Thursday, June 30, 2011

My first purse



As I was kntting the scarf, I was needing another skein so I went to Micheals and Joanns to get one. Well, since I got my first skein free and the dye lot was different, I couldn't continue the scarf without a distinctive color change line in it. So I decided to rip out my heavy thick scarf. I was looking for a one skein project to use it up. I found this pattern. I am not sure if I will have enough yarn but will knit till I use it up or till I finish the pattern-which ever comes first. I plan on going to Joanns and buying some fabric to line the purse with. I also plan to buy a button and knit a button band (as I call it) as a closure of the purse (instead of a snap or magnetic closure). It should only take 3-4 days to knit this. Then the fun begins as I choose a fabric lining. I will not put the ribbon bow on it but I will use dowls. It will give it a bit of a handle and texture. I will show more pictures as I finish the knitting and when I have the lining and button.

I am almost done with the knitting. I have 2 rows left or until I run out of yarn. I am glad I had enough yarn to do the "button band". I made the button band with the opposite end of the yarn ball. It seemed to work well. I bought a dowl and some poly-stain to "paint" the dowl with to protect the dowl from water when the purse gets washed. So far I am pretty pleased with it. It won't be done till later this month because I have to have my cousin put the lining in. I'm anxious to take it to church as see if anyone notices.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

My Yarn Trip

Last weekend I went on my first Yarn trip. I started in Hartford and hit every yarn store all the way up to Green Bay. I was floored at how nice the stopres looked. Interesting layouts, lighting and design. I really loved being in them and wish I could go back. I spent the night in Green Bay. The next morning I headed south and hit all the stores down to Milwaukee. Those stores weren't as nice and one was so crammed and cluttered with yarn and so small it wasn't even a pleasure to be in there. Of all the stores on my list I only missed 2, 2 because they were out of buisness and 1 because I didn't want to drive an extra 30 minutes to get to it. I am really glad I did this trip. We are moving next summer and it may be out of state. I am glad I got to explore some of what WI has to offer in yarn stores.

Knit Socks

I am determined to learn to knit socks. I have been wanting to learn the 2 at a time on magic loop. But haven't bought the needles and I want to take a class. I have been dragging my feet. I need socks! So the other day I was reading knitting blogs and forums and came across a method of a cast on that is so simple. It got me so excited! The book is called Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters: Book Two in the New Pathways for Sock Knitters Series. I went to the library to reserve my copy. Then I made a comment on some site saying how excited I was to learn this method. Someone emailed me and said I could have hewr book for free! Here is a link to show you how to do the cast on. The second link is the overview of the book and how the method works. I really hope I can do this. I have visions of a full drawer of colorful hand knit socks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAgcVb-vsEI&feature=related

My first cabled scarf


I decided I wanted to learn how to do cables. I found a pattern I liked-Cable Scarf by yarnhag. It can be found on Ravelry. I wish I knew how to link to my page on Ravelry. Anyone know how? The pattern calls for super chunky yarn and I had a skein in my stash so I went for it. Cables are easy! I really enjoy watching them form. The only problem with this scarf is that it's so chunky, it isn't very flexible so I don't know how easy it will be to wear. There is a hat that goes with it and I will see if I can drop down to a 5 in the yarn. The cables on the hat go around the brim and I'm afraid it will be to tight to fit anyone. This scarf and hat may end up as a gift to someone. I really want to make a cabled scarf for myself. I found a pattern that uses yarn I want to try-Malabrigo. Such soft squishy yarn. I have my eyes on that yarn for a sweater I want to make myself. But I have to lose weight first. I am trying to upload a pic but the kids have messed with the camera and now I can't get any pictures to upload. I will keep trying. In the meantime, here is a pic of what it is supposed to look like.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Garage Sale finds







Today I was at my local yarn store and they were having a customer garage sale. The customers bring in items they want to sell, price them and then other customers come in to buy. I had a fairly successful trip. I didn't want to spend a lot because it is eating into the money for my big yarn trip in a couple of weeks. I did snag a circular needle carrying case for $2.00. I bought two circular needles and some double points. I also bought 2 Rowan sweater patters for $1.00. My biggest find was two partially used skeins of pure baby alpaca! It was only $1.00. I had to figure out how many yards I had and then find a pattern they would work with that yardage. I found a scarf pattern. I am working on it now. I hope to have it finished before the 17th when I leave for my trip. I want to be able to start a new project on the road if the mood strikes me. There was a lot of yarn-much unmarked and some marked. Some named yarn was priced high and some was cheap. I learned this was the first year they have done this garage sale. I'm sure it will continue. I had fun. Hope to do it again next year.