Baby Bootees

ADAllen made these (Ravelry link) and I wanted to make them too. Then one of my best friends found out she was pregnant, and as soon as she told me that she was having a boy and that her colors were green, I made these:



I love them. I think they're adorable. I want to knit like 80 pairs because they are quick and adorable and fun. Excellent!

I Made a Hat

I've had a recent flair-up in my desire to knit. I suddenly have plans for big projects. I'm also jump-starting the knitting group, so yay!

Here's a hat that I finished today at lunch with KB:


Isn't it pretty? Foliage of my favorite patterns--I've knit it three times now, and I love it. I subtracted one repeat because I was running out of yarn, but it seemed to be just fine. I made it for someone with light brown hair, so I think it'll look really nice on her.

I'm excited about starting Kniterati back up again...and for working on new cool projects. Whee!

Insider sock tips

I know, the gall of me--ME!--providing tips on knitting socks, but what is the point of doing the sock knit-along without sharing the knowledge we glean in the process? It's more valuable if we're all making the exact same thing, I suppose, but I've made a few observations that will be helpful if you're new to this as I am. So, three tips:

1. Make a baby-sized practice sock.

With it you can get all of your mistakes out of the way as you figure out what the devil you're supposed to do. My first wasn't fantastic, but it primed my skills for a better, albeit still flawed, second baby sock. Don't knit a second if you don't want to. It was necessary for me to do. That's when the techniques clicked in my brain.

2. Picking up stitches is easier with an empty needle than a working needle.

The instructions I've seen have recommended picking up the first set of the stitches from the heel flap with the working needle. I've found that to add an extra degree of difficulty. Instead I use a spare needle and then slide the stitches onto the other needle.

3. For ssk, slip stitches knitwise.

Perhaps you already know this. I didn't until I saw directions in a sock pattern that specified how to slip in ssk. (I'd been slipping purlwise, which left an unsightly little pattern.)

My sock is coming along nicely. Don't worry, I'm not that fast. I had a head start.

Yarn Question

Okay....so I'm still not finished with the handbag that I've been knitting for, like, two months. But I think I've picked out my next big project. I want to do the knitted dress/shirt in the latest edition of the 'knit.1' magazine. It's the picture in the middle by the way...and it comes down to about mid thigh. I think it's really cute....and the patten didn't look like it was too terribly difficult. I figure Jenn can help me get started. :)



Anyhow, with regard to my question, the pattern suggests 13 balls in #8 Brown of Bali by Tahki Yarns (1.75oz/50g balls, each approx 81yd/75m(bamboo)).


I looked online and found the yarn. It's apparently a lightweight bamboo knitted tape yarn. The cheapest I've found online is $6.99 on the yarnware.com website. So...that would be about $90.00. I don't think this is too terribly expensive. I consider it to cover the cost of my knitting entertainment for the next couple of months...so that's not too bad :)

Does anyone have any other suggestions for yarn that could substitute and would be cheaper? I know nothing about yarn but am interested in using the tape yarn. Sounds like fun.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

My mom started taking ashtanga yoga classes a few weeks ago. Now she's totally hooked! I practice ashtanga myself and am thrilled that she has started practicing as well. So....what do you get for a new yogi? A yoga mat of course!

Jenn taught me how to crochet so I made my mom a yoga mat bag. Yeah, I know, it's not the best example of crochet....but I think my mom will like it. So...here are some pictures.



This is the mat...notice sweet Murbella...she can't wait to get her claws into it.

Kathryn's Project - Handbag

I started my new project last week!!! It's a handbag made from 100% recycled silk yarn. I ordered the yarn and the pattern from the Woolpeddler website. I believe Jenn has a link to the site in the links section of the blog. So...apparently I have to make four identical panels for the bag. And, um, I'm still on the first panel. But I think I'm more than halfway done with it. Jenn would be so proud of me. After increasing stitches I figured out what "K2tog" means (knit two together) and I figured out how to do the stitch all by myself. I think I have to repeat the K2tog sequence for about 5 more inches and then I'll be done with the panel. I'm a little unsure about something though. At the end of the pattern it says "BO all but last 5 sts. Transfer these sts to a stitch holder." I'm guessing this has something to do with attaching the bag to the strap...yeah, I'm sure it does. But....what's a "stitch holder"?? I guess I'm going to have to go buy one.

Oh...there was a 20% off sale on knitting stuff at Hancock Fabrics this weekend. David had to go buy some felt to put on a poker table he's milling on the CNC machine. So I went and bought some size 8 bamboo needles. I've been too lazy to transfer my work from the metal needles to the bamboo ones. Anyway, that's my progress this week. I think my project is coming along pretty well.

And I've even included a picture so everyone can see my progress.

Kathy's First Project -- Legwarmers

Jenn has been pestering me to post about my legwarmer project. So here goes...

I finished my first project (legwarmers) yesterday. I'm supposed to post a picture as well but I'm too lazy. Maybe I'll edit the post later once I get my camera out. Technically, the legwarmer project is finished. Technically they're um, wearable. But I don't know how pretty they look. You can definitely tell which was the first one (i.e. the one that looks all ratty and full of holes). And I'm not too sure if I like the design of them. They're tight on top (which is okay) but then they flare out a lot at the bottom. They look a little dorky....like bell bottoms. I thought they looked cute in the picture....but I'm not so sure I like them much in person. I think I might wear them around the house a bit. If I don't start to like them then I'll just hand them over to my two kitties. I'm sure they'll have a blast rolling around on them and chewing up the yarn. Kitties are so easily entertained.

I'm glad I picked the legwarmers as my first project. I actually made something and learned a little bit about knitting as well. I learned how knit, purl, the difference between wrong/right sides, the importance of counting stitches and rows, how to increase stitches, and how to make an i-cord. I also learned that I really like using the bamboo needles. They're much lighter than the metal ones.

So....project #2? I'm making a handbag from a pattern that Jenn and I saw online (it's the "unbiased" pattern from the link). I ordered some of the recycled silk yarn recommended by the pattern. It came in the mail the other day and I'm looking forward to using it. The picture on the website shows a pinkish yarn with lots of other colors mixed in. The yarn that came in the mail is more maroon with other colors. I actually like the darker color better.

I can't believe I'm actually writing a whole post about knitting. Now I feel like a knitting nerd.

Pictures of the legwarmers will be posted soon....

So you want to be a knitter

Then pick up the needles, and join the fun!

There’s no need to be afraid. Trust me, I worried about if I could learn, if I’d like it, and what other people would think about *gasp* a guy knitting. I’ve worked through my knitting neuroses (mostly), and I can tell you that you have nothing to fear.

Easy for the person posting under a pseudonym to say, right? To explain in brief, I wanted to keep my knitting blog separate from my film blog. When I started I was very uncomfortable with how I thought my new hobby might be perceived by friends, family, and everyone else. Writing as “the secret knitter” allowed me to talk about my experiences without worrying that people I knew would stumble upon the blog.

I continue to use an assumed name because I feel I can be more open than if my name were plastered on the sidebar. It’s not a well-kept secret—go here if you must know who I am—but one that gives me an illusion of privacy to permit me to do more personal writing than I might otherwise.

OK, now that that bit of business is out of the way, on to more relevant matters…

I’m in my sixth month as a knitter, so I am certainly no expert. That said, I’ve picked up some knowledge that is worth passing along to those of you beginning now. Since numbers make for easy organization, here are six tips that will make knitting more pleasurable for you:

1. Find a knitting friend.

If you’re here, chances are you already have that covered. I started knitting because my friend Kristin convinced me to give it a shot. I’ve been lucky to have her around to answer questions, fix mistakes, and knit with from time to time. Sure, a teacher could serve the same purpose, but for me it’s been more comfortable and more fun to have a friend to share the interest with. One of the things I’ve come to love about knitting is how it brings people together. You’re lucky to have this group. (I’m up in Ohio, so it’s unlikely I’ll be popping in on Monday nights.)

2. Go at your own pace.

My first fourteen projects were scarves, thirteen of which were in garter stitch. That’s going overboard, although in my defense most of them were being knitted with a Christmas deadline in mind. You can mix it up faster than that. My point, though, is that you should stay as safe or get as adventurous as feels right. Find what works for you.

3. Allow yourself to make mistakes.

I had low expectations for what I thought I could do, so I knew mistakes were inevitable. Still, with a perfectionist streak, that’s not always easy to accept. Nevertheless, as clichéd as it sounds, that’s how you learn. Look at a dropped stitch as the chance to learn how to pick it up or to undo stitches, not a cursed error that’s going to ruin your hard work.

4. Knit regularly.

When I started I had an ambitious goal and exceeded it, largely due to a commitment to knit a little every day. Granted, that’s not always possible, but I think it helps in your first days and weeks to plug away until knitting becomes a habit. When it becomes a natural activity and not something you have to think about, you know you’re well on your way.

5. Document your progress.

Whether it’s making a list of what you’ve done, taking photos of your FOS, or blogging, keep track of your growth as a knitter. When I looked at my first bunch of FOs that I gave as Christmas gifts, I was astonished by the progress I made. The first scarf I knitted was embarrassing when I compared it to what I had done two months later, but it gave me a boost of confidence that I was improving. Plus, I think it’s nice to have reminders of what I’ve made, especially for those items I’ve given away.

6. Have fun.

I’ve mentioned on my blog that learning to knit is one of the smartest things I chose to do in the past year. It might not be a stretch to say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. No joke. I can’t believe how much it has helped me relax, give me confidence, provide a sense of accomplishment, and make new friends. Ultimately you’re knitting because you enjoy doing it. Be proud of your work. Share it. Show it off.

Welcome to our knitting community.It’s nice to have you join the club.

what to eat at a knitting party...

Jenn & I did some knitting this afternoon since we didn't have work today. Yay! I learned how to increase stitches on a row and also tips on what to do when my ball of yarn gets tangled up in knots.

We talked about what kinds of food to bring to our knitting group next Monday. Last week was not healthy I suppose. We had oreos and doritos. Jenn did make some healthy fruit salad and soda bread. And we had some carrots....but the cookies and chips left me feeling sort of gross. We thought about maybe bringing some edamame. It's super-easy to cook...and still counts as finger food. Fruit is always a good standby as well. But, since the food we eat on Monday night knitting group will be counting as "dinner" for some of us, we were thinking of making something a bit more substantial. It would be super-easy to bring vegetables and stir-fry them. I also thought about making a salad. Of course, these would require plates and forks....but, well, darn it, I get hungry and want some real food.

Just thought I'd post about the food and see if anyone else had suggestions on what kinds of things to bring to eat. Obviously I'm food-obsessed.

kb