Knit or Go Home

Graduation is behind me and the real world awaits - which means moving, some travels and finding myself a J-O-B.  Gotta pay the bills somehow!  Oh no!

But in the meanwhile, I’m taking advantage of this freedom to get some new projects going, but nothing done yet.  While I keep my needles clicking away to get some new projects to share, check out what I want to whip up!  Both are patterns from Knitty Gritty, a yarn show on HGTV or DIY Network.  Their website is a bit difficult to navigate, but there are some great ideas.  Have fun exploring and finding inspiration.  (=

A knit garter - wanted it for holding my phone and camera during graduation, but finals kind of got in the way of its completion.  Whoops.  Still fun and gotta finish it.

Knit boots!  I have been looking for a pattern like this for ages and finally found it.  I will certainly be extending mine more to below the knee, but so exciting.  I’ll keep you posted on the progress!

It’s the middle of finals week for me - everyone else I know has finished their finals, and I’m stuck with 2 more taking me all the way to Friday of finals week and the afternoon before I graduate to finish college. Can’t be a slacker in the end apparently - meaning this week has been filled with lots of studying (virology, immunology and physics - nothing light about it), some packing for my big move next week, and definitely some yarn work to keep me sane! I found a new favorite project that brings a smile to anyone’s face during these stressful times, and works up so fast it is the instant satisfaction I crave right now.

A tiny turtle! The shell is made in the round, in one complete piece. The head, legs and tiny tail are all spirals, and work up so fast you’ll have a herd of them (bale of turtles, apparently) before you know it! They are easy to make and perfect way to use up bits of yarn. I’ve made mine from Simply Soft and Sugar n Cream. Already have 2, and can’t wait to get going on a third. Any suggestions for names for these two little guys? Happy crocheting!

Source: Tiny Striped Turtle

She has the best patterns!

So it took me seemingly forever, but the cabled purse I have been promising is finally complete! And I’m just so happy with it. Funny story about this purse: I was at my local yarn store making an exchange, when I saw a cabled purse hanging that looked similar to one I had a pattern for. I picked out some beautiful Alpaca Yarn (by Berroco) in a dark green color. It is similar to Cascade 220, but different fiber content. I came home, hunted frantically for that pattern, and when I finally found it, I had magically picked the exact yarn (color excepted) that the pattern called for! It was pretty exciting - I am one of those that rarely uses the right yarn purposely, let alone by chance. I tell you, this purse was meant to be!

So this was my first cabling adventure - and for those of you that have only admired cables from afar, try it! It is so much easier than it looks, making you very impressive. Once you get the idea, it is just fun and breaks up the monotony of stockinette. The only drag is when you get to the gusset, because that gets a little boring, but it is worth it. I also made mine with a changable handle by adding snap closures to the gusset instead of sewing it closed. I don’t really like the handle right now, but will be making a perfect chocolate brown one soon, so I needed a way to switch it out. Very exciting, or at least I think so. I will definitely be lining this as well, but I bet it would be interesting on slightly larger needles with light felting. Experiment! And certainly give cables a go.

Pattern from: Berroco

While talking about knitting log cabin style may cause you to imagine yourself curled up in a comfy chair with a fire roaring in the fireplace, in some cozy cabin in the woods, it’s actually a technique! A friend of mine just completed a baby blanket in that style, so I decided to tackle it myself. I was just playing around with the style, using up some random bits of Sugar n Cream to make a dish cloth in this style. I made 2 pieces and attached them together, because the backside didn’t turn out so pretty. Gotta perfect my stitch pick-up technique.

For directions on this technique, see the Mason-Dixon Knitting site. Scroll about half way down to the section called “This Old Log Cabin.” The site is really great - take some time to explore the other posts.

The basic technique is just knitting a small piece, then turning and picking up stitches along its end, knitting some rows, and doing it again - bind off, turn, pick up stitches, knit. It’s a fun way to keep it interesting and use up scraps of color. I think I’m going to be doing this quite a bit to make those bins of yarn I have shrink!

I promise, in a matter of weeks, you won’t be able to keep up with how many posts I’ll be doing. Just have to get through finals! So close to end of my college career and can’t wait to get more yarn in action. Currently I’m working on all kinds of odds and ends, anything to keep me sane amidst all the studying.

New thing I learned - working on a simple knit or crochet project while reading (this would work with any reading material, but I’m referring to text book reading) helps keep your focus on what you are reading. It honestly increases your reading comprehension. It’s like you keep the distractable part of your mind on the knitting, so you can actually maintain focus on the material without your mind wandering. Pure magic. And it makes you feel less pained about studying because you get to knit at the same time. Even just doing some simple garter stitch with left over yarn - the goal is the process, not the end project.

Check out the patterns I’m using right now for my random projects or things I hope to start soon. I’m a little too all over the place to actually get anything done, but I’m getting there. Join me and put these projects on your hook too! (=

Dog Toilet Roll Cover - one of those things we all swear we’ll never make, but then it is just too funny not to. I’m making one for my friends’ new apartment as a house warming gift. (=

Hippo! - This woman has the most amazing animal patterns. I want to be her. That is my new goal. I have been wanting to make this little guy for so long - it’s time to just do it. Probably one of those afternoon projects - doesn’t seem too complicated. And a great way to use up extra yarn! Check out her too-cute turtles too.

Chihuahua - I have been meaning to make this little guy for months. He is just so goofy. I’ll probably make the head a little less tall, but that’s just me.

Happy crocheting and check back soon for my versions of these projects!