Knit or Go Home

I started feeling like I wasn’t progressing my knitting skills and challenges at a rate equal to my 5 years of knitting time - no real sweaters, no socks - and in my mind, those are like knitting staples. I tried to find a sweater I could commit to, with no luck. I researched sock books and found some that looked promising, only to realize I don’t even wear socks all that much and wasn’t all that interested yet anyway. Then I found Knitting New Mittens and Gloves by Robin Melanson and found the answer: gloves!

Having never made gloves before, I thought I’d start it simple: fingerless gloves. Never sure if I actually like their fashion statement, but they sure are quick and simple to knit up. I started with the Filligree pattern, and made the short ones. I also learned the “Magic Loop” method of knitting, explained in my post below. I love my double-points still, but this method is quite catchy. It’s also a little pricey to invest in, so I won’t have my full set just yet, but I have sizes 2, 3, 5, and 6 to keep me busy for now.

Made with: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Taupe, on size 5 Knit Picks Harmony 40″ needles. I made mine with 1 extra pattern repeat for a little added length, a decision I think I regret now but oh well. The hardest part is adding the blanket stitch around the thumb opening - not fun at all! I’m on my second pair now (still have more of the yarn to use up!) I’m making them for my friend Lauren, in the shortened version. Here they are on the long circ:

Almost done with the second glove - hope she likes them as much as I do!

Up next: full gloves! I’m using the Strata glove pattern in the same book, which involves 6 gloves in all: regular gloves, short-fingered gloves, and fingerless gloves, with the intention of being able to layer them. I’ll keep you posted!

So many months ago, I posted a video about learning how to knit and purl in the “continental” method, or picking, as opposed to the “American” or throwing method. Apparently I watched the first couple minutes of the video, thought it was interesting enough to put on my blog, and then lost interest in the subject. Well I was recently inspired to learn for real - and that video is so helpful!

The background: Over 3 years ago, about a year after learning to knit, I was in Lake Tahoe with my family for Christmas. While there we discovered 3 Dog Knit, a yarn shop, and loaded up with some supplies for the cold winter nights. My stepmom bought me this beautiful chocolate brown, super soft yarn. I couldn’t wait to make it into a scarf! But everytime I tried to work with it, something wasn’t right - the needles, the width, the stitch. I just loved that yarn too much. It had to be perfect. I finally settled on a width and decided to make it using seed stitch, to even out the bumpy texture of the yarn.

The problem? I HATE actually doing seed stitch. So for the past 3 years, this project has been on my needles. I’d do about a row or two, and want to put it away. Needless to say, the scarf wasn’t getting any closer to being done at that rate. I wanted to start new things, but felt guilty with this stunning yarn going to waste in the drawer. It was time to take it on for real.

The solution? Continental! With the continental or picking method, this scarf flew by in one day! I went from less than half a scarf in 3 years, to a completed scarf in one (long) determined night. But it’s done!

Yarn: Gedifra Serano on size 13 needles.

C’est magnifique! It is beyond cuddly…too bad summer is around the corner, but now I know it will be waiting to cuddle me come fall. The picture doesn’t do the lovely chocolate goodness justice. Perseverance, and continental, paid off! It only took a few rows to feel comfortable with switching knit and purls in this method, and so much less fuss than throwing.

My first crochet garment in a long while - and so happy with the results. It was made with Lion Brand Cotton Ease in 2 shades - charcoal and stone - and a size G-6 crochet hook. The construction of this piece is the most interesting: you make the “waves” at the bottom first, worked side-to-side with singles, doubles, and trebles to make the pattern, then attached in a ring, and turned to make the body of the skirt in circles. Kept it interesting for sure!

Pattern from: Crochet Today (March 08)

The best part? It fits! Put elastic at the waise as directed, and need to wear it with a slip (instead of trying to line it), but so very happy. For sure ready to attempt another garment.

Looking forward to down-sizing the scale of the waves to make more beverage sleeves - good way to use up the excess yarn and I think will be quite cute.

On February 19th, I saw something amazing that I never thought I would. Days later, I still couldn’t believe that I was a part of something so special. On February 19th, my sister gave birth a beautiful baby girl, and I was there to see it. Not being a fan of kids, not being interested in children of my own or being pregnant, this was a miracle to see. My brother-in-law even got to help deliver her. The whole thing was incredible, not gross or weird as you would think. It was a very special bonding experience for our family. Thank you to my sister for letting us be a part of Landry’s birth.

My dad with Landry Kate

What does this have to do with booties? Well I had to make such a beautiful girl her own beautiful shoes! And the courtside booties I’d made before just seemed like the perfect choice.

Pattern from: Crochet Today (September 07 issue)

Made them with Cascade Fixation this time, to give them some added stretch, alone with white Baby Soft. Paired with a size F-5 hook, these work up surprisingly quickly and are fun to make.

She looks mighty cute in them, although she has some growing to do before they really fit.

This is a perfect stash-buster, as well as being a quick and easy scarf.  Works up sooo much faster than a regular scarf, and is so much more fun!  The original is made with really beautiful color changes, while I made mine with just three colors and changed them randomly.  You make the scarf with rings, connecting them as you go.  Great fashion accessory!

Pattern from: CrochetMe.com

Made with: Size H hook, small amounts of 3 colors of Simply Soft

Christmas was a busy time for my poor wrists - I just love to make gifts for people instead of buying them, so I was mighty busy. My biggest undertaking was certainly the blanket for my mom. I had wanted to make her one for a long time and decided Christmas was the right time. I used one of those simple quick-knit afghan pattern books from Michaels, and was very happy with the results. It was made on size 13 circular needles, using 2 strands of the new Simply Soft Heathers in Deep Plum.

The color doesn’t show very accurately in the photo, but it is a beautiful deep purple color. Below is a close up of the detail. It was a total hit. (= Blankets are a lot of work, but surely worth the effort.

The perfect frame finally materialized, and so did the perfect recipient. Remaining one of my favorite crochet ideas, the giant wall doiley is finally framed, and on the wall at my grandma’s - the perfect Christmas present. I’m very happy with it - and it looks much better than when covered with pushpins, as pictured in the earlier post. I’m not generally one to repeat a pattern, but this is just too fun to remain a one-time creation!

So along with crochet ornaments, crochet bookmarks were my presents this season. It was stimulated by my rekindled interest in the Ken Follett novel, “The Pillars of the Earth.” I read it years ago, and felt it was time for a revisit, given that he just wrote a sequel. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. It chronicles the building of a cathedral in 12th century England. Little romance, little violence, lots of architecture. The sequel is equally good as well. But be prepared for a bit of time commitment - both books are on the larger side, hence the need for good bookmarks! I made 2 different types, and here they are:

This version was a complicated pattern, and I didn’t end up following it exacty, but it was a good starting point. If you follow the pattern, I didn’t do the final round, as I felt it was already large enough. I made mine with size 3 crochet thread and a tiny little hook.

Pattern from: Crochet Pattern Central

And the second, and more beloved version, is the “crochet book thong,” as the creator calls it. Made with size 3 crochet thread, a large bead, and three smaller beads, these make quick, elegant gifts.

Pattern from: Crochet Book Thong

Make one up and pick up that great book - the perfect combination!

So this post is a month too late - whoops. But this past Christmas these were my go-to presents - crochet ornaments! I looked all over the web and could only find knitting patterns for ornaments. I love to knit, but when looking for something quick, crochet is the way to go for me. Instead I improvised and made up my own pattern, and have it to share with you.

I used 1-1/2 inch styrofoam balls, covering them with a crochet ball of sorts. The ball is made with Sassy Stripes (a sock-weight yarn) and sparkly Size 3 crochet thread. The crochet piece is made almost to completion, then the ball inserted, and the rest of the piece crocheted closed around the ball. Attach a loop at the end, and hang it up. Simple! Below is the pattern, my first real one. Enjoy! And please contact with any corrections, but I hope the pattern makes sense.

Crochet Ornament Pattern

It was time for an adventure in thread crochet. Other than a simple bookmark, I’d never experimented with the tiny-scale thread crochet, until I saw this doily pattern. It uses size 3 crochet thread instead of the smaller size 10, and a slightly larger hook. Made in black, and in this larger scale, this is far from the doilies of our grandparents. (= I haven’t found the right frame or canvas yet, but this is going to make a great wall hanging. Try it out - and just know that you can block it in the end to even out the tension. This photo shows that process: pin the finished work to a surface (an old cork board in my case) in the shape that you desire, then spray with a water and allow to dry. When the work is removed it will retain the shape you pin it in. This makes your tension inaccuracies much less noticeable.

Pattern from: Crochet Today June/July

I love Halloween - I’m not even sure why, but I just love it! Something about getting to be whatever you want, planning the outfit, the people to dress up with, and how to celebrate it right - especially when you get to celebrate it for multiple nights, multiple parties. Good times, especially with brightly-colored wigs. So to honor the occasion, some crochet Halloween items.

A crochet pumpkin - I love the twisty stem the most. This project is so simple - try it today! Sorry this isn’t the greatest picture.

Pattern from: Craftbits.com

And my favorite, the crochet skull. I’ve already made 3, they take almost no time at all. For felting newbies, be sure you use 100% wool yarn (or other animal fiber) of the felting won’t work and you’ll just have a goofy looking skull. Then just toss them in a pillow case in a washer full of jeans, and you’ve got yourself a felted skull the make your Halloween spooooooky. Have fun!

Pattern from: LionBrand.com (you may have to register to view)

As a San Diego resident, things are a bit crazy right now - so many people have evacuated, so many have lost homes, and so many are left to worry. I’m safe so far where I live, but my heart goes out to those displaced and endangered by these insane fires. Stay safe.

Updates: www.sdcountyemergency.com