Knitting

Drapey Knit Scarf

June 18, 2014 Amy7 Comments

I thought about titling this post something profound-like “The Prodigal”. I contemplated going into detail about why it’s been almost a year since I posted here. I considered it, but then I thought, “You know what? Nobody really cares. If they missed me, they’ll just be glad to see me again. If they’re new-they didn’t know to miss me.” Clarity at last. So then I thought about the last 10 months or so – all the things I’ve done, places I’ve been. What am I really most proud of? Easy! I’m most proud that I finished this. This DK yarn on small needles drapey knit scarf. I did it. It took me over three grindingly boring months, but I did it! Yay me!

I can’t tell you the origin of the pattern. I found it in a local yarn store. They had made copies on plain white paper with no picture. Just a few lines of instruction and the title “Drapey Knit Scarf”. They had an example laying next to it, and I thought “I can do this.” So it began. Three skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and a desire to see it through to the end.

I would go for weeks without touching it. I finished several other projects along the way. There were times when I thought it would probably be the last item I would ever knit. I just don’t seem to have the attention span for something I seem to do so slowly! Even after I finished it, it took me about three weeks to make myself block it. But you know what? I like it. I think it’s awesome. Completely by accident, it’s my daughter’s school color-a delightful and unexpected bonus. Yes, I like this drapey knit scarf. I like it very much.

Crochet

Shades of Summer

July 8, 2013 Amy4 Comments

What colors speak to you in summer tones? I see summer in shades of the sea. I’m not sure why. I live in a place far from the shore where humidity hangs heavy in the 100 degree heat. It seems more probable that my summer palette might be something more akin to orange and red, but it’s not. Cool blues and greens define summer to me.

I couldn’t pick between a scarf and a shawl. So why not both? Maybe calling it a “wrap” is more apt?

I used Catania again. Clearly, we’re in a relationship. I just love the stitch definition that comes from mercerized cotton, and the array of colors available with Catania allow me to indulge in color play.

I’ve struggled creatively over the last several months. Sometimes, when you feel stretched, it’s difficult to indulge yourself in pursuits that require additional self-discipline. Luckily, this pattern and I are old friends, and we were in no hurry.

Knitting

Scrub-a-dub dub, baby!

July 4, 2013 Amy2 Comments

Mundane? Yes.

Plain? Never!

No two are alike. No, it’s true. I love the juicy enthusiasm of that orange cotton. I love it so much that I couldn’t stop with just one- so the second one was a little different. More knit stitch-less garter. It jacked my stack. The negative impact to the glorious uniformity I sought is a little painful for me to behold…but that’s life isn’t it. Sometimes you have to let go of uniform perfection and just follow your bliss. And if bliss takes the form of chain knitting seven different painfully simple dish cloths because your brain is fried and you just can’t deal with any more decisions-even if that decision is simply what to make next? Well, so be it.

They’re pretty and I love them. Not only are they pretty, but they really are better than your run of the mill terry dish cloth. They do a bang up job. I know this isn’t exactly a newsflash for anyone, but you know how it is. You read lots of stuff about how old school domestic products really are better, you try a few, and then you face facts that although you may feel better about them, they don’t actually work better. You know what I mean? If we’re honest with ourselves, we know Mr. Clean Tub and Tile really does work better than vinegar or baking soda or bleach water. It is what it is. But these sweet babies put our old dish cloth to shame!

Scrub-a-dub dub, baby!

Craftapalooza! · Crochet

Behold, my Garter!

March 27, 2013 Amy5 Comments

New can be fun. It’s exciting to accomplish something that you weren’t able to do previously. It can also be difficult…frustrating…awkward…tedious. I’ve introduced a lot of new into my life as of late. Some of it voluntary. Some of it involuntary. Today, I’d like to talk about some of my voluntary newness!

Behold, the Garter Stitch! Totally new!

Behold the “keyhole” and the oh-so-lacy ruffle!

Behold, me knitting! I’ve been on Craftsy again (of course). The class is called Knit Lab. The instructor, Stefanie Japel, is pretty cool. I love the format, and she’s a natural teacher. It wasn’t easy for me, however. The sticks have been a challenge. They feel awkward compared to the a crochet hook. And it takes for-ev-er….I’ll press on, however. It’s bound to feel natural eventually. Right?

Crochet

Number Seven

October 26, 2012 Amy14 Comments

I’d like you all to meet number seven. I don’t think this variation needs a lot of explanation. Again, Catania Cotton. Again, Pierrot 29-34. Just when i think I’m finished with these guys, they pull me back in!

You can see a rundown here along with pics of my Number Six. (Yes, I know. I have a gift for catchy titles.) Number Six was cute, but Number seven…well, it’s Claret.

Claret makes me happy. And so does Number Seven.

Crochet

Number Six

October 15, 2012 Amy4 Comments

You can’t accuse me of being fickle. Fickle flits from one pattern to another. This scarf pattern and I are in a relationship. No matter where my eye wanders, I keep coming back and trying variations in color and pattern to the most excellent Pierrot 29-31. The only relationship as durable as the one I have with this scarf, is my relationship with Catania mercerized cotton. I’m not ashamed to say it. I love them. I’ve proclaimed my love boldly:

In February, I worked the pattern for the first time. I followed the directions implicitly in an odd colorway of plum, chocolate-brown, off white and grey.
My second version (first variation) was a “Seascape”. I love it. Maybe my favorite of all of them.
Third, was in ivory and spring green. Very natural and organic.
Fourth, my daughter chose the color palette, and so it became “Whitney’s Scarf”. That girl has a wonderful eye for color!
The fifth version was an Easter edition of the pattern, or as I like to refer to it, “The one that looks like a watermelon.”

And now I’ve finished number six. I like it a lot. It’s more of a winter colorway-crisp, cool and evocative of all things brisk.

Too much? Maybe. I’ll just leave it at “I like it. A lot.”

Each of these scarves will complete their creative journey as a Christmas present. Needless to say, the person who gets number six will have to be very special-at least as special as number six.

Crochet · I'm loving this!

Nothing Short of Miraculous!

August 7, 2012August 7, 2012 Amy9 Comments

I’ve been crocheting for about four years now, and I’ve been fairly prolific. I’ve started and finished a lot of projects, and if you do the math, that nets out to lots and lots of ends that I’ve woven to complete those projects

I’ve also been a student of the craft. I’ve read voraciously, and studied all of the information I could assimilate with a single-minded focus. So when I say that there’s not really a lot of information out there on how to weave ends, I feel pretty comfortable with that statement.

People may tell you to leave an “ample” end to weave. They might even give some direction on methodology, but never once have I seen or read anything that recommended a “tool” as superior to others in the end-weaving game.

You can just imagine my surprise, when lo and behold, I found one! And this find is truly…yes, truly….wait for it…Nothing Less Than Miraculous! And simple..it’s so freaking simple! And maybe everyone in the world knows it, but I didn’t!

It’s the composition of the needle! For four years I’ve been using these

That’s right, the good old $1.99 a pack plastic yarn needles. I’ve gone through packs of them. I lose them like you lose pens. They’re functional, sometimes come in cute colors, and that’s about all you can say about them.

Then last week, out of the blue, I bought these

They’re steel! Cold, smooth steel! The now forever sub-standard plastic needles utz their way through the yarn. (Utz is a non-scientific term for sallying forth in a manner that is not awesome) These chrome beauties, however, slice through the yarn, rendering the act of end-weaving mere child’s play.

Why didn’t anyone tell me? They’re phenomenal! And they’ve been here all long! Behold….Awesomeness!

Crochet

A Retreat from the Heat…

June 29, 2012 Amy7 Comments

It’s officially summer in East Texas. Our temperatures hit the century mark this week for the first time this season. The downside of 104 degree days is obvious. Doing anything outside is brutal-especially when the heat is accompanied by stifling humidity. The upside is a re-surging motivation to come in from the garden and crochet or sew…(or just lay down under a ceiling fan, motionless…)

This week, I opted to play with hexagons. I think I love them….I actually had a pattern delivered to my email inbox that used these colors, and I knew immediately, I must make them…Big, beautiful rainbows….love!

Crochet

Tunisian…Ta Da!

June 13, 2012June 13, 2012 Amy9 Comments

I completed the first panel of Jennifer Hansen’s Tunisian Multi-Garment!

It was fun. Learning Tunisian has been very gratifying. These pictures were taken after my first quick run at blocking. I still have some perfecting to do with the structure.

I have a sneaky suspicion that I would have been happier with a slightly larger size. I won’t know for certain until I’ve completed the second panel. The sizes were based on bust circumference and I think I would prefer a little more length on what will inevitably be the “torso”. Maybe I’m long-waisted….or maybe my tummy is a little more of an issue than my bust….

The color work is fascinating. Let it be known, however, that it leaves a gazillion ends to be woven. Hence the probable delay in starting the second panel for the garment. I need a little time to forget what a pain those ends were.

All in all, however, I’m extremely pleased! The Craftsy class on Tunisian was a great experience. I’ve signed on for three additional classes since beginning the Tunisian. I’m not sure that the instruction I’m seeing is the same quality that Jennifer Hansen provided in the Tunisian class, but I love the platform and recommend it for anyone who struggles to find classes available in your location or that work with your schedule.

Crochet

Playing the Field..

June 6, 2012 Amy2 Comments

I’ve been multi-tasking….burning both ends of the candle, if you will. On the one hand, I am full steam ahead with my Tunisian Crochet class and the Multi Garment.

Simultaneously, I am “go” for my sewing “Do Over”.

It’s like dating two guys when you’re single. You usually spend one date wishing you were on another. Then you feel guilty when you’re on a date with a guy you really like, because the other dude is more responsible and more stable. Usually things fall apart with both of them at about the same time and you wind up with no date…but I digress…

Apparently the sewing “do over” is Mr. Stability. The Tunisian multi-garment is the hotter Mr. Smooth. (This is a bizarre analogy, but let’s go with it.)

The stitch patterns are gorgeous.

Even though I’m using cotton instead of silk, the stitching still promises attractive drape. With the Tunisian, despite being in learning mode, everything is easier.

Sewing, not so much. I’ve finished my first set of pillow covers. I haven’t worked up the enthusiasm to photograph them yet. They’re cute….that’s it. Just cute. I wanted spectacular…wow! But nope, they’re cute. Like I said, the craft equivalent to Mr. Stability. I think I’ll wait and post them when I can add a few more for a grouping.

Until then, back to Mr. Smooth…