Mitts

I really like making mitts. You know, the gloves with half a thumb (or just a thumb hole) and half fingers (or just a long palm part, no separate fingers)? Why? Because I think they're adorable and slightly... I don't know... hmmm quirky? That's not the right word, but it'll have to do!

Anyway, I don't make them much. I should. But I don't, because, you know, in between starting socks, finishing socks, and putting socks down because they're frustrating sometimes, who has time? But last week, for knitting group, I wanted to do something different. I had some Knit Picks City Tweed in Lemon Curd (a lovely, lovely shade of yellow) that I wanted to make into something, and that something was mitts.

I looked high and low on Ravelry for the right pattern, where I (most likely) wouldn't have to take gauge, where I could just go at it when I got there. I found these http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-fan-mitts. They're nice and lacy, but for some reason they look a little... tom-boyish to me. Even though, as I look at them, I can't really see that. At all. It's just the feel of the design, I guess.

Anyway, I managed to print it (finally!) about 20 minutes before I was supposed to go. They're turning out beautifully! I did make some adjustments to the pattern, because that's how I am.

Firstly, I started out with the recommended stitch count, but quickly realized (within the first 4 rounds) that they would be too big if I did that. I'm a loose knitter. So, I took it out, re-cast on with 33 stitches (it's an 11 stitch repeat) and off I went.

As I approached the thumb I realized that I wanted the cuff longer, so I did that. Also, that the thumb was supposed to go on the needle that would have had 22 stitches on it originally (this is knitted in the round on dpns). Oh, well. I figured I could adapt to that. So I did. I kind of did my own increasing at the gusset because sometimes I just can't be bothered with IncR and IncL. I just knit 2 in 1 and that was that. I followed the rounds for increasing - every 3rd - which was a bit difficult because the pattern is on a 4-round repeat. But I did it! The thumb stitches are on a bit of scrap yarn now and I just have to finish the hand/finger part for the first mitt, then it's on do the second.

I really like City Tweed. I like Knit Picks in general, but this is my first time working with City Tweed. I would have expected it to be more splitty and stuff, but it's not! And it's soft. It's very pleasant to work with. It doesn't shed at all either. Another tweed I worked with before did shed and it was a little rough. This one, though. I just love it. I think everyone does!

Other than that? Not much knitting going on.

For my birthday (the 17th) I went to Cindy B.'s craft camp with my sister for the afternoon. I brought my knitting stuff, but didn't knit. They were tie-dying shirts, and I'd never done that before, so I did! It was fun! Although my sister's shirt turned out better than mine, imho. I'll post pictures tomorrow. Also pictures of the baby beaded skunk and the Matrix-colors (read: black and green) lanyard keychain thingy. I know that's a very middle-school-summer-day-camp sort of activity, but I like doing it. Plus... Matrix colors! Come on!

Why, yes, I am a nerd. Thanks for asking!

Oh, yes! And next month, on the 29th, is my first day of college classes! I'm excited. I'll probably move down there on the 28th. I am staying with a family friend; not the dorms. I'm glad, though, because the dorms remind me of a cheep motel room, only you have to share it with a stranger for a long period of time...and I hate motel rooms anyway. So that's all good. I'm making a Jayne Hat at some point so I can wear it around campus while I'm going to school.

I guess that makes me an exhibitionist nerd? Hmm...

So, that's the news for today! I promise; pictures tomorrow! Provided I can find a camera... I think I can :D

Happy Knitting, all you great people!

Hello, hello

So, I've been neglecting my knitting and spinning... well, not completely. I have about 100 yds of handspun alpaca, the grey that I talked about before. It's a lovely fingering/lace weight... a bit thick-and-thin but not too bad.

I finished a par of socks in Knitpicks Imagination in a color called Pixie Dust, which I think is discontinued. It only took 1 219 yd ball for a pair! I made the cuffs ~6 inches long, too - which is not short. Granted, I have kinda small feet, so there is that... The second sock turned out slightly smaller. I don't know why. The stitch number is the same, etc. I think the stitches for the sole of the sock ended up being more - like I didn't split them evenly or something... and then I didn't knit quite long enough to the toe. The good thing is, even if they both were the same length, I have confidence that I wouldn't have used more than one ball. Also, you can't tell when they're on! Haha!

The knitting group is planning a yarning trip. We go do all the yarnshops on "The Coast", eat lunch (might be tricky for me; I'm vegan, but oh well... I'll figure something out!), and have fun! It's an all day deal.

This weekend, I'm probably going over to Cindy's to make stitch markers. It's also my birthday, which I forgot when I told her I would be there. It doesn't change anything; we never do anything really big for birthdays around here!

The reason I haven't been knitting so much? Well... I've kind of taken up running...and I've kind of been getting that on track. As a matter of fact, I'm going to start a blog dedicated to running (I've given up on making this anything other than a knitting blog; it just isn't going to happen, I don't think... although 2 blogs might be hard to maintain... oh,well... we'll see).

So, wish me luck with my yarning adventures next month. And if anyone's actually reading this, could you please reccomend a neat, unique, but not crazy, lace-and-cable scarf pattern? Or just something that would look nice in worsted weight Cascade Pride in pink? I love the yarn; can't find a pattern for it...

Favorite Mitts

Favorite Mitts Pattern

Materials:1 skein of worsted/heavy worsted weight yarn. Fiber content doesn't matter; it's up to you!

1 pair size 7 straight needles (or size needed to get gauge)

1 pair size 7 double-pointed needles (or size needed to get gauge) (optional; for thumb)

1 tapestry needle (or a crochet hook if you slip-stitch the seams closed)

Sizes:
S/M (L)

Gauge: 16 stitches, 21 rows = 4 inches (gauge is not CRITICAL in this pattern, but try to get close!)

Pattern:
Cast on 30 (34) stitches using preferred method

Row 1: k

Row 2: k2, p 22 (26), k6

Repeat these two rows until mitt measures about 8 inches. Bind off.
Repeat for second mitt.

Fishing:
Fold one mitt in half, right sides facing in. Sew up seam for 4 (4.5) inches. Skip 1.5 inches, sew up remaining 1.5 inches. Repeat for other mitt.

Optional Thumb:
After the mitt is sewn up, pick up ten stitches around the thumb hole (or number of stitches necessary to make about 2.5 inches AROUND), starting at the top. Knit in the round:

Round 1: k4, kfb twice, k4

Round 2: k

FOR SIZE L ONLY: k 4, kfb, k2, kfb, k4

Continue knitting for about 1.5 inches, or desired length.

Bind off; weave in ends.

Note:

These can be embellished in any way you wish, from adding buttons, embroidery, or bead work before sewing them up, to adding bobbles and cables as you knit them. This is just a basic pattern - perfect for beginners, by the way.

You can do whatever you wish with this pattern, except sell it. If you decide to use it as a learning tool for a class, or you want to distribute it from your yarn shop, then I would just die of delight! In other words, please let me know; I won't stop you, but I'd love to know that my simple pattern was worthy of such enjoyment!
Happy Knitting!

Here are the mitts 'unmodeled'

Here is the size comparison. Large is on the left, small/medium on the right.

I hope you enjoy this pattern; I'd love to see variations on it!

What is the Average Flight Speed of an Unladen Swallow?

Why, yes, I do have trouble thinking of headings sometimes! How'd you guess?

Anyway, on with the Gallery Tour.

Below, you will see an anatomically correct (crocheted) sculpture of the legendary Dragon Warrior 1 Slime. In case you don't know about Dragon Warrior, it's a series of RPGs (role playing/adventure games) for the Nintendo consoles. In Dragon Warrior 1, the Blue Slime is the first monster that the main character (you, since it's an RPG) fights. They're harmless, not-so-powerful creatures, but awfully cute, don't you think? My brothers, who have beaten the Dragon Warrior games, were enthralled by this. I told them that they couldn't have it. He's mine.


And this little number below, the hat with the 3-column-raglan shaping, is one of my favorite hats in the whole world. It's roomy, comfortable, warm, and one of my favorite colors--purple.

Actually, it was also the first hat I ever made...ever...I'm pretty sure, at any rate. I didn't really know exactly what I was doing--I didn't follow a pattern since, quite frankly, I was afraid to. I figured out how many stitches would fit my (larger than average female) head on size 10 dpns. I commenced to knit. No, there isn't any ribbing; I wanted a slightly roll brim. So I knit until I liked the length. Then, the decreases. I wasn't sure about those. So, for the first round (so it seems), I did a k2tog 3 times on each needle--beginning, middle, and end. From then on, I'm pretty sure I just did 2 decreases per needles--beginning and end--until I had probably about 4-8 stitches left. Then I finished off. It's made in worsted weight and knits up very quickly, in case you'd like to have one.


And this below is my favorite scarf, knitted not so long ago as the hat above (the hat was knit about 4 years ago, I'd say). The scarf was knit just over a year ago, I think, in Sheep Shop Yarn Sheep 3. I'm not sure of the color, but it's the sky blue looking one. (I have the label...somewhere). I used about 2/3 of a skein and so the scarf didn't come out as long as I normally make them. But I love it all the same. I wore it every day that I could for as long as I could.



And this, below, is the first full sweater I knit. I designed it myself. I used measurements. I used acrylic yarn which, in my humble opinion, should be used for hats, gloves, bags, toys, whatever, but not full garments. It's not "flow-ey" enough, I guess. Well, this is the sweater. It was knitted from the top down. It's lumpy. It looks 'homey' in a bad sort of way. Some have asked why I don't wear it. I don't because I don't like it, really.




This is my second sweater. The Spring Green sweater on my rav project page. This one, I love. It's soft, it's comfy. I used the formula pattern found in one of the knitty issues--I think it was called Knitting With Numbers or Knitting By Numbers or something like that. It's not hard to find and it makes a great first sweater. This one I made with 3/4 sleeves because I didn't want 'puffy' sleeves around my wrists. Since you double the sleeve stitches after you're done working the ribbing for the sleeve, it's a little puffy.

Admittedly, it's probably not going to last that long because I used size 8 needles with an Aran weight yarn. I thought it was worsted. As a matter of fact, I thought it was a little thin for worsted. But, oh well. It doesn't matter; I can make a new one when this one wears out. But I love this one. You can tell by how much I rambled about it.


And that's all for now. I might actually post again later today to show my progress on my Clapotis (over half way done! Looking beautiful) and the crocheted vest/hoodie that I made a couple of years ago. I'm actually quite proud of it because it turned out so well and, once again, I didn't follow a pattern! I just measured here and there. Granted, there's hardly any shaping, but it's somehow a little fitted anyway--in a good way. I wish I could remember exactly what I did, though... meh.

Oh well. Anyway, that's all for now.

--NerdyNunchucks/NoobyKnitter

Good Gravy

I've decided that whining about pics isn't going to do my any good in the long run, so I'm not going to. Instead, I'm going to snag some one's camera in an appropriately sneaky style, take pics, post pics, and stealthily replace the camera where it was.

Okay, so all the fun sneaking around probably won't take place and I'll most likely just ask politely and the rest will quietly follow.

But that's later.

What's right now is updates on my knitting.

First is first. I haven't been living up to my name--i.e., 'Daily Knitter'. I have, in fact, been blatantly neglecting my knitting. The only time I really have knit is when we watched a movie or two in the past couple of weeks and I worked on my uber-easy wool scarf, which is turning out all nice and nubby and perfect for winter. In any case, the Clapotis is neglected and so is the pair of socks I started and various other things.

*sigh*

But I will return!

Secondly, I got an awesome book entitled "Amigumuri! Super Happy Crochet Cute" by Elisabeth A. Doherty. Yes, it is crochet, but I do that also. Besides that, the projects in the book are adorable! Also, I just happen to like making dolls. Don't' ask me why; I feel like I should have outgrown that sort of thing a long time ago...but it's so fun!

Thirdly, I may be starting an Etsy shop. Why? Because there is no market for hand spun yarns, handmade items, etc. in my tiny little town and I would really like to make and sell items in that area. I'll keep the blog updated.

Fourthly, I am starting a new blog. It's not like I'm abandoning this blog, it's merely that this blog is my knitting blog. I need one where I can write about my reading! So, there's that.


For update number Five, my brother and I are working at a farm/nursery locally here. A lot of people wouldn't call it a real job; it's mostly menial stuff like weeding, but my 'old' job was an office job and I hated it because I couldn't go outside. With this job, I'm outside for four hours. Even if it is hard work, I don't care; at least I'm outside!

And that's about it, I think. Hopefully, I'll be able to update more frequently now. But I'm not getting my hopes up.

Spinning

I've been spinning off-and-on for about...a year, I guess. I didn't really spin anything worthy of note until a couple of months ago. The reason? The stuff that I spun wasn't perfect, and I was convinced I was doing something wrong.

As it turns out, I was doing something wrong. I wasn't relaxed. Unless a person relaxes, one can't spin. At least, not enjoyably. The single, at first, doesn't have to be perfect. It'll be thick, thin, overspun, underspun, and everything in between. That isn't bad. In fact, experienced spinners, I've found out, often struggle to get that varied texture in order to create special yarns for specific projects.

So, I began to spin again, without getting uptight because the yarn wasn't consistent. I tried my best and, sure enough, my yarn got better as I went along--not near perfect, but better, smoother and more even.

My first single--which was probably between 20 and 30 yards (I didn't measure) was overtwisted and certainly uneven. I made a case for my mp3 player (a picture of which I will post tomorrow) and am very happy with it--proud of the fact that I spun my own yarn and knit with it.

Now, for my next feat, I will spin a pound (yes, a pound) of silk/mohair that I have and Navajo-ply it. 'Normal' plying doesn't sound near as appealing as using only 1 single to make a 3 ply yarn. Hopefully, it'll be easy enough to do on my spindle. There's no way on this earth that I could afford the lovely Ashfords and the like that are so tantalizingly sprinkled over the Internet.

So, tomorrow will be the day I begin spinning. Right now, I'm working on the 'increase' rows of my first Clapotis. I'm knitting it in a lovely denim-color multi sock yarn on size 6 needles. I want to get the increase rows done tonight so I can really see how wide it is going to be. The origonal pattern calls for worsted-weight yarn and size 8 needles. We'll see how it goes.

Well, it's off to ravelry and to see if the new Knitty has been posted yet.