Thank Goodness for Mistakes!

I screwed up a few days back. My lilac scarf was looking so good and then I got distracted during the Red Sox game, but my fingers kept working. Next thing I know, I examined the knitting I had completed and found that 4 inches back I had created an S-turn instead of a braided cable. Now what do I do?

I was so mad at myself that I just pulled out the needles and ripped the yarn back past the error, into a big pile of yarn spaghetti. I briefly thought about picking up the stitches and attempting to get back on track, but I just couldn't. So I threw the scarf into my basket and assumed that it would stay there until I need the yarn for some other project. Cables defeated me again.

I glanced at it the next day, but just didn't want to deal with it. Then last evening I decided I was only undermining myself and I had better get over it if I wanted to grow as a knitter! I picked up the tangled mess, slowly picked up the stitches, though I wasn't sure which way they should face, and then...

...I pulled out the needles and ripped out one more row. That's right. I decided that the previous wrong side row would be easier to try to decipher so I picked those stitches up and started over. This time I paid close attention to how the cables really worked instead of just checking off rows of pattern. By paying attention to how my cable needle position affected the twist of the cable, I learned so much more and found that I didn't need to check off rows because I now could recognize where I was in the pattern. This was such an amazing moment of realization for me!

So I must be thankful for this happy mistake and the knowledge that I gained with it. I only hope that I will think of this when, inevitably, the next mistake occurs. May I face it with the optimism of what I may gain from it.

Cables

I have an irrational fear of cables. When I see a pattern, if it has cables, I just keep on going. I have made a few attempts to make sweaters with cables that have ended in lots of frogging and cursing, so I just don't try anymore. Well, today is a new day sparky.

While I was perusing a friends blog, I came across a scarf pattern that she designed and thought, "that is beautiful, but it has a cable", so I was going to move on. Then I was sad that I couldn't make such a wonderful scarf, so I decided it is time to give cables a chance again. I have come a long way as a knitter since the last time I attempted them. Besides, a scarf is a lot less challenging than cables with sweater shaping too!

So, I printed the pattern for Fancy Cabled Braided Scarf (on Ravelry too) and started knitting last evening. I only frogged one row, one time. Below is a picture of the scarf in progress and I must say "I am proud"!!!

Happy Independence Day!

I hope that everyone in the U.S. is enjoying a very safe Independence Day. I had went to a wonderful family birthday party for my beautiful Mom and my pretty niece who is turning 4. It was a sunny, warm, clear afternoon with one of those perfect breezes that keep the bugs away.

Now I am back home, achy from my little excursion, and looking forward for an evening of watching National displays of patriotism while I knit. Ray will be watching baseball. These quiet, simple pleasures are who we really are.

I finished the nanner socks a few days ago. I finally took some pictures. The blocker that I have on one sock is made from a coat hanger. I only have one because I need to find another plastic coated, wire hanger. I must say that I am quite pleased with the way that this pair of socks turned out and I really learned a lot while making them. I owe a big thank-you to Wendy Johnson who designed the pattern for her fellow plurkers.

That's all for this post. I wish you all the happiest of Independence Weekends! Celebrate safely please!

Inner Farmgirl re-visited...

In my post yesterday, I mentioned that I am not physically able to participate in all farmgirl activities. Well, I now have a photo of my pitiful excuse for a "garden". And worse yet, I have to admit that my mother planted them for me! At least I have watered them and kept them from dying, so far. I always have the intention of planting herbs, even if it is just a window sill planter. Some how I never seem to follow through with it. I am hoping that my new "farmgirl spirit" will give me the gumption to finally get it done.

On the crafting front, I have cross-stitched a few pine trees on my sister-in-laws afghan, so progress, albeit slow, is being made. I am not thrilled with the way this project is turning out, but I dare not turn back as she may slay me if I don't finish it. Tomorrow I will have pictures of my first pair of nanner socks which I will block tonight. And finally, I have a picture of my new nanner sock yarn from the chicks with sticks . Have a great day everyone!

My Inner Farmgirl...Sorta

As I have mentioned in previous posts (more than you would like me to have), I am addicted to Plurk. While plurking I have had the extreme pleasure of getting to know the fabulous Miss Violet of Lime & Violet fame. She has constructed the Plurkette Hencircle for many of us to share and explore our inner and outer farmgirl. Miss Violet has asked each of us to introduce ourselves in our blogs. So, although this may be repetitive for some, here I go.

My name is Beverly and I am 40ish. Actually, I am more ish than 40. I am in a long-term committed relationship with a wonderfully supportive, loving and humorous man. I grew up in a small town in central Maine and every time I leave it, I come back because it is where I belong. I am small town Maine.

I have difficulty walking on a good day, and walking is damn near impossible on a bad day. Fortunately my hands work pretty well on most days, so I can knit and crochet. I am a wanna-be spinner. My maternal Grandmother is the person who taught me to crochet when I was seven. I've had long periods of time when I didn't pick up a crochet hook for a while, but I always come back to it when my life gets too hectic and I need calm. My favorite aunt used to knit sweaters for us and helped me to re-learn stitches when I had been away from my hooks too long. About 5 years ago I took some classes at my LYS (local yarn shop) to learn to knit, because I wanted to make mittens like my Grandmother used to. Now I am addicted to sock knitting.

I love gifts that are hand-made. Someone put time, effort and thought into the idea and construction. I get so much joy from the process of creating, and I think about the intended recipient while my needles and hooks consume the yarn. I think of it first as a gift for me to create and then a gift for others when I give.

I don't know if this really qualifies me as a inner farmgirl, but I like the ideas they put forth and the camaraderie that we share. I may not be physically able to participate in some farmgirl activities, but I feel I am one at heart.

Yarn crafts and Science

Yes, you read that correctly. Science combines with crochet and knitting to solve some of the big questions in the thinking world. Scienceline has a wonderful article that I highly encourage you to read regarding this subject. I would attempt to summarize it for you here, but I wouldn't do it justice. Suffice it to say that it is eye-opening and enlightening. Who doesn't need that?

Well, that is it for now. I am sorry that it has been so long between posts but I have had my hooks and needles flying and I will post pics and details soon. Really!

UFOs

How many UFOs do you have hidden away?

I ask because I recently went into my overcrowded yarn closet and tried to find a small ball of yarn to embellish something with and had to pull out a lot of stuff to find it. As I searched I came across a baby sweater that I started almost a year ago, had to buy more yarn for it, then totally forgot about it. This is never going to fit the child it was intended for. I then found a scarf that I had completed, the rest of the yarn is still with it, but I never made the mittens to match. Luckily, those are the only 2 UFOs that I had in the closet, but it made me wonder if everyone else has some forgotten or avoided UFOs in their closets too. Am I the only one?

Also, I would like to let you know that Vickie Howell has a great give away contest on her blog. The contest ends June 26th, so don't hesitate as the prizes are books!

Heel success!

Hello everyone! I am in a much better mood today. The reason: I have successfully turned the heel and knit the heel flap for my toe-up nanner socks!!! (and the crowd goes wild!) Yes, it is true, success at last. I must give much thanks to the very helpful and knowledgeable knitters on Ravelry . Their patience and guidance had a lot to do with my finally understanding the how, if not the why, of the pattern. All that is left is the leg and cuff of the sock, which I hope to complete with a minimum of frogging. Oh yeah, there is the matter of the 2nd sock. Oh well, I am not going to dwell on that during this jubilant celebration of the nanner sock heel.

I would like to thank all who have read this blog and sat on the edge of your seat, just hoping for me to make it over this knitting hump. I know that you too are sharing in my joy :)

Frogging...again.

I have been frogging, and frogging, and frogging. I loath frogging. It seems like just when I think I have figured out this toe-up sock, I have to frog again. That is why I haven't posted for so long, since I haven't produced anything of consequence.

I have decided that frogging is a learning experience. That is the mantra I repeat as I frog. Frogging is a learning experience....ohhhhmmmmmmm. If this theory holds up, I must be a genius by now! I guess the fact that I keep frogging the same heel turn stitches means that I haven't learned anything yet, but I will keep trying. You keep on trying too!

Mondays...

What is it that makes a Monday so...you know? Today it may be the weather. It is dismal, dreary and drizzling here in central Maine. But not all Monday weather is bad. So why do Mondays seem so much more difficult. More importantly, how do we change it? Is is just a perception? Answers seem to be evading me.

Well, I have managed to work the toe increases and then start on the lace pattern. Knitting lace is a first for me. Also, I have never knit from a chart before. So I did have to frog frequently, but I have a couple of repeats completed and I am quite pleased with myself. I don't know for sure if it is correct, but it is okay until someone tells me otherwise. Below is a picture of what I have done so far. More pics to come when they are completed.

Nanner Socks!

Let me ask you this: Have you heard enough about Plurk from me yet? Well, an amazing and generous designer with whom I plurk, Wendy Johnson, designed a sock pattern to represent the dancing banana emoticon that we plurkers seem to be fascinated with and she shared it with me. Yes, ME! I am so honored and grateful.

Last night (actually in the wee hours of the morning...insomniac, ugh) I decided that I would make my socks in Cascade Heritage Paints. The colorway is not named but is a blue/green/purple variegation. I don't own the size 0 circs, so I am casting onto dpns. I googled a toe up cast on and settled on Judy's Magic Cast-on . It took me 2 attempts, but I have the first sock on my needles and have started the increases for the toe!

Now, if anyone has ever read my blog, you know that I said I was going to try not to start another project until I completed the dreaded afghan, but I just couldn't resist! Nanner socks are plurk related, so they feed into my newest addition plurklectly, umm...I mean perfectly.

Also, my wonderful brothers stopped in this afternoon to visit. This is always a treat, because they are funny and interesting people and I love them dearly. I am truly blessed as far as my family is concerned. Well, while they were here I was making my 2nd attempt at casting on for the socks. I mentioned how much easier it would be if I had the circs, so my youngest brother has offered to get them. I told him that I could get by without them but he won't listen. He and the rest of my family have this incredible generosity gene that I wish I could afford to reciprocate. I just hope they all know how much they are appreciated and loved.

My name is Beverly and I am a plurker.

Addiction is an ugly thing my friend. It lures you. It seduces you. Then it owns you. Yes, I admit it, I AM A PLURKER.

The real question is, am I ready to go through the steps of recovery. NO! That would take some time and I don't have time for anything other than plurking. Really, I don't have any time. It has taken me 34 minutes to write this much of my blog while plurking! Even my knitting and crocheting projects are starting to suffer.

There is one ray of hope in all this. I received a really cool nanner sock pattern from WendyKnits who is also a plurker. I am going to cast on for these lovely socks when I finally turn off the computer....hhmmmm...does anyone else sense a problem here?

Ok...gotta go plurk...I'm getting the shakes and miss the incredible knitters, crocheters, spinners, and others who live in plurkdom! Don't you want to visit the lovely land of plurk ?

WIPs

I have been finishing up several of my WIPs recently and realized that as the number of projects that I have going diminishes, the more I want to start new projects. I really dislike having just one project at a time going.

Currently, I have just two projects left in progress: The 2008 ThreadTeds Challenge and my sister-in-laws afghan. (there are always squares to be made for the Hugs From The Heart afghans or Scarves From the Heart too, but they are always needed) The ThreadTeds project is nearing completion with only a day or two of work left. I am going to try to avoid starting new projects until I finish the afghan as it is long overdue.

Now I go to lie down as I am not feeling well today. Sorry.

Deadlines....WHY?

I hate deadlines. Period. When I start a project that has a deadline, I know from the beginning, that it won't be completed until moments before it is due, usually. Sometimes it will take a bit longer, especially if I get distracted. (shiny objects? No, but close.)

Lately I have been online much more than I would like to admit. I am in pain while sitting here in this chair, but still I persist. Ever since I discovered the online knitting and crochet communities I have been addicted to the camaraderie of those with similar interests.

Now, I have been lured in, unsuspectingly may I add, to a new time wasting online space. Plurk. I was reading a wonderful knitting blog and clicked on the plurk link out of curiosity. I found a myriad of talented crafters to plurk with. I must warn you that plurking is highly addictive and fun. Please click the Plurk link with extreme caution lest you be drawn into the vortex of addictive plurking. If you are drawn in, relax and give me a shout out. We will all have good times. Wow, have I been away from the plurkdom this long??? Gotta go............

I have finally finished my Sweet Sweater #2 . This is not how I envisioned it when I started it, but I think it turned out okay. It was made with size 5 thread in cream and lilac (brand unknown) on a 3.25 mm steel hook. The Sweet Sweater Pattern is designed to be a custom fit, so I would estimate this top to be about a 4X. It took me about a month to complete while I was simultaneously working on a couple of pair of socks of which I previously posted pics.

Below is a picture of the neckline detail.

The picture below shows the bottom edging.

Now I have to complete my bear and the bear's doll for the 2008 ThreadTeds Challenge.

Lazy Weekend

This weekend is hot, humid and hazy...ugh. I don't feel like doing anything in this heat. I become a lump. Saturday evening I did work a little on the crochet trim for my Sweet Sweater but not much. I still have too many WIPs staring back at me, but my desire to complete them goes way down in the summer.

Does that happen to anyone else? I just don't want extra fibers in my lap or hands during the oppressive heat. I tend to not have much energy for anything when it is hot. It zaps me. Then I get into that "should" cycle, where everything I look at is something that I "should" be taking action on, but don't. That is depressing, which keeps the cycle...well...cycling. Guilt helps too. I see others who push on (like my masculine family members who are building my mom a new home in this heat, sacraficing their weekends...they are amazing) and that gives the "should" cycle more impetus.

With that said, I guess I "should" try to get something accomplished today. I folded laundry earlier today and managed a shower.....does that count? I think I will try to finish the Sweet Sweater.

Sasquatch Socks are done!

Yes, finally Jeff's Sasquatch Socks are complete. Yippeeeee! I could have made 3 "normal" sized pairs of socks in the same amount of time. The pattern I used is the Basic Sock Pattern by Antje Gillingham in "Knitting Circles Around Socks". I used Plymouth Encore Knitting Worsted in moss green. I know that they will be very warm for him because when my hands got cold while knitting them I would stick them inside the socks to warm up. It worked great.

I also have a picture of some socks that I knit for

myself. The pattern is the Lettuce-Edge Sock by Edie Eckman from the book "Knit Socks Whatever the Yarn". I made them of a white sport weight baby yarn that I had in my stash which was left over from a baby afghan I made several years ago. It is incredibly soft and cozy on my feet in the evenings when they tend to get cold. The quilt behind them was made by my beautiful and talented sister.

Ok, now I must get back to my post and finish my Sweet Sweater for the CAL. I am working on the trim so I should have a picture of it in a day or two.

Knit & Crochet community addiction...ugh.

I haven't got much to post about my projects because I haven't gotten much done on them lately. This is because I am online far too much in the knitting and crocheting communities, forums and websites. How I loath to admit it.

Until February of 2008, I didn't know that they existed online and I felt all alone in my yarn obsessions. I don't know why I never before thought to search the net for knitting and crocheting resources. Then I found Ravelry....YIPEE! I love everything about Ravelry and I am grateful it exits. For those of you not familiar with Ravelry, it is a community for knitters, crocheters, spinners and anyone associated with those things. It has provided me with organization of my projects, craft books and future projects. There I can find many patterns and people who understand my interests. The sub-groups are too numerous to list and encompass a wide variety of peoples personalities and interests. (i.e. knitters and crocheters who like Mike Rowe)

But...and this is a big but...finding Ravelry led to me discovering so many other forums which tempt and distract me. This has me online for longer than I ever intend to be and way past my physical comfort zone, as I am in chronic pain. Also, if I am on the net, I am not holding any yarn in my hands!!! This is not a good thing. I pledge that I am going to cut back on my internet time...really, I am, I think...hmmmmm.

Sock it to me...

The book I have been waiting for finally arrived Saturday, from Crafters Choice, "Knitting Circles Around Socks" by Antje Gillingham. I have wanted to learn the technique of knitting 2 socks at once on circular needles because I love to make the first sock, but I want to move onto something else before I get to the second sock. Also, I hate to count rows on my socks, so they never turn out exactly the same length. This book takes care of both of those issues.

Coincidentally, some of my siblings families were camping this weekend near a wonderful shop called The Fabric Garden, in Madison, Maine. This meant that I could shop and visit in the same trip! I got some lovely sock yarns and more needles. Since I rarely get to shop any place but the net, it was a real treat to pet the yarn and gaze at the fantastic colorways. All too soon my arthritic hips insisted that I leave. The best part of the trip to the Fabric Garden was that my sisters-in-law were with me sharing the experience. One purchased quilting supplies and the other purchased both yarn and quilting supplies.

As soon as I got to the campground with my treasures, I pulled out my tools. The sister-in-law who knits was working on entrelac and had come upon a spot in the directions which she didn't understand. I had never done any entrelac but between the two of us we worked it out so she could continue and then I proceeded to cast on for 2 socks on circulars. It was a difficult start as we had lots of interruptions from kids and food.

By the time I got home, later that evening, I could hardly walk, even with the aid of my walker. Also, my knuckles had swollen up. So, I have only been able to knit a few rows at a time on these socks, but I can already see that this will be the only way that I knit socks in the future. Here is a picture of my the socks so far. I will post another picture when they are completed.

From the depths of my stash...

Last night I was going through my craft closet, trying desperately to find another spool of cream size 5 thread to use on my Sweet Sweater. Uh-huh...no such luck, but I did come across some granny squares that I made several years ago and which have been patiently waiting for a purpose. So, I hauled them out and stitched what there were of them together to make a lapghan. I will donate this to the nursing home that my mother works at. So, instead of sitting in a dark closet, they will hopefully provide some comfort to a wheel chair confined resident. That done, it does not solve my thread problem. It looks like I will be frogging the last set of incomplete motifs (incomplete because I ran out of thread *sniff*) and then changing color and pattern stitch to complete the last of the Sweet Sweater. I will use this new color to do the finishing trim on the arms and neckline as well, to tie it all together. Keep your fingers crossed for me, as this is not the outcome that I desired.

Computer hiccups

I haven't been online for a little while because my computer decided it needs a vacation. I don't know what is wrong with it, but hopefully one of my ever so talented and kind brothers will take a look at it and see if it is salvagable. Until then, my very generous mother has lent me a cpu that she had in storage and I am getting by with that. I miss my bookmarks!!!!

With all the down time I had, I was able to get some crocheting done. The Sweet Sweater that I have been working on is almost finished, except.....I have run out of the thread I was using. I need about another 4" of crochet to make it long enough for me to be comfortable with the coverage. Since this is not a retail fiber, I will not be able to purchase more. I am in a quandry as to how to proceed from here. This will take some thought.

While I was pondering the previous problem, I made Pam Gillette's "Hot Pink Bracelet Purse". This is such a handy little thing. It holds my license, debit card and keys, while leaving my hands free to shop or whatever.

Now I am whip stitching together some granny squares that I made several years ago and left in my craft closet. There are enough for a lapghan that I will donate to the nursing home that my mother works in. I should have that completed tonight.

I have decided that I am not allowed to start another project until I finish my sister-in-laws afghan, which I promised to her ages ago. She is recuperating from surgery on some disks in her neck and I wish I could be there to cheer her up. I keep stalling on this project because I am afraid that the cross-stitch motifs that I have designed won't be good enough, so all the hard work and hundreds of hours will be for nothing. I have to stop letting the fear of failure keep me from trying. I have done that all my life and I guess this is going to be a life lesson for me. I just don't want to disappoint my sister-in-law.

Well, that is all for now. If this computer is willing I will post again tomorrow.

Ravelry Sweet Sweater CAL

I recently completed a CAL in the yahoo group Plussize Crochet that involved the Sweet Sweater . I wasn't convinced that I was finally going to be able to make a garment that would actually fit me for the first time in my life, so I wasn't willing to invest in a nice yarn. Instead I used Caron Pounders in Azure and Cape Cod Blue that I had on hand from afghans I had previously made. Suprise! It fits and I wish I had invested in a better yarn for apparel. (pictured to the right) I love this pattern because it is more of a formula for customizing the garment to the person it is intended for, no matter what size they are! Amazing, huh?

Well, because of this I have joined another CAL for the same pattern in Ravelry's Crochet A Plus group. This time around, I am using a cotton blend, size 5 thread of unknown origin and a 3.25 mm steel hook. When I first started it I was using a much smaller hook and found that the increases where not turning the corners for the raglan sleeves properly and I ended up frogging several hours of work only to start over again with the 3.25 mm hook. It was immediately apparent that this was going to make all the difference in the outcome. To the left is a picture of it in progress after the correction and you can see how the V neck will come together. This should be a much lighter weight top for summer. I plan to do some open work on the bottom half of the top to be worn with a tank top or cami. When I complete it I will post a picture. Now I need to check my groups and then get back to the yarn.

Scarves From the Heart

Recently, I stumbled upon Scarves From the Heart and I decided that this is something that I can contribute to. I am on disability, so my funds are extremely limited and I primarily make things for my family as inexpensive, yet loving gifts. Scarves are one of those wonderful things that you can put together from left over bits and pieces from other projects. The more different things they come from, the more colorful and cheerful they will be. So for the past week I have been working on making some scarves to send in and here they are. (As you will see, it has been a rather productive week for scarves)

#1. A scrap scarf, crocheted of 2 worsted weight acrylics from different baby afghans I had made years ago. I just chained 100 and single crocheted in the back loop only for a ribbed effect.

#2 & #3. These scarves are the Spring Scarf pattern by Pam Gillette. The green scarf is crocheted of acrylic yarn that I received in a box from Ray's mom. The blue scarf is crocheted from acrylic yarn left over from one of my nephews afghans.

#4 & #5. The first Spiral Scarf is crocheted of the same blue yarn in the Spring Scarf above. The second one is crocheted of a red/black twist acrylic yarn that I recycled from a sweater that my mother used to own. (sorry the lighting is bad)

#6 & #7. These two scarves I hung side by side because they are knitted in the same yarn and needle, but one is done side-to-side and the other lengthways with Fun Fur Stripes in Mexicali and I find it interesting how different they look.

#8 & #9. These two scarves are crocheted in Fun Fur, but the labels were gone so I do not know the specific color or type of fun fur. I got them from a liquidator for only $1 per skein, so the price was right!

A New Beginning

If you are looking for my first blog and pictures of my creations from January 2008 to mid May 2008 you can find them at: http://yarncrazy.spaces.live.com . I have moved here in hopes of a little more creativity with my blogging. We will see. I have already spent way too much time here in setting the blog up so I will post again tomorrow. Hopefully, I will have taken some pictures of my most recent project to upload to here by then. Ta-ta for now!