Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Again... I've moved!

I'm so sorry to give you all the runaround but I've given up on the two-posts a day even though they're the same posts... It's just getting to be too much work transferring and having to change all my links and pictures.

Anyway-- so, against my Professor's probable wishes, I've made my class-blog public.

You can find me at On Skeins and Needles. I really hope you'll all read me there!

We The Living!

I first got introduced to the band We The Living in my sophomore year and I fell in love with their melodic sound and how nice the band members were. I also fell in love with their Merch but couldn't really afford a lot of stuff so I decided to make my own.

I'm friends with all the band members on Facebook so I wrote on their walls asking what colors would best describe their themes. I got the response of 'Royal colors' so I figured I could find some golds, purples and light blues (Somewhat like a picture they used for a while) and make a scarf from that.

I went to Ben Franklin in Oconomowoc with a specific color palate in mind, but quickly found the idea would be squelched due to the gold looking like mustard and... not golden. So I thought silver would be a great alternative. I found a skein of royal purple and heather-grey silver and a beautiful teal blue. I figured I could just start knitting and whenever I felt like changing colors, I would.



I made it in a K1P1 Rib stitch and made it ridiculously long because I wanted to use the whole skein of each color. I finished the scarf only a few hours before the show started and I got to show it off for the guys.



I love wearing this scarf- it's so long so I can do a European wrapping style on the scarf and it doesn't bunch around my neck due to the volume of the yarn. It's heavy enough to keep me warm but thin enough so I won't feel like I'm drowning in yarn.

Pictures will be posted once I get home... They're too big if I upload them from Photobucket so bear with me!


Pictures and make up courtesy of Maxwell John

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Ravel it!

I'm now obsessed with Ravelry.com, a Web Site dedicated to showing off projects and getting ideas for projects of the knitting and crocheting nature. I find it mentioned a lot on other Web sites and blogs concerning knitting so I thought I'd check it out. I quickly made myself a profile and started updating my projects. While I don't have many on it, I put the three projects I'm currently working on: My slouchy shrug turned Scarf, the Garter Stitch scarf for Tim, The Morningside Neckwarmer by Brooklyn Tweed, and my fingerless gloves. I can't wait to continue updating and putting pictures of my projects up!

If you're an avid knitter, check out the site and you'll get a lot of different ideas that make your hands twitch with anticipation and your pocketbook yearn to be emptied for the use of great yarns!

Monday, September 28, 2009

A-Z of Knitting

A is for Aftermath- Try not to hate it when you're done- resulting in frogging out the work and a frustrated you. Trust me when I say, your yarn won't appreciate it either.

Yarn is fickle. If you make the product without having to frog it out at all, it'll turn out beautifully. If you take it apart a few times before finally settling on a pattern, you might have a looser gauge and more fraying of the yarn. Be sure you love what you're planning on doing before you commit to taking it all apart, because once you do... there's no going back!

Friday, September 25, 2009

What do you mean??

I hate reading patterns… like really hate reading them. They’re always different and they never usually help you out when it comes to deciphering them unless you go to the front of the book to find them, then flip back- which can be detrimental to the knitting flow.

I’m not much of a pattern user because I like to experiment, but on the occasional time I use one, I try to remember what I’m doing without looking at the pattern otherwise I’ll get lost or get frustrated.

So here’s a basic of what the abbreviations to a pattern look like:

DPN-Double Pointed Needles
Knit- K
Purl- P
dec-Decrease
k 2 tog- Knit two stitches together. This is used when Decreasing!
CO- Cast On
p-wise- Purl Wise- as in Purl
tog- Together
WS- Wrong Side
YB or YTB- Yarn to back of work (to knit the next stitch)
yo- Yarn over

I’m sure there are many more, but I’ll update whenever I come across them.
Just remember: There is no universal set of abbreviations for a knitting pattern- anywhere. If you’re working on a pattern in one book and go to another book, you could very easily have a problem deciphering. Just keep an eye on the key and you won’t be able to go wrong.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Baby it's cold outside- Keep your wrists warm

My friend turned me on to this idea for making wrist-warmers without the fingers!

Since I'm still what I like to think of as a novice-knitter, I haven't really branched out of items other than scarves and hats. I also don't usually make anything with needles smaller than size 10* so I figured this would be a quick and semi-painless endeavor. This would also be a great way to learn how to use Double Pointed Needles.

Double Pointed Needles come in all the same sizes as your common straight and circular needles but are for smaller items, such as socks and mittens. Each package of needles consist of 4 to 5 needles, with a point on both sides, so it's easy to knit in the round with them. On a straight needle, you're stuck with just going back and forth.

I did a google search on how to use double pointed needles and found a great page on About.com on how to use them. The concept is simple enough and I caught on pretty quickly. After figuring out how many stitches I would probably need to make the item fit part-way up my arm, I got started. Even though the -many- needles got in my way sometimes, I found the endeavor quite fun.



I quickly discovered that I hated what I was working on and frogged it. I then pulled out an old skein of silver from a scarf I had made and decided to cast-on to that. I really haven't gotten much father than casting-on because I quickly became engrossed in another project (which happens a lot...). I'll return to it one of these days.

*Size 10 needles: In Europe, the size of the needle is directly proportional to the millimeters around the needle is. In America, it means nothing. Yes... Nothing.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Knitting Philosophy

I’m taking 18 credits this semester equaling 6 classes (one of which was what spurred the publication of this Blog). I hope I’ll have enough time to post every day and have the ability to find the inspiration to write about knitting all the time.

I’m not usually interested in going into a philosophical question concerning life and how knitting fits into it.

But I’m going to ask anyway: How does or can knitting affect someone mentally and physically?

Since I started knitting I have this mysterious muscle on my arms that is very pronounced when doing the repeated pattern of knit on, yarn over, purl one, yarn over etc. etc... It's weird how much difference such a small movement can make when made hundreds and hundreds of times.

It’s been said that knitting helps increase hand-eye coordination and requires complex math to complete the -what are actually- knots. Like in a child learning to knit, they’re more likely to learn languages or do better in sports which require hand-eye coordination. They may also do better in Math. It’s pretty interesting when you think about it. Something so simple as knit 1 purl 1 could be construed as helping one get further in life.

I’m taking 18 credits this semester equaling 6 classes (one of which was what spurred the publication of this Blog). I hope I’ll have enough time to post every day and have the ability to find the inspiration to write about knitting all the time.

I’m not usually interested in going into a philosophical question concerning life and how knitting fits into it.

But I’m going to ask anyway: How does or can knitting affect someone mentally and physically?

Since I started knitting I have this mysterious muscle on my arms that is very pronounced when doing the repeated pattern of knit on, yarn over, purl one, yarn over etc. etc... It's weird how much difference such a small movement can make when made hundreds and hundreds of times.

It’s been said that knitting helps increase hand-eye coordination and requires complex math to complete the -what are actually- knots. Like in a child learning to knit, they’re more likely to learn languages or do better in sports which require hand-eye coordination. They may also do better in Math. It’s pretty interesting when you think about it. Something so simple as knit 1 purl 1 could be construed as helping one get further in life.




Just a thought…

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Knitting, Chinese Food, and teaching friends the craft

My friend Ashleigh asked me if I would teach her how to knit near the beginning of the semester. I told her I'd gladly show her how-- I figure it's best to pass the addiction to someone else... that way I won't feel as bad when I spend mountains of money on yarn and the likes because I know someone else who does the same thing!

So last Thursday, after I was done with classes and she was done with work, I met up with her and we went to Loop. She has no supplies and I need new supplies (of course because when don't I need new supplies?) so we went with the best of intentions. I figured teaching her on either 8s or 9s would be best. They're right in the middle of the spectrum and very easy to work with.

OK so here's the skinny on Needles. I highly recommend getting Bamboo needles. They are very light so you won't have to worry about your wrists getting tired or cramping up, and they warm to the heat of your hands so they're incredibly comfortable. If you, however, are a purist, you can still buy the metal needles (some people just love the way they sound and feel in their hands when knitting) but I think you may soon find that they're too heavy and your wrists will start to hurt. The prices are near the same, so no reason to splurge on those darker bamboo needles that cost almost 20 dollars for a pair of 9s. Clover Takumi makes an entire line of lightweight bamboo needles and they're beautiful to look at as well as to use. Prices range from 8 dollars to 15 dollars, depending on the size and length of the needles. Takumi also makes the full range of Circular and Double Pointed needles for the same price range.

Next- the low down on yarn.
When you're first starting out, you probably shouldn't spend a ton of money on the yarn you use, unless you have a clear destination in mind for the skein and you know you're going to want to continue with crafting. It's usually best to go with some sort of mix blend because it's 4 bucks a skein rather than 14. Ashleigh and I went to Loop, so it's not really the kind of place to get really cheap yarn. I knew she'd want something she can wear though... so I figured she'd want something a little higher quality (You can still get nice quality yarn for relatively cheap... you just have to pay attention to yardage and prices). All I'm was going start her out with was a scarf anyway.

What to make: When I showed her how to knit, I started by teaching Ashleigh how to cast on and then to do a simple garter stitch. I figure she'll want something easy that she can call her own so a Go Go Garter Stitch scarf from "Stitch n Bitch" (Ravel it!) would do the trick. I had a lot more planned for her but we stopped after teaching her the knit stitch because she needed to get comfy with the needles.

So we got set up and started knitting for an hour or so until we got hungry and got some Chinese. She's doing great so far and I hope I wasn't too bad of a teacher!

I love the feeling of teaching someone how to make something of their own. Knitting is really simple and fun to do and I highly hope that many more people around me will want to learn to knit. I may be able to start my own Stitch n Bitch crew!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Knitters how-to?

I posted a ton of pictures of all the items I've ever knit and crocheted in my life and a friend of mine commented that I should write something of a basic how-to of knitting.

To be quite honest I have no idea what I'm doing.

I wouldn't have the ability to teach anyone without being around them. I first learned when I was about 14 and my mom taught me what I thought was an unconventional way of casting on. I quickly found that I was frustrated and I gave up for four years. I turned instead to crocheting but still felt the pangs of failure whenever I'd see mom pull out a set of needles.

I found out how to do it again though a knit-athon in the middle of winter at my college's Newman House. I went with a friend who also wanted to learn to knit and I picked up on a newer way of casting on and finishing everything.

My best advice to all you novice knitters out there: Grab a friend who doesn't know how to knit, and a friend who does know how to knit. Offer to buy the knitter coffee and ask them to teach you how to knit.
Then go get a book (my favorite is "Stitch 'n Bitch") that will show you what to do, how to do it and all the other basics of learning to knit and you'll start to fly through the patterns and things that you can do!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Finding Inspiration

It's fall and the trees are turning their colors. No longer are the days of bright green leaves but of tinted red, orange and whatnot. I'm excited to make a scarf of these two colors, but I now have to try to remember what these leaves looked like. I found the most beautiful specimen of a tree and wanted to preserve it. I covered it in tape- to laminate it for lack of a better word- and pressed it in a book.

I just looked at it today and saw that a majority of the leaf is brown, meaning all the moisture from the leaf was stuck in the leaf and it was now decaying in its tapey enclosure.

I'm crestfallen now. And I have to attempt to find a new tree that's still in the process of changing.

I went back to my previous tree and found the leaves were slightly brown but I saw there was still the red and green on it. So I looked like a dork again and picked the leaf off.



And here's the leaf I picked!


Then, after one of my ASL classes, I was walking around and saw a tree in front of the International Education building that had the most vibrant orange-red I had seen in a while. So I pulled out four leaves that were close in color, but I loved how they looked anyway.




Here's my dilemma with the whole red/green idea. I don't want the bright red because this leaf was on its way to becoming a deep red. So it had the edges of a maroon-like color and a bright green. I don't want a Christmas scarf... because Christmas scarves can and should only be worn around Christmastime.

I hope I'm up to the challenge.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

I'VE NOT MOVED!

Sorry all! I just found out through my professor that the WordPress blog has to be set as Private so I'll be uploading the blogs here instead for you all to read.

I hope you'll all follow me!

P.S.
We start posting on Thursday Sept 17

Friday, September 4, 2009

I've moved!

For the time being, because my professor wants us to post on wordpress.com instead of wherever we want, I'm moving to On Skeins and Needles


It looks so boring... but for the next 15 weeks, that's where I'll be!

I'll be posting all my blogs on here at the end of the semester so be on the lookout for that!

In the meantime, please visit me at word press!!

Feel free to comment here with ideas of what I should make! I'm looking for quick projects that I can get done in a weekend because I don't have a ton of time to do things these days but I need to have lots of fresh inspiration!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

It's time to get the needles out!

Someone once told me that I was an "old soul." I don't remember who said it, the context of the conversation or what I said in reply, but something about those two words hooked me. "Old Soul."

I'm a crafter. Plain and simple.

I have quilted comforters and blankets from old clothes that I'll never wear but keep around in the vain hope that someday I'll have a need for them (it turns out, I did have a need for them! They make very nice blankets!). I make tchochkies out of beads and lanyards and, most of all, I knit and crochet constantly. I probably have more yarn than many people I know and eventually I'll find a use for it all. I may have spent more money than necessary on yarn, needles and other accessories in my life so why do I love the -sometimes- tedious event of making a hat or scarf?

To be honest, I have no idea. But I love the outcome of making a scarf, hat, sweater or blanket. Something about the gratification keeps me coming back for more.

Knitting is in my blood: My mother knits and my grandmother used to knit. My Great Aunt used to knit cables while carrying on a conversation with someone or while watching the television.

The concept is simple enough: Knit 1, Purl 1. Though my arms might get tired, I can't ever seem to get bored with what I'm doing. The anticipation for the outcome is too great to make me want to stop.

So I don't.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Fall semester for blogging

Hello out there in the blogosphere!

My main reason for writing this blog is because of my English class where we have to create a blog and update it through the semester. I'm just getting a head start though the dates may change once the semester starts.

I'll be periodically updating you with knitting-related blogs. I'm an avid knitter so I'll hopefully have a lot for you!

I'll write some more next time I'm available and have time to make it look great for you!

Thanks for reading and I hope you'll all come back!