Category Archives: Knitting & Crochet

Finally, some real, actual knitting! Not that dishcloths aren’t knitting, but… Anyway. I’m currently working on two projects: the Luxe Neck Warmer from Knit 2 Together, and the Forest Canopy Shawl.

First, the Luxe Neck Warmer:

I’m using the yarn that I bought from misshawklet and the project is turning out exactly as I’d envisioned. I probably could have gone up a needle size, but that’s okay. The colors are so pretty, the pattern is so easy, and it’s just a really great knit. I might make one or two of these for holiday gifts because it knits up so fast. If I wasn’t interrupted every 2.3 minutes, this would totally be done by now.

Next, the Forest Canopy Shawl:

I had zero success with the Flower Basket Shawl. I’m not sure if it’s because I was too busy both times I started it, or what, but after having to rip it apart for the third time, I threw in the towel (for now). Then I came across this pattern and it’s made me realize that I’m not incapable of knitting lace. Maybe it’s also because I’m really taking my time. I’ve also gone ahead and put each line of the pattern on a separate index card (as suggested), and it’s so much easier to keep things straight. I’m two repeats in, and hopefully it will be done by Mike’s wedding. So far, so good!

I knitted this up for a swap pal. Hopefully I’ll be mailing out her package next week! The pattern is from Knitwits Heaven. The pattern actually calls for a seed stitch border, but I took the easy (lazy) way out and just did a knit border. I like it just as well, though! I have to say, though, it doesn’t feel very fall-ish today. It’s hot, humid, and honestly kind of gross outside. I hope it cools down soon. I thought summer was over!

How did I miss this? Apparently over the summer self-striping Sugar ‘n Cream yarn came out! I will blame my crappy Michaels with their lame yarn selection. I found out about it when I was looking for pattern ideas the other day. How totally cool! This morning I picked up a ball in the “natural stripes” colorway which is rather fall-ish: it’s got white, peach, and a kind of rust color. I can’t wait to try it out! I’m so excited to get the name of my pal for the current dishcloth exchange. I’ve already picked out a few goodies for her package and I have a couple ideas of what I might knit. I might even cast on for a cloth today — we’ll see!

I figured that since I’m skipping out on the current Secret Pal round, I can have a little fun with the autumn dishcloth exchange! Here is my questionnaire:

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it? I have been knitting since November 2005. I do not crochet because try as I might, I just can’t get the hang of it.

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both? Oh, I make lots of dishcloths! I don’t always remember to photograph them, but a few are in their own Flickr set. I make them both for myself and for gifts.

3. What’s your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven’t before ? I have a large Sugar & Cream/Peaches & Cream stash, so I’m working my way through that. There isn’t any one particular brand of cotton I’ve been dying to try, but it is always fun to knit with something new.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles? I like different needle for different tasks. I tend to use aluminum straights for dishcloths because the cotton slides easier, but I like my Denise set (which I guess would qualify as plastic) and bamboo is always lovely to use as well.

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don’t like much? I love jewel tones and earth tones. Fall colors are my favorites: the deep reds, browns, greens… I’m kind of hot on those right now.

6. What do you like best about Autumn? My birthday, ha ha ha! Well, that is partly true, as my birthday is Oct. 26th. But mostly I love the cooler weather and all the fun activities — apple picking, jumping in leaf piles, Halloween… it’s all good!

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks! Apple, please! I love pecan too, but it’s soo rich.

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn’t wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day? I loved school and could not wait to go back.

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap) I’ve already started buying Halloween decorations for our house, hee hee!

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible ‘goodies’ to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose? Snickers, M&Ms, and sour gummy watermelons

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? 😉 I have one husband, two little boys (age 5 and 2), a cat, and a goldfish.

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why? I would say wool because it can be soft, yet it can also be irritating at times.

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths? Mostly as facecloths, but they do get used as dishcloths as well.

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays) Thanksgiving because I am sappy and love getting together with my family and cooking and relaxing. I love traditions, and Thanksgiving is full of them, from watching the Macy’s parade, to making celery stuffed with cream cheese, to the turkey sandwich before bed, to pouring over the Black Friday circulars. I can’t wait!

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about? Aside from cigarette smoke, nope!

So remember when I thought I had ordered the wrong color of Classic Elite Bam Boo for the scarf I’m knitting? Turns out, the color is indeed Bougainvilla. Flamingo is the pale pink. Of course, the skein I received is from a totally different dye lot than the original two skeins. I don’t feel like ordering/returning yarn on and on so I think I’m just going to cast off on it. It’ll be a short scarf. Maybe I’ll add a button or something. I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed because I really would have liked it a bit longer, but I am not one to have unfinished objects sitting in my closet for lengths of time. I like to either finish things up, or take them apart.

So… I guess that’s what I’ll have to do.

I finished my first mitten on Friday night. Now I just have to work up its pair. I *finally* settled on a pattern for this Manos. (For those following along, this poor yarn has been 3 different projects already.) I’m using Berrocco’s "Melinda" pattern, but instead of reverse stockinette on the cuff I just did garter stitch because I was lazy. Not bad for my first try. Once the mitten’s mate is finished I have to get serious about working on my shawl and not distract myself with these other little projects.

In the week or so since I have joined Ravelry I have not had as much time to explore as I’ve wanted to, but I’ve really liked what I’ve seen so far. I love how easy it is to search for projects and yarns and such (so much easier than going through Flickr searches, which is what I had been doing). Usually I like to see a bunch of FOs of something I’m considering knitting before I decide if I really want to do it. Some knitters include notes along with their project details which can be helpful too. And I love the whole organizational aspect. I haven’t gotten around to inputting my stash yet, but I am considering doing it because it would be helpful to have all that info just a couple clicks away. I also am enjoying the groups, especially since there is a Hudson Valley group. That makes it easy to connect with knitters nearby. Overall, I think it’s a great thing and they are doing a fantastic job with what was/is a HUGE concept. Hats off to Jessica and Casey! Oh, and I’m “CarolB” over there, so feel free to add me if you’re on Ravelry.