I am a knitter. Because I knit, I buy knitting magazines - frequently. It doesn't matter if I'm not intending on making the items in the magazines right away, because I like to look at the pictures and be inspired, and I usually end up referring back to them when I do need a pattern for, say, a short-row clutch purse.
I understand that knitting and crochet are linked - both are yarn craft, using a tool or two by hand. I also understand that a little bit of crochet has its use in the world of knitting: stabilising a neckband, adding a bit of detail, picking up a dropped stitch with a crochet hook, etc. I am not upset that the two go together.
What does tick me off is when a knitting magazine features a pattern - one, sometimes more - that is comprised entirely of crochet! Like the most recent issue of "KnitScene", where a pretty little hoodie is all crochet. I was looking at it with much enthusiasm until I realised that one needs crochet skills to craft said hoodie. I don't crochet.
I haven't much experience with the world of crochet magazines, but I imagine they don't feature knitting patterns... because their craft is crochet. Is it too much to ask that knitting magazines stick to knitting patterns?!
Ok, not much of a rant, but seriously. Knitting magazine: all knitting. Crochet magazine: all crochet. Just for the knitting-only crafters' sanity! Please!
P.S.: Can't wait to make this beret I found at purlbee.com! It looks totally sweet.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Cute Corner: Apple Sweater!
Courtesy of "I Think I'm Gonna Purl" (what a great blog name!), a pattern for an Apple Sweater! I really can't wait to make this :)
Works In Progress Update: I have several repeats of the Lacy Hug-Me-Tight lace done, finally! After putting "knit on G.'s shrug" on my weekly to-do list for about two months, I finally got somewhere. The last time I attempted the lace I dropped a bunch of stitches and couldn't figure out how to fix my mistakes, so I was procrastinating somewhat... I was scared I would eff it up again. I have been hypervigilant this time! Cross fingers, knock on wood, etc. I am putting the lace aside for the next week or so until I can get some measurements and best figure out how to modify the length of the shrug to fit my friend.
I am also working on a fun, not-so-difficult project - a scarf for my husband. He actually requested one - I didn't think he would wear one but I'm only too happy to oblige. All he wants is for it to be wide, so I'm doing textured stripes - a stripe of seed stitch, a stripe of stockinette, etc. It's a nice relaxing project.
Okay, I've been up way too late already (my work had a new release party for Stephenie Meyer's "Breaking Dawn", and I got to help out with the festivities!), so ciao, knitters!
Works In Progress Update: I have several repeats of the Lacy Hug-Me-Tight lace done, finally! After putting "knit on G.'s shrug" on my weekly to-do list for about two months, I finally got somewhere. The last time I attempted the lace I dropped a bunch of stitches and couldn't figure out how to fix my mistakes, so I was procrastinating somewhat... I was scared I would eff it up again. I have been hypervigilant this time! Cross fingers, knock on wood, etc. I am putting the lace aside for the next week or so until I can get some measurements and best figure out how to modify the length of the shrug to fit my friend.
I am also working on a fun, not-so-difficult project - a scarf for my husband. He actually requested one - I didn't think he would wear one but I'm only too happy to oblige. All he wants is for it to be wide, so I'm doing textured stripes - a stripe of seed stitch, a stripe of stockinette, etc. It's a nice relaxing project.
Okay, I've been up way too late already (my work had a new release party for Stephenie Meyer's "Breaking Dawn", and I got to help out with the festivities!), so ciao, knitters!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Fave Fibres
When I started knitting, I began with acrylic, because it was cheap and came in a load of fun colours. I was also drawn to fuzzy and eyelash yarns, which I'm really not a fan of anymore (I prefer something smooth that lets me see what I'm doing). Of course, while acrylic has its merits - in my experience it makes a fairly decent blanket - it's not the greatest, especially if you crave definition and want to do fun things like lace and intricate stitch patterns. It can't really be blocked, so if shape is an issue, it's not really the best choice.
I still like cotton, but I've realised that while it is good for some things, it's not for everything (again, see definition and shape issues; also, elasticity). I'm learning how to use it to the best of its ability (for e.g., I was thinking of using it to make a Caliometry, but when I realised that it would be floppy and not really hold shape, I gave up the idea. However, it worked for the Lana and Clark ascot, though probably not as well as it would have with the recommended fibre).
Which brings me to wool. I think I still have a holdover from my youth, where I think of wool as an itchy, annoying thing that overheats me and makes me feel yucky when I wear it. The more I work with it, though, the more I love it. It shows stitch definition, it's springy and elastic, it's lovely and warm, and it's just so very, very cosy! (Sometimes there's some residual itchiness but I'll imagine that it's more psychological at this point than actual.) Sure, I also love alpaca and other protein fibres, and I haven't really had the experience with plant fibres that I want to have, but for now I'm going to boldly go out on a limb and declare myself a wool woman. I reserve the right to change my opinion, but at least for today, I ♥ Wool!
I still like cotton, but I've realised that while it is good for some things, it's not for everything (again, see definition and shape issues; also, elasticity). I'm learning how to use it to the best of its ability (for e.g., I was thinking of using it to make a Caliometry, but when I realised that it would be floppy and not really hold shape, I gave up the idea. However, it worked for the Lana and Clark ascot, though probably not as well as it would have with the recommended fibre).
Which brings me to wool. I think I still have a holdover from my youth, where I think of wool as an itchy, annoying thing that overheats me and makes me feel yucky when I wear it. The more I work with it, though, the more I love it. It shows stitch definition, it's springy and elastic, it's lovely and warm, and it's just so very, very cosy! (Sometimes there's some residual itchiness but I'll imagine that it's more psychological at this point than actual.) Sure, I also love alpaca and other protein fibres, and I haven't really had the experience with plant fibres that I want to have, but for now I'm going to boldly go out on a limb and declare myself a wool woman. I reserve the right to change my opinion, but at least for today, I ♥ Wool!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Long Time No See!
Hi, blog-world. It has been approximately forever since I posted here, though I have still been knitting fairly steadily (or at least trying!).
Here's a list of stuff I've made lately:
* two Calorimetries - one in varigated blue wool for my friend Stephanie, and one in grey wool for myself. I remember when I first saw the pattern - pretty much every knitting person I knew online had crafted one, and all I could think was "what the hell are short rows?!". If only I had realised that it was as simple as following the instructions and not being freaked out by the small holes from the turns! Well, I know now, and I hope to make several for my friends for winter.
* Vickie Howell's Lana and Clark Ascot, in green/white cotton, for my friend Bre's birthday. I opted out of the picot edging (I found it a little tricky on my practice piece, and I didn't want to wreck the real thing in order to try it), though I hope to give it a whirl soon. I was pleased with how the seaming turned out when I sewed the two pieces together - I've never really understood "mattress stitch" - but it worked out! I intend on making another one in the suggested fibre - bamboo/silk sounds so luxurious. I might try wool, also.
Here's a list of stuff I have attempted to try lately:
* entrelac
Entrelac looks glam and exciting, but in execution is a difficult pain in the arse. I will not be deterred! I know it can happen. I was using this tutorial, though I had difficulty understanding the instructions. I am going to try again with the scarf pattern Danica. One way or another, I am going to get it!
Here's a list of upcoming projects:
* the Lacy Hug-Me-Tight from Mel Clark and Tracy Ullmann's knitting book, "Knit 2 Together". As mentioned in my last, long-ago post, I showed the pattern to a co-worker who was looking for something small and lacy to wear over her dress at her son's wedding, and she fell in love with it immediately. I translated the written instructions in the book into chart form, and after a bit of practice found the lace easier than it looks (not so easy that I can do it without the chart, though!). Here are the specifics of what we settled on:
Modifications: after much discussion about fibre, and my swatching with actual alpaca silk, we decided to go with mercerized cotton - it is much cheaper and while I had my doubts about the feel of the finished product, it is actually softer than expected and holds the shape of the lace well. Also, she decided that she wanted the body of the shrug to be much shorter than shown in the pattern, which shouldn't pose too much of a challenge.
My problems: I need another long circular needle for the body of the shrug - and I'm not sure what size needle I need yet. Also, I don't know how to back up and fix lace when I drop a stitch. There is also the small matter of knowing how long to knit the lace, since I am modifying the size of the body of the shrug. If I can ever stop procrastinating (she needs the shrug for October), I'll figure these minor details out!
* Eloping for my friend Jo. When we talked about what I should knit for her late spring/early summer wedding, we went over the option of having me knit a garter. I was sure I could probably design something, and then I visited Knitty.com recently and lo and behold, I found this delicious little confection. I have to ask her what colour and find the perfect non-handspun (since I don't actually spin... yet?). I'll put that on the to-do list.
Here's a list of things I want to make:
* How awesome does Seascape look? It's so beautiful! I have no idea if I can pull it off, but it's definitely on the "dream list".
Here's a list of knitting books I have seen recently and coveted:
* 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant
* Kitty Knits: Projects for Cats and their People by Donna Druchunas
* Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together by Larissa Golden Brown and Martin John Brown
...and that, my lovelies, is all for now. I think I'm going to stop procrasting and learn some entrelac!
Here's a list of stuff I've made lately:
* two Calorimetries - one in varigated blue wool for my friend Stephanie, and one in grey wool for myself. I remember when I first saw the pattern - pretty much every knitting person I knew online had crafted one, and all I could think was "what the hell are short rows?!". If only I had realised that it was as simple as following the instructions and not being freaked out by the small holes from the turns! Well, I know now, and I hope to make several for my friends for winter.
* Vickie Howell's Lana and Clark Ascot, in green/white cotton, for my friend Bre's birthday. I opted out of the picot edging (I found it a little tricky on my practice piece, and I didn't want to wreck the real thing in order to try it), though I hope to give it a whirl soon. I was pleased with how the seaming turned out when I sewed the two pieces together - I've never really understood "mattress stitch" - but it worked out! I intend on making another one in the suggested fibre - bamboo/silk sounds so luxurious. I might try wool, also.
Here's a list of stuff I have attempted to try lately:
* entrelac
Entrelac looks glam and exciting, but in execution is a difficult pain in the arse. I will not be deterred! I know it can happen. I was using this tutorial, though I had difficulty understanding the instructions. I am going to try again with the scarf pattern Danica. One way or another, I am going to get it!
Here's a list of upcoming projects:
* the Lacy Hug-Me-Tight from Mel Clark and Tracy Ullmann's knitting book, "Knit 2 Together". As mentioned in my last, long-ago post, I showed the pattern to a co-worker who was looking for something small and lacy to wear over her dress at her son's wedding, and she fell in love with it immediately. I translated the written instructions in the book into chart form, and after a bit of practice found the lace easier than it looks (not so easy that I can do it without the chart, though!). Here are the specifics of what we settled on:
Modifications: after much discussion about fibre, and my swatching with actual alpaca silk, we decided to go with mercerized cotton - it is much cheaper and while I had my doubts about the feel of the finished product, it is actually softer than expected and holds the shape of the lace well. Also, she decided that she wanted the body of the shrug to be much shorter than shown in the pattern, which shouldn't pose too much of a challenge.
My problems: I need another long circular needle for the body of the shrug - and I'm not sure what size needle I need yet. Also, I don't know how to back up and fix lace when I drop a stitch. There is also the small matter of knowing how long to knit the lace, since I am modifying the size of the body of the shrug. If I can ever stop procrastinating (she needs the shrug for October), I'll figure these minor details out!
* Eloping for my friend Jo. When we talked about what I should knit for her late spring/early summer wedding, we went over the option of having me knit a garter. I was sure I could probably design something, and then I visited Knitty.com recently and lo and behold, I found this delicious little confection. I have to ask her what colour and find the perfect non-handspun (since I don't actually spin... yet?). I'll put that on the to-do list.
Here's a list of things I want to make:
* How awesome does Seascape look? It's so beautiful! I have no idea if I can pull it off, but it's definitely on the "dream list".
Here's a list of knitting books I have seen recently and coveted:
* 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant
* Kitty Knits: Projects for Cats and their People by Donna Druchunas
* Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together by Larissa Golden Brown and Martin John Brown
...and that, my lovelies, is all for now. I think I'm going to stop procrasting and learn some entrelac!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Where Does The Time Go?!
So, I haven't really written here in a while. I would say the main catalyst for this was when I broke my left hand back in... February? It's easy to forget once you've healed up and started taking twice-daily calcium supplements. Well, the short version is that I was running over to my register in order to take care of a customer, and I whacked my hand against the counter-top. This is an ordinary occurence - inanimate objects tend to get in the way of my path of energy, heh - but this time it was significantly harder and I could swear I felt a crack. The pain was excrutiating. I managed to get in to see my doctor that day and had an x-ray, and lo and behold... yes, it was broken. I saw an orthopaedic specialist and got all splinted up for the next month. I managed to hold it together and work with one hand, but knitting was nigh impossible. It was especially frustrating as I was getting really into lace and had just placed special orders at work for "Arctic Lace" by Donna Druchunas and "Victorian Lace Today" by Jane Sowerby. After I had successfully healed up it took me a little while to get back into knitting and I have all but abandoned my Ravelry profile since there weren't any projects to enter in. I hope to rediscover the fun of Ravelry, but I at least have been tackling small projects and getting back into Properly Obsessed With Pointy Sticks Mode.
Here's what I've been working on:
- The Lacy Hug-Me-Tight from "Knit 2 Together" by Mel Clark and Tracy Ullmann. I showed the photos to a co-worker and she loved it immediately. She wanted something light but warm to accompany the dress she wants to wear to a wedding later in the year. I spent about a month practicing the lace pattern before I bought a skein of the Blue Sky Alpaca Silk and swatched up properly. Oh my STARS. That yarn is so super soft and so beautiful! It was a joy to knit with and produced a beautiful fabric. However, I'm looking at trying a cotton blend for now (understandable; the alpaca silk is quite expensive). The slight skein I bought was definitely not a waste, though!
- the Foliage hat from knitty.com. I had a lovely ball of Lamb's Pride bulky in a vareigated pink, and it was just right for this hat. Unfortunately, I misplaced the right-sized circular needle for it (I have since found it and put it in a safe place!) so when I got to that point in the pattern, I sighed and undid my knitting. I ended up knitting a plain beanie with about 2" of ribbing at the bottom, on DPNs. It only took a couple of hours over the course of a weekend, and at the time (a couple of weeks ago) it was totally appropriate because the weather was playing up and going from warm to cold at the, well, drop of a hat. Now it's warm again and we're gearing up for summer. At least I'll have something cute to wear when fall rolls around again.
- Socks! On my birthday yarn binge (see the yarn bought in the two previous points!) I also got some On Your Toes in the Carousel colorway (pictured). Until I started knitting with it (last Tuesday) I didn't realise that it was self-striping/patterning. It's amazing and so soft! Last night I finished the first sock and cast on right away for the second. I stayed up until about four in the morning (they were showing the entirity of "Grindhouse" on Starz... knitting + schlock horror = awesome) and got halfway through the heelflap!! I would be even further along if I hadn't caused myself some problems with decreases and increases (I was trying not to have slouchy socks; when I went to increase back for the ankle and foot, my increase caused holes, so I ripped back to fix it. Added about an hour of finagling to my progress, argh). I rented a couple of promising looking titles yesterday ("Cherry Falls", "Terror Tract") so I'm confident that I will at least be done up to gusset decreasing by the time I have to go to bed tonight!
I actually have some plain sock yarn I bought from KnitPicks in order to dye myself with Kool Aid. I hope to get some of that done really soon so I can make yet more pretty socks. My goal for 2008 is to get as close to perfecting my sock knitting as humanly possible!
Here's what I've been working on:
- The Lacy Hug-Me-Tight from "Knit 2 Together" by Mel Clark and Tracy Ullmann. I showed the photos to a co-worker and she loved it immediately. She wanted something light but warm to accompany the dress she wants to wear to a wedding later in the year. I spent about a month practicing the lace pattern before I bought a skein of the Blue Sky Alpaca Silk and swatched up properly. Oh my STARS. That yarn is so super soft and so beautiful! It was a joy to knit with and produced a beautiful fabric. However, I'm looking at trying a cotton blend for now (understandable; the alpaca silk is quite expensive). The slight skein I bought was definitely not a waste, though!
- the Foliage hat from knitty.com. I had a lovely ball of Lamb's Pride bulky in a vareigated pink, and it was just right for this hat. Unfortunately, I misplaced the right-sized circular needle for it (I have since found it and put it in a safe place!) so when I got to that point in the pattern, I sighed and undid my knitting. I ended up knitting a plain beanie with about 2" of ribbing at the bottom, on DPNs. It only took a couple of hours over the course of a weekend, and at the time (a couple of weeks ago) it was totally appropriate because the weather was playing up and going from warm to cold at the, well, drop of a hat. Now it's warm again and we're gearing up for summer. At least I'll have something cute to wear when fall rolls around again.
- Socks! On my birthday yarn binge (see the yarn bought in the two previous points!) I also got some On Your Toes in the Carousel colorway (pictured). Until I started knitting with it (last Tuesday) I didn't realise that it was self-striping/patterning. It's amazing and so soft! Last night I finished the first sock and cast on right away for the second. I stayed up until about four in the morning (they were showing the entirity of "Grindhouse" on Starz... knitting + schlock horror = awesome) and got halfway through the heelflap!! I would be even further along if I hadn't caused myself some problems with decreases and increases (I was trying not to have slouchy socks; when I went to increase back for the ankle and foot, my increase caused holes, so I ripped back to fix it. Added about an hour of finagling to my progress, argh). I rented a couple of promising looking titles yesterday ("Cherry Falls", "Terror Tract") so I'm confident that I will at least be done up to gusset decreasing by the time I have to go to bed tonight!
I actually have some plain sock yarn I bought from KnitPicks in order to dye myself with Kool Aid. I hope to get some of that done really soon so I can make yet more pretty socks. My goal for 2008 is to get as close to perfecting my sock knitting as humanly possible!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Wonderful News! (Also, An Opportunity To Increase Knitting Skills)
My best friend back home, J., and her lovely boy, B., are getting married...!!!!! I am so excited for them I could just cry, but instead, I'm going to commit myself to laceweight and tiny needles and attempt a wedding shawl. I know there are books out there, so I'm going to take a look and consult with the ladies at my LYS and see what I can find. There's really nothing in the knitting world that I'm afraid off (except deadlines, and that applies to everything in my life, really) so I am totally going to take it on.
Watch this space for more information - and congrats to my lovelies :D
Watch this space for more information - and congrats to my lovelies :D
Sunday, January 6, 2008
2008: Ready, Set, Knit!
At least, that's how I'm looking at the year. I don't really have a whole lot by way of knitting goals, though I want to:
* sew up the cardigan I knitted for my mum-in-law for Christmas;
* knit the sweater I promised my dad-in-law for Christmas (I have ordered the yarn and picked a pattern! That's a start!);
* knit myself a sweater or cardigan;
* get all of my Christmas knitting done by the end of November;
and
* figure out all the maths so I have sock knitting down to a science.
That's a pretty modest list, right?
More later when I have access to my own computer and photos and an update on my works in progress! (So far for 2008: I'm in the middle of a thick-yarn cosy beanie as a birthday gift for a friend. I'm also expecting some dye-your-own sock yarn to show up in the mail any day now.)
♥
* sew up the cardigan I knitted for my mum-in-law for Christmas;
* knit the sweater I promised my dad-in-law for Christmas (I have ordered the yarn and picked a pattern! That's a start!);
* knit myself a sweater or cardigan;
* get all of my Christmas knitting done by the end of November;
and
* figure out all the maths so I have sock knitting down to a science.
That's a pretty modest list, right?
More later when I have access to my own computer and photos and an update on my works in progress! (So far for 2008: I'm in the middle of a thick-yarn cosy beanie as a birthday gift for a friend. I'm also expecting some dye-your-own sock yarn to show up in the mail any day now.)
♥
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