Charity Knitting

I am discovering that manny knitters around the world (crocehters also) are generous souls. They enjoy their fiber arts so much that they wish it to be shared with others. I think that Charity Knitting accomplishes two things: 1. The knitter gets to explore their passion and share it. 2. The person who recieves it gets a unique handmade item to comfort them or keep them warm. I can't think of better reasons! So I am offering a list for charities in which knitters may be a part of. Just so everyone knows I am not associated with any of the programs listed in any way. I just thought it would be nice to offer an easy way to find charity knitting groups if people were looking for them. That is all.

Knitters Without Borders: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/tsffaq.html

The Dulaan Project:http://www.fireprojects.org/dulaan.htm

Project Linus: http://www.projectlinus.org/

Red Scarf Project: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/red_scarf_project_2007/

Knitting for a better World (list of links and addresses for charities): http://www.interweave.com/knit/charities.asp

Hats 4 the Homeless: http://www.hats4thehomeless.org/

Prayer Shawl Ministry: http://www.shawlministry.com/

Socks for Soldiers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socksforsoldiers/

Hugs for Homeless Animals: http://www.h4ha.org/snuggles/

Warm up America: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/warmup.html

The Preemie Project: http://www.thepreemieproject.com/

Lion Brand's Free Charity Knit Projects: http://www.lionbrand.com/charityPatterns.html

Charity Knitting Patterns (free): http://www.culturedpurls.com/charity.htm

Stitches from the Heart: http://www.stitchesfromtheheart.org/

Mother Bear Project: http://www.motherbearproject.org/

Knit for the Cure: http://www.knitforthecure.com/

There are lots more out there, these are just a few that I have seen mentioned regularly on shows and by others. I am going to participate in two that resonate with me. If all the knitters did participated in at least one then a lot of people could be comforted.

Fun Places for Knitting

Hey here is a blog whose author does podcasts:
BeanCast
http://knitspinbean.podomatic.com/

Also there is the Knitty Chat:
http://knittychat.sadevil.org/cgi-bin/irc.cgi

Almost Forgot!

I cannot believe I have not posted anything about this yet! I scored very nicely a couple of Sundays ago. I went to the bi-monthly meeting/class for the Clickets group at the Spanish Springs Library. At the end of the class when things were being put away I noticed a very nice knitting bag (monogrammed with SMW, but no matter). I asked one of the ladies "Whose bag is that?", "Oh it was donated to the group, but we don't really have the storage space for it, want it?". Of course I said yes. Well took it away with me and on the way home I opened it and found another surprise (honey was driving). Inside was a matching needle case (no needles lol) and 3 skeins of Irish wool in a nice warm colors. SCORE! Also that day I scored dpns and some old needles including some green bakelites! Again things that people had donated to the group. Now its not as good a score as the one made by Franklyn (The Panopticon) but for me it was pretty nice!!!! Yippy for me! It is late now and don't want to do pics but I will soon.
Off to dream land now.

Projects Galore 5

Orange Warming Set:

This is the set I made for my honey for Christmas. The hat is a modified cable hat pattern from Stitch n' Bitch Nation. I added extra pattern rounds, made the cable brim longer so that it would fold. The book's pattern called for a short ribbing prior to the cabling but it is too short to cover the ears. So I made it longer and then when the hat was done I picked up stitches around the edge and so that it would fold neatly. As for the scarf, I took the cable pattern for the hat and figured it out so that it would be a flat pattern. I love, love, love how it came out. I am really proud of this scarf, it looks like something that would be found in an expensive store. Finaly I made him fingerless gloves. I used Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride worsted weight in orange. I just love this yarn. It isn't expensive and knits up so nice. The colors are really bright and varied. I wish they made variegated colors. The yarn is perfectly suited to variegation. I have also been told that it felts wonderfully. I am hoping to make something for felting with it.

Speaking of felting I was told also that Patons SWS felts really nicely as well. It comes in really nice colors and has a nice sheen to it. The variegations are done so that there will be a stripping pattern. I am going to buy some soon.

Projects I am currently working on:

1. Shawl (page 20 of Victorian Lace)

2. Socks (in Mag Knits "Jaywalker" pattern with one of Opal's new colorways)

3. Socks (in Modea Sassy Strips, no pattern just my own thing)

4. Afghan (no pattern, just my own thing, using Lion Brand's Homespun and Caron's Simply soft carried together)

5. Butterfly Bag (my own pattern for the bag using a graph for duplicate stitch a friend gave me)

6. Dyeing yarn (did my first try tonight, colors did not come out as deep/bright as I wanted, but it was a first try, skein is hanging in the shower to dry; I used Wilson's food coloring dyes)

New things I want to learn: (some of the links for examples of what I mean are from Knitty Otter, whom is extremely talented and has completed pieces that are excellent examples of the kind of work I want to do as well)

1. Intarsia

2. Cabled type sock pattern

3. Mobius Scarf type project

4. Intricate Lace pattern

5. Faire Isle

6. A sweater

7. Entrelac

8. Making something with sock yarn that isn't a sock. lol

Sigh and school starts back up next Monday. The break went way too fast for me.

Knitty Otter

Hey everyone!
For months have been knitting in a group with a wonderful lady and just today figured out that she is the "Knitty Otter"! Geez I am slow...been to her blog many times and didn't put it together. duh! She is way cool and very talented!

Projects Galore 4

(Projects Galore 1, 2, 3)

Scarves:

This one I made for my Mom from Cascade 220 Superwash Wool (worsted weight). the yarn is soft and nice to work with. I created the scarf from a stitch called "The Faggot Stitch", really simple to do but the look comes out really classy. The picture does not do the stitch or the yarn justice. I am going to have to make a another scarf or at least a sample of the stitch to keep for reference because it is really nice.

This one I created for my friend Katherine. Its made with the ladder type ribbon yarn. I have had several balls of this stuff in my stash for a long time but didn't know what to do with it. I used size 13 straights and just began with two stitches casted on and increased untill there were about 20, knitted in garter until I thought it was long enough and then decreased. I didn't use a pattern just made it up (so simple that there really wasn't anything to make up lol). She really liked it and she wore it against a black blouse and it looked really dressy.

I made this one for my Math research partner. I used Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride in worsted weight with Brown Sheeps Handpainted Originals carried along with it. Once again the picture does not do it justice because the colors are great and the scarf came out really soft and cozy. I just love Brown Sheep. All of their yarns (Lamb's Pride, Handpainted Originals, Nature Spun , Cotton Fleece and Wildfoote Sock Yarn) that I have used thus far are great to use. The colors are vibrant and the yarn has the look and feel of more expensive yarn. I have felted with their Nature's spun and I was extremely happy with the results (pictures to come).

I am currently working on a blanket for my honey, two pairs of socks, a new bag that will be felted (with a new technique for me, duplicate stitch), a bag done in cotton. I have finished several other projects and those pictures will come soon (3 felted bags, re-cycled sari silk bag, funky scarf, 2 pairs of fingerless gloves). So much yarn, so little time, sigh.

I am working on learning lace but am having a hard time finding lace weight yarn in my area and may have to buy it online. I HATE buying yarn online when I have never felt and seen the yarn. I want to know what I am buying before I buy it. Then if I don't like it I have to go through the hassle of sending it back, which is a pain in the ASS. No other way to put it because that is what it is! I am going to check with a LYS that is about an hour and a half away. But there are two close to me, the one I hang out (Deluxe Yarns) and another that I refuse to do business with (because they are WAY over priced and rude to customers, won't mention the name because that is just not nice but most locals know it because of their poor reputation). I think I may not have a choice though. My LYS hang out does carry some lace weight yarn but not what I am looking for. I have 3 projects that I want to make for next Christmas and would like to start soon (as you all know lace can be time consuming), so I need to get my hands on the yarn I want rather quickly. There is also a money constraint. Any ideas from anyone would be appreciated.

Ok have a great weekend, bye for now!

Projects Galore 3

This is the 3rd post concerning my holiday projects (see Projects Galore 1 and 2 here).

Sierra's Scarves:







My lovely niece told me that she loves scarves so I made her 5 scarves. Yes 5...to be honest only one was a challenge. The first one pictured here was created with Brown Sheep's Handpainted Originals in Mountain colorway. It is absolutely fabulous yarn to work with, it has a lovely sheen and is slightly fuzzy (80% Mohair, 20% Wool). I used the left overs from another scarf and created this super skinny scarf in garter stitch and really big needles so that it would be really strechy so that it could be used as a belt, tie, head band or what ever she wanted.
The second scarf is a feather and fan stitch. This was a bit of a challenge because I had to create my own pattern from the stitch directions I found in the Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns. The yarn I used was in my stash and its band was missing when I went to use it. It is a Mohair that has been plyed with a skinny rainbow ribbon type yarn...I know that it is from Stacey Charles but I cannot remember for the life of me the name of it. I know it is still made and comes in a variety of colorways. I am pretty proud of this scarf because it was my first try into a lace type of piece. I enjoyed making it and it was also the scarf out of all 5 that I sent which my niece mentioned specifically saying it was gorgeous. She has discerning tastes (lol that is the polite way of saying she is a picky teenager...lol which she proudly proclaims herself to be!), if she says she likes it then thats teen speak for "I love it! Its so me!" (or least that is what I am choosing to believe it means lol). I am in the processing of learning some new techinques such as complicated lace and entrelac in order to make some high end looking pieces just for her.

For the holidays, as I have previously mentioned, I recieved gift certificates for books, with them I purchased 4 books. One is the "Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters"... all I have to say is WOWIE ZOWIE what a great book. It is a sociology book and history book of knitting in Alaska as well as a lace teaching book. Unbelievable. The author (Donna Druchunas) has a knack for simple easy to understand lessons. The book is not just a pattern book...it teaches you how to design your own lace patterns as well. Really fantastic! The Native Alaskan Knitters discussed in the book use a type of yarn (Qiviut) that comes from Musk Oxen (which I learned are not related to Oxen but sheep). The fiber that comes from them is rare (because the animal was close to extinction at one point but are now carefully and lovingly cared for), so as you can imagine the yarn is extremely expensive. The cheapest I found it was online for about $50.00 for a little over 200 yards. YIKES! Expensive yes but the pieces that are created from it is absolutely gorgeous. One day I will get myself a couple of skeins, one skein would not be enough to make something with would need at least 2. Yes I know, I know...$100.00+ for two skeins of yarn????? Sigh, I must be an addict/fanatic to even contemplate the purchase. LOL

Anyway thats all for today. Take care to all!

Knitting Chat

I do not know why I am surprised but I am for some reason...I found an online irc chat channel setup for knitting chat! Check it out " http://knittychat.sadevil.org/cgi-bin/irc.cgi "

Knitting Graph Paper

Just found this! An online program that lets you input the number of stitches and rows for a 4 inch square and returns graph paper for charting out the pattern to fit your gauge. Really nice tool for designing. ABCs of Knitting - Actual Size Graph Papers.

Have You Met Franklin?

Ok I was just reading The Yarnharlot's blog and found a link to "The Panopticon"...a blog by a gentlman named Franklin who is a knitter, writer, artist, photographer, cartoonist and funny as all HELL! You must check out his blog and his carictures of knitting, especially Dolores! I about split my sides! His blog will be one of my daily reads from now on. He has lots of links to many other creative knitters/writers (many of which I had not come across before).

Also have to mention the blog of a youngwoman that I came across months ago (before I had a blog of my own) who is from "Da Bronx"... where I originally hail from. Her name is Sara Briscoe and her blog is "SistahCraft". Smart and talented woman!

Just had too!

Yes two posts in one day. I forgot that I have these new pics of my pets.

Pic 1: Patches taking snooze.

Pic 2: Princess Lilly on her throne!

Pic 3: Mis Nani! Does that look comfortable? Not to me and she was out cold. Notice her back leg under her head? What is this that about? LOL

Projects Galore 2

Here are some more projects that I created as Holiday Gifts:

Maria's scarf: Ok this has a cool sort of wrap pattern that the cannot be seen well in this picture. I used a pattern stitch from "Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns", using a stitch pattern called "pillar stitch" I then wrote my own pattern for the scarf. I used Caron's Simply Soft Yarn. I am not a big fan of acrylics but this is one of the exceptions. The yarn is extremely soft and has a sheen that is usually only seen in higher quality carns. It is a comfortable yarn to work with and knits up beautifully, makes gorgeous scraves and sweaters and hold up really well. As with all acrylic yarns its a bit difficult to block and should be taken to the cleaners to be steamed pressed in order for it to lay flat. My sister in NYC was the reciever and she told me she loves and now wants socks. LOL of course.

Robert's scarf: This one I made for my brother-in-law (Maria's hubby). Though I haven't heard it from him my sister tells me he loves it and its the perfect color for him. Its made from the same yarn that I made my sister's from. It is just a simple K2, P2 rib. I did not use a pattern I just casted on about 36 stitches and went for it, stopped when I thought it would be long enough. lol Again because of this yarn, the sheen gives the scarf an upscale look.

As a side note: I happen to have a ton of Caron's Simply Soft Yarn in my stash. Why? Well, a few years ago (actually about 10) Walmart put all their Caron Simply Soft on sale because they said at the time they were not going to carry it any longer (they didn't for a long time and recently began to again). The sale was too much to pass up, $0.50 a skein. Now I ask you, how could any true yarn addict pass up a sale like that? NONE I say. LOL Suffice it to say I went to town and purchased as much of every color that I could afford. OF COURSE.! Now this week I will be going through my stash and removing things I will absolutely never crochet or knit with but not of what I will be donating will be the Simply Soft. Cannot part with it, sorry, no how, no way! lol

Ok...thats it for today. I hope everyone had a happy and safe new year!

Good wishes to all.

"The Knitting Way"

I have lovely friends who know me all to well and know that if they give me yarn, books (or gift certificate to buy books) or art supplies I will be a happy girl! So I was given two lovely gifts of certificates to the bookstore...yesterday I purchased two new knitting books. One was "Scarf Style" which contains patterns for the MOST gorgeous scarves and I can see myself creating more then half of the projects.

The second book I purchased was "The Knitting Way" by Linda Skolnik (founder of Patternworks) & Janice MacDaniels. I was looking actually for "Mindful Knitting" ... I am interested in learning how to connect my internal self with my passions (knitting and art) in a meaningful way to grow as a person. The store didn't have "Mindful Knitting" so I almost put "The Knitting Way" back. I AM SO GLAD THAT I DIDN'T! This book is fantastic.

The writers are knitters, business woman and philosophers. This book is not what I expected. I am only into chapter 2 and it is one of the deepest books I have experienced. Yes there is knitting and patterns but it so much more then that...its difficult to explain. I am already finding myself thinking and examining the ideas and questions that I have read so far while I am knitting. Already I am purposely slowing my knitting down so that I can think about it, feel it and feel myself. Seems like a no brainer but if it was then what wasn't I doing it to begin with. This book is about connectedness, with oneself and others. Even if you knit this book can be used to help someone examine what they are doing as well as how and why.

I will keep reading it and post more about it. I am so amazed t hat it has hit me this way. I am an avid reader (thank you Mom for giving me a love of books) and I haven't come across a book such as this in a long long time. Thank you to the author's, I needed this.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Projects Galore 1

Now that the gifts are out and everyone loves them (yeah!) I can now share pictures of all the things I made for the holidays. Many of the things I made I created my own pattern for or doctored a pattern from a book or obnline to make it my own.

As for the sock I made, I thought I was making my own pattern from scratch because I took things that I like from about 6 different types and put them together to create a pattern that would be simple for me to adjust for different size....HOWEVER....since make my second sock I purchase Ms. Harlot's "Knitting Rules" book and just about a week ago read the section on socks and realized that her "sock recipe" is almost exactly my "original" sock pattern. So I don't know if I should be sad because I really didn't make it up or glad that I was able to come up with a pattern all on my own that someone like the Harlot came up with.....I am decided on the later because it makes me feel good about self! hahaha!

I have realized that writting up a pattern so that it makes sense to others from my notes that I have made for myself is not as easy as I thought it would be....so I must offer an apology to all the designers out there that I have cursed out when I tried to follow a pattern and I was lost...thats what I get for sending out bad karma it came back and bit in the butt! LOL! I will be working on my patterns to write them and share here as soon as I can...in the mean time here are some pics of my projects!

Jeff's socks: These are my first ever socks...and yes the foot does sort of look a little odd...umm but well my bother-in-law has rather large feet (sorry Jeff people are going to ask)...the foot is 12" long. I am pretty proud of my first ever socks considering how big they had to be and that they were all in one color. The yarn I used was foudn in my stash...the yarn was meant for machine knitting but it was the right weight for socks...also they yarn is super soft when you feel it you would not think that its acrylic.

Deli's socks: These are my second pair. I used Wildfoot, which is lovely to work with. It is soft in your hands and knits really well. The pictures do not do the colors justice (Rhapsody). They are more jewel tone and vivd then the pictures show. I loved the way these looked and felt I almost kept them....fortunately she was with me when I purchased the yarn and had said at the time "Oh I would love to have socks made with that." sigh...had to send them to her. (joking little sister). These were fun and a challenge (in a good way) to make because of the color changes.

Ok for today this is what I will post because trying to incorporate pictures into a post is extremely difficult and annoying that I get stressed out. I wish I understood why its such a difficult thing. I am pretty tech savy and I just don't understand why this system does things in such a complicated manner when it doesn't need to be complicated. For some reason each and every time you insert a picture the new picture scrambles up the setup of everything in the post and you have to spend a lot of time re-aligning text and pictures from scratch. It also never inserts the picture at the point where you place your cursor, it puts at the very top of all the text and then creates spaces through the text in places were there were spaces before. Then when you finally think you have everything aligned and looking nice, you click preview and its still in disarray and you don't know why because everything you type in the posting window looks different from what you get in preview....then when you think preview looks right, you post it and it looks completely different from the preview. Very frustrating!!!! If anyone knows how to do this in an easier manner I would appreciate the help (please don't talk to me about html or xml code that gets me more frustrated). Ok I will stop bitching now! lol

by for now

Vikkie

Techie Knitting Tools

I was having problems last night getting the turning of a heel that I am making up on my own (sort of....will explain this at a later time), so I did several Google searches (don't ya just love Google????). I did searches for: free sock pattern generator and free knitting software. Though I found some free things for sock pattern generators but not much under free software (of course). If you simply do a search for sock pattern generators you come up a list of websites. Now the software I found was not really free (except for Demo versions or somje small organizing type tools) but they seem to be decent and affordable.


Oh...my guy has a blog now...so hereis a shameless plug for him here: "RenoGeek.com Blog"

Freedom to Knit!

Yippy! Last final completed on Monday afternoon. This has been one of the hardest semesters I have ever had. My Euclidean-NonEuclidean Geometry final ended up being 16 pages when completed and I was not able to do the final (and 7th) problem. Yes only 7 problems and it was 16 pages. Geez o' Petes!

Well one week left and all of my mail away knitted gifts are completed and sent. All the stay in the area knitted gifts are made with the exception of a couple of things for my honey. I THINK I will be able to get them done....shall see. I am so burned out from school that my mental energy is sapped.

I have until 22 January off....I have plans to do the following:
1. Learn to Dye yarn (everything I need is ready to go)
2. Try felting for the first time (patterns picked out and the yarn as well)
3. Organize and....gulp...donate yarn that I KNOW I will never use....sigh but that means that the stash will be lots smaller....but I KNOW it will be a good and right thing to do.
4. Organize my studio area in the office and try to do some drawing. My creative area in this area is a bit stunted and has been for some time. But I need it BAD! Really Bad! I miss my artwork but have not been able to do it for several reasons. Internal difficulties being at the top of the list. It is a part of me that keeps me sane and healthy but.....ahhh to complicated to explain.

Anyway need to eat and need to knit!

Knitter's Without Borders

One more weekend and I will be on break for a little bit. Thank goodness I am fried. On Wednesday I worked 12 hrs (without a break) on a single Math problem (yes the truth!)...I was about to scream...and can you believe it I was NOT able to get the problem done. For pity sake. Well after Monday I will be done for a few weeks....whew! This time next year it will all be worth it and the prize will be within my reach!. Yippy skippy...HOORAY!

Well complaining is not the point of this post...I wanted to direct attention to the Harlot's "Knitter's without borders challenge" . She is issuing a challenge to knitters to unite and reach out to those around the world who are in need. A knitter can donate the cost of just one skein of yarn that could go to helping someone who needs a meal. Please check it out...there are lives that can be saved with just a little bit of help from us.

Conspiracy!

I truely believe that school and work (definately a four letter word and not a nice one!) are conspiracies to keep me from "playing yarn" and from doing art work! I cannot wait until winter break, I am burned out. Definately the hardest semester I have had thus far. What in the world was I thinking majoring in math? (Well I was thinking that I will always be able to get a job, no matter what, which is the truth) I must have been out of my ever loving mind (which is usual but still).

Oh...I was looking for infor on Knitting type stuff and came up with a Knitter's Review from January 2006 that reviewed some new tools and yarn for the year. Nice site that gives decent information on the world of knitting, imho anyway. They have a nice article called "Tips and Tricks: Magic Ball Knitting" which gives advice on how to use up left over yarn in a way that allows you to get enough yarn for a new project with a nice affect.

I also wanted to share a "sock calculator" that I found that can help with making up your own pattern or adjust a patter to fit the yarn you want to use and the needles you want to use. Which I think is really fantastic because I like to find ways to do things my own way. LOL The calculator will give you a sock pattern for a shaped sock (contours for ankles and insteps, etc.) which for me is to fussy but I like it because it will give me a CO count for the size needles I want to use and the yarn weight I have. I like the simple sock pattern that I came up with better then something that has so many shaping reductions and increases. Too many places to mess up lol. Once I am on summer break I will post the patterns that I have come up with (doctored or original) to share. I will also post pictures of all of the things I have made for Christmas (do not want to post now because it will spoil the surprise).

Anyway have to go and do some knitting, while the honey man is out doing his own thing. LOL trying to make him a couple of things but hard to do with him around.

Yarn Addict Groups

Hi all,
It has been a weekend of yarn addict meeting. On Friday we had a little get together at Florrie's (Deluxe Yarns, in Reno). On Sunday we had a knitting class meet at the Spanish Springs Library....which due to the newspaper article was packed.....we had ALOT of new people show up. Today was the bi-monthyl addict's meet-up...hehehe...which was alot of fun. We had a pot luck and everyone brought some really yummy goodies! Met lovely new people and saw one of the most gorgeous pieces of knitting that I have ever seen. A new member brought in a gift she is making her mother that is ....well simply put... a work of art. The skill and work that has gone into her lace shawl is nothing less then awe inspiring.....I wish I had taken a picture of it. Anyway I am using any free time I have to knit for Christmas so I am back at it.
Bye for now
Vikkie

Yarnharlot

I love reading Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's (aka The Yarnharlot) blog...she really is a funny story teller...whether she is talking about her latest project, trip, family or just happenings in her life...she makes me think, laugh and become aware. She is about to go on the DIY Network show "Knitty Gritty" and has been doing a sock a day. Yikes! They are gorgeous but I would hate to do the same thing over and over. I can't wait to see the episode. Since I am getting into making socks now I would like to get as many tips as I can.

I wonder what the deal is with "Knitty Gritty". The episodes are repeats and they keep repeating the repeats. When does the new season start? On the website there is a list of titles for new shows but no new ones have aired in a long long time. I hope it won't be canceled because I really enjoy Vickie Howell. I am doing the cross-over scarf pattern from one of the episodes, two of them actually (in different fibers) and they are coming out gorgeous. I like that the website posts all of the patterns from the show and video clips that help with some of the more difficult techniques.

Spanish Springs Knitting Group in The News

The knitting group I attend twice a month at a local library had an article written about in the Nieghboorhood section of the local newspaper. Here is the link to the article: "Clickets: A support group for 'yarn addicts' ". It is kind of nice to be in a newspaper article considering I have only been knitting since July. Pretty cool!

What does the Tarot say about you

You are The Empress

(from What Card are You?)

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation. The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents, beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful. The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

...And The Holidays Are On!!!

I hope everyone has had a Happy Thanksgiving! I did! It was peaceful and I got ALOT of knitting done. I am not going to post pictures until after Christmas since all the projects are gifts. I am making most of my gifts this year and stretching my new skill as far as it can go. Lace, socks, mittens, etc...things that my friend Kathy tells me most knitters think are a challenger and new knitters don't attempt so soon after learning. Some are a challenge but I find them fun and I am getting some amazing results. Alot of mistakes and oopses but...shrugs...oh well it gives each item character (at least that is how I am justifying them lol).

Kathy took me too a Yarn shop in Minden, Nevada. It is closer to her then it is to me and she wanted to show it to me. The shop is called "Pioneer Yarn Company". LOVELY, LOVELY ladies...the shop is really nice and set up in a customer friendly manner. If you are down that way stop in and say hello to them. They carry some yarn brands that I have not heard of before and their prices are reasonable and fair. I don't think I will go there very much because it is too far away...and my local shop, "Deluxe Yarns", will carry most anything I want. Florrie is a doll and she tries to get what the local yarn addicts are "jonsing" for. LOLOLOL>
Well time to keep knitting I am on a roll with my gifts and just got back from my long weekend.

Friends

Last night had a great night at the Knit Up held at "our" knit shop Deluxe Yarns. Nice people, good company, lots of laughs and of course....yarn and knitting! lol

Tonight more communing over yarn. I so enjoy the wonderful ladies that I have met since finding the shop. All ages, backgrounds, experiences....funny, intelligent and capable women! I look forward every time to my time sharing with them. The only bad part is when it breaks up for the night.... sigh...ah BUT there is next time to look forward to! Yeah!

Project Pictures

Finally, I have pictures to post of my knitting.

This is the cable hat and cuffs (minus the beads) from "Stitch 'n Bitch Nation". I did them in Brown Sheep Wool. First time I have used this yarn it felt really nice in my hands and it has a nice sheen to it. I am making another one like this for a friend for the holidays out of Encore and James wants another one in Brown Sheep Orange Cotton Fleece. This time I am going to do the ribbing a little longer and add and extra pattern round because it fits more like a cap if I follow the pattern exactly and doesn't cover the ears. It gets cold enough here that one wants their ears covered.

So here are the socks I am making for my brother-in-law for Christmas. My second attempt at socks, the first one is done now on two its mate. The notes they are laying on is the pattern that I put together by combing what I liked from about 6 different sock patterns.

This is the first sock. Sock gone bad. I followed the pattern to the letter and I knew I wouldn't like it after I got a little past the ribbing. The pattern said to do the ribbing for 6 rounds only and it looks ...well...wonkey (for lack of a better word). The third pic is of the two that was totally a disaster. I should have just stopped and ripped it all back when I thought the ribbing was off but I couldn't stop myself....I was way too excited about making my first sock...the heel and the gusset came out so great that I kind of just ignored how strange the ribbing looked. LOL oh well...



I have more pics but I will save them for another post.
Time for class.

I WANT TO KNIT!

I am having an internal temper tantrum today. I have an exam tomorrow and need to study for it. I am here at school with notes open and waiting for my study group to show up but I DO NOT WANT TO BE HERE! (pouting and stamping of foot) I am having the hardest time concentrating....all I can think about is my knitting projects. (more pouting and more stamping of foot) All of this school work is just slowing down progress on all of my projects and it is completely annoying!

A Sock Making I Go!

Well last month I took on my first sock. I made a sock using a pattern I found online. Which I became very unhappy with because it was confusing but I kept going. When I got to the toe thats when it all "unraveled" (so to speak). The toe came out completely wonkey (yes wonkey, I am sure that is a knitting or crochet term in some knitting or crochet gloassary). Since I didn't know how to fix it I just stopped the so called decreasing that the pattern called for and binded off. I was sad and laughing at the same time because it was my first sock and it didn't turn out as advertised I was sad, but was laughing hysterically because it was too damn funny to look at! Well my expert knit friends and fellow yarn addicts (to their credit) did not laugh at it, they were encouraging and explained how the sock still could be saved. I have yet to rip out the offending toe because....well to be honest the wind has been taken out of my sails for that sock. I just keep moving it around from knitting bag to knitting bag. I will EVENTUALLY fix it and finish it but for now I don't want to look at it.

Not to be detered I have begun my next pair of socks with some yummy soft yarn I found in my stash. I finished the first sock of the pair and it came out really nice though it does look slightly odd because it is for my brother-in-law for Christmas and he has a 12" foot. So the foot part looks a lot longer then the ribbing leg part. My guy James wears the same size shoe as my brother-in-law so I had him try it on and it fit him great, so I guess the sock will work....on to its mate.

I also want to make my sister socks for Christmas but I want a really nice pattern (simple mind you I'm still a beginner) for some yarn that she choose when I was visiting her last month. I haven't found the pattern I want however and time is running out. I have also begun a new pair of socks for James and am working on a funky purse for my niece and a mittens for my nephew (at his request they will be rainbow stripes). Oh yes and there is the cable hat for a friend's gift and two more projects for two more friends. Besides knitting I have homework to do which really gets in the way of the amount of knitting I can do.

So much knitting so little time! Eventually I will post some pictures of all these projects but it is not very easy to do with blogger so I have hesitated putting up pictures in my blogs regularly because something always crashes it or the pictures don't show up though I did everything correctly to add one to a post. I wish it were all just drag and drop! But it seems that none of the blogger programs are like that, or at least I have not found one ... so for what it is blogger is what I can most easily use at this time. Oh well.

Some knitting now, must make socks....must play with yarn....must get lost in the stitches....knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2.....

Updating

Hi everyone!
I have been laxed in blogging. I am not to happy with the set up on this blog site. It doesn't give me all the options that I would like to have (like a photo album) or easy and simple setup of column set up for the page. I do not know html very well and really do not have an interest in learning html. I would rather have a setup that lets one drag and drop and move things around simply and easily. I do not understand how to setup links. Shrugs maybe its just me but I want simple but flexible. Ok well enough complaining. lol

I spent some time in CA visiting my sister right before halloween. It was ALOT of fun! I measured everyone's feet and hands etc. so that I can make them gifts for Christmas. My sister also took me to a great little knit shop in Visalia, CA called "Knit Haven" (sorry they don't have a website). They are located in downtown Visalia on Main and Church Streets. The ladies there were REALLY super nice. The shop is small but has a great inventory of yarn. It is a nice sunny atmosphere and has enough room for a good size table to sit and "play yarn" with others.

Speaking of "playing yarn"...am I the only one who has used that term. I mentioned to the ladies that if they were ever in Reno to please stop by Deluxe Yarns and "play yarn" with us. They said "play yarn? what's that?" Is it just me? Am I the only goofy person that sees knitting, crocheting or any other fiber art as "playing yarn"? Am I that much of an addict? LOLOL If so OH WELL!

Also, speaking of addicts! lol Went to my bi-monthly yarn addict enablers group last night. LOLOL (I'm so funny I crack myself up!) Went to Florries (Deluxe Yarns) for a Knit-up (Knit n Rip knitting group). Lots of people showed up...some new faces too. It was alot of fun. As always. It was mentioned how we are yarn addicts that do not wish to be cured so we gather together to enable each other to continue our addiction. lol "Hello, my name is Vikkie, and I'm here....well because (deep breath)...I am a YARN ADDICT!" (response) "Hello Vikkie, welcome! We promise never to make you give up your addiction and to always keep it going with you!" Happy silly smiles from all.

Ok time to do homework. Blah....would much rather knit and rip back my first sock whose toe came out really really bad! :-(

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

First hat!

I just finished my very first knitted hat! Yeah me! I used a pattern from "Stitch n Bitch Nation" on page 75. This is my second pattern out of this book. It is super easy to follow the patterns and also easy to modify the patterns to your own taste. I am so proud of myself. I want to post pictures of my projects but I am not getting the functionality out of the blog that I would like to have in order to display my work. I would like an album of some kind but though I have researched it I cannot find a way to do it in eblogger.

Projects everywhere!

I was able to add another book to my collection "Magnificent Mittens" by Anna Zilboorg (it was on my wish list). I am working on the beginner's mitten project. This is my first two color knitted project. I thought it would be harder but I am happy to say that it isn't at all. I was hoping to complete at least one mitten of the pair but I am stopped at the thumb because I do not have enough short double points of the size I am using (Latern Moon Ebonies 3 US, Length 4 inches). The pattern calls for creating the thumb on a seperate set of needles in a tube and I currently have 4 of a 5 needle set on the tubular part of the mitten. So I will have to now wait until I can get some more of the same size. Frustrating!

Anyway, I am trying to get myself organized so I decided to make a list of the projects I am working on to see just how many I have going (yikes!).

Current projects:
1. Sock yarn cell phone bags (on going)
2. Mittens (just started)
3. James' afghan (mentioned in the previous blog)
4. Camel bag. (not begun yet)
5. 2 Dolls (not begun yet)

Future projects:
1. Socks: for James and for me (I never make myself anything)
2. Shawl
3. First sweater
4. Something cool and stylish for my beautiful niece!
5. More complicated mittens
6. Something made from all the sock yarn I have that is not a cell phone bag or a sock.
7. Design funky and unique dolls.
8. A "heirloom" type afghan.

There are a ton of other projects that I want to create. I just hope I will live long enough to create them all AND paint the paintings that I want to leave to the world (dramatic huh? lol).

Thoughts and Books

It seems lately that "life" is getting in the way of yarn plaing! I have about 10 projects going and more that I want to do but cannot get to them all. I get withdrawls when I can't play yarn. I wonder sometimes what it is about crocheting and knitting that relaxes my mind. It actually helps me focus and think things out. It honestly helps me with my homework when I'm stuck. Last week I was working on pretty difficult Math Modeling problem/project and was just stuck. I sat for a few minutes and worked on one of my little cell phone bags and I was able to come up with a new approach to the problem. I was able to relax enought to think clearly and remove myself from the problem I was working on. I "stepped back" from it so to speak.

One of the projects that I am working on is an afghan for my guy. I started crocheting him one earlier this summer but when I picked up knitting in July I got bored with crocheting. I ripped it all out and now am knitting one. I am not using a pattern for an afghan but rather various textured square patterns and will put the squares together. My idea is to make as many squares as I can so that I cannot only make an afghan but learn new stitches (like different kinds of cables). I found this great book , "200 Knitted Blocks" by Jan Eaton. The patterns and instructions for each block are easy to follow. Every block has a colored picture that makes it easy to see what you work should look like. At the beginning of the book there are instructions on how to create your own unique geometric looking afghans by using the blocks. One of the things I enjoy doing in my visual art is geometrics so this book is right up my alley!

I have a TON of crochet books and am just beginning my knitting book "stash". I have disciplined myself to purchase only knitting books that have more then just one pattern that I like. Honestly I could go broke getting all the ones that I want.
Here are some of the books that I have purchased that I am really enjoying:

"Big Book of Knitting" by Inc. Sterling Publishing Co.
This books has a TON of patterns. The more I learn and the more my technique improves the more ideas I am getting to create my own original patterns.

"Stitch n Bitch Nation" by Debbie Stoller
This book is really nice and fun! Stoller mixes patterns with stories of various knitting clubs across the country.

"Sensational Knitted Socks" by Charlene Schurch
Just got this book today (thanks honey!). I want to make some socks as gifts and this book looks really great in helping you learn to make all kinds of socks and also helps with creating your own original patterns. It has charts and instructions to help you learn how to make a good fitting sock.

"Yarn Harlot" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Ok what can I say Ms. Pearl-McPhee is great! This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. I find my addiction to yarn clearly explained. Now when I first read this book I was a tiny bit taken aback by a comment against people who play yarn by crocheting. But that was before I started knitting....and ok ok she has a point. sheesh!

"Knitting Rules" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Her latest and just as funny and also helpful. I just want to give her a hug because her books give me a smile and I want to thank her for that. Giving someone a reason to smile is a gift. imho.

"At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit To Much" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
What I have said above goes for this one as well.

"Folk Bags" by Vicki Square
A few years ago I found this book and gave it to my friend as a Christmas gift. Recently I saw Vicki Square on an episode of Knitty Gritty (on the DIY Network). This is a great book. Another friend made the "Camel Bag" from this book and won a blue ribbon at the state fair last month. Its hanging up in my knit shop and I got everything so that I can make it. I love all the patterns in this book and though I will choose different materials for some I believe I will eventually make them all. I do not really like using purses but for some reason I really enjoy making them.

"Domino Knitting" by Vivian Hoxbro
I have been creating geometric type art since I was kid so this book fits in with my ideas for creating artistic type knitting with geometric patterns. Modular knitting seems to be the way for me to create the things I am imagining. I have been tossing around ideas for creating pieces that hang on a wall.

"Bags a Knitter's Dozen" by Elaine Rowley (editor)
Really fun book and nice patterns

I have three books coming from Amazon:
"Toys to Knit" by Tracy Chapman
I have a "thing" for toys. Do not know why I just do. I have always wanted to make toys but since I do not sew (and do not wish too) I am really looking forward to knitting some.

"Not Just Socks" by Sandi Rosner
When I was crocheting for some reason I really got attached to fingering weight and sport weight yarns and crochet threads. I have become addict to sock yarn. Particularly "Opal Sock Yarn". This book and the next have ideas for making items with sock yarn other then just socks. A lady from my knitting group brought it in and the patterns are just gorgeous.

"Not Just More Socks" by Sandi Rosner

Now obviously I have an entire list of books that I would like to put into my collection:
"Knitted Toys: 21 Easy-to-Knit Patterns for Irresitable Soft Toys" by Fiona McTague
"Knitted Toys: 25 Fresh & Fabulous Designs" by Zoe Mellor
"200 Knitted Ripples" by Jan Eaton
"Mason-Dixon Knitting" by Kay Gardner and AnnMeador Shayne
"Big Girl Knits" by Jillian Moreno and Amy R Singer
"Modular Knits: New Techniques for Modern Knitters" by Iris Schrier
"Folk Hats" by Vicki Square
"The Knitting Way: A Guide to Spiritual Discovery" by Linda T. Skolnik and Janice MacDaniels
"Mindful Knitting: Inviting Contemplative Practice to the Craft" by Tara Jon Manning
"Slip Stitch Knitting: Color Pattern The Easy Way" by Roxanna Bartlett
"Mosaic Knitting" by Barbara G. Walker
"Dazzling Knits: Building Blocks to Creative Knitting" by Patricia Warner
"Vogue Knitting on the Go: Scarves Too" by Trisha Malcolm
"Andean Fok Knits" by Marcia Lewandowski
"Dream Toys" by Claire Garland
"Blankets and Throws to Knit" by Debbie Abrahams
"Folk Mittens" by Marcia Lewandowski
"Latvian Mittens" by Lizbeth Upitis
"Magnificant Mittens" by Anna Zilboorg and Alexis Xenakis
"Free Form Knitting" by Prudence Mapstone
"25 Bags to Knit" by Emma King
"Vogue Knitting Socks" by Trisha Malcolm

Well its now time for the Late Show.
bye for now
Vikkie

Yarn day

Boy has it been some week! I stress about my grades big time. What insane state of mind was I in to choose to major in Math! of all things! Seriously? But as of yesterday I am all caught up and today is going to be a yarn day. Yahoo. I was invited to an evening of knitting! I get to spend time just playing yarn with other yarn addicts...or as my bf is calling us the Yarnkies (as in Junkies hooked on yarn). Strange I know.

I am going to try to organize some of my yarn by putting them in ziplocks. I have recently increased my stash by a good amount (self patterning sock yarn is way fun!) Hopefully during the holdiay break in December and January I will organize my entire stash. At least that is the goal I have set for myself. Shall see if it really happens. But, as many of us Yarn Harlot devotees accept that is reallyh no way a true yarn addict can ever gain total control over a stash. lol The one chapter in Stephanie McPhee's book (click the book image) about her stash was absolutely hilarious but it was also right on the money. Except I do not own a piano to stuff yarn into. lol

In order to organize all of my yarn I desperately need a ball winder. Alot of my yarn is in skeins but I do not like to pull the yarn from a skein or a hank. I used to ball up my yarn by hand but then I learned that doing this stretches the yarn. Not good. They are a bit expensive but worth it. My home away from home yarn shop carries them so I am hoping "Santa" goes there and gets me one. I would love to have a swift also but they are REALLY expensive and I don't really have a place to set up at home.

Anyway, time to get my stuff together to go play yarn.

Knit n Rip Meetup

Tonight was the bi-monthly meeting for the Knit n' Rip meetup group at Deluxe Yarns. There weren't as many people as is usual for the Monday meetup but there were 3 new people. Really nice. Well all of the knisters are nice there. It was so much fun the only part I didn't like was when it ended and I had to come home to do homework! Blah! If there were a way for me to pay my bills and put food on the table while doing my painting and yarn playing I would be the happiest art addict in the world! lol....well its late and have to hit the books time to go dream of yummy yarns in gorgeous rainbow colors.

time to knit

Thank goodness I actually had a chance today to go to the knit shop (Deluxe yarns) in between my classes to sit and knit and play yarns with the ladies. I needed it bad! I am going to the University and working on a second career for those of you that do not know this. I was able to finish may semi-made up pattern idea for a cell phone/ipod bag. Its a semi-made up pattern because I got ideas from several different ones that I saw and incorporated a bit from each and some of my own idea into it. I just have to make the I-cord (here is a link to knittinghelp.com that shows a video of making an i-cord, scroll down towards the bottom). I also have made it so that I can use a bead or a button to close the flap. I am going to use beads on the bags I am making because one of my minor addiction is beads and want to use them in my yarn projects. When they are all done with the cords and bead closures I will post pictures. I will try to write a knitting pattern for my semi-made up bag. There is a cute cell phone pattern that I found on the Opal website. I have made several cell phone bags following the pattern and then modifying it to try out new stiches and got some interesting affects. I used self stripping/patterning yarn (mostly opal yarn). They have come out really nice. Can you guess what everyone is getting for Christmas???? lol

Anyone out there watch Knitty Gritty on DIY Network? I think Vickie Howell is great! She is so fun and presents an image of playing yarn that is hip and for any age. The show's website post patterns and help tips for everything that they present on the show. Vickie Howell also has a personal website where she blogs, post patterns and advertises her books.

Well going to do some yarn playing before its time to hit the sack.