Yarn Therapy
I feed my yarn addictionArchive for crochet
Knitting Standstill
I have so many projects in the works and they are all having problems! Did I unravel someone’s knitting in a past life? I dunno. Here’s the lineup:
- Central Park Hoodie– It appears to be too small because the cables and ribbing make it squinch up (squinch being the technical term). I have to figure out if the resulting piece will be squinched or not.
- Child’s Fairisle–The back looks great but I started the front piece and there is a mistake in the colorwork so I have to figure out what went wrong and undo it.
- Seamingly Simple Vest–I have to untangle the second skein of yarn before continuing. Dh usually helps.
- Chevron Scarf–zzzzzzzzzzz. Just bored.
- Tess–OMG, I wanted badly to make this. I swatched, etc. Now, it just looks terrible. It is hard to tell if it will continue to look terrible or not. I don’t want to waste a lot of time if it will still look terrible. Ya know?
- Shawl Collar Sweater–Got so bored with it I put it away. Will probably frog and make something for Amelia.
- Cobblestone–I have to figure out why it got so darned huge and then restart it. Oy.
- Spring Pearls Afghan–Was going along fine, but now I am one bobble short and have to squeeze one in there unless I want to undo the entire panel.
The plan:
Work on the vest until my brain recovers, then perhaps do a small project for FCS3 pal and then reassess.
At least the blog looks good! 
Beautiful and Artistic? Or a Fugly Mess–You Be the Judge
For a long time, I have wanted to devise a good way to use up those “scraps” of yarn; partial skeins that can’t be used on their own. I have tried doing sweaters, shawls and the like, only to find I hate the project mid-way through and frogging it. This time, I think I may have arrived at a more “legitimate” way to use those scraps. I started crocheting a scarf long-ways using a single crochet stitch. I used one color for each row, creating random stripes.
I go back and forth. Sometimes I think it is very cool and funky, other times I hear “yarn vomit” in my head. It has been kind of fun to make, so that’s positive. It’s a good use of what would otherwise be trash, so it’s recycling.
At any rate, it is one of a kind.
Almost Year-End Wrap Up
Last December, I made New Year’s Knitalutions. Looking at them now, I did pretty well. Let’s review:
1. Finish UFOs (a good attempt)
There were some failed projects, but they got frogged if I didn’t finish them. The exception is my one Inside-Out sock. I have very bad SSS.
2. Take time to use good finishing
I am getting much better at this, because I realized that I can knit pieces perfectly, only to finish them into something that looks like doo-doo. I tried to take a finishing class at a LYS, but it was a terrible bust. Not sure if I will try again at another LYS, or just continue on myself.
3. Frog and redo, when necessary
Yes. Getting much better at this, realizing that, if I go to the trouble of buying expensive yarn and many hours knitting something, I might as well redo parts if they aren’t the way they should be.
4. Start xmas presents earlier
I am not doing as many this year, which helps. However, I did start earlier.
5. Make one thing with lace
I made Camelia, by Stefanie Japel. I love the way it turned out.
6. Make one thing with cables
I am making Mr. Greenjeans out of Malabrigo worsted in a lovely teal green color. It is going so well, I vow to make many more things with cables in the near future.
7. Make one thing with intarsia
Nope. I tried the Heart Hoodie from Knit Picks and the gauge was just off, so I will try again later. I also want to start some fair isle projects.
8. Make Jaywalkers!
My attempt just failed miserably. I just can’t seem to get the right gauge and don’t have the patience to play with it. So I am the only knitter in the universe who is Jaywalker-less. Maybe I’ll try Monkeys next.
9. Make a vest
Yes, did Sloane. I love wearing it, although I need to take in the side seams. I have two more vest patterns to try, one for me and one for dh.
10. Make the Yarnplay sweater!
Did it!
11. Make a shawl
Again, I tried, but lost interest in the scrap shawl idea. I have a shawl pattern from WEBS that I want to start, but haven’t found the right yarn yet. That will probably be my first shawl.
12. Use circular needles whenever possible.
I think I have used circs almost all the time. What has made that easier is that I have made a bunch of things in the round from the top down. I also bought the Harmony needle set from Knit Picks, the pretty, colorful, wooden ones, and I LOVE them.
So that is my wrap up! I think I did pretty well, and it has been a good knitting year. Now that I’m on Ravelry, I am more organized and have increased access to LOADS of information and inspiration. I also started going occasionally to a knitting group that meets weekly (I don’t go every week). I learn a lot from being around other knitters.
This year I also got up the nerve and submitted several items to the local county fair and won 3 ribbons!
My secret wish is to meet a fellow knitter with whom I really connect (locally or on the net) and develop a close friendship. Maybe in 2008!
How was your knit-year? What do you hope to do in the next one?
I’m Somebody!
The new phone book is here! (What movie is that, film fans?)
I’m on Ravelry!!
My screen name: Yarnmaniac. It will take me awhile to get the lay of the land and put all my stuff in there, but I’ve already joined groups (I’m a joiner, at least online).
Check it out, if you are among the fortunate. I am excited!
Report From the County Fair
I’m very surprised–I won three ribbons! One of each. The sweater that I really thought might win had too much competition in that category and didn’t win any ribbons.
Some of us rode lots of rides! LOTS of rides.
A good time was had by all!
What a Girl
Amelia found a crochet hook–size G, I think, in the car. “What is this, Mommy?” She asked. “It’s a crochet hook,” I said, matter-of-factly. She held it up and declared, “I’m a pirate!!!”
I’m a Triple!
Saturday, I’ve agreed to be a volunteer at the TNNA (National Needlework Assn?) booth at the Conference of Women Effected by Breast Cancer. What will I be doing? I get to teach willing non-stitchers to knit, crochet, or cross-stitch (I know all three). So cool! I have rarely had to opportunity to teach any of these things, and it will be nice if I can turn on at least one person to any of these three crafts.
I learned to cross-stitch when I was 15, (almost 30 years ago) from my then-friend, Sarah, who just wanted me to do the same activities she was doing (she taught me how to smoke cigarettes, too, but I quickly abandoned that). To her surprise, I took off with cross-stitching, working up to an impressionist painting several years down the road. I still do it occasionally, although I really prefer knitting these days. BTW, I married Sarah’s boyfriend.
I learned to crochet almost 6 years ago for something to do with my hands and ended up getting quite obsessed with it. I made lots of afghans and small items, including baby sweaters when I was pregnant with Amelia. I resisted learning to knit, even though my friends Nell and Claire were nagging me to. I insisted I was happy being a crocheter. Well, until I happened into the knitting tent at the Knit Out and Crochet Too of 2004 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Now, I am “bi,” as I told Nell and Claire. I love knitting the most of all, and my Flickr photos show it. Glad I get to share the wealth on Saturday. It will feel good to do some good with my crafts.
Another WIP Done
This bag started out life as a hat. I was making Strut from Happy Hooker, but I kept going and made a bag instead. I think it’ll go to my SP9. I love this color of Noro Kureyon, #40. I’m sure I’ll find a way to use this again.
Post-Holiday Spoilage!
I thought I would get off easy two weeks ago. DD’s entire daycare was sick, including her. She had an ear-infection and a cough and recovered well with a course of antibiotics. We had to wrestle her to administer the meds, until we found out that she was willing to take it very nicely from a little med cup, like Baby Bear did in her Elmo Goes to the Doctor video. Who knew? I got a little cold, which went away in a few days and was no big deal.
Enter the in-laws, from Florida, both coughing like they were about to eject their lungs. They adore Amelia, their cutest granddaughter (my opinion) and the visit was fun. They, however, left me an extra gift. So, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself that I was spending the bulk of my VERY rare time off (own business, you know) laying around being sick and waiting for my antibiotics to work.
I had played with all my new toys (I got a pink iPod nano!) and almost finished the Einstein Coat. I started Strut from Happy Hooker and kept going, saying it would be a bag instead of a hat. I watched a lot of preschooler TV, which got really old.
This afternoon, there was a knock at the door with a package from my SP9!!! I was literally dumbfounded with the contents. Wow! The stuff for me was great, but Amelia was completely spoiled! She got two books, a letter puzzle (her letter puzzle lost some of its letters, so this is right-on!), a blanket for her baby dolls, and an adorable handmade dolly with its own bed and cover. I even noted the doll has its own little crocheted underwear.
I got a chocolate (gone, sorry), two skeins of pinky-purply yarn, a xmas-mix CD, some awesome-looking green tea in an innovative pyramid shape with tea-bag holders (and green!),Alchemic Dragon soap in Blackberry Sage (mm) some Belgian chocolates (!) and a tea-light oil infuser thingie with lavender oil.
I am pleased/sorry that the custom slip gave away the id of my generous and thoughtful SP, she is Michelle from BC, Canada. Thanks, Michelle! I love everything and Amelia ran off with her dolly and puzzle right away! What a nice surprise at just the right time.
Courageous, optimistic, and successful.
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