Category: Knitting

Are they fiber worthy?

Aynaria 9 Comments

My life stays busy, and while I wish I could sit around the house and play with fiber all day, I can’t. I have a daughter, clients, a garden, I volunteer with a few ministries with my Lutheran church, I exercise, etc., You get the picture… I don’t have a lot of free time for crafts.

I enjoy making numerous crafts, many of which are fiber related (crochet, embroidery, knitting, and sewing). And while it’s true that I’m a process crafter (I enjoy the process more than the finished item) when it comes to giving away items, I’m very selective as to who receives my handmade items. After all, not everyone is worthy of a hand-crafted item. A handmade item isn’t the same thing as going to your local department store and giving someone a similar item.

About a week ago, I stumbled upon this yarn worthy diagram on Panopticon’s blog, I smiled, while reading through the yarn worthy chart. You see…I go through my own mental checklist before making something for someone I know. Before investing time into a project, the receiver has to be worth the investment.  I do make an exception… I make a variety of items for charity organizations, like Lutheran World Relief and the Mother Bear Project. I rarely know the recipient of these charity item, but these organizations I support are definitely worthy of my handcrafted items.

I love receiving hand crafted items

My favorite gifts received happen to be hand crafted items. It’s obvious the items aren’t slapped together, those who’ve made items for me put a lot of thought/time goes into making the items I’ve received. Just like I do when making items for others. And while I don’t expect a handcrafted item, I’m always thrilled on the rare occasions that I do receive them. After all, they could have easily purchased an item for me, and I would have appreciated that too.

Several years ago, I received a beautifully detailed wood crafted case to store my essential oils. I was blown away by the detail, and asked the person who gave it to me how much time was spent on the item. I knew they were a carpenter/woodworker. Oh, at least a 100 hours was the response. Let’s say I was touched, that they thought enough of me to take the time to make something I still use today. I also have a hand-sewn quilt that took much longer, but that was handed down to me, since the original recipient had passed away — but I still treasure it. And like the cabinet, and the other handcrafted items I receive, I feel blessed that someone thought I was worthy of a handcrafted gift.

Still not on my MacBook Pro; Knitting with my Knit Picks Options circular needles

Aynaria 1 Comment

Besides a quick look at my 17″ MacBook Pro, I wasn’t able to do anything else. I’m thinking it might be my hard drive, hopefully I’ll have a chance to run a few tests today to see if I’m correct. Since I do use external hard drives, I’m not worried about data loss. My hard drive information is secured in a few places. That ailing MacBook Pro is my oldest Mac computer, I’ve had it for six years now, and for the most part I haven’t had any issues, so I can’t complain.

Since all my user information is stored on my MacBook Pro there are still items and sites that I don’t have access too, and I’ve resisted the urge to attempt to retrieve any of that information from the desk top — yet. But I might have to soon.

In other news…

Renovations at our home are almost finished, the contractor is working on the main bathroom, once that is complete we’ll be able to put items back in their normal place.

Having fun with my Knit Picks circular needles

Earlier this week I knitted a few preemie infant beanie hats. Soon, I’ll be dropping them off at a local hospital. Currently I’m working on a really soft and squishy scarf buttery yellow cabled scarf. I told you my Knit Picks interchangeable needles were getting a workout.

Once complete I’ll add it into my completed projects bin. I have a nice clear storage bin that contains all my crocheted, knitted, and sewed items that are being given to someone else. While quite a few of those hand crafted items have name tags, there are other items that don’t since I have no idea who’ll receive them. And such is the case with this scarf, currently, I’m unsure of whom I’ll honor with this gift. But based on the time spent making these intricate cables, the recipient will definitely be worthy of a handcrafted item.

Knit Picks & customer service; an excellent experience

Aynaria 5 Comments

Tuesday, when my circular knitting needles arrived from Knit Picks, I thoroughly checked them out just to make sure everything was fine.

All past the Opal test with the exception of one of the size 4 circular needle tips. It was slightly bent at the part where you screw the needle  onto the cable. I could have called Knit Picks toll free number that day; 1-800-574-1323. I didn’t. But, I did call about thirty minutes ago.

Knit Picks customer service

When I was researching interchangeable knitting needles, part of my research included customer service. That, to me at least, is as important as the product. I must say the comments, I’ve read about Knit Picks customer service has been impressive, and while I wasn’t expecting to need them I’m pleased with the service I received. The customer service lady I spoke to was polite. After I gave her my #order number, and told her the reason for my call, she told me that I should receive my interchangeable needle replacement within 5-14 days. She also told me that folks on the East coast tend to receive there shipments sooner. Based on the speed that I received my Knit Picks nickel plated circular needles (earlier this week). I wouldn’t be surprised if I get my size 4 knitting needle a bit faster.

While I could have gotten my Knit Picks nickel plated needles cheaper on Ebay, I chose to purchase directly from Knit Picks, that way if I ever had any issues with the needles, based on their customers reviews, I knew I’d be able to replace an item without an issue.

Because of the awesome needles, and the amazing customer service received, I’ll definitely be purchasing from Knit Picks again.

How to knit socks with dpns; video tutorial

Aynaria 8 Comments

Late last evening, I started working on a knitted sock; I’ll post of my beginning socks in a few hours.

Since it’s been almost twenty years since I’ve knitted socks, I decided to pick up where I left off, and so I reached for my DPNs (double pointed needles). I’m thrilled that I’m remembering a lot of the sock knitting basics, and thus far sock knitting with double pointed needles has been a breeze.

During my pre-teen years, when I first started working with DPN’s, it was slightly intimidating. What was extremely helpful was realizing that the extra needles are only stitch markers, and as long as I didn’t knit too loosely; the needles wouldn’t fall off. If you’re new to sock knitting, DPNs, need a refresher course, or are simply curious at one way socks are hand knit, check out the above video.

The Joy of Sox Linda Kopp

The socks I’m knitting are featured in the book The Joy of Sox: 30+ must-knit designs. You see the socks on the above cover? Those are the ones I’m knitting.

I just received this book yesterday, and I love it. The photos are amazing, and the patterns are straightforward. There are enough patterns available for even a new knitter to cast on. For the above socks, I’m using worsted weight yarn. Since most animal fibers make me itch, my yarn of choice for these knitted socks is a cotton and polyester blend. I’ll be using white, dusty rose, and perhaps a pale yellow? During cooler months, I like keeping my toes free when I’m around the house, and these socks also work perfectly for some of my exercises I do around the house and at the gym. While showcasing my polished toenails. 😉

Sock knit along

Oh by the way…

I’m participating in a sock knit along. I met the blogger last year on Ravelry, and only recently started chatting with him through his blog posts. What got my attention was a gorgeous cable knit sweater he was wearing in his profile picture. I love knitting cables!  A heterosexual man that knits? Yes, he happens to be one of them. More on his sock knit along, when I post my WIP socks — later today.

Owl’s it going? Owl cables, appliques, and hat; finished object Friday

Aynaria 16 Comments

This past Saturday, I returned home from vacation in South Carolina. Once everything was put away, my circular needles were steadily clicking away at new projects.

Knitted cable owl applique 1

The first item I casted on were these owl appliques. The lilac owl, was the first one I made. I decided to make this knitted cable owl, as an applique before adding it to a larger project. The green owl I made slightly different. I wanted its ears to mimic the Long-eared owls I’ve seen in some of my books.

Knitted cable owl applique 2

Owl cable knit applique

My nine-year old daughter loved it, and sewed on two buttons, and used a bead for its nose.

Knitted owl cable ribbed beanie hat 1

Owl cable knit beanie hat

Since I was pleased with the knitted cable owl, I knitted a hat for her. Can you see the owls?

Although it’s a finished object I’ll be either embroidering or adding beaded eyes to her hat. Who knows, I might do a combination of both? No pattern was used for the hat, just your basic knitted rib stitch, followed by the owl cable rows, and I finished it of with stockinette stitch. The yarn used is a washable wool/polyester blend. I can knit with animal fibers but can’t wear most of them since they’ll give me a rash, and make me itch.

Knitted owl cable cowl 1

Owl cable knit cowl

She loved the hat so much that I made a cowl. With the cowl I used a different cable stitch to make the knitted owl cables, I wasn’t as pleased with this cable results, but my daughter loves her cowl. I added a lacy design to the bottom of this cowl, tossed the hat and cowl into the washer/dryer, and now they’ve been folded away until I add the eyes, then they’ll be tucked away once more until the weather gets cold.

My daughter told me she now wants cold weather, since it’ll give her the perfect excuse to wear her newest knitted items. I must say; I don’t mind making items for my nine-year old daughter. She appreciates hand crafted items, so she’s definitely crochet/knit worthy.

Knitted ribbed beanie hat 1

Ribbed knit beanie hat

The above knitted beanie hat was completed before we went on vacation, and originally it had a crochet trim at the bottom of that hat, but since I wasn’t feeling that trim, I removed it, kept on knitting in simple stockinette stitch, transferred my circulars for double pointed knitting needles, finished the decrease rows, and marked this off as a finished object.

Sites I’m linking too…

  1. Tami’s Ami’s 
  2. Natural Suburbia
  3. Wisdom Begins in Wonder

 

Still loving my DPN’s

Aynaria 2 Comments

Dpn

I don’t just use circular knitting needles for knitting in the round. Think hats, cowls, etc. I also use them for straight work such as sweaters, scarves, and flat lacework. They’ve complete replaced my standard knitting needles.

And although I’ve kicked my straight knitting needles to the needle art graveyard, I still use my DPN’s aka double-pointed needles…

I couldn’t imagine finishing off my knitted hats with anything but DPN’s… sure I start with circular knitting needles, but I always switch to dpn’s once my decreased stitches demand something smaller than my 16″ circular needles can handle.

Video tutorial: How to make a magic loop with circular knitting needles

I still prefer DPN’s over the magic loop. For some small projects I’ll use magic loop with my circular needles, but in many cases for working small projects in the round, I opt for my DPN’s, mainly because circulars/magic loops seems too fiddly to me…

Oh… one double pointed needle also come in handy for some of my cable stitches too. Yes, I do have cable needles, and occasionally use them, but for larger work, I always reach for my dpn’s.

After observing several videos of knitting socks with circular needles, I’m not too impressed, but I still will make a few pairs, before I form an opinion. But I most likely will keep using double pointed needles.

Knit Picks: Options interchangeable nickel plated knitting needles; My upcoming Knit Picks purchase

Aynaria 8 Comments

I’m finally breaking down and purchasing the Knit Picks Options interchangeable nickel plated knitting needles. I love silver, so that appealed to me. The needles are also super-pointy, I like that, and it’s perfect for knitting lace. I’ve tried plastic and wood hooks and needles and I don’t like them.

I didn’t learn about KnitPicks until early this year. Interesting to read that some fiber lovers refer to it as the Wal Mart of online yarn shopping. I honestly can’t say, since I’ve never ordered from them before. But if this is indeed true, I think it’s a great choice for those that don’t have the money, or simply don’t want to spend a lot of money on their fiber addiction.

Knit Picks Options interchangeable knitting needle

When I first started using circular knitting needles, I didn’t think I’d be spending a moderate chunk of cash on them. I was perfectly happy with the circular knitting needles I have (mainly Boye, but a few Bates are tossed in there too). The idea of occasionally swapping needles without a lifeline was appealing, also I liked the fact that I could go up and down in cord size.

What does the set include?

NICKEL-PLATED KNITTING NEEDLE TIPS

US Sizes: 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,10.5 and 11 (3.50mm, 3.75mm, 4.00mm, 4.50mm, 5.00mm, 5.50mm, 6.00mm, 6.50mm, and 8mm)

CABLES

2 each of 24″ and 32″ lengths

ACCESSORIES

0.5″ x 5.75″ x 2″ zippered clear vinyl needle case, 5.75″ x 4.5″ x 0.5″ clear vinyl cable case, 8 end caps and 2 cable keys

I believe I first heard about Knitpicks through Ravelry; my favorite online crochet and knitting forum. I’m OpalT, for those who might want to friend me. And the first artsy person I saw with items from the store was Nicole of D’Nali.  I saw the Knit Picks label on some of her yarn stash. She recently posted a recipe for blueberry strawberry muffins, so do stop by and follow the recipe if you love blueberries.

Besides it’s affordability, what appealed to me was the reviews from customers who’d purchased this item from Knit Picks. For those who experienced an issue, the item was replaced quickly. And while those who had issues were slim, I really liked reading that problems were resolved.

Once I return from my hand out lunch outing with my daughter. My daughters best friend, and her mom will be joining us, I’ll be purchasing my Knit Picks Options interchangeable nickel plated needles. The set costs $69.99, and from my extensive search of those who use them, it should keep me happy for years.