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The Youngest Son (YS) declared today Problem Solving Friday. Apparently every Friday is for problem solving in his sixth grade math class and I could definitely use a little problem solving here.
My first dilemma is still the stranding issue on the Wobbly Tote. I'm a little concerned that I might run into trouble when felting, so I will try turning my work inside out at the end of each row and purling back instead of knitting in the round as suggested in the comments. It can't hurt. I really have nothing to lose at this point.
My second dilemma is the fact that the Wobbly Tote is not a portable project. I've been on the go today so I cast on a different project so I could knit on the go.
It's the New England sock from the Knitting on the Road book in a rich, red Cherry Hill Tree colorway. I love this sock and I love this yarn. Thing is, this project really can't happen on the go either. Its chart is pretty complex, at least it seems to begin that way.
Meet the problem solver:
One brick short of a load.
This is not the best photo, but it's the Ballband Dishcloth from the new Mason-Dixon Knitting book. It's a very portable project and so addictive I can't put it down. I just got the book today and I can't tell you what's in it because I never got past this pattern. It's the first pattern in the book, so I have a feeling this book is a keeper! (I know there's a wonky stitch or two--I'll fix those later!)
I suffer from Intarsia disconnect. I just don't feel connected to the Intarsia technique. I forgot about this until earlier today, but I attempted Intarsia before and abandoned the project due to boredom/frustration.
I forgot all about my previous experience until a couple of you (in much nicer words, mind you) basically said, "Hey, dummy! Why are you doing it that way???"
Good question. And really, I could respond with any of the following:
Anyway, I'm now stranding each color instead of cutting each CC. That said, it's still a mess inside. I think deciding to knit Intarsia in the round was the first mistake I made. There's probably a reason the pattern was written as it is. Going my own way is not working out as well as I had hoped. Each color ends up on the wrong end of my work when knitting in the round, where normally I would turn my work and purl with the color on the correct end of my work.
What a mess! But that's what the lining is for, right???
Live, learn, and never knit Intarsia in the round. -- Me
What the???? (So-called knitting content at the end of the post.)
With all the demands on our time sometimes we have to take a break and analyze the time situation. How do we spend our time? Are we making it count? Are we making things happen?
Well, I think about those things anyway. And since I devote so much of my time to blogging and reading of blogs, I've thought about why I read blogs. What draws me in day in and day out? I came up with three reasons I read blogs:
1. I read blogs to learn something. I read several career and field related blogs to keep up on the latest happenings and industry trends. And I read lots of knitting blogs where it's quite obvious that the author has a lot more knitting knowledge and knitting experience than I have.
2. I read blogs for the entertainment factor. I know where to go for the funny.
3. I read knitting blogs for the inspiration. Knit blogs are very inspiring. I know I've grown as a knitter because of all the great and challenging projects I've seen on other blogs.
That's pretty much it. I'm reading along for one of those reasons. I realize that, at least on the surface, there's a bit of a disconnect between why I blog and why I read blogs.
Wobbly Mess
I started my Wobbly Mess Wobbly Tote. Only I decided to fly in the face of danger by adding a bottom and side panels and knitting in the round instead of following directions. I couldn't think of a single reason why this might not be the thing to do until I worked five rows of the pattern. Check out all the ends I have to weave in already after only five rows:
I'm going to weave ends as I go, or else this knitting in the round thing will spell disaster.
Whether a task is big or small, do it right or don't do it at all. -- My Dad
(Knitting content at the end of this post.)
I'm not sure if this is apparent to you, dear blog reader, but I've been struggling with the whole blog writing thing for a while now. This goes back to about a year ago when I made the realization that most bloggers seem to have a specific plan for their blog--each entry following their own self-prescribed formula for success--and the realization that I've never really had a plan for this blog.
My formula, if you can call it that, is a bit wonky. Pell-mell. Eclectic. Non existent.
Anyway, for some time now I've been trying to define why I blog and what I hope to achieve with said blogging. Anyone with a blog can tell you that this is a lot of work. The writing, editing, posting, commenting, and responding to others who comment takes up a lot of time that could be spent knitting. Growing up, I was always taught that things must be done right. And by right I mean perfect, of course. In all this self-reflection, I've decided that I blog for the following reasons:
1. I blog to record my knitting projects. I couldn't begin to list the times I've checked through my finished projects gallery because I was unable to recall what size needle I used in one of the many projects I knit last year. My blog allows me to keep track of all that as well as it provides a visual representation of my progress as a knitter.
2. I blog to record my mistakes and things I've learned along the way. Again, this goes back to my intense and ongoing memory deficit. Actually, I usually remember something about the issue or problem--I just need a little clarification on the details. My memory gets fuzzy over time, especially when one project follows the next in a continuous blur of needle clicking.
3. I blog because it motivates me to become a better knitter. Knowing that other knitters see my projects gives me a little extra incentive to do the best job I'm capable of. Seeing advanced projects on other sites motivates me to try more advanced knits. Without knitting blogs it is very likely that I would still be knitting scarves exclusively.
4. I blog for the sense of community and belonging to something larger than myself that comes from being a part of the knit blogging community. Knitters are wonderful, generous people and they do wonderful things to give back to the community as a whole. There's always a knit along or other craft challenge in which to participate if a knitter is so inclined. This sense of community is also a double edged sword in that it can be a little overwhelming to read other blogs and see other great projects. There's always someone who can write better, knit better, or connect better within the community. But that's always the case in life be it sports, business, or knit blogs.
5. I blog for the comments and feedback. And, to a certain degree, don't we all? I can never estimate the impact my words will have until I check my comments. Sometimes I don't receive any comments on a topic that I think might generate some, and other times I'm shocked with several comments over a topic I think would receive none. In the blog world, comments are feedback. They serve as the best method of measurement as to whether I manage to connect with my readers. Or not. More comments seem to indicate a bigger connection with my target audience. Of course, that may not always be the case as some people never comment. And some people may intend to comment but are too busy at the time and forget to come back later--I know I do this at other sites more often than I mean to.
6. I blog to amuse myself. I probably don't believe every crazy thing I write about here, but then you never know... Maybe I do believe my own hype.
7. I blog to vent. I don't really rant about anything, but I definitely vent from time to time. It's nice to have this as an outlet for stress and self-expression.
KNITTING CONTENT--Another finished bag
I finished the first On a Break Bag, the one with the messed up liner. I literally had to cut that thing out of the bag, but I was able to sew another liner in and it's not obvious that there was once a major problem with this bag.
Before (with the bad liner)
After (all better with a new liner)
And I learned something else about felting. Apparently, you're not supposed to run felted items through the spin cycle as it can cause unwanted creases in your items. That explains the small creases on the second bag; however, I noticed the creases before the bag was entirely dry and was able to steam them out with an iron.
Next Up: Why I read blogs and more knitting.
Pink squares for the Warming Grace Project. I still need to block these a little bit before sending out this week. And I'm still working on finishing the WIPs pictured in Friday's entry. Actually, I only need to finish the bag now as everything else is pretty much done.
I'm kind of in a knitting funk so I'm actually okay with the finishing work. I don't currently have any projects on the needles. Not a one. I can't recall the last time I had every needle naked. I think this may be the only time this has happened, at least during the last three years or so since I've been knitting on a regular basis.
I don't know if it's the warmer weather or the spring flowers in need of planting, but I'm not as obsessed with getting something on the needles as I normally would be. Am I the only one with the funk going on? Judging by how quiet the knit blogs have been I think not.
Hope the funk lifts soon. In the meantime I will continue to finish on! The bag is the only item remaining.
Happy finishing!
That phrase came up during a meeting last week. As in, until the problem is resolved we have to suffer in silence. We're not really suffering of course, it's just a saying. And the problem will be resolved as soon as possible.
After the meeting, one of my best friends teased me that he had to do a double-take when he heard me use that particular phrase and he reminded me that one has to be silent to suffer in silence. I never am. Silent, that is. I'm rarely silent and I never suffer in silence. Why suffer in silence when I can have company share in the misery?
This holds true when "suffering" through the project that I knit on for hours and hours without any real progress. I have to whine about it here. I don't really mean to whine, I just can't help myself. Of course, in the end it's all good as the baby blanket is finished. Yay!
SPECIFICATIONS
Pattern: Bundle of Joy Blanket (PDF)
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Blush Heather 104 (around the border) and Dark Rose Heather 139. I selected this yarn from my stash because it is machine washable, which I consider a requirement for a baby blanket.
Needle: Size US 6
Time: About 6 weeks of knitting off and on. I probably could have finished it in four weeks if I could focus on the same project for that long.
Finish on Friday or finishing Friday. It's all the same no matter how you slice it!
I plan to finish the following projects soon. I would really like to finish them on Friday, but I'm not sure how realistic that expectation is. I have a feeling it's not very.
1. I need to add a little more "fur" trim to the Ugg Booties.
2. I need to weave in the ends on the matching Ugg hat. I'm also thinking about making another hat and writing up the pattern this time.
3. I need to weave in the ends of the squares for the Warming Grace project. I hope to knit at least four more squares prior to the deadline of the end of the month.
4. I ripped the bad lining out of the bag. I just need to sew in another lining and to add the rest of the straps and the handle.
5. And last, but certainly NOT least, I need to weave in all 8,000 ends on the Bundle of Joy Baby Blanket.
More on the FOs (except for the bag as I'm sure you're sick of that already!) soon!
My little "What's in the Bag?" contest is all wrapped up. This was so fun for me. I loved the different guesses. Some of you saw such amusing things as:
A yo-yo
A pill box
A pen
Tutti Dolce lip gloss
Addi Turbo circs complete with yarn
So what was really in the bag? Here are the items in question:
1. Cell phone
2. Hand lotion
3. Nail file
4. Lip gloss
5. Eyebrow tweezers
6. Keys, complete with Key-fob, gym card, car maintenance discount card, and purple dice (or is it die?) from Vegas.
7. The Hubby's wallet--he was a little freaked out when he recognized his wallet in the original photo. I used it because it created the visual effect I was looking for, but by the Hubby's reaction one would think I dipped it into a bagful of girl cooties. I'm pretty sure he boiled it afterward.
I love all the guesses. You guys are funny! And cool too.
So who wins? Good question! Theresa and Emy both guessed the correct number of items and Amanda correctly identified all of the items plus one. Denise totally cracked me up with the "there must be yarn in there" thing. And Jes gave us her best wishes for the Knit Once blog's anniversary. Since there were only 5 contestants and since it was all so much fun, I decided everyone wins sock yarn. I sent you all e-mail messages for your snail mail addys and the boys will help me distribute the sock yarn via a random drawing. Thanks for playing my reindeer knit blog games! I had a blast!
I found this photo on my camera earlier tonight and I must say it was a little frightening.This kid is a complete nut!
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