Chronicles of Yarnia

Knitting Stitches

2008-06-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

I learned how to knit from several different sources. As a result, the different stitches I know come down from different traditional methods of knitting. I first learned how to knit from my Mom for a 5th grade play where I was supposed to be a colonial house wife (ha) and I needed something to do on stage. The only thing my Mom taught me to do was the knit stitch. I learned how to purl in 7th grade from my dean who was this little old English woman. Seems that my Mom taught me to knit what is called the German (or Continental) Method and I learned how to purl the English (or Throw) Method. I always thought it was kind of strange that these two very different motions resulted in the same stitch.

Anyways, I've been working stockinette on the previously mentioned Green vest/sweater and I started to hate how much longer the purl rows took. My computer and internet were down for a couple of days so I just sort of worked out a way of knitting that mimicked the motions of a knitting machine. Now, with access to the internet, I know this is called Knitting Back. Its really cool because you never have to turn the knitting around, you simply switch which hand is controlling the yarn. So knitting is going a bit slow as I still get used to this new method.

Care to know what I am talking about?
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/purl-stitch

Striped Vest

2008-06-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

Today, I made this vest using yarn I found in my stash (I'm trying to use some of if up before going and buying more). It was done on a Bulky machine.

Elsebeth Lavold "Angora" Yarn (60% angora/20% wool/20% nylon)

I hade to stripe it because I didn't have enough of any one color. Also, these are my favorite colors.

I think I have decided that my hand knitting will have to be reserved for traveling because its a great thing to do whenever I'm waiting around, and it makes me really calm.

Sitting Around and Knitting

2008-06-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I did a whole lot of waiting around. I made the ribbing portion of another hat, one that my sister will learn to knit on. I also made the set-in piece and the sleeves for the outfit.

However, I've also been playing a lot of Guitar Hero and Wii Fit!

Today's New Project

2008-06-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

So I'm in Palo Alto for the week hanging out with my sister as she recovers from surgery. She doesn't know how to do a lot of stereotypical housewife things, that I for some reason do know how to do, including knitting. So, I brought my supplies and some yarn to make some easy projects. I'm in a hat kind of mood, so I'll probably show her how to make a simple one.

On another note, this girl in my knitting class at school is a total advocate for this cool knit designer Norah Gaughan. I've been looking for her pattern books for a while, but the few stores around me have been out of both her new pamphlet, which came out this year, and one from the past two years. Today, I went on a hunt and found this tiny knit shop which prided itself on having the biggest selection of pattern books in the bay area! So out I walked with Volume 1 AND 2. Not a cheap purchase, but they are well worth it.

Anyways, I'm pushing myself to work on this pattern:

The only thing that irks me is that when I went to the Berroco website to find this picture, there were pattern corrections for this pattern which state that the pattern calls for more yarn then they initially indicated!

I bought this yarn for the pattern:

Rowan Classic Yarn: Silk Wool DK
(I think its greener than this picture)

OK, here I go.

Two Hats I made that will start off this blog

2008-06-03T16:45:00.001-07:00

I'm planning to knit a lot this summer, so I thought what better than to write it all down somewhere where so I can keep track of my progress.

Here are two hats I've made. They are both the same pattern, which includes a small fake tab on the rib section that is really just decoration. The dark green one was my first time making anything knitting in the round. The second hat I started and finished entirely while flying yesterday from Boston to San Francisco!

100% Shetland Wool (sorry about the scary face, but its the only picture I have)

Two diferent balls of varigated 50/50 merino/acrylic yarn