cinonymous

lauantai 19. lokakuuta 2013

Knitting Goal Update

Since I started knitting again, I've been mostly making cowls, shawls, scarves and blankets. So, for 2013, I had a knitting goal -- try a few new techniques / items. I kept the list short and sweet as I knew I wasn't going to put the other knitting on hold. And, I know me. Here's what I started with and where I am:

something with cables a

Pattern from Novita 7 Veljestä extra

Yarn:Gjestal Jade

stranded colorwork a

Pattern:

Lapsen neulottu apina-pipo by Anne-Maija Immonen

Yarn: Novita 7 Veljestä

and a pair of socks. r

Both my cables and stranded colorwork require much, much more practice. But I look forward to it :) The socks: coming soonish. I have the pattern in mind and even have the yarn for it. I'm just having so much fun with this relatively new hobby that I’m going in too many directions at once: looking at patterns, yarn, other people’s lovely creations, buying, planning, dreaming and even a little bit of actual knitting! But I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Now, off to do some knitting :)

sunnuntai 7. huhtikuuta 2013

3rd time's a charm, right?

In starting new projects, I inevitably have to rip out and restart. Many times. My latest is no exception.

Here’s hoping the 2nd rip fest was the last and this mess will eventually resemble Melisa McCurley’s Acadian Shawl/Scarf.

I have a relative in mind for this shawl and she cannot wear wool or any combination of wool. I wanted to try making her something with an alpaca or alpaca blended yarn, but to be on the safe side of her allergies, I have decided to go with an acrylic.

The gorgeous, deep red of this yarn is right up her alley.

lauantai 2. helmikuuta 2013

Unfinished business...

When I started knitting I set myself a goal of one project at a time. I did very well... in the beginning. Then I started on a big project. A large pillow case that may become a throw. This depends on how I feel whenever I get to the final length, which is as long as I am tall.

This is an old photo, I'm now up to my neck :)

Yarn: Novita Isoveli, Nalle, and Nalle Aloe Vera

Since this pillowcase/throw is such a big WIP (work in progress) I, of course, needed a smaller project to carry along with me in the car, waiting rooms, etc.

Yarn: Novita Pretty Baby

I've made this baby blanket before in yellow, green and white. This is a real simple knit, something great for me when I'm travelling. I only noticed well into the 2nd skein of yarn that there is a flaw in the color scheme. I think I'm going to be practicing my newly learned 'patience when knitting' skill by ripping quite a big chunk of this out.

Who wants to be knitting a warm blanket while on vacation in a place of sun and heat? Not me. So, while in Spain, I bought some yarn and attempted my first top with some tricky knitting (tricky for me, that is).

Yarn: Katia Linda

Those funky little circles took me days to figure out. Why days? Because I had to put the ripped out mess down many times and step away. Wait. Then come back with a better frame of mind. Yes, this was before the sorely needed skill of patience kicked in :) Unfortunately, I've let this gem sit for too long. I'll have to take some time to figure out this pattern again.

But in the meantime...

Yarn: Drops Alpaca and Drops Kid-Silk

A warm and cozy sweater for a very cold winter! My attempt at Norway's most talked about sweater for 2012 - "Skappelgenseren" by Dorthe Skappel. The combination of this yarn is unbelievably soft and squishy!

4 WIPs. Not too bad. Well, actually 5, but I'm finished with that one now. :)

perjantai 1. helmikuuta 2013

Still Knitting...

It's been a long time since I've posted, but I'm still around. Still knitting. Still out walking when the feet permit.

I was enamored by Julie Crawford's (Knittedbliss.com) "Stockholm Scarf". It took me awhile to find the right yarn and the right color. I found it :)

Yarn: Gjestal Tinde

It took me quite awhile to knit this, but here's the end result.

I saw these Mini Christmas Stocking Ornaments by Little Cotton Rabbits on Ravelry and wanted to try my hand at them! This was a real challenge for me - those needles were so small. But oh so fun!

Yarn: Hjertegarn Diamond cotton

Another fun cowl "Drop Stitch Cowl" by Abi Gregorio. I plan on making more of these as soon as I find some chunkier yarn. Fun to knit and so soft and squishy!

Yarn: Hjertegarn Chunky

This past year of knitting has taught me patience and new skills. I've had to slowly work on one project, rip out others countless times and even give up completely on a couple of others. I shouldn't say give up completely as I plan to restart those same projects with different yarn, perhaps, and with a renewed determination.

keskiviikko 25. tammikuuta 2012

Today's walk

Sun

Check

Snow

Check

Walking buddy

Check

Camera? Oh well, at least I had my phone :=)

sunnuntai 11. joulukuuta 2011

A new hobby

Last winter I got bit by the knitting bug. After a 25 year break and watching my daughter turn out some nifty knitted projects, I stopped with the "I wish I could do that" and chose my pattern. I found a snood pattern for beginners. The big bulky yarn I used was very forgiving of my knitting skills. I’ve made 5 snoods using this same pattern I got from Novita Syksy 2010. The yarn is Novita’s Jambo.

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A scarf from Novita Talvi 2010. I also used Jambo yarn for this.

Here is a snood also from Novita Talvi 2010. This knit is called Tunturineule (fjeld knit – own translation), which was really interesting to try. The yarn I used was Novita 7 Veljestä Linnut – Punatulkku (Bullfinch). I had made this for my husband, but being the polar bear he is he doesn’t use scarves or snoods. So my youngest daughter took it, although I borrow it quite frequently J

And here is a baby blanket that I made for my grandson. I got the pattern off of the label of the yarn I used – Novita’s Pretty Baby. This was a really simple pattern, but it was a good way to work on my ‘handwriting’ and it was also nice to have something to do that didn’t require much concentration.