More Snow and in a Knitting Accessory Mood

What a weekend! We had a huge snow storm that dumped close to 2 feet of snow on us. Yes, it was very pretty to watch. Here's what it looked like early Saturday morning from our front door:



Here's what our front walkway looked like by Sunday:



We are expecting another 6-12 inches of snow starting tomorrow. I have to say I'm building up some arm and leg muscles with all the shoveling we've have accomplished so far.

The Knitting Front:

For some reason, the accessory bug has hit me. I've had in my Ravelry queue a really pretty shawl called Colonnade by Stephen West. It starts out with Stockinette stitch and ends with a beautiful simple lace pattern. I plan on using Elite Yarns Waterlily in two colors. I'm toying with the idea of using wedgwood blue and rose. I haven't decided which color will be used for St st and which color will be used for the lace pattern. It will depend on which color looks better near my face. I thought this would be a great seasonal transition accessory to wear from Winter into Spring. Yes, I'm already thinking about warmer weather. ;)

Snow and Knitting Thoughts...the Two Go Hand-in-Hand

We've had several snow storms in the last two weeks. The last one earlier this week brought 4.5" to 5" of snow. Tomorrow and Saturday, we are expecting the BIG one. Predictions are around 18" to 24". I'll be knitting up a storm on Saturday.

I've been working on a red Noble Cowl. My second version, but this time using Rowan EF Merino DK yarn. This yarn is gorgeous and very soft. It's becoming one of my favorites. The red color is just beautiful. I need to make a mental note to knit more with red. It's a happy color and makes for happy knitting. Sorry, no pictures of the red cowl yet...

...but I can include a picture of my first version of my Noble Cowl in Heathered Purple:



This past weekend, I hand washed my My first Noble Cowl (Cascade Superwash). I used my Knit Picks blocking mats and dried the cowl flat. I also used the Knit Picks blocking pins.




My KP blocking mats have been a great investment. The mats remind me of interlocking puzzle pieces and I can arrange them to hold my blocking projects: from my small cowl to a large sweater/cardigan. So far, I haven't had the need to use all 9 mats at one time. You can see from the above picture, that I place a towel between my knitted project and the blocking mat. Then I use the blocking pins to pin the project into shape and let it air dry.

You can see a big difference when a hand-knitted project is blocked. Here's the project in progress. Notice how stiff and rippled the cowl looks:




After blocking, see how the lace patterns pops out and the cowl drapes nicely:




I've been thinking about my lonely CPH that's been sitting in my knitting bag since last November. I need to get in gear and finish it. I need to knit two sleeves (one is already on the needles). There will be two major design changes. First, will be the sleeves...to shorten them quite a bit. Second, will be to omit the hood and instead knit a deep ribbed collar around the neckline. It's probably a good thing that I put this project aside. It's given me time to think about the changes that need to be made.

Once I complete CPH, I need to start thinking about knitting for Spring. I've been going through my knitting mags and books looking for a fun project. I would love to tackle an easy fair isle or intarsia project. I think I'm ready for a multiple colored knitting project. I feel a challenge coming on.

I'm also thinking about Christmas projects. Already and again? As I continue to tackle my CPH and any new intensive knitting projects, I'll need some quick and easy projects to complete. I might as well use my time wisely and knits some gifts. My 30-day knitting marathon before Christmas is history. Been there, done that.

As you can see, I'm spending less time on my computer and more time with my knitting needles.

Happy Knitting!

Little Strawberry & Blueberry Baby Hats-Completed

** Updated to include the Strawberry Hat **

The Little Strawberry & Blueberry Baby Hats:







Pattern: Leaf Top Baby Hat by Michele Sabatier
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Violet and Cactus
Needles: US 7 & 8 (16” circs) and #8 DPNs
Amount: Less than 100 yards of yarn used
Mods: No changes were made

Comments/Conclusions: This is my first attempt at knitting with two colors. If you recall, this is one of my knitting goals for 2010. I spent several months looking for an easy two color knitting project. Lo and behold, I came across a great pattern and a cool baby gift to give to a friend. There are times when I try to over-analyze a technique. This was one of them. I decided to “just do it” and see what happens.

Here, you can see how I stranded the two colors. When color #1 required 7 stitches, I took color #2 and did simple twist (WS) with color #1 (after the 4th stitch) and continued with color #1. That way, the color #2 strand wouldn't be carried for more than 4 stitches. This helped shorten the long strands of yarn.






This is a versatile hat. You can actually roll the brim more to have the hat sit above the ears or roll the brim less to cover the ears. This has been the easiest and quickest knitting project. If I had the time to knit this in one sitting...it would take me at most 5 hours.

This baby hat is knit up in stockinette stitch, two color knitting at the start of the crown, K2tog for decreases or crown shaping, and then knitting an i-cord. It’s a fun knitting project that will keep your interest from start to finish. I highly recommend knitting this rewarding project.

I have one more hat to knit and then I’m off to search for another two- or even a three-color knitting project.

Some Completed Projects

Quick post to show you what I've completed in the last few days.

First up, is the Blueberry Baby Hat:



My DH saw a really cute version on Ravelry and suggested I make one in red and call it StrawBerry Baby Hat. That version is now on my circs.

Next, is my No Swing Jacket:



I will be back to post a quick review.

Knitting with Two Colors

One of my goals this year is to knit with more than one color yarn. I finally came across a perfect knitting project that required knitting with two colors and it's an easy one as well. I'm knitting a baby hat for a friend of mine. I found this on Ravelry, but here's the pattern for the Berry Baby hat by Michele Sabatier. A really adorable baby hat. I'm calling my version the "Blueberry Baby" hat. I'm using a violet/blue yarn for the base and a light yellow for the top.

This is turning out to be a quick knit, that I'll be making several to keep on hand for gifts. What a great way to practice knitting with two colors as well as using up the yarn from my stash.

I'll be back to post a picture of my new creation.

Happy Knitting!!!

Knitting Bliss

I started the new year working a long and tiring work week. Working until 1am and then 12am for two nights in a row, is not my cup of tea. Losing sleep and then missing meals, makes me a very grumpy person. Then sleeping half the weekend away doesn't help. I have somewhat recovered during this past work week. I'm trying to keep my sanity while balancing a new job and keeping house. I made a commitment to myself, that I would somehow work in more knitting time. Time for me to have fun. I've started to bring a small knitting project into work with me. I am managing to get at least 30 minutes of knitting time during lunch. Like a kid getting a "happy meal", I'm getting my "happy knitting time".

So the small quick and easy knitting projects that you see me post here and on Ravelry will actually take me a bit longer to knit. That's because 30 minutes can equate to 6 rows of lace pattern or 15+ rows of stockinette stitches. Still...this is my knitting bliss.

Since I've started my new job last month, I've now become an evening knitter. I've managed to find 30 minutes of knitting time. Sometimes, I can knit while I'm cooking dinner. E.g. waiting for a pot of water to boil or waiting for dinner to bake in the oven. Yes, I'm a huge fan of casseroles. My evenings are devoted to the bigger knitting projects. Like this "no-swing jacket" I've been working on:



This is my second version and it fits beautifully. As you can see from the picture, I removed the "a-line" from the body. I've adjusted/tweaked this pattern as it had too much ease for a petite person like me. It's a quick knit with the bulky yarn and I really enjoy knitting from the top down. I hope to complete this jacket before this weekend is over.

I have several small projects in the works. One or two new ones that will need to be completed rather quickly. Thank goodness I have the yarns in my stash to use.

Happy Knitting!

January Knitting Progress

I've been busy. I've been finding time, here and there to get some knitting done. I finally have a finished pic of my "Not So Swing Jacket". The pattern is from Plymouth Yarns. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in Barley (tweed) and trimmed the jacket in Black. The brown and black 1-1/4 inch button came from my button purchase late last year at the Sewing Expo. I used a little over 4 skeins of yarn to complete this jacket.




There is a lot of ease in this jacket. I knitted this without the increases in the body. You can still see a slight "a-line" look in the side profile. I did 2 of the 3 required increases (per instructions) in the sleeves. I'm thinking of calling this "My House Jacket" and just wearing this around the house.





Currently on my 16 inch circular needles is my "Noble Cowl". I'm using Cascade Superwash 220 yarn in a heathered purple color. This yarn is a dream to knit with. No splitting. This is turning out to be a beautiful lace cowl. I love how the edging came out.




Also on my needles is another jacket titled..."No Swing Jacket". This version will be more fitted and longer. I'm using LB WE T&Q in charcoal color. This is a beautiful heathered dark gray color.



I hope you are getting in some knitting time.

HAPPY KNITTING!!

2009: A Look Back in Time - A Beginner's Adventure in Knitting

I thought it would be a great time to look back on my knitting adventure. What I’ve learned, attempted, tackled, and accomplished. Yes, I was once classified as a beginning knitter earlier this year. As most of you know, I started knitting garments back in February of this year. I spent months before, contemplating what should be my first knitted garment. I needed to challenge myself and step away from scarves and wristlets I felt comfortable with. I looked through many magazines, books, and patterns on the Internet. I was looking for a “beginner” or “first project” patterns. Nothing appealed to me. I went on a personal field trip to a few local yarn shops (LYS) to see what I could find. That’s when the whole knitting euphoria started and my real love of yarn began.

I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, when I was approached about a job at a yarn shop. I was quite taken back, but took it as a complement to be given such an offer. Little did I know that a few weeks later, I would be laid off from my full-time job of almost 10 years. I graciously accepted the LYS offer (thanks to Jill and her great judge of character) and I had no idea of where this new adventure would take me.

I’ve spent many hours knitting this past year and I have many finished projects to show. Sometimes I would start at 4 or 5 am in the morning and knit for two hours or so. That would be the quota for the day. If I didn’t get a chance to knit in the morning, I would get the chance in the afternoon for an hour or two. Since I worked at my LYS, I may or may not have had the chance to knit. My knitting time might be for an hour or two after I completed my yarn shop duties (e.g. assisting customers, fixing mistakes, straightening yarn displays, setting up POs, ringing up customers, etc).

I’m not a fast knitter since I knit the English way. You know...the swing method. :) I would definitely classify myself as a consistent knitter as I always get the appropriate gauge. I’m also consistent in the area of TNT (tried and true) patterns. If I really, really, really like a pattern and get wonderful end results, I would be knitting another version (or two or three or more). Yeah, I did go crazy over the Shrug This! pattern this year.

This will seem weird, but I’ve actually kept track of all my knitted projects for 2009. Thanks to Ravelry, I have a journal/diary of all my knitting adventures. From completed projects to projects that are sitting in limbo. I’ve also kept track of the yarn yardage and mileage on a spreadsheet. Amazing...close to 8 miles of yarn was knitted. As a number, it doesn’t seem like much, but if you laid out 8 miles of yarn and started to knit and walk...that’s a lot of yarn!


What have I accomplished in 2009?

- I learned to knit the pieces for a sweater and cardigan
- Seams - did a lot of seaming actually enjoyed the process
- Tackled lace patterns
- Tackled difficult patterns (e.g. Intermediate)
- Joining and Knitting in the round
- Consistent stitches that resulted in getting correct gauge majority of the time
- Sweaters, cardigans, socks, hats/berets, purses,
- Fixed many knitting problems (for myself and others)
- Taught classes
- Developed extensive yarn knowledge
- Met some wonderful knitters
- Enjoyed my knitting adventures
- Completed 19 garments and 14 accessories


So now, here I am...10 months later as an intermediate knitter. I have a lot to show for this year and quite a bit wiser in the knitting arena. I have no problems or fear with fixing other people’s knitting mistakes, even mine. I look at it as a challenge. I know so much more about yarns than I could ever imagine.

A month ago, I’ve had to leave my fun yarn shop job and pursue a full-time position. A new career. As much fun as I’ve had, it was time to move on. I have had a lot of wonderful knitting experiences under my belt. Still, I have much more to learn.

What will 2010 bring me? I’m not sure. I do not want to start a “to do list” of projects and be bound to it like I did in 2009. I need to do something different. I need to be a different knitter. I need to be an exploratory knitter. Here is my basic plan and what I would like to accomplish:

- More difficult knitting projects. In order for me to keep knitting and learning new techniques, I need to pursue more challenging projects.
- More quality projects. I need to choose my patterns/projects wisely. Since I now have a full-time job, my knitting time has been drastically reduced. My time must be spent on learning new techniques and future projects need to be wearable.
- To continue knitting daily. If I can squeeze in 30 minutes of knitting time, I’d be really happy.
- Learn to knit with two or more colored yarns.
- Take more field trips and visit many more yarn shops in my area and in my travels.
- Start knitting my Christmas gifts earlier. No more 30 days of marathon knitting.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I Should Be Knitting...

Instead, I'm sitting in front of my Mac looking through the Interweave Knits CD collections from 2007, 2006, and 2005. I think I've hit a jackpot! I bought this collection back in November when Interweave was having a sale. I got a bargain. As most of you know, I started to knit in 2008 and I started collecting the Knits magazine this year. I have no back issues prior to this year. This is why the CD collection is a bargain to me.

I have way more patterns (garments to accessories) than I can handle at the moment and storage is a problem for me. Magazines are stacked in piles as well as books. I know, I need to get a bookcase dedicated to knitting. I won't even talk about my yarn stash storage problem. Right now, having the older Knits magazine archived on CD is the way to go.

I have the ability to read articles, peruse patterns and instructions and print them out. Not bad.

Looking forward to seeing the Interweave Knits 2008 on CD in the near future.

Still Here and Still Knitting

This month has gone by quickly for me. First off, I need to mention that I started a new job this month. That's why I haven't been posting like a mad woman. I've been busy working full-time in the corporate world. Yes, I've been going through bouts of knitting withdrawals...big time! Yes, I do miss working at my LYS. I miss squeezing the yarns and I miss my knitting friends.

I still find some time to knit. Mostly in the evenings during the week and then a few hours on the weekends.

My knitted Christmas gifts (felted bowls, shopping bag, and cozy socks) were a big hit and a big surprise this year. I'm sure the recipients are expecting something hand made for 2010...no pressure! lol!!!

My poor CPH is on hold. I was in the process of knitting the first sleeve. I have to modify the sleeve instructions to accommodate my shorter arm length. I haven't had a block of time to devote to this project. I'm hoping to have a whole weekend in January to get back on track and finish this project.

In the meantime, I've casted on for my "Not So-Swing Jacket" using Lion Brand Thick & Quick yarn in Barley. Before I started my new job, I came across this Plymouth pattern at one of my LYS. Since I have very little time to knit, I knew this would be a quick knit with Bulky yarn and knitting from the top down. There is a lot of ease in this jacket. The size small has a finished bust of 42 inches. I decided not to do the increases in the body and will knit this jacket shorter than the 20 inches the instruction calls for. I also plan on using black LB T&Q yarn around the neckline, bottom of sleeves and bottom of the jacket.

Right now, the sleeves are on waste yarns and I'm working on the body. This tweedy yarn is beautiful and a nice surprise from Lion Brand. Here's what the jacket looks like so far:




I hope to finish this before the end of this week. A nice way to end 2009.