Back in June my fantasy of having lots of hand knitted presents to give at Christmas seemed like a great idea and easily achievable.
It also felt a bit daft. After all there were still 6 months to go and it was early summer. People might think I'm crazy (or crazier).
And I didn't really feel motivated to start.
It also felt a bit daft. After all there were still 6 months to go and it was early summer. People might think I'm crazy (or crazier).
And I didn't really feel motivated to start.
Now its late November and my plan for socks, hats, hand warmers and hot waterbottle covers galore is hopelessly behind.
I've ditched the sock plan anyway. Is it me or are socks just really boring to make? Maybe I need to have another go.
I'm quite tempted by the 'knitting two socks at the same time' technique. For a start I think I'd enjoy the technical challenge and also it means I would avoid the dreaded One Sock Malaise. Although only making one sock probably wouldn't matter in this house - the attitude amongst The Young seems to be 'the odder the better'.
Anyway, socks are off the menu this year. So are hot waterbottle covers. I've completed two but I have to confess that the second item gave me a touch of One Sock Malaise; once I'd done one side repeating it just didn't appeal.
Hence .....
This creative journey is revealing how low my boredom threshold is!
Now hats are great - so many shapes and sizes and quick to do.
My problem is that to reduce the monumental stash of wool in my cupboard I'm trying to match the wool I have with the patterns I want to knit. In order to do this successfully and not end up making things that come out the wrong size I need to unravel (see what I did there???) one of the great mysteries of knitting.
Gauge.
That means making a sample square of knitting to establish the right amount of stitches per inch on the 'fabric'. If your sample matches the pattern requirement, you're good to go.
Everything I've read so far tells me 'gauge' is crucial and that I ignore it at my peril. I know I have to master it, but it requires a level of maturity that I haven't arrived at yet. I still enjoy diving in and making mistakes - then scouring the amazing online resources like here to help problem solve.
I like learning this way for now as the items I'm knitting are usually pretty small and the mistakes are easily sorted. But I do want to knit myself a jumper/cardigan as part of my capsule wardrobe and bought a beautiful pattern from the Amercian company Brooklyn Tweed. I can't understand a word of it at the moment and I don't want to end up making something I can't wear so mastering gauge and getting the yarn & needle size right will be a vital first step.
By the way, if you want to learn to knit and make cool, fab stuff (I do, I do!) - this blog is brilliant. I am hoping if I read enough of it and keep practicing I can hang out with the cool kids.
Meantime, at the foothils of my knitting journey are handwarmers.
Quick to make, loads of different designs and even though, like the socks and hot waterbottle covers, there is the 'second one' to make, somehow it doesn't seem to matter.
They are a great way to practice new stitches and techniques. I've finally got the hang of that lovely wavy pattern that was the mysterious Cable!
On the next pair I want to up my technical challenge and make Fair Isle mits with a thumb gusset.......
It may be a Happy Christmas 2016 for someone!
PS Having just read the hilarious Yarnharlot's blog about being Christmas ready, I'm feeling a bit better about my state of affairs. Its good to know I'm not alone!
I've ditched the sock plan anyway. Is it me or are socks just really boring to make? Maybe I need to have another go.
I'm quite tempted by the 'knitting two socks at the same time' technique. For a start I think I'd enjoy the technical challenge and also it means I would avoid the dreaded One Sock Malaise. Although only making one sock probably wouldn't matter in this house - the attitude amongst The Young seems to be 'the odder the better'.
Anyway, socks are off the menu this year. So are hot waterbottle covers. I've completed two but I have to confess that the second item gave me a touch of One Sock Malaise; once I'd done one side repeating it just didn't appeal.
Hence .....
 |
| Ta dah! |
 |
| Whatever |
 |
| Baby hat knitted in the round. |
My problem is that to reduce the monumental stash of wool in my cupboard I'm trying to match the wool I have with the patterns I want to knit. In order to do this successfully and not end up making things that come out the wrong size I need to unravel (see what I did there???) one of the great mysteries of knitting.
Gauge.
That means making a sample square of knitting to establish the right amount of stitches per inch on the 'fabric'. If your sample matches the pattern requirement, you're good to go.
Everything I've read so far tells me 'gauge' is crucial and that I ignore it at my peril. I know I have to master it, but it requires a level of maturity that I haven't arrived at yet. I still enjoy diving in and making mistakes - then scouring the amazing online resources like here to help problem solve.
I like learning this way for now as the items I'm knitting are usually pretty small and the mistakes are easily sorted. But I do want to knit myself a jumper/cardigan as part of my capsule wardrobe and bought a beautiful pattern from the Amercian company Brooklyn Tweed. I can't understand a word of it at the moment and I don't want to end up making something I can't wear so mastering gauge and getting the yarn & needle size right will be a vital first step.
By the way, if you want to learn to knit and make cool, fab stuff (I do, I do!) - this blog is brilliant. I am hoping if I read enough of it and keep practicing I can hang out with the cool kids.
 |
| Mastering Cable stitch on Handwarmer |
Quick to make, loads of different designs and even though, like the socks and hot waterbottle covers, there is the 'second one' to make, somehow it doesn't seem to matter.
They are a great way to practice new stitches and techniques. I've finally got the hang of that lovely wavy pattern that was the mysterious Cable!
On the next pair I want to up my technical challenge and make Fair Isle mits with a thumb gusset.......
It may be a Happy Christmas 2016 for someone!
PS Having just read the hilarious Yarnharlot's blog about being Christmas ready, I'm feeling a bit better about my state of affairs. Its good to know I'm not alone!
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