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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Done for Easter!!

This may be a first so mark this date.... well maybe not a first but I don't do it very often. What am I talking about, you ask? Finishing a project on time, actually two days to spare. The In the Green Sweater that I started on March 23rd, yes of this year, is finished, completely, even sewn together (sometimes things will sit in wait to be sewn together because I dread it soooo much)


In the Green Sweater pattern from Creative Knitting Magazine July 2008

I am very pleased with the finished project.  This pattern has taught me more than I expected.  I like to learn new things but I was surprised that one simple pattern could teach me so much.

I learned the pattern stitch, wildflower knot, is a simple but very nice stitch result.
At first it reminded me of the bauble stitch but not near as puffy. Then as the pattern continues through the sweater it almost looks like a cable stitch from a distance.  Just a very pleasing effect indeed. 

Also I learned to crochet backwards.  Well that is what you do  but it is called reverse single crochet.  I had never heard of or seen this before but what a beautiful result.  It is the finish stitch on the neckline.


Reverse single crochet neck finish
It has a beaded or rope look to it.  I will definitely be using this stitch again. 

You may notice that the pattern has longer sleeves than my sweater.  I did alter the sleeves.  I knew when I started that I wanted the sleeves to be shorter so I did not follow the pattern sleeve directions.  Instead I just followed the armhole shaping directions after I had knit in ribbing and pattern stitch for the length I wanted the sleeve to be.

The only draw back to this sweater is that it is very heavy when finished.  I don't know what I expected but I swear it is heavier than the skeins of yarn that made it.  Is that possible???  That isn't a problem for most wearings of it but my first wearing was going to be for Easter Sunday and with the glorious HOT (90 degree) weather we are having hear in FL I might be a little warmish if I step out of the air-conditioning.


I learned one more thing from this project, not from the pattern itself but when it came time to sew it all together I went for help.  I have never enjoyed the hand sewing part of finishing a garment of any kind (one of the reasons that I never got into quilting).  It is was because I always made a mess of it.  I do many things well but hand sewing isn't one of them.  So I went for help this time, to my Tips and Tricks page and watched the video Seaming a set-in Sleeve.  It helped so much that I am never going to let something sit unfinished again just because I don't want to sew it together.

I really feel this is a simple pattern, very easy that anyone with the basics of knitting could do.  But it was also such a learning experience for me even though I consider myself an experienced knitter.  I learned that I can finish a project in a timely manor if I just apply myself, and I learned that one can always learn something new if we keep an open mind.

TTFN 

                                                     >^..^<


Friday, April 08, 2011

Charity Projects Done

Today I finished the last of my charity crocheting projects.  I will probably start another project later in the year but for now I will concentrate on my WIP and start to think about Christmas gifts.

I started two projects last month that I feel are very worthy causes.  One is making baby blankets for Bernat Cares, and the other is making 6X6 or 12X12 squares for On-Line Angels.  The Bernat website has info and free patterns for all different charities for you to choose from.  I chose the Project LInus Blanket Drive.  The On-Line Angels information I got from SmoothFox Crochet and Knit blog where you can also choose from 3 patterns that she will send you if you join in on the project.  Right now On-Line Angels is also having a baby booties drive.


For the Bernat Cares/Project Linus Blanket Drive, I chose to use a simple continuous granny square pattern.  I used some scraps of leftover yarn that was all acrylic and had the little blanket (approximately 36 - 38 inches) done in no time. 


Granny Square Baby Blanket

The crochet squares for On-Line Angels are also made of scrap yarn that is also all acrylic.  They request that you use only acrylic because they take all the different squares and sew them together and make blankets.  What a job that would be.  I don't know why but I have never liked sewing all the squares together. I prefer to crochet them together as I go.  I loved just making the squares though it seemed so quick.  I just picked up a hook and some yarn when I got tired of knitting and made  two or three 6X6 squares  then I would go back to knitting.   Before I knew it I had 25 squares.  They have requested the squares be sent before the end of April so tomorrow I am sending them off to their new home to be joined with all the rest of the donated squares.

6X6 squares using the #3 pattern created by SmoothFox

I will also package up the baby blanket and send it off to the Linus Project. 

I have really enjoyed making these things.  As I sit and knit or crochet I always like to know that whatever object I am making has a purpose.  In doing these projects I can rest assured that someone, somewhere, will benifit from them and hopefully will be warmed inside and out by them and their heart touched so that they may make their own contirbutions to others, in their own way. 

I hope you will leave a comment and let me know what your charity projects are.


Colossians 3:12
 
Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
 
                                                        >^..^<

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Wednesday's WIP

This week has gone by so fast already.  I meant to keep blogging everyday but life keeps getting in the way. 

Sunday I had trouble with my wireless router and had to spend and hour and ten minutes on the phone to India, trying to get that worked out.  By the time I got back online my hubby had come home from his weekend away at hunt camp so of course I couldn't just ignore him. 

Monday I just don't even remember, other than I did knit a lot because I finished the back of my sweater I am trying to get finished by Easter. 

Tuesday I was very rudely awakened at 6:30 AM by the weather alert radio going off saying our area was under a tornado watch.  That got me up and I thought that I would get some early knitting in but our little dog Tuffy seemed to think that nothing should come between us when there is stormy, noisy weather going on.  It did finally clear up around 1 PM and turned into a gorgeous afternoon.  However something got my back muscles to spasm (this happens when I get too tense) and for the rest of the evening I had to fore go knitting and just lay on the heat/vibrator to relax my muscles.  It took all night and into this morning before I started to finally get back to normal.

So today now that I have dishes washed, clothes washed and folded and before I have to start supper, I thought I had better try to squeeze in a few words and let you see how far along I am with my green sweater that I mentioned in the Dust Bunny post.


In the Green Sweater pattern from Creative Knitting Magazine July 2008
I have finished the back and have started on the front.  I have about 41/2 - 5 inches so far and about 20" or so to go.  And of course the sleeves.  I am not going to make them quite as long as it shows them in the pattern picture.  It shows them as just above the elbow but I want mine to be midway between the shoulder and elbow.  Other than that the pattern is just great.  I haven't had to make any changes or had any trouble following the pattern at all.  It really is going faster than I expected on the little #5 needles (gee that sounds familiar, I must have said that already before).

I may just get it squeaked in by Easter if I don't have any set backs.  Of course in a few more weeks the weather will probably be so hot I won't be able to stand to go outside in it. At least the pattern stitch isn't lacy so I won't have to wear a slip/camisole under it.

Now if I could just figure out what to have for supper tonight.........

TTFN  >^..^<




Sunday, April 03, 2011

Day seven: 3rd April. Your knitting and crochet time. 2KCBWDAY7

Probably most people make time for their hobbies in their busy life.  I on the other hand try to make time for life in my busy hobby.  In other words knitting and crocheting are pretty much my life so I am hardly ever without a project in my hands. 

I haven't figured out how to be on the computer and knit at the same time yet though I hear there is a breakthrough in voice activation software, lol.  I can just see it now, "log into Farmville, plant broccoli, harvest pigs,....knit one purl three, YO...."-------"your computer does not understand that command...."  oooppps.

Oh well back to reality,  and the here and now.  My projects are always with me whether I am home or off on an errand and most of the time so is my mp3 player that is loaded with my audio books.  I love to listen to my mystery stories as I work.  If I am at home I am sitting in the love seat next to my hubby, watching TV and sipping on a cup of blueberry tea whilst I knit.  If we are camping I am usually working my project on the road to camp.  Even when we get to camp and we get everything unloaded and a campfire going, I will sit by the fire and work while chatting with the gang.
I just wouldn't think of not having my work beside me ready to be picked up at any moment.

As this 2nd Annual Blog Week comes to an end, I would like to thank the creators and whoever orchestrates this great event.  This is my first time participating and I have enjoyed it very much.  Even more than writing my blogs I have enjoyed reading everyone else's.  So thank you to all who participated and the only thing I wish could be changed for next year is more time added to the day to read every one's great blogs.

 If you’ve found my blog through KCBW and like it, then please subscribe to my feed or follow me at the links at the bottom of this page.

I would love to keep seeing you  :o)

Saturday, April 02, 2011

2KCBWDAY6 Day six: 2nd April. Something to aspire to

Today's topic sort of boggles my mind simply because there are so many things I would love to do and learn to do well and that is just in the realm of crafts.

There is one thing that has been wiggling around in my brain and is just about ready to pop out into the open and see the light of day.  MACHINE KNITTING!
When I was a teenager my sister lived in Japan for a few years while her husband was stationed there.  At this time in my life I was already hand knitting, tatting, sewing, and starting to crochet.  When she came back home she brought a knitting machine with her.  She could whip out a project in no time flat, and it looked as easy as if she were ironing.  I was hooked! 
Through the years I yearned to have one of my own but with bringing up 3 boys and no room to spare to set it all up, I gave that idea up.  Then a few years ago, when I was yard-sale-ing, I came across 2 knitting machines that a lady had for sale.  I instantly started drooling but knew I had only brought about $20 with me to spend that day so there was no way I could buy them.  Well I just had to ask the price anyway and was politely told that I could have the both of them for $5.  I said, uhhhhhhh, no I mean the 2 knitting machines over there against the wall (obviously the woman thought I was talking about some little trinket other than the knitting machines).  She said yep they are $5 for the both of them.  Well to make this story a little shorter, yes I immediately handed over 5 dollars and grabbed up the machines and put them in the car.

Unfortunately life has gotten in the way of me experimenting and learning more about them.  They are sitting in my back room waiting for me to come and play.
Gee what am I doing sitting here writing this post, my kids are grown and gone and my hubby is away for the weekend and I can drag those machines out without him groaning and rolling his eyes............ 



Singer Chunky Knitter model 150


Singer model 700
 Oh sorry, you'll have to check back to find out how I am doing with my knitting machines.  I am so inspired that I am going to go dust them off and ........oh gosh I forgot that they came with patterns too.......................

Friday, April 01, 2011

2KCBWDAY5 And now for something completely different: A Day in the Life of Dustbunnies

Hey Devon, here she comes, quick, hide, hissed Dustin. 
Oh don't be such a scaredy bunny, Dustin, said Devon, she's just bending over to pick up her knitting, she isn't lookin' for DUST BUNNIES.  You know she started that new sweater pattern last week and she hasn't had time to do housework since.  She has been knitting furiously on it so she can get it done and wear it for Easter with her favorite skirt.


Yeah I guess your right, said Dustin, she will do just about anything to avoid house work anyway.  I once heard her say that she stores the vacuum cleaner in back of her yarn stash so that if she ever does get the urge to clean she will see all her pretty yarn and forget all about vacuuming.  The only time we have to worry is if the little dog's ball rolls under here and she comes looking for it or if the grand kids come to visit, then she will drag out the vacuum and the dust rag so no one will know how much she knits instead of cleans.

Devon, did you see how much she has gotten done on that sweater, asked Dustin? It is growing by leaps and bounds.  I really love that pattern she is using.  I was looking at the paper on the floor last night and it said it was a wildflower knot stitch. 


The pattern is In the Green from the July 2008 issue of Creative Knitting Magazine.
Oh I really like the yarn she is using, said Devon.  It is that Simply Soft yarn by Caron in a really pretty soft green color.  I heard her say she thought it would really go slow because it is worked on #5 needles and that she thought that new wildflower knot stitch would slow her down but it looks like she is making great progress to me.

You know Dustin, said Devon, we may have something else to worry about other than being sucked up in the vacuum tube.  What's that, asked Dustin?  Devon said, what if she gets a crazy notion that she wants to start spinning her own yarn and tries to turn us into roving and spin us into yarn?????  YIKES IS THAT POSSIBLE?????

If you would like to know more about Dust bunnies just visit Maggie the Crochet-a-holic's page, Dust Bunny Facts.  Check out her crochet pattern page while your there.



Mochimochiland Dustbunnies pattern
If you would like to knit your own little dustbunnies  Mochimochi Land has the pattern above for sale.


One last thing........HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!!!

                                                       >^..^<