2010 - A Year in Review

This year has gone by quickly for me. Even when I was working full-time, I managed to find time to knit and expand my knitting knowledge and skills. I’ve knitted several shawls, garments, and accessories and noticed a consistent theme of knitting a lace pattern in most of my projects. I wanted to close out this adventurous year by doing a recap on the new techniques and skills that I’ve learned in 2010.

Learning to Block:
I’ve learned the importance of blocking whether it’s a garment or accessory. Sometimes I would use the damp (spritz of water) method or hand wash the knitted project in baby shampoo. I invested in blocking mats from Knit Picks. Not just one set, but two sets. Some of my projects ended up being rather large. To get the shawls shaped correctly, I had to either hand wash (one extreme) or spray water on them and then stretch them out on my mats and pin them in place. I even went as far as purchasing lace blocking wires also from Knit Picks to block out a few of my shawl projects.

Stranded Knitting:
I was knitting the baby hats which I called strawberry and blueberry and got a chance to do a bit of stranded knitting with two colors. Given that it was only for a couple of rows and a simple project, it was enough to get my feet wet and learn how to carry lengths of yarn and a simple twist to prevent holes.

Knitting Shawls:
I knitted a lot of shawls this year. I wore them mostly at work in my cold office. I got a chance to use the Noro Taiyo yarn and now I know why everyone loves Noro for it’s distinctive colors that stripe perfectly. Even for a shawl. Incredible!

More Lace Pattern Knitting:
I mentioned that a consistent theme was knitting lace patterns in my projects. I can tell you I’m attracted to knitting projects that has a pattern whether it includes lace or cable. Plain stockinette stitch projects get dropped further down my priority list. It’s all about keeping my interest.

Knitting Garments in the Round:
I got a chance to do more knitting in the round. Mostly top down which I prefer.

I knitted a Reid top which was from the bottom up and I learned to integrate and knit the sleeves with the yoke. Not too hard to do.

Modifying a Garment:
I must have been in an experimentation phase over the Summer. I came across a Tahki Yarns Henley short-sleeve top pattern in one of their summer booklets. I was captivated by the chevron lace pattern, but I did not like the three-button neckline (Henley) nor the short sleeves. Also, the length of this top was too long for me. So, I modified the pattern. I shortened the length (removing some colored-block rows), re-wrote the neckline pattern to make it into a scoop, and basically omitted the sleeves. I guess the simple solution was to have looked for a sleeveless shell pattern, but I felt the challenge and answered it.

Knitting Stripes:
I knitted the same sleeveless top in the round that incorporated a chevron lace pattern (the same one under Modifying a Garment). I knitted this top using 3 colors. It was a great experience for me. Since I was using different colors, I ended up weaving in a lot of loose ends.

I-Cord Bind Off:
I probably wouldn’t have learned this technique if wasn’t for the 3-color sleeveless top I knitted. I had modified this pattern so much that I needed to use a simple finish in the armholes. That’s when learned this new BO technique. This produced a beautiful edging and not stretchy at all.

Short Rows:
I got a chance to learn how to do short row shaping for a lace leaf top. Of course this short row shaping was used for shaping bust area. It’s an easy technique to learn and use in other patterns.

Experimenting with Various Yarns:
Since I have developed a nice stash (mostly in the last year), I was able to knit with different kinds of yarns: cotton, linen, silk, wool and synthetics. I also got a chance to knit with different brands of yarns like: Tahki Yarns, Rowan, Noro, Debbie Bliss, Berroco, Classic Elite, etc. I noticed from my purchases this year, I’ve added a lot more Berroco yarn (Vintage, Remix, and some others). It’s probably because it’s an affordable yarn. I’m sure texture, color, and softness was a criteria. I don’t buy yarn that causes me to itch.

Fingerless Gloves:
Got a chance to get back into knitting with DPNs and knitted a lot of fingerless gloves. I had a good laugh at myself. It took me awhile to get comfortable with having 3 needles in the round and using the 4th to knit. I also learned a valuable technique of knitting a future hole (thumb area) with contrasting yarn and then put those contrasting loops back on the left needle and pick up the main colored yarn and continue knitting. I go back and pick up the stitches around the contrasting yarn and then remove the contrasting yarn. A nice hole appears and I can continue knitting in the round for the thumb.

This has become my TNT (tried ‘n true) project for mindless knitting in front of the TV. I’m sure there will be several family members who will be getting these gloves for next Christmas. Unless, I find another fun TNT project for mindless knitting.

Classes:
I took my first knitting classes as a student. Normally, I’m the teacher. This was a welcomed switch for me. I needed to expand my knitting skills or fine tune my techniques. My first class was on buttonholes and button bands. I learned a lot of buttonhole techniques and not to be fearful.

My second class was on seaming. Basically, this reinforced what I’ve taught myself about seaming. One key point I learned is to seam with the same tension that I knitted. This was very noteworthy and so true.

My third and last class for this year was learning to knit Continental style. I’ve always wanted to learn and tried to teach myself but failed miserably. This class was an eye opener for me. I learned to first break down the steps for the knit stitch and then try to recreate the steps, but with the yarn in the left hand. Once I figured out how to hold the yarn correctly (or basically what felt good to me), I was able to start knitting the Continental way. I also learned to break down the purl stitch and learned to knit that stitch as well.

Continental knitting:
What a major breakthrough for me. I can say that I’ve mastered the Continental method. I can produce the knit and purl stitches and have created several samples of St st, ribbing, seed stitch, etc. I’ve also knitted up a 4”x4” swatch and got gauge. It’s nice to see that I can go from English to Continental and vice versa and still keep gauge.

I ended the year with knitting a watchman cap for my hubby using the Continental method. I can say I completed a true project.

I have found there are many benefits to learning this method. The first important benefit is knitting the ribbing (knit and purl). I’m knitting this more efficiently with less movement and increasing my knitting speed. My ribbing stitches look more consistent versus the English method. Another benefit for me which will be another stepping stone into learning another technique for next year is knitting with two colors.


Summary:

Even though I knitted less projects this year than in 2009, I’ve managed to keep up my knitting skills and picked up a few new techniques along the way. More yarn was definitely purchased, but not in small quantities for small projects. I was thinking more of future sweaters, tunics, cardigans…larger projects. Can we say bags of yarn? And yes, storage continues to be a problem for me. My hubby is planning on building some shelves for me in our basement. That way I can organize and store my bins more efficiently. He’s aware that I have a yarn stash, but I’m not sure he knows how much I have.

I’m looking forward to 2011 with the anticipation of learning new knitting skills and techniques. I have lots of projects queued in Ravelry and lots of yarn to knit with. And still, lots to learn.

Weekend Knitting

I can't believe it took me until Christmas Eve to get into the full-blown knitting mode. Hours upon hours of blissful knitting. Other than going to church on Christmas Day, we spent a quiet time at home. More knitting and watching DVDs. This morning, we got up really late with no snow on the ground...yet. Sleepy-eyed, we ventured out for some breakfast.

Here's what I have on my needles, the Listado cowl/head cover in Renata Tebaldi colorway. I thought I was going to knit this in Julia Child, but at the last minute I changed my mind and went for the contrasting colors.




My beautiful hank of yarn went from this:



To this cake of yarn:



I spent time winding some yarn this weekend. Very therapeutic I must add:



When hubby asked what I wanted for Christmas, I should have mentioned a new Swift. For now, my homemade swift will do for another year. I've had to add a few cans of tomato sauce to my "swift box" to add stability when my swift is spinning so fast. Here's my last year's post of my Tilta Swift and a link on how to make your own.




I had a last minute knitting request from my hubby. He wanted me to knit him a hat. So, I've started to knit a watchman cap using Berroco Vintage in brown. This pattern is from the "Knits Men Want" book. I have to say this book is wonderful. There are classic style sweaters and projects for men and includes different gauges and yardages to complete a project. Here's the beginnings of the cap:



Here's the cover of the book:




I hope my fellow knitters are enjoying their holiday weekend. I know I am.

Colorful Eye Candies!

The mailman had arrived. What timing! Now I can really start to knit up a storm. Here's the Heather yarn I mentioned in the previous post:

Heather by Schaefer Yarns in Renata Tebaldi

I plan to use this Julia Child color to knit the lace neck warmer/head cover:

Heather by Schaefer Yarns in Julia Child

We spent only an hour in Uniquities and I managed to find a beautiful hand dyed yarn from Mountain Colors called Twizzle. I couldn't resist this color combination called Snapdragon:

Twizzle by Mountain Colors in Snapdragon


I finally bought the rest of this Zara Chine yarn. I bought a few balls of this yarn every time I stopped by Uniquities. Now after the 4th visit (over several months), I have enough to make a long sleeved sweater. Yes, by using this crazy shopping method, I took a chance that they would sell out of this yarn. I was lucky.

Zara Chine by Filatura di Crosa in Black/Gray

Here's a picture of another pair of Fetching Gloves. I knitted this lovely pair using Savoy by Tahki Yarns in a berry color:



And started another pair using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a charcoal gray color:


That's all for now. Stay warm and keep on knitting!

Like a Child Waiting for New Toys

I'm back in the knitting saddle and feeling much better. Just in time for the Holidays. I started, yet another pair of Fetching gloves. This time I'm knitting with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a charcoal gray color. Another pair of gray gloves??? Yes! For me? Yes! A gal can't have too many fingerless gloves. Plus it makes great mindless knitting while watching TV with dear hubby. Instead of a being a sock knitter, I'm just a plain ole fingerless glove knitter. Anyways, I wanted to make a comment about the Cashmerino Aran yarn. It's fabulous to knit with! Sooooo soft! The yarn produces a lovely knitted fabric with beautiful stitch definitions. I've checked Ravelry and there were many comments about pilling issues. I have not encountered that while knitting the gloves.

I'm off the next few days. What is a gal to do? Why, go visit one of her favorite local yarn shops. So, I'm heading off to Uniquities with my mother. BTW...my mother has been knitting up a storm. Instead of knitting plain ole cardigans, she's expanding her horizons a bit. She's knitting herself a fancy cable sweater.

Before I go, I wanted to share this stunning lace cowl from the Creative Knitting Accessories with Style mag:

Design by Laura Nelken

It's a slouchy neck warmer as well as an elegant head cover. As a Christmas gift to myself, I ordered some beautiful yarn to use with this project. I plan on using Heather by Schaeffer Yarns. It's a mix of merino wool and silk and a bit of nylon. On Ravelry, there are some other projects that were knitted with this yarn and the colors were just stunning. I plan on knitting this neck warmer using the Continental method. I need the practice.

I'm anxiously awaiting for my yarn to arrive. No, I won't be hanging out at the edge of driveway waiting for the mail truck to arrive. Though, the thought did occur to me. Could leave a glass of milk and some chocolate chip cookies.

Happy Knitting!

Still Sick As a Dog

I was hoping that I would be in recovery mode by now. Not today. A head cold has taken me hostage for the last 3 days. I managed to finish another pair of my Fetching Fingerless Gloves...just need to weave in the ends. Not in the mood right now.

I had planned on starting a scarf for myself using the Continental method. I did start something, but decided I disliked the stitch pattern. So, it's frogged. I thought I was being picky about the scarf design. I think it has more to do with not being motivated right now. My hands want to knit something, but the brain is...well...distracted.

I spent some time on Ravelry. I found a beautiful cardigan. If I start it this month, I could finish it in time for next winter. LOL!!! Here's the Turpan Cardigan:

Turpan from Caron.com

Turpan from Caron.com

This cardigan would be the ultimate project of all projects for me. Possibly another stepping stone into some serious future knitting projects. This cardigan is just gorgeous. I'm contemplating knitting it in the round. We'll see how ambitious I am when I get healthy again.

Another Fingerless Glove Pattern?

Yes!  I happened to be looking around on Ravelry and found another fingerless glove pattern.  It’s the same Fetching pattern, but instead of the plain cable design…it’s using an “owl” design.  This modified pattern is from Destiknits at http://destiknit.com/.   Here’s a picture of the gloves from Destiknits.com

Naturally, I will want to try knitting a pair of these real soon. 

 

On the knitting front – Continental Way:

I’ve been practicing faithfully…knitting the Continental way.  I’ve knitted a 4”x4” swatch in St st using the Berroco Comfort yarn and I’m getting gauge.  Wahooo!  I’ve been challenging myself by knitting another swatch and switching between St St, ribbing, and the seed stitch.  So, I have several rows in St st, several rows in ribbing, several rows in seed stitch.  I’m really challenging myself and to create consistent looking stitches. 

I enjoy knitting this way, however the slow rate I knit.  I’m sure with more practice, my speed will pick up.  I do like how I don’t have to use my right hand as much (the swinging of my right arm to go between the knit and the purl stitches).  I do like having the yarn in my left hand and actually using minimal movements to knit and purl.  Would you believe that purling is actually easy for me to do and that I enjoy it using the Continental method versus the English way? 

Happy Knitting!

Continental Way of Knitting–Finally

** Updated to include a picture of my knitting sample from class **

What a way to end another year of adventurous knitting. I took my last of three knitting classes last weekend on Continental Knitting. As most of your know, I taught myself to knit almost 3 years ago and I taught myself to knit the English/American way. You know, the throw your right arm to create a stitch. The 1-1/2 hour class was pure stress for me, but in a good way! We started out with a “warm-up” exercise of knitting our normal English way. Pure knitting stitches. Then I did a few rows of stockinette to warm-up with the purl stitches.

Then the Continental lesson began. Brenda, our instructor, broke down the “knit” stitch…the direction the needle goes into the loop and then the direction the yarn wraps around the needle. Got that. We were then instructed to hold the yarn in our left hand/fingers and then try to “knit” a stitch. Almost got that. It took me awhile to figure out how to hold the yarn in my left fingers. I struggled to figure this out first. I noticed others in the class were worried about their gauge. Not me. My first priority was to get the “technique” down first and then worry about tension/gauge later. Can’t worry about both at the same time, otherwise I won’t get it.

After 15 minutes of what felt like re-learning to knit all over again, I finally got it. Close enough to be able to create knitted stitches for several rows. It was uncomfortable at first, but I did fall into a slow rhythm.

We took a 5 minute break to relax our hands and de-stress (at least for me).

We proceeded to learn the purl stitch. Again, Brenda broke down the process of the direction the needle goes into the loop and then the direction the yarn wraps. Made sense to me, but doing it was another head scratching “how am I going to attempt this?” I was able to make a purl stitch, but still had problems with holding the yarn in my left hand.

I had an AH-HA moment. I took the yarn and placed it in my right hand as if to knit. I took note of how the yarn was threaded in and around my fingers: under my pinky, over my ring finger, under my mid-finger, and over my pointer finger. I put the yarn back in my left hand and followed the same threaded pattern I had done with my right hand. Once the yarn went over my pointer finger, I then felt the need to wrap it around once to apply some tension/control to the yarn. It worked! I continued purling for a few rows until I got into a good slow rhythm.

Brenda wanted us to combine the two stitches and we proceeded to do the stockinette stitch for a few rows. A few important things I noticed, I was knitting a bit quicker, I could keep the yarn comfortable in my left hand/fingers while switching between knitting and purling, and all I had to do was switch my needles (circulars) at the end of the row and just keep knitting.

Our last task was to knit a ribbing pattern. I ended up doing a K2P2 for my sample. This ribbing task went fast. I truly appreciated the Continental way of knitting.

At the end of class, I realized the stress of learning a new way of knitting went away. I actually had fun. I noticed my class sample turned out nicely and evenly, even though I have a gauge issue. I had to laugh at myself as I looked like a tight knitter.

While others in class were absorbed in getting gauge and frustrated on how to hold the yarn in their left hand, I found that working on how to hold the yarn first in the left hand helped me accomplished this knitting style much faster with less frustration. Just like how I first learned to knit three years ago, gauge will come with much practice and a lot of swatch knitting.

Here's my sample from class. Below the black line is my English knitting style. Above the black line is my Continental knitting style.



Why am I learning the Continental way? One, to be able to knit the ribbing pattern or seed stitch pattern quick and easily. Two, be able to knit with two colored yarns. Three and overall, to knit faster.

More Fetching Fingerless Gloves

I’m on a knitting roll.  Not so much knitting garments (as I have a few WIPs staring me in the face and making me feel guilty), but knitting quick accessories.  I seem to do this in spurts.  Maybe it’s seasonal.  I have a new found love for knitting fingerless gloves.  The Fetching pattern in particular.  I really like the cabled ribbing pattern around the wrists and again at the knuckle area.  This has become my TNT pattern.  So far, it takes me 3 hours to finish one glove or 6 hours for a set.  Not bad as I’m a slow knitter. 

Here’s my 2nd set of Fetching knitted in Comfort by Berroco in a gray color:

The gray color is much darker than the pictures show.  I’m not too talented taking a one-handed picture using my DSLR, so I have to rely on my handy P&S (point & shoot) and of course the pop up flash which blows the color way out.  Trust me, the dark gray color is beautiful. 

I really like knitting with the Berroco Comfort yarn even though it’s a synthetic yarn.  It produces a beautiful knitted fabric and it’s quite soft. 

I have to admit that there’s nothing like knitting with real yarn.  Here’s my 3rd version of Fetching on my DPNs.  I’m using Savoy by Tahki Yarns in a beautiful berry color.  This yarn is silk/merino wool and very, very lovely to knit with.  It has a beautiful sheen and a joy to knit with.  Some Ravelers who have knitted garments with this yarn have mentioned that this yarn will pill. So far, I haven’t experienced that while knitting the gloves.  It’s just doggone beautiful!

So, what will I do with several versions of Fetching?  I’ll have a set to use at work to keep my hands warm while I’m typing.  Yes, it can get chilly in the office.  Another set will be worn when I’m on a photography assignment and have to take outdoor pictures.  I still need my bare fingers to grip my DSLR and press the buttons.  Better to have something to partially cover my hands than nothing at all. 

These are functional fingerless gloves and the cabled ribbing adds some elegance to an otherwise simple and easy to knit pair of gloves. 

Knitting Weekend

I’m having a fun filled weekend of knitting.  Meaning…hours of non-stop knitting.  From Friday evening until today.   I haven’t had the opportunity to do this in a long while.  I’m having a great weekend.

I’ve finished the basket weave scarf and just need to weave in the ends.

Friday, I CO for the Fetching fingerless gloves and finished them early this morning.  I just need to weave in the ends (more weaving).  Here’s a picture of the left glove with the contrast waste yarn knitted into the glove.  The contrast yarn represents the hole or thumbhole area.  This morning I finished the thumbhole and will post pictures later of using DPNs to pick up the “live stitches” above and below the contrast yarn.  It’s funny that I learned this technique a few weeks ago in my Buttonhole knitting class and then come across this technique again in this pattern. 

This Fetching pattern is a real winner.  It took me less than 6 hours to knit both gloves.  Remember, I’m a slow knitter.  The pattern instructions are easy to memorize.  I’ll be knitting several more of these.  It will be nice to have a small knitting project to take with me on the go and just pick up and knit when I have a few minutes or an hour to spare. 

You will notice that both the gloves and the scarf are knitted with the same yarn – Berroco Comfort.  I like this color which is a brown heather with a berry hue to it.  This yarn creates beautiful stitch definitions.  It’s machine washable and the knitted fabric is very soft. 

Later this afternoon, I will be attending my last of three knitting class at my LYS.  I will be learning to knit Continental style.  We’ll see if I can accomplish this within this 1-1/2 hour session.  Wish me luck!

Happy Knitting!