Thursday Quote - knitted edition

The second Monday of the month is knit night for several of my friends. Several of them are quite accomplished knitters, completing such projects as socks and sweaters. Most of the group are admittedly yarn snobs, choosing the more natural fibers and blends over “squeaky” acrylic yarns. We all enjoy the camaraderie of working with wool and sticks.

I always look forward to these nights. While I rarely get much of note accomplished, my inability to correctly follow patterns reigns high when knitting around a group of friends, the wealth of knowledge around the table (or three) is wonderful. Plus, there’s the whole hanging out with friends.

I think that my issue with patterns and completing more complex knitting projects is all due to my being easily bored and distracted. This is helpful, though, when I want to take a small project or two – like a simple scarf or washcloth – along with me when I have to do some waiting. As the Yarn Harlot Stephanie Pearl-McPhee says in At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much:

Knitting is a boon for those of us who are easily bored. I take my knitting everywhere to take the edge off of moments that would otherwise drive me stark raving mad.

So true, Stephanie, so very, very true.

Happiness is...

New yarn. Especially soft, pretty yarn. Now...what to make with it?


In case you are wondering, there are two skeins each of Andean Treasure in Sapphire and Summer Sky, and one skein each of CotLin in Lilac and Pomegranate.

Knitting update!

I started a new project. That doesn’t mean I finished any of the other projects I have on needles…just that I started a new one.

Currently I have three works in progress:

1. A scarf in a beautiful shade of dark green 100% baby alpaca (Andean Treasure from KnitPicks.com). I started this in January. I work on it every once in a while, so it may be done by next winter. Maybe.
2. Felted teething rings. I have a lot of feltable wool yarn (Wool of the Andes from KnitPicks.com) in a variety of colors. I also have a lot of friends and family members who are busy procreating. So, I am going to try and make a few sets of these. They are quick to knit…once I figure out what I am doing. The idea is from here: Knitting A Baby
   
3. A Jellyfish amigurumi from Amigurumi Knits: Patterns for 20 cute mini knits by Hansi Singh. This is the newest project. I borrowed the book through my library (not from, though, as we don’t own it). I liked it so much I bought it. (from Knitpicks.com, of course).

party day

Yesterday was a party day, and not just for me. While I headed out to do a candle party, the hubby headed to his sister P’s house for a birthday party. Our niece E will be 13 on Wednesday. How did that happen?!?

My party was a success. This is especially true considering that only ten days passed between booking the party and its happening. About 15 people were invited and 4 people attended. There were a few who couldn’t due to family birthday parties. As I said, it was party day.

So far the sales for the party are around $240. Ten more dollars in sales and the hostess will be getting one half price item and $40 in free products! There are a few more people who have expressed interest in ordering from the party, but couldn’t attend, so I feel confident that it will close near $400 in sales.

FYI: $400 in sales = $100 in commission for me. Not too shabby, eh?

And, an added bonus: One of the people who attended yesterday has booked a party at her house for the end of April. Yay!

In other fun news, tonight is knit group night. As if that wasn’t awesome enough, I will be getting those evilly adorable knit kits tonight. Here’s hoping it doesn’t end up as money wasted and I will actually be able to make those sweet baby hats and diaper covers.

Knitting update

On the 12th I finally finished knitting the hat for my coworker. I know. It took long enough! I do have one pic to show off my lovely handiwork.


The recipient of the hat was very happy with it and remarked that it is quite soft.

Now...on to other knitting projects.

I have been working a little here and there on a scarf using the same type of yarn (100 % baby alpaca/Andean treasure from knitpicks.com) in a heather green type color.

The other day I received an email from that website. Those evil designers came up with something that I couldn't resist. I tried. I really did. I waited about a week before asking a friend to add it to her order.

I don't have kids, and may never have them, but I do know a lot of people who are doing the whole being fruitful and multiplying thing, so these patterns are going to be great for gifts. If...and that is a somewhat big if - I can figure out how the knit the evilly adorable things.

I'm not sure, but I think my ovaries even squealed about the evil cuteness.

how to thank a knitter

Check out the KnitPicks knitting community by clicking here.

Knit Night

Ah. I adore the second Monday of the month. Why? Because that is knit night. A few years ago I decided to do something unusual for me and attended a knitting meet up. What made it so unusual was that I didn’t know anyone in the group. Since then I’ve become much better at trying things by myself.

I love this group. Over the past few years it has grown from an average attendance of 3 to between 15-20 people attending! Most of us are knitters, but there are some who crochet, sew and cross stitch.

Another reason I love this group is that I’ve made some great friends. When I moved here I only knew people through work or through my husband (including his family), having left my friends and family in SE Michigan and northern WV – both at least a 2 hours drive away. Now I have a close knit group of friends here (pun intended) in the area where I live. This makes for a much happier Ama.

Anyhow…

I’m still working on the hat for my coworker/friend who is going through chemo. I told her last week that by the time I finish it she will have hair again. Her remark? That her hair will be down her back by then. Nice, eh? rofl

The hat is nearly finished. I just need to start the decreasing for the top. That means I need to get one of my knitty friends to help me figure out what to do, as it’s been a while since I made a hat and this one does not have a pattern.

Yay! Presents!

I LOVE presents. I love to give them and I love to receive them. As you can imagine, then, I adore this time of year.

My dear friend Knitty T made these wonderful stitch markers for several of us as Christmas gifts. They are so cute that I just have to share photos.


I love all of them, but these two did make me *squee* just a little:


They also gained puppyboy's approval. He gives them four paws up.


Thanks, Kitty T! :D

knitting photos! yay!

Here are a few photos of my current knitting project. Usually I say I don't like to commit to the outcome of my projects until they are finished. This time I am committing. It is a hat for a friend at work who is going through chemo treatments.


See the pretty eyelets? Note the red circle (it's a stich marker) that I borrowed off of my friend Jen (or Jen Knitty as she is named in my cell phone).



See the pretty eyelets?

This is what I get for laughing at the image of bunches of nekkid baby alpacas roaming the Andes Mountains. A very tangled skein of 100% Baby Alpaca yarn. :/

Knit one, purl two

I’m a knitter. Somewhat. I am often hesitant to refer to myself as a knitter or to tell people how long I’ve been knitting (since fall of 2004), because then it’s assumed that I know what I am doing. I don’t. Far from it. I can read patterns. I know some things about different fibers and weights. But I forget some semi-simple things, like how to make eyelets or decrease.

For instance, I am making a hat for a friend. It’s made out of 100 % baby alpaca (from Knitpicks.com). I often chuckle when thinking of this yarn, as warped me imagines little naked baby alpacas roaming the Andes Mountains. Anyhow… There is no pattern as I am just making it up as I go along. I made a similar hat last year, yet I had to ask my kitty friends how to make the eyelets (again). I’m sure they realize that soon I’ll be asking how to decrease…again.

I do love playing with yarn. While I’m fairly certain I will never make a sweater (or any other major article of clothing), I have fun attempting to knit new things and encouraging my friends in our yarn obsession.