Knit Once, Purl Forever

When I Used to Knit

Hey, Mom. Remember when you used to knit?

The question caught me off guard. I almost said, "What do you mean used to?" Then I caught myself because it's true. I used to knit. I can't remember the last time I knit. I do know which project I worked on. It was the Sirdar Denim Tweed Cardigan in Rowan Tweed. But I don't remember when I worked on it last. In fact, I'm not even sure where that project is located right now.

Holy cow. I wonder if I still even remember how to knit?

Better get off the computer and go see...

Quick Update

Just a quick update to let you all know that I'm still around and kickin' it! Here's what I've been up to:

Work Update
Work has been insanely busy. I ended up putting tons of extra hours in at work due to a HUGE project we had going on. I met my deadline, but ended up working seven days a week for about two months in order to do so. I love what I do and it doesn't really feel like work to me so it wasn't so bad in that regard. It is bad for the family life, however. And it isn't too good for the blog either....

Knitting Update
While I was putting in so many hours at work, I didn't knit at all. Big surprise there -- not! I thought I had lost my knitting mojo because I was so out of the habit of knitting that I didn't knit for several days even though I could. But I was wrong. I've really been into the knitting this week, so it's all good around here.

I finished a hat to match the Noro scarf I finished in September, and I finished by Socktober Mystery socks. And I have two new projects going at the same time.

More about that soon. And photos too.

The Real Mystery

 

I just found out about the Through the Loops Mystery Sock project today. I've always wanted to participant in a "mystery" project and I always participate in Soktoberfest. What a perfect way to kill two birds?

Now I'm off to select a sock yarn from my stash and get started on  this project!

So what if I have already have a pair of unfinished socks on the needles? So what if I have a barely start baby blanket on the needles for a baby who has already arrived? So what if I should be knitting the Sheldon turtle for said baby's older brother? So what if I should be starting the x-mas stocking I promised the Hubby long ago? So what if I really should be knitting any number of UFOs that I won't name (they're on my Ravelry page)?

Why would I ignore all of these projects?

It's a mystery all right.

Or maybe not....

What's Great About Knitting a Simple Ribbed Scarf?

So many things. I will try to cover as many as I can think of.

• Sometimes life is such that even a 1x1 ribbed pattern can be challenging. I can't tell you the number of times I had to tink a stitch or two because I got off track. I lead a crazy life right now. Crazy with the stress.
• Sometimes knitting needs to be as simple as possible. Sure, garter stitch would be easier, but 1x1 ribbed is definitely not difficult.
• There's just enough of a difficulty factor to keep it interesting. Factor in the Noro yarn and this was super interesting.
• The scarf is reversible--both sides are the same. It makes the scarf easier to wear when there is no "wrong" side. Plus I find that I tend to wear a scarf more if it's reversible.
• It's easy to pick up the project and knit in fits and starts. Easy!

The Pattern: Noro Scarf by Jared at Brooklyn Tweed

The Yarn: Noro Silk Garden; Two and 2/3 skeins of 211 and One and 1/3 skein of 84.

The Needles: US Size 8

The Other Comments: What can I say about this project that hasn’t already been said on a knitting blog? There’s something about scarf knitting that I find soothing. I enjoyed seeing the color patterns and trying to predict what would show up next.

It was "supposed" to be two skeins of each colorway, but I used stash yarn and this is what I had. And really, if the Noro skeins differ enough, I think you could get away with using the same colorway. As it was, I found that my two "different" colorways contained some of the same colors anyway. I had to clip the yarn a few times pull out a few inches from one of the skeins to get to a different color.

I loved knitting this scarf. And I don't want to jinx myself, but I think I found my knitting mojo. Mojo is mojo. Even if it's only for simple projects.

My Web Colors

Couldn't resist this meme. As seen at Obsession Du Jour.

you are aqua #00FFFF

Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well. Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Project Update: Josephine

Here's  my latest project:

This is Josephine. She doesn't photograph well.

Pattern: Josephine Top by Deborah Newton

Yarn: Rowan 4-ply Cotton in a super pale colorway.

Needles: US 4

Other: Originally, I did not really care for the color of this yarn as it is so super pale. I received it during one of my secret pal swap escapades way back when. I had read on that person's blog that the yarn was a failed selection for one of her projects, so she gifted it to me. I've kept it in my stash for a long time, unsure what or if I would ever find a project for it.

That said, I think this yarn is perfect for this project. I love that it is pale as I think the pattern shows up well.  I think this will turn out great. There's just no telling when it will be finished. I need to find the urge to knit more.

And I seem to be on a knitting roll. I'm two for two in knitting two days in a row. Yay me!

What I Miss Most About Knitting and Blogging

I'm back in the land of knit blogging today. I've read all of my Blogline feeds; I've visited all of my favorite blogs, which are linked in the sidebars of the Knit Once blog; and I've visited Ravelry. All of this visiting has made it abundantly clear that I've been missing out.

• I miss the knitting and I fear that I've permanently lost my knitting mojo. The thing is that knitting isn't a habit for me anymore. It used to be that if I was home and "idle" there would be a project in my hands and knitting going on. I was home all day yesterday watching movies and it finally occurred to me late in the day that I should be making the most of my time by knitting: I managed to knit a total of four rows on my latest project. Sad, I know. Sad for the knitter I used to be.
• I miss all of you and I miss reading all of my favorite blogs and hearing what's going on with you. And while I don't really think this is an issue of peer pressure per say, there is something inspiring and motivating about having an on-line family who share your hobby. I can't count the number of times that I've been inspired to start a specific project because of something I've seen on your blog. I miss that.
• I miss blogging. I miss having an outlet for all the knit speak. I miss having the outlet for other subjects that I would like to discuss as well. This has never been a purely knitting blog, though it has been a mostly knitting blog.
• I miss documenting my projects in Ravelry and on the blog. And even though I haven't knit much lately, I do have two WIPs that have never been documented anyway. They are both over 50 percent complete too. This is most unusual for me.
• I miss the interaction with other knit bloggers either on my blog or on yours. The comments and feedback make the time spent on blogging worth it.

For me, the knitting and blogging go together. I know there are people who have knit forever and do not have a blog, but the two have always gone together for me. They are connected and interconnected. One feeds the other. The more I knit, the more I have to blog about. I just never realized until now that the more I blog, the more I want to knit.

Clearing the Cobwebs

Wow.

I can't believe it was May when I last posted. Not one post for June. I knew I had fallen off the blogging wagon, but I didn't realize I fell that far...

I'm here. Everyone is well. The floods of '08 haven't swept us away. And I've been doing a little knitting here and there.

Just a little update to clear the cobwebs. I'll be back with a real post soon.

Roped Shell

The Details:

Pattern: Roped Shell by Angela Hahn (Interweave Knits, Summer 2008)

Yarn: Classic Elite Premiere; 3 1/2 skeins pink; 2 1/2 skeins white. Stash yarn. Yay, yay, YAY!

Needles: US 4

Other: I loved knitting this project. It was SOOOOOOOO fun. It wasn't too difficult, but it wasn't too easy either if that makes sense. The pattern isn't what I would call challenging, but it's definitely not a mindless knit either. You have to pay attention to what you're doing and the pattern incorporates several different techniques: color work, slipped stitches, attached I-cord, cables, and securing cables. Not to mention all the ends to weave when you're done.

I used stash yarn. I was a little concerned that it wasn't the right type of yarn. I wasn't happy to learn that my local yarn store no longer carries the Classic Elite Premier because of reported pilling problems. Great. I have a buttload of the stuff in my stash. Okay, that doesn't sound right...but I do have quite a bit of that yarn in my stash. And I like it the way it looks, feels, and knits up. I just hope it doesn't pill real bad because I love this finished project and I want to wear it a lot.

I think this might just be my favorite project ever. I'm even thinking about purchasing the silk yarn the pattern calls for and knitting another. That's how much I like it.

Okay, enough about this project. I'll try to talk about something different tomorrow.

Long Time, No Blog

No blogging, but lots and lots of knitting. Woohoooo for knitting. I finished the Roped Tank. I loved knitting this project. It was SOOOOOOOO fun. It wasn't too difficult, but it wasn't too easy either if that makes sense. The pattern isn't what I would call challenging, but it's definitely not a mindless knit either. You have to pay attention to what you're doing and the pattern incorporates several different techniques: color work, slipped stitches, attached I-cord, cables, and securing cables. Not to mention all the ends to weave when you're done.

All that said, I LOVE the finished item. I would totally pose for a picture, but for some reason I feel as though I'm freezing to death tonight. I'm chilled to the bone, I swear. So much so that I'm typing this from beneath 6 blankets--in bed. Sad, I know.

Sad and pathetic. My eldest son took pity on me and snapped a couple of pictures for the blog. I will take some of me wearing the tank soon as this thing fits great.

The Details:

Pattern: Roped Shell by Angela Hahn (Interweave Knits, Summer 2008)

Yarn: Classic Elite Premiere; 3 1/2 skeins pink; 2 1/2 skeins white. Stash yarn. Yay, yay, YAY!

Needles: US 4

Added later -- I don't know if you can tell, but I mixed this up a bit intentionally. I decided to use the main color for the roped cable band, the faux side seams, and the attached I-cord on the armholes. However, I used the main and contrasting colors on the body of the shell as the pattern indicated. It's a subtle thing, and I wonder if anyone would even notice if I didn't mention it.... Would you???