So ... this is liable to be confusing and/or annoying, but this blog is moving. My husband has acquired webspace for his business, and has offered to host my blog, so I said why not. All of my old posts and comments are there, which is good, but it's an entirely new format and I have to get used to it. I hope you'll consider joining me at the new address, which is:
http://stormcoastcreations.steamwolfstudios.com/
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
FO: Vineyard
The other week I was lamenting how it was above freezing, because I couldn't really wear my hat. Well, Mama Nature took pity on me and now it's 5 degrees out. Yuck.
I got a new toy for Christmas. It's a little photo studio: a lightbox, camera tripod and some lights. I'm still learning -- like seriously learning -- so the pictures aren't that great, but it's a work in progress!
I also fail at figuring out how many yards this used, so ... whoops. More than 1 and less than 1000.
Pattern: Basic loom hat that came with the Knifty Knitter loom set
Yarn: A partial skein of the coopworth/merino yarn from Mountain Vewe Coopworths I bought at VT Sheep & Wool 2010 (I have 53 grams left, but didn't measure it initially) and a partial skein of Cascade Lana D'Oro (the scale says I used 3 grams? that doesn't seem right)
Loom: Um. Either the green or the purple Knifty Knitter (okay, turns out I bought the purple one after I made this, so I'm gonna say green)
Timeline: 7.21.11 - 7.23.11
Yeah. If you're not completely blinded by that.
Opinions: I figured out how to make each color dominant on different rows, so I played with that to make a very orderly hat. Not sure I have the brim fold-up perfect, but oh well.
This hat is very warm around the ears, but the mohair makes it a bit scratchy. Wearing it today, I felt a little cold, but I think most people would in five degree weather. It's a good heavy-duty hat, and it wears beautifully when it's snowing.
Ah, yes, that's a more accurate color representation.
Random Thoughts: I finally got my green hat! Sort of.
Also, I need to work on this photography thing. Can you still see?
I got a new toy for Christmas. It's a little photo studio: a lightbox, camera tripod and some lights. I'm still learning -- like seriously learning -- so the pictures aren't that great, but it's a work in progress!
I also fail at figuring out how many yards this used, so ... whoops. More than 1 and less than 1000.
Pattern: Basic loom hat that came with the Knifty Knitter loom set
Yarn: A partial skein of the coopworth/merino yarn from Mountain Vewe Coopworths I bought at VT Sheep & Wool 2010 (I have 53 grams left, but didn't measure it initially) and a partial skein of Cascade Lana D'Oro (the scale says I used 3 grams? that doesn't seem right)
Loom: Um. Either the green or the purple Knifty Knitter (okay, turns out I bought the purple one after I made this, so I'm gonna say green)
Timeline: 7.21.11 - 7.23.11
Yeah. If you're not completely blinded by that.
Opinions: I figured out how to make each color dominant on different rows, so I played with that to make a very orderly hat. Not sure I have the brim fold-up perfect, but oh well.
This hat is very warm around the ears, but the mohair makes it a bit scratchy. Wearing it today, I felt a little cold, but I think most people would in five degree weather. It's a good heavy-duty hat, and it wears beautifully when it's snowing.
Ah, yes, that's a more accurate color representation.
Random Thoughts: I finally got my green hat! Sort of.
Also, I need to work on this photography thing. Can you still see?
Monday, January 9, 2012
As Much As Possible: 2011 review
Okay, it's 8:05 in the morning on a Monday and math isn't my strong point. Let's review the goals and look at some numbers, shall we?
As Much As Possible Goals:
1. Not buy yarn. Yeah, that didn't really happen. The 2nd and 3rd quarters were the best, probably because it was hot. Also, damn you Vermont Sheep & Wool!
2. 1st in, 1st out. This didn't really happen either, but I did finish a project in one of my early purchases and started a sock in another, so I did make some progress.
3. Craft for charity first. I donated 17 loom hats to PatPat's Hats. While I didn't necessarily make them for charity, I was happy to donate them.
4. Projects for others before myself. Well, I made my sister's birthday hat and finished my husband's Binary Scarf and made a matching Binary Hat. I also made a lot of stuff for myself, but it's a work in progress, okay?
5. 2 skeins a month. Yeaaaaaaaaaaah no.
6. USE IT UP. I certainly tried! I'll explain why this was a weird goal when we look at the numbers.
1st quarter:
Stash in: 1003 yards
Stash out: 0 yards (I gave away a skein of yarn in March, but don't know the yardage.)
Net change: +1003 yards
2nd quarter:
Stash in: 480 yards
Stash out: 1431.4 yards
Net change:-951.4 yards
3rd quarter:
Stash in: 182 yards
Stash out: 2269 yards
Net change: -2087 yards
4th quarter:
Stash in: 1129 yards
Stash out: 1238 yards
Net change: -109 yards
2011 net change: -2144.4 yards, or approximately -1.2 miles
Summary:
This was a fun year-long goal, but am I glad it's over with! For the most part, I didn't stick with my goals. I had a feeling I wouldn't, but I'm glad I made them. They gave me some direction.
I don't think I'll be dieting this year, but I do plan to purchase more mindfully -- a.k.a. no more random skeins that don't have set purposes! I received gift cards to both a big box craft store and my LYS for the holidays, and I do have projects in mind for both.
I do intend to continue keeping track of my input and output, but I need to do so in a more organized fashion. I didn't actually track the 1st quarter, which made things difficult. You'll also notice that the 2nd quarter involved partial skeins, where the other quarters didn't. Apparently I forgot I was counting partial skeins and moved to counting only full skeins. Even though I purchase whole skeins, I think I'll count partial skeins when they get used in projects, as it's easier for me to remember to count them at the time and not later, when they've been used up (because honestly, that can take years!). Did that make any sense? I have no idea.
Also, I know this count isn't quite accurate. I purchased a skein of Kauni in January, but don't know the yardage, and at least one of my Sheep & Wool purchases isn't included either. But they don't change the negative stash accumulation. I need to inventory better.
My current inventory says I have 8.61 miles of yarn, in case you were wondering. This is after the stashdown, and no, it doesn't include the Kauni or that Sheep & Wool yarn and I guarantee you it doesn't include the sweater quantity of sport-weight yarn.
I'm working on it.
As Much As Possible Goals:
1. Not buy yarn. Yeah, that didn't really happen. The 2nd and 3rd quarters were the best, probably because it was hot. Also, damn you Vermont Sheep & Wool!
2. 1st in, 1st out. This didn't really happen either, but I did finish a project in one of my early purchases and started a sock in another, so I did make some progress.
3. Craft for charity first. I donated 17 loom hats to PatPat's Hats. While I didn't necessarily make them for charity, I was happy to donate them.
4. Projects for others before myself. Well, I made my sister's birthday hat and finished my husband's Binary Scarf and made a matching Binary Hat. I also made a lot of stuff for myself, but it's a work in progress, okay?
5. 2 skeins a month. Yeaaaaaaaaaaah no.
6. USE IT UP. I certainly tried! I'll explain why this was a weird goal when we look at the numbers.
1st quarter:
Stash in: 1003 yards
Stash out: 0 yards (I gave away a skein of yarn in March, but don't know the yardage.)
Net change: +1003 yards
2nd quarter:
Stash in: 480 yards
Stash out: 1431.4 yards
Net change:-951.4 yards
3rd quarter:
Stash in: 182 yards
Stash out: 2269 yards
Net change: -2087 yards
4th quarter:
Stash in: 1129 yards
Stash out: 1238 yards
Net change: -109 yards
2011 net change: -2144.4 yards, or approximately -1.2 miles
Summary:
This was a fun year-long goal, but am I glad it's over with! For the most part, I didn't stick with my goals. I had a feeling I wouldn't, but I'm glad I made them. They gave me some direction.
I don't think I'll be dieting this year, but I do plan to purchase more mindfully -- a.k.a. no more random skeins that don't have set purposes! I received gift cards to both a big box craft store and my LYS for the holidays, and I do have projects in mind for both.
I do intend to continue keeping track of my input and output, but I need to do so in a more organized fashion. I didn't actually track the 1st quarter, which made things difficult. You'll also notice that the 2nd quarter involved partial skeins, where the other quarters didn't. Apparently I forgot I was counting partial skeins and moved to counting only full skeins. Even though I purchase whole skeins, I think I'll count partial skeins when they get used in projects, as it's easier for me to remember to count them at the time and not later, when they've been used up (because honestly, that can take years!). Did that make any sense? I have no idea.
Also, I know this count isn't quite accurate. I purchased a skein of Kauni in January, but don't know the yardage, and at least one of my Sheep & Wool purchases isn't included either. But they don't change the negative stash accumulation. I need to inventory better.
My current inventory says I have 8.61 miles of yarn, in case you were wondering. This is after the stashdown, and no, it doesn't include the Kauni or that Sheep & Wool yarn and I guarantee you it doesn't include the sweater quantity of sport-weight yarn.
I'm working on it.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Treating Yourself
Many knitters and crocheters are just about half-dead right now, because they have decided to craft for the holidays. Crafters, I salute you and your selfless efforts.
Don't forget, though, that it's okay to be selfish. You've earned it. It's almost the end of the year, and it deserves to go out with a bang. Get your nummiest materials and make something nice for yourself!
Me? Oh, I have that skein of Jacques Cartier Qiviuk Majestic Blend, and I just bought Pettine by PicnicKnits, who also designed the Gaenor shawl that I've made twice. Pettine, like Gaenor, has you increase until you've used half your yarn, then you decrease. It seems like the perfect way to make sure I get the most out of my yarn -- and when you have a qiviut yarn (even if it's a blend), you damn well make sure you get the most out of it!
Is this qiviut next on the chronological list of yarn to knit? Nope. Is it anywhere near the top of the list? Nope. Do I care? Nope. After all, I've earned it. Have you?
Happy holidays, everyone!
Edit: I just realized I have 217 yards of a laceweight yarn. Um, we'll see how this goes. It might be a really expensive hankie.
Don't forget, though, that it's okay to be selfish. You've earned it. It's almost the end of the year, and it deserves to go out with a bang. Get your nummiest materials and make something nice for yourself!
Me? Oh, I have that skein of Jacques Cartier Qiviuk Majestic Blend, and I just bought Pettine by PicnicKnits, who also designed the Gaenor shawl that I've made twice. Pettine, like Gaenor, has you increase until you've used half your yarn, then you decrease. It seems like the perfect way to make sure I get the most out of my yarn -- and when you have a qiviut yarn (even if it's a blend), you damn well make sure you get the most out of it!
Is this qiviut next on the chronological list of yarn to knit? Nope. Is it anywhere near the top of the list? Nope. Do I care? Nope. After all, I've earned it. Have you?
Happy holidays, everyone!
Edit: I just realized I have 217 yards of a laceweight yarn. Um, we'll see how this goes. It might be a really expensive hankie.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Measure Twice, Cut Once
An alternate title for this post might be "Hubris: A Primer". Or "Pride Goes Before A Fall".
Actually, "Gauge: I Does Not Have It" is probably best.
I've been working on a matching hat for my husband's Binary Scarf, so I measured the gauge on the scarf, did the math, and started knitting. I got through two character repeats before it was long enough to put on his head to measure, and it was obvious that something was wrong. So I threaded on a lifeline and slipped it off the needles to assess the damage.
Ah, yes. That's going to be a slight problem when it's windy.
The gauge I (thought) I had measured on the scarf was 27 st/4 in -- maybe it is. I don't know. I had to change to my aluminum needles from my bamboo, so that probably didn't help. I was so high from my Binary success that I succumbed to the hubris and did not reswatch.
I'm getting closer to 18 st/4 in, which makes a lot more sense for worsted-weight yarn. So now comes the frogging, the recalculating of stitches, and a reconfiguration of what the darn hat was going to say. Here's hoping the second time's the charm.
Because if it's not, he's getting a cowl for Christmas.
Actually, "Gauge: I Does Not Have It" is probably best.
I've been working on a matching hat for my husband's Binary Scarf, so I measured the gauge on the scarf, did the math, and started knitting. I got through two character repeats before it was long enough to put on his head to measure, and it was obvious that something was wrong. So I threaded on a lifeline and slipped it off the needles to assess the damage.
Ah, yes. That's going to be a slight problem when it's windy.
The gauge I (thought) I had measured on the scarf was 27 st/4 in -- maybe it is. I don't know. I had to change to my aluminum needles from my bamboo, so that probably didn't help. I was so high from my Binary success that I succumbed to the hubris and did not reswatch.
I'm getting closer to 18 st/4 in, which makes a lot more sense for worsted-weight yarn. So now comes the frogging, the recalculating of stitches, and a reconfiguration of what the darn hat was going to say. Here's hoping the second time's the charm.
Because if it's not, he's getting a cowl for Christmas.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
FO: Binary Scarf
I'm going to let you mull over the title of this post for a minute.
Yup. It's done.
Pattern: Binary (on Ravelry)
Yarn: Cascade 220. Black (8555) 2.85 skeins/627 yards. Green (8910) 1.67 skeins/367.4 yards.
Needles: US size 8 Clover Bamboo DPNs
Timeline: 1.1.10 - 11.27.11
Opinions: Oh, man. What to say? My first stranded-colorwork project. My first project using Continental and English style knitting. My first time knitting with charts. It was an ambitious project, but I managed to finish it.
The pattern is pretty well-written. I had difficulty on the first section (cutting the yarn every few rows -- not sure why I couldn't have kept stranding it?) and the fringe. There really weren't directions for the fringe, and her math and my math didn't agree, so I just did my own thing. Also, I wanted it to be authentic, so I put in an actual message using binary instead of just doing random digits, and did more repeats than she called for so it would fit evenly.
This is a very long, warm scarf. I used smaller needles than the pattern called for. Next time, I'll use the recommended needle size, even though I'm a loose knitter. The stranding really tightens it up. My version is 114" x 5", which makes it 9.5 feet long. Whoa!
Random Thoughts: Happy Valentine's Day 2009, honey! This yarn was purchased 1.27.09, even though I didn't start the scarf until almost a year later.
I like doing stranded colorwork. Who knew?
I don't like doing fringe.
He wants a matching hat now. We'll see.
Yup. It's done.
Pattern: Binary (on Ravelry)
Yarn: Cascade 220. Black (8555) 2.85 skeins/627 yards. Green (8910) 1.67 skeins/367.4 yards.
Needles: US size 8 Clover Bamboo DPNs
Timeline: 1.1.10 - 11.27.11
Opinions: Oh, man. What to say? My first stranded-colorwork project. My first project using Continental and English style knitting. My first time knitting with charts. It was an ambitious project, but I managed to finish it.
The pattern is pretty well-written. I had difficulty on the first section (cutting the yarn every few rows -- not sure why I couldn't have kept stranding it?) and the fringe. There really weren't directions for the fringe, and her math and my math didn't agree, so I just did my own thing. Also, I wanted it to be authentic, so I put in an actual message using binary instead of just doing random digits, and did more repeats than she called for so it would fit evenly.
This is a very long, warm scarf. I used smaller needles than the pattern called for. Next time, I'll use the recommended needle size, even though I'm a loose knitter. The stranding really tightens it up. My version is 114" x 5", which makes it 9.5 feet long. Whoa!
Random Thoughts: Happy Valentine's Day 2009, honey! This yarn was purchased 1.27.09, even though I didn't start the scarf until almost a year later.
I like doing stranded colorwork. Who knew?
I don't like doing fringe.
He wants a matching hat now. We'll see.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thankful Thursday
Here's what I'm thankful for today: my husband.
If he hadn't asked for it, I never would have learned how to do two-handed stranded colorwork for the binary scarf.
He waited almost a year for me to start it and almost two years for me to finish it.
He offered to help me with the fringe.
He said it was okay that I made mistakes I couldn't fix (even the ones that screwed up the message).
He wanted to wear it before I even blocked it.
He threaded the blocking wires for me so I didn't have a panic attack.
Thanks, honey. You'll have your scarf real soon. <3
If he hadn't asked for it, I never would have learned how to do two-handed stranded colorwork for the binary scarf.
He waited almost a year for me to start it and almost two years for me to finish it.
He offered to help me with the fringe.
He said it was okay that I made mistakes I couldn't fix (even the ones that screwed up the message).
He wanted to wear it before I even blocked it.
He threaded the blocking wires for me so I didn't have a panic attack.
Thanks, honey. You'll have your scarf real soon. <3
Monday, November 14, 2011
The 5-Minute Rule
A few months ago, I was reading the Knitter's Review, which mentioned the 10-minute rule. It is basically like it sounds -- work on things for 10 minutes a day until they're done. Well, I have a bad attention span, so I made it the 5-minute rule. I began by applying it to the binary scarf (done knitting!), as well as some personal projects. It's funny, but I seem to work on things for more than 5 minutes once I get started! (I guess that's part of the point.)
Since I need a few hours to block the scarf, which I won't have until the weekend, I've been working on a few other things in the meantime. I pulled out a loom hat that's been languishing and did 5+ rows last night. I found my loom sock and gave it some much-needed attention. But since these are fun things, I've also tried to balance them with not-fun things.
Example: I have a craft room. Most of the stuff from my craft room is on my desk in the office. So every time I finish a row on the sock, I have to put 3 things away. So far I've managed to organize most of my needles, actually find (and keep together) darning needles, and put away balls of yarn I haven't used in months. Ultimately I'd like to find my flexible measuring tape, but one step at a time, you know?
The 5-minute rule has definitely helped me make progress on things, even though I haven't applied it to all my UFOs. Have you given this rule a try? How has it benefited you?
Since I need a few hours to block the scarf, which I won't have until the weekend, I've been working on a few other things in the meantime. I pulled out a loom hat that's been languishing and did 5+ rows last night. I found my loom sock and gave it some much-needed attention. But since these are fun things, I've also tried to balance them with not-fun things.
Example: I have a craft room. Most of the stuff from my craft room is on my desk in the office. So every time I finish a row on the sock, I have to put 3 things away. So far I've managed to organize most of my needles, actually find (and keep together) darning needles, and put away balls of yarn I haven't used in months. Ultimately I'd like to find my flexible measuring tape, but one step at a time, you know?
The 5-minute rule has definitely helped me make progress on things, even though I haven't applied it to all my UFOs. Have you given this rule a try? How has it benefited you?
Sunday, November 13, 2011
I'm Finished Knitting
No worries, I'm not giving up the craft. Nope, I just finished knitting & binding off ... the binary scarf.
Wow. I think I need a moment's reflection there.
I have a few spots where I want to try and duplicate-stitch some errors, and I need to add the fringe, wash & block it, but ... that's it. I'm done knitting it. The rest is a piece of cake, comparatively speaking.
I have no idea where I'm going to block it, though. Sucker's long.
Wow. I think I need a moment's reflection there.
I have a few spots where I want to try and duplicate-stitch some errors, and I need to add the fringe, wash & block it, but ... that's it. I'm done knitting it. The rest is a piece of cake, comparatively speaking.
I have no idea where I'm going to block it, though. Sucker's long.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Happy Binary Day!
Well, okay, first of all, happy Veterans Day if you're in the US.
Secondly, happy Binary Day!
What's a binary day? No, I haven't finished the scarf. I wish! A binary day is where you write out the date and it's got only ones and zeroes -- today is 11/11/11, so it's a binary day.
I'll celebrate, even though the binary I'm using for the scarf has 8 digits per piece of information, not 6. After all, I wasn't alive on 11/11/1111.
Secondly, happy Binary Day!
What's a binary day? No, I haven't finished the scarf. I wish! A binary day is where you write out the date and it's got only ones and zeroes -- today is 11/11/11, so it's a binary day.
I'll celebrate, even though the binary I'm using for the scarf has 8 digits per piece of information, not 6. After all, I wasn't alive on 11/11/1111.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Like Finding Couch Money
I knew I kept my husband around for some reason.
He asked for a percentage complete on his scarf, and I told him it was at 70%, because I had done 10/14 message repeats. Then I found the halfway point on the scarf, folded it over, and said "I have that much left".
But looking at where I had stopped knitting versus how long the other half of the scarf was, it was clear I didn't have 4 repeats left. Uh-oh!
This is where good note-taking comes in handy. I'd written down 5 tally marks for each letter, and then on the LEFT of each letter, I'd made two more. I assumed this meant I'd done 7 repeats. Apparently it meant I did 5, and I'm weird? I don't really know.
I had my husband tally each letter as I rattled it off to him, and the first half of the scarf does, in fact, have 5 repeats instead of 7. I have no idea why I wrote down those extra two tally marks. Even though I'd been pretty good at keeping track on this half of the scarf, I was afraid I'd done two repeats, and then changed to a new page in my notebook and done several more, so we had to confirm how many repeats were on the second half (I was hoping I was up to 4).
After reading off a bunch of ones and zeroes the first time, my husband says "oh, why don't you just count off how many rows of letters there are?" (60 letters in 4 repeats/2 letters a row = 30 rows). Yep, I had 30 rows.
Why didn't he come up with that earlier?
Why did I make extra tally marks?
Why is zero such a weird word?
Can you believe I have 90% of this scarf knitted? It's like finding money in the couch! I mean, sure, I knew I knitted it, I just didn't realize how close to done I was.
(And how glad am I that I have one repeat left, not 3. Sweet!)
He asked for a percentage complete on his scarf, and I told him it was at 70%, because I had done 10/14 message repeats. Then I found the halfway point on the scarf, folded it over, and said "I have that much left".
But looking at where I had stopped knitting versus how long the other half of the scarf was, it was clear I didn't have 4 repeats left. Uh-oh!
This is where good note-taking comes in handy. I'd written down 5 tally marks for each letter, and then on the LEFT of each letter, I'd made two more. I assumed this meant I'd done 7 repeats. Apparently it meant I did 5, and I'm weird? I don't really know.
I had my husband tally each letter as I rattled it off to him, and the first half of the scarf does, in fact, have 5 repeats instead of 7. I have no idea why I wrote down those extra two tally marks. Even though I'd been pretty good at keeping track on this half of the scarf, I was afraid I'd done two repeats, and then changed to a new page in my notebook and done several more, so we had to confirm how many repeats were on the second half (I was hoping I was up to 4).
After reading off a bunch of ones and zeroes the first time, my husband says "oh, why don't you just count off how many rows of letters there are?" (60 letters in 4 repeats/2 letters a row = 30 rows). Yep, I had 30 rows.
Why didn't he come up with that earlier?
Why did I make extra tally marks?
Why is zero such a weird word?
Can you believe I have 90% of this scarf knitted? It's like finding money in the couch! I mean, sure, I knew I knitted it, I just didn't realize how close to done I was.
(And how glad am I that I have one repeat left, not 3. Sweet!)
Monday, October 31, 2011
White Halloween
Okay, so most of the snow has melted, but "white Halloween" sounds better than "some snow and mostly mud and freezing cold Halloween". We caved and turned the heat on last week, because even all the hand-knits in the world can't stop your pipes from freezing.
It snowed on Thursday and again Saturday night. Thanks a lot, Mother Nature! I was feeling like I had tons of time to knit and crochet before it got cold, but nooooooooooo. It had to snow in October, didn't it.
I did hit some "milestones" on the Binary Scarf this weekend. I attached the third ball of black (using up the stash, oh yeah!) and I hit 70%.
P.S. Does anyone have any clue why I wrote the letter L next to how many repeats I did on the first half? Because I don't have a clue.
It snowed on Thursday and again Saturday night. Thanks a lot, Mother Nature! I was feeling like I had tons of time to knit and crochet before it got cold, but nooooooooooo. It had to snow in October, didn't it.
I did hit some "milestones" on the Binary Scarf this weekend. I attached the third ball of black (using up the stash, oh yeah!) and I hit 70%.
P.S. Does anyone have any clue why I wrote the letter L next to how many repeats I did on the first half? Because I don't have a clue.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Ones and Zeroes and Zeroes and Ones
I've actually been working on the Binary Scarf -- stop the presses. Last night I finished the first repeat of two letters after I'd ripped out & picked up the stitches on the 18th, so I carefully counted my stitches and made sure the letters matched up.
Which they didn't.
I cried a little. I may have considered putting it back in the naughty bag. But it was all my fault, really. My Binary Scarf actually has a message in it, which means I have to be very careful that it says what it ought to! My problem was not paying enough attention. Part of my message goes N (space) L. What does that look like in binary?
01101110
00100000
01101100
Do you see the problem? The N and the L are ONE digit apart. When I'd knit it originally, it was fine (I'd put the zero), but reknitting it I misread and thought I needed to knit N (space), not (space) L. Hence I knitted it as a one, assuming I'd messed up on the original row and I'd duplicate stitch after I was done.
Well, that's what you get for taking a year off, I guess. I managed to calm myself by saying a few things:
1. Just duplicate stitch it like you were planning to. You don't have to rip it.
2. This is your first stranded colorwork project ever. The numbers aren't random, they say something! This is a huge undertaking and it's really impressive.
3. It's wool, not acylic, so your mess-ups will theoretically block out.
And you know what? I came to peace with my screw-up, and I've been vigilantly paying attention ever since. I'm almost to the end of my second repeat of 7 for this side. I hate to jinx it but -- this scarf might even be done for Christmas.
That would be good. I don't intend to make this a three-year scarf. And for my next colorwork project? I'm thinking not a scarf.
Which they didn't.
I cried a little. I may have considered putting it back in the naughty bag. But it was all my fault, really. My Binary Scarf actually has a message in it, which means I have to be very careful that it says what it ought to! My problem was not paying enough attention. Part of my message goes N (space) L. What does that look like in binary?
01101110
00100000
01101100
Do you see the problem? The N and the L are ONE digit apart. When I'd knit it originally, it was fine (I'd put the zero), but reknitting it I misread and thought I needed to knit N (space), not (space) L. Hence I knitted it as a one, assuming I'd messed up on the original row and I'd duplicate stitch after I was done.
Well, that's what you get for taking a year off, I guess. I managed to calm myself by saying a few things:
1. Just duplicate stitch it like you were planning to. You don't have to rip it.
2. This is your first stranded colorwork project ever. The numbers aren't random, they say something! This is a huge undertaking and it's really impressive.
3. It's wool, not acylic, so your mess-ups will theoretically block out.
And you know what? I came to peace with my screw-up, and I've been vigilantly paying attention ever since. I'm almost to the end of my second repeat of 7 for this side. I hate to jinx it but -- this scarf might even be done for Christmas.
That would be good. I don't intend to make this a three-year scarf. And for my next colorwork project? I'm thinking not a scarf.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
On Being an Idiot
So if you've been reading for any length of time, you know all about the naughty Binary Scarf, which was supposed to be my husband's Valentine's Day present in 2009. (At least, I think so. I'm officially fuzzy on the details.) I finally started it in 2010, dropped a stitch somewhere around Thanksgiving 2010, and put it in the naughty pile, where it has lived for almost a year.
Well, today is our 3rd wedding anniversary, and I thought I would pull it out and see if I couldn't fix it. Lo and behold, I managed to get back to 66 stitches, which is more progress than I have made in said year. I'm sure I went wrong somewhere, but hey, progress.
So once I did that, I started to look for my little notebook so I could see what letters I was on, since I brilliantly wrote the message down in a tiny notebook that's not hard to lose, no siree bob.
I just spent the last half-hour looking for it. I mean, this was worse than my tendency to lose my interchangeable set AND darning needles combined.
And then I remembered that I took it with me to VT Sheep & Wool. Duh.
There is a danger to having like 6 tote bags devoted to knitting, and why would I look in the bag that's been at my feet for two weeks? Because that makes sense. But anyway, I found it, so maybe I'll even work on this thing at some point in the near future.
By the way, future self? GREEN GOES IN THE LEFT HAND.
Well, today is our 3rd wedding anniversary, and I thought I would pull it out and see if I couldn't fix it. Lo and behold, I managed to get back to 66 stitches, which is more progress than I have made in said year. I'm sure I went wrong somewhere, but hey, progress.
So once I did that, I started to look for my little notebook so I could see what letters I was on, since I brilliantly wrote the message down in a tiny notebook that's not hard to lose, no siree bob.
I just spent the last half-hour looking for it. I mean, this was worse than my tendency to lose my interchangeable set AND darning needles combined.
And then I remembered that I took it with me to VT Sheep & Wool. Duh.
There is a danger to having like 6 tote bags devoted to knitting, and why would I look in the bag that's been at my feet for two weeks? Because that makes sense. But anyway, I found it, so maybe I'll even work on this thing at some point in the near future.
By the way, future self? GREEN GOES IN THE LEFT HAND.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
FO: Gaenor (#2)
I've been horrible about actually photographing some of the stuff I've finished, which is why it seems like I'm the world's worst crafter. This FO has been done for a while, but the recipient has finally received it, so I can talk about it now!
Pattern: Gaenor (on Ravelry)
Yarn: I dyed the yarn from a Ewe Dye It kit at my LYS. (I don't own the kit; they opened one at the store.)
Needles: US size 7 on my Boye interchangeable set
Timeline: 8.5.11-8.19.11
So this hand-dyed yarn
turned into this shawl:
The colors aren't perfect, but you get an idea of how crazy it is!
Opinions: I liked the Gaenor pattern enough I made it twice! I didn't have yardage on this skein, just weight, so this was perfect.
Random Thoughts: I am a strange dyer. Most of my color "repeats" were 3 stitches or less, and some were just one stitch.
I have nicknamed this Water Lilies. Nobody knew this but me.
It was very difficult to send this to my mother-in-law. Hope she likes it!
Pattern: Gaenor (on Ravelry)
Yarn: I dyed the yarn from a Ewe Dye It kit at my LYS. (I don't own the kit; they opened one at the store.)
Needles: US size 7 on my Boye interchangeable set
Timeline: 8.5.11-8.19.11
So this hand-dyed yarn
turned into this shawl:
The colors aren't perfect, but you get an idea of how crazy it is!
Opinions: I liked the Gaenor pattern enough I made it twice! I didn't have yardage on this skein, just weight, so this was perfect.
Random Thoughts: I am a strange dyer. Most of my color "repeats" were 3 stitches or less, and some were just one stitch.
I have nicknamed this Water Lilies. Nobody knew this but me.
It was very difficult to send this to my mother-in-law. Hope she likes it!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
VT Sheep & Wool Festival 2011
Smack dab in between two 12-day shifts at work was the Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, and you can bet your stitch dictionary that I made sure to have both days off! I ended up going on Sunday, and from what I heard about Saturday's weather, that was the good choice!
My friends with sheep were kind enough to let me tag along with them. They went for the learning and I went for the shopping, so it worked out well for everyone. I had a budget of $130 and I spent all but 16 cents. I'd say it was a success!
My pictures are few, far between, and extremely boring, so I'll share a few that were interesting and then show you what I bought.
I walked around first to try to scope out what I wanted to get. I chatted with a very nice lady who saw my Ravelry pin, but I didn't get her name. Darn! She was part of the Mountain Fiber Folk co-op, and she was the doll-maker. Anyway, they had a really cool display and she let me take a picture of it. If I'm remembering correctly, they did everything in the process, not just the dyeing.
It's a hunting vest! They also had kits for hats and the orange yarn for sale on its own. I was sorely tempted because it was awesome, but my husband doesn't hunt. But what a great idea! I hope they sold a lot of their stuff.
In my wanderings, I found Green Mountain Fibers, and they were kind enough to take the 3 granny squares I had made for Irene quilts. I live close to the store in Rutland, but I never manage to get there since I work into the evening, so it was great that they were willing to take them. I know it must have been a hard fit into the car, but it was appreciated! Of course, I didn't take pictures of my first granny squares, because I have -- what did we decide the word was? Camnesia? Yeah, camnesia.
More wandering was mixed with intermittent rain. I ran into Mary Lee from Stitchy Women (another pal), and it looked like her booth was hopping! She started telling some of the women there about my Boneyard Shawl and how she watched me at multiple guild meetings trying to bind off! I'd actually brought it with me, so they ooh-ed and ahh-ed over it and told me to tie it on, so I did. I think it was helpful for my friends when they were trying to find me! Plus I kind of looked like an awesome superhero. One lady even told me that I looked like "a rainbow in the storm"! Perfect!
I stopped by the Good Fibrations tent, which actually had a few vendors sharing the space, and the nice spinning lady whose card I apparently forgot to get gave me a spinning demonstration on her drop spindle. I have a drop spindle and I use it sometimes, but I'm not very good at it, so the demonstration was much appreciated. Then -- and this is one of the things I love about fiber people -- she suggested I go check out another vendor who was selling something I might be able to use when drop spindling. So few people are willing to lose your business by sending you elsewhere, but she was fabulous! I hope to see her next year and buy lots of her roving!
The booth she told me to check out was Ball and Skein. There were some gorgeous drop spindles there that the guy took the time to tell me about, but I didn't get a picture. They were modular spindles, and when you ran out of room on one, you unscrewed it and screwed on another one! He was selling boxes that you could put the used spindle shafts on and ply that way. I thought it was ingenious! Unfortunately, I couldn't afford the spindle AND the box.
However, I did buy a Wristaff, which is what the woman at the Good Fibrations tent told me about. You put it on your wrist and wrap your roving around it so it doesn't tangle or get caught while you spin. You can also put a center-pull ball on it and knit from the outside. Yep, sold.
They also had these fabulous beach buttons, which were natural stones that had been drilled to make buttons. I almost bought all of them, because hello, Storm Coast? Instead I settled for a skein of their Super Sock 416, which is 450 yards of fingering-weight, 75% merino and 25% nylon. I am really enjoying making shawls this year, and wait until you see this color. It's called Riverstone.
The second picture is kind of fuzzy, but you can see the colors better. Guh, right? I know.
There was a man outside one of the buildings who was making drop spindles. Like, right there, at that moment. I watched for a while but forgot to ask if I could take pictures. Oops. Anyway, it was very cool. This trio of gals next to me started talking about how they were thinking of buying some, so I slipped away to check out the booth. It turns out I had already been admiring the spindles before I knew they were hand-made! Yellow Dog Farm is a husband-and-wife team. She spins on her wheel and he makes and uses the drop spindles. I bought a gorgeous heavy spindle. I don't know what it will be good for spinning, but it just felt right in my hand. I know I'll find something.
The spindle wasn't labeled, and of course I forgot what the lady said it was made out of, but I think it was cocobolo. Nobody quote me on that.
Brilliantly, I am going all backwards on my shopping, because the first skein I bought was in the same building, and I haven't told you about it yet. Remember that green skein of yarn I bought at last year's Sheep & Wool? Yeah, they're doing variegated now. Mountain Vewe Coopworths, who still doesn't have a website.
This is a bit different from the yarn I bought last year. It doesn't have mohair in it and it's a bit heavier, so it's 150 yards. Remind me to take a picture of the hat I made with the green yarn. (Yes, I made a green hat, sort of. It's complicated.) I LOVE the colors in this yarn. All oceany!
Well, I think I've mostly rambled on enough, so I'll show you the last thing I bought. I'd looked at this booth last year and not bought anything, and this year I'm glad I stopped by and did. The booth was Dyenamics Yarn, I believe, and I bought a skein of The Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors Sock Yarn in Thunderstorm. How could I not?
I'm a terrible photographer, so trust me when I say it's gorgeous. 460 yards of fingering-weight in a 75% merino/25% nylon blend. Hello, shawl yarn.
Funny story -- I recognized the purple sheep on her card, and it turns out she's one of the moderators in the Stash Knit Down group on Ravelry!
That's not everything I did, or everyone I visited, but I think it's enough. I wouldn't want to give away ALL my secrets, after all -- I want there to be some yarn left for me once I get more money!
As for the diet, obviously I blew it. 1060 yards. But you know what? I love them, I got some great tools to use with them, and I earned it. What a great time I had at the 2011 Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival! See you next year!
My friends with sheep were kind enough to let me tag along with them. They went for the learning and I went for the shopping, so it worked out well for everyone. I had a budget of $130 and I spent all but 16 cents. I'd say it was a success!
My pictures are few, far between, and extremely boring, so I'll share a few that were interesting and then show you what I bought.
I walked around first to try to scope out what I wanted to get. I chatted with a very nice lady who saw my Ravelry pin, but I didn't get her name. Darn! She was part of the Mountain Fiber Folk co-op, and she was the doll-maker. Anyway, they had a really cool display and she let me take a picture of it. If I'm remembering correctly, they did everything in the process, not just the dyeing.
It's a hunting vest! They also had kits for hats and the orange yarn for sale on its own. I was sorely tempted because it was awesome, but my husband doesn't hunt. But what a great idea! I hope they sold a lot of their stuff.
In my wanderings, I found Green Mountain Fibers, and they were kind enough to take the 3 granny squares I had made for Irene quilts. I live close to the store in Rutland, but I never manage to get there since I work into the evening, so it was great that they were willing to take them. I know it must have been a hard fit into the car, but it was appreciated! Of course, I didn't take pictures of my first granny squares, because I have -- what did we decide the word was? Camnesia? Yeah, camnesia.
More wandering was mixed with intermittent rain. I ran into Mary Lee from Stitchy Women (another pal), and it looked like her booth was hopping! She started telling some of the women there about my Boneyard Shawl and how she watched me at multiple guild meetings trying to bind off! I'd actually brought it with me, so they ooh-ed and ahh-ed over it and told me to tie it on, so I did. I think it was helpful for my friends when they were trying to find me! Plus I kind of looked like an awesome superhero. One lady even told me that I looked like "a rainbow in the storm"! Perfect!
I stopped by the Good Fibrations tent, which actually had a few vendors sharing the space, and the nice spinning lady whose card I apparently forgot to get gave me a spinning demonstration on her drop spindle. I have a drop spindle and I use it sometimes, but I'm not very good at it, so the demonstration was much appreciated. Then -- and this is one of the things I love about fiber people -- she suggested I go check out another vendor who was selling something I might be able to use when drop spindling. So few people are willing to lose your business by sending you elsewhere, but she was fabulous! I hope to see her next year and buy lots of her roving!
The booth she told me to check out was Ball and Skein. There were some gorgeous drop spindles there that the guy took the time to tell me about, but I didn't get a picture. They were modular spindles, and when you ran out of room on one, you unscrewed it and screwed on another one! He was selling boxes that you could put the used spindle shafts on and ply that way. I thought it was ingenious! Unfortunately, I couldn't afford the spindle AND the box.
However, I did buy a Wristaff, which is what the woman at the Good Fibrations tent told me about. You put it on your wrist and wrap your roving around it so it doesn't tangle or get caught while you spin. You can also put a center-pull ball on it and knit from the outside. Yep, sold.
They also had these fabulous beach buttons, which were natural stones that had been drilled to make buttons. I almost bought all of them, because hello, Storm Coast? Instead I settled for a skein of their Super Sock 416, which is 450 yards of fingering-weight, 75% merino and 25% nylon. I am really enjoying making shawls this year, and wait until you see this color. It's called Riverstone.
The second picture is kind of fuzzy, but you can see the colors better. Guh, right? I know.
There was a man outside one of the buildings who was making drop spindles. Like, right there, at that moment. I watched for a while but forgot to ask if I could take pictures. Oops. Anyway, it was very cool. This trio of gals next to me started talking about how they were thinking of buying some, so I slipped away to check out the booth. It turns out I had already been admiring the spindles before I knew they were hand-made! Yellow Dog Farm is a husband-and-wife team. She spins on her wheel and he makes and uses the drop spindles. I bought a gorgeous heavy spindle. I don't know what it will be good for spinning, but it just felt right in my hand. I know I'll find something.
The spindle wasn't labeled, and of course I forgot what the lady said it was made out of, but I think it was cocobolo. Nobody quote me on that.
Brilliantly, I am going all backwards on my shopping, because the first skein I bought was in the same building, and I haven't told you about it yet. Remember that green skein of yarn I bought at last year's Sheep & Wool? Yeah, they're doing variegated now. Mountain Vewe Coopworths, who still doesn't have a website.
This is a bit different from the yarn I bought last year. It doesn't have mohair in it and it's a bit heavier, so it's 150 yards. Remind me to take a picture of the hat I made with the green yarn. (Yes, I made a green hat, sort of. It's complicated.) I LOVE the colors in this yarn. All oceany!
Well, I think I've mostly rambled on enough, so I'll show you the last thing I bought. I'd looked at this booth last year and not bought anything, and this year I'm glad I stopped by and did. The booth was Dyenamics Yarn, I believe, and I bought a skein of The Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors Sock Yarn in Thunderstorm. How could I not?
I'm a terrible photographer, so trust me when I say it's gorgeous. 460 yards of fingering-weight in a 75% merino/25% nylon blend. Hello, shawl yarn.
Funny story -- I recognized the purple sheep on her card, and it turns out she's one of the moderators in the Stash Knit Down group on Ravelry!
That's not everything I did, or everyone I visited, but I think it's enough. I wouldn't want to give away ALL my secrets, after all -- I want there to be some yarn left for me once I get more money!
As for the diet, obviously I blew it. 1060 yards. But you know what? I love them, I got some great tools to use with them, and I earned it. What a great time I had at the 2011 Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival! See you next year!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
As Much As Possible: 3rd Quarter
Wow! I can't believe it's October. I mean, finally! Here's the 3rd quarter report. I hesitate to say it's better than last quarter, but we'll see.
1. Not buy yarn.
I did not buy a single skein. I really didn't. A friend gave me two skeins of Debbie Bliss Stella, which adds 182 yards to stash, but it was a gift!
2. 1st in, 1st out.
No measurable progress here, but I have about half a dozen projects that are using various old yarns, and I haven't bothered to measure what I've used.
3. Craft for charity first.
Um. Well, any of the loom hats that don't sell next week are being donated to Pat Pat's Hats! I've also learned how to make granny squares, and I have 3 finished to give to Green Mountain Fibers for blankets they're putting together.
4. Projects for others before myself.
Loom hats! Granny squares!
5. 2 skeins a month.
Nope.
6. USE IT UP.
I gave a lot away.
Okay, so we're still in a so-so position here, but wait until you see the numbers.
Used or given away:
1. Patons Berber Cotton - 230 yards
2. Lion Brand Homespun - 185 yards
3. 2 skeins Patons Divine - 284 yards
4. 2 skeins Lion Brand Jiffy Solid - 270 yards
5. Berroco Candy FX - 68 yards
6. Berroco Chinchilla - 77 yards
7. Brunswick Bermuda II - 105 yards
8. Lion Brand Fun Fur - 64 yards
9. Sirdar Funky Fur - 147 yards
10. Unger Plantation - 153 yards
11. 3 skeins Bernat Caress - 304 yards
12. 2 skeins Lion Brand Trellis - 230 yards
And that's not counting a lot of what I used in the loom hats, since some of those were partial skeins and I gave the rest away to a kindergarten teacher. Assuming the math is correct, though, that's 2269 yards out, or almost 1.29 miles.
Purchased or given:
1. 2 skeins Debbie Bliss Stella - 182 yards
So that's a net loss of 2087 yards, or 1.18 miles. Yeah, I can live with that.
Also, tomorrow I am going to the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival. I've been a good girl, I haven't bought any yarn in 3 months, I gave away over a mile of yarn, and I have been saving my money for months.
Justification? Oh yes. Do I care? Nope.
1. Not buy yarn.
I did not buy a single skein. I really didn't. A friend gave me two skeins of Debbie Bliss Stella, which adds 182 yards to stash, but it was a gift!
2. 1st in, 1st out.
No measurable progress here, but I have about half a dozen projects that are using various old yarns, and I haven't bothered to measure what I've used.
3. Craft for charity first.
Um. Well, any of the loom hats that don't sell next week are being donated to Pat Pat's Hats! I've also learned how to make granny squares, and I have 3 finished to give to Green Mountain Fibers for blankets they're putting together.
4. Projects for others before myself.
Loom hats! Granny squares!
5. 2 skeins a month.
Nope.
6. USE IT UP.
I gave a lot away.
Okay, so we're still in a so-so position here, but wait until you see the numbers.
Used or given away:
1. Patons Berber Cotton - 230 yards
2. Lion Brand Homespun - 185 yards
3. 2 skeins Patons Divine - 284 yards
4. 2 skeins Lion Brand Jiffy Solid - 270 yards
5. Berroco Candy FX - 68 yards
6. Berroco Chinchilla - 77 yards
7. Brunswick Bermuda II - 105 yards
8. Lion Brand Fun Fur - 64 yards
9. Sirdar Funky Fur - 147 yards
10. Unger Plantation - 153 yards
11. 3 skeins Bernat Caress - 304 yards
12. 2 skeins Lion Brand Trellis - 230 yards
And that's not counting a lot of what I used in the loom hats, since some of those were partial skeins and I gave the rest away to a kindergarten teacher. Assuming the math is correct, though, that's 2269 yards out, or almost 1.29 miles.
Purchased or given:
1. 2 skeins Debbie Bliss Stella - 182 yards
So that's a net loss of 2087 yards, or 1.18 miles. Yeah, I can live with that.
Also, tomorrow I am going to the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival. I've been a good girl, I haven't bought any yarn in 3 months, I gave away over a mile of yarn, and I have been saving my money for months.
Justification? Oh yes. Do I care? Nope.
Friday, September 23, 2011
The Best Season
Well, today is the "official" start of fall, even though we've been swinging between 60 and 80 degrees for a while here in Vermont. For any of us who have put down our hooks and needles for the summer, now is the time to pick them back up again!
The Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival is next weekend and I can. Not. Wait. I was talking with the friend I'm going with the other day, and we were joking about how some girls get their hair and nails done, but we go walk around in mud and look at sheep. I am working 13 days in a row before Sheep & Wool, so I need this break!
Of course, I haven't touched the Binary Scarf since I mentioned I had to work on it. It's all this working! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I've been mooning after yarn for the Stained Glass Window Afghan. It's looking like I'll be able to make it for under $30, which? Is awesome. (Yes, I have a degree in English and I'm mangling my sentences. It's intentional.) But I am definitely not buying that yarn until I have a) gone to Sheep & Wool, b) destashed at least a little more, and c) theoretically worked on the Binary Scarf. Actually, I'm looking at a 2012 purchase date. We'll see.
Before I dash off (not to work on the Binary Scarf -- too early!), I'd like to mention a charity hat drive. My friend (see above) told me about a child in Connecticut who recently had 3 tumors removed from his brain. His family is organizing a charity hat drive for the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. The event is called Pat Pat's Hats (I believe you have to belong to Facebook to see the event & RSVP). What's nice about this hat drive is that they are taking hats made out of all kinds of fibers, not just acrylic. Check out the Facebook page and please consider donating a hat. I made a lot of loom hats, and I've already decided that any that don't sell will be donated. If you are in Vermont, I am willing to collect hats and ship them down. After all, it's time those hooks and needles got busy again!
The Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival is next weekend and I can. Not. Wait. I was talking with the friend I'm going with the other day, and we were joking about how some girls get their hair and nails done, but we go walk around in mud and look at sheep. I am working 13 days in a row before Sheep & Wool, so I need this break!
Of course, I haven't touched the Binary Scarf since I mentioned I had to work on it. It's all this working! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I've been mooning after yarn for the Stained Glass Window Afghan. It's looking like I'll be able to make it for under $30, which? Is awesome. (Yes, I have a degree in English and I'm mangling my sentences. It's intentional.) But I am definitely not buying that yarn until I have a) gone to Sheep & Wool, b) destashed at least a little more, and c) theoretically worked on the Binary Scarf. Actually, I'm looking at a 2012 purchase date. We'll see.
Before I dash off (not to work on the Binary Scarf -- too early!), I'd like to mention a charity hat drive. My friend (see above) told me about a child in Connecticut who recently had 3 tumors removed from his brain. His family is organizing a charity hat drive for the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. The event is called Pat Pat's Hats (I believe you have to belong to Facebook to see the event & RSVP). What's nice about this hat drive is that they are taking hats made out of all kinds of fibers, not just acrylic. Check out the Facebook page and please consider donating a hat. I made a lot of loom hats, and I've already decided that any that don't sell will be donated. If you are in Vermont, I am willing to collect hats and ship them down. After all, it's time those hooks and needles got busy again!
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Minor Stashdown Victory
I belong to the Stash Knit Down group on Ravelry. Someone recently posted a thread about going stashless, and many people chimed in with their opinions. One person mentioned wanting to give away some of their stash, but feeling bad because it was given to them.
Yep, I've got that kind of guilt in spades. Let's move on.
Another person said that your stash shouldn't be a burden, and no one who has given you yarn wants it to be a burden. Wow! It was like some little switch in me had been turned off, and those were exactly the words I needed to hear to turn it back on again. I'm so grateful people have given me yarn, but I shouldn't keep things just because I feel guilty. My stash should not be a burden. (This is so totally my new mantra.)
I approached a kindergarten teacher I know and asked if she ever used yarn scraps with her kids. When she said yes, I offered her a bunch of mine. Not content to just give her scraps, I also bagged up at least 9 full skeins of yarn that I know I'll never use.
Total stash reduction in one day: at least 844 yards.
My acrylic bin is a lot roomier, as are my heart and head. Yarn is not something that should sit, unused, like it's in some kind of museum. It's supposed to be enjoyed. If you're not enjoying it, find someone who will. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
Yep, I've got that kind of guilt in spades. Let's move on.
Another person said that your stash shouldn't be a burden, and no one who has given you yarn wants it to be a burden. Wow! It was like some little switch in me had been turned off, and those were exactly the words I needed to hear to turn it back on again. I'm so grateful people have given me yarn, but I shouldn't keep things just because I feel guilty. My stash should not be a burden. (This is so totally my new mantra.)
I approached a kindergarten teacher I know and asked if she ever used yarn scraps with her kids. When she said yes, I offered her a bunch of mine. Not content to just give her scraps, I also bagged up at least 9 full skeins of yarn that I know I'll never use.
Total stash reduction in one day: at least 844 yards.
My acrylic bin is a lot roomier, as are my heart and head. Yarn is not something that should sit, unused, like it's in some kind of museum. It's supposed to be enjoyed. If you're not enjoying it, find someone who will. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
Monday, September 5, 2011
A New Obsession
I have found a new obsession, and its name is loom knitting.
I bought that set of Knifty Knitter looms a few months ago when my hand went bum, and as you can tell from some of my recent posts, I've been having fun with that.
I've been trying to save my money for the VT Sheep & Wool Festival, but stupidly I kept it in my purse instead of hiding it. When I find cash in my purse, I want to spend it. The urge to spend is greater than the urge to save. I know, I know, I'm working on it.
I recently found out that the Knifty Knitter line is being discontinued, which I don't mind so much since I already have the set of looms. I guess Boye is putting out a new line, so not much is changing. Except then I found out there was the elusive purple hat loom, which lets you work with worsted weight yarn instead of bulky, and that one was not being replaced by a Boye loom. So I went on a quest to find one, and I found one, and I bought it, because it was 25% off and being discontinued and there were only 2 in the store and I had cash in my purse.
And that should have been well and good, except then I decided I wanted a sock loom, even though the sock loom was not made by ProvoCraft, nor was it being discontinued. I bought it, because I had cash in my purse. But I did get that for 40% off (gotta love the day after a sale ends and you get a store coupon to use on a full-price item, eh?).
Willpower, I don't have it.
It's the adjustable sock loom from Authentic Knitting Board, and I cast on for a pair of socks last night. I've learned the knit and purl stitches for a loom, which is nice because making the loom hats I've just been using the e-wrap. I'm using some Red Heart Heart & Sole that I've had in my stash for three years, so that's also good. I'm hoping to see some stash reduction by using the loom to actually make -- gasp -- socks. Sock yarn socks, at that.
You may have noticed that I have not said a thing about the Binary Scarf. Yep. And I'm not gonna.
I bought that set of Knifty Knitter looms a few months ago when my hand went bum, and as you can tell from some of my recent posts, I've been having fun with that.
I've been trying to save my money for the VT Sheep & Wool Festival, but stupidly I kept it in my purse instead of hiding it. When I find cash in my purse, I want to spend it. The urge to spend is greater than the urge to save. I know, I know, I'm working on it.
I recently found out that the Knifty Knitter line is being discontinued, which I don't mind so much since I already have the set of looms. I guess Boye is putting out a new line, so not much is changing. Except then I found out there was the elusive purple hat loom, which lets you work with worsted weight yarn instead of bulky, and that one was not being replaced by a Boye loom. So I went on a quest to find one, and I found one, and I bought it, because it was 25% off and being discontinued and there were only 2 in the store and I had cash in my purse.
And that should have been well and good, except then I decided I wanted a sock loom, even though the sock loom was not made by ProvoCraft, nor was it being discontinued. I bought it, because I had cash in my purse. But I did get that for 40% off (gotta love the day after a sale ends and you get a store coupon to use on a full-price item, eh?).
Willpower, I don't have it.
It's the adjustable sock loom from Authentic Knitting Board, and I cast on for a pair of socks last night. I've learned the knit and purl stitches for a loom, which is nice because making the loom hats I've just been using the e-wrap. I'm using some Red Heart Heart & Sole that I've had in my stash for three years, so that's also good. I'm hoping to see some stash reduction by using the loom to actually make -- gasp -- socks. Sock yarn socks, at that.
You may have noticed that I have not said a thing about the Binary Scarf. Yep. And I'm not gonna.
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