Webigail

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why it took me so long to complete this baby ensemble.

It’s just a raglan with one pattern going down the top of the sleeves and a lace bodice. My yard work seemed to really impede my progress. However, when it was all done, I really did like the set.

The saddest part is that even when I finished the ensemble and started taking pics, I had not yet put on the buttons. I usually don’t procrastinate when it comes to my knitting projects and I only work on one project at a time, but I managed to drag this out for quite a bit.

I hope the little recipient appreciates it.

There is no debate over which patterns are best, written or charted. It’s simply a matter of preference.

When I started knitting I was intimidated by charts. The symbols used in charts can vary. For instance, one may leave a blank space to indicate “knit” and others may use a vertical dash for the same thing. There is no wrong or right way, but it can be overwhelming for a new knitter.

Over the Christmas holiday I knitted up several gifts using lace patterns. Initially, I read each line, muddling through, until I made several mistakes, after putting the project down. For me, it was difficult to come back to the pattern and figure out where I was.

I decided to take a few moments to chart the patter and I am so glad that I did. I appreciated the written pattern, because each line of the pattern was spelled out - nothing left to interpretation. However, once I charted out the 25 row pattern, I would actually see the pattern before my eyes.

I own the first two knitting treasuries by Barbara G. Walker. Both of these books contains hundreds of patterns that are all written out. I’m not turned off by the black-and-white images, but find that it’s difficult to follow some of the very long, complicated patterns. Even some of the less complicated, but wordy patterns seemed to be frustrating for me. Yet, I would probably feel like something was missing if I had only the chart. I’d second guess myself and spend way more time testing, rather than producing.

That’s when I decided that I’m not an either/or gal, I’m a “both” type of knitter. I need the logic of the written word AND the visual of the charts.

I thought I had pattern converting all figured out, until I ran into one that shifted a little,

Taken from A Second Treasure of Knitting Patterns

Multiple of 6 sts plus 1

Row 1: (Wrong side) and all other wrong-side rows - Purl.
Rows 2, 4, and 6 - K1, *yo, skk, k1, k2 tog, yo, k1; rep from *
Row 8 - k2, *yo, sl 1-k2 tog-psso, yo, k3; rep from *, end last repeat k2
Row 10 - K1, *k2 tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1; rep from *
Row 12 - K2 tog, *yo, k3, yo, sl 1-k2tog-psso; rep from *, end yo, k3, yo, ssk.

Here is what you get when you chart the same pattern.

The orange box represents the repeated section.

* NOTE - This is what the last repeat looks like on the 8th row. You will follow the repeat “yo, sl 1-k2 tog-psso, yo, k3″, but the last 6 stitches will be slightly different.

** NOTE - The same applies to the 12th row. In order to maintain the same amount of stitches and to keep the pattern aligned, after your first lead in stitch, you repeat the stitches in the orange box until you get to your last repeat and then “end yo, k3, yo, ssk”.

This is a very basic example, but you can actually see the pattern in a chart. This is very useful when you are working with a complicated lace, or aran pattern, in my opinion.

I’ve been working on this one sweater for a couple of weeks, about three to be exact.

After finally charting out the simple stitch pattern and deciding that I would just dive in and do it, I find that I am not dragging my feet.

However, I have learned a great deal along the way:

1. The back, the sleeves, and the front all start in various places, with regards to the stitch pattern, as each section must be centered separately.
2. I don’t know why this stage of my knitting scared the tikki masala outta me, but it did! However, I have survived and I think that I can actually delve into the next phase of insanity.

And the obsession continues…

I promised myself that I would NOT buy anymore books.

Luckily, I had my fingers crossed when I made the promise, because I also promised the dear, patient hubby that I would not let the book fetish get out of control…again.

As you can imagine…that promise didn’t last long. So, here we are drooling over Nicky Epstein’s delectable trilogy: Knitting On, Over and Beyond The Edge.

Knitting on the Edge, is the first of the series and everything about the book from the hardcover, to the clear, color photos made me want to buy it. I bought it last year and have not even really used it (yet), but was perusing the second and third book in the series and could not resist.

Nicky Epstein has joined been added to my list of knitting gurus, along side with Barbara G. Walker and Elizabeth Zimmerman. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I am somewhat bored of knitting from patterns and just duplicating someone else’s creative idea row-for-row, not that there’s anything wrong with that. However, I have been trying to break free from feeling stagnant, with regards to knitting.

Some of the designs may seem a little daunting to the beginner, but they are very well written and easy to follow. Ironically, some of the more intricate looking patterns, happen to be some of the simplest, as far as repeats go.

The Nicky Epstein trilogy is just what I needed to get away from the hum-drum ribbing I’ve been doing lately. I’ll be picking out a nice pattern to add to the sleeves and bottom of a sweater I’m currently working on. Stay tuned…if I ever finish this project, I’ll post pics!

Saturday we all went to the arts and crafts show at ExpoMart. I was very excited, as it would be my first time going. I have heard so many things about this show.

There were so many interesting things to see, from the moment we entered. The first vendor that caught my attention was a man selling incredible hand-crafted quilts. They were absolutely gorgeous. He told us how his wife’s church assisted in making each quilt, which also had matching pillow shams. They were beautiful, beyond words.

In my search for fellow knitters, I came across a woman selling crocheted handbags. She had every color, size and shape you could think of. They were really well done and she even worked on a bag as she sat there. Very talented woman.

Finally! I came across a vendor, who had knitted items. Although, her main focus was quilts, she had a number of knitted baby items: sweaters, blankets, bonnets. They were all knitted with fingering weight yarn and were very intricate. After close inspection, I asked, “Are these handmade?”

“Why, yes they are!” She replied, all too eager to show the detailed work.

I didn’t want to let on, but I knew better than anyone that nothing there had been handmade. In fact, not even her quilts were handmade. I don’t know why, but it seemed to bother me a great deal that she was “misleading” buyers. The seams were all machine sewn and even the hems were sewn. Perhaps they were knitted on a machine that someone hand cranked, but does that equate being handmade?

I don’t know.

There just seems to be something sacrilegious about it. Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with using a machine, but can you really say that it’s handmade?

I left ExpoMart with an even greater appreciation for all of the hand crafters out there, whether they be a knitter, crocheter, seamstress, or anything in betwixt.

About two weeks ago I went on a yarn quest. I took a magazine into my LYS and Melissa helped me pick out the colors that inspired my “need for more yarn”. As if I do not already have enough yarn falling out of every crevice, right? BTW, thank you Melissa; you have the patience of Job.

Nonetheless, I had this magazine with me and charged right in and insisted…ok, begged Melissa to help me find comparable colors. The Cascade wall is not to be tackled alone, without supervision, as it’s like the black hole. It kinda just sucks one up into this vacuum of color euphoria. However, I digress. I cannot find exactly what I’m looking for, as the ideal pattern only exists in my own head.

When I left the store, I had way more yarn with me then intended, but that’s never a problem, as color and hues are what invigorate me. As I was driving home, I had an epiphany of sorts. I own 2 of the 4 Barbara Walker Treasury of Knitting Patterns; I have invested in just about every book that I think will aid me in my need to improve my skills. I spend valuable time, not knitting, but thumbing through my books, or seeking out the “just right” pattern, when that pattern doesn’t exist.

All of this leads me to my next journey. I want to take my knitting to the next step, which is to learn how to design. Yeah, yeah I know that designing is not you learn, as creativity is not taught, but I have ideas. Yep, that’s right folks, somewhere in that hamster cage, there is an idea or two that require a little nurturing.

I have concepts, just need to figure out how to take them from my head, to graph paper and patterns without losing steps in translation. I am accustomed to buying fabric on a whim, throwing it onto the floor and just whipping out an outfit. But, I don’t want to make the same mistake that I made with my sewing. I never learned to use patterns. I managed to make some really nice things, as my mother was quite a seamstress, but I do not know how to use my tools properly.

Knitting on the other hand, is not that simple to me. I cannot just throw stitches onto my needle, keep the pattern in sync and end up with a finished project that says, “WOW!”

With all of that gibberish said, I’m kicking it all up a notch:

1. I’m going to take a sewing class. I cannot fudge my skills with my new sewing machine. Other than forward/backward, I need to use attachments, all of which I own, but I can’t just press a button and have a certain stitch appear.
2. I’m going to invest in a private lesson. I need to understand how to construct my own pattern, or at the very least, how to implement a stitch-pattern into something as basic as a sweater, without it becoming discombobulated. I’ve already spoken to someone about getting this going and as soon as I figure out which direction I want to pursue, I’ll take action.

Wish me luck. I have this one idea stuck in my head and I cannot seem to shake it. It may not mean anything to anyone else when I can get it on paper, but it will mean the world to me!

As usual, my impulsive shopping has lead to me owning two copies of the same book. I accidentally ordered two copies of Knitting From the Top by Barbara G. Walker.

The book is $20 plus free shipping (if applicable).

UPDATE: Sorry this book just hit the post office and is heading to its new home.

I was trying to find the last attachment on my list for my Singer 15-91. Naturally, most of the search results turned up on ebay.

I placed a couple of bids and actually hit the jackpot with one bid. I have accessories and attachments and screws and parts for daaaaays. My parts-cup runeth over. However, there was no blind-stitch attachment. It was the very last thing that I needed. So, I searched again and found Jacqui and Jakes blog. They had not one, but TWO blind-stitch attachments and manuals for sale.

The price was reasonable, just needed to know how much shipping would cost. I’m so glad that I inquired. Not only was the price great, but there were no inflated shipping costs, no one to play bidding wars with, and the Singer Blind Stitch attachment #160616 was in perfect condition, just as described.

If you’re in the market for vintage and antique sewing machines and accessories, I definitely recommend Jacqui and Jake. They are great to do business with! My Blind Stitch attachment arrived safe, sound and ready to use.

My boys left about two hours ago. It’s just the girls (Penny and Blue) and me.
So “we’re” going to knit…or sew…or knit AND sew…or crochet…

There’s just too much to do and now that I actually have the time, I do not know what to choose.
I’ve got purses to line, sweaters to line, yarn to use up, fabric itching to be used. What’s a girl to do?

I can hardly breath. I need a brown bag, because I’m hyperventilating.

Never thought I’d be able to say this, but I am the proud owner of a vintage, soon-to-be antique Singer 15-91 sewing machine, dates back to 1935.
She is in her original, burl inlay cabinet and comes with just about every attachment one can imagine.

I’m speechless. Ga-ga. Pass the smelling salts!

I’ll post pics of this beauty as soon as I get hubby to haul her out of my truck.

I plan on stripping the cabinet and refinishing it.

UPDATE
Ok - there are some attachments that I didn’t have:

• Buttonholer - Have one now and is definitely a MUST HAVE
• Blind Stitch attachment - but I think that I’ve located on, which is decently priced
• There are few others, but I have to look up the names of the attachments and figure out what they do LOL