Current projects

I believe that variety is the spice of life. So I like to work on more than on project at a time. Usually it ends up being 3-4 projects at a time...
Right now i really like cabling. I have this wonderful book called Cables Untangled. It has lovely patterns and some good tips on cabling. I'm making a sweater and an area rug from it. The sweater is made from Marble which is soft and lovely. It's also self striping. :) I'm only just starting that one.



The area rug is made from Bernat Chunky, a giant 1lb ball.... ah walmart....




The other project I have going is a hooded, zippered sweater from Spindling (see my list of fave websites) made from sirdar yo-yo. I changes colour and is super fun to work with. The fabric produced has almost a fleecy texture. :)



That's all for now....
Alley

Why in heavens name would you knit a scarf????

I've knit many projects in the last year and a half. The project that took me the longest was a scarf I knit for my husband.
I started it in fall 2005, about 4 months before we got engaged. It was blue and made from two balls Patons Shetland Chunky, a very nice acrylic/wool blend. I used a simple knit two, purl two ribbing. I thought at the time that it was a good starter project. I worked diligently and finished it by Xmas and presented it to my sweetheart. Being a good honest boyfriend, he told me it was too short!! :-P I saw that indeed it was but I couldn't get the same dye lot of yarn to make it longer......

So I ripped it all out! (a good lesson for another day)

I bought two more balls of yarn, in charcoal grey, and started a stripe pattern.
I was through about one ball of yarn when I finally realized that scarves are BORING. Even with stripes. And this one was twice as long as the original. I worked on it for a month and then only picked it up if my hubby asked me when I was going to finish it.

I did finish it, over a year later.

I have since taught a couple of ppl how to knit. They both started with scarves. I know one friend has still not finished her scarf. She moved on to xmas stockings. Much more interesting!

Why would you start knitting with a scarf??? Yes a scarf is useful but it's a very long rectangle and if you're ambitious, you learn to knit and purl. By the time you've got a square you're ready to stop because you've mastered the basic stitch.

I'm not saying start with a sweater, but there are so many other small, simple, useful projects out there. Knitty (my new favorite online magazine) has a great little article on this exact topic. When I read it I was jumping up and down saying "yes, why didn't someone write this sooner!?!?!!"

The Moral of the Story:
Start with a small, interesting, useful project. You'll be satisfied when you finish it and you'll be confident enough to try another project. (maybe even a sweater!?!?!) Mittens are a good choice.... unless you pick hot pink yarn I guess....

That's my rant for today!
Alley

The Start of an addiction

When I was a kid, I used to do all sorts of crafts. Cross stitch, foamies, painting, drawing, pottery. I tried crocheting (I ended up with one very long chain). I also picked up a pair of knitting needles.

I knit one mitten.
It was hot pink. (ah... the 1980's)
By the time I finished it I didn't like hot pink anymore so it remained a lonely mitten, never worn. I'm not even sure where it is right now...

Then I started highschool, and after that university. My creative outlets were clogged with homework and social activities.
Near the end of my university degree, some of my terms were work terms. I found I had more time on my hands and was bored.
I decided once again to pick up the needles.

I made a dish cloth..... and then a scarf (there may be another post about scarves...) for my now husband.

That was a year and half ago and now I've lost count of the number of projects I've completed. (Yes I actually finish projects!!!!). I accomplished one thing in particular that makes me proud though....

I made 4 pairs of mittens in a little over two months! :)

Stay tuned for photos and updates on my current projects along with insightful tidbits about knitting!

Alley- The Knitting Addict