the knitting buzz

test knitters

Having test knitters is something totally new for me and I am thoroughly loving it.  For my Carlisle Lace Wrap and Scarf (perhaps better known is the wrap to go with my green shoes), I now have two test knitters, Marian and Camila. 

This has forced me to get the pattern written earlier, which will make it faster to publish once its blocked and photographed.  Writing it while I am working on it, also forces me to take better notes and leave less to memory (always dangerous) ....... The best part its getting feedback on its clarity and ease of understanding.

So a big thank you to Marian and Camila for all there help.  I would also like to invite others who may be intersted in test knitting any of my future lace shawls/scarves or sock patterns.  To contact me, send me a pm on Ravelry, my user name is:  knittingbuzz.

Happy Knitting!   Another random picture for your enjoyment.....

inspired to start

I just love to cast on.  What is it about casting on that gives such a thrill? Is it the promise of a new adventure or the promise of a future finished new hand knit lovely, or is it just a deversion to that keeps other projects on the needles longer than they should be or could it just be, all of the above.

I have found myself in a start-up or cast on mode, partially because of the loom of gift knitting (which I am hopelessly behind on) and the visions of sugar plums new design ideas dance in my head.

Here is a quick snap shot.....

So this is a collection of ideas and gifts or both.  Why so many?  Good question.  Some are just ideas that spring up, some are determined by a need (like green shoes), some gifts emerge from wanting to see or experience how a particular yarn works up and then some are a combination of some of the above. (By the way, missing from the picture is my nearly finished (20 rows to go) Retro Afghan, that is just needs some cold temps to get dragged back out.)

This used to stress me out having so many projects on the needles. But I guess, I'm mellowing and now look at it look at it as I have the perfect project to work on regardless of what I'm doing or where I am. 

I would say that I have plenty to keep me entertained.  The pitiful part is that I am actually restraining to start a couple of project ideas because this deluted mindset could just turn into ridiculous, even by my standards.

Happy Knitting!

chevron love

I love the chevron pattern big and small, wide and narrow. 

My recent published pattern Charlie Chevron Stripe Scarf was a primer and study using Fibonacci numbers for the widths of stripes, for an upcoming afghan blanket project. 

As a breif recap........ Fibonacci numbers developed by Fibonacci Leonardo of Pisa in 1202, published a hypothetical math problem about multiplying rabbits and came up with the mathmatical numbering sequence.   This sequence of numbers can be found throughout nature:  branches on trees, leaves on braches, petals on flowers, etc.  It is acclaimed that the use of the numbers in the sequence always produces something visully appealing. 

The number sequence is as follows:

0,1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8. 13. 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377 and so on.

The sequence is the sum of the two numbers before starting with zero and one.

0+1=1, 1+1=2, 1+2= 3, 2+3=5 and so on.

My Charlie Scarf (which is now available on Ravelry) was my method for testing out a substantially larger blanket sized knitting project.  And with some tweeks, I have it all planned out and ready to go......as soon as I finish my Retro Crochet Afghan, that I started last winter (only about 20 rows to go). 

With the chilly weather, I may be able to get my Retro afghan finished this coming weekend.  Sweet!

 

Another random picture to share........

 

 

 

the 3 day mistake

It happened so quickly........everything "seemed" like it was going so well. 

Until I spotted it, two rows back, two side-by-side decresed done a stitch out of sequence. Within the intricacies of my knitted lace wrap, it all seemed so minimal and would not be noticed....right?  Besides to go back and fix them would have required me going back stitch by stitch or un-knitting. Every other stitch was a twisted (on purpose) stitch and the yarn seems to be-on-the-move when left unattended......therefore leaving me less confident to rip back.

So it was a judgement call..... right?  

So I proceeded to knit my heart out and two and a half repeats or 10 rows later came my "day of reckoning". My simple mistake looked HORRIBLE and stuck out like a "sore thumb".

How could I have made this blunder....... I totally know better.......OOFDAH!!!!!!

So instead of working unknitting stitch by stitch for 2 rows..... I now have a 10 ROW MISTAKE..... taking out each stitch one by one.

Oh....the shame.... OH THE PAIN....... and yes three days later, thats right, 3 days later, I fixed my mistake and am back to knitting...... more carefully, I might add.

Moral of this story...... 2 rows which seemed ever so painful at the moment, paled in comparison when it turned into 10. 

OR ....

A STICH IN TIME SAVES NINE!

 

Another random picture to share...... Enjoy!

 

Happy Knitting!

 

chevron, zigzag, ripple, herringbone, arrow, flamestitch, rick-rack

I have a slight obsession with the chevron pattern at the moment for the past year or so. 

 

Both in knitting and crochet patterns.  I can even pinpoint the start .......

 
it all started with my Retro Blanket,

 

in memory of the crochet afghan my sweet Grandma made for me when I was 16. My Retro Blanket is only 26 rows away from being complete. Why not finish it???? Its been put aside because its just too heavy and warm to work on...... I will finish it up as soon as we get some freezing temps.....not rushing that one. 

Since the Retro Blanket, other designs have surfaced and are completed, on the needles and in swatches.

 
Promanade Lace Wrap/Scarf. In mohair.

 

Gilded Sock pattern

 

Recently finished colorwork scarf (more later on this one)

 

 
Carlisle Lace Wrap/Scarf (more later). And some others that are just in the swatch phase.

That's alot of up and down patterns.    

I don't want to believe its because of a childhood thing....

 

 

of course not....... now that would be ridiculous.  I was always a Snoopy fan. Unless its just the many fond memories of my Grandma crocheting beautiful afghans for everyone she knew.

Perhaps there is no explanation.

But I love the chevron, zigzag, ripple, herringbone, flamestitch and rick-rack patterns regardless.

 

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Lastly, another random picture for your enjoyment....