Garterlac Dishcloth Pattern
I needed a break from making scarves, so I decided to try an interesting looking pattern for a dishcloth. After all, dish & washcloths are like instant gratification.
I chose the Garterlac Dishcloth Pattern thinking I will learn a lot of new techniques. It will also help me knit without fear (or tears).
Well, I am happy-less (yes, I made up a new word) to announce that not only am I stuck on the first row, I had to put it aside because it was making my head hurt. This pattern is not for the weak of heart.
Here’s where I’m stuck.
I have to add another square to finish this row. You do this by picking up stitches down the side of the previous row. I can’t figure out where to pick up the stitches. Side A or side B. My head is starting to hurt again just thinking about this.
For all you knowledgeable knitters out there, where do I pick up those stitches?! Something tells me I will be restarting this for the 3rd time.
Filed under Knit1 Purl2 | Comment (0)One Wash cloth down, two to go
I signed up to be apart of a knitted wash cloth swap that starts in about a week. We are given 6 weeks to knit 3 wash cloths which will then be shipped out to our assigned swap buddy. Because I’m excited and don’t want to miss my deadline, as if 6 weeks isn’t enough time, I decided to start a week early. I’ve just finished my first wash cloth. It only took me 1 1/2 days! I know it doesn’t sound all that impressive, but I don’t consider myself a fast knitter. And, this time I was following a pattern. My speed is picking up and I am happy about that.
This one is based on the free Lion Brand Dish Cloth pattern. The pattern is really simple, but of course, I altered it by accident. I repeated rows 3-4 twice which made the rows a bit wider, but it still looks good.
This is my first time using 100% cotton and I like the feel of it. It’s also my first time following a pattern outside of practicing different stitches.
The muscles in my right hand seems to be hurting now so I’m going to take a few days off from knitting/crocheting. I’ve been going at it for quite awhile, so it’s time for another break.
One more project down, 5 to finish.
Filed under Knit1 Purl2 | Comment (0)Cameo Faggot Stitch Scarf
Last week I decided to toss a crochet scarf project I’m working on and use the yarn to make a scarf using the Cameo Faggot Stitch (as in cigar). It would seem that in order to keep the side even when crocheting, you need to count stitches. Well, I didn’t count 1 stitch and now the scarf looks drunk. The sides are weaving in and out and I just can’t bring myself to take it out again. So, I’ll finish it for myself and start over with a knit project.
After searching the patterns on Ravelry, books and websites, I chose the The Cameo Faggot Stitch Scarf. The finished project looked good and the pattern seemed interesting…as in easy.
And a way we go. I found videos at Knit-Help.com that demonstrated how to do 2 of the things the pattern called for. YO (yarn over) and k2tog (knit 2 together). I have my yarn, needles, know how. I’m ready to make it happen.
I have taken this thing out 50 million times. The stitches seemed to be a bit to twisted, so I had to be doing something wrong. Right? As it turns out, I was doing it all correctly, I just needed to do enough rows to see the progress. After that little gem of info was discovered, I was off and getting the hang of the stitch. Until I looked a few rows back and saw that I missed a YO. So, being the rational person that I am, I assumed I could carefully go back a few rows and make the correction. Everything went well until I couldn’t get the stitches back on the needle correctly. So, I had to start over…again.
The gift scarf saga continues. I’ll post photos after I finally get it going.
Filed under Knit1 Purl2 | Comment (0)What A Tangled Web We Weave…
Or in my case, knit! This week I went on a yarn shopping trip with two fellow crochet and knitters, Monique and Ciara. After looking up local yarn shops on Ravelry, we realized there was one right in our backyard. The Tanlged Web at 7900 Germantown Ave. It’s nice little shop filled to the brim with yarn of every kind. The sales people were as friendly and helpful (even when I asked a dumb question about the yarn winder thingey).
There will be moving to a new and larger location soon which promises to have a place to chat and create inside or outside. Sounds like we’ve found a new place to hang out this summer.
After leaving there we made our way to a thrift shop I used to frequent in Norristown. I went to find off to find yarn and needles and the ladies headed for the shoes and purses. By the time they made their way to the craft section, I’d found a $3 bundle of 9 sets of needles and a few bags of yarn that looked interesting. Can you believe that? Nine sets of needles for 3 bucks. I was a happy camper.
Then it was time to hit Michaels on the way to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. I found some yarn to break up a red blanket I’m working on (crocheting) and some chenille that was on sale. Of course, when I got to the register, it wasn’t on sale. The yarn was in the wrong bin. Fine. I put it back and we headed off the Factory.
Three lunch specials and a Coach bag later, we were on our way home with our goodies. Now we actually have to make something. Oh, and I did share my 9 pack with fellow knitter Ciara. She got 3 sets of needles out of the deal.
Filed under Knit1 Purl2, Uncategorized | Comment (0)Knitting A Sampler Afghan
I’m finally going to start the Sampler Afghan from Vickie Howell’s book Knitty Gritty Knits (DIY): 25 Fun & Fabulous Projects (DIY Network)
You use 1 main color and 3 different contrasting colors to make blocks with a height of 8″ & 24 stitches wide. The stitches used for this project are:
- garter (basic knit stitch)
- loopy square (I will most likely change this since I don’t like the way it looks)
- lace square
- hurdle stitch square
- checkerboard square
- popcorn square
Except for the garter stitch, these are stitches I will be trying for the first time.
I’ve chosen to use Red Heart’s Super Saver Yarn-Pink Camo
I’ve gotten 1 of 11 squares of the Pink Camo (MC) done using the garter stitch. I really link this color combo so I will probably use it in another project some where down the line.
So, back to knitting.
Filed under Knit1 Purl2 | Comment (0)Finally In At Ravelry.com
I am so excited! A few weeks ago I signed up to the invite list (yes, there’s a waiting list) of Ravelry.com. It’s an online community for knitting and crocheting complete with forum, free patterns and tons of tips (wow, that didn’t sound dorky at all).
This is an awesome little community where people who are crazy about knitting and crocheting meet to chat, troubleshoot, share patterns, yarn, and share tons of other useful information. It was started as a way to find everything that you need in one place instead of spending hours searching the web looking for yarn, patterns, etc. It’s not live yet, but there are so many people here you would never know that.
It’s also like an online notebook to track your tools, yarn stash, library and projects. There’s even a status bar for current projects. There are some really nice looking pieces on this site.
I’m still getting my "room" set up but it does put me in the mood to create.
Filed under Knit1 Purl2 | Comment (0)Knit O’Rama
About two years ago I decided that I wanted to learn to knit. So I went to A.C. Moore and purchased My Knitting Teacher: 25+ Projects (Includes Special Left Hand Instructions) and started knitting. Well, attempted to knit. It was very awkward and, after a few attempts, I decided knitting wasn’t me.
Second Time’s the Charm
Around this time, mom was bit by the crochet bug and was working on blankets, blankets and more blankets. I thought, since I taught myself this in high school, I should be able to get right back in the swing of things. I was right and started crocheting here and there.
Then the guilt set in. Did I really give knitting a chance? Not really. So, I gave it another whirl and took the project into to work. It was then I learned most of the women I work with were knitters or crocheted. AWESOME! Now, I had someone to ask my stupid questions.
And Away We Go
So, I happily gave knitting another go and finished a scarf using the only stitch I know. Knit. Three scarves later, I think I’m ready to learn another stitch.
