Category Archives: knitting

Blocking

CIMG2241

So remember a few months ago when I was squeeing my pants about that giant pile of Madelinetosh yarn I bought?

Well, that project is finally off the needles!

Actually technically I finished it last week back home but there was no floor space to block it and then I decided to just wait for my blocking mats to get here.

So today it had a bath and now it’s pinned to the mats waiting to be dry so I can wears it.

CIMG2242

Apologies for the gimpy pinning job. I’m still a noob at this. I will say, though, the knitpicks blocking mats I bought are fantastic! I love that they’re detachable and can conform to the shape of whatever you’re blocking.

And lastly, these are the buttons I bought.

CIMG2238

I’m still torn about whether or not they’re right for this sweater. I used the same button for a headband/ear warmer I made a few months ago and I really like the simplicity of it but I feel like they might be too small. Maybe a toggle instead? Hrmmm.

*taps foot impatiently*

1 Comment knitting - - -

Blocking

CIMG2241

So remember a few months ago when I was squeeing my pants about that giant pile of Madelinetosh yarn I bought?

Well, that project is finally off the needles!

Actually technically I finished it last week back home but there was no floor space to block it and then I decided to just wait for my blocking mats to get here.

So today it had a bath and now it’s pinned to the mats waiting to be dry so I can wears it.

CIMG2242

Apologies for the gimpy pinning job. I’m still a noob at this. I will say, though, the knitpicks blocking mats I bought are fantastic! I love that they’re detachable and can conform to the shape of whatever you’re blocking.

And lastly, these are the buttons I bought.

CIMG2238

I’m still torn about whether or not they’re right for this sweater. I used the same button for a headband/ear warmer I made a few months ago and I really like the simplicity of it but I feel like they might be too small. Maybe a toggle instead? Hrmmm.

*taps foot impatiently*

5 Comments knitting - - -

Addiction

There’s a slight possibility that I am addicted to this pattern.

CIMG2171

In my defense, only the yellow one is mine. The others are going to be Christmas gifts so shhh!

In other news, I keep thinking that once I finish the Big Stressful Thing that is dominating my life, I’ll have more time to do all the other stuff (like blogging more than once a week..). But then the Next Big Stressful Thing comes along and takes a huge dump on that idea.

I’m finally done with all my papers (except for one, but that’s a long story)! And now I have to pack because I’m flying home for two weeks tomorrow. Packing for short trips never seems like a big deal until you’re actually packing and you realize the sheer amount of stuff that you could potentially forget and then have to live without for two weeks and then it’s just a staggering task.

On the bright side, I’m only about three projects away from being done with the Christmas knitting!

Unfortunately, I epic failed on the planning and two of the three projects I have yet to finish are for my mom and sister, who I’m going to be living with for the next two weeks.

Andd back to packing I go.

A lesson in gauge

CIMG2123

Sometimes I get cocky and forget that I’ve only really been knitting for less than a year. And with that, I forget that each new knitting project I pick up teaches me something new.

CIMG2127

Cables aren’t new, I learned cables with my Hermione sweater. But the blackberry stitch was new. And the idea of alternating skeins when working with hand-dyed yarns. And (I feel sort of stupid about this one) the importance of gauge. That was new too.

I’m not exactly sure how I’ve been getting away with it, but up until now I’ve never knitted a swatch, nor have I ever consistently checked my gauge on a project. I would pretty much just buy the correct weight of yarn and use the recommended needle size and run with it.

When you spend $19.20 per skein though, it’s a little hard to just “run with” anything. When I had gotten to about the eighth row, I checked my gauge and realized I was knitting waaay too loosely and was going to end up with a behemoth sweater. So I ripped it and now I’m checking like a maniac every few rows and for once my gauge is perfect.

CIMG2124

My only question is, how the hell is anyone getting gauge on this sweater with size 7 needles?? I’m knitting super tightly on size 5’s and it’s perfect. I could probably even go down to a size 4 and knit normally.

In other news, I really love this pattern. And this yarn. And the color.

*drool*

4 Comments knitting - - - - -

A lesson in gauge

CIMG2123

Sometimes I get cocky and forget that I’ve only really been knitting for less than a year. And with that, I forget that each new knitting project I pick up teaches me something new.

CIMG2127

Cables aren’t new, I learned cables with my Hermione sweater. But the blackberry stitch was new. And the idea of alternating skeins when working with hand-dyed yarns. And (I feel sort of stupid about this one) the importance of gauge. That was new too.

I’m not exactly sure how I’ve been getting away with it, but up until now I’ve never knitted a swatch, nor have I ever consistently checked my gauge on a project. I would pretty much just buy the correct weight of yarn and use the recommended needle size and run with it.

When you spend $19.20 per skein though, it’s a little hard to just “run with” anything. When I had gotten to about the eighth row, I checked my gauge and realized I was knitting waaay too loosely and was going to end up with a behemoth sweater. So I ripped it and now I’m checking like a maniac every few rows and for once my gauge is perfect.

CIMG2124

My only question is, how the hell is anyone getting gauge on this sweater with size 7 needles?? I’m knitting super tightly on size 5’s and it’s perfect. I could probably even go down to a size 4 and knit normally.

In other news, I really love this pattern. And this yarn. And the color.

*drool*