Inane Knitting Babble

Can't Possibly Be A Year!

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:04:19 GMT

Can it possibly be almost a year since I last updated? Yep, looks like it! Shame on me! The entries may be fewer but that doesn't mean there's no knitting going on. It was a busy year, my daughter was in a musical in the spring, then prom, her graduation from high school, planning her graduation party, then she was off to college in the fall. Not as much time for serious knitting!

I did start a cotton bag for her. Yes, I'm still addicted to bags. She loves the lovely brown, black & cream bag I knitted & felted for her, but she said it was too warm for the summer. So why not? I used some denim cotton, in a blue & pink, found a nice fun sturdy stitch pattern & off I went. I knitted the bag in the round, but I wanted it to have a more blocky shape. I ended up trimming it with a simple edging that gave it the shape I was looking for. I picked up stitches along the sides and across the bottom, conveniently sewing the bottom closed at the same time, then bound the stitches off. It made a small simple edging that I really liked. I did a full sized inside pocket, a simple flap closure & a thicker strap. I'm pleased with the result & pictures are shown above.

Next project I'm currently working on is a sweater for her as well. I found the pattern on Knitty.com & she liked it too. Of course, I didn't have the yarn called for, but I found something we both liked. Of course, it wasn't the same size yarn either, but it was okay. It called for a size 7 or 8 needle. My yarn takes a 3. No matter, I could wing it.

So I figure it out, do some swatching and...208 stitches on size 3 needles. A little daunting. But I perservered & I'm almost there. After adding the sleeves, I'm up to almost 300 stitches. Yeah...daunting! There needs to be about 5 inches above the underarm, but its taking awhile. Plus in the winter, the old hands ache, so its been slow going. I can't wait to see it on her, though!

Speaking of the brown/black/cream bag...my daughter waswalking through the mall with it. A girl came up to her & said she LOVED the bag & wanted to know where she BOUGHT it! My girl proudly told her "My Mom MADE this!" Yep, I'll take that as a huge compliment!

Hopefully more to come soon!

Couple-O-Snuggles!

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:11:03 GMT

Nope, I haven't forgotten about the Snuggle Project. I'm still working on it, just not as ambitiously as I could. I do have a few done, however so here are the finished products! I just get so easily distracted!!

The purple one is a cotton mat that I was originally going to use as a placemat many years ago. I saw a design in Knitter's Magazine by Lily Chin, I believe. It is knitted in the round, with a few temporary sts in between the "sides", then framed by a twisted st. It is cut up the middle of the temporary sts, they are unraveled for fringe. The twisted st keeps everything in place. In my design, I used a linen stitch so it would look like a woven mat. It is a reversible stitch, too, so it looks nice on both sides. You can see that I made my slipped sts too tight, cause the ends ripple. So I never finished the placemats, but this will make a nice mat for a sweet furcritter who needs some comfort.

Along the same lines, the green mat is my better attempt at the knit & cut. Again it is made in the round with temporary sts at the "sides" with a twisted st to hold it all together. This one was done in stocking st, so I put a seed st border around the whole thing to keep it flat. I started to fray the fringe, but it didn't look right, so I left it as is. It is nice & soft & cozy!

The brown & cream one is a fisherman rib st, reversible so both sides look nice. This one is wonderfully thick, so I think it will be best for the purpose it is intended to serve! I may possibly do more mats with this st, because it does make it so cushiony & soft! Then again, I love to experiment with new st patterns, so who knows what I may come up with next! Its a nice feeling that I might make a difference in the life of a helpless animal!

Stitch Pattern For Tribble's Blanket!

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 18:07:39 GMT

I had a request for the stitch pattern used in Tribble's Blanket (aka Snuggle Blanket)! I modified a brick slip stitch pattern found in an old Better Homes & Gardens afghan book. It may exist "published" out there somewhere! So here is how I did it...Have fun!

CO a multiple of 5 sts, minimum of 10 sts.

Colors A (main color) & B (or small amounts of multiple colors, if you'd like!)

Row 1 - With color A, K across.
Row 2 - With color A, P across.
Row 3 - With color B, K2, *slip one with yarn in back, K4, repeat from * to last 3 sts, slip one, K2.
Row 4 - With color B, P2 ,*slip one with yarn in front, P4, repeat from * to last 3 sts, slip one, P2.

Repeat rows 1-4.

Obviously in my version, I used a different color every time for my "color B"! I wove the ends in as I knit, so it wouldn't make me crazy at the end trying to finish it off! I also put a wide garter stitch border around it, because it does curl. This afghan was a great way to use those small scraps in an attractive way. Enjoy!

Snuggle One!

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:33:08 GMT

My first snuggle is completed, however, I think its too late for this one. Tribble has claimed it for his own. I'd really rather it go to a dog in need (that's why I made it!), but Tribble must need one too. He is a rescue, so I don't think he had many "things" of his own. So here it will stay. You can see him cuddling up with it in his bed in the pictures.

So, I started another one. In my laziness, I wanted to make it in the round, cause it goes so much quicker. I saw this techinque in Knitters Magazine using cotton & thought "why not?" So, this one is about 18x18, I made it in plain stockinette stitch, with seed stitch borders & twisted stitch at either side. I left 4 plain stitches in between the side borders.

After binding off, I *gasp* cut between the 4 stitches! I unraveled them, so they make a fringe & believe it or not, it won't unravel! The twist stitch helps keep it together. I may comb out the ends so it will be a fluffy fringe & it will be more cozy. Crazy, ain't it?!

Blankets of Love

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:25:39 GMT

I found a group on the internet called "Snuggle's Project", which makes blankets for shelter animals, whether it be dog or cat. We have a shelter very near home that is a participant in the project, so I can just drop them off when I'm done. I'm almost done with my first, another scrap yarn blanket done in small scale!

I used black as the main color & tried using up some of the many scraps for the contrasting colors. I used a brick-type slip stitch pattern. The effect is like a stained glass & its really turning out well! It allowed me to use some of those...uh..."interesting" color scraps! As you can see from the picture, it will need to be edged all around. I'm thinking maybe a knitted on garter stitch edging.

Now, if only I can convince my little dog Tribble that its not HIS blanket! I may just have to keep this one & move onto the next for the shelter!

Happy Felted New Year!

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:34:08 GMT

Happy New Year to all! Its been a felted holiday for me. The latest bag is finished & it came out fabulously! I sewed on a wooden toggle button for a closure & it goes nicely. This will be a great "small" bag to take along a knitting project. Just what I wanted! However, while it was drying, my daughter (the thief!) saw it & said, "Oh, this is cool, is this mine?!" I told her to please step away from the bag, she already got hers, but I could see that look in her eye. So I've been keeping it hidden!

Latest news, we have another dog. He's part Pomeranian, part Yorkie (supposedly!) & his name is Tribble. He is shown sporting a quick little project I made for him, a jingle bell collar. I spotted a version of this in the local petstore, & thought (of course!), "I can make this!" So I did! I had the leftover yarn & some jingle bells, so other than time, it was a freebie. I made short row triangles, the knitted on the I-cord tie. Quick & fun, although Tribble only tolerated wearing it long enough for a few pictures!

Also show inside my new felted tote is a book my husband bought me for Christmas. It is called "Yarn Harlot" & it is a hilarious look at the secret life of an obsessed knitter. A very entertaining read for any knitter! I could relate to many of her adventures & misadventures, & I realized, this woman writes from my soul! Check it out!

Bagaholic

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 16:28:24 GMT

My name is Spunknit & I am a bagaholic. I can't stop myself from making bags & purses. I don't need anymore bags, but they are so much fun to make. I can experiment with colors & patterns, different techniques, ideas and more. I've done cotton, recycled plastic bags and wool, felted or not.

So here is yet ANOTHER bag that I've finished. Its wool, so I'm going to felt it. Okay, I don't NEED another bag, but I thought a small one that I could throw in some knitting & go would be great. Its too small for my daughter to steal for a purse...I hope. Its not really her colors, anyway.

This one was cool, cause I only used 2 skeins of yarn. A fun challenge. I added an I-cord strap & a front patch-type pocket for added utitlity. I loved the way the grommets looked on the previous bag for my daughter, so I'm going to put grommets on this one, too. I may add a closure of some type. I'm still thinking about it, I hadn't planned on one, but it might be nice to have.

I'm going to felt it later today, after I attach the grommets. I'm going with a nice gold color grommet, it should look very nice with the coloring of the bag. I'll think about the closure issue & felt away! Pictures to come later.

A Brand New Bag!

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 17:08:15 GMT

Here are pictures of the latest bag. I didn't realize there were no pictures before felting, so these are all after felting. It came out just the way I had hoped, which is great! Sometimes its such a trial & error situation. I just love felting, though. It make it look so different, its hard to believe "I MADE THAT!"

The pattern was a fun one, very simple. I found it in Barbara Walker's stitch treasuries (the stitch Bibles!), but she showed it in only 2 colors. I played around with it using the 3 colors I had. It was a success! I put pockets on the inside of the bag, one large pocket, then a smaller pocket. I didn't want to have to fuss with the pattern on an outside pocket, so inner pockets was my solution.

I also used grommets for the strap. I was going to felt the bag & strap, then put the grommets on, but my daughter wanted the strap to be a continuous piece. So I had to put on the grommets, thread the strap & weave it closed, then felt the piece. It worked out fabulous! I was a little nervous about adding grommets after felting, what if it frayed or raveled? Adding the grommets before felting, I was able to insure the grommet went between the stitches & didn't cut through them. Perfect!

I also found a nice wooden toggle button for the flap closure, but we can't seem to find it in the house. I'm thinking it accidentally got pitched out with the trash. I'll have to buy a new one & get it on there before its time to make my daughter another bag !

Recent Knitting Pictures!

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 15:00:10 GMT

Here are the long promised pictures of recent knitted projects. Shown is the latest knitted bag, stolen by my daughter. Also, the knitted pencil holder to brighten up my workspace, which really needed it! The knitted choker-style necklace which was based on my knitted bookmarks. The latest knitted bag is coming along pretty well, almost done, but I haven't worked on it as much as I wanted.

We had a personal situation that made me totally not feel like knitting. Our sweet Yorkshire Terrier, Sparky, passed away. The last few weeks have been like a blur, just trying to get through the days without crying. He was buried with his knitted blanket, so he'll be warm on his new journey. The first picture is of our sweet boy, we miss him very much.

Shame On Me

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 11:12:32 GMT

Shame on me, not updating my pretty blog! I hate to admit it, but I'm a fairweather knitter. Or is that a coldweather knitter? Whatever, I usually don't knit much in the summertime. Even though we have air conditioning, I still don't knit much. But when the weather gets cooler, I get the itch. Usually the end of August & definately by Labor Day!

I have knit a few things in the last few months, but not much like I do during cold months! I finished the bag mentioned in the previous entry. It sat around for quite awhile before I got around to felting it. It came out perfect, just the size I wanted. The only thing that didn't turn out as expected is the inside hanging pocket. It is still functional, but doesn't look as I had hoped. I blocked the wet bag on 2 thick books wrapped in plastic. It gave it a great shape.

Needless to say, it was barely dry when my teenage daughter saw it, & claimed it as her new purse. Hmmm..I'm still trying to get it back for pictures. I'm not really thrilled with the way it is wearing, though. It has tons of pills all over it, & this was a pricey yarn.

I also was thinking about my workspace. I need some knitty things there. So I made a cover for a large tomato can, this will be my new pencil holder. I was going to make some lace for the top, but I'm going to settle for a nice simple I-cord trim. Now I need to make something with that huge can of tomatoes!

I was browsing the internet for other knitting ideas when I came across some knitted jewelry. Gosh, that choker looks just like one of my bookmarks, only with ties on both ends. So I experimented. I used the same thread that I had for the bookmarks, but added some pale pink seed beads. My daughter liked it, so I kept going. Very cool.

I need to get pictures of the above stuff so I can share. The purse may prove to be difficult, that child doesn't stay in one place often! She's got to sleep sometime! I also gave in & decided to make a bag that SHE wants, in her choice of colors. I found some Patons wool yarn at my local JoAnns, & I'm currently swatching. It was cheaper to buy from KnitPicks, but I wanted to knit NOW. You know how that is!

Anyway, I hope to have pictures in the next few days, along with swatching pics of the latest bag adventure. Take care & happy knitting!