Skip to main content

3 is the Number of Counting

I've decided that 3 is the ideal number of WIPs for me.  I'm not sure how I arrived at this conclusion, but at any rate, this is the number I will try to stick to in hopes of staving off unchecked startitis.
It seems like a long time since I've shared an actual knitting project - in progress or otherwise - so here's the lowdown on what's on the needles right now:

Project the First:
It's a secret!  This is a new design I've been thinking about (and quite possibly talking/blogging about, too) for quite some time.  I think I knit the prototype a year or two ago, and I am just not getting down to the business of deciphering my notes and putting them into something that resembles a knittable pattern.  This project is exciting for two reasons:  1) it's the first project I've cast on using my brand new Knitter's Pride needles!  2) I'm finally knitting with the two gorgeous skeins of Quince & Co. Chicadee Tyler got me for christmas (in *cough* 2010). 


Project the Second: 
Birthday hat!  I couldn't stand it any longer - the beautiful skein of Skein Tyler gifted me in November just has to be knitted up!  I've had my eye on the Pebbled Beanie from Weekend Hats, and it's knitting up beautifully.  Unfortunately, this isn't going to be a weekend hat for me.  I'm not sure who would be able to knit this pattern in just a few days' time, but I am not that person.  I'm bogged down by the tiny needles and the way they kick up my knitter's thumb; unfortunately, the pattern stitch is also a little slow (it's knit inside-out, which involves a lot of purling on top of a knitting-into-each-stitch-twice design feature), although I will say that it's easy to memorize.  All in all, this hat - whenever I finish it - will be gorgeous.  It's the perfect project for this colorway, and I know that I'll wear it all the time in all its cashmerino-y goodness. 

Project the Third:  
A sweater for me!  I blogged about this in December, and it's finally happening!  I cast on for the Abalone Cardigan using some Malabrigo Silky in Matisse Blue.  Man, it's a vibrant colorway!  Considering I mostly wear black, brown and gray in my day-to-day life (you know, when I actually get out of my pajamas), I find myself wondering if this is the right choice for a sweater for me.  I think it will be pretty, though, and I could probably stand to inject a little color into my wardrobe.  Perhaps it will be finished in time for the June TNNA show! The pattern is for a super-tiny-size, so I'll be doing some modifications that I'll try to post for future knitters to use as reference. 


It Doesn't Count if it's Not Knitting?
What you see pictured to the right is a rather pathetic first attempt at a gauge swatch; I am determined to re-learn crochet via Vicki Howell's Crochet Lab Craftsy Course.  Besides trying once more to master crochet so I can make adorable amigurumi toys, I'm also excited about trying out my brand-new ergonomic Knitter's Pride crochet hooks (sorry for the blatant product placement there, but I love trying anything labeled "ergonomic," apparently).  We'll see if it sticks this time!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends,  so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with  this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks).  The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a

What If I Didn't Add Heels?

Last weekend, I finished the first sock with my Waterlilies yarn , and just for yuks, I tried it on even though it was basically just a tube sock. Much to my surprise, it fit really well, even without a heel. Who knew? So, that got me thinking: what if I just didn't add the heels?  I never thought a tube sock would actually fit nicely, but I genuinely like the fit, so...why spend time to add the heels? As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... Let's say I decide not to add heels once the second sock is done - there will still be placeholder yarn for the afterthought heels, as you can see above, so should I leave it in and just weave in the ends? Or should I remove it, put the live stitches back on needles and at least graft them together using more of the Waterlilies yarn? I plan on mulling all of this over as I knit the second sock, and I'd love to hear your opinions of what you think would look best (or if you think this whole "n

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my  taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b