Knitting 101: How to knit; video tutorial

Aynaria 2 Comments

Recently, I received an email from one of my Celebrate Life readers…

In their email, they asked why I haven’t written about knitting on this site. No reason really, there’s a lot of crafts I don’t write about here, sewing, jewelry making, soap making, are just a few but over time I guess I could post pictures of some of my other crafts. I still do many of them, but recently crochet has been on the top of my list. Understandable, it’s my newest craft. I crochet often, so I can improve, and someday (hopefully) my crochet skills will be at the same level as my other crafts.

I started knitting when I was eight-years old, since that time I’ve made quite a few knitted items.

Currently, I’m not knitting anything. Crochet has my undivided attention.

But, I have been thinking about knitting socks… a lot. I’ve always adored knitted socks. I still haven’t tried crocheted socks yet… but I will.

Mass produced socks can’t compare to quality hand knitted socks; knitted socks are much better. If someone ever knits you a pair of well-made knitted socks, be very impressed. They most likely think you’re awesome. Since knitted socks, at times, can a while to create.

I vaguely remember knitting a few pairs, in my twenties. In fact, I still have the few pair I made. I went through a period where I’d have huge bursts of creative energy. Ok, I still get those now (sort of like the crochet kick I’m n) but I can’t shut myself off the outside world, being a mommy, and all. But back in my twenties,  on weekends, when the crafty bug hit… I’d lock myself in my downtown apartment for the entire weekend, and tune everything out, focusing on my creativity.

For those interested in learning knitting, check out the basic knitting 101 video tutorial above. Unlike Dan’s humorous knitting 101 video tutorial. The above video will get you started with the basic stitch.

What I do like about Modeknit’s knitting video is she does part of the video in slow motion. Perfect, for someone new to knitting. That’s why Teresa Richardson aka Crochet Geek, is my favorite crochet teacher on Youtube. The majority of her crochet video tutorials are done in this manner; and it’s how I learned to crochet.

I do think when we go on vacation in July, knitting needles will be accompanying my crochet hooks. Of course, I’ll be bringing yarn too.

I’ll most likely add knitting back into my routine at the end of July or sometime in August. After all,  I do have a few long-term knitting projects on my to do crafty list.  So you’ll definitely see me knitting socks, and perhaps at least one gorgeous knitted cardigan, as some of my works in progress.

Knitting 101: knitting made easy

Aynaria 5 Comments

Who knew knitting could be this easy?

I like humor, and did get a chuckle out of this video, however, if you want to knit. You’ll have to look elsewhere.

Here are a few of my favorite statements from this video…

“We’re not making mistakes; we’re making experiences!”

You can use the point of this one, to pick up the crap that you dropped!

Don’t worry about it! It’s only glue, only glue…

I started knitting when I was eight-years old, and even at that young age, I knew knitting wasn’t this easy. Fast forward 33 years, and it still isn’t. I still enjoy knitting, but it’s not as easy as Dan would like you to believe. Of course, you can purchase knitting machines. But those aren’t “easy” either.

What’s important to remember, when attempting something new, sometimes it will take time. Take for example, crochet, it took a few weeks before I was able to do the basic stitches without wanting to pull my locks out in frustration.

What’s my regret? There isn’t a similar  how to crochet video tutorial. Check out this post for a link to a knitting 101 video tutorial.

Crochet pattern testing: crocheted ladybug hat pattern

Aynaria 7 Comments

Girl ladybug

A few days ago, I offered to test another crochet pattern for a Ravelry designer.

This time it’s an adorable crocheted ladybug hat. It’s a small crochet project…

Knowing how much my daughter adores ladybugs, as do I, and seeing a generous project deadline. I jumped at the chance to be a pattern tester.

The crochet designer had a nice range of crochet hat patterns to choose from; infants to adults. I chose the preteen-teen hat.

While it’s true that my eight-year old daughter does have a child sized head, she also has a lot of hair. It’s halfway down her back, and it’s also very curly and thick. I often keep her hair braided, or styled in two stranded twists. Which explains why I offered to crochet  the pre-teen/adult size hat, right? All that hair won’t fit in a child sized hat.

This won’t be my first time crocheting hats. I’ve made several already, but I didn’t follow a pattern. I just played with a variety of crochet stitches. And after practicing with my crocheted stitches, my crochet skills improved, and I was able to make my first crocheted hat for a person. I’d made several for my daughter’s Monster High dolls.

I still have that first human hat I’ve made. Occasionally I’ll look at the hat and marvel at how much my crochet has improved in a few short months. I’ve come a long way. So much so that I’ve gifted a few recipients with them; father, daughter, and, nephew. Oh, I even was able to crochet a dreadlock wrap for my locks too.

Tomorrow, after dropping my daughter off at school, I’ll stop by the local yarn store and pick up yarn in a dusty rose; works perfectly with her complexion. That will be the color of the ladybugs body. The dots will be a dark chocolate brown. I think it will look lovely.

I’m at the point where I can read the patterns without to much of an issue. The few times, I’ve run into issues, with published patterns, a simple online search cleared up the questions I had. So I figure I can do the same here, if I should run into issues.

I’ve already printed it out the crochet ladybug hat pattern, and I must say I’m impressed with how thorough this crochet designer is with explaining her pattern. I’m looking forward to crocheting this hat. It shouldn’t take too long, perhaps three hours?

I’ll be starting on it this weekend. I’ll most likely crochet this ladybug hat, while my daughter, and I are watching a movie.

Pattern testing update: I’ve completed the crochet ladybug beanie hat.

A very special day; my daughter’s birthday…

Aynaria 10 Comments

In a few days, my daughter will turn nine-years old.

Where has the time gone? At times, it seems as though I had just brought her home from the birthing center where she was delivered by my favorite midwife. That night, at home, I remember staying most of that night just watching her sleep.

For the most part, I’m keeping her birthday simple. She wants me to design brand-new outfits for her Monster High dolls. While she’s been sketching the designs, I’ve “pretended” only to be half interested. But I’m paying attention. She started sewing when she was six. She’s done an amazing job with the outfits she’s made, but at times she want’s a “professional sewer”, as she calls it. Sure, I can help out. I’ve designed clothing.

She’s also requested a few crocheted sleeping bags for her dolls. I guess I can do that too.

Of course I’m tricking her too…

I’m pretending not to work on her crocheted Coraline, to keep her in the dark… I want her to think Coraline will be unfinished for a long time. As fast as I crochet, I’m sure she knows something is wrong with that statement. But then, I’ve thrown her off with the numerous projects I’m crocheting.  I’m such a bad mommy, eh? 😉 In reality I’ve been working on Coraline while she’s been away at school. At the latest Coraline should be complete by Saturday.

Canon Elura MiniDV Camcorder

The ultimate gift for her

But, I do believe the best gift will be the Canon Elura 100 MiniDV Camcorder. It used to be mine, but it’s something I haven’t used in about three years. It still looks like new. I take good care of my items. Whatever interests my daughter, I encourage. Besides drawing, sewing, and reading, another of her activities is stop motion animation.

For the past year,  she’s been recording her stop motion animation on her Nintendo DSi. Sewing, acting out stories she’s created, and stop motion animation are the only reason my daughter plays with her dolls. I enjoy watching her creativity, and encourage her to do more.

More importantly, I know she’s at the age where she won’t damage this gift.

Monster High doll Frankie Stein Crocheted Hat

 Crocheted beanie hat for Monster High Doll; Frankie Stein

What is Stop motion animation?

Stop motion animation brings still objects to life by physically animating them. The main source of the stop motion animation is her Monster High dolls.

By the way that crocheted beanie hat was one of the first items I crocheted, no pattern, just playing around with crochet stitches.

I think it’s time to give her a upgrade to a real video camera. This is a great camera, it’s something I spent my time researching before I settled upon it in 2006, and it will work perfectly for her all her video needs for quite some time.

Video Editing

I guess this means that my daughter will be using my video editing software; Final Cut Pro X. She’s looked over my shoulder numerous times, while I’ve done video editing, so she already gets it; but I know I’ll still have to walk her through some of the video edition process. I must say; I’m looking forward to whatever she comes up with.

Her own domain

I’m also thinking about giving her an url when she’s out of school.

I’ll host it under my personal hosting service. She had a blog when she was six years old. Not too many people knew about it outside of family, and a few friends. But at her new site, she’ll be able to post her videos, observations, and perhaps share some of her stories too? I still have her old site content saved, so most likely I’ll just move that information to the new site.

Giving thanks

I usually don’t spend too much on gifts. It’s something I learned from my parents, and it’s a habit I practice to this day. As I’ve told her, just be thankful that someone has thought enough of you to give you something.

In reality, this birthday her “gifts” won’t cost that much… I already had a like new video camera. Also, I have plenty of yarn and fabric. The main thing required is time. Hmm… that can be challenging. Time is precious, and it can be difficult making time to do various things.

But I determined, before she was born, that the expression my mother would say about some people…

“Long on promises, short on time,”…

Wouldn’t apply to my daughter. I’ll make the time; she’s worth it!

Scheduling fail; where did I put my supermom outfit?

Aynaria 4 Comments

Ever had that nagging feeling at the back of your mind that you’re forgetting something important? 

Well, I had that feeling yesterday after picking up my daughter, and in continued throughout the evening. She didn’t have any homework yesterday, so I didn’t even bother checking her books. We had so much fun playing outside. I even was able to crochet a few granny squares while hanging out on our porch. It was a perfect evening. 

We tumbled into the house around 8:00. After taking a shower and fixing my daughter a snack I logged onto my Macbook Pro and discovered that…

I had a leadership meeting to attend last evening…

Whoops!

And my daughter’s Spring Concert for school was last evening.

Ruh Roh!

You know the one I’d only heard about a gazillion times? The one that she’s been practicing for a few weeks. Sure it was on my calendar, but it was marked for Thursday, the 17th. Totally my fault! 

My daughter has two music teachers; the one that’s part of her school program where she plays the recorder. The other is her piano teacher, where she takes lessons after school.

And now, I have to write a note explaining why she didn’t attend. It being a required activity by the school…

Oh this should be fun; Is what thought this morning, once I received an email from her third-grade teacher. I felt like such the bad mommy who has to be punished.

I’ve already sent my note, explaining that I simply forgot, and I offered my apologies. Not much I can do about that. Even with the obvious screw up on my part, we had a great evening!

Granny squares and Coraline; Work in Progress Wednesday

Aynaria 17 Comments

Last evening I did something for the first time… 

I started crocheting granny squares!

The reason to get moving with grannies has everything to do with the wonderful Pammy at Scotty’s Place.

She posted a picture of a gorgeous floral afghan. And I wanted to learn how to make those squares. What I didn’t know was I’d have so much fun making them.

 

Granny Square afghan 2

With a printed tutorial in hand, I didn’t find it hard to make crocheted granny squares. The green and brown were my test squares…

Granny Square afghan 1

I decided I wanted to try citrus colors and chose the lavender, and lime green. I thought the colors would work well together.

Once I completed the lime, I loved how the colors looked great; but I thought something was missing? And so I added another row with  the mustard yarn. I love the look; it’s so bright and cheerful, that I most likely will turn this into a project.

 Eventually I’ll be making a floral granny square afghan, but will be deviating from this floral granny afghan square a lot. I already sketched out the afghan that I’ll be creating.

Amigurumi crochet Coraline 2 05 09 12

I’m still working on my daughter’s amigurumi Coraline. The poor girl still needs a haircut!

I had to put this project on hold while I worked on some last minute Mother’s Day gifts. I should be finished my crocheted Coraline by the end of this week.

What am I reading?

Well, I’ve been reading a lot of granny square tutorials. Who knew there were so many ways to make them? 😉

 Sites I’m linking too

  1. Tami Amis WIP
  2. Yarn Along
  3. Frontier Dreams
  4. Crochet Addicts CFS
  5. The Crochet Way
 

 

Gardening: No gardening today; too much rain

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Garden 05 15 12 2

I won’t doing any planting today. It’s raining…

Yes, I knew the forecast was calling for rain, but I was hoping they got it wrong. It happens you know? However today they got it, and we’re receiving a lot of rain. Tomorrow is supposed to be clear, so hopefully I’ll be able to do some planting, and pull the weeds that I do see.

Garden 05 15 12 1

Our green onions, strawberries, kale, collards, and cabbage are coming along nicely. The peach tree is starting to get small fruit, before we know it, we’ll be picking those to add into fruit smoothies, jams, preserves, and peach cobbler.

I took the above shots a few moments ago. I’d just returned home, from taking my daughter to school.

Singing in the rain? No, how about some dancing? I love to dance…