Clover VS Crystal Palace

I thought I'd put my two cents in. I recently bought a set of #2 Crystal Palace Bamboo DPNs to knit my first pair of socks. I liked them just fine, but they were a little pricey, $8.50, I believe. At the knitting store in Manteo the other day, I bought a pair of Clover Bamboo DPNs size 1, and I must tell you that I'm not as thrilled. The clover ones were cheaper, $6.50, and that's the reason I bought them. Let me tell you, the 2 dollar difference in price no longer matters to me. The Crystal Palace ones are smooth, yet not slippery at all. They held my stitches wonderfully, and I didn't have worry about dropping any. Not so for the Clovers! Very slippery, I felt like I might as well be using aluminum, which for me, on socks, would be a bad choice. So next time, note to self, buy the Crystal Palace!

Sad, Sad, Sad

What a depressing moment. I've been working on a sock for over a week and I just turned the heel last night. I tried it on, and lo and behold I realized that it was going to be too small. So I frogged it this morning. What a sad waste of time. I guess that's just part of knitting, though. So now I have to make another gauge swatch using my #2 needles, since I was using number 1's before. I think I might switch stitch patterns too while I'm at it and try a yarn over. I was using the double rib pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks, but I think a different one will keep me from getting bored with it. And for that reason alone, it's worth it. *sigh*

I'm Still Knitting

Hello,

Well, it's been one heck of a hiatus, I'll say that much. I'm still knitting quite a lot actually and I've picked up crochet along the way. I'm going to start posting again. I like to think I'm a better knitter now, or at least I've had more experience. There's still some things I don't know how to do. Still haven't learned to yarn over, but I'm going to soon, when I need to. Right now I'm passionate about socks, and I'm knitting my second pair. I'll post a picture of them soon.

I Like Stripes!!!

I'm enjoying knitting my beach bag. It's a red, light green and light blue stripe pattern and it makes me happy just to look at it. I got a great knitting book from the library today (the girls and I go practically every week). It's called "TheKnitting Experience: The Knit Stitch" and everything in the book is made in garter stitch. You'd think the patterns would be bland, but instead they are absolutely stunning! I may have to make one or two of them. A return to the basics, I guess. I also spent a good deal of time untangling some yarn today and I learned a very valuable lesson. I bought it in a skein and had to roll it in to a ball, something I've never done before. Next time, I'm using an extra pair of hands!

I've Been A Felting Fool . . .

Hello Mom, and anyone else who's reading this. . . well, as you can tell, I've been knitting lately. So what else is new, huh? I finished the teddy bear that I was making as an experiment so that I'll be able to make a couple of nice ones for the girls for Christmas or some other occasion. I think he turned out really cute! I made him using a pattern from a book called "The Knitted Teddy Bear". Once I finished the bear, I knitted up a purse in Paton's Merino Wool and then . . . yes .. . I felted it on purpose. It knitted very quickly and it was the first time I've used a circular needle. I've posted the before and after pictures. It certainly got a lot smaller, I think I let it go a little too long in the washer, but I really like the way it turned out! Yesterday I dyed some Lion Fisherman's wool in Lemonade and grape Kool aid (to make another purse probably and I have a slip stitch hat in mind) and I started a striped beach bag that will probably take a while. I'll knit during American Idol! Go Bo!

My Felted Purse After the Felting

My Felted Purse Before the Felting

Sorry its sideways!

New Bunny

I finished Ben's rabbit and gave it to him. Right now he doesn't care about is very much but I'm proud of it. I think it's very cute.

Ben's New Rabbit

Now, On to Something Else!

I finally finished the bag that I was making. The pattern's called Zeeby's Bag, and I posted a picture of it below. I made a lining for it, and that took a few days because I hand sewed it together and then into the bag. The pattern didn't do a lining but I used a different yarn that was called for (it wanted me to use wool, I used acrylic) and so it was a little floppy. Now I'm going to do a dishcloth and then make a tank top using a ribbon yarn that I bought. I hope it turns out well. Wish me luck!

Zeeby's Bag - Finally Done!

The Scarf is Done!

Okay, I just posted a picture of my scarf. So Mom, you're probably the only one reading this blog . . . what do you think? I made some mistakes, but on the whole, it turned out well, I think. Just in time for spring, huh? I'm giving it to Rob, but it's still drying because I washed it in woolite and blocked it. I made it using bulky Wool Ease, and size 10 needles. I think I'll have to give up scarf making until next fall, and concentrate on summer accessories, like tank tops and hand bags. Maybe I'll try to make a cardigan for one of the girls, after I finish my purse, and my dishclothes, which will probably take me another month.

A Close Up of the Scarf

The Whole Scarf

Back From the Beach

Knitted on the way to and from the beach, and one thing about knitting in the car - it's not easy. Sure, it sounds like the perfect activity for a long car ride, but with all that joustling, it's so easy to make mistakes. Maybe I just need a smoother riding car . . . I have almost completed the first side of Zeeby's Bag (from Stitch N' B) in stockinette stitch, and I'm pleased with how well it's coming. My ribbed scarf is almost done too, I'm going to try to finish it during American Idol tonight and then block it, and I'll post pictures when I'm done. Rob caught me knitting by the pool at the beach and said I had gone nit-sirk - which is my name backwards. How funny. Okay, so maybe knitting by the pool is a little much, but it's a great hotel room activity.

Still Knitting

I think Rob (my husband) is wondering when this knitting thing is going to stop. I am hurrying to finish the ribbed scarf for him so that I can take something new to work on tomorrow as we drive to the beach for the weekend. I'm going to finally start the handbag! I'm using TLC yarn instead of wool, though. Can afford to spend too much, I'm still learning after all. I'm looking through Stitch N Bitch for another project and toying with the idea of joining a Crafter's bookclub just so I can get more knitting books. I think I'll ask my mom what a "yoke" is.

I'm Beginning to Be Obsessed

Right now, I'm thinking about knitting. A Lot. I'm taking a look at all the things that I have that my mom knitted and trying to figure out how she did it. I've already decided to do some dishclothes (squares!) after I make the purse that I'm going to make after I finish the ribbed scarf, which is only 1/3 done! How's that for planning ahead? I think the thing I like most about knitting, is that the possibilities are endless. I suppose eventually it'll take a back seat to everything else in my life, but right now, I'm enjoying just thinking about it.

My First Scarf!

This is the first thing I made. It's a garter stitch scarf, nothing fancy,

but good practice.I counted the rows wrong, so the stripes are longer

than they should be, about twice as long! Oh well, live and learn.