A Knitter Doesn't Let Another Knitter...

Knit a hat with a super chunky yarn on a size two circular! The frustration for the new knitter. The fabric that would be created...not gonna even think about that!

Kristy is a new knitter. She bought yarn because she liked it and wanted to one day knit. Kristy went to Mt. Bruce fall weekend and bought a 'how to knit socks on two circular' book and two Addi Turbo circular needles - size two. You see where I'm headed yet?

There was a knitting group at our local library where I taught knitting and had fun. Invited Kristy and she has a knack for it. Her tension was awesome. Kristy learned how to knit and purl in less than 15 minutes and still had awesome tension! It has begun.

Kristy and I went for a LYS run. She found some yarn that she wanted to make into socks. Kristy doesn't start small does she? We tried the two circulars...it wasn't working for her. I loaned her a set of bamboo double pointed needles...she was on to getting a sock started and finished! Huzzah Kristy! She now is suffering SSS - Second Sock Syndrome...it's on the needles and that's about it.

Enter the bulky yarn. Kristy wants a soft hat. A soft barn hat. She's trying them on her size two circular. I must admit I prefer to knit hats on a circular. No need to sew up the back which is the way I like it! Kristy says she wants a hat without a seam. Makes sense doesn't it? Kristy admits she has ripped it out a few times. She doesn't have a pattern she was just gonna figure it out on her own. Guts that girl! I told her how to start her basic hat. Measure her head, find the stitches per inch she was getting. Multiply the head measurement and her stitches per inch to get her cast on number. She asked about a folded brim, told her how. Then explained she would need to knit the body for 5 1/2" then we would talk decreases. Kristy want to really start this hat. I had her read the yarn label - it calls for size 10 needles. Not a 2 a 10! Yes, you read that right! A 10!

I let her go for the night. While working on a sock on two circulars size 2, I kept thinking of Kristy's hat...grabbed the phone and offered my size 10 circular. I just couldn't let her do it. I couldn't let her try and knit that hat with bulky yarn and a size 2 needle. Remember the yarn Kristy bought for knitting one day? That yarn could work with her size 2!

Kristy will get her hat. She will continue knitting for the rest of her life. I will have a partner-in-crime for Local Yarn Shop runs! A knitter enables another knitter to knit!!!!! My good deed for the day is done! Huzzah!

I Finally Did It!

While running and getting other shopping done, I stopped at my favorite LYS. I mean it was on the way! I hit the clearance stuff 1st, finding a yarn that will be perfect for a couple of prayer shawls I'm working on.

On to the yarn department! Bamboo blends, classic wool, alpaca, silk blends, soft cotton....yum! There in the sock yarn I found a skein of Bernat Sox - Faded Denim. No one in particular came to mind to make a pair of socks for. Just the yarn itself calling to me. I picked it up, checking it out. Enough yardage to make a complete pair of socks from one skein. Loved the color. But, I have yarn for a pair of socks sitting at home. I have the second sock of another pair 1/2 way done.

I don't buy yarn just because...until now! Ha, ha...I finally did it! I bought a skein of yarn just because I liked it! Leave it to me to take my 1st plunge into buying just because and buy sock yarn. One skein only!

I don't plan on making this a habit...honest!!!!!

Is It The Process or The Project?

Oh, I love that sweater! It's the perfect baby shower gift. Should make a few up to have on hand. That got me thinking: why do I cast on anyway?

Is it the project? Picking the pattern for the recipient, then the yarn. Casting on the needles and start knitting away, piece by piece until it's done and ready for blocking and making up. Oh, forgot all 'bout the swatch that needs to be done 1st! Cannot forget the swatch! Very important that swatch! Watch the piece grow with each stitch and row. Love it! A finished project is a wonderful thing!

Or:

Is it the process? The feel of the yarn? The movement of the needles? The way the whole thing feels as I rest it in my lap for a sip of good tea? The material of the needles? Bamboo or wood thank you very much. Very elemental in my fiber crafts I am. Finding a mistake...and rippit back to fix that mistake and knit again? Or just knitting a swatch...the dreaded swatch can be fun too...if you like pulling teeth. Swatch I must, but swatch I don't like. I've been known to rip out a whole project and knit the yarn into something else.

Looking at what's on my needles, one would think projects. I do have many projects...no, I won't count and you cannot make me! I can pick up something and it's like a whole new project. From the casting on a new project to the finish...if I do get to the finish. I must absolutely must have a sock in the works. Don't know why I like knitting socks, don't need to find out either, I just do. Happiness is a sock on-the-needles! I do buy my yarn for a specific projects. Just can't seem to buy yarn just because I love it! Want to learn but haven't yet.

The fact that I like to rippit and knit something else when a project isn't working for me tells me it's the process. The meditative rhythm of knitting keeps me from needing medication! Come to think of it a shot of whiskey or maybe a beer would help during the "bad" project! I'm The Knitting Apprentice, I learn from those who have knit before me. I learn from those who I drag into the madness that is knitting. I'm always looking for some technique or pattern I haven't tried. It seems the process is winning.

I've found I am both - process and project. Depends on the project and the deadline. The yarn that I've been dying to try. The giftee, be it baby, critter or hubby and everyone in between.
"It's sunny beginning of February, but the temps are single digits" seem to have impact on my knitting for the day. So Monday I was project, Tuesday I found the process was what made me happy and Wednesday is a combo.

Whether you are a project knitter or a knitter for the process enjoy the journey! Cast on and knit!

Cast On Fever aka Cabin Fever

What ya working on? What's sitting on your needles? How many pairs of needles can you fill up?
Why are you looking at patterns? Why are you stash diving and coming up with three different yarns to make something with? Me thinks I have Cabin Fever. Winter is getting to me. Lots of snow, cold temps and not being able to get out among people. Maybe I should hibernate...no I must find something to knit. Something new, fun and well, nothing I have on-the-needles already. I must have Cast On Fever!

• One sock done! I need to get the other one started....(whew, that was close...came close to sock withdrawal). The second sock of the pair is on the needles!

• Two prayer shawls are in the works. One in jewels tones, the other in taupe, cream and white. Basic garter stitch with a yarn over at the start of every row until desired length.

• A pillow! Yeah, that's the ticket. Lion Brand Suede and Fancy Fur trim!

• What's this? Oh I want to make that! Where's some cotton? Shoot, need to get some. (need to pick of three skeins of Peaches and Cream cotton while out on errands). Got it! Casting on a sweater for baby Hannah.
  

• A felted purse? What size needles? Where did I put that yarn? Found it! Happy to be casting on!

• There is the hat for Phat Flag Hat that I'm working on. Wonderful alpaca yarn - yum.

• To add to the Hat project a pair of fingerless gloves. Their more of a tip-less type. My very 1st attempt at designing! I'm having a blast! Not a scary as I thought!

When cast on fever hits, it hits hard! Can't seem to focus on a single project. I'm hopping from the sock, to the shawl, to the sweater, to the other shawl and then to the purse. That doesn't count the Works-In-Progress I have been working on either. Frogging a sweater, remaking it back into balls to use again. Finishing that skirt that's actually for Fall. Another pair of socks that the pattern is soooo boring that I am going rippit and start them again. Why? Because I love to knit socks!

Who knows what tomorrow will bring! I'm happily casting-on until all my needles are full!

Almost forgot the pair of mittens for kids. An extra pair around is always handy!

Knitting Frenzy

Having a blast and enjoying myself:

Casting On (CO) - socks. The pattern I picked suggests warm colors liken to fire. I'm using a cool greens and blues skein. Totally coloring outside the lines.

CO - fingerless gloves. From the Phat Hat swap on Monthly Adventures group on Ravelry. Using the deep red alpaca skein for them. Designing my first pattern! Many rip-pits will be done I can just feel it!

CO - the off-white and blue skeins from the Phat Hat swap and yes, it is a hat! A pattern I found in Spin Off magazine.

CO - a felted purse. I love felted purses! This one is in pinks, reds, oranges and browns. Paton's Classic Merino Wool.

Read in one of my Ravelry groups - Yarnaholics Anonymous of a possible Heads + Hands + Handbags + and Feet Crochet/Knit Along in a team theme I guess. I want to be going as an individual entrant and do all four! Oh yeah - already am knitting that!

Then there is the squirrel that's almost done,the poodle that needs it's legs and the sleeved wrap that needs a few inches done.

Variety keeps me happy. Variety keeps the needles clicking. Variety is easy to pick up one project, shove it into the knittin' bag and hit the road. Variety gets done! I definitely am not a monogamous knitter!

Merry Knitting New Year!

Been reading the posts at Ravelry about New Year's Yarn Resolutions in many of the groups I'm a member. I rarely, if ever, make "Resolutions" - I make Adjustments!

So in keeping with the New Year spirit, I will adjust:

• Get my Works-In-Progresses (WIPs) done or frogged back into skeins. The frogged skeins would be like getting new yarn and not spending a dime! One sweater is getting the frog treatment and I already know what it wants be knit into!
  

• Twelve months 'til Christmas 2009: An item a month will be created so I won't be giving yarn, picture of future gift and a note stating, "Sorry the knitting fairies dropped the needles". It's doable and yes, I have the list started!

• I buy yarn for a certain project. I rarely buy yarn just because it's on sale, new, some fiber I haven't tried yet, or because someone else is eyeing the last 15 skeins in the super sale bin of a mustard yellow rough acrylic. If I do find something I love: I get out my knitting journal to see what project the yarn would be best in. I do buy yarn when I have a project in mind and the yarn is on special even if I have 5 projects OTNs (On-The-Needles) and I won't get to the new yarn and project for 6 months. Which brings me to the reason I just rattled on....I have a few projects...okay...6 projects that are still waiting for me to get started on and now I will finally cast-on and finish them one a month.

• Not doing a yarn diet. I have missed specials while on the last diet. When you like natural fibers and like to save a couple of bucks...you hit the specials! No yarn diet for me! I don't have that much in my stash anyway. It would be cool to be reading late at night, find a pattern I have to Cast-on asap and have a yarn to do it...but just can't pack rat myself into it.
  

• Spin my fleeces that are waiting to become yarn. Some I will prep myself; the llama, and alpaca. The sheep and the mohair will be sent to Frankenmuth Woolen Mills and made into tops for me to spin. Then I can make colors and such just for me! Anyone looking for hot pink, yellow and orange yarn?

• Enjoy my creating! Even if I have to rippit, rippit, rippit before I get the project done

Adjustments are written down. Now to find that size 7 - 16" inch circular needle that I misplaced in the last week....I want to make a hat!

Where Have I Been/

Wow...where the heck have I been? August was the last post? Yikes!

Totally bombed out on the Ravelolympics. Didn't get a thing done for that.

Knitting and crocheting..when I get the chance. Hats, socks, a couple of sweaters, three large dolls for Christmas, washclothes and other things. Been busy with other things too. Just haven't had the urge to keep this blog up-to-date. Gotta fix that!