Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Free is Good!
I don’t know about you, but my Christmas knitting is (almost) done. Whoo hoo! Our knitting group was supposed to start Christmas knitting in July-it was on the list of things to knit ….needless to say life got in the way again and here it is November and I’m putting the finishing touches on a pair of fingerless gloves. (Ravelry: free pattern: Toasty) As fingerless gloves go, this is one of my favorite patterns to knit, and it’s free. I knit a pair in soft gray baby alpaca-lovely-my daughter had to have those-so I knit a second pair for myself. I just finished another gray pair (it’s not a theme, I swear!) using Norwegian yarn: Triplex Kamgarn made by Sandnes Kamgarn Spinneri-they are not as soft as the alpaca gloves but worked up just as nice. Mom mentioned my sister would REALLY like a pair of fingerless gloves… so I am knitting her a pair in dark gray (lol) using some more Norwegian yarn-these will be knit using Peer Gynt 100% wool by Sandnes Uldvarefabrik in Norway. She lives in snow country so they will be toasty warm. (pun intended)
Let's talk free stuff:
With the internet and the wide variety of yarn manufacturers and distributors-there’s a bevy of FREE knitting (and crochet) patterns available at the click or two of your mouse. Even knitting magazines refer to web sites with free pattern offerings. Check out your favorite yarns or designers for their web sites and blogs. Here’s just a few of my favorites:
• www.ravelry.com
• www.vogueknitting.com
• www.berroco.com
• www.garnstudio.com
• www.cascadeyarns.com
• www.patonsyarns.com
• www.knitrowan.com
• www.plymouthyarn.com
• www.lionbrand.com
• www.yarn.com
Mostly I use Ravelry because they compile multitudes of patterns from a wide variety of manufacturers and designers-both free and pay patterns. You’ll have to assign at least a password with your email to log on to the sites to access the free patterns-so make it easy on yourself when deciding on a password.
And as always-free is good!
Until next time-Happy Knitting!
Friday, September 7, 2012
9/17/2012: Knitting Should Be Fun!
Hi again,
In my previous blog post I said I'd update my 2012 completed knitting projects. In the knitting community there are many UFO's-no, not the extraterrestrial kind, the UnFinsihed Object kind. I don't like UFO's, they drive me crazy. I'm a frogger instead, no, not someone in a pirogue at night with a light on her hat-I rip the project (rip it, rip it, rip it, rip it-say it really fast and all together-get it?) if it doesn't look like I'll finish knitting it.
2012 Finished Knitting & Crocheted Projects:
(I think it was decided in an earlier blog entry it was OK to say "crochet" on a knitting blog-so I'm running with that idea)
These projects are not in the order completed, because I forgot to document them as I finished. Also, the husband re-set the date and time on my digital camera and all my pictures were deleted as the result. The conversation went something like this: Me: "Where are all my pictures? I had some really good ones of the grandsons. My knitting project pictures were on there! Did you maybe just change the SD card? No?" Husband: "huh?"
Orange garter stitch neck roll pillow
Beret using Classic Elite yarn in blue
Pink and white stripe fingerless gloves using Knit.1 free pattern on www.vogueknitting.com : fingerless wristlets (Thanks Ms. Ethel)
Ribbed shawl with cabled edge trim using Classic Worsted by Universal Yarn Inc. in dark brown
Manitoba Slippers-pattern from Interweave Knits-Holiday Gifts 2011-using Universal Yarn Classic Shades in blue and purple tones
V-Stitch baby blanket crocheted in white, Bernat Baby Sport yarn using free pattern #70118AD from www.lionbrandyarn.com
Afghan stitch baby blanket using Bernat Baby Coordinates, color: sherbet sorbet
Finished Enterlac scarf-whoo hoo!
Turban'd ribbed headband using a leftover skein of dark brown yarn from the ribbed shawl. This is a free pattern from www.fairmountfibers.com , published in Vogue Knitting's Fall 2012 magazine.
Knitting Should be Fun
Ok-now that all that is out of the way-let's talk about how knitting is fun. It's a creative outlet, it's relaxing and also productive. You are making something with sticks and yarn and it’s cheaper than therapy! Don’t get bogged down and frustrated because a project is not turning out like you thought it would-maybe it’s just not the right time for this particular project. Knitting should be fun. You can always put a project aside (UFO!) and come back to it later. Sometimes it’s just as fun to knit something simple. The more you knit you’ll discover “your own comfort” knitting. Mine is knitting ribbing-I like the calm and repetitive K2 P2 or something similar compared to a YO (yarn over) project where I have to think more.
I’m also spending my time writing. When you have the chance, pick up the latest issue of Acadiana Lifestyle Magazine, (September 2012) it’s the Football Preview 2012 issue-hey, you can knit while watching the games! The issue is chock-full of lots of other good stuff, too. Check out my article: ”Celebrate the Good Life-Fall Festivals, Boat Races, Historic Homes and Arts & Crafts.” Or go on-line: www.acadianalifestyle.com.
I also wrote the Hunting Guide for the September/October 2012 issue of 008 Magazine, as well as other articles in the issue. Pick up your copy at a local retailer or go on-line: www.008magazine.com to read about all the cool stuff happening in Acadiana.
Until next time-Happy Knitting
In my previous blog post I said I'd update my 2012 completed knitting projects. In the knitting community there are many UFO's-no, not the extraterrestrial kind, the UnFinsihed Object kind. I don't like UFO's, they drive me crazy. I'm a frogger instead, no, not someone in a pirogue at night with a light on her hat-I rip the project (rip it, rip it, rip it, rip it-say it really fast and all together-get it?) if it doesn't look like I'll finish knitting it.
2012 Finished Knitting & Crocheted Projects:
(I think it was decided in an earlier blog entry it was OK to say "crochet" on a knitting blog-so I'm running with that idea)
These projects are not in the order completed, because I forgot to document them as I finished. Also, the husband re-set the date and time on my digital camera and all my pictures were deleted as the result. The conversation went something like this: Me: "Where are all my pictures? I had some really good ones of the grandsons. My knitting project pictures were on there! Did you maybe just change the SD card? No?" Husband: "huh?"
Orange garter stitch neck roll pillow
Beret using Classic Elite yarn in blue
Pink and white stripe fingerless gloves using Knit.1 free pattern on www.vogueknitting.com : fingerless wristlets (Thanks Ms. Ethel)
Ribbed shawl with cabled edge trim using Classic Worsted by Universal Yarn Inc. in dark brown
Manitoba Slippers-pattern from Interweave Knits-Holiday Gifts 2011-using Universal Yarn Classic Shades in blue and purple tones
V-Stitch baby blanket crocheted in white, Bernat Baby Sport yarn using free pattern #70118AD from www.lionbrandyarn.com
Afghan stitch baby blanket using Bernat Baby Coordinates, color: sherbet sorbet
Finished Enterlac scarf-whoo hoo!
Turban'd ribbed headband using a leftover skein of dark brown yarn from the ribbed shawl. This is a free pattern from www.fairmountfibers.com , published in Vogue Knitting's Fall 2012 magazine.
Knitting Should be Fun
Ok-now that all that is out of the way-let's talk about how knitting is fun. It's a creative outlet, it's relaxing and also productive. You are making something with sticks and yarn and it’s cheaper than therapy! Don’t get bogged down and frustrated because a project is not turning out like you thought it would-maybe it’s just not the right time for this particular project. Knitting should be fun. You can always put a project aside (UFO!) and come back to it later. Sometimes it’s just as fun to knit something simple. The more you knit you’ll discover “your own comfort” knitting. Mine is knitting ribbing-I like the calm and repetitive K2 P2 or something similar compared to a YO (yarn over) project where I have to think more.
I’m also spending my time writing. When you have the chance, pick up the latest issue of Acadiana Lifestyle Magazine, (September 2012) it’s the Football Preview 2012 issue-hey, you can knit while watching the games! The issue is chock-full of lots of other good stuff, too. Check out my article: ”Celebrate the Good Life-Fall Festivals, Boat Races, Historic Homes and Arts & Crafts.” Or go on-line: www.acadianalifestyle.com.
I also wrote the Hunting Guide for the September/October 2012 issue of 008 Magazine, as well as other articles in the issue. Pick up your copy at a local retailer or go on-line: www.008magazine.com to read about all the cool stuff happening in Acadiana.
Until next time-Happy Knitting
Thursday, August 16, 2012
WRITING AND KNITTING AGAIN
8/16/2012:
My how time flies. I won't make any promises to be a better blogger-we all know how that went last time-but I will try harder to update this blog more often.
The knitting group I joined is still going strong. I have to confess we do more knitting at home than together as a group-too much eating and talking!
I've become a much better knitter in the last two years with the help and encouragement of my knitting friends. My next post will include some of my most recent completed projects!
If you haven't already-check out Acadiana Lifestyle's new web site: www.acadianalifestyle.com for all the current scoop and happenings in and around New Iberia and add to your favorites now! Thanks to my wonderful editor Cheryl for suggesting posting this blog on their web site and actually getting me updating it again.
I've been busy with work ( I have a day job), knitting and some crocheting, keeping up with the every growing number of grandsons, we're up to six now (!!!) and writing. I did give up cooking so I am saving some time there-LOL
until next time-Happy Knitting
My how time flies. I won't make any promises to be a better blogger-we all know how that went last time-but I will try harder to update this blog more often.
The knitting group I joined is still going strong. I have to confess we do more knitting at home than together as a group-too much eating and talking!
I've become a much better knitter in the last two years with the help and encouragement of my knitting friends. My next post will include some of my most recent completed projects!
If you haven't already-check out Acadiana Lifestyle's new web site: www.acadianalifestyle.com for all the current scoop and happenings in and around New Iberia and add to your favorites now! Thanks to my wonderful editor Cheryl for suggesting posting this blog on their web site and actually getting me updating it again.
I've been busy with work ( I have a day job), knitting and some crocheting, keeping up with the every growing number of grandsons, we're up to six now (!!!) and writing. I did give up cooking so I am saving some time there-LOL
until next time-Happy Knitting
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