Category: Knitting

Ok, so I didn’t wait to receive the order for those Hiya Hiyas. A few hours later, I went back and purchased the 5″ Hiya Hiya Sharp steel interchangeable set.

In my defense, Yarn Bazaar’s store owner, Jo Ellen, responded to my email quickly. I included the correspondence below…

Than you so much, I look forward to trying out the Hiya Hiya needle. If I like them, I’ll purchase the set. I still am unsure which one to choose the 4″ or 5″ set.

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Opal

 

Hello Opal,

 You are very welcome. We make every effort to provide the best customer service at all times. My personal preference is the 5” needle as I have a larger hand. The 4” needle just seems too short for me hold.

 

You might want to check our website as the HiyaHiya interchangeable sets are 10% while supplies last.

We are having our Year End Clearance Sale with some very good bargains!

 

Best regards,

Jo Ellen

 

 

I value customer service, just because I’m a virtual shopper, doesn’t mean I want to be ignored. With my busy schedule, it wouldn’t make sense (nor would it be economical) to purchase everything in person. I simply don’t have the time to be running all over Maryland, and the surrounding states to receive items I use. So for me, virtual shopping is a blessing.

Even though I shop virtually, I still enjoy interacting with the store owners, although in those cases the communication is via email. If I send  you an email please respond, ok? My emails are always nice/polite. Often times, I’ll send an email just to see if I get a response. If I do, I’ll be sure to shop at your online store again, and promote your place to others.

But back to the Hiya Hiya set, since I saw that there were only six left in stock I went ahead and purchased the set. To make me like the store even more, I was thrilled to learn that both orders have shipped today! How’s that for speedy customer service. If I’m ever in that part of New Jersey, I’ll be sure to visit the Yarn Bazaar.

 

I can’t wait to try out my Hiya Hiya sharp steel set. I’m really thrilled to have interchangeable that go all the way down to a needle size of 2!

So much for waiting to try out the first order! I folded like a deck of card, and I’m perfectly fine with that!

This summer I ordered my first set of interchangeable needles; Knit Picks Options nickel plated set. Since purchasing, I’ve used them for most of my knitting projects. Circular or straight, it doesn’t matter. I usually reach for my circular knitting needles.  And while I like them, I’m always interested in having a backup set.

 

A few hours ago I purchased a size 6 Hiya Hiya sharp, steel interchangeable needle. From my research, they seem to be just as sharp as the Knit Picks I now have. If I like them, I’ll purchase my own set of Hiya Hiya Sharp steel interchangeable needles. What I do like about Hiya Hiya interchangeable knitting needles is that the needles go down to a size 2. I use size 2 and 3 a lot. Knit Picks only goes down to a size 4.

I’d heard about Hiya Hiya needles (thanks to Ravelry.) But it was Amanda’s post about Hiya Hiya needle that made me want to eventually check them out. Who knows, perhaps my review will be as glowing as hers. We’ll see, I should have my size 6 knitting needles sometime next week. If I do like the needles, I’ll purchase both  Hiya Hiya sets size 2 -8 and size 9 -15.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been anxiously waiting for Cyber Monday. Here in the USA, Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Thanksgiving. You can usually catch some awesome deals online.

This year, my focus was all on Knit Picks.  In total, I spent about $140. I must say, that was a nice savings since if I purchased the yarn full price it would have easily been over $300. Part of the yarn order is for my daughter, since her interest in crochet has increased I feel it’s time for her to have her own little yarn stash.

Don’t ask me how much yarn I purchased, but the all the yarn is attached to a specific project, and I know that I have enough to last me for quite some time. The good news is, I’m actually making something for myself.

 

 

I love shawls! A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this lovely knitted shawl. I immediately purchased the pattern. The photos are from Judy Marples site. She’s also the designer of this lovely shawl. Stop by her website, Purl Bumps and check out more of her lovely designs. The above shawl is called, Cedar Grove Shawl.  Isn’t it gorgeous? And now, thanks to part of my Knit Picks yarn purchase, I have yarn for this project.

 

Photo Source: Judy Marples/Purl Bumps

When it comes to crafting, I’m happiest when I’m working on a project.

 

Last evening, I completed the simple garter stitch scarf for my father. My daughter asked if this would be one of his Christmas presents, and I told her no. My father will be getting this immediately!

 

It’s over 6′ in length and it’s width is a little over 7″. If you’re a beginning knitter, this or an item using the garter stitch would be a perfect first project. I consider this stitch mindless knitting, since I really don’t have to think or look at my needles when I’m doing this or stockinette stitch. As a newbie, it wasn’t as easy. Hang in there (if you are a newbie) it does get better!

I do find the process soothing, and it’s a chance for me to unwind while keeping my hands busy.

During the Thanksgiving holidays, while my daughter was working on her crocheted amigurumi doll, I was knitting a simple scarf for my father.

 

It’s a simple knit, since it’s just yards of garter stitch. Call me lazy, but I really didn’t want to fuss with something elaborate over the Thanksgiving holiday. Naturally I used my Knit Picks interchangeable circular needles. The 60″ cable that I recently ordered came in handy for this project since  I made this scarf differently;  I knitted this scarf longwise. If I remember, I did a cast on of 265. My usual scarf cast on is between 40 to 85. The width is about 10″ long. Which makes a nice long/wide scarf.

Although I’m 42, I’m still a daddy’s girl and make and gift him with numerous items throughout the year. I’ve told him many times that he isn’t allowed to go anywhere. He has to be here forever. He just looks at me like I’m nuts when I say that. This scarf is a little over 6′. It’s perfect for him to wrap a few times around his neck while he’s puttering around outside.

I also made this knitted garter stitch scarf, in the same color as his knitted balaclava. The only difference is that this scarf has a tiny trim in a vivid blue. I’ll post the picture once the scarf is complete. If I work on it today, it’ll be finished. Regarding the Balaclava, my father wears it daily. How awesome is that? He told me it’s the warmest hat he’s ever received.

I can’t say which one is more fiber worthy… my daughter or my father. They both appreciate anything I make for them.

Did you know that Knit Your Bit, was an American Red Cross slogan?

I learned about this several years ago. And since that time, I’ve collected some memorabilia from that time period.

The American Red Cross used the slogan, Knit Your Bit, during World War 1 and World War II. A creative way to get the American citizens to support their troops.

 

I always hated those super long knitting needles, like the ones shown in above poster. It’s no surprise that I embraced the smaller needles, and finally moved to circular knitting needles for all my knitting; flat and straight.

From my research, I learned that many women and a few children knit for US troops. I imagine some men did also.

 

In  1918 the Seattle School Bulletin printed a patriotic knitting song:

Johnnie, get your yarn, get your yarn, get your yarn;
Knitting has a charm, has a charm, has a charm,
See us knitting two by two,Boys in Seattle like it too.
Hurry every day, don’t delay, make it pay.
Our laddies must be warm, not forlorn mid the storm.
Hear them call from o’re the sea,
‘Make a sweater, please for me.’
Over here everywhere,We are knitting for the boys over there,

It’s a sock or a sweater, or even better
To do your bit and knit a square.

 

The American Red Cross, even supplied a sock knitting kit that included yarn and a pattern to knit regulation military socks. It seems that a lot of people knit for US Troops. The American Red Cross said…

If the Guinness Book of World Records had a category for the biggest knitting party of all time, the winner would be the American Red Cross and its millions of volunteers who “Knit Their Bit” during World War II to support American troops fighting around the world.

The Red Cross played a critical role in outfitting troops during World War II with warm socks and sweaters. Nearly 7.5 million Red Cross volunteers supported the war effort then, many of them knitters. The Red Cross provided the materials, and volunteers came back with thousands and thousands of socks, sweaters, “sea boots,” and gloves.

Each military pattern was designed to be compatible with soldier’s and sailor’s uniforms and were required to be knitted in olive drab or navy blue.

“If the garments did not pass inspection, they were ripped out and redone,” said Steve Shulman, executive director of the American Red Cross Museum. “Any leftover yarn or rejected pieces were returned to the Red Cross and recycled for use by another knitter, and not a bit of it went to waste.”
Upon passing inspection, each item had a label sewn into the garment reading, “Gift of the American People thru the American Red Cross.”

I’m involved with numerous charity organization, one of which is Operation Write Home. Recently, I’ve been thinking about knitting some balaclavas for US soldiers. I really must take a better photo of the knitted balaclava I made for my father. He seems to love it, and it looks great when he wears his hat. I does a great job protecting his head, face, and neck from the cold.

I know that balaclavas can be worn by US soldiers. I’m unsure if they can wear them with their military attire, but they can wear them when their off duty. Now, I’m thinking of knitting a few for a few US soldiers.

I’ve sent a few boxes to soldiers after checking out some of the needs on AnySoldier. Sending items to those within the US military, is one way I can thank them for serving our country, and hopefully it lets them know that there are people at home thinking about them.

 

 

Imagine my surprise, when I stumbled upon one of Glen Miller’s songs; Knit One, Purl Two. Although much before my time,  I’ve heard several of his songs.

On December 15, 1944, Glen’s plane disappeared over the English Channel. He was on his was to entertain US troops in France, during World War II.

Glen Miller: Knit One, Purl Two

Knit one, purl two
This sweater, my darling,’s for you
While vigil you‘re keeping through rain and storm
This sweater will keep you warm
Purl two, knit one
Our trials I know have begun
And while you are fighting each battle through
My darling, my heart’s with you

I just left the cot where our little Todd
In sleep was smiling
He must have dreamed of you…

Knit one, purl two
My darling, whenever I’m blue
It’s comfort to know that when he’s a man
He‘ll be glad that his Dad came through
Knit one, purl two…

Resource: History Link
Photo Source: American Red Cross

A few weeks ago I started looking for ski mask patterns…

I found a ski pattern that I liked but the designer called the hat a ‘Balaclava’, from some quick research I learned that the name comes from the town ‘Balaklava’ which is located in the Ukraine.

Since I didn’t want something fancy for my father, I came up with my own pattern. It’s only rib stitch (k2, p2) this is the perfect project to have on hand when I don’t feel like looking at what I’m knitting, or when I need a break from some of my intricate works in progresses.

Currently the knitted balaclava is drying on a chair, and sometime tomorrow I’ll give this to my father. He loves to be outside, and having something that covers most of his face might make my mother not fuss at him so much.

I made his knitted balaclava in a olive color (perfect for him since he doesn’t like anything too loud) so I  know he’ll wear this hat. What I’m really liking about the hat is how incredibly soft it is, and the rib stitch makes it super stretchy and warm. I’m sure he’ll enjoy wearing this hat throughout the winter months. And while you could ‘just pick up a department store ski mask’, the density, and the feel of that fiber compared to what I knitted isn’t the same.

This is the first hand washed item that I’ve made for my father…

Last year, his favorite hat was a crocheted hat that I crafted  using man made fibers. The hat I made, was similar to this crocheted chunky cranberry hat. The only difference is my father’s was crocheted in black with the cranberry trim at the rim of the hat.

In a few weeks, I’ll start knitting a balaclava hat for my daughter. I’m really liking this cabled balacalva pattern. I most likely won’t follow the pattern exactly, but add my own twist.

But now… it’s time to work on the crocheted scarf that I’m pattern testing. I’m currently stumped on one section, and I know it’s something simple I’m overlooking.