. Plus an added bonus is that he can use it next year, assuming we do not misplace it. These photos were taken Thursday after knitting for a few hours. Since then it has increased a little more thanks to another 2-3 hours of therapy. 

My new project

Extreme Macro close-up! 

Extreme close up

Another close view with the shiny purple needles. 

Something therapeutic to do

I will keep you posted on my progress. I hope to finish this before winter so JSL’s neck can have some protection from the cold weather that is coming back.

Next up, learning how to purl again. This time I am doing a straight knit since it has been over two years since I have done anything. Laura has said she will teach me again and thinks she can show me how to make some mittens. I will believe that when I see it.

Who knows, maybe someday I will be a yarn snob just like her. Thanks Laura for your help and who knows you may get laughs from me one day about turning a heel on socks – LOL!

 

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