I love colour all, tints shades and value. I am more drawn to vibrant and jewel tones but love subtle and natural shades as well.
My knitting stash does not reflect my taste yet. I am still a very new knitter so the vast majority of my stash is donated or bought super cheap and reflects someone's elses taste or leftovers no one else wanted. At the store I find myself drawn to multicoloured ombres and gradients more than solids. Bright super saturated colour is my favorite.
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Knitting and Crochet Blog Week – Day 3 4KCBWDAY3
Infographics.
Going to let this one speak for itself. Pretty much applies to anything.
This is how I came to learn to knit.
Going to let this one speak for itself. Pretty much applies to anything.
This is how I came to learn to knit.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Learning to Knit: Day ???
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| Whimsical |
The hats are for Kaytie and her soon to be born baby Hazel. I will make the hat pink to blue for the baby and blue to pink for Kaytie. The hats are so cute I will also make one for Isabelle and I may make them for the rest of the girls.
I love the baby blanket but it's a big project and slow going. Turning out beautifully so I am very happy with it. Isabelle loves it she calls the yarn pretty and soft and squooshie.
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| Baby Blanket |
Knitting and Crochet Blog Week – Day 2 4KCBWDAY2
Today's topic:
When I am not actively doing something I am planning something. When I am doing something which requires little thought I am planning something. I often wonder if I craft to see if my plans work out rather than to have the items I have created. I am definitely a process person.
Coming up with a project for the House of Bee is very easy. I have two points of inspiration. My Mother and my daughter. My MIL often calls Isabelle Izzy B. And thus many items from her and the people she knows incorporate bees. Especially the hand made items.
My Mother has become fascinated with bees in recent years. Specifically Emperor Bees or Napoleonic Bees. So while any happy busy little bee will do for a project for Isabelle my Mother requires a very specific style of bee. Google Napoleon Bee and you will get some cool images. My favorites were here and here
Coincidentally I recently checked out this book at the library.
Even a beginner knitter like me should be able to graph a Napoleon Bee onto one of these balls. It would make a great gift for Mom.
Colour will be a problem though. If I could find some natural looking golden or mustardy yellows and a light burlap type colour or maybe cream and yellow? Ugh I don't know. No way I could do yellow and black no matter how subtle.
In fact I might be better off making them from something else because Mom doesn't even really put up a Christmas tree any more. Maybe something she could hang all year? Like a beaded thing or maybe polymer clay. I still want to make a ball not a flat project. Mom likes eggs maybe an egg shape.
This is going to require more thought.
Your task today is to either think of or research a project that embodies that house/animal. It could be a knitting or crochet pattern – either of the animal itself or something that makes you think of the qualities of that house. Alternatively it could be a type or colour of yarn, or a single button. Whatever you choose, decide upon a project and blog about how and why it relates to your house/creature. You do not have to make this project! It is simply an exercise in blogging about how you come to decide upon what projects to make. Try and blog about the journey which inspiration and investigating patterns, yarns, stitches, (etc) can often guide you through. You may wish to make a collage or 'mood board' to present several ideas, or even sketch out your own design.
When I am not actively doing something I am planning something. When I am doing something which requires little thought I am planning something. I often wonder if I craft to see if my plans work out rather than to have the items I have created. I am definitely a process person.
Coming up with a project for the House of Bee is very easy. I have two points of inspiration. My Mother and my daughter. My MIL often calls Isabelle Izzy B. And thus many items from her and the people she knows incorporate bees. Especially the hand made items.
My Mother has become fascinated with bees in recent years. Specifically Emperor Bees or Napoleonic Bees. So while any happy busy little bee will do for a project for Isabelle my Mother requires a very specific style of bee. Google Napoleon Bee and you will get some cool images. My favorites were here and here
Coincidentally I recently checked out this book at the library.
Even a beginner knitter like me should be able to graph a Napoleon Bee onto one of these balls. It would make a great gift for Mom.
Colour will be a problem though. If I could find some natural looking golden or mustardy yellows and a light burlap type colour or maybe cream and yellow? Ugh I don't know. No way I could do yellow and black no matter how subtle.
In fact I might be better off making them from something else because Mom doesn't even really put up a Christmas tree any more. Maybe something she could hang all year? Like a beaded thing or maybe polymer clay. I still want to make a ball not a flat project. Mom likes eggs maybe an egg shape.
This is going to require more thought.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Knitting and Crochet Blog Week – Day 1 4KCBWDAY1
Even though this is not a knitting blog and I am a few days late I've decided to participate in Eskimimi's fourth annual Knitting & Crochet Blog Week. I want to blog with more purpose and am hoping this will help me.
Day one is all about defining yourself as a knitter using the Harry Potter house sorting method. While I find a part of myself in each of the four houses I think it is fairly obvious that I am a bee.
The House of Bee: Bees are busy and industrious, but can flit from one interesting project to the next as bright and shiny things capture their interest.
I flit everyday and am constantly distracted by new projects but I am pretty good about finishing my projects (or at least completing them to my idea of finished)
I am very industrious. As a Domestic Manager I have a lot to do everyday but I still try to find time to fit in a scrapbook page, a quilt block, and some knitting. My page is usually done in the early morning while Isabelle is eating and doing her thing. She likes to be independent first thing in the morning but this usually ends around 10am and then its time for playing with, reading with, or helping Mommy. The quilt block is usually done during nap time. Knitting is done in the evenings while watching TV with the hubster. If my beloved Mother in Law takes Isabelle in the morning or afternoon and I am able to use the time for myself I usually sneak in another page or block depending on how I feel.
That said the reason I like to knit is because I love to make warm snugly useful things. How Manatee is that? To me knitting is all about comfort and warmth. Yes I know I know there is plenty of beauty and neato stuff too but if you look at my ravelry queue and finished objects you'll see that the majority is practical and warm. Such a shame I live in Texas and can only use that stuff two days a year.
The House of Manatee: Manatees are gentle, calm and cuddly. Relaxed and unflashy they represent the comfort and soft side of knitting and crochet.
Why did I learn to knit in the first place? After all I needed another craft like I needed another hole in the head. It's because I am also a Monkey.
The House of Monkey: Intelligent and with a fun loving side, Monkeys like to be challenged with every project presenting them with something new and interesting.
That is me. I see someone else doing something and I am all about figuring out how to do it myself and almost every project I take on involves learning a new skill.
Last is the Peacock.
The House of Peacock: Peacocks take something good and make it brilliant. Buttons, embellishments and a bit of sparkle prove that perfection lies in the details – like a Peacock's Tail.
I do not see a Peacock in my knitting. All to often I find a row of garter in a sea of stockinette and actually consider leaving it alone. OK I confess I have left a single row of garter in a sea of stockinette in two sweaters and a poncho. Obviously I do not sweat the details in my knitting. I do in my quilting and especially my scrapbooking so I conclude peacocks are more experienced in the craft and thus less distracted by new and shiny techniques. Unlike me they aren't struggling to just follow the pattern so they can easily spot and deal with mistakes in their own work and in the pattern.
However I am a huge peacock while scrapbooking. I would still consider myself mostly a bee while scrapbooking but peacock is closing the gap. I am believe I am 45% peacock while scrapbooking. Less than 10% while knitting. 30- 40% while quilting.
The House of Bee is definitely where I belong but I can see myself in any of the houses. I don't know how that hat does it at Hogwarts.
Day one is all about defining yourself as a knitter using the Harry Potter house sorting method. While I find a part of myself in each of the four houses I think it is fairly obvious that I am a bee.
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| House of Bee |
I flit everyday and am constantly distracted by new projects but I am pretty good about finishing my projects (or at least completing them to my idea of finished)
I am very industrious. As a Domestic Manager I have a lot to do everyday but I still try to find time to fit in a scrapbook page, a quilt block, and some knitting. My page is usually done in the early morning while Isabelle is eating and doing her thing. She likes to be independent first thing in the morning but this usually ends around 10am and then its time for playing with, reading with, or helping Mommy. The quilt block is usually done during nap time. Knitting is done in the evenings while watching TV with the hubster. If my beloved Mother in Law takes Isabelle in the morning or afternoon and I am able to use the time for myself I usually sneak in another page or block depending on how I feel.
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| House of Manatee |
The House of Manatee: Manatees are gentle, calm and cuddly. Relaxed and unflashy they represent the comfort and soft side of knitting and crochet.
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| House of Monkey |
The House of Monkey: Intelligent and with a fun loving side, Monkeys like to be challenged with every project presenting them with something new and interesting.
That is me. I see someone else doing something and I am all about figuring out how to do it myself and almost every project I take on involves learning a new skill.
Last is the Peacock.
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| House of Peacock |
I do not see a Peacock in my knitting. All to often I find a row of garter in a sea of stockinette and actually consider leaving it alone. OK I confess I have left a single row of garter in a sea of stockinette in two sweaters and a poncho. Obviously I do not sweat the details in my knitting. I do in my quilting and especially my scrapbooking so I conclude peacocks are more experienced in the craft and thus less distracted by new and shiny techniques. Unlike me they aren't struggling to just follow the pattern so they can easily spot and deal with mistakes in their own work and in the pattern.
However I am a huge peacock while scrapbooking. I would still consider myself mostly a bee while scrapbooking but peacock is closing the gap. I am believe I am 45% peacock while scrapbooking. Less than 10% while knitting. 30- 40% while quilting.
The House of Bee is definitely where I belong but I can see myself in any of the houses. I don't know how that hat does it at Hogwarts.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Progress Report
Project Dear Jane:
Yes I am behind. But! Last night I completed the final block for week twelve so I am finally making progress. The new printer works great and I am no longer sick so I shouldn't have any more issues. The timetable is very doable I just have to do it. Throughout today (and probably tomorrow) I will be scanning and posting all the blocks I haven't put on the blog yet.
Project Learning to Knit:
Yes I am still learning to knit. A baby is on the way in the family and I am working on a couple hats and possibly some booties. I am still plugging away at Isabelle's blanket and I will get back to my Fearless Knitting as soon as I finish the baby things for Hazel (who is due to arrive in June). I would also like to start on some Christmas Balls I saw in a super cool book but not until I finish Isabelle's blanket.
Project Scrapbook:
Obviously as a member of DSP's DET I am making pages almost everyday. I promise to start posting them here as well. I have been good about posting them on Pinterest.
Yes I am behind. But! Last night I completed the final block for week twelve so I am finally making progress. The new printer works great and I am no longer sick so I shouldn't have any more issues. The timetable is very doable I just have to do it. Throughout today (and probably tomorrow) I will be scanning and posting all the blocks I haven't put on the blog yet.
Project Learning to Knit:
Yes I am still learning to knit. A baby is on the way in the family and I am working on a couple hats and possibly some booties. I am still plugging away at Isabelle's blanket and I will get back to my Fearless Knitting as soon as I finish the baby things for Hazel (who is due to arrive in June). I would also like to start on some Christmas Balls I saw in a super cool book but not until I finish Isabelle's blanket.
Project Scrapbook:
Obviously as a member of DSP's DET I am making pages almost everyday. I promise to start posting them here as well. I have been good about posting them on Pinterest.
Monday, January 28, 2013
UFO Flying Pirates
Status: Blocks finished
I really pushed hard this weekend and finished all the blocks for Flying Pirates. I ran out of the white I was using and had to substitute another but it blends in fine. I have to admit I was starting to hate the pirate fabric again but now that everything is all assembled and laid out I love it.
The fabric is fun without being cutesy and masculine without being drab. I am hoping to assemble the top while DD is napping this afternoon. Not sure about borders. The pattern doesn't call for any but I put borders on almost all my quilts so I will have to see how the quilt looks once it is assembled.
In knitting news I am working on a cabled baby blanket. The yarn is giving me some trouble. I had knit about 15 rows when I noticed I seemed to be getting unintentional yarn overs. On closer inspection it seems that the extra thik and fuzzy yarn wasn't drawing very close. So I tried pulling on the yarn to tighten it up but as there is almost no slack this made it impossible to get the needles into the loops to knit them. Therefore I am just going to have to live with the occasional "hole" and be sure to pull the cabled bits tight - but not too tight. Therefore this project is going to take longer than it should.
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| Facing Geese block |
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| Flying Geese block |
In knitting news I am working on a cabled baby blanket. The yarn is giving me some trouble. I had knit about 15 rows when I noticed I seemed to be getting unintentional yarn overs. On closer inspection it seems that the extra thik and fuzzy yarn wasn't drawing very close. So I tried pulling on the yarn to tighten it up but as there is almost no slack this made it impossible to get the needles into the loops to knit them. Therefore I am just going to have to live with the occasional "hole" and be sure to pull the cabled bits tight - but not too tight. Therefore this project is going to take longer than it should.
Friday, January 25, 2013
UFO Flying Pirates
Watched Popeye last night with DH and it put me back in the mood for this fabric. Everything is progressing well. All the flying geese are pieced and paired. All the facing geese are pieced and all the pairs are pressed.
On to the four patches!
This afternoon during snack time I photographed Isabelle wearing my finally finished "Determined" hat from Hattitude. Love, love, love this hat. Gorgeous colour and the design is very cool.
I also had her model some previously finished but never photographed hats from the same book.
Sidebar: Mr. Noodle was in Popeye. I don't think Isabelle would have recognized him.
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| Pressing pairs. |
This afternoon during snack time I photographed Isabelle wearing my finally finished "Determined" hat from Hattitude. Love, love, love this hat. Gorgeous colour and the design is very cool.
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| Please excuse the peanut butter. |
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| Haughty |
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| Rebellious |
Sunday, January 6, 2013
UFO: Flying Pirates
Status: All fabric, thread, and notions for quilt top are ready to use. Preliminary cutting done. No sewing.
This is a project I started around Thanksgiving. Not quite sure but it has been a few weeks. It is based on a tutorial I found while searching the Moda Bake Shop blog for "layer cake". It uses a fun layer cake from Benartex called Buried Treasure and some white yardage. The tutorial is Flying in Squares from Happy Quilting. I love flying geese so I was hooked as soon as I saw it.
I had already finished drawing the diagonal line through all my white squares and had started to line them up and pin them to the larger printed squares. I managed to finish putting these units together and sew on either side of the diagonal line on all the large squares.
I had company and errands to run today so that is all I had time for but I did squeeze in a couple more rows on my hat tonight while watching Dr. Who with the hubster.
This is a project I started around Thanksgiving. Not quite sure but it has been a few weeks. It is based on a tutorial I found while searching the Moda Bake Shop blog for "layer cake". It uses a fun layer cake from Benartex called Buried Treasure and some white yardage. The tutorial is Flying in Squares from Happy Quilting. I love flying geese so I was hooked as soon as I saw it.
I had already finished drawing the diagonal line through all my white squares and had started to line them up and pin them to the larger printed squares. I managed to finish putting these units together and sew on either side of the diagonal line on all the large squares.
I had company and errands to run today so that is all I had time for but I did squeeze in a couple more rows on my hat tonight while watching Dr. Who with the hubster.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Hattitude: Determined
I gave my first "Determined" hat to my Mom because she loved it. I recently started a new one for me when I found this yarn on sale. Yes, I have already broken my "No new projects in 2013" rule but this yarn and hat are worth the shame. I haven't been able to work on it in almost a week due to back issues but its half finished and I can't wait to wear it.
From the book Hattitude by Cathy Caron
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| Can't resist colour |
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Learning to Knit: Day Ninety One
The brim of this hat is never ending. I keep going back to the pattern to see if I have missed a section on the hat because the brim will be larger than the hat before I finish this ball of yarn.
Knit quite a large chunk of Pat's Dr. Who scarf last night while watching Rome on DVD. I found straight garter stitch really soothing after all this k2p2 for Mom's hat.
Knit quite a large chunk of Pat's Dr. Who scarf last night while watching Rome on DVD. I found straight garter stitch really soothing after all this k2p2 for Mom's hat.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Learning to Knit: Day Eighty Four
Huzzah! The missing colour for Pat's Dr. Who scarf arrived today. Very fortuitous because I had to stop working on Mom's hat this afternoon until I can get the right sized needles to continue.
Mom did include two sets of needles with the stuff she gave me but they are the wrong size and I don't have the right size in my collection so the hat will have to wait until Mom can find hers. I'm sure she has them I just hope she didn't accidentally bundle them with another project. I do have a set which are almost the right size. I believe the shaping of the hat would allow me to get away with using them for this section but I'll just do something else for a couple days. If Mom can't find them I will use my needles and see how it looks. I could probably keep using the 16" 3.25mm needles but the stitches are crowding off the ends and I am worried I'll start dropping stitches after the next increase.
I'm a little disappointed because it's a super cool hat and I am anxious to see it finished but I am really happy I get to continue with Pat's scarf.
Mom did include two sets of needles with the stuff she gave me but they are the wrong size and I don't have the right size in my collection so the hat will have to wait until Mom can find hers. I'm sure she has them I just hope she didn't accidentally bundle them with another project. I do have a set which are almost the right size. I believe the shaping of the hat would allow me to get away with using them for this section but I'll just do something else for a couple days. If Mom can't find them I will use my needles and see how it looks. I could probably keep using the 16" 3.25mm needles but the stitches are crowding off the ends and I am worried I'll start dropping stitches after the next increase.
I'm a little disappointed because it's a super cool hat and I am anxious to see it finished but I am really happy I get to continue with Pat's scarf.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Learning to Knit: Day Seventy Nine
I swear if I have to cast on this @%$# pattern one more time someone is going to get a knitting needle in the spleen.
I keep missing a section of the instructions. In two seperate ways now I have missed an entire thing I am supposed to do and I keep having to start all over. I don't know how this happens. Other than I loathe repeat from * to * and repeat from ** to **.
I was so happy. I finally got to a colour change and the work finally got big enough to transfer to circular needles.
I keep missing a section of the instructions. In two seperate ways now I have missed an entire thing I am supposed to do and I keep having to start all over. I don't know how this happens. Other than I loathe repeat from * to * and repeat from ** to **.
I was so happy. I finally got to a colour change and the work finally got big enough to transfer to circular needles.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Learning to Knit: Day Seventy Four
Well I am stuck. The next section requires my missing colour that Pat hasn't shipped yet. Back to Liam's sweater.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Learning to Knit: Day Sixty Four
This thing is driving me crazy. I have had to rip it back all the way to the beginning, ruining a full day's work, three days in a row now. I keep screwing up around rows 3-6 and not noticing until I'm four inches away from the mistake.
I also keep doing a right cross instead of a left cross for a few repeats and then doing it the correct way for a few repeats. I have no clue why I am having such a hard time with this pattern. It is not difficult.It's only 20 stitches and 8 rows. Why am I having such a hard time?
I also keep doing a right cross instead of a left cross for a few repeats and then doing it the correct way for a few repeats. I have no clue why I am having such a hard time with this pattern. It is not difficult.It's only 20 stitches and 8 rows. Why am I having such a hard time?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Learning to Knit: Day Forty Nine
I am stuck and in need of pattern translation from Auntie Donna. I think I know what the words mean but I am not positive so I have to wait. This yarn is hideous to use when you've had to rip it out so I just can't afford to do it wrong. Luckily my Aunt is a pro and always quick to answer my questions.
It's bedtime anyway and I have a small hat orphan Mom gave me to do if Auntie Donna is unable to reply before my next knitting session.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Learning to Knit: Day Forty Six
I am now back to where I was last night around nine. Big time sink but worth it in the end I hope.
Learning to Knit: Day Forty Six*
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.
*I miscounted back in the twenties but blog is back on track now.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Learning to Knit: Day Forty Six
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.
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.
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