Making | As Kat Knits

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Dr. Seuss

Knit Kon-Mari Repurposed

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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Knitting and Reading ADD

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.

Knit-Konmari Washalong

by Kat | Aug 25, 2016 | General, Making

This post may be painful for some of you, and I understand that, believe me I do.

However, for me, as I did a serious reality check it became painfully clear that the number of knitted accessories I own far exceed the wearable day factor in any given year. Add to that my closet size and the idea of Knit-Konmari blossomed, thanks to Vicki.

I have two sweaters I wear with great regularity – they are going to the Soak Spa today. One vest will be joining them – it brightens my day considerably that my weight loss has improved its appeal and wear-ability tremendously!

However, one poor sad vest is in desperate need of some cosmetic surgery – in actuality, I wish it was 2 inches longer and I may be able to make this happen, however the colors would not be the same. So, here is my dilemma – take out the neck and sleeve bindings, remove about 2 inches from each side, and then knit some additional length to the bottom of the front and back, re-seam the sides, and then reknit the bindings in the new bottom colors? Thoughts? Additional ideas? Better ideas? I loved this vest, however the current fit makes it very sad.

Likewise, the Custom Fit sweater no longer is custom fit. Maybe it can become a Cardigan? But it needs the deletion of some fabric to fit again. I still have a good bit of the yarn I used, so I could modify it. (Perhaps doing something really out there and make it a cardigan with a nice shawl collar – idea thanks to someone sharing this on Slack) I have a good bit of leftover yarn (1.5 skeins!!) This might work, yes? Different or better ideas and suggestions are welcome!

Now, on to the Plethora of Knitted Accessories…

Keeper’s on their way to join The Sweaters at the Spa:

Handspun shawls
All Kirsten Kapur Designs
My work horse shawl – Donegal Tweed Boneyard FTW
Citron Grand
Tales from the Isle of Purbeck
My Rare Gem Pincha
Aestlight
Jen Lucas Mystery Shawl (that was just finished)
Noro Clapotis
Honey Cowls

The Land of Uncertainty:

Litchfield – love the colors, but this is not easy to wear.
Lion and Lamb Clapotis – this feels too big when I wear it, unless it is really cold out
Beautiful – again, love the colors, but ease of wear is an issue.

Not Making the Grade, or Re-homing, recycling, re-purposing FTW:

Luciole – I loved the pattern, but it is too small to wear so I frogged it yesterday, see above – yes I ripped the entire thing out. It was really quite painless. Now the yarn can become something new!
Stripe Study – awkward design that I find unwearable. I am not sure if I will frog this or not…
Echoes of Color – I like this but it is way too big, again making it unwearable.
Color Affection – great colors, but not very wearable, and the knitting is not fabulous.
Knit Night
Saroyan
Too big cowls
Greyhound

This was a good exercise for me, although I am ashamed by the excess I found in pulling out all my hand knits. It was also a great wake up call the next time I want to knit a shawl – do I really need it or am I just bored and want a new project to knit.

Where are you in your knitting journey, Gentle Reader. Are you in need of some Knit-KonMari?

Knitting, listening, and pondering

by Kat | Aug 24, 2016 | General, Making

I am scraping the bottom of my Summer Knitting basket and have finally pulled out Triticum to finish it up. I have begun the arm decreases on the right front, so I should have this piece done soon and then just two sleeves stand between me and a new sweater! I think it is a stretch to think I will get this done by Labor Day, but who knows, perhaps some Slow TV on Netflix will help me get it done!

I have been listening to The Secrets of Mary Bowser while I work in the mornings and I am really enjoying it. I am not quite halfway through it but I hope to have it done this week. Up next is LaRose, which I am very eager to get to! Also, I am still not done with Knitlandia…

I have been gathering together my knits to get them washed, and while I am doing this I am pondering their future – do they stay or do they go? Knit Kon-Mari is coming soon!

As always, joining with Ginny and her Yarn Along today!

Spinning to Knit

by Kat | Aug 23, 2016 | General, Making, Words

Last week, Jillian Moreno’s highly anticipated (at least by me!) book Yarnitecture was released. I got my copy on Friday and that sort of derailed any other reading plans I had for the weekend.

And, today being Tuesday I am going to share you my 10 favorite things from the book!

The cover. Really. Did Jillian plan this just for me? I mean who could resist a book with all that great green on it!
Are you a knitter who wants to spin? This book is entirely focused from a knitter’s perspective about the creation of yarn. In other words, she tells you the absolute best way to create a yarn you will want to knit with!
There are fantastic photos (of course, that is sort of a given) that show clear photos of crucial things that new and old spinners struggle with – things like drafting, twist, and plying.
She spends the entire book talking about spinning prepared fibers – and especially the amazing fibers available at Fiber Show’s and on Etsy. This is especially great if the idea of processing an entire fleece to spin is not your cup of tea!
That being said, she still talks in depth about the LARGE variety of fibers there are available to spin!
Yarnitecture takes you through yarn construction like you are building a house! She breaks it down into very manageable stages that help you make the yarn you want to make. I have been spinning a good bit of time and I had a number of “aha” moments!
There is an entire chapter on the multitude of ways you can finish your yarn. Menacing your yarn is such a great phrase!
Jillian demystifies grist for the spinner and breaks it down into something that is understandable and meaningful. (Especially if you are spinning for a large project)
There an entire chapter on color and how to make color work for you as you are spinning – especially those lovely dyed braids of fiber. She inspires your imagination by showing you the tip of the iceberg on how they can be broken down to spin. After reading her inspiration, my mind is just flooded with dozens of ideas for fiber in my stash!
Last, but certainly not least, there are 12 stunning patterns by a variety of talented designers using handspun yarn – from socks to shawls to sweaters – there is sure to be something that calls to you! I promise you my “knit list” has grown!

Jillian shows us that the possibilities are limitless when we are sitting at our wheel. Yarnitecture gives you the tools you need to build the yarn you want and then offers encouragement to knit something with it! Jillian is absolutely correct when she says, “I love knitting period, but handspun (yarn) takes it to a different level…” It absolutely does, Gentle Reader – and if you’d like to share that experience, this book is for you!

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