Pink Camo Sweaters

Well, I finished one and it has been worn and worn but on the second one I did something I can never remember doing on something knitted. I CUT A HOLE IN THE SWEATER while trying to cut off a joining yarn. It was right down in the front about 1-1/2" above the ribbing. I couldn't believe it. How could I be so careless? Arrrg!

I started to weave in a repair but it turns out that I cut thread in 2 different rows. I had a hole in it like you would in the heel of a sock. It was easier to take the sweater down and do it over again than to fix the hole. I can practically knit in my sleep, but I can't repair a hole, so I decided to just knit it over.

I'm finished now and I'll put it together tomorrow or Sunday, but my poor little granddaughter in Virginia won't have much time to wear it unless Virginia has a really late, late spring! Fortunately, I made the two sweaters very big, so they could wear them next year too. This year the sweaters were like a tunic. I'll try to post some photos in the next few days. They sure turned out cute!

I also knitted hats and 3 mittens. I do mean three! I would have knitted 2 pair, but there wasn't enough yarn. Three means that you still have a pair when one is lost. Once I started that when my kids were half grown, they never seemed to loose mittens any more. Go figure!

BTW, I am now in month 3 and still have not bought 1 skein of yarn:>) It is actually kind of fun. We'll see how it goes.

Camouflage Yarn

I can't wait until I can get back to New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One by Cat Bordhi. I made the little Blue Sky sock and it was so much fun, but right now I am knitting little camouflage sweaters, mittens and caps as fast as I can.

I finished Jacob's sweater so he could wear it on his first hunting trip. (He's 11 and headed for Virginia and the "Swamp Hilton" as the hunting cabin is known.) After that, I got requests for some of the new pink camouflage yarn, so I started a bulky sweater for my granddaughter, Eli. The one I made was too small, but we couldn't get it off her, so I went back to Florida to make her another one and send it back as soon as possible. I knit a desert camo sweater for her 3 year old brother, Charles, and he put the little cap on and wouldn't take it off. I hope to get some of the photos soon. I put a little "Alfalfa" tail on the top and he looked like a little elf in it.

Back here in Florida, I got out more pink camouflage yarn to quickly make a sweater for my other granddaughter, Addie. Winter is VERY short here in North Florida and if I don't get it done soon, it will be shorts weather again. In fact, I saw a girl in shorts out today. The high was in the 70's. I'm not complaining about the temp, but it is a little limiting for a knitter. Fortunately, there are all those wonderful things you can knit and felt!

I am using Bernat's new "Softee" yarn and it is really soft. The kids love it. I don't know how it will wear, but the kids grow so fast, they wouldn't be able to wear it more than 2 seasons, so that isn't much of a factor. I haven't washed it yet, but so far it is a real pleasure to knit with.

I managed to knit 6 pairs of socks in December also and they made great presents. For the hunters and one spelunker, I used Lion Brand Wool-ease and it kept the guys warm, but they could also just throw the sock in the wash. My nephew has had his for 2 years and said they held up just fine, so I guess that will be my yarn of choice for the guys.

The other socks I made from a variety of self-striping yarn and they were such fun to knit. It is magical watching the color develop as you knit. I'm totally addicted. Fortunately they make great Christmas presents, so I can knit to my heart's content.

New Year's Resolutions - oh well!

It doesn't seem like I should make more resolutions if I couldn't manage to keep the ones I made last year, but I am ever the optimist. This year I have done a lot of thinking about the state of the world. It started when I drove past the huge pet supermarket they are building out on A1A. Suddenly, it seemed obscene when people are starving all over the world. Our pets live better than most of the world.

Don't get me wrong; we have a dog and we love him dearly. He is very well-fed and living the life the people in Darfur can't even imagine. So, what has this to do with my New Year's resolutions? I got to thinking about how much yarn, quilting and needlework stash I have and realized that just because it's warm and fuzzy, doesn't mean that I am not still using more of the world's resources than is right, especially when I am not using it and am buying more (and more...)

I thought about spending a year working from my stash and it suddenly seemed not only a good idea, but a necessary one. I'd like to use same rules another group used with a few modifications:

1. I will not buy any yarn during 2008, with the following exceptions:

a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think I am made of stone?

b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that I really and truly do not have the yarn for, I may buy yarn to knit that gift.

c. If I am knitting something and run out of yarn, I may purchase enough to complete the project.

d. I get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- I am allowed to fall off the wagon one time.

2. I am allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

3. Trading stash is allowed.

I really liked those ideas except that I believe I have enough sock yarn to keep me going for several months, so I'll nix that one, at least for a while.

Resolution two: to do some knitting for charity this year. I don't suppose it will help anyone in Darfur, but I can use some of the yarn to knit for various charities, especially the Santa train in Appalachia. I have a lot of scraps that could be knit into hats and mittens. I used to do it all the time, but I haven't for ages.

Resolution three: to learn a new technique. Recently, I decided that I was going to master grafting stitches and to become so familiar with knitting socks that I could almost knit them in my sleep. That has gone really well and I like making socks so well, I plan to always have a pair on the needles. They are perfect to knit while I am working on the computer. I'm even going to make a knitted tree garland that has miniature socks, sweaters and mittens on it. I saw it in one of my books and I just loved it.

That worked so well, I thought I would chose another knitting skill. I haven't figured out just what I want to do, but I have some ideas. I got some qiviut yarn for Christmas and I plan to knit it into a shawl, so I think I might practice lace shawl knitting. I'd also like to do more felting so that I can feel more comfortable predicting the end product.

We'll see how it goes

Stash breaker

Oh boy! It has been ages since I have blogged about knitting. I knitted myself into some serious shoulder problems last year making afghans. Too much of a good thing!

Recently I came across a knitting group who decided to knit from their stash for the first nine months of 2007. Coming on the heels of a trip to the attic to search for yarn I knew was there, this seemed to me to be a great idea. I cannot believe how much yarn I have. The group came up with some sensible rules and I think I will give it a try.

Here's the url if anyone is interested http://wendyknits.net/stash2007.htm

People like me should never get all their stash into one place at one time. It is much better viewed in a multitude of locations so that we don't have to see just how much is really there! When I combine it with fabric for quilting and books for all needle arts, it becomes overwhelming.

So....

I am going to follow this group's good example and pledge to knit from my stash in 2008. I'm still not brave enough to list all the yarn I have, but I can take down one bin at a time and knit from that until it is finished.

I've been knitting socks like the world is sockless and just found a charity knitting group that knits socks from a great little pattern called "Magic 28."

the http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/magic_28/

It shouldn't be hard to use just about any weight of yarn to knit up some socks that would keep someone warm this winter, especially since energy prices are going through the roof.

First, I have to finish knitting socks for the hunters and hikers in the family. I'm using wool-ease with size 3 needles to make the socks as dense as possible. I'm making a few pairs for the non-hunters also. They aren't as fun as the self-striping yarns, but my feet will thank me when I go up to Virginia.

I've also just finished a camouflage sweater for my grandson who is on his first hunting trip. The male members of my family have built a hunting cabin on some property on the Eastern Shore of VA and it is affectionately know as the "Swamp Hilton," (named after the piece of property called the "swamp field.") They do this male bonding thing at least twice a year. In the summer they gather to work on the cabin and in winter, they hunt. This is my grandson's first trip and he was so excited.

Back to the yarn... Our electric company has a contract for power that is about to run out and our bills are going to go up 30-50%. The thermostat is going to stay chillingly low this winter in an attempt to keep the bills to a manageable level. That means sweater, shawls, afghans and socks for all of us and that is music to this knitter's ears. We've been living in North Florida for about 20 years, so I haven't had the opportunity to try out a number of great looking sweaters I have patterns for. There is always a silver lining to every cloud. Now if I can just be disciplined enough to not get back into carpal tunnel territory. I figure that I can alternate with my quilting so as to not stress the same muscles. We'll see. I am going to dig out my camera and take photos of the things I make.

No Olympics for me!

Well, my body made the decision for me. I got the flu and couldn't go into Jacksonville to get some more lessons, so I couldn't start the bowl. I couldn't start anything...this was a killer flu.

I'm working on my French Market tote for a KAL with me Felting group. It's been fun. I'm just about finished. It's been a long time since I have just knit with no pattern to worry about. I'm enjoying it. I always tend to challenge myself by either designing the project or picking a complicated one. It's been nice to just sit back and knit.

I'm preparing for my switch to my new and much smaller house sometime this year. I don't need this big house and I am looking forward to a place designed for easy living. Of course, it is the 2-story garage from my house, so a lot of things will stay the same. I've been living with my daughter and family for about 14 months and during this time I'm making some felted bowls to display and contain my projects. I'm also making bags to put on poles like coat racks. I guess I am trying to make my stash a decoration. Sounds like a good plan to me!

Olympic Knitting

Do I commit to an Olympic stint of knitting? The object is to start knitting Feb. 10 with the opening ceremonies and finish by the Feb 26 closing ceremonies. You are supposed to choose something that is challenging for you and a real exercise of determination. The details are found here.

I'd like to do the "Trifold Knitter's bowl in The Second Treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bordhi. It looks complicated and I am 55 miles from anyone who can help me. I've never done any moebius knitting and the cast-on looks difficult. Why am I such a sissie about this? Years ago I would have taken it on without a second thought. When did I start avoiding challenges? On the other hand, I might be just more sensible about what I can accomplish nowadays.

It makes sense to start with one of the smaller, less complicated bowls, but would that be a challenge? Hmmm, what should I do? I think I will call my LNS and see if I can come down for some lessons and see how complicated the method is. I really want to make this bowl and this is a great opportunity. I can watch the olympics (especially when I should be cleaning or something else I don't want to do)and set aside time for knitting with a clear conscience.

What shall I do?

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

Well, I've taken another quiz. I'm not too sure about this one. I agree with all of it except that I've "passed the growing pains and are feeling more adventurous." I passed my growing pains about 30 years ago! I design my own patterns a lot, especially Arans and have done for years. Hmmm...So I went back and looked at the questions. Well, when you only have 4-5 questions, how detailed can you get? I'll never be one of those people who put strange, funky yarns and styles together and try to pretend that it is creative just because it is bizarre. Now days I guess that makes me too conventional. So maybe I am, but then, who cares but me?



You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.

You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.



What Kind of Knitter Are You?
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So what kind of knitter do I really think I am? I'd say confident, I may not like to do every kind of knitting stitch, but I'm sure I could manage somehow. Next, I'd say sensual. I like the feel, mood, and color of yarn. I have to touch it. This is one time when "look with your eyes" just won't do. I have to rub yarn on my cheek, smell it and relate to it. I like the natural fibers best, especially wool. No matter what we do to it, there is still a bit of wildness in it. It has bounce and "hand" and life. It tells me if it wants to come home with me and a lot of the time, it tells me what to make it into. Sometimes I argue with it, but the yarn ALWAYS wins.

I'm a competitve knitter. I like a challenge even if it is only with myself...sometimes especially when it is with myself! I want to make my knitting match what is in my head. Sometimes I have to wrestle with it and it lets me win when I finally understand it.

I'm definitely a "process" knitter and not a "product" knitter. Projects can languish for ages before being finished. Once I have gained the experience and seen how the sweater will turn out, it's hard to keep motivated. I'm ready to go on to the next challenge. That isn't always a bad thing. When I need a gift for someone, I can take one of my projects and finish it in a few days. Of course, children grow older and my languishing project may not fit anymore, but then there are more children being born who are the right size and the child who has grown out of one project may soon be growing into another.

I am a social knitter. I like knitting groups and they are good for me. I am more apt to finish something on time when I have been sharing it with others. I guess I want to show it off. No matter, if it gets it done. The downside is that I get intrigued with what someone else is doing and I'm off and running.

Whatever kind of knitter I am, I am sure of one thing. I love knitting! If I am in a good mood, I like to knit for the sheer enjoyment of it. I think better with my needles. Whether I am getting ready for a trip or being evacuated for a hurricane, I have to stop periodically and knit. It's not wasted time. It is how I collect myself and think about what is really important. It's like dropping back to punt. I get ahead better if I stop to think, but I just can't sit on a chair and do nothing. I have to do something to semi-occupy myself. I'm like Pavlov's dogs. Give me knitting and I relax and my mind spins free...better to think of important things I might have missed.

When I am making something for someone, I knit myself into whatever I am making. I see them receiving it, wearing it, enjoying it. I think about our history together and the future. I say some prayers for the wearer and sometimes for myself too.

I love knitting so much, I feel sorry for the people who can't knit. I try to teach as many people as I can. I want to share this gift that has been given to me. I guess you could call me a "Passionate Knitter." That about says it all.