Little Miss MIA

Yes!! I have been MIA for sometime now… Just the hassle of work and taking a few classes this summer!  It can be rather stressful!

I have been knitting… I have taught my self how to do the Magic Cast On for a toe up sock.  I used the Knitty Magic Cast on for Toe up socks.  I was slightly confused and well I frogged it twice which is good.  I also was working on Increases for the toe aswell.  Ohh new skills!

Well about the sock – I am making the socks for my tiny sister.  I am using the KnitPicks Harmony US 2 needles and the KnitPicks Essential Yarn in Peacock.  I have about 1″ knit so far.  As you all know I dont like patterns I tend to make them up as I go… I have done that so far with this 1″ of knitted toe.  I am looking for some inspiration for the socks, as I dont want to knit it entirely in Stockinette like her sweater!

As you can see from the progress shot, that I do need to work on my toe portion… I need to improve my skill of increasing, yet credit is due; on that I (as always) manage to teach my self how to do things.  I think this may be a sock tester, in that I will make only one sock as a reference for the others I intend to make.  I am still honing all my skills!

About the needles – THANK YOU KELLY!! They are great.  I am so glad I did purchase these needles!  The cables are so squishy (flexible) in comparison to other which are SUPER rigid (Boye Circs).

Fun in the Sun

Well today has been pretty good… I went over to Yarnopolis today with Kiki. We were talking to FoxyandCrafty (the shop keeper), she is a cool chicklet! We chatted about yarn and knitting of course.

I purchased some Manos del Uruguay Wool, colour Wildflower (109). I am going to use this to make my Cowl! Yes I have decieded to jump on the cowl band wagon. I fell in love with the cowl, when I saw the Six One Seven Dolores Park Cowl!

Since it is a nice sunny afternoon I am outside with Kiki, we are taking photos of the projects and yarn. I worked a few rounds yesterday in the Tiny Sweater for my baby sister. My fetching gloves have slightly been on hold due to Finals! But they are DONE!! So life can be a bit more relaxed.

On the Knitting Front

Well my past few post have been all about my Fetching gloves… I am still on my first one… but I am making good progress. I am not as quick as those Knitters out there who produce a sweater in a week but I am learning 3 skills with this project (maybe even more):

1. Knitting in the round BUT
   with DPN
2. Ribing and Cableing on DPN (which is slightly daunting)
3. Knit something you want to knit – even if you thought it would be too hard!

I have been to judgemental in the past with my own skills and my ability to knit. I am a quick study and I always dive head first into unknown waters and well that is me, Little Miss, that is just how we do things. I must say that it is scary sometimes but it feels great to do something well. I think I should teach myself things more often!

Here is a photo update:

Out of My Funk

This is an update on my Fetching Fingerless Gloves. I have knit many rounds. I am so proud of my progress so far. I am using Twilleys of Stamford yarn and I am loving it! I also am using the needles that I purchased from Value Village. I am so glad I found such a great deal. Plus thanks to all around me, who never gave up on my creativeness. I think I am finally out of my funk!

An act of creativity

Well the other night I went at visited Knifty’s. While I was visiting I worked on my little sister’s sweater and I have about 4.5″ now. I am very pleased! Knifty had many crafty things going on… sewing, knitting, new knitting things, and so on… (Check it out). When I returned home I continued to knit and watch the good old TV at the same time – creating an action which was mindless, repetitive and full of visual stimulation (all from my chat with Sally Melville), and well I had a “ahh ha” moment and decided that I was going to knit some fingerless gloves. I have wanted a pair seeing as it is still cool in the morning and chilly in the evening – and well not cold enough for normal mitts/gloves.

So… I started the Knitty Fetching Pattern. I must say I do not have too much trouble with the DPN, although throwing in a cable needle too. Well that can become slightly overwhelming. Although I too am making progress on the glove!

I am thinking I may try Magic Loop for the second glove… We will have to see how it goes!

Making some Progress…

I have been making quiet a bit of head way with my baby sisters sweater. I am just updating you all on it!

I am using the Bernat Satin yarn and I love it. It is so soft and is really easy to work with. I would definitely suggest this yarn for projects. Plus I was able to purchase it for a great price of $2.35.

NOTES – as for the sweater I have somehow made a ruffle at the bottom and I am working it in the round from the bottom up. It will be fun when it comes time for the arm holes and the neck. I haven’t decided how and if I will make a pretty yoke. If you have any suggestions I am all ears.

Side note:

I went and had my hair done! J I really like my new hair do! It is a longer version of the Victoria Beckham Do. Let me know what you all think!

New Project!

Everyone hold your breath… I am Knitting Again! Some would have thought (including myself) that the big rut I was in would be a long rut. I do think that the talk the other night with Sally Melville really helped boost my creative “flow”. I have also come to realize that I just have to make a bigger project than dishcloths.

I am currently knitting a sweater for my baby sister. She asked for one in HOT PINK! So I was at Michael’s today trying to figure out what would be the best fibre/yarn to use which is easily washable and does not cost an arm and a leg. I looked at many different yarns. I looked at the Lion Brand Cotton Ease – although after a long chat with Knifty this morning, she let me in on the secret with cotton. That cotton will droop – yes not are all the same in the droop factor (which I read about on Ravelry). Plus there were not enough cotton ease in the same dye lot.

I picked the Bernat Satin, colour: Maitai. I also treated myself to a set of Clover Bamboo circular needles. They are so pretty. I started by swatching…

I was so pleased with the swatch that I casted on the stitches for my own designed sweater. It has also been a very quick knit. I have been watching reruns of Charmed (season one) while I was working on the sweater. I would say i have a little over an inch (that may not be a lot to some – but is a lot to me!).

Two Halves Make A Whole

Well I have made the back of my Bobble Clutch. I have both the front and back pieces, now I have to line it and insert a zipper… (Ooooo) I am somewhat nervous about the zipper! Oh yes I forgot to mention the wonders of the Family Phone Tree. I had mentioned to my mother I was looking for a sewing machine and she worked her magic phone tree and found me one. Thank you to my wonderful Aunt – she is donating her sewing machine to me for the time while I embark on another path of crafts!

I think I will make a few more clutches, which will be gifts for the masses! I will pick different stitches and different yarn and pump some out! I am becoming an industrious crafter.

I moved some of our pot lights around so the lighting is better and a lot easier to show off the great green.

Funky Knitting

I should rephrase the title – I am in a Knitting Funk!!! I have borrowed many books from the Library: (1) Speed Knitting: 24 Quick and Easy Projects (2) Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Cast Off: The Yarn Harlots guide to the land of Knitting (3) Twinkle Big City Knits. Plus I have borrowed One Skein from a very wise knitter. So I have continued to work on my crochet clutch… and I am now trying to figure out what would be the best way for me to line the clutch.

My current issues with my Knitting- I have a lot of acrylic yarn and in my previous Stash post I only have one or two balls. So I am not sure what to make with it. I have also a 1″ binder with a lot of great patterns and I still don’t know what to make. I know that Kelly Petkun, who has the KnitPicks Podcast, had an episode that discussed the same knitting funk. She used Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitter Almanac to be her muse as what to do. I have requested this book from the Library yet I still have to wait a bit longer. What to knit, what to knit.

To my loyal readers I am open for any suggestions as to how to escape my funk!

Bobble Clutch

I know that it has been some time since I have blogged about Crocheting. Especially since the new hobby – Knitting. The other day I was bored and I decided I was going to Crochet a bit. I have started the first side of the clutch. I have to make the second side. I am looking for a mini sewing machine so I can line the clutch.

Bobble Clutch

Yarn: Vannas Choice

Colour: Dusty Green

Hook: 5.5mm