Things have been hectic the last few days and I have not had ample opportunities to write sufficiently for my readers. I apologize for the neglect. Due to several circumstances I am behind on many of my projects and do not have much to write about. However, I am starting fresh with you, my readers.
Today's blog is going to be short as I am applying for jobs while writing and should focus on the job hunt. It is more relevant to my daily comfort and eating. :)
Starting tomorrow I am embarking on a short journey through the basic stitches available and seen in most patterns. The journey will span over 4 days of stitches with a few days in between of new projects and updates.
It might not be too exciting at first, but I think there are a lot of pattern stitches out there and many readers might want to expand in their knitting experience.
Hope all is well with my readers. While you wait for the next post, be sure to check out Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss, featuring 20 special handknits for baby's first two years.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
St. George
The St. George's Flag throw began with a vision after a horrific incident. My boyfriend's grandfather had a massive stroke a few weeks ago. The doctors all said he wouldn't survive a week. Don't worry, he is doing much better now. I have to give the man credit, he is a fighter. He was able to leave the hospital much sooner than they expected and is continuing with his recovery. We are all relieved at the turn of events. Never the less, our story starts with him.
I should probably reveal that I am not popular with my boyfriend's family despite my best efforts and two years of dedication to him. It is sad that my boyfriend alone cannot be enough to find common grounds over, but alas that is what it is. Because of these feelings both parties distanced themselves early on in the relationship. Basically I started this knitting journey with little attachment to his grandpa. It is not that I dislike the guy, but I already know him and in all honesty I have only ever seen him twice.
I suppose everyone is wondering why I would commit my time, energy, and money into a project for someone I don't even know and the answer is love. I invested into this throw for him because I love my boyfriend and his grandpa means the world to him.
I readily embraced the challenge of knitting a flag because for years I have invisioned many great designs, but never seemed to put them into action. In fact, the only projects I ever finish are those meant for other people. I hate deadlines, but I have to admit they can be useful. A looming deadline keeps me focused on the knitting task at hand. Without a deadline I end up starting more projects before I finish the first one. I just get so caught up in wanting to start a new pattern or I have to try a delightful yarn I bought that finishing a task seems impossibly long.
This flag represented a new start for me. The chance to branch out in my knitting and try my hand at designing patterns.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
It's A Boy!
Yesterday I watched my adorable little niece while my step sister was at her doctor's appointment. The good news: she is having a little boy and he is doing great.
In honor of the little guy, I have made these mittens using a multi-color yarn. I really liked the varying shades of blues with the brown.
I am looking forward to knitting more little gifts for the new addition.
Do you have any good ideas for baby gifts?
In the meantime check out this adorable knitting book, Baby Knits: 20 Handknit Designs for Babies 0-24 Months. This book has many wonderful ideas for those tiny knits. Check it out and be sure to post. :)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Patterns & Where You Can Get Them
Free patterns. A hot topic for all knitters, new and old. Everyone loves to get a good deal and loves it even more when they can get something great for free. If you are fond of reading knitting blogs than you are in luck, for two reasons.
If you read this blog than you know that I offer free patterns, more to be added soon, in the Free Patterns tab, but you are also going to receive insight into where you can get even more free patterns. Other knitting blogs usually offer free patterns as well so be sure to browse around Google for other blogs.
But not many of us have time to devote to several blogs everyday so a smaller search database would be beneficial for the rest of us. Yarn brands almost always offer tons of free patterns and all you have to do is sign up for a membership. Memberships to these sites allow you access to their community and you can opt out of all membership emails.
Lionbrand, Bernat, Lily, and Red Heart offer thousands of free patterns on their websites. You can also browse JoAnn's and Michael's websites for free patterns too, these websites do not require a membership. Bottom line: free patterns are out there on the Internet.
You can also check out knitting books at your local library. There are many books to choose from, but you are on a time limit. This is a good solution for fast knitters.
I apologize for a shorter blog this week, but I still have some housework to do before my adorable little niece comes to play for the afternoon. Hope the rest of your day is blessed.
Knit on and God bless~
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Essentials
Every knitter knows that a well-prepared knitting bag leads to even more enjoyable knitting. When you know you don't have to stop, mid-project, to grab some supply you are more likely to kick back and enjoy each stitch.
Besides your yarn and needles, there are a few more important supplies needed. These supplies might not be needed for every project, but it is useful to have them handy just in case.
While the Interweave Press Work In Progress Journal would not be considered an essential, I highly recommend including it or something similar in your bag. This softcover journal, made in the USA, consists of 112 pages. Half of these pages are blank and the rest are knitter's graph paper. The blank pages are great for making notes about patterns you are working on, yarn choice, or even sketching out your own ideas. Knitter's graph paper is slightly different from traditional graph paper and is especially useful in preparing color motifs and mapping out designs. You can find this book, and others like it, on amazon.com. If you would rather not buy this journal I suggest including some type of notebook or journal in your knitting bag as they are highly useful.
Other essential supplies are yarn needles, buttons, crochet hook, cable needle, straight pins with colored tops, a small pair of scissors, stitch holders, and needle toppers. Yarn needles resemble sewing needles, but they are much larger in size, in order to accommodate the large size of most yarns. These needles come in several different sizes, but you only need one or two of these needles. I like to have a few of these needles on hand in case I have misplaced the one I was using. If you are more organized than you might only need one. I like to include a crochet hook in my bag because I find the hook handy for picking up dropped stitches and for weaving in the loose ends after you have finished knitting your project.
A cable needle is only useful if you actually incorporate the cable stitch. If you don't use the cable method than you don't really need to include this tool in your knitting bag. Straight pins are useful for when blocking your knitting. You should use the colored top pins instead of the traditional silver straight pins because the silver pins can and will get lost in your knitting. Stitch holders, they look like giant safety pins, are great for holding your stitches while knitting your project. Some patterns ask you to transfer stitches onto these holders while you continue working on another piece of the project. Traditional safety pins can be used for smaller amounts of stitches.
Needle toppers are a knitter's best friend. Toppers come in many shapes and sizes and fit snug on the tops of your needles. I find these especially useful when I am knitting with a large number of stitches or using double pointed needles. I even made some of my own using jewelry clay. I made the jewelry clay using equal parts of cornstarch, flour, salt, and some warm water. First you mix the dry ingredients together and slowly add warm water until the clay forms. Then you just sculpt the clay into your desired design. Once formed I inserted a knitting needle into the form to make a whole for the needle. You can then let the clay forms air dry for a few days or bake in the oven for a few minutes. If you decide to bake in the oven, make sure you keep a close eye on your clay forms. The finished clay forms were slightly fragile, not a good choice for daily use, but stabilized when I added coats of paint. Making my own needle toppers was a fun weekend project, but I don't recommend this to everyone. It was a lot of work and I don't really know how long they will hold up for.
Put these tools in their own case and include in your knitting bag. Next time you start knitting you will find yourself smiling, knowing that you have everything you need.
Be prepared and be happy.
Besides your yarn and needles, there are a few more important supplies needed. These supplies might not be needed for every project, but it is useful to have them handy just in case.
While the Interweave Press Work In Progress Journal would not be considered an essential, I highly recommend including it or something similar in your bag. This softcover journal, made in the USA, consists of 112 pages. Half of these pages are blank and the rest are knitter's graph paper. The blank pages are great for making notes about patterns you are working on, yarn choice, or even sketching out your own ideas. Knitter's graph paper is slightly different from traditional graph paper and is especially useful in preparing color motifs and mapping out designs. You can find this book, and others like it, on amazon.com. If you would rather not buy this journal I suggest including some type of notebook or journal in your knitting bag as they are highly useful.
Other essential supplies are yarn needles, buttons, crochet hook, cable needle, straight pins with colored tops, a small pair of scissors, stitch holders, and needle toppers. Yarn needles resemble sewing needles, but they are much larger in size, in order to accommodate the large size of most yarns. These needles come in several different sizes, but you only need one or two of these needles. I like to have a few of these needles on hand in case I have misplaced the one I was using. If you are more organized than you might only need one. I like to include a crochet hook in my bag because I find the hook handy for picking up dropped stitches and for weaving in the loose ends after you have finished knitting your project.
A cable needle is only useful if you actually incorporate the cable stitch. If you don't use the cable method than you don't really need to include this tool in your knitting bag. Straight pins are useful for when blocking your knitting. You should use the colored top pins instead of the traditional silver straight pins because the silver pins can and will get lost in your knitting. Stitch holders, they look like giant safety pins, are great for holding your stitches while knitting your project. Some patterns ask you to transfer stitches onto these holders while you continue working on another piece of the project. Traditional safety pins can be used for smaller amounts of stitches.
Needle toppers are a knitter's best friend. Toppers come in many shapes and sizes and fit snug on the tops of your needles. I find these especially useful when I am knitting with a large number of stitches or using double pointed needles. I even made some of my own using jewelry clay. I made the jewelry clay using equal parts of cornstarch, flour, salt, and some warm water. First you mix the dry ingredients together and slowly add warm water until the clay forms. Then you just sculpt the clay into your desired design. Once formed I inserted a knitting needle into the form to make a whole for the needle. You can then let the clay forms air dry for a few days or bake in the oven for a few minutes. If you decide to bake in the oven, make sure you keep a close eye on your clay forms. The finished clay forms were slightly fragile, not a good choice for daily use, but stabilized when I added coats of paint. Making my own needle toppers was a fun weekend project, but I don't recommend this to everyone. It was a lot of work and I don't really know how long they will hold up for.
Put these tools in their own case and include in your knitting bag. Next time you start knitting you will find yourself smiling, knowing that you have everything you need.
Be prepared and be happy.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Building on the Basics
The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting, by Nicki Trench, was given to me several years ago when I first started knitting. I found, and still do, find this book to be very helpful. I have made many of the patterns listed in this book, such as a dog sweater for a puppy, a bikini for my best friend, and several flowers, which make adorable adornments to other knitting projects.
This book has several basic patterns, which can be built upon by you. These patterns provide the perfect opportunity to express your creativity and to practice your hand at pattern writing. I have decided to share a few of my past projects and present ideas to help get your creative juices started.
1920's Cloche Hat
Made for and wore by my niece, Lejla.
This baby hat was worked in three colors: maroon, light pink, and white. While I don't remember the exact number of stitches I cast on, the general pattern is listed below.
Cast on the desired number of stitches using maroon yarn. Knit in this color until the piece measures an inch. Switch to the light pink yarn and knit for an additional inch. Then add the white yarn in and finish knitting the hat in this color.
***It is important to note that you need to add colors on the same side to prevent a hem-look with the yarn being added and taken away.
I then knit a flower, using the pattern provided in The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting, in the maroon yarn and a smaller flower (do this by decreasing the number of stitches used for each petal) in light pink. I then finished off this floral adornment by sewing the pieces, through the middle, with white yarn and attached this to the finished hat.
Shell-Tastic Bikini Top
This project began with the bikini top pattern in The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting with additions added by me. Unfortunately I do not have a picture of this project, but I remember roughly what I did. I quickly knit up the bikini top in a plain black yarn. I then used a light brown (mixture of several shades of brown) yarn to crochet a border around the triangle pieces of the top. I then took shell beads and added then to a piece of yarn, which was used to hold the triangle pieces to each other.
***These additions were not complex, but they added a lot to an already great pattern.
St. George's Hoodie
This is a current project, designed for someone special.
I am using the existing pattern for the Unisex Hoodie listed in this book. Instead of using three different colors, I am only using Jiffy True Red yarn. I plan on this hoodie knitting up fairly easy, but the real fun is in the finishing. The plan is to create a pocket on the front of the hoodie, which will be a mini replica of the St. George flag. I am still considering whether I will line the hoodie in a soft fabric that compliments the overall design.
Pictures of this project will be posted upon finishing.
I just gave you three ideas on how you can use patterns from The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting as a starting point for your own project. While it is perfectly fine to follow the patterns exactly as listed in the book, it is also easy to add your own additions.
Have fun and get crafting!
This book has several basic patterns, which can be built upon by you. These patterns provide the perfect opportunity to express your creativity and to practice your hand at pattern writing. I have decided to share a few of my past projects and present ideas to help get your creative juices started.
Made for and wore by my niece, Lejla.
This baby hat was worked in three colors: maroon, light pink, and white. While I don't remember the exact number of stitches I cast on, the general pattern is listed below.
Cast on the desired number of stitches using maroon yarn. Knit in this color until the piece measures an inch. Switch to the light pink yarn and knit for an additional inch. Then add the white yarn in and finish knitting the hat in this color.
***It is important to note that you need to add colors on the same side to prevent a hem-look with the yarn being added and taken away.
I then knit a flower, using the pattern provided in The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting, in the maroon yarn and a smaller flower (do this by decreasing the number of stitches used for each petal) in light pink. I then finished off this floral adornment by sewing the pieces, through the middle, with white yarn and attached this to the finished hat.
Shell-Tastic Bikini Top
This project began with the bikini top pattern in The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting with additions added by me. Unfortunately I do not have a picture of this project, but I remember roughly what I did. I quickly knit up the bikini top in a plain black yarn. I then used a light brown (mixture of several shades of brown) yarn to crochet a border around the triangle pieces of the top. I then took shell beads and added then to a piece of yarn, which was used to hold the triangle pieces to each other.
***These additions were not complex, but they added a lot to an already great pattern.
St. George's Hoodie
This is a current project, designed for someone special.
I am using the existing pattern for the Unisex Hoodie listed in this book. Instead of using three different colors, I am only using Jiffy True Red yarn. I plan on this hoodie knitting up fairly easy, but the real fun is in the finishing. The plan is to create a pocket on the front of the hoodie, which will be a mini replica of the St. George flag. I am still considering whether I will line the hoodie in a soft fabric that compliments the overall design.
Pictures of this project will be posted upon finishing.
I just gave you three ideas on how you can use patterns from The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting as a starting point for your own project. While it is perfectly fine to follow the patterns exactly as listed in the book, it is also easy to add your own additions.
Have fun and get crafting!
Heroes
What makes a hero?
This question is often asked and the answer is just as often disputed. Webster's Dictionary defines hero as a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities, and one that shows great courage. A hero, to me, is someone (man, woman, or child) who exhibits great courage during times of enduring strength. This could not be better expressed than in the United States Military.
The men and women in the military VOLUNTARILY leave their families to travel to an unknown land, often a place with horrible living conditions, to protect the way of life Americans love so much. That in itself is admirable, but to do all this and then exhibit further courage when a gun is aimed at them, that makes them heroes.
So, how can we help these heroes?
Through our knitting, of course. In World War I and II the American Red Cross distributed pamphlets to women. These pamphlets provided knitting instructions to make socks and mittens for soldiers. Here is the link to the American Red Cross Museum, where you can find knitting patterns, http://www.redcross.org/museum/exhibits/knits.asp. So I go on to suggest that we, as knitters, use our gifts to reach out to the men and women of the armed services.
We can help by knitting hats, gloves, and socks for the soldiers. These little knitted gifts can bring smiles to the soldiers' faces. Just that thought alone brings a smile to my face.
I post this now, even though we are entering the summer months, because I am hoping to inspire you to start knitting a few things now. Knitting these wonderful gifts now ensures that you will be ready for the coming winter months and they will be too.
If you would rather contribute something now, consider getting in touch with an organization designed to send care packages to soldiers. Talk with friends, chances are they know someone you can help in the military. And if you know a solider who needs some extra love or have more suggestions to help soldiers be sure to post more information.
***♥***♥***♥***♥***♥***♥***
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." -Hebrews 13:16
This question is often asked and the answer is just as often disputed. Webster's Dictionary defines hero as a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities, and one that shows great courage. A hero, to me, is someone (man, woman, or child) who exhibits great courage during times of enduring strength. This could not be better expressed than in the United States Military.
The men and women in the military VOLUNTARILY leave their families to travel to an unknown land, often a place with horrible living conditions, to protect the way of life Americans love so much. That in itself is admirable, but to do all this and then exhibit further courage when a gun is aimed at them, that makes them heroes.
So, how can we help these heroes?
Through our knitting, of course. In World War I and II the American Red Cross distributed pamphlets to women. These pamphlets provided knitting instructions to make socks and mittens for soldiers. Here is the link to the American Red Cross Museum, where you can find knitting patterns, http://www.redcross.org/museum/exhibits/knits.asp. So I go on to suggest that we, as knitters, use our gifts to reach out to the men and women of the armed services.
We can help by knitting hats, gloves, and socks for the soldiers. These little knitted gifts can bring smiles to the soldiers' faces. Just that thought alone brings a smile to my face.
I post this now, even though we are entering the summer months, because I am hoping to inspire you to start knitting a few things now. Knitting these wonderful gifts now ensures that you will be ready for the coming winter months and they will be too.
If you would rather contribute something now, consider getting in touch with an organization designed to send care packages to soldiers. Talk with friends, chances are they know someone you can help in the military. And if you know a solider who needs some extra love or have more suggestions to help soldiers be sure to post more information.
***♥***♥***♥***♥***♥***♥***
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." -Hebrews 13:16
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Creative Solutions
Stress. One word describes it all. Really no more are needed. You tell someone that you are stressed and they immediately feel sympathy, possibly remembering their own feelings the last time they were stressed.
Today was stressful. I had a final at 8 am, which is unpleasant in itself, but then when I finished I realized I missed the bus home and had to wait, on campus, in the cold for the next bus. I finally made it home to a fight with my boyfriend. Fights with loved ones are never fun, but the hardest part is that we were both trying so hard to be heard that we ended up hearing nothing the other person said. Then I had to go back to campus for another final, which was annoying more than anything.
At the end of the day I just wanted to curl up with my knitting and enjoy some television. Everything was going great until I looked down at my knitting and realized that a stitch had been dropped some rows back. I'll admit, there was a moment of panic, or maybe two, but I just had to sigh, take a deep breath, and strategize.
What was I to do? It seems obvious, right, something every knitter begrudgingly knows. You just have to suck it up and unwind the beautifully knitted rows. At this point those rows become the most intricate part of the whole piece, they are so beautiful that you will never be able to duplicate them, and you completely have forgotten that only 5 seconds before you were criticizing those very same rows. Life is funny that way. Beauty is always found when its presence is threatened.
But I didn't unwind the rows. It was much too cruel a task. I was literally half way through my afghan and onto a new color. I did not, would not, face destroying those few precious rows. Fortunately I didn't have to. The dropped stitch was the very last stitch on the row, it must have slipped off of my needle when I put it down for a moment. Instead of going back to re-knit the work right, I improvised. Taking another needle, of similar size, I crochet along the edge, from the dropped stitch all the way to the new color. I then switched colors and worked up to where I had left off. Instead of binding off the stitch, I simply added it back to the knitting.
My point? Life WILL throw you curve balls, but you have to learn to roll with them. They might even turn out to not be so bad in the end. There will always be people telling you there is a right way to do things, but I say ignore the nay-sayers, be creative, and find your own solution.
*************************************************************************************
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Today was stressful. I had a final at 8 am, which is unpleasant in itself, but then when I finished I realized I missed the bus home and had to wait, on campus, in the cold for the next bus. I finally made it home to a fight with my boyfriend. Fights with loved ones are never fun, but the hardest part is that we were both trying so hard to be heard that we ended up hearing nothing the other person said. Then I had to go back to campus for another final, which was annoying more than anything.
At the end of the day I just wanted to curl up with my knitting and enjoy some television. Everything was going great until I looked down at my knitting and realized that a stitch had been dropped some rows back. I'll admit, there was a moment of panic, or maybe two, but I just had to sigh, take a deep breath, and strategize.
What was I to do? It seems obvious, right, something every knitter begrudgingly knows. You just have to suck it up and unwind the beautifully knitted rows. At this point those rows become the most intricate part of the whole piece, they are so beautiful that you will never be able to duplicate them, and you completely have forgotten that only 5 seconds before you were criticizing those very same rows. Life is funny that way. Beauty is always found when its presence is threatened.
But I didn't unwind the rows. It was much too cruel a task. I was literally half way through my afghan and onto a new color. I did not, would not, face destroying those few precious rows. Fortunately I didn't have to. The dropped stitch was the very last stitch on the row, it must have slipped off of my needle when I put it down for a moment. Instead of going back to re-knit the work right, I improvised. Taking another needle, of similar size, I crochet along the edge, from the dropped stitch all the way to the new color. I then switched colors and worked up to where I had left off. Instead of binding off the stitch, I simply added it back to the knitting.
My point? Life WILL throw you curve balls, but you have to learn to roll with them. They might even turn out to not be so bad in the end. There will always be people telling you there is a right way to do things, but I say ignore the nay-sayers, be creative, and find your own solution.
*************************************************************************************
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
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