I’m so excited to announce that I’ve finally completed the Lindisfarne Scarf/Shawl. I used the pattern for the poncho but didn’t have enough yarn so pivoted. I still have some left over so I’ll probably make a matching set of fingerless gloves to go with my scarf.
It’s another week on and I’m on my sixth skein of yarn with the maxi-cosi blanket. I drastically under ordered yarn for this project but luckily Knitpicks is having a sale on Wool of the Andes bulky in this color. I also picked up brown yarn for the next blanket. The blanket is no longer confused for a scarf but I have a long, long way to go.
In case you haven’t figured it out, I spend quite a bit of time knitting blankets. Big blankets, small blankets, they are familiar and useful here in South Florida. I want to knit my kids things and they’d fry in wool sweaters.
I knit the last few blankets in inexpensive acrylic yarn and I’m not happy with the quality or the outcome. My cables in the pink blanket look terrible.
I purchased 11 skeins of Knitpicks wool of the Andes superwash – which will be not even close to enough yarn 😭. Nobody tell the husband what that actually costs. I usually use a seed stitch or blocks but I really like this pattern on Ravelry for the Maxi Cosi Blanket. It’s a simple pattern which I find easier with big blankets.
So far it’s easy and looks great.
I’ve recently been introduced to knitting podcasts. I never knew there were people out there that took an hour of their time and talked about knitting. I have an i-pod and decided to download some of these. The first few I chose were mostly disappointing. The Knitpicks episode I listened to was informative but slow. I had to stop listening if only for the fact that they were talking about weaving and I cannot afford another hobby. Yes, I was feeling that itch of I want a loom!!! The angel on my shoulder said, “No Tracy, you have enough crafty hobbies. You don’t have time or money for another.” Then the devil on my other shoulder said, “Hehe, I want one. Credit cards are proof God loves you.” Then my boss came in, the i-pod went off and a stack of work was pushed my way.
A second podcast was quite disappointing. The girls were advanced knitters who were complaining about all the people who post patterns on Ravelry using different terms. Then they continued complaining more, interjecting apologies every once in a while in case they offend anyone. I may be biased, but isn’t it a good thing that people can learn and share on this vast resource known as the internet?
A third podcast was filled with talk of expensive yarns that even the devil on that shoulder just shook her head and said no. Sigh.
Finally, I found two thanks to good advice from new knitting/spinning buddy. Stitch It is from the same person with the website The Art of Megan. I learned to spin on my first spindle from her. Of course, she doesn’t know this. I liked listening to her talk about her garden and her house. The second was the The Knit Wits. They were hilarious! They are a married couple who moved to Oregon. I love how they communicate and the fact that the husband interjects his opinion with the crafty, knitting, spinning wife. I relate to both of these two more than the others I’ve listened to so far. I look forward to downloading lots more episodes.
Most avid hobbyists have a favorite store/a favorite brand/ a favorite website to browse around. I have an activity that I liken to window shopping online. I’ll go to a webpage, add everything I could ever want into the shopping cart, and then eventually close out the page. Some places, like amazon, have a wish list so that later on I can decide if I really wanted that thing-a-ma-bob or not.
One of my favorite sites to do thing is Knitpicks. I know this is a not a new company and if you’ve ever favorited anything to do with knitting on Facebook, you’ve likely had an ad from them pop up in the right hand side of your window. Yet, I still love the site. I have the Harmony Options Interchangeable Needles. They are colorful and sharp. Some people may not want pointy objects that are that sharp, but I don’t mind the occasional jab at my fingers as long as they help me tear through some rows faster.
A favorite part of the Knitpicks site is their enormous amount of accessories. Yes, accessories are not always necessary but they are almost always wanted. I don’t mean in that -I need a stitch holder while making this collar- kind of useful way. No- I want the Crafty Critters Knitting Tool Holders because they look cool! I want something shaped like a crocodile to hold my needles. Why not? I do have a GoKnit Pouch which is very useful. I like to throw my small projects in their and I can take them in the car, to work, and to the lunchroom with me as I need to. The best part about it is that it is waterproof, so I don’t have to worry about a loose cap on my water bottle messing up my yarn.
There are tons of great gadgets and gizmos, quality knitting needles, and plenty of yarn on the site. If anyone is looking for a sturdy set of quality interchangeables, I recommend the wood harmony options set. I have no doubt that any of their products will be loved. Happy Knitting.
Spring has sprung in Southern Florida. However, down here, April feels more like summer than spring. The weather has finally turned and the days highs are in the mid eighties. About once a year, I go through this period when I really don’t want to knit. I take a vacation. I have the chunky shawl sitting on a chair covered with shirts, books, and my ten thousand nightshirts because I can’t possibly rewear them or wash them and put them away. I have the bottom of the felted bag that I’m working on sitting in my work purse, waiting to be continued. I have textbooks, regular books and library books surrounding me. My vacations from knitting usually don’t take too long; two weeks or so. Sometimes I may stay away for as much as a month. My hands need a vacation. I usually come back with plenty of ideas.
I have to clean up now. My stash is filled and a mess, intertwined with other yarns in the gigantic plastic containers. Part of hurricane preparedness in this part of the woods is keeping that precious yarn in water proof bins that can be covered just in case. It’s also good to have something that can be thrown in the car, especially something that can distract you from the chaos of an oncoming storm.
My wonderful knitpick harmony needles are strewn about the house. I even have one sitting outside on the table of the lanai. It seems to be calling to someone to knit, but I’ve lost interest for a little while. Maybe my cats will make me something pretty instead. I’ll come up with new ideas soon enough to post. . . I promise.
Knitting needles are those indispensible tools of the knitting trade that seem so simple and yet are available in an immense variety. Many people remember the long skinny metal sticks that their Grandmothers used and the sound of the click click click, stitch by stitch. Today, needles are found in just about any material. The most popular ones are:
Metal: smooth, good for quick stitches, can be more difficult for slicker yarns.
Wood: Warm to work with, more mailable will flex while working, better for slick yarn and tighter stitches.
Plastic: Light, smooth, flexible. Can become very warm while using.
Bamboo: Has a lot of the same qualities as wood needles but are lighter. They are also more abt to breaking (as I have broken my share of cheap ones).
If you are just starting out, try different needles to see what is most comfortable. As with everything, different people like different materials. My favorites of the moment are my Knitpicks Harmony needles and the Lantern Moon Sox Sticks. I do go through phases where I prefer to use metal needles.
Knitwerks 