One of the Hardest Things...

A few days ago I  stumbled across a wonderful free .pdf download called 40 Favorite Tips and Techniques for Knitters of All Levels*.   It is a compilation of information from the "knitting daily tv" show that can be found in some areas on PBS.

As I began reading, I remembered back to the day I found out that I was expecting Kim.  I was 22 and it had been years since I had done knitting of any sort and the sort I had done was pretty well limited to scarves and also scarves.  So of course I ran right down to K-Mart, grabbed one of those little instruction booklets for baby layettes, bought needles (?) and skinny (?) yarn, raced home and started knitting the most complicated sweater pattern in the booklet.  To say this first effort of mine was pitiful is probably an understatement.  But was I proud of it?  Oh yes!  Back in those pre-ultrasound days, stores sold a lot of mint greens and yellows.  Kim's sweater was yellow and, yes, she wore it -- once.  Would I have gone ahead with the project had I known what I was getting into? With my ego at that age...?  Hard to say....probably.

So it was with a sigh that I read 40 Favorite's Rule #1, which said something vaguely to the effect that it would probably be wise to make a copy of the pattern and then read through the entire pattern at least once before I begin knitting.  There are times, even today, when, IMHO (in my humble opinion), that is nothing but a waste of precious time.  

Here I am with a picture of this absolutely gorgeous shawl, yarn that is soft like butter (and we won't mention the cost), a new set of needles...(I don't know why), and I just could not resist those purple and gold stitch markers.  The last thing I want to do is sit down and read.  I want to create!  I want to be actively involved with this pattern, these needles, this yarn.  I do not want to sit passively and read!

But...on the other hand, if I read it first, I'm much more likely to see that there is more than one size. (Yeah, that's what's going on inside all the parentheses that are littering this page!)  Do you have any idea, because I do, what happens if you keep repeating a set of knit instructions over and over and over until you use up all the numbers inside those brackets?  It ain't pretty!

So on the copy I've made, I circle the size I want to use and then I go through the entire pattern and, each time that size is referenced (or should I say buried) in the midst of a line of numbers, I circle it again.  Sometimes I'll use a hi-liter.  I have found that yellow not only fades at times, but under certain light conditions, I cannot see it well.  For me, it's hot pink hi-lites all the way.

Whilst I am making little pink polka dots on my pattern, I also try to find cues that things are about to change.  Phrases like "at the same time" or "from both sides at once," if overlooked, can make for some really funky shaping. These phrases need recognition.  What I find to be really useful are the little arrow-shaped Post-It Notes.  You can use them as just arrows or, if you are into color-coding, they come in four colors.

Making certain that you don't skip lines of instructions during this first reading, and as you work on your item, is very important.  I cannot stress this enough and anyone who has ever omitted a line or more, especially in a very complicated pattern such as a fair isle or lace, knows the angst this can cause.  The further into the repeats you are, the worse it seems.  

There are so many tools and techniques out there to help us "remember where I am."  I have tried clickers, and clackers, and clunkers.  I've played with beaded bracelets, and row counters, and computerized row counters, and chained and beaded row and stitch counters.  I have tried using programs that kinda-sorta-maybe tie my knitting or crochet project to a particular website or group.  I have used online cards.  I have knotted string around my wrist.  If any combinations of these work for you, that is great!

However, when push finally came to shove, I found myself right back at my Grandmother's knee with a notebook full of scribbled hieroglyphics and hash marks that only she and I could understand.  I make a hash mark for every row and a cross mark for every fifth row.  So easy! 

If there is a sudden change in the pattern, I write it down right next to where I'm counting rows.  If I have to duplicate that section, as, for example, in a sleeve, I just knit as I've already marked once and it's much more likely to match.

It's not high tech but it works for me and that's what counts (no pun...lol!)  Find something that works for you and as you go along, you'll keep on tweaking it and customizing until it's the way you like it.

However, as we know, things do still happen.  And if the dog jumps on your lap and all the stitches fall off your needles, then what?  Next time we'll talk about frogging and tinking --- and that dog!

Now, want to see what's been hanging around on my crochet hook for the week?

Another "black and white" and this one has given me more trouble than I ever would have expected from a gang of lowly circles.  I have persevered and they are about to submit to my iron will.  Return Friday (or maybe Monday) as the final outcome is determined.

Warmly,

Maddy

IMPORTANT INFO FOR YOU!  Publication dates for Starry Knits  have now been set for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week.  

I would really enjoy receiving your comments and feedback.  If you have any questions regarding your own knit or crochet projects, I would be more than happy to try to help you or guide you to the proper sources.

_____

*Information included in today's blog has been gathered from a variety of sources including but not limited to the Interweave Press LLC publication of 40 Favorite Tips & Techniques for Knitters of All Levels.  

The Best Laid Plans?

What a crazy weekend this turned it to be!  And who was it that said, "The best laid plans of mice and men..."  Was he ever right! 


It all started back at Thanksgiving.  Yes, that's right.  Back in November 2011 when I caught a cold (or something) that I have yet to get rid of.  I mentioned in my profile that I have issues with my breathing.  It's COPD and it has the potential to cause every little infection or virus to become a major respiratory problem for me.  I've been going through another flare-up and in spite of my doctors' efforts, it is getting the best of me.  But I was absolutely determined to get to the g-kids' taekwondo belt qualifying along with a trip to my LYS (local yarn shop), and both those following an early breakfast at IHOP.  After all, it was Saturday!


My weary self could not get up in time to see the g-kids.  Very disappointing.  Breakfast became brunch - that was acceptable.  The LYS stop was a disaster and that's all I'll say about that, except that now I understand why Steve is so determined that I do not drive by myself.  Enough about that.

Emma and Andy, broken boards in hands, proudly receive their yellow belts from
Master Tim.




Eureka! The three crocheted spectator bags that I began crocheting at about the same time as I started writing Starry Knits are finally complete and have been listed in the shop.         


PIECES, PIECES, EVERYWHERE!
BUT NOT A PURSE IN SIGHT!!

This week I am so proud to announce that Design 89 is launching its 2012 Black and White Spring Line.  These purses are the first pieces in the line and as the season progresses we can look forward to additional styles of bags, several OOAK jewelry items, accessories, and other specialty items, all incorporating the black and white theme.

To see these premier pieces, please do visit the shop, www.design89.etsy.com.

In the meantime, here's a group picture of the Trio of Bags...

 

Many thanks and credit to the designer of the Spectator Bags patterns, Mary Jane Protus, for her lovely creations and to Coats and Clark, Inc. for the .pdf file.

 

By the way, my curiosity got the best of me and I did look up the quote about "the best laid plans of mice and men..."  The line comes from a poem entitled "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough" written in 1785 by the Scots poet Robert Burns. The words so often paraphrased into English and quoted are:

 

"But little Mouse, you are not alone, In you proving foresight may be vain: The best-laid plans of mice and men Often go awry."

And so they do...sometimes.

Warmly,
Maddy

 

 

 

The Best Laid Plans?

What a crazy weekend this turned it to be!  And who was it that said, "The best laid plans of mice and men..."  Was he ever right!  It all started back art Thanksgiving.  Yes, that's right.  Back in November 2011 when I caught a cold (or something) that I have yet to get rid of.  I mentioned in my profile that I have problems with my breathing.  It's COPD and it has the potential to cause every little infection or virus to become a major respiratory problem for me.  I've been going through another flare-up and in spite of my doctors' best efforts, it is getting the best of me.  But I was absolutely determined to get to the g-kids' taekwondo belt qualifying along with a trip to my LYS (local yarn shop), and both those after breakfast at IHOP.  After all, it was Saturday!  My weary self could not get up in time to see the g-kids.  Very disappointing.  Breakfast became brunch - that was acceptable.  The LYS stop was a disaster and that's all I'll say about that, except that now I understand why Steve was so determined that I was not driving by myself.  Enough about that!

Emma and Andy, each holding their broken boards, proudly receive Their Newly Earned Yellow Belts from Master Tim.

 

After much more hand sewing than I ever had anticipated, or would have liked!, the three crocheted spectator bags that I began working on...see ms like months ago...but it was really only the week of the 13th are finally completed and listed in my shop. You can see the individual listings at
www.design89.etsy.com but here is a sneak peek of a group picture. I am quite pleased with the final results and I do want to give thanks and credit to the designer of the Spectator Bags patterns, Mary Jane Protus, for her lovely creations and to Coats and Clark, Inc. for the .pdf file.

INSERT GROUP PICRUDE OF B&W BAGS

By the way, my curiosity got the best of me and I did look up the quote about "The best laid plans of mice and men..." Y'all may have already known this, but the line comes from a poem entitled "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough" written in 1785 by the Scots poet Robert Burns. The line so often paraphrased into English and quoted is, "But little Mouse, you are not alone, In you proving foresight may be vain: The best-laid plans of mice and men Often go awry."

And so they do.

Warmly,
Maddy