Laura's Designs

Learning to Knit: Day Forty Six

2012-01-30T23:04:00.001-06:00

I am now back to where I was last night around nine. Big time sink but worth it in the end I hope.

In Other News

2012-01-30T20:03:00.003-06:00

My page won a Scrappy Award for Best Layout with Multiple Photos.

Learning to Knit: Day Forty Six*

2012-01-30T20:01:00.004-06:00

Found a big mistake in my colourwork so I had to rip out all of today's work. Must push through.

*I miscounted back in the twenties but blog is back on track now.

Farmer's Market

2012-01-30T05:59:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Plastic Pocket 9 Overlay by Erica Belton
Shades Of Linen - Fall Back Pack by Erica Belton

Learning to Knit: Day Forty Six

2012-01-29T21:20:00.003-06:00

Started a new project but the baby is sick and my hand is still injured so I haven't made much progress. The good news is this yarn is super cool. Difficult to work with but such a neat texture. Soft and squishy and kind of ... hmm it reminds me of a beat up thin foam letter kind of spongy but still ... grr I don't know. Its a cool feeling yarn.

In this project I'll be doing colourwork for the first time. If I understand the definition of the techniques it will be a combination of intarsia and stranding.Even though I went to several places to find the right colours no one carried two of them so I had to substitute. I am happy with the choices I made.

Farmer's Market

2012-01-29T06:28:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Loves Gift 2 Page Kit by Erica Belton

Learning to Knit: Day Forty Five

2012-01-28T19:38:00.002-06:00

I finished my hat and am thrilled with it. I will take some photos tomorrow and post. Lots of new stuff with this project:

using circular needles
using double pointed needles
SKP
ktog leaving sts on LH needles, k first st again then drop both sts from LH needle
MB (on needles)
twisted rib

Also managed to complete a hat and a sweater in one month. The sweater was a baby sweater but it still counts so shush. On track with my 12 hats in 12, and 12 sweaters in 12 groups on ravelry .

Annie

2012-01-27T05:56:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Rainbow Crossing 2 Page Kit by Erica Belton
Splatter One Quick Click freebie by Erica Belton

Regionals

2012-01-26T06:31:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Dirty Vanilla Page Kit by Erica Belton
Dirty Vanilla Add On Pack by Erica Belton
Three Slightly Edgy Quick Click by Erica Belton

Learning to Knit: Day Forty Two

2012-01-25T21:16:00.002-06:00

Ten more rounds done on my hat today. This is going to be a beautiful hat. Man my hands hurt. I hope I am not getting arthritis.

Winter Outing

2012-01-25T05:59:00.000-06:00

Scraplift of mcbowersox's Precious Child

Credits:

Obsidian Flight Value Collection by Kim Liddiard

Learning to Knit: Day Forty One

2012-01-24T14:21:00.004-06:00

This yarn will be the death* of me. Luckily this hat is going to be so beautiful it will be worth it.

This photo is © Rose Callahan from the book Hattitude by Cathy Carron and uses the kind of yarn I should have used. I have to start paying better attention to that and not just using a yarn because I love it.

*Actual death - no. Metaphorical death by frustration - yes. Just to be clear 'cause I love me some hyperbole.

Aubree

2012-01-24T06:18:00.001-06:00

Scraplift of just-pjz`s Beauty of Friendship
Credits:

Obsidian Flight Value Collection by Kim Liddiard

Learning to Knit: Day Forty

2012-01-23T18:51:00.003-06:00

Three days and I have managed to knit the brim and one pattern stitch of my hat. 17 rounds in three days that's less than 6 rows per day. I hope I get faster or this will take forever. Knitting with circular needles is still awkward for me. I am used to bracing the left needle on my tummy or leg. Sometimes it is hard to move the stitches up onto the left needle. They seem to catch. I like how it looks so far but I think a stiffer yarn would have been better. This yarn is so soft and pliable I don't think the cool segmented effect of this hat will show very well. It will be a nice soft and warm hat though so I am still happy.

Scrappy Nomination

2012-01-23T12:06:00.004-06:00

Chocolate Milk was nominated for a Scrappy award at DSP. Best multiple photo layout category.

Scraplift of MurlieMac's Simply Rylee (nominated in best double page spread category)

Credits:

Photography Mega Kit by DSP Designers

Isabelle

2012-01-23T06:33:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Obsidian Flight Value Collection by Kim Liddiard
Sweetest Memories Overlay Stax Set freebie by Kim Liddiard

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty Nine

2012-01-22T19:13:00.003-06:00

Finished the brim for Determined and starting to establish the pattern.
I don't know how but my bobbles are facing the wrong side. I really should have used non-hairy yarn for this but I just love the colour and the feel. I am sure the results will be worth all the trouble.

Class Trip

2012-01-22T06:26:00.001-06:00

Credits:

C'est La Vie I Value Collection by Kim Liddiard

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty Eight

2012-01-21T12:45:00.003-06:00

Thoughts on using circular needles:

a bit awkward
I am so paranoid about not twisting the stitches on the needles I am checking it after every stitch
I should have used less hairy yarn for my first time
I will be happy when I can start increasing because atm I feel like my yarn is too stretched out
it will get better soon
I hope

Nom Nom Nom

2012-01-21T09:04:00.002-06:00

Scraplift of Elisabeth's Twilight Bird

Credits:

Olivia Value Collection by Marcee Duggar
OliviaElement Set 2 by Marcee Duggar

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty Seven

2012-01-20T22:15:00.002-06:00

Finished my first sweater. I am not sure I seamed it right but the seams look neat and tidy so I am happy. I hope it fits. My lil' dumpling is asleep so I can't try it on her until tomorrow. I am very proud of myself.

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty Seven

2012-01-20T15:20:00.004-06:00

Got the book Hattitude by Cathy Caron from the library today. Some super cool hats in here I am eager to make. Based strictly on yarn and needles available in my home right this minute I have cast on Determined on pg 88. Super cool hat with lace and bobbles. So I am learning:

bobbles
lace
knitting in the round
how to use circular needles

Very excited as usual I hope it lasts.

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty Seven

2012-01-20T12:19:00.001-06:00

Finally finished knitting Isabelle's sweater last night. All I have left to do is block the back and one sleeve and I can sew it all together. My first sweater should be complete sometime tonight. Huzzah

First Day Daddy

2012-01-20T06:32:00.001-06:00

Scraplift of handkl's First Day of First Grade

Credits:

School Days Mega Kit by DSP Designers

Lunch Time

2012-01-19T06:01:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Modern Fresh Page Kit by Lauren Bavin

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty Five

2012-01-18T12:37:00.000-06:00

Haven't posted in awhile as I am just knitting away on the back of Isabelle's sweater and its all stockinette stitch so very boring and unblogable. I've knitted approximately five inches out of eleven. Hopefully I can get it blocked and put together before the weekend.

I have put the brakes on working through Fearless Knitting for now because I joined a knit along group on ravelry and am waiting for them to catch up. I have about a month head start on them. I may not be able to wait but we'll see. I'll try hard.

I have been looking over all my new found pattern joy and just can't decide what to do next. I feel I should make a hat but the ones I really want to do may be a bit to advanced for me. I picked out a super cute one for Isy but it turns out the pattern isn't colour work it is embroidered. I really don't want to embroider. I think I will try to just use the chart as colour work anyway because that is what I wanted to do next and this is a very simple looking chart. But if you look at the sample hat it looks like a bit of the design is in the decreases and this could be why its embroidered not knit. Mind you I am so new it could just be they wanted to show how to do embroidery. But ignorance is bliss because I don't know I can't do it and it is such a small project that even if it is a total wash it won't be a huge time sink.

I think I will do this hat the way I planned. I still have some time to back out but I think I will do it. It's too cute to resist and I want to learn how to do colour work. I really want to do a super cool top secret hat for Pat and I need to learn colour work for it so I'm just going to dive in and damn the consequences.

Adorable

2012-01-18T06:20:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Softly Summer Back Pack Erica Belton
6 Across The Waves Quick Click Erica Belton
Stamp The Moment Stamps by Erica Belton from the May 2009 Club Digital by DSP Designers

10 & 10

2012-01-17T06:19:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Best Dayee Ever Page Kit by Marcee Duggar

Grandma's Garden

2012-01-16T06:51:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Buttercup Fields Value Collection by Lauren Bavin
Brushed On Watercolour Quick Bits by Lauren Bavin

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty Two

2012-01-15T13:47:00.003-06:00

I have been a knitter for over a month now. Hooray for me!

Today I blocked all my squares from Fearless Knitting and the two finished sweater pieces from Isabelle's boat neck sweater. I used my steam iron and towels to block today and while the cotton items responded well the acrylic did not. They look neater but they are all squished and flat. The yarn didn't melt but all the purl bumps I worked so hard on don't show up that much anymore. I will put the photos in the appropriate posts and on ravelry.

Watchful

2012-01-15T06:31:00.002-06:00

Credits:

Walk On The Wildside Value Collection by Meryl Bartho

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty One

2012-01-14T19:27:00.002-06:00

Officially halfway through my first sweater.
When I started the dishcloth squares from Fearless Knitting I borrowed more cotton from Mom because I was afraid I wouldn't have enough of the cotton I am using for this sweater to make everything. Now looking at what is still an absolutely HUGE ball I realize baby sweaters take only slightly more yarn than dishcloths.

Eleven Months

2012-01-14T07:21:00.002-06:00

Credits:

C'est La Vie I Value Collection by Kim Liddiard

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty

2012-01-13T22:45:00.002-06:00

Halfway through my first sleeve. I'm glad I decided to do a baby sweater because I think I would find a larger size very boring. Mostly because it is all stockinette stitch but it may also become my fatal flaw in knitting. Time will tell.

Learning to Knit: Day Thirty

2012-01-13T18:20:00.002-06:00

I finished the front of my first sweater ever.

Isabelle

2012-01-13T06:51:00.002-06:00

Credits:

Hotsy Pants Page Kit by Nicole Young

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Nine

2012-01-12T19:39:00.002-06:00

I got lost somewhere and just couldn't find my way back. The Bordered Diagonal square is OK but mostly looks like poo

Daddy

2012-01-12T06:50:00.002-06:00

Credits:

Vintage Show Drama Queen Value Collection by Nicole Young
The Fairest Page Kit by Nicole Young
The Repose 2Page Kit by Nicole Young
This Love Word Art by Tina Chambers from DSP's February 2008 Club Digital by DSP Designers
Loving Word Art by Meryl Bartho from DSP's February 2010 Club Digital by DSP Designers

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Eight

2012-01-11T21:20:00.001-06:00

I made it to the middle of the bordered diagonal cloth with only two row mixups. Tomorrow (hopefully) I learn the new decrease.

Irresitible

2012-01-11T06:50:00.002-06:00

Credits:

Spunky Vibe Page Kit by Nicole Young
Distressed Irregular Alpha by Suzanne C. Walker

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Seven

2012-01-10T19:23:00.001-06:00

OK. This stupid square gets once more chance with me before it winds up felted by my foot on the driveway.

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Seven

2012-01-10T13:36:00.000-06:00

The next project in Fearless Knitting is 3.3 Bordered Diagonal Garter square. This square uses a bunch of new stuff:

2 slanting increases
2 slanting decreases
keeping track of garter and stockinette stitches in the same row
making an I-cord hanging loop
slip stitch
keeping track of a project with multi-size instruction

I will be doing it in the purple cotton Mom gave me. This will be nice because I used to have these in pot holder weight but they were lost in a move. If it knits up as fast as the dishcloth I will make a set in heavier cotton to replace my old ones.

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Seven

2012-01-10T12:59:00.002-06:00

I am going to run out of yarn before I finish the correct number of rows on the Which Way is Up square. I was thinking of continuing with another colour but I think I will just bind off. The square is big enough to be useful as a dishcloth so its no biggie that it isn't square.

Laugh

2012-01-10T06:28:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Angel Whispers Page Kit by Nicole Young
Angel Whispers 2 Page Kit by Nicole Young

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Six

2012-01-09T12:11:00.003-06:00

<insert very strong language indeed here> I have to take out all the work I did last night on Isabelle's sweater because I accidentally used two different sized needles on it. I was so happy with how much progress I made. This would never happen in quilting.

Chocolate Milk

2012-01-09T06:44:00.001-06:00

Style lift of MurlieMac's Simply Rylee

Credits:

Photography Mega Kit by DSP Designers

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Five

2012-01-08T12:28:00.002-06:00

I'm officially in the club now! I've completed my first dishcloth.

One major thing I have noticed is working with cotton really rubs my fingertips. They feel quite worn.

The next project in Fearless Knitting is 3.2 Which Way is Up. Making a square from two rectangles knitted in different directions. This will involve learning to pick up stitches.

Christmas Eve

2012-01-08T07:12:00.002-06:00

Journaling:
I almost didn't survive my first experience with "some assembly required" but it was ...

worth it.

Credits:

Modern Noel Page Kit by Nicole Young

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Four

2012-01-07T17:50:00.000-06:00

The first shaping lesson is project 3.1 Aunt Liz's and Aunt Nadine's Dishcloth square. Thus I learn the venerable dishcloth and get all misty again thinking of my Grandma. With this project I am learning yarn over and knit 2 together to produce a diagonal shape. This is knitting super fast and I am pretty sure I will finish my first dishcloth tonight. I can see why Gran made so many of these. Easy, fast, and practical. The perfect project.

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Four

2012-01-07T14:25:00.003-06:00

Sick as a dog yesterday so I did no knitting at all. Today during baby's nap I finished the Oak Leaf square. I don't know if it was the wooziness or sleep deprivation but I forgot how to read the chart again and did a bunch of rows incorrectly. But I decided not to go back and fix them because I still feel horrible and just don't care enough to put in the effort. Surprisingly it doesn't look that bad. even unblocked and with a bunch of mistakes it looks like an oak leaf so I am happy.

Now I am on to chapter three which is all about shaping.

First Christmas Morning

2012-01-07T06:41:00.001-06:00

Scraplift of mcbowersox's Christmas from the Heart

Credits:

Christmas From the Heart Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver

Getting Sleepy

2012-01-06T06:38:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Pippidy Pop Page Kit by Nicole Young

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Two

2012-01-05T14:16:00.003-06:00

This square is knitting up super fast. I must be doing something wrong. I can't see anything wrong but I must be doing something wrong because this is way to easy.

The cable cast on was a bit tricky at first because I was putting the needles in the wrong spot occasionally or splitting the yarn but its a nice looking edge once you get it.

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty Two

2012-01-05T11:14:00.002-06:00

I am reading up on the next project and I have to say for the first time I am feeling really intimidated. I am learning how to:

read colour charts
cable cast on
reverse stockinette

And I think it's a bit much because I also have to do that whole read it this way for right side and that way for wrong side thing that I finally figured out for the Maple Leaf. I am worried this square may get the best of me

Smile

2012-01-05T07:02:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Modern Fresh Page Kit by Lauren Bavin

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty One

2012-01-04T22:22:00.002-06:00

Stayed up a wee bit late to finish the Maple Leaf square. It doesn't look to bad. I haven't been able to spot any mistakes yet but I am super tired and am sure I will find them tomorrow. Looks really bad unblocked. Much worse than the others. Once I do the next square I will be done with chapter two and I will block them all together. It does look like a maple leaf so I am encouraged.

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty One

2012-01-04T13:29:00.002-06:00

I'm about 65% through and I am pretty sure I have screwed up quite a few rows. All the tinking has lead to the yarn breaking down a bit so there are quite a few places where the yarn is looking weird so this makes it hard to tell if the square looks like poo because of the crappy yarn or crappy knitting. I'm not going to go back anymore I am just going to forge on and see how the poor bedraggled thing looks after it is blocked.

Independent Play

2012-01-04T07:06:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Freshly Picked Value Collection by Lauren Bavin

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty

2012-01-03T21:31:00.002-06:00

This thing still looks like crap but at least its a crappy looking leaf this time. Looking back on my work I think there are two rows I mirrored. Very hard to tell so I am not sure if I did them wrong. This is not getting easier.

Learning to Knit: Day Twenty

2012-01-03T12:47:00.004-06:00

Well it seems I was reading the chart wrong. I don't know if I can blame the book or not yet. Let me explain. Unlike the previous project the Maple Leaf square is not symmetrical. Therefore even though it was charted and I used the chart to keep track the chart was not vitally important and I could tell by reading my knitting when I made a mistake. I didn't need to read my knitting and compare it to the chart to see if I had made a mistake. Therefore I made a huge error in chart reading.

Today I went back to my square I put down in despair yesterday and tried to figure out why it looked like a dog's breakfast. Then it just logically occurred to me that if I am knitting this way I need to read the chart that way but if I am knitting that way I need to read the chart this way. In other words on odd rows you read the chart from right to left and on even rows you read the chart from left to right.

Yeah that's a pretty big mistake.

I haven't been able to find a place in the book where she actually tells you that though so I'm not sure if it is a flaw in the book or if I just missed it. Pretty huge flaw if it isn't in the book. I'm pretty sure it must be in the book because I haven't seen this complaint in the Ravelry group. But this could be one of those things other knitters overlook because its second nature.

For now I am going to tink all the way back to row 3 (weep) and stop looking. I'm sure its there and I just can't see it through my tears.

Making Magic

2012-01-03T06:34:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Christmas from the Heart Groupies by Elizabeth Weaver
Christmas From the Heart Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver
Christmas Word Art freebie by Tina Chambers

Learning to Knit: Day Nineteen

2012-01-02T22:44:00.000-06:00

I've knitted four inches of Isy's sweater! I put the Maple Leaf square aside today because I think I am doing it wrong. I haven't been able to figure out where I am screwing up though so I need to step away.

Santa Card

2012-01-02T07:11:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Christmas From the Heart Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver
Digital Die Cuts - Christmas Borders by Elizabeth Weaver

Learning to Knit: Day Eighteen

2012-01-01T19:27:00.001-06:00

Joined a bunch of 12 in 2012 groups on Ravelry. Cast on my first sweater! The Boat Neck Sweater from Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss. Very excited and worried. So afraid this will not fit Isabelle. I made a swatch to get gauge and then emailed Auntie Donna for advise. Three rows knit so far.

Worked on my Maple Leaf square. I think part of my problem may be when I make a mistake an tink back to fix it I am not putting the stitches back on the needle correctly. Must re-read the section on stitch mount.

Shy

2012-01-01T06:27:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Photography Mega Kit by DSP Designers

Learning to Knit: Day Seventeen

2011-12-31T22:34:00.004-06:00

I have finished Diamond Peaks square. Screwed it up in a few places. Hard to tell for sure because I haven't blocked it but I definitely see a few misplaced stitches. Still its not bad. I think my knitting is tighter on the last rows than the first. This section had some really interesting sidebars on reading charts and abbreviated charts. I really like how this book is laid out and how things are explained in more than one way.

Now on to project 2.4 Maple Leaf square. The leaf is worked in purl stitches against a stockinette background with a seed stitch border. To be tricky the boarder is not charted and I have to read my knitting to keep in the seed pattern.

With this square instructions are included to make pillows by appliqueing the practice squares onto a pillow.

Nah

Learning to Knit: Day Seventeen

2011-12-31T20:24:00.002-06:00

I think the Seed stitch is really beautiful. Just saying.

Learning to Knit: Day Seventeen

2011-12-31T12:37:00.004-06:00

I am making my very first gauge swatch. Excitement abounds!

I am doing this to see if I can make Isabelle's sweater with the needles I have in the yarn Mom gave me. Cross fingers

Joyous Christmas Card

2011-12-31T06:13:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Christmas From the Heart Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver

Learning to Knit: Day Sixteen

2011-12-30T21:09:00.004-06:00

It seems my Auntie Donna is magical. Whenever I email her whining and complaining about how many times I've had to tink a sampler my troubles go away. I lost count of the resets I had done on the Diamond Peaks sampler. At least seven I think. I emailed Auntie Donna, bitching and moaning, then I took the square apart one more time and now its coming together almost effortlessly.

Same thing happened with the Rib sampler and the Checkerboard sampler. Auntie Donna is magical. I am so thankful to have her in my life.

Our Little Kewpie Doll

2011-12-30T06:03:00.002-06:00

Scraplift of handkl's Being Me

Credits:

This Way Page Kit by Nicole Young

Gah

2011-12-29T14:23:00.002-06:00

Man this sampler looks like poo. I am screwing up all over the place and just need to start over. I am on row 18. I have completed two sets of four peaks (3 peaks and 2 half peaks) but there is not one peak without a mistake in it.
I'm not sure where I am screwing up because I think I am keeping track of the work. It is extreemly difficult to read the knitting on the wrong side but pretty easy on the right side. Oh well I am off to tink. Hopefully I will figure it out on my second do-over.

Learning to Knit: Day Fifteen

2011-12-29T12:59:00.003-06:00

Ahh back to needle knitting.

I have already pulled apart this stupid square five times. Chart reading is not my forte. It is pretty stupid that in one row a symbol means one thing and in another row the same symbol means the exact opposite. I understand why, I do. I totally get it. But while reading and working the chart it goes against the grain.

Doing better now. I've managed to get to row 12 (of 61) without any mistakes.

Christmas Card

2011-12-29T07:11:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Christmas From the Heart Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver

Learning to Knit: Day Fourteen

2011-12-28T20:22:00.004-06:00

I had a very merry Christmas, thank you.

Now that the holidays are over I can knuckle down and get to work on learning to knit. Over the holidays I learned to make a simple cable on a loom and knitted a pair of fingerless gloves. They are very cool and photos will be posted soon. I have to learn to "block lightly" first.

One minor setback to my Fearless Knitting progress was the lack of a marker for the chart in the next project. I do not have a fancy magnetic chart reading thingie. Mom does but we have not been able to find it yet. So I went to the evil empire and picked up some Post-it notes. Not as good but it will get the job done until I can find a magnetic board. The baby is facinated by my Post-its. I think its the colour - I should have gone with pastels not brights.

I also purchased a little knitting accessory kit bursting with intriguing little doodads. In a small zip loc bag I now have some safety stitch markers, point protectors (small and large), stitch holder, large and small row counters (very exciting), tape measure, steel wool needles and a knitting gauge. I'm not sure how many of these items are really important but I know a couple are needed and I hope none are useless. Time will tell.

Christmas Morning Card

2011-12-28T07:07:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Christmas From the Heart Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver

Book Lover

2011-12-27T06:12:00.000-06:00

Scraplift of mum2riley's Kindy Christmas Party

Credits:

School Days Mega Kit by DSP Designers

Joy Card

2011-12-26T06:30:00.001-06:00

Credits:

Play It Cool PAge Kit by Elizabeth Weaver from the December 2010 Club Digital by DSP Designers
Holiday Chips Word Art by Lauren Bavin
Christmas TraditionsOverlay set by Elizabeth Weaver

Learning to Knit: Day Eleven

2011-12-25T21:12:00.003-06:00

I had a really difficult time with my first cable pattern. Making the cables themselves is easy (on a loom). But I just could not wrap my head around how the rows were laid out. You see, I was supposed to be doing a left cable but from where the working yarn was located the logical place for the cable to lay was to the right. I assumed I skipped a row and tore everything apart several times. Didn't help. I kept making the same mistake. No matter how carefully (I thought) I kept track of my rows. It wasn't until I finally decided to just give up and make the glove the best I could and see how it looked that I discovered my mistake.

To finish the glove you need to make increases. When I went back to the general instructions portion of the book I discovered that I am supposed to work clockwise EXCEPT for casting on. When I cast on I am supposed to go counter clockwise. So now I know why everything was going so wrong. I am debating ripping it all apart again. I am three rows from finishing. I probably will do it right but for now I am going to go to sleep and leave it. Its been quite frustrating but ultimately will be worth it. I love the colour and feel of this yarn and its a cool little project for my first cables.

Merry Christmas everyone. I love you and wish you all the best. I miss you Grandma.

Project 52: Week 52

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Project 52: Week 51

2011-12-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Learning to Knit: Day Nine

2011-12-23T22:18:00.001-06:00

Decided to take the plunge and try cables. I am using a pattern from one of the books I got at the creative convention this fall.
I am not quite sure I am doing it right but everything looks good on the project so I guess I am. Almost finished but so much to do I will probably not get to work on this again until after the holidays.

Learning to Knit: Day Nine

2011-12-23T13:59:00.004-06:00

Hooray! I finally found the yarn I needed to make a cool poncho for Isabelle. Unfortunately I had to buy it from the evil empire but every other place I looked it was either 5 bucks more per ball (yes 5 whole dollars! A rant will come when I can stop swearing) or they didn't have the right colours. I had to change 2 of the accent colours but I love how they all look together so I am not worried. Unfortunately the alternate store was missing the two main colours and I couldn't substitute them. The evil empire was only missing accent colours and it was easy to switch them out. I cant wait to start this but it will have to wait till after the holidays.

I don't know what happened but these first few rows I am knitting for the newest sampler are super tight. I am using smaller needles but that doesn't explain why the knitting is tighter on them. It is almost difficult to move the stitches along the needles. Very weird. I hope this is all typical noob knitter problems and I am not some sort of freak.

Project 52: Week 50

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Learning to Knit: Day Eight

2011-12-22T21:29:00.006-06:00

Huzzah! I am finally finished my second sample. Man it is huge. I can't measure it right now but I estimate it to be about 2 inches bigger than it is supposed to be. I think I better go down another size when I do the next sampler.

First Project Chapter 2.3: Diamond Peaks Square. This sampler also calls for a size 4.5 mm needle. I accidentally used a 5mm on the checkerboard. Hopefully using the right needle will keep this square from getting to big. This sampler also uses knit and purl to create a pattern but this time I am to follow a chart not written row instructions. Kind of cool hope I don't get lost.

Oh and I am not 100% sure but I think the mistake I kept making that was driving me nuts in the checkerboard is called an unintentional yarnover. It is discussed on page 50. Nice to put a name to the cursed face.

Project 52: Week 49

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Learning to Knit: Day Seven

2011-12-21T20:19:00.004-06:00

The holidays are really interfering with my plans for world domination through knitting. I am still working on my Checkerboard sampler (only 2 rows added) but I have made more progress elsewhere. I have sourced the yarn needed for Pat's Dr. Who scarf. I have a rant about this subject but I am still to hot (two days later) not to swear every other word while telling it so the rant will have to wait. I have finally found something that has been missing a long time but will save this for another post because it is a story in its own right. And I found some yarn I can use for the Loom a Long group. Doesn't seem like much but with all the holiday stuff and looking after Isy I think its a lot.

I am really enjoying this even with the frustrations I have been having with yarn. Pat is practically peeing his pants he is so excited about his scarf and the poncho project for Isabelle I showed him.

I finally connected with ZombieFarmer on Ravelry and got to look at her cool hats. Can't wait to start sharing!

Project 52: Week 48

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Learning to Knit: Day Six

2011-12-20T20:21:00.001-06:00

Learned the coolest thing today. How to make a center pull ball from a skein. So cool because I have a bunch of stuff that was unraveled from other projects or got into a tangled mess. It really is the coolest. Unfortunately I can't find my original source as it was from a convoluted bunch of surfing and blog hopping. Google searches are finding other sources but I would really like to credit the person who "showed me". As soon as I find it I will link it.

Project 52: Week 47

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Learning to Knit: Day Five

2011-12-19T12:20:00.005-06:00

I'm doing pretty good with my sampler. Once I figured out how I was making that one mistake that was making me crazy things went much smoother. But my hands are freezing so I have decided to make myself some of those fingerless mitt I see all over. Luckily it is the featured project this month in my new Ravelry group Loom-a-Long. Bunch of peeps all do the same project and help each other out with questions and stuff. Should be fun.

Project 52: Week 46

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Checkerboard Sampler

2011-12-18T20:21:00.003-06:00

I finally figured out what I was doing to get that extra stitch every once in a while. I cant describe it. I don't have the knitter's vocabulary to explain my mistake but I've finally figured out what I was doing. Needless to say it involved the purl stitch.

I hate purl

Checkerboard Sampler

2011-12-18T15:42:00.003-06:00

I don't know how but I keep adding a stitch in the same row. I keep having to go back and get rid of it. I seem to be good at reading my knitting.

Project 52: Week 45

2011-12-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Note from Day One

2011-12-17T20:45:00.001-06:00

My generosity was NOT rewarded.

Learning to Knit: Day Three

2011-12-17T19:55:00.009-06:00

I am enjoying this book a lot. I think the instructions are really good and the translations of knitting terms to english are excellent. Unfortunately I think the book falls down really hard on a couple points. Now to be fair although I assumed this book was for beginners it may be for advanced beginners not newbs. Even though it explains with pictures how to cast on there is no instruction on:

the knit stitch
the purl stitch
binding off

All three are very important and I think not explaining them is a big mistake. Which is a shame because I think this book is great in so many ways.

So off to youtube I go to learn how to bind off my rib sampler. It is not the suggested length but the book says I can stop when I feel I've "got it". And I do. Purling is still a wee bit awkward and I still find holding on to everything a bit of a challenge but I feel I have a good grasp of what this lesson is teaching.

After a paragraph translating what BO in patt. means the book just says:

Pass the worked stitches over and off the right needles to bind off as usual.

And then an explanation as to why you BO in the pattern you knitted. I find it really odd the book feels the need to translate BO but not explain HOW to BO. I looked in the index and the only binding off instruction is towards the back for binding off three needles.

Maybe I am missing something or not understanding the part in the translation which is actually teaching how to bind off but I honestly dont see it there and it is no where in Chapter One with the other general information. (Nor are the knit and purl stitches) The only bits on finishing is weaving in the ends and blocking.

Oh well I will look for a video.

Which reminds me I should credit the videos which helped me with what I couldnt get out of the book.

Long Tail Cast On - the book has diagrams and pictures of this but I just could not get it. I had to watch the video many times to finally be able to do it myself.

Knit stitch - not in the book

Purl stitch - not in the book

All from knittinghelp.com

For the bind off I watched two videos. One on just binding off and on on binding off in pattern which is what you needed to do for this project.

I will post pictures tomorrow because I forgot the camera in the other room and I dont want to wake the baby.

On to project 2.2 Checkerboard Square.

Ravelry

2011-12-17T07:28:00.000-06:00

I spent all my free time last night on Ravelry. I inventoried all my yarn and projects- including linking pictures from flickr. And I added 80 (yes I said eighty) projects to my projects queue. There are SO many cool free patterns on this site. From yarn companies and other users. Really fantastic I am so excited.

I also made myself knit two more rows before I turned in. I'm getting better. Mom showed me how she's holds her knitting and it looks like I learned the European way. Which is funny when you think the needles mix up was the opposite.

Here is my profile on Ravelry. I am hoping my Aunt and my sole knitting friend will join me there. If they aren't already. Seems like such a cool place. I need to take different photos of my projects because I would rather not have photos of Isabelle there and I am sure Mom doesn't want her photo up. even though I think she looks really good in that picture.

Project 52: Week 44

2011-12-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Credits:

Ailee Page kit by Marcee Duggar

Ravelry

2011-12-16T18:37:00.002-06:00

If I had know about this site I may have become a knitter much sooner and I am now more committed to my knitting goals. I MUST find a quilter's equivalent. I'm stupid excited right now