Test for Patience

I love the look–the beauty–of stitches, the way yarn marries the knitted fabric.

 However, it is advisable to block the pieces.  The extra effort of blocking a jumper does pay off.  My time and work is worth it.   The finished garment will morph from handmade into holy cow, you made this?!

By blocking a knitwear, the stitches are allowed to bloom and become uniform.  Furthermore, I get to control the outcome by manipulating the fabric into the shape I choose (or in this case per pattern diagram specification,) guaranteeing a beautiful end result.   What once was lumpy and decidedly looked homemade will now be a beautifully even-stitched sweater that makes me proud to have produced my own hand knit.

So don’t knock it ‘til you block it!  In lace garment, it often takes more than one blocking.  This lacy body and hood are blocked separately, each twice, to arrive to my expectation.  It’s a shop sample and demands professional, high standard.  (As shown below, I tucked the garter-borders inside the hood for a smooth finish.)

I have heard knitters complained about their finished sweaters were too big.  Care for my advice?   Good.  Here they are:  1) When soaking is complete, remove the garment with care–do not let any part dangle–and gently squeeze water out.  Squeeze only, no wring.  2)  Lay the garment flat on two thick towels, then roll the towel in a tight roll.  Step on the towel to squeeze out and absorb as much water as possible.  3) Carefully shape, manipulate the stretchy wool, smooth and smoosh until you have the length/width you desire, and pin the sweater to pattern diagram and measurement.  4) In crunch time, safely speed up the drying by using an hairdryer.

Given good yarn, good workmanship, and good care, a knitted jumper will outlive its knitter, providing warmth and pleasure to several generations of family and friends. What is your favorite family treasure?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Ooh, Look at the Litt’l Flutterby!

After shaping the latest creation with my steam iron (over a quilter’s press cloth) and taking photographs…I just discover a glorious butterfly. Don’t you? (The colors are more muted jewel tones, not as light and bright as pictured here.)

I haven’t gotten a chance to set up a model shoot session on the soaring wing(span)…just ‘cuz my private photographer has been super busy and is on the road!

I must confess…it’s my new favorite and I am totally mesmerized by its randomly placed colors,

organic, free-flow structure

the comfort and warmth it brings me each time I wrapped myself in it. (Hey…my boy shot this head pose–his second time using my DSR.  Not bad, huh!)

It’s my kinda of quickie, knit up in an evening. Third time the charm. Just as fun–more intuitive swinging and jazz-knitting–and as swiftly as the first (linked) and second (linked) times.  You can’t go wrong with using Size-10 needles and aran-weight Lion Brand Amazing yarn–a ball of each Strawberry Fields and Joshua Tree, some Cobblestones for a wing tip and finishing border/i-cord bind-off, plus small leftover of Regetta towards the end of the wing. This time, I cast on 68 stitches initially and 24, 20, 18, and 18 stitches for subsequent triangles. The i-cord 4-stitch bind off is the same as I’ve done in most of my projects: Back-loop Cast on 4 stitches, **KTB K2 K2togTBL with 1 stitch off the shawl. Slide knitted stitches back to left needles** and repeat from ** to **.

It’s been fun watching how everyone is taking this design and making it their own with modifications. If nothing else, online resources such as Ravelry helps give us, fiber-artists, the freedom to do so, knowing others are venturing out too.  As I continue in my cleaning/de-cluttering path, I have been itchin’ for some low water-immersion dyeing play to replicate some of MadelineTosh kettle-dye effect.

What are some of the things you are craving for? Fresh air and/or May showers?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Fearless

sometimes I think I was born fearless…in everything my whole life. Pretty much I have. I got little depressed (hormone-driven) as a first-time mom while on maternity leave, but, I still felt as though I was superwoman and could do anything: carry a backpack, diaper bag, purse, and umbrella WHILE pushing a stroller! I wanted to make a heirloom blanket for my son (who will be 28 comes September!)

Yow! What was I thinking?  Shetland lace. Knit-on border edging. I had never even knit before then. No knitting group or online video for help. I don’t remember if there was even a knitting class I could have taken. I was clueless about gauge. Who cares, right? It’s only a blanket (a deep plum purple than periwinkle blue as pictured.) Not like I needed to worry about fitting. I figured out what I didn’t know from the pattern explanations and just trying it out until it looked right. Somehow, I made it through. I still have the blanket that needs a little fixing.  See.

Oh wow! It amazes me too that I actually made it way back then, vanishing most of my fears in the process ) Okay, you may laugh. And NOPE, I am not going to correct all the unsightly spots or re-do the edging.  Nope.  I may block it though…or should I?

How about you, fearless knitters/crafters? What has helped or is helping to make you fearless? And, if you’re still on your way to becoming fearless, what would help move you closer?

Nowadays, it’s easy to become fearless. I may chat with some of the wonderful folks online or in person.  They are so encouraging and helpful. Anytime I want to know how to do something new, all I have to do is ask and the helpful tips come pouring in.

Local group, particularly, is exceptionally supportive and helpful.

Now I’m knitting/creating all sorts of things for babies to grandmas–from a simple dishcloth to a cable-intense sweater to a complex lace shawl–as requested or at random for charity. I’m learning new techniques because of it. The skies the limit, baby!

It’s important to treat it as a learning process and not get too worried if a project doesn’t turn out as I had thought it might. Knowing how to fix mistakes is a major part of fearlessness. I have taught a lot of beginners how to fix mistakes. It makes a huge difference. The Fixing Mistakes videos at Knitting Help may show you a few things. Also check out Techknitter’s blog for tons of helpful tips and exploring new skills. I really like Knit Fix: Problem Solving for Knitters by Lisa Kartus. The photographs are very helpful, particularly for newer knitters. Being able to fix my mistakes, to tink (knit spelled backward,) and to pick up a dropped stitch totally changed how I knit.

Being able to clearly visualize everything I did long before attempting it has helped me. I would fix mental images of cabling and knitting in a round, two-at-a-time sleeves/socks/gloves, before trying to do them with my fingers. Visualization before attempting a move is a martial arts technique to improve confidence and form.

Now there are some things I am afraid of.  Skydiving, jumping out of airplanes, or bungee-jumping…for example. Actually, any kind of heights will do it. I could have said mountain climbing or elevators that whisk me up to the 51st floor, Carnelian Room in Bank of America building (closed since 2009 after 40 years.)

Even more frightening would be glass elevators that let you see how high you are going. I’m such a chicken that a glass elevator at some mall that takes me from the first to second floor is enough to make me queasy.

But that little hank of yarn? Harmless?  Nope, not even close!  It’s all about perspective. Repeat after me…It’s just a ball of yarn!  Any mistakes can be unraveled and re-knit. Or used to knit something else. Hopefully a more satisfying something else.  Don’t let a mistake paralyze you–in crafting or in life!

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Finding Joy

in the way things are. I am one who enjoys doing a lot of different things. Yet I don’t always enjoy being busy. Sometimes when my schedule gets full, I feel almost as if I’ve lost a part of me. It’s all too easy to get caught up in a riptide of doing without ever evaluating what I am sacrificing, why, and if it’s actually in my best interest. So, I am stepping back this week, making minor adjustments, and hope to enjoy the journey more and experience the happiness I’m chasing.

First prototype of the cardigan is finished.  Shown here are part of the front pieces.  It doesn’t take much for a child-size sweater that fits a 2 or 3-year-old.  Most area of improvement has been noted for prototype #2.  The cardigan just needs a good wash and be photographed.

While I am busy with jotting down key notes for this project before they escape me, I will leave you  with a helpful tutorial on knitting fair-isle/color work inside out for socks (actually works great for sweaters too.)

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/KgU-1QiEWts?version=3&hl=en_US

What’s your favorite tool to knit colored pattern?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

WIPs Overload?

Overwhelmed?  There is no remedy to stress.  There are, however, things I may do to minimize the level a bit–this is a part of a new change I’ve mentioned beginning of the year.

Today, I took some time to sit down and write out areas of my life that are unstable.  I plan to brainstorm ideas to provide more stability…and make a firm commitment to act on them, accompanied by a concrete schedule over the coming weeks.  Yes.  I really do want more stability than before.  It is a great way to take the first step towards a more stable, actualized life.

Let’s face it: there are plenty of days when I don’t feel like sketching, designing, creating, testing, researching…what I should be working on.  When I’ve got a big project facing me, whether that be a test knit, shop sample, or whatever…I get intimidated.  I procrastinate.

During search for a management tool to hold myself accountable, to someone else, for the changes set in motion, I came across this project planning technique and immediately thought that it would be a good organizational and motivational tool for my craft projects too.

It is call personal kanban. You may have heard of it in relation to manufacturing and software development.  Kanban is a Japanese technique of pulling WIPs towards end result (as opposed to a push system.)

The blog explains everything I need to understand with sticky-notes.  I plan to create a visual board with just a sheet of paper and small post-its for my WIPs and queued projects (back-log.)  The goal is to find my optimal number of WIPs I may manage without feeling overwelmed or bored.  It recommends starting with 3 or 5.

I see the kanban system has applications in almost every area of life.  How would you adopt its principle? Or, do you have an effective, impacting system already in place?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Three Days…

to Christmas.   Hey, peeps, what’s up!  How’s everyone’s December going so far?

Although there was frost on the lawn and fireplace was crackling this morning, most days have been rather warm.  Another light-sweater kind of December day.  Instead of bemoaning the nearly warm breeze, I got pampered with good friends at Dudley’s (Kristin, Jewel, LeAnn, and Nancy)…warmed up by oh-so-pleasing Toomie’s delectable.  It’s a good day of fun.  Sorry…no picture to show :0(  Er.  Okay.  I just forgot.  Borrowing this one from last week.

The thrifting angels smiled down at me today and blessed me with these goodies:  1) a dress form that turns out to be too large for my use, 2) a silk scarf, 3) a nice wool blazer by Ann Taylor, and 4) a wool fair-isle vest and a silk hoodie blouse for Upcycled projects.  My plasma must be very cluttered.

The joy of thrift shopping is in the hunt, the search and rescue.  There’s no denial–collecting is in my blood with no 12-step program in sight.  What’s a solution?  Gift to someone else?  Sell on eBay or etsy?

Did you go thrifting this week?  Have you found that your Christmas wishlist has changed because of thrifting?

My quilting needle and floss are humming again.  Here is a birdie started out at Jenn’s a couple days ago–embroidered and beaded.

Isn’t she just adorable?

Hand-sewing is so relaxing and rewarding.

A small project like this is a great way to learn.

May I help you get started on your flock!   This a free pattern from Spool.  Enjoy!  (Next photo belongs to Sew Liberated. Her bird wall idea is inspiring fabulous.)

Here is another DIY that would be fun to do, even with young kids   There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature–the assurance that dawn comes after night and spring after winter.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Speed and Efficiency

At knitting social this afternoon, my friends commented on my speed and how I moved my needles and fingers.

It’s nothing like Stephanie’s (aka YarnHarlot) Irish Cottage knitting

Nor my movement a match to that of Miriam Tegels, the world fastest knitter

Pretty cool, aren’t they? Someday, I will do a speed test…if you will

What does speed mean to making, really? Joy. Contemplation. Skill. Beauty. Quality. Diversity. Multiculturalism. Responsible and sustainable use of resources. Honoring teaching and past tradition without sacrificing innovation, community, and individual & cultural expression. How will you express some of these qualities in your work?

Living life in such meaningful manner and a lively way is required to lead a quality life. For that, I must set certain principles of life…and my fiber-journey is symbolic as the end product.

Jotting down these life principles will guide me throughout my life in making correct decisions and prudent choices…at least I hope so.  What helps you set your priorities?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…)

Clone Yourself A Fitting Assistant

Have you made a Duct-tape dress form?  If you have, you know exactly how hilarious…and FUN it is. Hey, for you Trekkie or Trekker, here is my Seven of Nine work in progress. She needs two more layers of duct tape, some more stuffing, and more length in the body. What do you think?

It uses ordinary duct-tape as both the body-casting material and the final form.

The shape of your shoulders, the position and angle of your neck, and the unique distribution of your body weight are issues far more important than questions of circumference…since most clothes hang from the shoulders or the waist and don’t fit snugly.

And this is precisely what a custom form provides: an accurate recreation of your posture and shape while keeping within an inch or so of your current circumference measurements.

Minor pattern adjustments become easy and obvious when I’m looking at the actual problem in fabric on “me.” Of course, custom-made forms are as useful as commercial versions for all the traditional dress-form functions—draping, visualizing, shaping collars, holding garments during sleeve insertion, hemming, and so on.  However, none of the fitting benefits are possible if the form I’m using doesn’t mirror, with reasonable accuracy, my body shape and posture.

Dress-form making, honestly, is fun and fast–just ask Pam, Lynn, and Connie–and will improve fitting results like nothing else.

The dress form can hang on a chain from the ceiling when I’m using it and hang it in my closet when I’m storing it.  I’m going to add a cardboard bottom so it may sit on a table or on the ground when appropriate.

The best feature of the do-it-yourself, duct tape form is that it’s so quick to make you may have a working form ready in less than two hours.  And, the cost to accomplish this?   A whopping $10=15 as I already has a perfect shirt from my stash to Goodwill and some stuffing. Are you enticed now to make one? Here is a clip we played while making ours last weekend.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Fresh, Sweet and Smooth

as a tomato. Have you seen Cat Bordhi‘s new short-row, no gap, no-wrap heel construction, Sweet Tomato Heel?   A month ago, Cat has released a brand new e-book introducing her brand new basic and padded Sweet Tomato Heels for the first time.

I am a huge fan of Cat and have every printed book of hers ever published.  I have never done it with socks but have applied similar short-row technique on hats, bags, and sleeves on garments. So, today, I decided to give it a try on my son’s socks, replaced heel-flap in the pattern I knitted here last week.

It was very straight-forward, 2-at-a-time/magic loop–1/3 of stitches to insteps, 2/3 of stitches to soles. I made mine with 64 stitches around with 43-stitch heel and 2.5 wedges. Smooth, clean, relaxing, and absurdly easy.

In a standard short-row heel, your stitches become less with each row of knitting until there is about 1″ (less or more as desired) left in center then you increase/expand the gusset on outward edges. Here in Sweet Tomato, you may knit full wedge (in my case 16 stitches) on either side of center/un-work stitches on 1st wedge, then say 8 stitches on 2nd wedge, and 10 stitches on 3rd wedge. Change up the order or number stitches to work between wedges, decrease or increase number of wedges as you wish to achieve the ultimate form-fitting heel. Very flexible. Great hours of playing fun.

The outcome is more stretchy than a regular short-row heel…probably ‘cuz mine is in twisted rib rather than stockinette or padded slip-stitch heel as demonstrated in the tutorials (padded version here.)

It can be easily inserted into any sock pattern, regardless original design calls for cuff-down, toe-up, heel flap, fleegle, or a short row heel.

I like the look and comfort of this heel a lot, but as with the personal footprints, be prepared to have to make adjustments. I am always on a look-out for really great techniques and will definitely use Sweet Tomato Heel more often on socks when appropriate.

THANKS, Cat, for your generous gift! By the way, I love the concealed wraps and will probably still use it in future projects.

Have a fabulous weekend…Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…)