Knit or Go Home

I found a picture of an older project of mine that I never posted, so during my project lag time, here’s another purse to ponder. It’s just a little bag, good for nights out more than the day-to-day necessities.

I made it out of Cascade 220, in a tweedy-sort of green. I then lined it (not pictured) with this great fabric I bought in Tanzania last summer and a pretty green ribbon wound through the eyelets. You could make it without lining, but it will be a bit stretchy. Another great idea would be to make it a bit bigger and felt it! The pattern is very adaptable, as really it is just a rectangle of half-double crochets. The only added intrigue are the rows for the handle - basically like making a giant button hole. It really is one of those weekend (or even long evening) projects that are highly satisfying in how quickly they work up. Make one this weekend!

Pattern from: Happy Hooker, by Debbie Stoller (great book - for beginners and beyond!)

First off, I’m sorry again - school and planning graduation (and freaking out about the real world and being a grown-up!) has prevented me from even touching a ball of yarn in over a week - I’m certainly going through withdrawals, let me tell you.  Sadness.  I promise, promise that I will have a new project to post soon - a pretty cabled purse!

Until then, another random tip to share - a show on HGTV/DIY Network - Knitty Gritty!  It isn’t the most thrilling 30 minutes of TV you will watch, but it is pretty fun to have a show focused on knitting!  The projects range from very cute to borderline hideous, but the show is always good for a new technique.  Never stop learning!  The girl who hosts it is a little forced, but then again, she is trying to make knitting a TV-worthy event.  Don’t get me wrong, I get excited about the simplest thing related to yarn, but it just doesn’t film all that well.

This was supposed to be praise - so let me try again: in the time before I have a new picture to post, check out Knitty Gritty - good knitting fun!  Have a good one!

So I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it, but I’m a graduating senior at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), majoring in Microbiology (I know, can’t get much further from knitting can I?). I’m in my last quarter and I’m in quite a load of classes in order to graduate this June. As a result, my time to devote to new projects is scarce. Aside from multiple drink cozies and a purse that I’m almost done with, I don’t have any new projects to post yet. (But the purse is darn cute, I’ll post it as soon as it is done.)

So instead, I wanted to let people in on a few trick of the trade as it were, things that changed my yarn life for the better. They may seem trivial, but they make a world of difference! Hopefully I can enrich your yarn adventures too. (=

Things I Can’t Live Without in My Knitting Bag (I’m a sucker for notions!)

~ Safety pins - especially for crochet! If you are working on a project somewhere, and it’s time to pack up and move, don’t risk losing your progress - slip the working loop onto a safety pin and close - voila! Now your work is safe a sound.  They can also double as small stitch holders (when making I-cords, for example)  I swear, this safety pin trick has changed my life. (=

~ Thread cutter pendant - I just discovered this a few weeks ago, but it is a circular pendant that is actually a thread and yarn cutter. It is supposed to be airline friendly, which simplifies the process of working on yarn projects in air. I’m so sick of getting my Swiss army knives taken and being stuck in the middle of a project because I can’t cut my yarn. Problem solved!

~ Post-It Notes - So I love sticky notes anyway, but they are absolutely essential when I’m following a pattern. I use one to mark the page of the pattern (if in a book) as well as any other notes I need for help. But the crucial note is the one I use to mark my place. I use a Post-It to mark above the round I’m on - this way, when I glance down at the pattern, I don’t accidentally follow the instructions of the wrong round. Added bonus - helps you remember where you are when you walk away for a while or get distracted and lose track. No worries - the Post-It is there to save you!

~ Split-ring stitch markers - they are simple, yet makes marking things in crochet very easy. Closed ring markers are of no use in crochet, but the split rings can be used to mark the right side of the work, the beginning of a round (so you know where to slip stitch), and the target stitch when you are teaching beginners. I teach crochet, and I find them very helpful in teaching people which stitch is their next one when they get lost.

I have many others I love, but they are a little more mundane: Crochet hook, yarn needles, tape measurer, pen, stitch holders, stitch counters, needle protectors (help keep stitches on your needles during travel as well), and those stitch counters that go on your needles.

Lastly, my new favorite website - it makes yarn substitutions sooo easy!

YarnDex

You can easily search for any yarns, and find out what weight it is, the fiber content, colors, and where to find it.  Genius!

Happy Knitting and Crocheting - Hopefully I’ll some good picture to post soon!