So, I've decided to do less knitting. I'll still keep my etsy shop stocked with around 20-25 items. I still plan to knit items for the local bazaar. I still plan to knit the prayer shawls. But as far as waking up in the morning and knitting all morning, noon and night I'm taking a break.
I told Nick instead of knitting 25 hours a week, I'd knit 20! Just kidding. I think I'll start using my cool timer by hubby got me and setting it for 15 minute increments. (I've been known to knit for 5 hours straight!- Not good!)
Then, I'll only knit about an hour a day if that unless I'm at my knitting group. I'm ready to branch out and find new hobbies. Pick up some good books. Stop feeling like I have to knit all the time.
Life is good!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Feeling overwhelmed
I knew I had a lot of yarn but I had no idea how much I had until I started dragging it all out and plopped it on the bed. Now, this picture doesn't even show all of it. There is actually more on the several needles that I have started various projects on. Cover and Soles hat still needing to be finished, Yellow lacy baby hat, prayer shawl, baby booties, sudsy sacks, dish cloths etc... This also does not include the yarn in my two knitting bags, my backpack leftover from a trip I took, and in other parts of the house. No, this just came from the closet...
and if you'll look towards the bottom edge, the image cut off all the rest of the sock yarn that is not even visible in this picture.
That being said, I am quite overwhelmed with all the yarn I have. The good news is that I have a project assigned to all of it. I just need to get it all knitted up.
and if all goes well, 75% of this yarn will be gone by November if not sooner.
Feeling super blessed to have all this yarn right now! When I started my etsy shop, it was so that I'd always have something to knit and I am set for life!
That being said, I am quite overwhelmed with all the yarn I have. The good news is that I have a project assigned to all of it. I just need to get it all knitted up.
and if all goes well, 75% of this yarn will be gone by November if not sooner.
Feeling super blessed to have all this yarn right now! When I started my etsy shop, it was so that I'd always have something to knit and I am set for life!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Interchangeable knitting needles
Ever since I met my knitting friends in Kansas, I have been contemplating buying interchangeable knitting needles. I love concept of them. All your needles in one place. Doesn't take up a lot of space. Never having to worry about not having the right size. (now, I know that they don't start at 0) but most of the knitting I do starts in a size 6.
I never got to use the ones that a lady had at the knitting club in Kansas but the idea of it intrigued me. Then, when we moved back to Missouri one of the ladies at the knitting club had a set of Denise needles. She said she'd had them for years and years and loved them.
I gave it some thought awhile back but the $60+ for the Denise set always held me back a little. Not that I didn't think they were worth every penny since I've probably spent close to that and I still lack needles sizes that I want. I've just never spent that much at once on needles. Now, yarn and other supplies I have but don't get me started! :-)
The other day, I asked this friend if she would bring them to the next knitting meeting and let me try them out for myself. It's funny because before I ever got there, I decided I did not want a pair. And I listed my reasons to Nick. "I hate plastic knitting needles" was my first reasoning. I hate the way they bend and give. My wooden ones don't do that. At least not to the degree as my one set of plastic dpn's that I hate very much. My next thought was "I want to be able to do more than one project at a time." I figured with the interchangeable needles that I would only be able to work on one thing at a time. I certainly couldn't think of how I could use the base part of the needle and use a size 6 and a size 7 at the same time. I can't think of all the reasons I decided not to get a set but there were more. It doesn't matter anymore.
When I got there, she set me up using a size 7 set. While she knitted her project, I realized that it was possible to work on more than one thing at a time. In fact, she had two other projects going at the same time! (which made mine 3) I usually have three projects going at one time.
The moment I started casting on and knitting with this set, I fell in love with them. The knitting was so smooth. I had read reviews about how the yarn did not slide evenly and smoothly as you were knitting. I know what that feels like because that's what happens every time I use my Lantern Moon needles. I spend more time moving the yarn back and forth than I do knitting. Not so with the Denise set. It was like knitting with butter. (I'm sure that seems strange but butter is what I thought of as I knit with these needles.
I've heard others talk about how their project has fallen open (the cables not staying together) but I have no idea how that is possible. You have to twist them into place and hear them snap. So for those that have it come apart on them, I have to say to you, put it in right and you won't have any problems. The lady whose set I used said she has had it come apart on her once or twice in the 20+ years she's owned them.
So, after telling the lady how much I liked them she told me that a friend of hers had some extra sets for sale. They don't come in the standard Denise case but they were discounted. I just heard back from her today and I am now the happy owner of a Denise set of interchangeable needles. I got the set for.... only $20!!! I am thrilled! I've even seen the cases sell online for $15. So, if I decide to get the case, I can have the whole set for only $35!!
Yay!
I never got to use the ones that a lady had at the knitting club in Kansas but the idea of it intrigued me. Then, when we moved back to Missouri one of the ladies at the knitting club had a set of Denise needles. She said she'd had them for years and years and loved them.
I gave it some thought awhile back but the $60+ for the Denise set always held me back a little. Not that I didn't think they were worth every penny since I've probably spent close to that and I still lack needles sizes that I want. I've just never spent that much at once on needles. Now, yarn and other supplies I have but don't get me started! :-)
The other day, I asked this friend if she would bring them to the next knitting meeting and let me try them out for myself. It's funny because before I ever got there, I decided I did not want a pair. And I listed my reasons to Nick. "I hate plastic knitting needles" was my first reasoning. I hate the way they bend and give. My wooden ones don't do that. At least not to the degree as my one set of plastic dpn's that I hate very much. My next thought was "I want to be able to do more than one project at a time." I figured with the interchangeable needles that I would only be able to work on one thing at a time. I certainly couldn't think of how I could use the base part of the needle and use a size 6 and a size 7 at the same time. I can't think of all the reasons I decided not to get a set but there were more. It doesn't matter anymore.
When I got there, she set me up using a size 7 set. While she knitted her project, I realized that it was possible to work on more than one thing at a time. In fact, she had two other projects going at the same time! (which made mine 3) I usually have three projects going at one time.
The moment I started casting on and knitting with this set, I fell in love with them. The knitting was so smooth. I had read reviews about how the yarn did not slide evenly and smoothly as you were knitting. I know what that feels like because that's what happens every time I use my Lantern Moon needles. I spend more time moving the yarn back and forth than I do knitting. Not so with the Denise set. It was like knitting with butter. (I'm sure that seems strange but butter is what I thought of as I knit with these needles.
I've heard others talk about how their project has fallen open (the cables not staying together) but I have no idea how that is possible. You have to twist them into place and hear them snap. So for those that have it come apart on them, I have to say to you, put it in right and you won't have any problems. The lady whose set I used said she has had it come apart on her once or twice in the 20+ years she's owned them.
So, after telling the lady how much I liked them she told me that a friend of hers had some extra sets for sale. They don't come in the standard Denise case but they were discounted. I just heard back from her today and I am now the happy owner of a Denise set of interchangeable needles. I got the set for.... only $20!!! I am thrilled! I've even seen the cases sell online for $15. So, if I decide to get the case, I can have the whole set for only $35!!
Yay!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wondermill Junior Contest
My favorite website, Urban Homemaker is having a contest to win a free Wondermill Junior Grain mill.
I've read about them before and drooled over the thought of owning one, so I hope I win this contest!
To enter for yourself, go here.
They sell so many great things. Even if you're not into grinding your own grain, go check them out and see what all they carry.
I've read about them before and drooled over the thought of owning one, so I hope I win this contest!
To enter for yourself, go here.
They sell so many great things. Even if you're not into grinding your own grain, go check them out and see what all they carry.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Organizer
So, today I bought a 3 ring binder and some sleeve page protectors. I have so many patterns that were all over the place that are now nice and organized. I bought a 50 pack and have 25 sheets leftover from before. I eventually want to get separate binders for each category but for now I love it!
I also bought one of those plastic three drawer dressers that Walmart sells. I have been using these crates to keep my knitting in for etsy but it's always been a pain to get items out and finding things. I love my new "dresser". Now, I just keep each item in its own separate drawer and the top drawer is for orders that need to be shipped out. I can keep my labels and envelopes and gift tags all in one place now.
It's great!
I also bought one of those plastic three drawer dressers that Walmart sells. I have been using these crates to keep my knitting in for etsy but it's always been a pain to get items out and finding things. I love my new "dresser". Now, I just keep each item in its own separate drawer and the top drawer is for orders that need to be shipped out. I can keep my labels and envelopes and gift tags all in one place now.
It's great!
Sudsy sacks and more
I sold three more sudsy sacks last night and my supply is getting really low so I thought I'd take this evening to crochet more. I bought some new skeins of yarn and I have a ton of scrap yarn as well. I just get tired of using the same colors! Plus the two new skeins I bought are my favorite. One is called Field of Dreams by Sugar and Cream and has purple, green, tan, red shades in it. The other one is called playtime and reminds me of sherbet ice cream. It is yellow, pink and orange in color.
I'm hoping to crochet up at least 10 sudsy sacks tonight, if I can just get more motivated and spend less time here and on facebook!
I'm also working on a new ear flap hat. I used some boucle type yarn for the ear flap part and while it's a pain to work with, the hat is turning out good so far. I'll post pics for sure when I'm done.
I've also got the hat I'm working on for Covers and Soles.
And the prayer shawl that I haven't touched in weeks (gasp!) I know, I just had so much trouble with it and had to take out multiple rows that I tucked it into the closet and haven't touched it since before I got sick. I'm better now, but haven't yet to start on it. Maybe tomorrow?
And last but not least, I am making a cream colored newborn ripple eyelet hat like the multi-colored one I did before. It is looking more like the original picture shown on the site than the first one. I'm wondering if I did something wrong or if it's just hard to tell because of the colors.
Oh, and I'm making another ear flap hat for a friend of mine.
As you can see, I have many projects going at once but that's just the way I like it. I should have most of these projects done by next week, if not all of them.
When I get caught up on all this, I'd really like to knit a few hats for my etsy shop.
Someday...
I'm hoping to crochet up at least 10 sudsy sacks tonight, if I can just get more motivated and spend less time here and on facebook!
I'm also working on a new ear flap hat. I used some boucle type yarn for the ear flap part and while it's a pain to work with, the hat is turning out good so far. I'll post pics for sure when I'm done.
I've also got the hat I'm working on for Covers and Soles.
And the prayer shawl that I haven't touched in weeks (gasp!) I know, I just had so much trouble with it and had to take out multiple rows that I tucked it into the closet and haven't touched it since before I got sick. I'm better now, but haven't yet to start on it. Maybe tomorrow?
And last but not least, I am making a cream colored newborn ripple eyelet hat like the multi-colored one I did before. It is looking more like the original picture shown on the site than the first one. I'm wondering if I did something wrong or if it's just hard to tell because of the colors.
Oh, and I'm making another ear flap hat for a friend of mine.
As you can see, I have many projects going at once but that's just the way I like it. I should have most of these projects done by next week, if not all of them.
When I get caught up on all this, I'd really like to knit a few hats for my etsy shop.
Someday...
Turquoise blue hat with fancy fur trim
Several of my knitting friends have made hats like these but this is the first one I've made. The hardest part was sewing up the seam and trying to see where to sew. I definitely want to try making this hat again but using a 16 inch length circular needle. (I think) I thought about using my dpn's but knew with the furry yarn that it was going to be too hard. It was pretty hard using it on the straights anyways.
It's very warm and soft with the fancy fur trim. I'm imagining trying out all kinds of colors and different trim options.
It was definitely fun to make.
It's very warm and soft with the fancy fur trim. I'm imagining trying out all kinds of colors and different trim options.
It was definitely fun to make.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Ripple Eyelet Baby hat and booties
I found this pattern the other day for a newborn sized hat. I found plenty of hats for 3-6 months but wanted to find one that would fit a newborn.
I messed up on a lot of it and spent most of the day taking rows out. Seemed like I would never get it done but I did, finally! The pictures show the front and back. I love the yarn. It is plymouth encore. Though I'm not sure what color it's called as it was given to me.
I think it looks different than the pink one pictured on the site. I know it's multi-colored but the design just looks different. I plan to make a solid colored one and then I can compare it better.
I've made more than what is pictured above but already made those out to friends. All the baby booties you see pictured are sized 0-3 months except the multi-colored one on top and it's 6-12 months. I posted the place to buy the pattern on my other post labeled: Best bootie pattern ever!
Right now on my needles, I'm making a size small ear flap hat pattern found here. I had some pink boucle type yarn and some cream colored Red heart yarn. I used the pink part for the ear flaps to make it extra soft and knitted an i-cord for the ties instead of the way the pattern says. I'm not sure what I think of it, because I'm thinking I did not make it long enough but I won't know until it's done. I'll post up some pics tomorrow of it cause I'm hoping to have it done by then.
I'm also still knitting the hat for Covers and Soles. I don't take it with me when I go places (I tend to get more accomplished when I take my projects with me) because the needles seem so fragile that I don't want anything to happen to them. I hope to get more of it done tomorrow though too.
Until next time!
I messed up on a lot of it and spent most of the day taking rows out. Seemed like I would never get it done but I did, finally! The pictures show the front and back. I love the yarn. It is plymouth encore. Though I'm not sure what color it's called as it was given to me.
I think it looks different than the pink one pictured on the site. I know it's multi-colored but the design just looks different. I plan to make a solid colored one and then I can compare it better.
I've made more than what is pictured above but already made those out to friends. All the baby booties you see pictured are sized 0-3 months except the multi-colored one on top and it's 6-12 months. I posted the place to buy the pattern on my other post labeled: Best bootie pattern ever!
Right now on my needles, I'm making a size small ear flap hat pattern found here. I had some pink boucle type yarn and some cream colored Red heart yarn. I used the pink part for the ear flaps to make it extra soft and knitted an i-cord for the ties instead of the way the pattern says. I'm not sure what I think of it, because I'm thinking I did not make it long enough but I won't know until it's done. I'll post up some pics tomorrow of it cause I'm hoping to have it done by then.
I'm also still knitting the hat for Covers and Soles. I don't take it with me when I go places (I tend to get more accomplished when I take my projects with me) because the needles seem so fragile that I don't want anything to happen to them. I hope to get more of it done tomorrow though too.
Until next time!
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