2010 is the year of knitting dangerously!

In a previous entry I mentioned how my knitting projects revealed that I am, in fact, scared of two sticks and some yarn. I've come to the realization that fiber plus needles does not equal vaporization and the most that will happen is I'll have to, gasp, frog a project. In my determination to accomplish much more in 2010 I joined I joined a wonderful group on Ravelry for support.



There are lots of wonderful knitters, who like me, want to tackle an unfamiliar technique/project and just need encouragement. There will be "resident experts" to offer advice and challenges throughout the year to keep everyone on track.

I've already chosen some projects for the challenges. Mind you, none of these patterns are earth shattering, but considering I've been sticking to projects the equivalent of plain hats in the round, I think they're pretty good.


Sweater Challenge

"Wicked"- a top down sweater with a cabled pocket


Sock Challenge

"Monkey" - the popular pattern by Cookie A.



Chart Challenge

"Springtime Bandit" - a very pretty, worsted weight "lace" scarf. (I've already tried to figure out the chart...I'm sure it will be Spring before I understand it.)

That's it for now. Like I said, these aren't the most advanced patterns but I want to pace myself. Right now I've got some super easy projects to finish. Plain gloves, a garter triangle shawl...oh, I'm casting on my first beaded project soon. I'll post pics of the progress.

New Knitting Goals

Tonight I finally updated my projects on Ravelry...finally, and upon looking through my finished projects I feel a need to do more. My knitting is pretty neat, with even stitches, etc., but it's boring, safe. I've been knitting for about a year and a half now, trying my hand at cabling, a little bit of lace, knitting from a chart, a few pairs of socks with success. That's not bad at all, but I need to attempt more complex patterns. I'm so used to choosing based on whether I can watch television while knitting. Sure, there's nothing wrong with a quick and easy project, but I also need to challenge myself with more intricate knitting, advanced stitches, a full-on lace project and colorwork. I know how to read patterns, in fact, it's a hobby of mine, reading knitting patterns so I can see if I understand them. All well and good, but it's time to put into practice some of that "book learning".

I think subconsiously I've been holding back, afraid of having to frog, afraid of making mistakes. I convinced myself that I'd gotten past being a fearful knitter, but when I look at my projects it tells the true story, a story of perfectly nice and snooze-worthy finished items. That changes as of now. The knitting will not explode if I make an error or the item comes out bigger than planned, and I'll never get better if I don't put away the fear of messing up and ripping back. Mistakes, plan and simple, are a part of the knitting experience.

So short term I'd like to learn toe-up and two-at-a-time sock construction, focusing on detailed stitching when making socks and finish a larger lace project from a chart. In 2010 I want to knit more in general, for longer periods (concentrate, Vicky!) complete a sweater and do colorwork, which should seem simple, but for some reason is daunting to me.

Finally, I've hired my 11-year old daughter, Alexis as my permanent model and she's not going to charge the the going rate (isn't she sweet?). She's getting older, looking more mature and cute and the pictures are blurry enough without me trying to pose while taking a picture of myself. I also need to get a new camera because those existing pics are from a horrible 3.0 megapixel camera that's old as dust.

Check out my Rav project page from time to time for snazzy new finished projects. :)

Doing something different...

I'm starting to feel drained, the days are getting shorter, I'm taking more and longer naps on the weekend, plus this season is around the anniversary of my sister's passing. I can feel myself thinking, "I don't feel like *insert normal daily task like, throwing a load of clothes in the washing machine*." Thoughts easily lead to emotions, so to fend off a seriously blue period I've decided that I need to throw a monkey wrench in my routine. I don't want to be bawling because I have to brush my teeth.

Today I put in my contacts instead of wearing my glasses. I turned on the light at my desk. I've printed a new side dish recipe that I'm going to fix tomorrow. But more importantly, I'm switching my thinking from, "Don't feel like it." to "I want to." Easier said than done, but daily tasks need to be accomplished and "I want" to take care of these duties. Hobbies, such as knitting, are joys in my life, not drudgery. I have a low-key way of life and a routine and if I need a change of pace, it's up to me to take care of that.

Taking the bull by its horns and "being here now".

A Night of Stars

Last night I attended an award dinner honoring employees with 15 or more years of service at my job. I started working at HAP (an HMO here in Michigan) right out of high school, so I'm celebrating 20 years. It was nice, I got a neat pin, but what I was most impressed with was the menu. When I have the extra money to dine out, it's usually a chain restaurant, so I was really happy to be treated to something different and a little more upscale.

Baby spinach salad with chopped egg, toasted almonds, mandarin orange segments and warm Brie vinaigrette (I don't know how long it's been since I've eaten a salad that didn't consist of Romaine or Iceberg lettuce!)

Sauteed chicken breast with Michigan Cherry Chutney

Dauphanoise (didn't know what that was) potatoes (however it was absolutely delicious)
Blistered tomato (mmmm, yeah didn't like that as much)
Roasted root vegetables
Asparagus & Parisienne Carrots (i.e. really tiny carrots...tiny)

Butterfiner Bombe (I still don't know what to make of dessert. It had a hard shell and mousse inside which didn't taste butterfingery. I enjoyed it though.)

That was highlight of the evening. I took my mother and we left once the dancing began.


Today, I had so much planned but since I slept late I'm lounging around the house today, keeping my brother company. (He's out of commission for the next five weeks after ACL surgery.)

You Never Blog Anymore....

I know. Honestly, if there was more going on in my life I would. As it stands I could, for the most part, post this entry today and in three months all you would need to do is input the new date. I guess that's not a horrible thing, I certainly don't mind my routine, but I don't think "I stayed home this weekend and watched television", is really blog-worthy reading.

So here's the quarterly update of some new stuff:

I'm knitting consistently now. I'm slow as a turtle in finishing projects, but they're getting done. I don't have too many UFO's, but my stash is growing faster than my finished items. My ADHD won't allow me to do anything for long periods of time (I'm self-diagnosed, mind you :), so I knit for 20 minutes, read, play my DS, surf the net, check Ravelry for 45 minutes, look at knitting magazines for 30 minutes and then get back to my project. Yes, I spend more time researching knitting than actually knitting, which is ridiculous, but it's what I do.

I think I've grown much more confident in my knitting. I don't feel the dire need to run to a class everytime I want to try something new. This was proven during the last series of classes I purchased at my LYS. I wanted to learn how to knit socks and thought I required a teacher's assistance. Not that the class didn't help, but I found I really only needing it for a few parts of the pattern. If I got stuck at home I'd go to Knittinghelp.com, YouTube or one of the 15 reference books I own. I still have four classes left which I'll use to learn a toe-up cast on and two-at-a-time. I'm sure those will be enough to demystify both of those techniques and I'll follow up at home.

Same for crocheting. I wanted to dust off some ancient crocheting skills, so I signed up for a class at Joann's. The teacher wanted to hold my hand, but I wanted to move forward. By the end of the hour I had half a scarf of single crochet, double crochet and half-double crochet stiches, while my poor classmate had a mess of yarn at her hands. (I encouraged her to sign up for other classes, if I can be crafty, anyone can.). If I can't figure out more advanced stitches, granny squares, etc., on my own, I'll sign up for one or two crochet classes at my LYS to fine tune my home training.

So that's about it for now. I'm playing Scribblenauts on my DS, which I have a love-hate relationship with that I'll detail in another blog.

Until then, happy knitting/crocheting/crafting/gaming!

I am Elinor Dashwood!

Take the Quiz here!

You are Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are practical, circumspect and discreet. Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule, you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see.

Hmmm, I guess of all the Austen heroines, this one suits me best.

A Year In....Knitting

Since it's been well over a year since I've blogged I thought I'd give an update on what I've been doing since my last post.

I'm still knitting, yay! I find it an extremely enjoyable and highly entertaining hobby. It's great because you can get into a relaxing knitting rhythm while watching television or listening to music. Or with a more difficult project, you can challenge your mind while executing an intricate pattern. Join a knit group and chit-chat and get tips on a project. Go to the local yarn store to feel the different fibers, with a feast of colors. Don't even get me started on the online community that is Ravelry! Knitting is not just the "neighborhood cat lady's" hobby, it's hip, it's chic and it's totally addictive.

One thing though, I was not warned that knitting wouldn't necessarily be cheap. I should have known that any hobby that included a variety of fun accessories, sale items, hoarding said sale items, yummy and very expensive yarn, would put a big dent in my pocket book. However, any damage to my funds is due to my own lack of self-control. Knitting can be as inexpensive or expensive as one likes, really. You'd never have to pay for a pattern there are so many free ones available on the internet and inexpensive yarn can be found at yarn store sales, or at chains like Joann Fabrics and Michael's (if you're not a yarn snob, that is), even online.

So I love knitting and I've included a few of pictures of some of my projects. I started with a very easy class scarf and have since moved on to knitting other scarves, hats and even socks! I know how to knit on straight needles, circulars and DPN's and have even added cables and lace into my reprotoire. Eventually I'll be brave enough to try a sweater..


Some adorable little baby booties.


A cool, rasta hat.


The current work in progress, a lace scarf worked in a pattern called "Liesel".

There are other pictures that I'll post once I get the gumption.