things to do while knitting

I have been doing a lot of knitting and crocheting and spending time browsing the many knitting and crochet related sites to be found on the internet. It is a double edged sword in a way because although I get enjoyment and inspiration they can also be a distraction and eat into precious time. However, the sense of community and connectedness is worth it. 

The best things are those that I can watch and listen to while knitting. The fibre factor has been fascinating, particularly getting an insight into the designer’s inspiration and then seeing the results. The 30 day sweater challenge has started. I was tempted but then I remembered this 

and this

and this

Two jumpers on the needles unfinished from winter and a shrug for the warmer weather is enough for the moment but I enjoy watching them chat about knitting while I knit and seeing all the possible variations on top down raglan jumpers.

The podcast I like to listen to while knitting is The New Yorker Fiction podcast but Pam Allen of Quince Yarns and Hannah Fettig of Knitbot have started a podcast, knit.fm and I am very happy to hear two such experienced and talented knitters share their knowledge. Suzy Hausfrau has recently started an Australian based podcast and I have enjoyed her interviews so far.

Perhaps my next installment could be things not to do while knitting?

my grandmother

The black angora knitting is finished, now I am steeling myself for the sewing and finishing. Some how I think blocking is not going to help with this - the fabric is very floppy, curling isn't an issue. Also the fluffiness might be adversely affected by blocking so I won't go there.

My grandparents were Salvation Army missionaries in Asia

I sit on the deck in the morning before it gets hot

The weather has been warm, lets say hot, so I have strayed from this project to crochet. Crochet is a perfect summer craft. I wish my maternal grandmother was still alive to show me. She would knit in the cooler months and crochet in the warmer months, her hands were always busy.

I craved colour after the angora knitting so I went to my stash and picked out some some bright colours from the odd balls I have collected. Granny squares are very pleasing and forgiving for a novice like me and a great way to use up scraps that I can't bear to throw away. This is just fun and relaxing and may take awhile. I am using this pattern by Lucy from Attic 24 as a starting point but playing around with colours I have at hand.

I also finished a cowl that I have been working on for awhile and not feeling that happy about. It was partly the pattern, easy but showed up my mistakes in stitch placement and tension changes, and the yarn. Katia linda is 48% rayon, 42% linen, 10% cotton and looked appealing in the ball with its variegated blue and brown colour and interesting texture but I don't love it so much in the fabric. The colours pool in dull splotches. I have knit with the pure Katia linen and love the look of it. It has only got better with every wash, so much so that my daughter has taken it! This cowl may also get softer, time will tell.

Must now get back to the sewing task hanging over my head.

paint it, black

Penelope the Empathetic Monster by Rebecca Danger

julekuler by Arne & Carlos

Here are some of the things I knit in the lead up to Christmas. Pure wool yarn in beautiful colours, employing new skills, developing them, even, sometimes mastering, them (that's a good feeling) and although I follow a pattern there are happy decisions to be made about colour choices and finishing details.

Morning Owl tea cosy by Debi Birkin

This time of year is a time of reflection and I have a knitting bucket list. It's not written down anywhere, it's in my head growing, changing, percolating and ... putting pressure on me. I get impatient with myself for getting distracted by cute small patterns, starting projects impulsively and putting off the challenging projects.

Christmas gifts of yarn have added to my stash and one surprise gift caused a minor crisis. Luxurious black angora with a pattern for a cardigan, a thoughtful and generous present that I was tempted to return! This is my most dreaded type of project, a project that is all about the product. A product that is only reached by hours of black stockinette knitting and then five fluffy pieces that require expert sewing (a skill I am still working on).

I could not let this expensive yarn sit in my stash making me feel guilty, on Boxing Day I cast on the angora. I am on a mission, I will be monogamous.

I have also joined a Ravelry group called IntSweMoDo2013. I am looking forward to a productive year of knitting. Wish me luck.