I remember years when the holidays were so busy that time vanished before your eyes. This year for me ... the holidays took their time going by. They were more exhausting with less to do. I suppose it's partly because I was under the weather with a cold, but also partly the whole living alone thing. With the cold I didn't get any knitting done for a while... It' snot a good idea, you know ... knitting with a cold.
Christmas was a quiet day at my home. I had my mum over to visit; we enjoyed Christmas TV specials and a small Christmas dinner.
As for project progress, I've completed a 2" seed stitch border around both front edges and the bottom of the cardigan and have finished a sleeve. The border and the sleeve each took one ball of yarn. Now it's one sleeve and a large ribbed collar to go... then onto Blocking it.
Speaking of the sleeve, I got to try a few new techniques including knitting in the round with only three needles and magic loop (video courtesy of knittinghelp.com).
If anyone reading has any articles on blocking I'd love to hear about them in the comments as I've never done it before and would greatly appreciate any and all help!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
"I knit so that I do not kill people"
Many times a friend of mine has told me the phrase, "I knit so that I do not kill people". Apparently at least 900 other people agree with her as there is a Ravelry Group with that name. My knitting has been side tracked the last few days; I begin to see her point.
This being the first Christmas since my wife left, I was sorely tempted to leave the house in a non decorated state. Then I was asked if a group I volunteer with could use my home for our annual Christmas get together. Doing the decorating .... the putting up of garlands and lights and wreaths and trees and ornaments and such .... was not physically taxing. Emotionally it was a true challenge, one that left me physically and mentally exhausted many times over several days. That said, the house did get decorated, the party did happen and it was a truly merry time for one and all. The true credit goes to my wonderful guests; they brought all manner of pot luck food and far more importantly brought warmth, grace, light and happiness into my humble home.
For a time the cardigan was set aside ... partly owing to preparing for the party and partly a lack of measurements to work with. The party is past and the measurements are in! Let the yarn hacking resume! I'm past the decrease for the waist and working down towards the hip increase. I'm looking forward to learning how to do a "seed stitch" border and to finding out how evil it is to knit a sleeve on 12mm double point needles. Maybe I'll look up "Magic Loop" knitting and give that a shot instead. I keep hearing about it, so maybe it's worth a try.
If anyone has any suggestions about knitting with double points or with magic loop or any other techniques for knitting in the round I'd love to hear about it in the comments.
This being the first Christmas since my wife left, I was sorely tempted to leave the house in a non decorated state. Then I was asked if a group I volunteer with could use my home for our annual Christmas get together. Doing the decorating .... the putting up of garlands and lights and wreaths and trees and ornaments and such .... was not physically taxing. Emotionally it was a true challenge, one that left me physically and mentally exhausted many times over several days. That said, the house did get decorated, the party did happen and it was a truly merry time for one and all. The true credit goes to my wonderful guests; they brought all manner of pot luck food and far more importantly brought warmth, grace, light and happiness into my humble home.
For a time the cardigan was set aside ... partly owing to preparing for the party and partly a lack of measurements to work with. The party is past and the measurements are in! Let the yarn hacking resume! I'm past the decrease for the waist and working down towards the hip increase. I'm looking forward to learning how to do a "seed stitch" border and to finding out how evil it is to knit a sleeve on 12mm double point needles. Maybe I'll look up "Magic Loop" knitting and give that a shot instead. I keep hearing about it, so maybe it's worth a try.
If anyone has any suggestions about knitting with double points or with magic loop or any other techniques for knitting in the round I'd love to hear about it in the comments.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
A busy few days...
Knitting hasn't been at the forefront for the last few days, but it has been interwoven here and there. Instead, this has been a week focusing on true friendships.
A long time friend was having a rough week this week. He needed several favours which I was happy to help out with. The longest one to complete was looking after one of his sons for a few days whilst he took care of other matters. His son is twelve. We had a good few days of it. Some highlights included an international trip to visit a Zoo, walking in a Santa Clause "Parade of Lights", going to church and listening to music in a local "Bias-free" (all sexual preferences accepted) bar.
During the same time, I was able to meet with a local knitting group for a few hours and get some help on the Cardigan. I ended up finding the help in the Errata page on Ravelry for the pattern. I got a fair bit done on the Cardigan, but now it's on hold as I await a couple much needed measurements from my wife.
On Friday evening, my boss called looking for help on an important issue, so while babysitting and going to parades, church, zoo's and a bar we worked together on and off all day Saturday and Sunday (today). My friend collected his son this afternoon and I spent an enjoyable afternoon and evening divided between talking with friends, working, enjoying a few pints of beer, as well as listening to poetry, literature and good music.
Despite the fact there was work mixed into the first few hours of the afternoon, it was a most enjoyable way to wrap up several very busy days.
A long time friend was having a rough week this week. He needed several favours which I was happy to help out with. The longest one to complete was looking after one of his sons for a few days whilst he took care of other matters. His son is twelve. We had a good few days of it. Some highlights included an international trip to visit a Zoo, walking in a Santa Clause "Parade of Lights", going to church and listening to music in a local "Bias-free" (all sexual preferences accepted) bar.
During the same time, I was able to meet with a local knitting group for a few hours and get some help on the Cardigan. I ended up finding the help in the Errata page on Ravelry for the pattern. I got a fair bit done on the Cardigan, but now it's on hold as I await a couple much needed measurements from my wife.
On Friday evening, my boss called looking for help on an important issue, so while babysitting and going to parades, church, zoo's and a bar we worked together on and off all day Saturday and Sunday (today). My friend collected his son this afternoon and I spent an enjoyable afternoon and evening divided between talking with friends, working, enjoying a few pints of beer, as well as listening to poetry, literature and good music.
Despite the fact there was work mixed into the first few hours of the afternoon, it was a most enjoyable way to wrap up several very busy days.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Frustration in small measure
Today's work on the cardigan was a day of slow progress, frustration, and of learning. I attended a small knitting group at my work for an hour at lunch and completed "Separate the sleeves" without issue, and then was promptly stumped by the following decrease row.
The pattern did not quite make sense. Basically, it was vague and asymmetrical. So, I planned to visit a local knit night where several people gather at a local cafe to knit. My hope was to find out how I was misunderstanding the pattern. However, the discrepancy stumped even the more experienced knitters there.
On returning home, I looked over the Ravelry pattern page for the project and found a list of corrections to the pattern which the author has posted to her website. These corrections are not integrated into the pattern. The section I was having issues with appeared to have had a correction posted about two years ago which was not integrated into the pattern I purchased a few days ago. So, using these updated directions I was able to complete the decrease row. I wonder how many more of the "Errata" items are needed to successfully complete the pattern?
Ah well, time to press on and continue knitting the body of the cardigan. The trick will be getting a good fit when the recipient is not living in the same city. I think I'll be calling her and asking for a few more measurements!
There was learning. There was frustration! There was PROGRESS.
So, todays Adventure in Knitting leaves me wondering how other people handle it when the pattern doesn't work? Let us know!
The pattern did not quite make sense. Basically, it was vague and asymmetrical. So, I planned to visit a local knit night where several people gather at a local cafe to knit. My hope was to find out how I was misunderstanding the pattern. However, the discrepancy stumped even the more experienced knitters there.
On returning home, I looked over the Ravelry pattern page for the project and found a list of corrections to the pattern which the author has posted to her website. These corrections are not integrated into the pattern. The section I was having issues with appeared to have had a correction posted about two years ago which was not integrated into the pattern I purchased a few days ago. So, using these updated directions I was able to complete the decrease row. I wonder how many more of the "Errata" items are needed to successfully complete the pattern?
Ah well, time to press on and continue knitting the body of the cardigan. The trick will be getting a good fit when the recipient is not living in the same city. I think I'll be calling her and asking for a few more measurements!
There was learning. There was frustration! There was PROGRESS.
So, todays Adventure in Knitting leaves me wondering how other people handle it when the pattern doesn't work? Let us know!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
New Beginnings
I've knit on and off for years. More off than on. My first project was a cable knit scarf that I still use to this day. I've made three pairs of mittens. The mittens are nice and thick and are quite straightforward. (free mitten pattern).
Yesterday evening, after sourcing a pattern at FrenchGirlKnits.com, I'm starting on making a sweater / cardigan for my wife. We're separated at the moment, but I'd still like to give her a nice Christmas present, so I'm working on the Cardigan. For those who'd like to see some pics of the pattern, here it is. It's made with some very thick yarn, so it's coming along quite quickly. I hunted all over got the yarn and the over-sized needles at a local store called "Wool'n'Things". I'm almost done the "Yoke" and should be onto other parts soon! I never would have imagined there were so many increases at such odd points in the Yoke. Lots to learn!
Now then, I'd love to hear about your favourite beginner sweater patterns (mens and ladies patterns please!) as well as any advice you have on knitting a sweater with big wool.
~~Douglas
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