Yarn and yarn dilemmas

I have to admit I enjoy buying yarn. When I first started knitting and crocheting, I brought yarn even if I didn’t have a project in mind. I just enjoyed shopping for yarn-the color and the feel of the yarn between my fingers. Hey-I even like the smell. My stash starting growing just four baskets. So by any means, this is not an extremely large stash but none the less, I wanted to get better control of my projects. I’ve been thinking of the color schemes. I normally wear grey and burgundy in the fall and winter. I wear blue and red in the spring and summer. I’ve trying to add these colors into my knitting and crocheting projects. A lot of the yarn in my stash is not in my color scheme. This is one reason why I’m busting my stash. My second reason, I am thinking about the yarn fibers as well especially when acrylic is added to fiber. At times, I’ve noticed less give when working with the yarn. I am trying to get rid of some of these yarns. I have been creating some gifts for others. I’m not making any judgements for those who use acrylic or fibers mixed with acrylic. I trying to learn more about mircofibers released during the washing process. In addition I’m on the fence about superwash yarn. Superwash yarn can be made either by using an acid bath or having a polymer added. Lastly, I trying to purchase yarns that are either spun locally or at least purchased at a local yarn shop.

I want to be more conscious about my purchases from how the yarn is processed and trying to support local businesses. I want to restart my stash if yarns that I feel more comfortable creating projects.

Drum roll please-I completed by Nimbus cardigan. Pictures will follow soon.

Trusting Your Instincts

Hello friends-I’m still working my Nimbus cardigan. I have to finish it this week. I really have to get started on the baby gift. Especially since the baby was born two weeks early. Thankfully, both mother and baby are fine and my friend is enjoying her new daughter.

But let me get back to my topic-trusting your instincts. When I first got back into crafting, I would follow patterns exactly and if there was an error I wouldn’t be able to proceed. I remember a pattern that I was trying to knit and there was a error with the yarn over increases but no decreases. I wasn’t able to finish the pattern, although based on the reviews of the pattern others were able to complete it. It boiled down to the other knitters trusted their instincts based on other patterns and skills they developing. Now when I encounter a problem with a pattern instructions, I can now determine how to fix the problem. At times I will modify a patterns. This comes down will developing your skills and confidence in trusting your instincts. I feel this is a continuum as we try different techniques. In thinking about that pattern, I may revisit it next year.

Either you are a knitting or crocheting, trusting your instincts can help to improve your creativity in allowing your personality to show through in your project.

Wednesday Wrap Up

Hello friends-I am almost complete with my Nimbus cardigan.  I’ve seamed the front sides and back of cardigan so far so good.  I really worked on getting the gauge correct especially since I didn’t use the same yarn as the designer.   Gauge is is either something you put up with or clearly dislike.   I feel that one way to improve your knitting is try things that you aren’t comfortable with doing.   I have a knitting and crocheting bucket list and gauge was at the top of both.

I’m a planner so I already thinking about projects for next year.  Below are  some my items for 2019:

  • Strand and steeking
  • bias knitting
  • double knitting
  • creating a wardrobe
  • brioche
  • gloves

What are some items on your knitting bucket list?  Please leave a response.

Here’s a update of the cardigan.  Although, the gauge is correct for the body of the cardigan.  I will make adjustments are the arms.  I have trouble with fit especially my upper arms-I have muscular arms.  I increased the armholes for the body and now I have to adjust the pattern for the sleeves.  I will have to add additional stitches so I have to do some math based on the armhole openings.  I count every 3rd stitch along the bind of edge.  I’ve calculated that I need to cast on 66 stitches for sleeves.   I’ve done this in the past for other sweaters.  This is something that I’ve come up with for sleeve adjustments.  There are probably other ways to make adjustments on sweaters so please comment if you have another way.  I’m always interested in trying a different technique.

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Friday Night Update-WIP

Hello thanks for stopping by again.   I realize that I’m a seasonal knitter.  Warn snuggly knits for the fall and winter and cool flowing knits for the sspring and summer.   I got a few WIPs on needles.   My primary project is the Nimbus cardigan by Berroco Designs. It was has been easy to knit, there is a 4 inch border of garter stitch and the body is stockinette. This is my first time that I will seam a sweater just six pieces-back, left and right front, sleeves and a collar.  I’ve knitted other sweaters and cardigans before but always in a Ragland or top down.   The yarn I’m using Cascade Ecological Yarn in silver colorway.  I’ve used this yarn for another project so I enjoy working with it.  I should have enough left over of another small project.   I brought the yarn before I choose the project.  I can’t help it.  I go to store and the yarn just starts calling my name.  but I don’t think I’m the only one that has this happen to them.   I’ve noticed that I am gravitating  to grey/silver.

I have a baby gift that I need to complete before the baby arrives.  I trying to work through my stash.  I’m thinking of using Cloudborn Highland Superwash Sock Twist Handpaints in the strawberry fields colorway.   I realized that some of the yarn in my stash is not my color choice.  Either the colors though pretty are not necessarily my color choice.  This is bright a cheery color that all babies need.  Although, the sweater will be a Ragland.  I can’t decide if I want to use some lace detail or let the striping be the star.

So what are WIP, please share and come stop by again.

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The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

I always enjoyed creating different items be it knitting, sewing or even cooking a meal.  It is it the creativity that I enjoy the most starting with nothing and having an end product.  This brings me much satisfaction.    I feel that everyone should have an outlet for them to help to relax and do something that brings them joy and possibly joy to others.

Knitting brings me this type of joy.   I primarily knit for my sister but I enjoy knitting for others as well as myself.   At little background, I started knitting about 5 years ago and haven’t looked back.   I did what many people have probably done to learn to knit by using YouTube as my go to resource well as a  local yarn shop  (LYS) called Cozy for some pointers. I also used Craftsy as well.

I currently am working on two projects.   The Nimbus cardigan by Berroco using Cascade Ecological yarn in silver.   A baby gift- my own creation of a ragland cardigan with some lace detail.  I’m just casting on with this one so it is truly a work in progress.   I will update more on Friday with some pictures of my projects.   I usually a couple of projects going.

Thank you for stopping by and please come back again.

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