Sunday, December 30, 2012

New Things

Hello,
 The last few days have been really wonderful for me. I have had down time. No work, all projects that needed finishing were done. I only had one WIP (Granny Love) but, after my blanket making marathon, I needed a little blanket break. I have some in between days, between Christmas and New Years, and I didn't want to crochet right now. I have several crochet projects lined up with some of my groups on Ravelry.  I have been wanting to finally make, and complete, a knitted project. I had a really good Secret Santa this year. She gave me this...

It is bulky yarn and so soft. I thought this would be the perfect time to finally commit to a knitting project. I have tried before, I learned using the English method. I think the fact that I am a crocheter first messed me up. I would make a mistake and get so frustrated I would frog the whole project. Then I discovered the Continental Method. For me this works so much better. I really don't think one way is better than the other, I just think that because of the way you hold the yarn and that I have been crocheting for such a long time, that the Continental Method is a lot easier for me. I don't get confused or tangled up. The other thing that has really helped is that this yarn is bulky. I can see exactly what I am doing and I have finally figured out how to count my rows if I get confused. It is also very easy to see what stitch I am working on if I get called away.
 So, for the last two days I practiced. I made a few swatches and then decided what I was going to make was a simple knit and purl scarf. Now, I am a yarnoholic and there are some great sales going on. I had to go out and get some more yarn. I am using one of the skeins and bought some more to go with it. I have big plans for all three colors. Here is my progress so far...






Yay! I even have the color changes figured out. I don't know anyone, in person, who knits. So I use my trusty Stitch 'N Bitch book by Debbie Stoller. She is easy to follow and understand. I have one more day of vacation left and after I clean the house I am going to work on the scarf some more.  Blogging has been so much fun for me and it has given me friends that I wouldn't have the chance to otherwise meet. Great minds think alike. Yesterday, after I had made this I sat down to read all of the blogs I follow. I check everyday. My friend, HillyT, had a post that was so similar to what I was thinking that I just had to laugh. Then I read further and she had mentioned me in that post too. We belong to several of the same groups on Ravelry. I love Harriet's blog. Check it out.
 I also have a really nice boss, I take care of her baby in the nursery at work. Everyone at work knows that I love yarn. She surprised me by giving me this...
It is bamboo yarn from Hobby Lobby. Four skeins that go together. I decided to use this yarn for something different also. For this I am learning Tunisian crochet. Not hard and it looks kind of like knitting when done. These are my two in between projects. I will show the finished projects soon. I have to get them done quickly. I have two CALs starting on the 1st. Lol.

7 comments:

  1. Lovely projects, those colours are super.

    I really really want to learn Tunisian crochet this coming year, can you recommend any tutorials?

    Helenxx

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    1. Silly me, I just added the link for the tutorial I followed. I thought I had put it in there. It is easy so far. I admit I am still learning and haven't even looked at any other stitches.

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  2. Thanks Kashi, it does seem that our minds are working in a very similar crafty way at the moment. I'm glad you are finding something nice to fill your in-between days. X

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    1. I just finished cleaning my house and made myself some coffee. I have a few hours before I have to think about making dinner and getting ready for work tomorrow and I am going to sit on the sofa and knit. :)

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  3. Your knitting is coming along beautifully. The stitches look nice and neat. I think you have learned quite quickly, some of my beginners took ages to get the hang of it. Its all just practice and like you said getting the right way of holding the yarn. Wish you lived near me, I would knit with you. :-) Have a happy new year. Hugs xoxox

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  4. I'm impressed with how nice your knitting is... it's good to have both skills. I do both too, but find crochet much more forgiving.

    *:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
      *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
    *:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. I hope you had a good Christmas, love the yarn and your knitting. Have a wonderful New Year. Deb x

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