Favorite Needles

Is it just me or does anyone else out there have a favourite needle? I have sampled many brands, I have Pony, Knit Pro, ChiaoGoo, Addi Clicks and others that I have forgotten the names of but I keep coming back to my ChiaoGoo ones. I seem to have a specific adoration to my 3.5mm circular. If only everything could be knitted with that needle I would be in knitting nirvana. Do not ask my what it is for I cannot say with any definition. I just like the way it feels in my hands. Maybe I am odd, who knows? But there you have it, I have a favourite needle.

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

Conquering Crochet

As long as I have been a knitter I have admired and even envied those who can crochet beautiful patterns seemingly at the speed of light. I have read in many forums that crochet uses more yarn more quickly and that it is easy to do. However when I have on many occasions tried to switch from 2 needles to 1 hook I have ended up in an unholy mess with tangles, very sore hands and wrists and even at one point yarn wrapped around my neck. (Don't ask as I have no idea how it happened either.) Suffice to say every time I gave up pretty quick and put the hook back into the naughty corner.
Last night a strange calm came over me and the thought sprang into my mind, it was time to try the hook again.
I duly prepared my requirements and made myself comfortable with hook, leftover yarn and the obligatory You Tube video. I watched the clip several times, just to be sure, then I picked up the hook. The first two attempts were as previous, a rancid mess of yarn, hook and me but I decided to go for a third try.
EUREKA!!! I think I got it!!

 Well it seems to me to look like the beginnings of a blankie of sorts. I am hoping to add in all my leftovers and just let it grow.
I am so chuffed at mastering this simple square. I may never manage complex patterns and knitting will always be my passion but at least now I have another way of using up the leftovers rather than just the fiddly hexi-puffs. Go me!!

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

I Have a Vision

Yes, I do have a vision. I can see the day where I have only 5 projects on the go at any one time. One large, one shawl, a pair of fancy socks, a pair of plain socks for travel and hexi-puffs. When that day comes I shall be so happy. I shall be in control once again. What shall I do with all the patterns I want to knit? Well I shall put them in my Ravelry queue and work my way through that only allowing myself to cast on a new project when the needles from the last one have been reclaimed. My journey to that point starts here and now. It will take me a long while but at least I have a plan. As I said on Facebook earlier today, every journey requires you to take the first step. Well here I am taking that first step.
Join me on my journey.

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

Inchkeith - Island 4

As you will have noticed I normally knit shawls or socks. One reason is that I love lace and beads and who doesn't need socks. Another reason is I detest sewing up. It is one thing I have never mastered. I try, oh boy do I try, but it would seem the sewing needle is just not my forte.
However once in a while something comes along that screams KNIT ME! and when that happens needs must. This is what happened when I spotted the Galanthus free pattern on Ravelry. I fell in love and just had to knit it. I adapted it slightly as I had sport weight yarn and I knit the body to the armholes in the round. I knitted the whole tunic in just over a month but as is true to my form it has taken 2 months for me to get it sewn up. I have finally completed it this evening and I am going to so enjoy wearing it.

It is knitted in Ripples Crafts Sport Weight Yarn in the colour Crushed Blackberries which Helen very kindly dyed especially for me last year.

Island link - Inchkeith
This island I see every day from my kitchen window. I am so blessed to have such a beautiful view.

Still Plugging Away

As you know I am knitting a shawl with 1500 beads. It is very slow going but I am still plugging away. I am on to the final clue in the mystery and only have about 30 rows to go. I thought I would just share with you a wee peek at how it is coming along

Not only are there all those beads, it is also my first foray into using linen yarn. 100% linen yarn is rough going but I will persevere. It feels strange but I am sure it will be beautiful once done. Wish me luck.

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

Back In My Corner and Loving It

Over the last few weeks DH and I have been trying to figure out just how to put our two part corner sofa together in our tiny living room and have space for his riser recliner. We have tried a number of permutations with varying levels of success but I was always left feeling uncomfortable and had started having back pain. I was missing my beloved rocker which was relegated to the bedroom. I had used this chair since we moved here three and a half years ago and it totally suits my knitting needs with pockets in the sides for my bits and bobs and armrests which support me whilst clicking away on the needles. Then yesterday in a flash of inspiration, in the shower of all places, it came to me. We had the sofa round the wrong way. If we put the back along the window instead of the wall my rocker could come back. And so today it happened and here I am happy as Larry back in my rocker in the corner of the room and all is right with the world again.

Do you have a favourite chair? Do you feel uncomfortable having to sit elsewhere or am I just sad in having a preferred spot?

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary 

Keeping One's Eyes Peeled

Every now and again something comes along which takes your breath away. Today was one such day. I was nosing at the Ravelry radar when a post caught my eye. It said that designer Patti Waters was gifting all her patterns freely to celebrate her wedding. Sounded too good to be true but I had a wee look see and yes it was true. What a wonderful generous gift to the knitting community and what an inspiring way to celebrate such an occasion.
I would like to wish Patti and her husband many, many years of happiness and I will be thankful for this gift each time I pick up the needles to knit one of her beautiful patterns.

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary