Knitting: Reusable dishcloths

Aynaria 4 Comments

Vacation Bible school is over, and while I enjoyed my time volunteering with the fifth grade class, I’m pleased that it’s over, since some of my work was put on hold while I volunteered.

This evening, during my down time, I knitted a few more dishcloths. In the past I’ve made them out of terry cloth, and a few months ago, I crocheted washcloths and dishcloths… But I’ve never knitted a dishcloth (although I’ve received a few). Which makes no sense whatsoever since I’ve been knitting for thirty-three years.

With the knitted dishcloths I made this evening, I used a simple waffle stitch; first row.. knit and purl (k3,p3) second row, purl, knit (p3,k3) next row knit, next row purl, rinse and repeat to desired length…. I used 100% cotton yarn (Sugar’n Cream).

Knitting video tutorial: How to knit the waffle stitch

 

The waffle stitch, adds texture to a knitted dishcloth, which comes in handy when you need to do a bit of scrubbing. I find cotton to be a much better option than an acrylic yarn, some of the dishcloths I crocheted were made from acrylic, but cotton is definitely more absorbent.

If you think about it, reusable dishcloths are a better option than the standard store bought sponge. You don’t have to continue to replace them as often, some dishcloths I’ve been using for a few years, since once they’re dirty just toss them into the washing machine, and reuse. I love it, economical and environmentally friendly too.

I’ve beanie bad knitter; part two

Aynaria 1 Comment

It looks like I’ve really beanie bad knitter; refer to my last post about the knitted beanie hat…

Naturally this is where I realize that I forgot to repeat a pattern with the beanie hat I’m making. These big mistakes rarely happen, so I’m laughing at this big oversight. You see… I was knitting each row, when I should have been one row “knit” and the next row a “slip” knit” sequence. Since I put off adding my knitting lifeline before I moved on to the color purple, guess who’s going to be frogging and starting over? Yeah… that would be me.

The good thing is, its not a big issue for me. I’m a process crafter, and while I could continue knitting, and it wouldn’t be that noticeable, unless you’re an experienced knitter (or someone really observant) it would bother me that I left this mistake, so yeah the stitches are being ripped out. As I mentioned before, I’m very tough on myself, so since it’s not right, I’m redoing this hat. 

Note to self… Opal, when you think about putting in a lifeline, do it. Yes, it looks like I’ve really beanie bad knitter.

I’d wanted to go down two needle sizes for the crown to make a tighter cable stitch, and now since I’m starting over… I won’t wait to the next knitted hat. I’ll make those adjustments, now.

I’ve beanie bad knitter

Aynaria 5 Comments

Get it? “I’ve beanie” instead of “I’ve been a”…

Ok, that was awful I know, I know…

Knitting beanie hat 1

Apparently I couldn’t stay away from pattern testing…

So while I’ve been a “bad knitter” and not keeping my promises on no more pattern testing for a while, I’ve made progress with making handcrafted gifts for Christmas.

Knitting beanie hat 2

Although it’s not complete this knitted beanie hat has already received a lot of compliments. I’ve been bringing it with me to Vacation Bible School. I crochet and knit in public whenever I have the chance, so this isn’t something “new” for me. It usually brings up a few people curious about what I’m doing, and it’s nice to listen to peoples perception about the craft.

Quite a few tell me about someone they know who does one or both. With certain knitted stitches like “knitting” and “pearling” I don’t have to look at my work, since my fingers “know” where to go. Perfect since I can knit while keeping my eyes on the class (fifth grade) I’m helping. I’ve been knitting while they’re eating their snack in our church’s huge fellowship hall. At that age, it’s wise to keep your eyes on them. They can get into many things.

Knitting video tutorial: How to do Slip Slip Knit (ssk)

I’m so used to working without a pattern that at times I have to not think of how I’d do something and instead focus on following the designer’s instructions. With a pattern test, you can’t deviate.

In this pattern, Spartz, the talented designer, is using the SSK (slip, slip, knit) stitch. It’s a stitch I’m familiar with but I didn’t check the way she wanted the decreases made, and now I have to frog the row.  Whoops!  Good thing I had just added a second lifeline, right? Installing a lifeline right before I start decreasing a row, is standard for me.

I’ve included a YouTube video so a new knitter can see how to make decreases using the slip slip knit (ssk) stitch.

Vacation Bible School; one busy week

Aynaria 6 Comments

This week we have Vacation Bible School at our Lutheran church.

Initially, my daughter didn’t want to go; she’s like that with new situations, but I told her to check it out on Monday to see what she thought. She loved it! A lot of the children from her school are there, and naturally she sees kids that go to the church also. While the week has a religious theme, there’s more to it than that. So many activities going on such as crafts, games, and a time to hang out with other people.

Of course… I gave her the gentle reminder of always checking out something, or doing independent research, before you make an opinion, because anything else is simply ill informed.

She’s been chattering about VBS nonstop since it began, and I’m right there with her volunteering. I’m not in her group; I’m with the fifth graders.

And my daughter has a new hairstyle. She’s sick of wearing her hair in braids, she told me that was for little kids, and so I’ve styled her hair differently. Is this what I have to deal with now… All this hair tossing? I’ll have to take pictures, and perhaps post a few here on Celebrate Life.

 

Knitted Coraline sweater; child and adult size

Aynaria 15 Comments

I’m not sure what possessed me to search for a human sized Coraline sweater, but about an hour ago my search led me to the official Coraline website, and there I found a knitted Coraline sweater.

I’d written about Coraline’s sweater before…

ICoraline jones profile‘d read the Coraline by Neil Gaimon years ago, and only saw the movie recently. Since that time, my daughter, and I’ve watched Coraline the movie numerous times. When watching the movie, my daughter’s crocheted amigurumi Coraline is right beside her.

Part of my fascination was the miniaturized outfits, some were obviously knitted and the signature sweater was knitted by Althea Crome.

While I highly doubt that I’ll make a knitted Coraline sweater for myself, I do know my daughter would love this sweater.

I’ve printed out my .pdf copy of the free Coraline knitted sweater, and when the weather is cool, I’ll curl up while my daughter is doing her homework, and start knitting her a Coraline sweater.

Where’s the meat; it’s in there

Aynaria 7 Comments

I must say that I’m proud of one of my friends. I talked about M in a recent post…

Stir fry with ham 1

There is no way he’d have eaten something like this, a few months ago, but he is now. He didn’t need to lose weight, he’s physically active, and he’s been my workout buddy off and on for years… but he still wanted to clean up his act. He’s observed my energy levels via our gym workouts, and I seemingly never get tired despite the intensity… and so he wanted to see whether changing his diet might give him an energy boost.

Naturally, I thought he was joking since he’s teased me about my vegan ways for years… but he wasn’t.

He still eats meat, but he now vegetables accompany most of his meals. Which is a huge jump from where he used to be, and so I’m pleased that he’s gradually including vegetables into his daily eating routine.

Certain foods he would state he wouldn’t give up, he has, or realized that he didn’t need. The upside is he has more energy, and getting the extra bursts of energy. Some think of it as a second wind, Which is something he definitely needs if he thinks he can hang with me with my power workouts or my long runs.

The key to his success was baby steps…

I gradually suggested introducing increasing vegetables into fruit juice, and smoothies. Other ways were to puree vegetables into delicious sauce to marinate with his meat based meals. In time his taste buds changed, and he didn’t mind eating vegetables that were in bigger portions, and he now eats some of them raw.

You don’t have to be vegetarian or vegan to be healthy. In fact, I’ve met some extremely unhealthy plant based eaters, but you do have to make healthy food choices, regardless of your eating lifestyle.

 

 

Knitting: Simple heart

Aynaria 4 Comments

This knitted heart was easy to make, but I’m not pleased with it, and so I’m knitting another.

Knitted Heart 2

It’ll be the third heart I’ve knitted in the past two days. The first my daughter immediately claimed for one of her Monster High dolls. No worries, since these hearts knit up quickly. Creating a simple crocheted or knitted item can be a welcome break from the projects that require your undivided attention, such as the paid pattern test that I’m currently crocheting.

Knitted Heart 1

You’ll need to know how to make knitting increases, with this heart, but with the right instructions, it’s fairly simple to complete.

With the third heart, I’m using size 15 circular knitting needles, and a super chunky yarn… I had originally purchased it for a crochet project; however halfway through… I realized I didn’t like the yarn for the item, and I frogged it (ripped out the stitches)… Have you ever had that happen, created something you weren’t satisfied with?

The designer for this pattern, calls it the heart with many uses, and I’d have to agree with her since I’ve already thought of numerous ways these knitted hearts can be used; cat toys, moth repellents, pillows for my daughter’s Monster High dolls, dream pillows, etc.,