I think the scariest part of learning how to knit socks is the use of dpns. I'm not going to lie, it is a little daunting especially since I am a whiz with the cabled needle.
I know, I know, one can easily do socks on a cabled needle, but there is something sort of..nostalgic about using dpns. Plus I also feel it's sort of part of my knitting initiation to learn how to use them.
My BFF encouraged me to start socks last year and I started a couple of times but then put them back down after becoming discouraged with the needle issue. I also feel that this is a prime reason to pick them back up again as one of the shawl patterns I chose also requires use of dpn to start. I've tried it with the cable needles and yes...big failure. I'm starting to get to the point where dpn is becoming more of a necessity as the patterns I am wanting to work on are more difficult.
So, I have pulled my sox that rock yarn and dpns out of their hidey hole and plan to make a valiant effort to restart. Plus I would like to have enough finished so that when I learn the heel, I will be in Washington DC with my BFF and she can help me properly.
Life is good.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
25 shortcuts for more knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc
I saw this on the ravelry.com website. You must have a login ID for view, but the original article is here: http://www.ravelry.com/twir/84/25-ways-to-cut-back-housework
I can say that these are definitely cute ideas if you have munchkins running around. :)
*Use a every flush toilet bowl cleaner. Sure it makes the water blue, but you don’t have to think about it being dirty all the time.
*Have cereal for dinner once a week. Choc full of vitamins. Let everyone know ahead of time to pick their favorite cereal. Saves you oodles of prep time.
*Use paper plates for a week when you have to finish that special UFO.
*Pay your teenager to grocery shop for you. Make them spot the sales. It is a great learning experience. Saves you the shopping, packing, driving and unpacking time!
*Barter with the teen for a handknit…..he wins for sure!
*Hang those towels up and reuse them a few times. After all, you are clean when you get out of the shower.
*Invest in a dark colored kitchen floor. No one needs to know how dirty it is but you!
*Clean the kitchen on the first of the month and don’t let anyone use it AT ALL for a week. This will keep the kitchen spotless. TV dinners were meant for a reason after all.
*Invite people over if you must and close all your doors except for the room you are forced to entertain in. Make it the kitchen. See * 8.
*Serve hot dogs once in awhile. Ketchup is a vegetable….
*Hire a cleaning service……I didn’t say these were all cheap ways to gain more knit time.
*Put the dog on the treadmill while you knit next to him.
*Put the kids on the treadmill while you knit next to them.
*Put the significant other on the treadmill while you knit next to them.
*NEVER clean unless someone is home to see it and appreciate it.
*Spray the shower down with cleaner a half an hour before you get in.
*Teach your kids to do their own laundry early in life. My kids did all their laundry once I read that Martha Beck taught her child (with Downs Syndrome) to do anything he could once he was capable……
*Consider a container garden…. easier to weed.
*Soap the car up right before a thunderstorm. (yes I have actually done this!!!!!)
*Cut the grass less frequently…it discourages weeds when it is longer.
*Keep a broom handy, it is less daunting that hauling around a heavy vacuum.
*Ask people to take off their shoes in the house…. they can show off their handknit socks.
*Invest in a Furminator. You wont believe it until you use it. I’m a believer.
*Find an orthodontist that your children can walk themselves to…….you’ll swear you live in that place otherwise.
*Tell your son he needs to learn to cook if he wants to be a fireman….(don’t they all at one point?)
I can say that these are definitely cute ideas if you have munchkins running around. :)
*Use a every flush toilet bowl cleaner. Sure it makes the water blue, but you don’t have to think about it being dirty all the time.
*Have cereal for dinner once a week. Choc full of vitamins. Let everyone know ahead of time to pick their favorite cereal. Saves you oodles of prep time.
*Use paper plates for a week when you have to finish that special UFO.
*Pay your teenager to grocery shop for you. Make them spot the sales. It is a great learning experience. Saves you the shopping, packing, driving and unpacking time!
*Barter with the teen for a handknit…..he wins for sure!
*Hang those towels up and reuse them a few times. After all, you are clean when you get out of the shower.
*Invest in a dark colored kitchen floor. No one needs to know how dirty it is but you!
*Clean the kitchen on the first of the month and don’t let anyone use it AT ALL for a week. This will keep the kitchen spotless. TV dinners were meant for a reason after all.
*Invite people over if you must and close all your doors except for the room you are forced to entertain in. Make it the kitchen. See * 8.
*Serve hot dogs once in awhile. Ketchup is a vegetable….
*Hire a cleaning service……I didn’t say these were all cheap ways to gain more knit time.
*Put the dog on the treadmill while you knit next to him.
*Put the kids on the treadmill while you knit next to them.
*Put the significant other on the treadmill while you knit next to them.
*NEVER clean unless someone is home to see it and appreciate it.
*Spray the shower down with cleaner a half an hour before you get in.
*Teach your kids to do their own laundry early in life. My kids did all their laundry once I read that Martha Beck taught her child (with Downs Syndrome) to do anything he could once he was capable……
*Consider a container garden…. easier to weed.
*Soap the car up right before a thunderstorm. (yes I have actually done this!!!!!)
*Cut the grass less frequently…it discourages weeds when it is longer.
*Keep a broom handy, it is less daunting that hauling around a heavy vacuum.
*Ask people to take off their shoes in the house…. they can show off their handknit socks.
*Invest in a Furminator. You wont believe it until you use it. I’m a believer.
*Find an orthodontist that your children can walk themselves to…….you’ll swear you live in that place otherwise.
*Tell your son he needs to learn to cook if he wants to be a fireman….(don’t they all at one point?)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Baby Blanket
This is probably the world's largest baby blanket. I'm fairly certain Paul Bunyon could have used this as a tyke.
Anyway, as much as I dislike the large size....I love the colors and it feels so soft. It's extremely warm so it'll be good for baby on those cold winter nights/days. The colors are a nice pale rosy pink and a lavender color. I love them both.
My next project will probably be one for a little boy but I also have one that is 'gender neutral' that I need to complete. It's cotton so it'll be nice for spring and fall. I am planning to work on it as well as making a matching hat. :)
Today I'm posting the pics of the pink & purple blanket. I'll post the other one later.
Anyway, as much as I dislike the large size....I love the colors and it feels so soft. It's extremely warm so it'll be good for baby on those cold winter nights/days. The colors are a nice pale rosy pink and a lavender color. I love them both.
My next project will probably be one for a little boy but I also have one that is 'gender neutral' that I need to complete. It's cotton so it'll be nice for spring and fall. I am planning to work on it as well as making a matching hat. :)
Today I'm posting the pics of the pink & purple blanket. I'll post the other one later.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Slouchy Hat #3
Yay for cotton!! I have this fun & funky lime green/yellow cotton and no idea what to use it for so...since I have a friend whose 2 fave colors are that..then I made her a slouchy hat too. :) Since it's cotton she wears it quite frequently & loves how comfy it is.
Slouchy Hat #2
I mae this for a friend out of some beautiful wool yarn I had bought 2 years ago at a LYS around Wamego, Ks. She requested one after she saw mine & I knew this was the perfect yarn for her.
Slouchy Hat!
This was my first slouchy hat (knitted for me with yarn bought last year at MD S&W). It's wool and it came in extremely handy with the cold cold winter we had this year.
Motivation to Knit
I'm definitely having a lack of motivation this week. I think stress has a lot to do with it, which I'm pretty much on a 24/7 dose of right now. Normally, knitting is relaxing, but I just can't seem to find something to do that runs between not boring and relaxing.
Maybe it'll come to be in a dream.
Maybe it'll come to be in a dream.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Knit Groups
I've always wanted to join a knit group and the old biddies at the local ys are not cutting it for me. There is one group in KCMO that I'm interested in so I may check it out next week. I just find it sorta hard to believe that with all the knitters around (especially where I live) that there aren't any groups. I'm thinking about starting a group close to where I live as I sorta feel silly driving 15 miles away to go knit with people.
I can knit by myself too, but since I'm still technically in 'novice' status I know there are some patterns which scare me to tackle since some of the lingo looks complicated. I know once I hear someone say it aloud then the light bulb will shine brightly.
The only thing with a knitting group is I will need a backup since I will be restarting school. In case I can't show up then I feel it's only right to have someone else to be there to help people along.
Maybe one of these days I'll get the opportunity...for now I'm tackling on my own and help through the internets.
I can knit by myself too, but since I'm still technically in 'novice' status I know there are some patterns which scare me to tackle since some of the lingo looks complicated. I know once I hear someone say it aloud then the light bulb will shine brightly.
The only thing with a knitting group is I will need a backup since I will be restarting school. In case I can't show up then I feel it's only right to have someone else to be there to help people along.
Maybe one of these days I'll get the opportunity...for now I'm tackling on my own and help through the internets.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
New Slouchy Hat
I've been working on the ever popular slouchy hat since January and I have to say this is one of my favorite designs for hats bc it actually looks good on me and it doesn't mess up my hair. I know some don't care, but I really really do! :)
I'll upload the pictures for these hats as they have been so popular and I have had such fun making them as well as combining different yarns for different effects. Let me know what you think!
-Coles
I'll upload the pictures for these hats as they have been so popular and I have had such fun making them as well as combining different yarns for different effects. Let me know what you think!
-Coles
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