You know…

if you’re going to follow a knitting pattern, it might actually be helpful to READ THE PATTERN.

I’ve started this pattern twice TODAY, and I have mixed up the number of rows for the center square with how many stitches to start out with.

For reference- casting on 50 stitches is not correct.  Neither is 40…

(I thought it looked too big a center for a baby blanket!)

Resolute (and determined)!

After reading this post (True Cost) by the Sweaty Knitter, I’ve really been compelled to slow down on my fast fashion consumption. Now granted I hate shopping for clothes in general, and try to do so only when I need something… but things like t-shirts never really fell into that category. Mostly because you know your size, so you can just order and order and order. I have lots of t-shirts, mostly with quirky sayings on them.

But I think I will need to change the way I view clothing. As a start to that- my knitting goal for 2016 is to knit myself 5 tops. Sweaters, cardigans, tees, tanks, shifts, shells, vests – whatever. Just knit five of them. (This small number also leaves room for other projects to be sandwiched in between. Like socks… toys… hats…) The idea is to slowly remove my reliance on fashion-driven apparel. (Most apparel is fashion-driven, why else do you see a certain type of sweater in the store one year, and you never see it again?)

I think I will slowly phase out my fast-fashion items, and satisfy my need for slogan t-shirts, by getting a button-maker. This way I can design my own buttons. I’m also thinking about doing a little screen printing…

Funny how transitioning to more hand-made items means I pick up MORE crafts. 🙂

At any rate- I thought I’d state my plan, instead of waiting till New Year’s.  Mostly because New Year resolutions are made to be broken, and I fully intend to make this a lifestyle, not just a resolution.

Mighty Stitch!

So I mentioned in an earlier post that I bought some yarn (3 skeins to be exact). That in itself is not unusual, as I am not on any kind of yarn diet.

I bought three skeins of Mighty Stitch by Knit Picks. It is 80% Acrylic and 20% Superwash Wool. I mainly buy acrylic yarn because I live in a warmer climate (with mild winters), and thus I cannot use much stuff with a lot of animal fibers. Animal fibers are just too warm for my area. So I usually limit myself to blends with no more than 30% animal fibers, if I have an idea to make it into something wearable. Plus- I’m lazy, and blocking acrylic is permanent, whereas blocking other fibers mostly only lasts till you wash it again.

But anyway- back to the Mighty Stitch. I bought two Macaw (green), and one Canary (yellow):

The Macaw I can use, but I bought the Canary as an accent color, and it just doesn’t fit. It’s not bright enough. The canary is a mustard yellow, with a slight split pea green tint to it, and I wanted straight, bright yellow. So I thought I could use it as demonstation yarn for my class. Well- this stuff is SOFT. Sooooo soft and lovely that I need to make it into something wearable. It needs to be worn. It’s like a hug in yarn form. Now I have many yarns that qualify as soft. Many more that qualify as baby soft. A few that qualify as comfy/relaxing-at-home soft. But this is the first time I’ve had any yarn that I would say is a hug in yarn form.

And that is probably because I don’t delve deep into animal fibers. Pure Merino lovers would probably scoff at the softness of this yarn. They are probably used to the pure cloud stuffs that they knit with on a regular basis.

At any rate- I’l probably pair the Canary with some grey yarn and make socks. Now… what to make out of the Macaw…

WIP Monday!

What is currently on my needles:

1. Aunt Linda’s Heirloom Blanket

– I am currently 12 panels in.  There will be a total of 19 panels to this blanket.  This is four more than the original pattern calls for.  I added two increasing panels, and as a result- I will need to add two decreasing panels.

Since I am off today, I probably will start the baby blanket (I plan to make a ten stitch blanket with primary colors) and maybe the socks today.

And of course- there’s:

2. Weasley Sweater

-I may frog this one… I’m leaning toward a more fitted sweater, and if that is the case- this one started waaaay too loosely…  I’m still pondering it.

31 Days To Get Your Knitting Organized: Day 31

http://blog.yarn.com/31-days-to-get-organized-wrap-up/

Day 31: Wrap Up!

We’re done! Thanks for taking this trip with me.

Daisy Chain

For Smashlee

Okay. So I was right- your problem is with the Cluster stitch. But it’s not really a problem.

Here’s the pattern:

31 Days To Get Your Knitting Organized: Day 30

http://blog.yarn.com/31-days-to-get-organized-maintaining-your-knitting-and-crochet-organization/

Day 30: Maintaining Your Knitting and Crochet Organization

Today’s post is all about MAINTAINING the organization system that you have developed. As I have never HAD a system before- the worst part of this month was putting everything into Ravelry. I still have a few magazines to add, and I need to find (or take) pictures for the rest of my stash (it’s there- it’s just faceless), but mostly everything is in there.

I also bought a set of circular 19s, so when they arrive- I will add them to my needle inventory. Annnnnd I have

two skeins of Macaw

and one skein of Canary

that should arrive today from Knit Picks. I don’t normally like green yarn, but this one grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. It reminds me of my honeymoon cruise. Bright, tropical, and fun. No idea what it wants to be. Maybe something fun by Stephen West…

Both colors have ALREADY been added to my stash. Not exactly sure how to add the birch wood US size 19s. They use the normal KP interchangeable cords. I already have a 40″ cord, and I ordered both a 24″ and a 32″ cord. Maybe I’ll list it like I listed my Addi Click interchangeables. I put them all with the shortest size listable, because I knew that I would never buy a 9″ circular needle. (I mean if the 12″ circulars hurt my hands- imagine the fun I’d have with actual 9″ circulars!) So I know those are my interchangeables. I think I will list the size 19s under 9″. Thanks for helping me decide!

So all I have to do is keep adding stash and needles as they arrive (or delete them as they leave), and my stash and needle inventory will always be updated. As for projects- I have two that aren’t in my Ravelry database. The silver cowl has been frogged until the needles actually arrive, so I will add that project when I restart it. As for the second Class Hat- I’m not sure I want it to be green. Green is not usually my go-to color, although it is one of Hubby’s favorite colors. So I may restart the hat in a different color (most likely)… and then I will add it to my Projects. I’ll save the green for something that is properly for the Hubby. Or that actually calls for green.

31 Days To Get Your Knitting Organized: Day 29

Only two more days!  I can’t believe I’ve survived!

http://blog.yarn.com/31-days-to-get-organized-storing-your-finished-projects/

Day 29: Storing Your Finished Projects

31 Days To Get Your Knitting Organized: Day 28

http://blog.yarn.com/31-days-to-get-organized-out-and-about-with-your-knitting-and-crochet/

Day 28: Out and About with Your Knitting and Crochet

Today is all about how to carry your projects when you’re out and about.

I don’t use special bags. I tend to gravitate towards those reusable shopping totes that you find at the grocery stores. They hold a fair amount, and some even have a pocket for notions.

My library also sells small totes (different color every year), and I’ll sometimes use those.

I knit at doctor’s offices, hospitals, in the park, at the movie theatre, in the car (if I’m not driving), and pretty much anywhere I know I’ll have to wait for service.