by Kat | Sep 7, 2016 | General, Making
Happy Wednesday in a goofed up week, because I think it really feels like Tuesday today.
That being said, the weekend is one day closer and that is not a bad thing.
This week I have this incredible urge to knit sweaters! Ravelry and a certain blog are not helping in this urge but I am plugging away on my repurposed Custom Fit That No Longer Fit Pullover Turned Cardigan. In the game of picking up stitches it is always a challenge to get the perfect balance between too few vs. too many stitches, I lost the first round (in the too few category) so I ripped back and started over again. This time looks much better which reinforces that you do indeed win some and lose some! Also, this pro-tip might be of some help in the Crochet Steek Category. I did not find this on any website or blog, however, with my Steeked Stopover – I noted a bit of flaring of the steeked edges. I followed instructions to crochet in each stitch along the edge. I noted this same occurrence in this sweater, so I crocheted in 3 out of every 4 stitches. This gave me a much neater edge with no waviness. I likewise picked up less to begin the sweater bands, but I did not need to do so – I should have been smart enough to figure that out. However, I hope this tip helps you in your future sweater projects!
I am also working on finishing Triticum and I am really itching to cast on some new things. I am trying to hold off, but I am not sure I will win that battle. The sweaters are just calling to me, what can I say.
I finished listening to LaRose, and while I finished it I really have mixed feelings about it. I loved the detailed storytelling, but it really surrounded a devastating story. I am still troubled by parts of it.
However, this week I am back to a story that I truly do not want to end – The Secrets of Mary Bowser. I have just a few chapters left and I am entirely enthralled with the story. I think Mary is a wonder and as the tale expands I am more in love with her. She is a true heroine!
I am also reading book six (The Hanging Girl) of the Department Q Series – so, so good! I just adore Carl Morck!
That is all I have for this mixed up day – and as usual, I am joining Ginny and her Yarn Along.
What are you itching to cast on?
by Kat | Sep 6, 2016 | General, Words
Happy Tuesday that feels like a Monday to me! Although that is not all bad because tomorrow is Wednesday already and that is halfway to the weekend!
Although, there may have been a conversation yesterday about needing a weekend from our weekend…some things are so nice they just should not end!
Carole wants to know:
10 Things You Did This Weekend
There were so many good things this weekend, I will be hard pressed to hold them to 10!! So, let’s get this rolling shall we?
- An extra special (and early) Happy Hour on Friday (thanks to Steve taking the day off from work, which started our weekend off nicely!!) It included his AWESOME Buffalo Wings and a plethora of Americano’s
- Estate Sale-ing (I can fondue, can you?)
- Walking – LOTS of walking! Up hills and down!
- Enjoying our repurposed fire pit – twice! Simple but effective!
- Eating… so much eating. And drinking!
- Reveling in a less humid, cooler atmosphere… ahhhh!
- Game playing… Uno, Bananagrams, and Pass the Pigs, note… these things inspired so much laughter, perhaps we spend too much time adulting and not enough time caring for our inner child.
- A minute amount of knitting, very minute.
- Picking MORE tomatoes and raspberries! Holy produce!!
- Thoroughly enjoying the Hummingbird Moth visits! So amazing!
That was my very full weekend! How about you? How was your weekend?
P.S. Sherman did an awful lot of this. I think he had a very good weekend too!
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by Kat | Sep 5, 2016 | General
Today ends my Summer Knit-Along. As you can see, while I made some excellent progress on completions this summer, I did not get everything done.
Truly, I am okay with that.
I am still working on Triticum and I am farther than I was before the summer began. Plus, over the summer – I have shown myself that I can indeed knit socks that fit! So, I will forge ahead with those Pushkinia socks and have a nice new collection of socks for my feet for when the weather requires socks (which hopefully won’t be too soon!)
There was also some ripping out – yes Jen Lucas MKAL Shawl #2 was sent to the frog pond. It was a Knit Kon-mari casualty.
I am even more okay with that! Knitting that does not spark joy should not be knit. Really.
Done (in order of completion):
- Indigo Cones
- Aestlight Shawl
- Picot Socks
- Thistle Rambles
- Tales from the Isle of Purbeck
- Handspun Nahant
- Pincha
- Jen Lucas MKAL Shawl #1
Undone:
- Triticum
- Pushinia Socks x 2
Totally Undone:
- Jen Lucas MKAL Shawl #2
Beyond all this knitting, it was a very good summer – and I especially enjoyed the participation of each of you! I loved seeing finished items pop up on Ravelry and I REALLY enjoyed the cocktails that were shared over the summer.
However, now I am strangely filled with a crazy urge to cast on all the things. Or, at least one or two new projects! And, despite all attempts to put summer into a permanent holding pattern, Christmas will be here all too quickly. I have to figure out who will be getting any Christmas knitting this year – ASAP!!
I hope your summer was everything you wanted it to be – and more!
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Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Dr. Seuss
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by Kat | Sep 1, 2016 | General, Making
Last week I shared my Plethora of Knitting that needs a washing and some serious Kon-Mari.
Yesterday, I began the re-purpose portion of my Kon-Mari binge! I began with what I thought would be the easiest – The Purple Custom Fit That No Longer Fits Sweater.
Step one was to rip out the collar band – easy peasy.
Step two was to mark out where I would cut – to do this I “yarn basted” with some scrap yarn to give me a guideline as to where to put in my crochet steeks.
Step three – crochet steeks, which were made incredibly easy by a quick review of MaryJane Mucklestone’s fantastic article in the latest Interweave Knits!
Step four involved a scissors! And, it was not scary at all! Really! The crochet steeks are just the most awesome things. The fabric just folds back at the steek. I left about 4 columns of knitting on the outside of the steek – I am still deciding whether I will trim this back a bit or just stitch this down to the back.
Step five – pick up stitches! Pretty simple.
Step six – knit the band/collar. I am not sure exactly how much I will knit, but for sure at least 4 inches, maybe more.
Thus far, Knit Kon-Mari Repurposed is going well.
Rehoming of some knits is also taking place, some knits will be delivered to the USPS to begin their journey to their new home!
All in all, a very good week for Knit Kon-Mari! How about you? Are you doing some Knit Kon-Mari?
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by Kat | Aug 31, 2016 | General, Making
The inability to be monogamous to knitting has always been an issue for me.
However, now the library is encouraging the same tendencies in my reading. I have been ardently listening to The Secrets of Mary Bowser, with LaRose waiting in the wings. However, LaRose is due back soon and there is a LONG wait list so I cannot renew.
So, Mary must wait while I have a LaRose marathon. I am not quite halfway though and I am not sure how I feel about the story. However, I won’t spoil any surprises for those who have not yet read it.
And, my Knitting ADD is strong – as you can see.
Triticum has one repeat and I can bind off for the shoulder – then I have a few repeats of the lace pattern only. Then I will be on sleeve island, thankfully these will not be long sleeves (as this is all the yarn I have).
I completed one sock and will cast on the second sock sometime this week.
Cladonia grows slowly and I am in love with this tweedy yarn.
Joining up with Ginny for her Yarn Along today.
