This'd be kinda nice... hint hint

This little row counting braclet is soooo me! I'd love one even if I decide to make one myself... Who knows.












By slipping each bead through the beaded loop you can keep track of your rows. The smaller beads are 1 to 9. Once you get to 10 rows, its time to slip a big bead through the beaded loop. The larger ones are in multiples of 10 to 100. Its so simple, yet functional and pretty. "For the fashionable knitter."

My Envy Meter Starts.... NOW

There are so many talented knitters blogging and show their remarkable knitted pieces, that I'm, well, turning green with envy. Mostly because I don't have all the time I'd like to spend knitting, but more over, its because I'd like to be doing those pieces! All the delicate lace shawls, the hand spun, hand dyed yarns, bags, socks and wraps are all so gorgeous!

What I've decided to do is to start an ENVY METER. These are things I'd love to knit and am going to... someday. Come hell or high water!

The first item on my list is the stylish and sexy Twisty Turns Wrap, from the book Wrap Style by Interweave Press.
I saw this wrap on craftychickonline's blog and instantly wanted to make my own! I left her a comment about how now I wanted to make one and she kindly emailed me back, encouragining me to.... craftychickonline.com. Check out her blog.

This photo is from the book which, incidently, is now on my wish list... Christmas is going to be easy for my family this year.

Things That Will Be..

PROJECT #1
MY FIRST EVER PONCHO
in BERNAT SOFT BOUCLE

15 sts - 22 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Suggested Knitting Needle 6.00 mm, US - 10
Machine washable and dryable.
Content: 98% Acrylic - 2% Polyester
Length: 255 yd / 232 m

I've got 3 balls of this in earth tones to make a poncho from. Even as a wee-girl, I never had one... I'm making my own.
The pattern for that is at this link:

http://www.bernat.com/data/pattern/pdf/instruction_1649.en_US.pdf

--
Well, the poncho is well on its way as I am almost 1/2 way done. Thanks to my new Addi Turbos....... OMG! How can I go back to knitting on anything else, ever again! They are my new favorite needles.... *cheshire-cate-like-grin* Maybe I'll have that poncho ready in time for our rainy-season (usually in May). That'd be better than the fall, like I initially anticipated.

Yes. I will post a photo or several... Which reminds me, I've got a couple new projects off the needles I need to share online with photos. Better get snapping!


X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+X+

PROJECT #2
MY SOFT SWEATER (which might end up being a Twisty Turn Wrap, yet)
in RED HEART SYMPHONY in BLUE

Subtle blend of colors gently brushed for a mohair effect. Works wonderfully alone or mix and match with other medium weight yarns. Machine wash and dry.

100% Acrylic
3.5 oz (100g) Approx. 310 yd (283 m)
8 available shades

I've got 6 balls of this I want to make a sweater from in this pretty blue. The pattern is in the Stitch n Bitch Nation book. The sweater that is hand-dyed. Obviously I won't be hand dying this yarn though.

I'm Going Through Shawl-with-Drawls...

My lovely shawl that I'm knitting with my knitalong group is on hold. How long for? I don't know...

It was the perfect Saturday morning. I woke up at my usual time and instead of hitting the weekend snooze button, I decided to get up. I figured with the house so nice and quiet I could get some good quality time in with a large cup of coffee in my favorite Starbucks cup and my "big ball" shawl.

The coffee was brewed, I had on my favorite tatty housecoat, my fuzzy slippers and the rest of the family was sound asleep. I grabbed my usual spot on the "sunny side" of our couch in front of our big picture window, had a loooong sip of my heavily sweetened java and picked up my pointy sticks. Remember, these are the circulars I got for a steal a the local Thrift Store. They were too loooong. (Notice I said "were".) About an hour into my quiet time, my needles felt "weird". I looked down and to my dismay I discovered my circular needle broken. Dang. Well, it was more like S#*!, but I won't say bad words on the internet. You never know who's reading this stuff.

Anyway, after exhausting my search at every concievable store for more long 6mm circulars without any success, I ordered some. I can't wait till they get in now! I got me some long and sexy Addi Turbos... mmmm... Can't Wait! I plan on celebrating with a glass of wine or two. Screw the coffee!

Well, I figured while I wait, I'd show off my itty-bitty stash. Its not big, but its mine. By the way. On the bottom right hand corner, is the yarn I'm making my shawl out of.

Where's Waldo?

This is pretty cool... Can you name the 75 bands "pictured" in the picture? I know, I know... 75 is alot to name but lots of them are quite easy, if you're into music that is... Like, "Smashing Pumpkins", "Queen", "Guns'n'Roses", "The Beach Boys". Get it now? How many can you get? I honestly haven't really tried yet.

I found the link on another blogger's page... Just can't remember who? Sorry. Hope that person doesn't feel violated. ; ) When I come across his blog again I will rightly so credit our fellow knitter.

My Very Pretty, Very Girlie Scarf

I got this wonderful book from our Library, called Exquisite Knits. In it, was a simple garter pattern for a very pretty, very girlie, soft, ruffled scarf that reminded me of something from a Jane Austen book. I needed to knit it. It was my must have scarf. I bookmarked the page hoping that one day (before the book went back to the Library, obviously) I'd be able to at least cast it on.

I was wandering through a thirft store during my lunch break and thought I'd check if they had anything interesting for my "addiction" or even my stash. Luckily enough I found two "loose bound balls" of some very pretty, soft, and very white yarn. I don't know what fiber it is, but it tickled my fancy. Almost feels like mohair. Anyway, I got both for the uber-low price of only$1.99. heheheh.

(AND! A set of 6mm 90cm circulars that were home to my knitalong shawl, until they broke, so that was only a bargain as long as they lasted. Now I need a new set of long circs to finish my shawl, but that's a whole different post.)

Anyway.... So guess what I'm knitting with my new pretty yarn.





Instead of the ribbon ruffle on the end I went with a novelty yarn that's got a bit of shiny metalic colour thread in it. Kinda funky but not "over the edge". I could not find a nice ribbon yarn that would go with it, (I wanted a creamy white, very neutral. Everything I found was too bright. Lots of primaries)





It's almost done now as these pictures are a bit on the "dated" side. I UFO'd it for a bit as I got to a point where I wasn't sure if I had the patience to get it done. Instant gratification, that's what I want! I have to learn to control that.

I should be able to finish my scarf in the next few days I hope. I've now since finished but have been somewhat neglect at posting updated photos... Sorry, I'll get to it ASAP, I promise....




By the way, the info on my backdrop is: My hubby made me this little side-board table for Mother's Day, my son painted the tulip picture and framed it... He's got most of the wall space in our house, actually. And, last but not least, my folks went ot Germany to visit my dad's family year before last and brought me back this hand blown glass vase.... This is my "hand-made everything" table.

My Knit-A-Long-Shawl

Whn I first started knitting, I bought a big ball of Red Heart Super Saver Economy Size to practice with. Its a pretty colour, even if it is just an acryllic. Verigated in reds, burgundys, gray, beige... I like it, it wasn't expensive so if I waste it, it was no biggy.

I didn't think I'd ever use it all as 10,000 practice swatches, I'm just not that patient, so I decided to make something with it. A shawl. After a long search on the net I, I came to a simple stockinette shawl with a garter border. Nice and simple, I know, but its not the most exciting yarn, and that way I can pick it up and put it down whenever I get some spare time.

Its funny, because when I first started knitting, I joined a Yahoo Group for Knitting Novices and its their knitalong. Note to self: Sometimes its better to stay in your own backyard instead of wandering the neighborhood.

I've tried to include the link to the ShawlAlong so far without success, but its only technology so I know I will beat it and get eventually. I still need to post some photos of how its going...

A New Twist On Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth

A New Twist On Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth

This is a another blogger link to some cool discloth patterns. Dishcloths are a great way to practice "new skills"...


Speaking of skills, I joined a Yahoo Group that does monthly knit-along-dishcloths as a group and its really turning out to be fun! I'm well on my way with the mid-month KAL (even though I've had to frog it once). I'd like to get it done today, but we'll have to see how it goes.







The Granny's favorite was my first attempt







and the checkerboard, my second.









I made this one for my co-worker. She loves knitted dishcloths and I love making them....The photo's not so hot though. I used a whole ball of Handicrafter for it.






Here's my KAL round dishcloth and the DW I made. I love the colours! I will definitely make more of these.

Why I Started Knitting

My New Year's Resolution was to find a hobby. Something I could do "selfishly" just for me. I remembered how I enjoyed my Aunt and Mom trying to teach my cousin & I to knit when we were 12. Why not try poking around with pointy sticks again?!

After a couple of months of practicing (for at least an hour everyday,) I honestly don't think I'll ever put the needles down again.

Big BIG Oopsie

So. I'm sitting at home on a Friday night enjoying some alone time. My husband and his cousin are at a concert and our son is playing, albeit alone, in his room. I'm analyzing my 'practice scarf'. It was the first thing I ever put on my needles and consequently, full of mistakes! But that's OK. I left them in instead of frogging the whole thing as momentos of my learnin-days. Something to gauge how far (I think) I've come since I first picked up sticks, a couple of months ago. (I'll post pictures when I download them from my camera if you promise you won't laugh. wink wink)

Well, it turns out I didn't really travel far at all...

Like I said, I'm eye-balling this creation of mine wondering, 'why doesn't my combination of knit/purl look and different than my knit only?'

Back to the books I go. Its now 11 o'clock at night and I'm thumbing through my how to books, looking at the wonderful illustrations of this elusive stitch, when I realize I don't know what the heck I've been doing this whole time! I've got my yarn's fronts and backs all mixed up! What I thought was a purl stitch is actually just a regular knit stitch going the other way! No wonder all my rows looked the exact same! I am a dyslexic knitter...

I really haven't done alot of pieces to date, mostly just really bad practicing. What it all means is that the things I have made so far are all just good old plain garter stitch. I have made a couple of simple scarves;

one for our niece's birthday,







and a skinny one for me and a matching hat.







Well, by now my hubby and his cousin have returned from the concert and told me about their night. The boy is tucked in snuggly and snoring to beat the band and I'm not anywhere near tired. I bind off my practice piece (there's no way I'm wasting anymore time on 24" of chaos) and resolve to begin again.

This time I learn how to do a double cast-on, which is kinda cool but I don't know if I'll ever use it. I do a few knit rows and get into the purling. After deciphering what I did wrong and how to make it right, I am finally FINALLY purling. I made the most beautiful stockinette you have ever seen!

It's now 2:00am. Do I forego sleep to teach myself ribbing or put it all away and start fresh in the morning? Well, I actually feel asleep on the couch with my stuff on my lap. When I woke up this morning I was just glad I didn't have any needles poking me.

I'll save the ribbing for another day.