A Little Imagination and a Pile of Junk

soaking in the sun

The weather has been just beautiful here and very Spring-like, especially compared to the almost 100 degree weather we had been having, so we've been spending as much time as possible outside and away from the computer. I haven't missed it a bit. All I seem to want to do is to sit outside and knit between little spurts of puttering around in the garden. The whole family has enjoyed it.

Unfortunately, we have not yet found a new home for Beyond, the rooster. And although I still have some sentimental feelings for him, I am more than ready to let him go. He has become so brutal with the hens that we have had to separate one of them. Chi-chi (above) was hurt so badly by his talons that we didn't think she was going to make it. Thankfully, after many tears and prayers from the kids, (God is so gracious in answering children's prayers!) she's pulled through. Now we let her enjoy a little free grazing while the bully paces back and forth protesting vehemently. The poor dog wants so desperately to sniff her butt but intuitively knows better than to get too close or he might just lose a nose.

What I've been working on: the scarf that had such a difficult beginning, but is now coming along rather nicely. Imperfectly, but nicely. I am recognizing my stitches from one another and knitting the knits and purling the purls. Mostly.

An earlier practice project: another washcloth. I found some nice knit dishcloth patterns here but I was almost finished with this one when I somehow ended up knitting on the wrong side of the fabric...?? Two rows of purl bumps where nice stockinette v's ought to be just sent me over the edge. Suddenly the gaping holes, extra 14--yes, 14!!!--stitches I added along the way and uneven texture screams to be frogged. I took a picture for posterity but next time you see this yarn, it will be woven into something altogether different. I do think I'll keep up the washcloths, though. Once you've used a hand-knit cloth on your skin, the once-so-soft-terry feels like sandpaper. Seriously.

I'll tell you about my final project a little later, but here's a peek. I'm using this yarn that I was able to find locally. It may not be designer, but I think it is scrumptious. Light & airy, soft and very organic feeling. The colors are nice, too. I think it would be perfect for a baby blanket. Actually, I wish all my clothes were made out of this stuff. But, back to the project at hand: it's my first attempt at stripes, making my own pattern and using circular needles all in one. Maybe a bit too ambitious, but fun.

Well. It's time for me to get back outside. I already have a headache from staring at the screen and we only have 2 more days until it is back to summer-like heat in the 90s. Have fun!

not just knitting

It's done! Last week I cut out the fabric for a knitting needle case but didn't get around to sewing it until this week. I think it's one of my favorite things I've ever made. I want to sleep with it.

I'm madly in love with this fabric. It is one of those fun looks-like-it-is-already-quilted designs, but I had to go and actually quilt the thing. This is a metaphor for my life. If something is made to be easy, I have to go and make it more complicated and time consuming. I do like the look of the extra decorative stitches. And nothing feels better to me lately than quilted fabric. I prefer a little bit of flannel to actual quilt batting. I'll probably even go this way with my blanket quilts to keep them nice and light for our overly warm climate.

I realized while taking pictures that I only have two sets of knitting needles and both are in use, so I stuck in a few paint brushes to get an idea how it will look. I love that it makes my cheap and poorly mistreated paintbrushes look almost pretty. I waited a good long time (for me) before making this. I determined not to spend a fortune on this new hobby of mine until I knew I would keep it up. I've used some major self-control so far and have only bought what I needed for specific projects plus a couple of skeins of yarn to get a feeling for working with different materials--cotton, wool, and blends of both. The cotton is by far my favorite. Of course, that may have something to do with the 90 degree heat we've been having. There's something not right about knitting with wool and sweating at the same time.

lacy crochet

I took my knitting on the road this weekend and came back with a big fat nothing. I was hoping to work on the beginner's ribbed scarf from SNB and thought I pretty much had purling down, but I spent 5 plus hours knitting and frogging the thing until I wanted to scream at my sweet husband. It turns out that the math involved in "knit 2, purl 2" was beyond me (this is why I was an English major) and, on top of that, I kept adding stitches and ending in knits instead of purls.... How in the world do you add extra stitches???

Since I don't actually have any progress to show, here's a peek at the book that's keeping me inspired past frustration. It's my first Japanese craft book and I love it. Especially since it cost me $15 instead of the usual $30 and no shipping. Oh, and it's in my native language--also a plus.

 

I realize this is crochet, but that's next on my list after I get a bit more knitting under my belt. Whoever finally decided to publish a Japanese craft book in English is a genius, I tell you.

pillows and a torture tool

A couple of new pillow covers I've just added to my Etsy shop.

I've got to come up with a better place for taking pictures. Have you seen Malka's amazing designs? Her fabrics and quilting are drop dead gorgeous but her photos make me want to redesign my entire house around one pillow.

The top pillow cover now reminds me of this bag, but I had almost forgotten about it. Actually, I woke up in the middle of the night with the idea to chop up this wonderful vintage Swedish dish towel/table cloth I had just found. This same person who hoards stacks of fabric and paper too pretty to cut into chopped up the thing without a second thought. And I'm glad I did. I really love how it turned out, but it doesn't go with a thing in my house. Plus, we might be getting close to the exceeding the appropriate number of pillows you can have without making your home look like a fluffy showroom. Not quite there, but almost.

Speaking of not quite there, but almost: behold my second completed knitting project. I call this one washcloth. Don't you love her? Beautiful (okay, I admit, that might be pushing it) and functional.

She made her appearance last week and has been caressed by every member of the family. No one seems to mind her less than perfect appearance or the fact that this is a freaking washcloth, people, that took me a week to make! I don't know how I'll ever be able to knit an actual sweater or blanket for another person. Unless I tie them down and make them watch the entire process (I'm picturing something like A Clockwork Orange here) so they know exactly how much hard work went into it. Even that, maybe I'd have to poke them in the eye with the knitting needle every few stitches so they can really feel how hard I worked. Sounds fair to me.

ta-daaa!

There she is! My first knitting project. Not exactly a FO (finished object), more like practice. But I like to call her: bookmark. Oh, yes. I am one proud momma and hardly even notice her imperfections--as a new momma should. When I gaze upon her, my eyes don't naturally go to the gaping hole in her middle, the sloppy stitches or the weird impromptu tied corner (It took me a bit to get the hang of binding off). Nope, I hardly even remember they're there.

I'm actually near finishing my second knitting project so I guess the old Stitch 'N Bitch is doing the job pretty well. My honey, who I mentioned was sweet enough to buy me the books, was initially turned off by the name, but then I showed him this project.

I might have mentioned something about wearing this when I knit. But, now, he's anxiously awaiting the development of my skills. The sweetheart! It is so good to have a man who encourages your interests.