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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Neck Warmer
Ok. The knitting is finished. Just need to put on buttons and weave in loose ends.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Toe-Up Child's Sock
http://www.mindseyeyarns.com/resources/patterns/childs_socks.htm
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Short-row Heel
http://kaityvr.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/the-easiest-way-to-do-a-short-row-heel/
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sew What! Quilts & Yarn
What did you do on vacation? I finished a neck warmer that I probably won't need until next fall, and decided to check out the local quilting & yarn shop. My youngest daughter is a budding knitter. She found a shawl patter she wanted to try, so her grandma and I joined pocketbooks so we could get her started.
Sew What! Has a nice selection of fabrics and quilting stuff and a small section for knitting & crochet. The staff are helpful and cheerful. They offer classes and have some seating so you can just sit and work on projects. It's not Oak Harbor Knit & Sew, but it's better than WalMart.
I intend to visit more places in my travels. You just never know what you'll find.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sew What! Has a nice selection of fabrics and quilting stuff and a small section for knitting & crochet. The staff are helpful and cheerful. They offer classes and have some seating so you can just sit and work on projects. It's not Oak Harbor Knit & Sew, but it's better than WalMart.
I intend to visit more places in my travels. You just never know what you'll find.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Crochet Hub » Tunisian Crochet and Stitches
Crochet Hub » Tunisian Crochet and Stitches When I first learned how to crochet, I learned something called the Afghan Stitch. At the time, I thought that the stitch was called that because you could make afghans (throw blankets) out of the squares. I recently learned that the stitch is called Afghan, or Tunisian, and that it's a geographical designation. I've linked to this page so that I can find it again in the future. I would love to try some of these interesting techniques and stitch patterns. Once again, I must admit I'm hooked on crochet!
Knitting a Neck Warmer
It wasn't too long ago that I had a chance to stop in at Ana-Cross Stitch in Anacortes, WA. Lovely shop, filled with yarns and other lovely stuffs for working with your hands. Needleworkers can stop by, work on their projects, share tips, or help each other work out the more confusing parts of some new pattern. There are lots of samples, too, making it even more difficult to resist blowing the entire week's grocery budget on a dozen balls of Merino Wool/Silk Blend Hand Dyed yarn to knit up a sweater or cape or...or...breathe!
Having recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, I find that I am wearing scarves. A lot. Every day, and sometimes when I come inside, I forget to take them off until I am trying to cook dinner and notice the tails of my cashmere scarf dangling dangerously over the spaghetti sauce. I needed something else. I needed a neck warmer.
Having recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, I find that I am wearing scarves. A lot. Every day, and sometimes when I come inside, I forget to take them off until I am trying to cook dinner and notice the tails of my cashmere scarf dangling dangerously over the spaghetti sauce. I needed something else. I needed a neck warmer.
The pattern that caught my eye was designed by Fran Jepperson, knitted out of Manos Silk Blend (Silk & Merino Wool). I couldn't stop touching that luscious, soft, yarn. I chose Manos del Uruguay, color Adobe because the subtle colors of indigo and tan were just what I'd need to wear with my everyday jeans, but could "dress up" to wear with slacks, too.
The tag on the skein reads, "Manos del Uruguay is a non-profit organization which assembles over 400 artisans in cooperatives scattered throughout the countryside of Uruguay. The aim of the organization is to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women. Manos Silk Blend is a luxurious blend of merino wool and silk. Hand-dyed in large kettle to create a marbelized, subtly striated effect that forms a rich palette of glorious colors. No two skeins are exactly alike and there are no dye lots."
Luxurious. Yup. That's what it feels like to work with. I cannot WAIT to have this around my neck.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Rediscovering Handwork
Many years ago I found myself staring at a woman who was doing this "thing" with thread and a single "needle" making something that looked like lace. I was mesmerized. My 'satiable curiosity finally got the better of my childhood shyness, and I asked the lady if she was knitting. She kindly replied that it was "crochet."
Soon after, I found myself in our local Woolworth store, standing in the aisle where there were a vast assortment of needlework implements and supplies. I picked up a ball of thread, a hook, and a "how-to" booklet, thus embarking upon my first foray into the realm of fiber arts. I was, in a word, HOOKED.
Throughout the years I have picked up various other fiber arts. Thanks to You Tube, I am expanding my knowledge about various techniques. I needed a place to archive my favorite videos and patterns. Hopefully someone else will find my selections helpful, too. And eventually I plan to post my own designs - and sell my patterns.
So if you happened to stumble into my space, welcome. If I travel on alone, that's fine, too.
My motto is: "Busy Hands are Happy Hands."
Soon after, I found myself in our local Woolworth store, standing in the aisle where there were a vast assortment of needlework implements and supplies. I picked up a ball of thread, a hook, and a "how-to" booklet, thus embarking upon my first foray into the realm of fiber arts. I was, in a word, HOOKED.
Throughout the years I have picked up various other fiber arts. Thanks to You Tube, I am expanding my knowledge about various techniques. I needed a place to archive my favorite videos and patterns. Hopefully someone else will find my selections helpful, too. And eventually I plan to post my own designs - and sell my patterns.
So if you happened to stumble into my space, welcome. If I travel on alone, that's fine, too.
My motto is: "Busy Hands are Happy Hands."
To Knit Two or Not to Knit Two...
Today while perusing the wonderful world of knitting demos on YouTube, I stumbled upon a fascinating concept: knit 2 socks at the same time, on the same needles, or "2S1N". Why would this appeal to anyone? Isn't knitting socks in general considered a bit of a daunting task, especially for beginners or those (like me) who are returning to knitting after a long hiatus?
The idea stems from the all-too-common syndrome called "orphan sock" that occurs when we never get around to making that second sock. I also use the term to refer to the single sock left at the end of a laundry day, but that's another story.
The two-socks-at-a-time thing is also allegedly useful for ensuring that both socks fit the same (same numbers of rows/stitches, and your gauge is, theoretically, going to be the same for both socks).
How is it done? I found two different styles of 2S1N: one inside the other, and side-by-side. One inside the other is similar to double knitting, except that the two layers are not supposed to become intertwined at all. It's a very intriguing concept, and I think I'd like to try it - IF I can figure out how to cast on, and how to work those two yarns without tearing out my hair in the process.
Side by side should, theoretically, be easier to accomplish, because you can actually SEE both socks forming in front of your eyes. I wonder, though, just how hard it will be to keep track of which sock you are currently working.
Maybe I will try one or the other technique with my next pair of socks.
BTW: It's nice to have a 3-year-old to try out these experiments on, because he is THRILLED to wear ANYTHING I make him, even if it isn't perfect. Maybe once I dial in my technique, I'll make myself a pair.
TTFN
The idea stems from the all-too-common syndrome called "orphan sock" that occurs when we never get around to making that second sock. I also use the term to refer to the single sock left at the end of a laundry day, but that's another story.
The two-socks-at-a-time thing is also allegedly useful for ensuring that both socks fit the same (same numbers of rows/stitches, and your gauge is, theoretically, going to be the same for both socks).
How is it done? I found two different styles of 2S1N: one inside the other, and side-by-side. One inside the other is similar to double knitting, except that the two layers are not supposed to become intertwined at all. It's a very intriguing concept, and I think I'd like to try it - IF I can figure out how to cast on, and how to work those two yarns without tearing out my hair in the process.
Side by side should, theoretically, be easier to accomplish, because you can actually SEE both socks forming in front of your eyes. I wonder, though, just how hard it will be to keep track of which sock you are currently working.
Maybe I will try one or the other technique with my next pair of socks.
BTW: It's nice to have a 3-year-old to try out these experiments on, because he is THRILLED to wear ANYTHING I make him, even if it isn't perfect. Maybe once I dial in my technique, I'll make myself a pair.
TTFN
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