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First, the good news. I finally got a job interview! It's on Thursday morning, so tomorrow I'll be spending the day making sure I've got my interview clothes ready.
I watched the pilot episode of Dead Like Me this evening. It's very impressive and I'm looking forward to watching some more episodes. One of those shows that really makes you think.
In other news, I've about had it with the cat sweater. I keep casting on and ripping out, over and over and over and over and over and over... I have a headache.
I'm pretty sure my gauge is okay now, but I cannot seem to cast on the right number of stitches, no matter how many times I count and double-check. 136 stitches is divisible by 4, so I should be connecting on the round from two purls to two knits. No matter what I do, I'm connecting two knits to two knits. #!#&$@#$^!@*
Maybe tomorrow I'll give it another go and finally cast it on right. Tomorrow...
Untwisting, Unraveling, Unplying... Yarn Troubles
I ran into a new problem tonight. Yes, I know I'm a new knitter and everything is a new problem. I had a hell of a time finding a fix for this using my GoogleFu though, so maybe it isn't as common as I thought it would be.
After redoing all my math and measurements earlier today, I decided to cast on. The long tail cast on is the only one I know. It's also the one I'm using for the cat sweater. Well, the yarn and I had a disagreement. It started unwinding on me as I cast it on. It got to the point where I had over 160 stitches on and I had to rip it all out and start over because my yarn was so twisted.
I'm right-handed and learned to do the long tail cast on with the needle in my right hand and the yarn in my left. As I was casting on, I was untwisting the yarn coming off the ball.
I tried rewinding my yarn into a hand-wound ball (I had the yarn store ball it for me when I bought it). This did not help. Winding into another ball with the other end of the yarn loose didn't help either. I spent a long time trying to find a solution on Google and finally came across this explanation from True Blue Fiber Friends. (Thank you, True Blue Fiber Friends, for having the answer!)
The solution was to do the long tail cast on with the needle in my left hand and the yarn in my right. I'm still twisting the yarn, but not as badly and I'm twisting it in the right direction. So, if you happen to unwind your yarn while casting on, try switching hands!
Now, since I had so much trouble finding a solution with my GoogleFu, I'm going to list all the keywords I used so that hopefully, other confused knitters have an easier time finding an answer: How to fix untwisting yarn, how to fix unraveling yarn, fixing untwisting yarn, fixing unraveling yarn, casting on untwisting yarn, and casting on unraveling yarn.
After redoing all my math and measurements earlier today, I decided to cast on. The long tail cast on is the only one I know. It's also the one I'm using for the cat sweater. Well, the yarn and I had a disagreement. It started unwinding on me as I cast it on. It got to the point where I had over 160 stitches on and I had to rip it all out and start over because my yarn was so twisted.
I'm right-handed and learned to do the long tail cast on with the needle in my right hand and the yarn in my left. As I was casting on, I was untwisting the yarn coming off the ball.
I tried rewinding my yarn into a hand-wound ball (I had the yarn store ball it for me when I bought it). This did not help. Winding into another ball with the other end of the yarn loose didn't help either. I spent a long time trying to find a solution on Google and finally came across this explanation from True Blue Fiber Friends. (Thank you, True Blue Fiber Friends, for having the answer!)
The solution was to do the long tail cast on with the needle in my left hand and the yarn in my right. I'm still twisting the yarn, but not as badly and I'm twisting it in the right direction. So, if you happen to unwind your yarn while casting on, try switching hands!
Now, since I had so much trouble finding a solution with my GoogleFu, I'm going to list all the keywords I used so that hopefully, other confused knitters have an easier time finding an answer: How to fix untwisting yarn, how to fix unraveling yarn, fixing untwisting yarn, fixing unraveling yarn, casting on untwisting yarn, and casting on unraveling yarn.
The Cat Sweater: Post One
Original title. I'm skilled like that.
Technically, I started this cat sweater project about a week ago. Then I decided that I didn't have the knit on the round skills to actually begin it. Then came the coffee cozies and now I think I finally have the right idea and can attempt the sweater.
Here is the sweater pattern in its original habitat and here's the Ravelry link. Here's the link to my project on Ravelry as well, just for completion's sake.
This sweater is designed for my mom's cat, Lilo. She's an alley cat - American short hair with black and white fur. She's also a neurotic licker. My mom has been looking for an infant shirt for Lilo (veterinarian recommended), but hasn't found anything she likes. Hence the cat sweater.
I'm using Cascade 220 undyed yarn and size 7 needles. The trick was finding a yarn and needle combination that yielded stitches that were loose enough to not be stiffling but tight enough that the cat wouldn't get her claws stuck. Since I'm still working on my tension (my stitches tend to be so tight that my projects could double as water pails), I think this combination will meet those two criteria. Plus, I'm working on getting my knitting to loosen up a little.
The pattern itself calls for a lot of math. MATH. The word makes me shudder and crawl under the nearest table. I failed math in the second grade and never improved from there. I've spent my entire life pulling in straight Ds in every single math class I've ever taken. It's no wonder the word induces a nervous tic.
It might surprise you to learn that the math for this sweater is actually straight-forward and easy. Christine Landry laid everything out so even the most math-challenged could manage it, like yours truly.
This is the most challenging project I've taken on to date. I'm excited to learn something new and glad that it's something that doesn't have to look good. Cat sweaters are low pressure!
My math, for posterity (or, yarn forbid, I lose the pattern):
A = 195
B = 98
C = 40
D = 28
E = 14
F = 120
G = 75
H = 1
I = 84
Technically, I started this cat sweater project about a week ago. Then I decided that I didn't have the knit on the round skills to actually begin it. Then came the coffee cozies and now I think I finally have the right idea and can attempt the sweater.
Here is the sweater pattern in its original habitat and here's the Ravelry link. Here's the link to my project on Ravelry as well, just for completion's sake.
This sweater is designed for my mom's cat, Lilo. She's an alley cat - American short hair with black and white fur. She's also a neurotic licker. My mom has been looking for an infant shirt for Lilo (veterinarian recommended), but hasn't found anything she likes. Hence the cat sweater.
I'm using Cascade 220 undyed yarn and size 7 needles. The trick was finding a yarn and needle combination that yielded stitches that were loose enough to not be stiffling but tight enough that the cat wouldn't get her claws stuck. Since I'm still working on my tension (my stitches tend to be so tight that my projects could double as water pails), I think this combination will meet those two criteria. Plus, I'm working on getting my knitting to loosen up a little.
The pattern itself calls for a lot of math. MATH. The word makes me shudder and crawl under the nearest table. I failed math in the second grade and never improved from there. I've spent my entire life pulling in straight Ds in every single math class I've ever taken. It's no wonder the word induces a nervous tic.
It might surprise you to learn that the math for this sweater is actually straight-forward and easy. Christine Landry laid everything out so even the most math-challenged could manage it, like yours truly.
This is the most challenging project I've taken on to date. I'm excited to learn something new and glad that it's something that doesn't have to look good. Cat sweaters are low pressure!
My math, for posterity (or, yarn forbid, I lose the pattern):
A = 195
B = 98
C = 40
D = 28
E = 14
F = 120
G = 75
H = 1
I = 84
Striking a Balance
I am really beginning to understand knitting. The Stitch 'N Bitch Handbook has helped me through nearly every problem so far, save one. I feel like I should be knitting things much more complicated than I'm actually capable of handling at this point.
For example, I spent most of my evening trying to learn the dragon scale pattern (like this one). I'll get it eventually I'm sure, but it is beyond my skill level. I should be working on those coffee cozies and maybe getting a start on that cat sweater. But no, I try to learn a complicated new pattern so I can use it on my coffee cozies.
Oh well, it's a good way to learn...
In other news, a blog redesign is in the works. I switched my blog address to mangotangoknits because I changed my Ravelry username to mangotango. I have a good idea for a banner, but I need to purchase a mango first. Once I have the banner made, then I'll redesign the site around a mango-y theme!
For example, I spent most of my evening trying to learn the dragon scale pattern (like this one). I'll get it eventually I'm sure, but it is beyond my skill level. I should be working on those coffee cozies and maybe getting a start on that cat sweater. But no, I try to learn a complicated new pattern so I can use it on my coffee cozies.
Oh well, it's a good way to learn...
In other news, a blog redesign is in the works. I switched my blog address to mangotangoknits because I changed my Ravelry username to mangotango. I have a good idea for a banner, but I need to purchase a mango first. Once I have the banner made, then I'll redesign the site around a mango-y theme!
Coffee and Jelly Beans
The misfit jelly bean- colored yarn finally found a use - a coffee cozy!
We didn't have any tall cups available, so I snapped a photo of the coffee cozy on a medium cup. The gather at the bottom is because the cozy is too long for the cup.
Here's the Ravelry link if you're interested in the pattern.
Learning to knit on the round has been a battle lasting several days. This pattern was the breakthrough, so I'm kinda proud!
We didn't have any tall cups available, so I snapped a photo of the coffee cozy on a medium cup. The gather at the bottom is because the cozy is too long for the cup.Here's the Ravelry link if you're interested in the pattern.
Learning to knit on the round has been a battle lasting several days. This pattern was the breakthrough, so I'm kinda proud!
60 Monday
Today is my mother's 60th birthday. Shh, though! She doesn't want anyone to know.
My family made the trip to Winona, MN to visit my grandmother today. A two hour drive one way means lots of knitting time! I started and finished what was supposed to be a Mobius Cowl, except I forgot add the twist when I stitched it together. Therefore, I'm calling it my UnMobius Cowl.
This was my first attempt at trying increases and decreases. It went fairly well, considering. I had one major screw up on my third pattern row which I was able to tink successfully and re-knit. The UnMobius Cowl has some issues, but they aren't obvious. Hopefully someone will want to wear it!
I used the raspberry Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick I wrote about early. Here's the Ravelry link to the project (and the pattern) if you're curious.
The two scarves I've been working on are finished as well. The first one looks very cool, but isn't that great. The second one made from the Claret Lion Brand yarn I mentioned in the previous post is really nice. It looks pretty good with my Patagonia vest too!
I got lots of compliments on it, so I'm rather proud. It's huge but very snuggly and warm!
Knitting club met last Saturday and it was so much fun. It's great to sit around, drinking coffee/tea, and chat with other women for a few hours. It's also fun to attract attention from passersby and have random conversations with cool, interesting people.
While we were knitting, an eldery Irish gentleman dropped by the coffee shop. Upon seeing us knitting, he told us this lovely story in his great Irish brogue. Imagine the accent while reading his paraphrased story (I wish I had a recording!):
"When I was a kid in Ireland, my mum used to knit sweaters for us all the time. One winter, she stepped outside to use the loo and I went over to her knitting and pulled some of it out. When mum came back, she had no idea who did it, but she was MAD. She figured it out though and got her revenge. She made me wear the thing when she finished! Had uneven sleeves and looked terrible!"
Hanging out in random coffee shops is a great way to meet interesting people, and is one of the best things about my knitting group!
My family made the trip to Winona, MN to visit my grandmother today. A two hour drive one way means lots of knitting time! I started and finished what was supposed to be a Mobius Cowl, except I forgot add the twist when I stitched it together. Therefore, I'm calling it my UnMobius Cowl.
This was my first attempt at trying increases and decreases. It went fairly well, considering. I had one major screw up on my third pattern row which I was able to tink successfully and re-knit. The UnMobius Cowl has some issues, but they aren't obvious. Hopefully someone will want to wear it!
I used the raspberry Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick I wrote about early. Here's the Ravelry link to the project (and the pattern) if you're curious.
The two scarves I've been working on are finished as well. The first one looks very cool, but isn't that great. The second one made from the Claret Lion Brand yarn I mentioned in the previous post is really nice. It looks pretty good with my Patagonia vest too!I got lots of compliments on it, so I'm rather proud. It's huge but very snuggly and warm!
Knitting club met last Saturday and it was so much fun. It's great to sit around, drinking coffee/tea, and chat with other women for a few hours. It's also fun to attract attention from passersby and have random conversations with cool, interesting people.
While we were knitting, an eldery Irish gentleman dropped by the coffee shop. Upon seeing us knitting, he told us this lovely story in his great Irish brogue. Imagine the accent while reading his paraphrased story (I wish I had a recording!):
"When I was a kid in Ireland, my mum used to knit sweaters for us all the time. One winter, she stepped outside to use the loo and I went over to her knitting and pulled some of it out. When mum came back, she had no idea who did it, but she was MAD. She figured it out though and got her revenge. She made me wear the thing when she finished! Had uneven sleeves and looked terrible!"
Hanging out in random coffee shops is a great way to meet interesting people, and is one of the best things about my knitting group!
Claret for Cool People
Knitting club doesn't meet until tomorrow, so I've been trying to find a new project to occupy my time. I have a whole list of things I want to make, but since I'm so new to this knitting thing I'm really hesitant to just dive in without someone showing me the ropes.
As a result, I've started on another scarf! I wrote about the raspberry Lion Brand yarn I got earlier... Well, I adore that yarn. It's so soft and squishy! My mom and I went to Joann Fabrics the other day and I decided to pick up two skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (what a name) in Claret. The shade looks amazing with my Patagonia down vest, so this scarf is all for me when it's done.
I'm using a standard seed stitch, which really looks good with this yarn. The picture I took just doesn't do it justice, so you'll have to take my word for it. I'm also using enormous needles - US size 17, so it's quite loose.
Since I only have one skein of the raspberry Thick & Quick, I'm thinking of trying this pattern, the Calorimetry. Other projects I'd like to start on soon:
As a result, I've started on another scarf! I wrote about the raspberry Lion Brand yarn I got earlier... Well, I adore that yarn. It's so soft and squishy! My mom and I went to Joann Fabrics the other day and I decided to pick up two skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (what a name) in Claret. The shade looks amazing with my Patagonia down vest, so this scarf is all for me when it's done.
I'm using a standard seed stitch, which really looks good with this yarn. The picture I took just doesn't do it justice, so you'll have to take my word for it. I'm also using enormous needles - US size 17, so it's quite loose.
Since I only have one skein of the raspberry Thick & Quick, I'm thinking of trying this pattern, the Calorimetry. Other projects I'd like to start on soon:
- Cat Sweater for my mom's cat, Lilo
- Cat Toys
- Baby hat for my friend Amy
- Hat for my dad
- Wrist warmers for me
Stained Glass Apple
It turns out my sister kept the little project I made for her, so I was able to take a picture of it. Without further ado, I present: Stained Glass Apple. I'm overflowing with creative juices, I know.
My sister is a teacher, so I thought I'd do something school-themed. Hence the apple, pencils, division symbols, and books. I like the way it turned out and it looks pretty good with light shining through it, too. Takes a lot of time to make though!
On to the knitting news...
My friend helped me fix the scarf-thing. It turns out I had dropped a stitch two rows down from where I stopped and had tried to compensate by knitting the same stitch twice or something. Not entirely sure what I did, but it was easy to fix so all was well. We spent about four hours hanging out at the Teasource chatting and knitting.
Those of you in the Twin Cities metro area, if you have not been to Teasource or do not get their catalog, DO IT NOW. They're fantastic. Their chai mix is pure heaven and their tea selection is first rate. Excellent customer service, too.
Anyway, after getting the mistake fixed, I was able to "finish" it on Saturday. By finish, I mean run out of yarn. It's barely long enough for an acceptable Minnesotan scarf, so I need to decide if I want to buy another skein of yarn and make it longer or turn it into a cowl. I will likely seek opinions at knitting club this weekend.
After putting down the scarf-thing, I decided to use that raspberry Lion's Brand yarn I got to make a scarf. I did a little swatch and decided that I knit too damn tight, so the recommended needle size of 13 was just not going to work. Looked like I was knitting a dishcloth, not a nice, drapey scarf. As a result, I am completely out of knitting commission until I go to knitting club this weekend and can get new needles for the Lion's Brand yarn and decide what to do with the scarf thing.
On a brighter note, I got a bunch of knitting books in the mail today. May as well read about knitting if I can't actually knit!
My sister is a teacher, so I thought I'd do something school-themed. Hence the apple, pencils, division symbols, and books. I like the way it turned out and it looks pretty good with light shining through it, too. Takes a lot of time to make though!On to the knitting news...
My friend helped me fix the scarf-thing. It turns out I had dropped a stitch two rows down from where I stopped and had tried to compensate by knitting the same stitch twice or something. Not entirely sure what I did, but it was easy to fix so all was well. We spent about four hours hanging out at the Teasource chatting and knitting.
Those of you in the Twin Cities metro area, if you have not been to Teasource or do not get their catalog, DO IT NOW. They're fantastic. Their chai mix is pure heaven and their tea selection is first rate. Excellent customer service, too.
Anyway, after getting the mistake fixed, I was able to "finish" it on Saturday. By finish, I mean run out of yarn. It's barely long enough for an acceptable Minnesotan scarf, so I need to decide if I want to buy another skein of yarn and make it longer or turn it into a cowl. I will likely seek opinions at knitting club this weekend.
After putting down the scarf-thing, I decided to use that raspberry Lion's Brand yarn I got to make a scarf. I did a little swatch and decided that I knit too damn tight, so the recommended needle size of 13 was just not going to work. Looked like I was knitting a dishcloth, not a nice, drapey scarf. As a result, I am completely out of knitting commission until I go to knitting club this weekend and can get new needles for the Lion's Brand yarn and decide what to do with the scarf thing.
On a brighter note, I got a bunch of knitting books in the mail today. May as well read about knitting if I can't actually knit!
Homework
The other day, I had the following conversation with my sister:
Sister: "Hey, are you doing anything tonight?"
Me (suspicious): "No... Why?"
Sister: "Can you do my homework for me?"
Me: "...."
Sister: "Please? It's just a craft project and I don't want to be up all night doing it."
Me: "...."
Sister: *puppy dog eyes* "I'll buy you something at Michaels!"
Me: "What do you have to do?"
Sister: "I have to make stained glass."
Me: "...."
Sister: "See, you take this construction paper..."
Well, I ended up spending about four hours making a stained glass window out of construction paper and tissue paper. It turned out pretty well actually. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of it to show off here. I know, poor planning.
My sister did follow up on her promise though! We went to Michaels this afternoon and she got me some yarn and new knitting needles. I was a little disappointed in the overall selection at my local Michaels, but I did find some really lovely Lion's Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in raspberry. I think it will make a fantastic scarf.
Since my other scarf is awaiting the attention of my knitting instructor, I have nothing to do. This new yarn gives me the chance to continue knitting while my other project is stalled out.
I, uh, broke my other scarf. I have at least 3 mistakes in one row and I'm not sure how to fix them. I can see what I did wrong on one of the mistakes, but I'm at a loss on the other two. Luckily my knitting instructor and friend was kind enough to meet me for tea this weekend, so hopefully she can get me straightened out.
I also got some knitting books at Barnes and Nobles and have some on order from Amazon.com. And some needles from knitpicks.com! I'm excited to get all that stuff, hopefully next week.
Anyway, I'm off to go meet my parents for dinner and then spend the rest of the evening knitting with this lovely yarn.
Sister: "Hey, are you doing anything tonight?"
Me (suspicious): "No... Why?"
Sister: "Can you do my homework for me?"
Me: "...."
Sister: "Please? It's just a craft project and I don't want to be up all night doing it."
Me: "...."
Sister: *puppy dog eyes* "I'll buy you something at Michaels!"
Me: "What do you have to do?"
Sister: "I have to make stained glass."
Me: "...."
Sister: "See, you take this construction paper..."
Well, I ended up spending about four hours making a stained glass window out of construction paper and tissue paper. It turned out pretty well actually. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of it to show off here. I know, poor planning.
My sister did follow up on her promise though! We went to Michaels this afternoon and she got me some yarn and new knitting needles. I was a little disappointed in the overall selection at my local Michaels, but I did find some really lovely Lion's Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in raspberry. I think it will make a fantastic scarf.
Since my other scarf is awaiting the attention of my knitting instructor, I have nothing to do. This new yarn gives me the chance to continue knitting while my other project is stalled out.
I, uh, broke my other scarf. I have at least 3 mistakes in one row and I'm not sure how to fix them. I can see what I did wrong on one of the mistakes, but I'm at a loss on the other two. Luckily my knitting instructor and friend was kind enough to meet me for tea this weekend, so hopefully she can get me straightened out.
I also got some knitting books at Barnes and Nobles and have some on order from Amazon.com. And some needles from knitpicks.com! I'm excited to get all that stuff, hopefully next week.
Anyway, I'm off to go meet my parents for dinner and then spend the rest of the evening knitting with this lovely yarn.
Finding Community
I think knitters might be my kind of people. Certainly the ones with internet presence are my kind of people.
I've been spending a lot of time on Ravelry lately. Looking for patterns and finding new groups to join is one of my favorite ways to pass the time lately. In the process, I've found a number of great little knitting blogs. The more I read them, the more I find myself nodding my head in agreement and laughing at what is said.
My kind of people.
I wonder, if in the process of trying to find a new hobby or trying out a new craft, the community around the activity is at least as important in the decision to stick with it as the activity itself. Runners, beer drinkers, knitters, scientists... We all carry multiple labels, but maybe certain activities attract people will similar personalities and that's what makes us stick with it.
Just a random thought by yours truly.
I've been spending a lot of time on Ravelry lately. Looking for patterns and finding new groups to join is one of my favorite ways to pass the time lately. In the process, I've found a number of great little knitting blogs. The more I read them, the more I find myself nodding my head in agreement and laughing at what is said.
My kind of people.
I wonder, if in the process of trying to find a new hobby or trying out a new craft, the community around the activity is at least as important in the decision to stick with it as the activity itself. Runners, beer drinkers, knitters, scientists... We all carry multiple labels, but maybe certain activities attract people will similar personalities and that's what makes us stick with it.
Just a random thought by yours truly.
Sticks
I give. I tried to learn to knit with my lovely Rosewood knitting needles but I can't do it. I had to switch to my friend's circular bamboo needles. You wouldn't think that someone so new to knitting can have such well-defined preferences already, but yes, yes I can.
The issue is the taper on the point of the knitting needle. Turns out, I must have a short taper. My lovely Rosewood needles have a long taper of about an inch. I simply cannot knit with a taper that long. Well, I can knit, but my stitches come out with vast variations in tension. When I finish my first scarf, I'll take pictures and you can see what I'm talking about.
I tend to knit very close to the tip of the needle, so with the long taper I ended up knitting on the taper instead of the straight part of the needle. This made my stitches too tight to slide up onto the body of the needle. When I tried to compensate for that by knitting further back, I had trouble controlling the tension of my yarn which resulted in very uneven stitches.
The bamboo needles have a much shorter taper, about half an inch. This fits my knitting style perfectly. Since I switched to the bamboo needles, my stitches are much more even and my stamina has improved. While knitting with the rosewood needles, my thumb would get very sore after a few hours. With the bamboo needles, my thumb doesn't get sore at all.
So, lesson learned. All my needles from now on will have a short taper.
The issue is the taper on the point of the knitting needle. Turns out, I must have a short taper. My lovely Rosewood needles have a long taper of about an inch. I simply cannot knit with a taper that long. Well, I can knit, but my stitches come out with vast variations in tension. When I finish my first scarf, I'll take pictures and you can see what I'm talking about.
I tend to knit very close to the tip of the needle, so with the long taper I ended up knitting on the taper instead of the straight part of the needle. This made my stitches too tight to slide up onto the body of the needle. When I tried to compensate for that by knitting further back, I had trouble controlling the tension of my yarn which resulted in very uneven stitches.
The bamboo needles have a much shorter taper, about half an inch. This fits my knitting style perfectly. Since I switched to the bamboo needles, my stitches are much more even and my stamina has improved. While knitting with the rosewood needles, my thumb would get very sore after a few hours. With the bamboo needles, my thumb doesn't get sore at all.
So, lesson learned. All my needles from now on will have a short taper.
My First Project
I went to knitting club this weekend and got the okay to move on to an actual project! I'm making a scarf. Basic and simple, but hey, I'm not exactly experienced yet.
I learned how to purl the other day, so this scarf is 30 stitches wide (4.5 sts on 10.5 needles) and as long as I can get with one skein of yarn. The first time I went to knitting club, I got two skeins of lovely wool yarn from a company called Andes. The one I'm using right now is variegated blue and absolutely gorgeous. The other skein is variegated pink and purple (a friend said it reminds her of jelly beans). I'll probably make another scarf out of the pink and purple yarn when I'm finished with this one. Oh, and it's a knit 2, purl 2 pattern, so pretty simple. I think I might try a knit, purl pattern for the next one, we'll see. Definitely something more exciting though.
It's nice to be learning a new skill, though my thumb hurts after I've been knitting for a while. Can't seem to go more than 3 or 4 hours at a time before I have to take a break, which works in terms of movie length, I suppose. I'm sure I'll build up a little callous eventually.
I've made a bunch of mistakes, but I've been able to catch them early and un-knit to fix them. All except one mistake, which I decided to leave in. With the variegated yarn, it's not too obvious. Besides, it's my first project and it has to have at least one mistake.
Here's some pictures of the work in progress. Kate the cat seems to particularly like it.
I learned how to purl the other day, so this scarf is 30 stitches wide (4.5 sts on 10.5 needles) and as long as I can get with one skein of yarn. The first time I went to knitting club, I got two skeins of lovely wool yarn from a company called Andes. The one I'm using right now is variegated blue and absolutely gorgeous. The other skein is variegated pink and purple (a friend said it reminds her of jelly beans). I'll probably make another scarf out of the pink and purple yarn when I'm finished with this one. Oh, and it's a knit 2, purl 2 pattern, so pretty simple. I think I might try a knit, purl pattern for the next one, we'll see. Definitely something more exciting though.
It's nice to be learning a new skill, though my thumb hurts after I've been knitting for a while. Can't seem to go more than 3 or 4 hours at a time before I have to take a break, which works in terms of movie length, I suppose. I'm sure I'll build up a little callous eventually.
I've made a bunch of mistakes, but I've been able to catch them early and un-knit to fix them. All except one mistake, which I decided to leave in. With the variegated yarn, it's not too obvious. Besides, it's my first project and it has to have at least one mistake.
Here's some pictures of the work in progress. Kate the cat seems to particularly like it.
The infamous Hello World post!
I have too many blogs. Really, I do.
Sticks and Stones is supposed to be the home of my knitting-related yarns (haha). I'm sure other things will slip in now and then. It gives the blog personality!
If you're looking for me on Ravelry, go here.
Sticks and Stones is supposed to be the home of my knitting-related yarns (haha). I'm sure other things will slip in now and then. It gives the blog personality!
If you're looking for me on Ravelry, go here.
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