The Night Shift and knitting; stockinette scarf update

This has always been one of my favorite songs, and I heard it on Memorial Day.

 

My daughter and I stopped by A.C. Moore, when this song started playing, and I stopped and listened for a bit. It brings back a lot of good memories…

We were at A.C. Moore because I needed to purchase yarn.

As I’ve mentioned already, I do a lot of work with charity based organizations; several are generated from my Lutheran church. A. C. Moore was having a sale on Lion Brand Vanna Colors, $1.00 per skien. It’s my first time using it, and I must say I really like it a lot.

The skien is only 101 yards. As I mentioned in an earlier post, if I know that I’ll be making items for those who might not have a lot of money. I always choose a yarn that doesn’t need special care, and so acrylic blends are always a good option. I was impressed with how soft this brand was, acrylic yarns have come a long way.

Knitting stockinette scarf 1 05 30 12

 

I’m happy to say that this yarn is working wonderfully with the knitted stockinette scarf that I’m donating to the local homeless shelter. This scarf is about 24″ now. I volunteer (make breakfast) and am the church coordinator for this ministry.

I won’t be donating the items until the cooler months. I’ve set aside a tub for all my charity based crocheted and knitted projects. Amigurumi toys will be finding their way into this charity bin also.

Knitting a Hogwarts scarf for my Dad…

Ok, it’s official I’m knitting my father a Hogwarts scarf.

Oh you didn’t know that I loved Harry Potter? Well I do…

Although I’ve read all the books, I can’t say the same thing about the movies. Which isn’t surprising, since I don’t watch a lot of television/movies.

Harry Potter Luna Lovegood

I know there are all sorts of Harry Potter quizzes out there, perhaps I should take one, to find out what house my father would belong too? Then make him a scarf in those colors.

But, I might just use the pattern and do my own thing. The Harry Potter pattern was found while I was doing a search for knitted scarves. It was created by knitting designer, Lauren Kent. I retrieved the Hogwarts scarf knitting pattern via the WayBack Machine since the site knit.atypically.net, is now inaccessible. Even though it’s paid until 2013. Perhaps she’ll start writing again? Who knows, I’m thrilled that I was able to retrieve the pattern.

My next decision is to choose a yarn. The knitted scarf has to be warm, servicable,  and definitely something that can be tossed into the washer without fear of shrinking, since I know my mother would be quite annoyed if she had to use a special setting for my fathers hand-knit scarf.

You know…

If I were a Harry Potter character, I most likely would be Luna Lovegood. I really don’t care what people think about my choices. I don’t mind differing opinions, in fact, I find it refreshing… But if a person thinks I’ll change my mind on something I strongly believe in, because I’m “pressured”… well they don’t know me as well as they think.  Why would I do that? If it goes against my belief system…

Some of  my friends/acquaintances tell me that I march to the beat of a different drummer. In all honesty, I think that’s a polite way to same I’m, barking mad.

Yard work and knitting; working on a new knitted stockinette scarf

Memorial Day was a busy one for myself, and I have the aches to prove it.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of the amount of destruction I did to all those wild plants growing near the woods. Many of those plants were taller than I. I guess that’s not saying much, since I’m only 5′.

But, I had a great workout, three hours nonstop weed whacking with my handy scythe. As I used it, I thought… “Wow, this could really put a hurting on someone!” It cut down small trees easily.

The main plant that received a lot of the my attention is this wild plant, that I haven’t bothered to identify (yet). It’s been in this area since I can remember….

And it must be the plant kingdoms version of the cockroach. That sucker is hard to kill! You think you’ve dug up all the roots, but it still comes back.

While I don’t have pictures of all the yard work I did yesterday, or the mystery plant that sort of resembles bamboo, I did take photos of my knitting. To be fair, when I’m working, I don’t have time to take pictures. If I’m constantly snapping photos, I can’t be working, can I? 😉 But I’ll try to take outside photos later today.

During my down time, I did frog the knitted stockinette scarf and  it was reborn as the knitted scarf you see below. My daughter was completing a school project, and I was giving her pointers. With knitting, I don’t have to look at my work. My hands “know” where to go.

Knitting Stockinette scarf 3 05 28 12

As you see, the yarn color and weight have changed. It used to look like this…

Knitting Stockinette scarf 1 05 28 12

It’s now been upgraded to a bulky yarn. The exact color is Mulberry. I did decide to use the same knitting stitch; stockinette. I must say that I like this one much better than the other stockinette scarf that I’d made.

If you look closely, you might see streaks of black mingling within the mulberry. I like it, it’s very subtle.  My circular knitting needles stayed the same; size ten. I was contemplating on using a size 15 circular needle, but perhaps I’ll use them next time?

Knitting Stockinette scarf 4 05 28 12

While working on this scarf, I realized that my father could use a scarf, for the colder months.  He only wears them at his home. But, since he does a lot of yard work, A thick scarf, such as this, would come in handy, and perhaps my mother wouldn’t fuss at him so much about staying warm?

The scarf he uses now, he’s had for years. It’s a dull chocolate brown, and it has seen better days. I actually believe it’s part of an ensemble; scarf, hat, and gloves that he received from work. That was at least fifteen years ago. He’s been retired for about eight years.

So I do believe its high time that he received a scarf upgrade, don’t you? He tossed the matching brown hat, the moment I made him a hat. It’s similar to the crocheted chunky hat I made for my five-year old nephew.

So yes… my father appreciates handcrafted items. I do put a lot of effort into anything that I create, and as I mentioned in an earlier post. The recipients won’t find any mistakes with their hand crafted item, since I’ll rip them out in a heartbeat until it looks perfect. Once this scarf if finished, I’ll cast on a scarf for him, and then some matching gloves.

They’d make great Christmas presents, But I’ll gift him with the scarf and gloves, as soon as the weather turns cold.

Stockinette scarf update; looks fine… but I’m still frogging

Yesterday I had the chance to work on this knitted stockinette scarf.

This is one of the items that will be donated to a local charity group.

Knitting Stockinette scarf 1 05 28 12

Although the stitches look fine, there’s something I’m not liking about the scarf, and so I’ll be frogging this project. What I do like is how the scarf drapes, and I like the color… just not for this scarf. I’m thinking this color will be used to knit a cowl. We’ll be staying home this Memorial Day, and I’m sure I’ll have a chance to crochet and knit. 

This new scarf will most likely be created using a cable or seed stitch.

Knitting Stockinette scarf 2 05 28 12

I believe I spent about six hours knitting this. Good thing I don’t mind ripping out my stitches, eh? 

Whether I’m crochet, knitting, jewelry making, sewing, or making soapmaking…

It’s all the same…

It’s the process that fascinates me!

Recently my fascination has been focused on yarn, which is made apparent to the numerous posts about crochet… and now knitting.

I love watching the hanks of yarn turn into something amazing. Occasionally I’ll make mistakes; everyone does at some point. But, I don’t hesitate to frog the project. With crochet it’s a lot easier to fix, since you only have to pick up one missed stitch. Knitting isn’t as easy since you’re picking up an entire row, to correct mistakes. But knitting doesn’t have to be complicated, if you get into the habit of adding a lifeline. In the above picture, you can see a lime green yarn woven through stitch. That’s my lifeline. While the row was still on my needles, I wove the yarn into that row using a darning needle.  If I make a mistake, I have only to frog back to my lifeline.

When it comes to crafts, some people are usually surprised about the amount of items or projects that I make. But that falls back to enjoying the process. Once I’m completed an item, I’m usually moving on to something else. Over the years, the speed and accuracy with all my crafts have increased. But that doesn’t happen overnight it comes from a lot of practice.

I must say, not being afraid to rip out mistakes guarantees the items I gift to people will be a high quality hand-crafted item.

Crocheting and knitting items for those in need

The cooler months are still a way off, but I’m already thinking of cold weather items I can donate to the various organizations I’m affiliated with.

Clothing is a nonissue. I have contacts with a local second hand shop, and so can supply those in need with clothing, toys, and sometimes electrical appliances too.

But, I must admit, I do like adding handcrafted items to the mix. 

I’ve always enjoyed creating items for those in need. In the past, the items I’ve given have mainly been sewn, like the quilts made for the Lutheran World Relief. I also make handmade cards for our soldiers too. This year is different since I’ll be adding crocheted and knitted items to that list.  How cool is that? 

Knitting Stockinette scarf 1

Stockinette scarf

In the above picture, you can see a stockinette scarf that I’m knitting. I started on it last evening, and it’s working up fairly quickly. One thing I’ve always enjoyed about knitting is I don’t have to look at my work. I “know” whether I do something wrong. Because of that, I was knitting this scarf, while watching Coraline the movie for the bazillionth time. My daughter really loves the movie.

The color I chose for the scarf is bright and cheerful, and more important it’s warm. I was torn on how to make the scarf, originally I was going to make it in garter stitch. Since that’s a bit stretchier and it since it uses more yarn, it’ll be warmer too. But, I do like stockinette scarves too, and so I decided to make my first scarf of 2012 using the stockinette stitch.

Yarns used for charity

The types of yarn I use for charity varies. If I know, it’ll be going to someone that might not have a lot of money. I usually opt for acrylics, not because I think less of them. I just don’t think it’s reasonable to think they’ll have the funds to dry clean the items I make.

What I love about acrylics is you can just toss it in the washing machine, take it out and wear it. They won’t have to worry about messing up a delicate fiber since the handmade item is acrylic. Perfect for those who might not have a lot of money. It’s also perfect for those with children, or people who can’t be bothered with special care instructions.

But back to my stockinette scarf…

Because of it’s tendency to roll, the stockinette stitch is best suited for circular items such as socks, stockings, hats, gloves. You can combat the roll in a variety of ways. In the above picture, I added a few knit stitches at the beginning and end of each pearl row. I could also have added cables, seed stitch, or a variety of other options to prevent the stockinette from rolling.

The next charity items I’ll be making are hats. I’ll do a combination of crocheted and knitted hats. I’ve always been fond of the garter stitch, and so a few of my hats will be knitted that way.

Volunteering is very important to me, and it’s something I do weekly. Not just around the holiday season, since I realize that some people face difficulties throughout the year. 

Teeni, you’ll be happy to know that I’m now comfortable with my circular knitting needles, and I’m as fast as knitting with regular needles. 

Change of heart; swapping for circular knitting needles

Yesterday, my daughter told me she wanted to hold off on knitting. She said this, while she watched me as  I tried to get comfortable knitting with circular needles.

She does sew a lot, and she crochets, and does many other crafts, so I figure if/when she’s ready to learn knitting. I’ll have an additional option for her. I did return the standard knitting needles I’d purchased for her, in one of her favorite colors (pink) and bought a larger size circular knitting needle size ten.

Yesterday, I mentioned I’d purchased my first pairs of circular knitting needles

My first attempts to knit with circular knitting needles weren’t pretty. And I have a swatch to prove it, the rest I frogged. I’m thinking it might have taken me a while to get used to circulars, because I’m used to holding standard knitting needles a bit differently?

Sure it was frustrating, but I didn’t give up…

I kept attempting to become comfortable with knitting on circular needles, and I’m pleased to say that I’ve crossed over the other side. I’m still much slower on circulars as opposed to the regular knitting needles, but that’s not going to discourage me, since I know in time… I’ll improve.

I must say, I like the portability of the circular knitting needles, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I started using them for all my flat knitting projects. Yesterday, I made a simple cable stockinette scarf for my daughter’s amigurumi Coraline.

Pattern testing and circular knitting needles

Circular knitting needles

I guess I can’t get enough of testing crochet patterns….

A few days ago, I accepted two additional pattern tests…

I figure, why not? I already try to crochet daily, even if it’s just a few rows. The more I crochet, the better my crochet skills will become. Testing out a crochet pattern gives me the practice I need to improve, while allowing me to crochet a pattern that I like. And… it also exposes me to different ways that a pattern can be written. Think about it, do you really think that all designers will write their patterns the same way?

I haven’t started on the crochet patterns…yet, but I will within the next few days. Being that they are simple, I should have them complete within one sitting. The longest a slouchy hat, which I’m claiming for myself, should only take two hours to make.

Picking up my knitting needles

In a recent post, I mentioned that I’d been thinking about knitting. I do adore handmade socks. I’ve made a few for myself, and have been gifted with some others by a dear friend that has deemed me “knit worthy” I cherish the few hand-knitted socks I have. However, I’ve been hesitating making them. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that, and it means relearning how to make them. But, I feel that my upcoming vacation will be a great time to relearn how to knit socks.

With that in mind, I’m stopping by A.C. Moore, once I drop my daughter off at school. I’ll be using their 40% coupon, and choosing some circular knitting needles. Circular needles are new to myself. I’ve never worked with them before, and have always favored the traditional or double pointed needles, but I’m fascinated with circular needles since knitting with them shouldn’t leave a seam.

But I have to admit, the real reason for having knitting on the brain recently, is that I want to incorporate knitting into some of my crochet ideas. I have a few additional ideas for an crocheted amigurumi doll, but some of those ideas require that knitting is added too.