The end of the Olympic Games always makes me a little sad. I've always loved watching the Olympics on TV, and as a little girl had dreams of ice skating and gymnastic gold. As it turns out, I was never really into either of those sports, and stuck with ballet instead (which is not an Olympic event, but that's another kind of journal post entirely).
This year, I seriously considered taking part in the Ravellenic Games. The last Olympics (2010), I was still very new to knitting and hadn't felt I had the skills to complete a project in only two weeks. This time around, I really thought I could do it, but as we all know, I have project finishing issues, so in the end I bailed on the idea.
I got to thinking though--the last time, I considered myself a beginning knitter, and that was basically my excuse not to do it. This time around, I couldn't use that term--but where do I rank my knitting skills? Am I an advanced beginner? Intermediate? How does one judge where the line is between beginning and intermediate, or intermediate and advanced? I've never knit a sweater or lace, but I've been knitting for a few years now, so I'd say I'm intermediate--but do I really have to have knit those kinds of projects to be advanced?
Anyone have any thoughts? Where do you consider your skill level to be and why?
August 14, 2012
August 13, 2012
Podcasts might actually be a bad thing...
Recently at work I've been doing a lot of data checking, which is as boring as it sounds.
However, I actually don't mind it too much, because I can kind of get into a zone and tear through it. Also, it gives me ample time to catch up on Podcasts.
Now, my interest in Podcasts is fairly new. Awhile back, my friend Rachel listed a whole bunch that she enjoyed on our old team blog, FiberFreaks (the post is likely still viewable here, but the blog itself is no longer updated). I tried to listen to a couple of the knitting ones, but not too many of them appealed to me, so I lost interest.
Recently, though, I've re-discovered a few of them and found several that I really enjoy, both knitting-related and not. However, my wallet is bracing itself because so many of the knitting ones have listed books, yarns, projects, accessories, or yarn clubs that I have been intriuged by. I have a giant list of sticky notes that I have to go through with things mentioned in various podcasts.
I don't listen to very many because I have a hard time keeping up with them. If you're interested in what's currently on my Podcast list, though, click past the break.
However, I actually don't mind it too much, because I can kind of get into a zone and tear through it. Also, it gives me ample time to catch up on Podcasts.
Now, my interest in Podcasts is fairly new. Awhile back, my friend Rachel listed a whole bunch that she enjoyed on our old team blog, FiberFreaks (the post is likely still viewable here, but the blog itself is no longer updated). I tried to listen to a couple of the knitting ones, but not too many of them appealed to me, so I lost interest.
Recently, though, I've re-discovered a few of them and found several that I really enjoy, both knitting-related and not. However, my wallet is bracing itself because so many of the knitting ones have listed books, yarns, projects, accessories, or yarn clubs that I have been intriuged by. I have a giant list of sticky notes that I have to go through with things mentioned in various podcasts.
I don't listen to very many because I have a hard time keeping up with them. If you're interested in what's currently on my Podcast list, though, click past the break.
August 10, 2012
Creature of habit
Not long ago, I ventured into my LYS with fresh birthday money in my pocket that was just aching to be spent on yarn. I cruised around the shop, fondling my favorites: Malabrigo, Mini Mochi, etc. As I debated about my yarn choice, I found myself gravitating towards my favorite colors: blue and purple.
Now, I know most everyone has a favorite color, or palette of colors, and people tend to gravitate towards the colors that suit them best. One of my friends favors earthy tones, which she always looks fabulous in. I tend to love really bright jewel tones. I always knew I had a thing for the color blue (especially turquoise), but my love of fuchsia, bright purple and even bright yellow did not really come to my attention until fairly recently.
I happened to peak over my Tumblr archive and Pinterest pages and noticed I had habit of posting photos with similar color schemes. For example: here, here, here and here. Very bright, saturated colors in cooler tones.
I took a look at my stash and saw that my tastes were similar:
What can I say? I like what I like.
However, I did want to make an attempt to find a color of yarn that wasn't too similar to something already in my stash, but was also a color I liked/wouldn't mind wearing.
I bought purple sock yarn. Eh, at least I can say I tried!
Now, I know most everyone has a favorite color, or palette of colors, and people tend to gravitate towards the colors that suit them best. One of my friends favors earthy tones, which she always looks fabulous in. I tend to love really bright jewel tones. I always knew I had a thing for the color blue (especially turquoise), but my love of fuchsia, bright purple and even bright yellow did not really come to my attention until fairly recently.
I happened to peak over my Tumblr archive and Pinterest pages and noticed I had habit of posting photos with similar color schemes. For example: here, here, here and here. Very bright, saturated colors in cooler tones.
I took a look at my stash and saw that my tastes were similar:
However, I did want to make an attempt to find a color of yarn that wasn't too similar to something already in my stash, but was also a color I liked/wouldn't mind wearing.
I bought purple sock yarn. Eh, at least I can say I tried!
August 8, 2012
Wingspan update
My Wingspan is so close to being done I can almost taste it. I'm about a quarter of the way through my 6th triangle (out of 7--I think the Chroma yardage will make it likely I won't make the 8 the pattern calls for, but that's okay). I had high hopes at the beginning that this wouldn't take super long, but of course real life got in the way of all my knitting plans. I'm hoping to make it by the month mark, though!
I plan on blocking it pretty aggressively, like many others have, so it looks more wing-like. I've never *really* blocked anything, though, so we'll see how that goes!
As you can see in the above picture, some of my triangle edges are a little messy. This is because I used the (new to me) knitted cast-on for those; blocking will set it straight though, and I think it will look quite nice!
I plan on blocking it pretty aggressively, like many others have, so it looks more wing-like. I've never *really* blocked anything, though, so we'll see how that goes!
As you can see in the above picture, some of my triangle edges are a little messy. This is because I used the (new to me) knitted cast-on for those; blocking will set it straight though, and I think it will look quite nice!
July 16, 2012
Wingspan
A day after I finished my handwarmers, I bought a needle and started the Wingspan. I'm using Knit Picks Chroma in the colorway Mix Tape--I'd seen this one by shastastevens on Ravelry and fell deeply, deeply in love and knew I had to have one for myself.
So far, things are going pretty well. I've completely finished the first two triangles, and am nearly done with the third--all in a week! Go me. I worried at first it would be like "scarf hell" but there's enough moving stitch markers and fun color changes in the yarn that I'm not bored at all. I actually am sort of loving it--we'll see how I feel when I get to the last triangle!
So far, things are going pretty well. I've completely finished the first two triangles, and am nearly done with the third--all in a week! Go me. I worried at first it would be like "scarf hell" but there's enough moving stitch markers and fun color changes in the yarn that I'm not bored at all. I actually am sort of loving it--we'll see how I feel when I get to the last triangle!
Only the first two triangles, but you get the idea.
July 8, 2012
Gettin' stuff done.
This is an amazing feat, but team--I finished another project!
Just some simple cabled hand warmers to go with my cloche. The pattern is called Blue Monday and is a freebie on Ravelry. Its super easy to follow and I didn't have to use my brain too much, which is always nice. I like how they turned out and they'll be lovely and warm and cushy when the weather decides to be cold again, and not 95(F).
Next up, I'm thinking of going for a Wingspan. I rather like the version with the holes, which I think is referred to as "Angel" (there's a Ravelry page here, and the actual blog post about it is here.) I fell in love with several versions people have done using Knit Picks Chroma in the Mix Tape colorway, so I decided to do one myself! Sadly, I don't seem to have the right needle size (of course), so a trip to the LYS is in order. Shucky darn!
Just some simple cabled hand warmers to go with my cloche. The pattern is called Blue Monday and is a freebie on Ravelry. Its super easy to follow and I didn't have to use my brain too much, which is always nice. I like how they turned out and they'll be lovely and warm and cushy when the weather decides to be cold again, and not 95(F).
Next up, I'm thinking of going for a Wingspan. I rather like the version with the holes, which I think is referred to as "Angel" (there's a Ravelry page here, and the actual blog post about it is here.) I fell in love with several versions people have done using Knit Picks Chroma in the Mix Tape colorway, so I decided to do one myself! Sadly, I don't seem to have the right needle size (of course), so a trip to the LYS is in order. Shucky darn!
July 2, 2012
Simply Green
Four months and 18 days.
P.S. You'll notice the color of the socks looks different from the post below--my camera is a pain. The brighter, more saturated colors in the "Kermit" post are more accurate.
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