Yarn Along

Today I’m participating once again in Ginny’s Yarn Along. For this event, we’re supposed to take a single photograph of what we are knitting/crocheting and reading, and talk about it.  Or not talk about it and just put up a picture.  I always like to talk about it! 

I feel like this week will be a letdown from last, because I haven’t gotten nearly the same amount of knitting or reading done.  Well, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, although it’s not what I consider reading.   More like research.  What I wouldn’t give for a few quiet hours to read a novel.  I don’t even know which one I would read.

I actually got an “American Girl” (18″ doll) dress done to match Solveig’s from last week, but I had configured one thing wrong in the measurements, and undid the whole thing and started over.  It’s not that far along, and you guys have seen that project a few weeks in a row now.  So it has me double checking my math in all the other measurements for the other sizes for the pattern.  I intend in doing a partial tester in each size to confirm the math.  However, on Tuesday I was feeling sick.  I was so achy that the thought of picking up needles sounded awful.  I know…sick.

I did start some testing over the weekend for my next pattern, which I shouldn’t be doing until this one is done.  However, my wrists get sore when I work with DK weight yarn (or thinner) for too long, and my next pattern is going to use worsted weight. I thought the change would do my wrists good, and help me get some good technique back.  I’m starting to realize that’s why I like having multiple projects going at the same time: so I can rotate through different weight yarns.

Even though I made great progress in the pattern, everything was frogged and notes were made before I’m ready for a tester.  Basically I figured out how NOT to do the neckline, and I think I have a good idea how it should be done now. So I did a lot of knitting this last week and have absolutely nothing to show for it besides some written notes.

I should show you the books that I’m using as I’m figuring out numbers of stitches, and designing neck bands and edges. I love perusing through my new books.  Paid for through swagbucks. (Something the diaper divas got me into.  A nice way to pick up some Amazon gift cards by just using their search engine.  Honestly it’s not that great of a search engine, but I get so much free stuff that I normally couldn’t justify buying for myself.)  I’m trying to build a great knitting reference library.

I should probably should do an entire post on all the books someday, but for now, I’ll talk about my three most recent: A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, (as it is already misplaced, it didn’t make it to the picture), Knitting on the Edge, and Knitting Over The Edge.  These have been so inspirational and helpful along this design journey.  The last 2 there have some really great ideas, and a lot of wasted space where I think it’s pretty much a stretch as a border.  O, and this last one didn’t come in the last shipment, but I’ve finally cracked it open and it’s amazingly helpful: Knitting from the Top.  It’s very dated but the material in there is so relevant (in my opinion, the definition of a true classic), and I can’t find anything else out there quite as good.

So as I’m giving myself a break from knitting until I feel up to par, I’m going over these books and learning so much about knitting design, and getting so inspired!

I’m working on a dress for Silje from the book: Sewing Clothes Kids Love however, it’s been slow going since I can only seem to find 10 minute increments to sew with.  It’s for spring, and that’s right around the corner, so I should really hop to it.  I LOVE this book, and I’ve learned so much about the construction of children’s clothing, and several things to take into account when designing and accessorizing them.  Plus the patterns in there are just gorgeous.

Lastly, there’s more looking ahead to spring with our chicken books from the library.  I think once we get them, we’ll definitely have time for them, but the matter of getting the coop ready is beginning to worry me, as the fireplace is coming together slower than I had anticipated.  I’m not sure when Knut will have time, but he keeps telling me to keep getting ready and reading up on what we need to do, etc.  So I’m not sure if the coop will be ready, but I know I’ll be ready.  (I really have no clue what I’m doing.)  The kids are so excited about getting chickens because I guess then we’ll be a “real” farm.  We’ve just been a 4,000 acre fake one up until now, I guess.