There hasn't been a lot of knitting going on lately, so this will be a short post.
I've done a little knitting on my sock yarn blanket. This is obviously a project that will take some time before it's completed, though I need to work more at it.
I really love this project. It's pretty much mindless knitting, though I find I do have to pay attention to the middle section where I slip two stitches to the right needle, knit one, a pass those previous two over. I also have to be a little attentive on the reverse side where I purl the one middle stitch. Other than that, it's straight knitting so it's pretty easy.
I've also not been working a lot on my Hermione's Everyday Socks. I do love this pattern, however. I just haven't been knitting.
This is another easy pattern, and it's a free download on Ravelry. It has a nice texture in the leg and the top of the foot. It has a Fish Lips Kiss heel which I've not done before, and I'm debating whether or not to purchase the pattern (it's only $1 USD on Ravelry), or do my normal heel. I'd like to try something new, so I just might purchase the pattern. I've seen lots of others do this heel on Instagram, and they say it's pretty easy, so I just might cave in and try it.
Aside from those two projects, I've not started anything else new yet. I have some patterns in mind that I'd like to start next - mostly socks - but I'm going to wait to start them. Hopefully by then I'll have my knitting mojo back!
So, what have you been up to lately? Would love to hear about it!
Kitten Yarns and Crafts
Where fur and fibre meet
Monday, May 23, 2016
Monday, February 08, 2016
Continuing the Mitred Square Blanket
Photo as of February 7, 2016 - total squares 261 |
The picture to the left was taken yesterday (Feb. 7) and the total number of squares is now 261. I've since added about 3 1/2 more squares since I took the photo. I'll also be working on it again tonight so will get a few more added.
I really do enjoy this project. Yes, it will take awhile to complete, and I'm not entirely sure of how I'll do the border - or even if I will do one, but I have awhile to think on that.
I'm on Instagram, and I follow several knitters, many who have been working on socks. Seeing their photos, both complete and in progress socks, I've been thinking of starting a pair of socks myself. I have made lots of socks in the past, many for children and some for myself. I have some sock yarn in my stash that I could use, though it's taking a lot of will power to not use it just for my blanket! I know if I have some left over, which I should have, I can use it then. I'd need to find another set of DPNs in the right size first, however.
But, until then, I will keep knitting on my blanket!
Labels:
blankets,
mitred squares,
sock yarn,
sock yarn blanket
Wednesday, November 04, 2015
Sock Yarn Blanket Progress
Just wanted to write a quick post with an update photo of my mitred square sock yarn blanket. Really, it's all I've been knitting lately.
I have been looking after my mom since the beginning of August. When I started this blanket, I was still looking after her. I knit on it most every day, but had a handful of days where we travelled to Halifax and I didn't bring it along.
My mom has been in the hospital for the past week and I have brought my blanket and yarn with me. I'd pick five or six skeins/balls of yarn to use and bring those as well. I have had several comments on how pretty the blanket is. Some of the nurses wondered how I make it, so naturally I told them. Also, the pharmacist that came to talk to mom and I about her pills said she knits and would love to have a project like this to work on. I told her how I am making this and that she can find the pattern on Ravelry. She wrote it down and hopefully I have created another mitred square sock yarnaddict enthusiast!
My total squares, as of yesterday (Nov. 3), was 120. Since then I've added two or three more squares (I forget) and might add another one this evening - if I don't find the lighting too bad.
I have been thinking lately that I should also work more on my spinning. I've been missing that. I should also work on my Larch scarflette so I can wear it this winter.
Anyway, I am getting tired and if I want to knit some, I should get off here.
Happy knitting!
I have been looking after my mom since the beginning of August. When I started this blanket, I was still looking after her. I knit on it most every day, but had a handful of days where we travelled to Halifax and I didn't bring it along.
My mom has been in the hospital for the past week and I have brought my blanket and yarn with me. I'd pick five or six skeins/balls of yarn to use and bring those as well. I have had several comments on how pretty the blanket is. Some of the nurses wondered how I make it, so naturally I told them. Also, the pharmacist that came to talk to mom and I about her pills said she knits and would love to have a project like this to work on. I told her how I am making this and that she can find the pattern on Ravelry. She wrote it down and hopefully I have created another mitred square sock yarn
My total squares, as of yesterday (Nov. 3), was 120. Since then I've added two or three more squares (I forget) and might add another one this evening - if I don't find the lighting too bad.
I have been thinking lately that I should also work more on my spinning. I've been missing that. I should also work on my Larch scarflette so I can wear it this winter.
Anyway, I am getting tired and if I want to knit some, I should get off here.
Happy knitting!
Labels:
mitred squares,
sock yarn,
sock yarn blanket,
WIPs
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Sock Yarn Blanket Knitting Continues
There are 78 squares added in this photo |
I have been knitting a lot on my sock yarn blanket. This past weekend, Thanksgiving, I didn't get anything knit on it as I went to Halifax and knew I wouldn't have time to work on it.
The picture is the most up to date photo I have of this project, and it has 78 squares showing (not counting the individual squares that will be added on to the ends throughout the process). Since the photo was taken yesterday, I have added another eight squares which brings the total up to 86!
This project is certainly addictive!
Labels:
blankets,
sock yarn,
sock yarn blanket,
WIPs
Sunday, October 04, 2015
Two Weeks Along
First six squares |
And that's perfectly fine with me!
I am really enjoying working on this project, even though I am very aware that it is a long term knit. It will likely take a few years to complete. Right now I'm using what sock yarn I have, and I'll be totally honest here - I've also gone out and purchased a few more balls of sock yarn!
After joining sets of three together |
Jumbled up. More current photo of the squares |
I am finding, as others I've read about, that this project is a little difficult to get a good photograph of the size of the blanket. I'm almost completed with the second (or is it third - I can't tell) row of my blanket. I have about three squares to add and then I'll be finished that row.
For those wanting to attempt this project but are afraid to because it looks difficult to make - it's not! I was a little afraid at first that this might be a difficult project, but it is very easy. Go ahead and try; just be aware that it is a long term project and unless you have an unlimited ton of sock yarn in your stash, it will likely take a long while to make. Also, my squares are small, but you can make larger ones as well, and that would help complete the blanket quicker.
Well, I should get back at it. I'd like to complete this row today, and maybe start into the next one.
Happy knitting!
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Mitred Square Sock Yarn Blanket
The very beginning of my blanket |
In my head, I had imagined these squares being much bigger than mine turned out, but that could be because any photos I've seen of these squares and blankets were close up with nothing to help determine the size. I don't know if I'll continue with this size (I likely will) or if I'll go up a size or two with my needles to get bigger squares. I suppose I could make a few larger ones to add in here and there.
First completed square |
The yarn I used in the first square is Knit Picks Crayon. I was able to look back on Ravelry to my projects and found the socks I had made with this yarn. I have enough left over that I can get at least one, maybe two more squares from this yarn.
I likely won't be posting pictures of every single square I knit for this, but when I get several or start to sew them together into the blanket, I'll post pics that way. Then you (and I) can see just how this blanket grows.
This should be a project that I can take with me and knit on the go when waiting at doctor's offices, and what not. The only thing I need, now, is a pretty project bag to keep it in ;) !
Labels:
blankets,
mitred squares,
sock yarn,
sock yarn blanket,
WIPs
Friday, September 18, 2015
Larch
The beginning of the Larch Scarflet |
The pattern starts off with just knitting and a few yarn overs and then moves onto the lacy part. I don't have much left to do of this section and soon I'll start the lace.
The yarn I'm using is Amitola by Louisa Harding. It's the first time I've knit with this yarn, and so far I like it. I am surprised with the colour change, though. I bought two balls of this because it was pink and purple and I thought that was what the whole thing would be. However, there is also a reddish shade, brown and orange/rust. They aren't normally colours I would gravitate toward, but are nice to knit with for autumn/fall.
Most recent photo of Larch. It's actually bigger now |
So far, I am enjoying the Larch pattern. It's a mindless knit (at this point) that I can work on in front of the TV. I've glanced at the lace chart a bit and right now I don't know if it's something I'd be able to do in front of the TV. We'll see, though.
Other than Larch, I don't have any other knitting on the go - yet. I've been thinking about starting some socks (whether they are toddler/kid sized or something for me I don't know just yet) as I've come across some of my sock yarn and I've been seeing lots of gorgeous socks and sock yarns on Instagram, and it's got me in the sock knitting mood!
I'll keep you updated on Larch, and whether or not I start some socks. Until then, happy knitting!
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Two New Spindles
New drop spindle |
Drop spindle with sample fibre |
I placed my order, and then waited and waited. I contacted the company but didn't receive any reply. I waited a few more days and contacted them again. Still nothing. I began to wonder if I wasn't going to receive my order. Then, I heard from them. They had been through an unfortunate circumstance beyond their control. My order was shipped the next day, and I received it about a week later. The owner felt bad about the situation and included four sample rovings (one brown, two cream, one purple) for me. In the second picture, above, I am spinning the brown fibre. I'm not sure what it is, but the white hairs may be angora rabbit.
I LOVE this spindle! I am spinning the finest yarn I've spun to date, which is something I had wanted to do. When using the student spindle I have, my spinning was getting better, but it wasn't this fine.
Spindle from KS Inspirations |
During the time I was waiting to hear back from Green Forest Fibers, and thinking I might no get my order, I placed another order for a different drop spindle from KS Inspirations (another Etsy shop). This spindle is also awesome!
This spindle also allows me to spin a fine yarn, but might not be quite as fine as the one above. That might also be because of the type of fibre I'm using as well, but I don't know for sure.
Anyway, this spindle has a purple jasper whorl and an oak shaft. It spins well, though I find when the spin is slowing down it begins to wobble (the other one does this a little as well). I don't know if that is normal or if I'm not doing something right. However, the wobble doesn't affect the spinning.
Both of these Etsy shops shipped their product in a timely manner. I would definitely order from these shops again!
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
You Spin Me Right Round, Baby
Hand spun yarn on a PVC pipe niddy noddy |
Waiting to be plied |
You can see some of my latest hand spun yarn prior to soaking it. I found out after I tied the skein that I did that wrong. You're supposed to do a figure 8 tie on it, but I only found that out after I'd already tied my skein. At least I know for next time! I have since removed the yarn and I'm looking for a pattern to knit up my first real skein of hand spun yarn. I only have about 90 yards so I can't make anything too big. I was thinking of maybe a small cowl or a small scarf, but I don't know yet.
The yarn to the right is just a single of merino. It's so soft! I spun this before the yarn above and I am going to ply it with more yarn that I spin later. I don't have any more of the yellow, but I was thinking of plying it with a bright green or cream colour.
My spinning is getting much better as I practice (I think that's the key). I still get a few thicker pieces here and there, but they aren't nearly as thick as they used to be. The yarn I'm spinning currently (not shown) has an even more consistent spin to it. I'll post a picture when I get it plied, which will probably be in a few days after I let it rest.
I also ordered some fibre from another shop on Etsy called Fashion Touch Supplies. It came yesterday and I haven't had a chance to upload the photo (it is on my Instagram though. The colour isn't something I'd normally choose, but I decided to branch out and expand my colour horizons! I'm looking forward to spinning that and can't wait to see how it turns out.
Well, that's my latest update. I hope you have a great day, and happy knitting/spinning!
Labels:
Drop Spindle,
hand spun,
niddy noddy,
Spinning,
yarn
Thursday, August 20, 2015
The Post With Actual Knitting Content
I've been meaning to post a photo of the neck warmer I had been working on for awhile now. I finally finished it a week or so ago (still not blocked though), and I think it turned out great. I don't have a photo with it around my neck because it's been so stinkin' hot around here lately.
To the right is a close up of the pattern (there are mistakes in it, so don't look too closely) which I got free when I bought the yarn earlier in the summer. I'll try to get a link to the pattern as I think it was something they found online. The yarn is Clara from Manos del Uruguay and is 100% merino - super soft and smooshy! I loved working with this yarn!
I've also been working on my Old Shale scarf which I started back around the beginning of the year. I'm using Debbie Bliss Angel Prints in the Kahlo colourway (#15807). This pattern is super easy to knit (another free one with the purchase of the yarn) and I am enjoying the way it looks with this yarn.
The only thing about this yarn is that it is so fine that I can really only knit with it during the day (the light at my mom's isn't the best for this type of knitting) - and that's usually only when I'm not in the mood for knitting or surfing the web!
I don't have a lot left on the Old Shale scarf and I probably should have gotten another ball of this colour to make it long. However, I suppose I could end up sewing the ends together and turning it into a cowl -thought I don't now how well that would turn out. I do have another ball of this yarn in a different colourway but I haven't decided if I'll make another scarf in this pattern or find a different pattern.
I've also been continuing with my spinning lately and will have a post with that content soon. I'm also in search of the next knitting pattern to do while I'm at my mom's. I don't know if I have any DPNs here so I can make socks (I did bring sock yarn thinking I might have the DPNs here, but haven't looked yet). Since I joined Instagram (my name there is shelley.snyder) I've been seeing so many pictures and posts about socks that I'm getting in the sock knitting mood again!
So, until the next post, happy knitting and spinning!
To the right is a close up of the pattern (there are mistakes in it, so don't look too closely) which I got free when I bought the yarn earlier in the summer. I'll try to get a link to the pattern as I think it was something they found online. The yarn is Clara from Manos del Uruguay and is 100% merino - super soft and smooshy! I loved working with this yarn!
I've also been working on my Old Shale scarf which I started back around the beginning of the year. I'm using Debbie Bliss Angel Prints in the Kahlo colourway (#15807). This pattern is super easy to knit (another free one with the purchase of the yarn) and I am enjoying the way it looks with this yarn.
The only thing about this yarn is that it is so fine that I can really only knit with it during the day (the light at my mom's isn't the best for this type of knitting) - and that's usually only when I'm not in the mood for knitting or surfing the web!
I don't have a lot left on the Old Shale scarf and I probably should have gotten another ball of this colour to make it long. However, I suppose I could end up sewing the ends together and turning it into a cowl -thought I don't now how well that would turn out. I do have another ball of this yarn in a different colourway but I haven't decided if I'll make another scarf in this pattern or find a different pattern.
Close up of the pattern and yarn |
So, until the next post, happy knitting and spinning!
Labels:
Cowl,
Debbie Bliss,
FOs,
knitting,
lace,
Manos del Uruguay,
Neck Warmer,
scarves
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
More Spinning!
Latest spinning completed July 11, 2015 |
To the right is a photo of the completed spinning (light blue, navy, and purple). It's the same type of fibre as the pink/purple in a previous post. There was no mention of how much was in the wool top, nor was there mention of the type of fibre.
I managed to get this spun better than the pink/purple spinning, but there are still a few fat spots. Overall I am pleased with the results. I don't think I will ply this since I'm not sure how much I have, though I'm thinking I may use it for a scarf...if there is enough. I alter it with the pink/purple spinning and then I may have enough for something.
Up next will be the pink roving I mentioned in the last post.
I should also get a photo taken of what I'm knitting (a neck warmer) to post here as well.
Happy knitting/spinning!
Wednesday, July 08, 2015
And, The Spinning Continues...
Close up of some of the plied yarn |
Since I didn't have my ball winder with me last week when I went to stay with Mom, I couldn't finish plying the rest of the yarn. I had taken some wool top with me to spin just in case I had time for it (which I did).
I don't know what kind of wool it is, nor do I know how much many ounces there were (or even a colourway). The tag around the wool top didn't say much of anything. I don't mind though.
I was able to get more consistency this time, though there are still a few fat areas that didn't get spun as small as the rest. All in all, I like the job I did with this much better.
Close up of the most recent spinning |
I think I'm starting to get the hang of spinning...
I don't know how much yarn I ended up with, but it doesn't seem like a whole lot. I don't think I'm going to ply this as I would end up with less than what is showing, and maybe not have enough to knit anything with. I don't know if I have enough to knit anything with this either, but I'll see what happens in the future when I knit it up.
I've got some of the same wool top in blues that I will spin next. Hopefully, I will get this blue spun up quickly. I found some pink roving that I won a few years back through a contest on a knitting/spinning blog (I don't know which one now, but I'm sure I have it listed in a post from whenever it was), and I will spin that after the blues. Whenever that is completed, I will have to get more roving as I won't have any more.
Off to wind the pink/purple yarn into a centre pull ball!
Happy knitting/spinning!
Labels:
Drop Spindle,
FOs,
Spinning,
WIPs,
yarn
Monday, June 22, 2015
While Visiting My Mom
Over the weekend I managed to finish up the spinning I had been working on - well, at least the first spin.
I did get more consistent as I went, which I know will come with practice. It's still not as nice as I would like it to be, but overall I think it's OK. I can't wait to see what it's like after I ply it.
I was working on the spinning a lot while I was visiting my mom in the hospital. I had some of the nurses and a couple of my mom's room mates ask what I was doing, and even had some comments on how much it looked like cotton candy. I agreed. It's probably a good thing it isn't cotton candy, though. I'd probably have it all eaten up before it got anywhere close to spinning...
What you see behind the spindle is Northern Lights Wool Top, dyed. It doesn't have a colour listed on it, but I thought it looked pretty. That's what I plan on trying to spin next.
To the right, and below, is the newest knitting project I've begun, also while visiting my mom in the hospital. I only have about three repeats of the pattern completed so far.
The pattern is the Twisted Rib Neckwarmer, (super easy, btw) which I got free when I purchased the yarn (Clara by Manos Del Uruguay in the 5 Sandia colourway). This yarn is a single ply, a merino superwash, and is so soft! I am enjoying working with it so far. I can't wait to see this pattern completely finished as I think it will be lovely in this colourway.
So, that's what I've been working on lately. What projects have you been working on? Have you used the Clara yarn by Manos Del Uruguay before, and if so, what did you think of it? Would love to see links to pictures of your completed projects using this yarn (or this pattern).
Happy knitting!
Labels:
Drop Spindle,
knitting,
Spinning,
WIPs,
yarn
Friday, June 12, 2015
Definitely Not An Expert
I'm just a beginner spinner (and apparent poet). I have far to go with my spinning. I still get thin and thick sections and wonder if I'm doing it right.
So, as I was spinning today, the roving came apart (probably because I pulled it too thin) and had difficulty attaching a new piece. I ended up pulling pieces off as I attempted to reattach and grew frustrated. I decided that I would wind what I had done onto a toilet paper roll and start again. As I was doing this (picture on the right), I came across pieces that would do this as I was transferring:
I think I am doing something wrong. This appears to be too tight. I don't know if I didn't let it spin enough before winding it onto the spindle, or what. I thought I had it fine, but apparently not.
Now, to figure out how to eliminate this in future spinning (if it needs to be eliminated, which I think it does)...
So, as I was spinning today, the roving came apart (probably because I pulled it too thin) and had difficulty attaching a new piece. I ended up pulling pieces off as I attempted to reattach and grew frustrated. I decided that I would wind what I had done onto a toilet paper roll and start again. As I was doing this (picture on the right), I came across pieces that would do this as I was transferring:
I think I am doing something wrong. This appears to be too tight. I don't know if I didn't let it spin enough before winding it onto the spindle, or what. I thought I had it fine, but apparently not.
Now, to figure out how to eliminate this in future spinning (if it needs to be eliminated, which I think it does)...
Tuesday, June 09, 2015
Update on Spinning
Spinning as of June 7, 2015 |
One question I came up with on the weekend, while spinning, was: "How much fibre do you put on the spindle before taking it off?" I've seen some spindles with what looks like a lot more than I have on mine, and I've seen some with less. I suppose that is something I will have to research to find out so that I'll be "in the know" :).
I'm ready for my close up... |
Anyway, there is lots to do in the knitting/spinning realm for me. I just need to reassign some time to work on it again. How is your knitting coming along? Let me know what you're working on in the comments. Would love to hear from you!
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