knittingknittingknittingknitting...

I have now finished two repeats (? terminology a little off, most likely) of the leaf-patterned scarf. In my book, that means it's time to start something new! It didn't take much thought--my mom "ordered" a scarf, too. But what's different about it is I have to come up with the pattern!
I told her to Google-image (<-- it's a verb now, if it wasn't before!) a design she liked, and even if there wasn't a tutorial/pattern, I could probably figure it out.
She ended up choosing a myriad of patterns, with elements she liked from each. I don't even remember the original photos (this was sometime over winter break. Not too long ago, but long enough). But it involves cables and C2R's (and, since I like symmetry, C2L's) and lines of stockinette. I'm still trying to remember how to cable correctly. But I'm excited to knit with my very own pattern!

k7tog?!?!

All right. k2tog is a common decrease. k3tog is all right, I guess. But k7tog? It has its own special abbreviation section, which tells you to slip the next seven stitches onto a crochet needle and to then pull the yarn through. It's part of the leafy pattern I'm using to create a scarf for my aunt. And it actually looks really cool...like a little dollop (not of Daisy's!). I haven't even completed the pattern once yet... (the pattern doesn't lend itself to study-knitting all too well, except on the wrong side rows) but it uses a bunch of new stitches, which I love! Keeps it interesting.

Sheep(ish) Yarn

So my aunt requested a scarf, and we all went to Joann to look for yarns. She chose Sheep(ish) Yarn. I barely looked at it before we purchased it... and then I started knitting with it. It's the oddest yarn I've encountered, in that it has no distinct plies. Sadly, that means I have to pay more attention so that I don't split the yarn (although the pattern itself requires some concentration). But even while looking at it, I often split the yarn... shhh ;) And for some reason, when I knit, the yarn "sheds" into a little ring of fuzz around the yarn. This problem is aggravated with this yarn... no biggie, I just snip it off. But aside from the yarn itself, it produces wonderful stuff :)

So I've finished knitting my glittens. *Key word: knitting. Which means that I still have to weave in ends. This is, in my opinion, the most annoying step in any knitting project. Casting on comes in close second... Until I desperately need these glittens, chances are the ends are not getting woven in.

So I got my violin strings changed yesterday... and now I have four strings with which to craft! Not sure exactly what I can do with four long things of metal yet...

Tapestry needle? Psh...

I don't have all those fancy materials. I just don't. I don't have a tapestry needle to weave in ends. I've been using one of those cheap plastic ones with the little ball on the end that comes with sewing kits for kids who are 5 years old. And it's worked fine--after all, I've been knitting with worsted weight yarn. And then I decided that I would knit some glittens with fingering weight. It's not annoying--until stitches have to be slipped on hold, until the ends have to weaved in...until the yarn has to go somewhere other than a knitting needle. So I devised my own tapestry needle. It's called a piece of wire folded in half. Unfortunately, it often splits the yarn, or each end of the wire goes somewhere different and I end up breaking a ply--or, I almost do. Then I pull the "needle" back out and try fifty more times to weave in my ends nicely... But is it worth a couple of dollars? You sure bet. I like being resourceful. Yes, I know, I just ranted about how unwieldy my "tapestry needle" is. But hey... desperate times call for desperate measures. I translate that as, If you don't have the tools, make some tools. Resourcefulness at its finest ;)

T-Shirt Quilt?

T-Shirt Quilts. Whoever came up with the idea is a genius. Honestly. I mean, what else am I ever going to use all my old t-shirts for?!?

So I started my own quilt. Unfortunately, I still need my t-shirts for gym class. (Side note: has there a worse class ever invented? It's forced physical activity, for goodness' sake!) Anyway, but I have t-shirts that are too small, t-shirts that I probably won't ever wear again... I've made up so many excuses to cut up yet another t-shirt. Really.

I did endless research... there is a huge controversy over the use of interfacing, though. I went with Pellon 911F interfacing. However, the only quilting experience I've ever had is one week at a summer camp four or five years ago. So I have no idea if it makes the t-shirt too heavy or what. But I like the feel of it--it gives me security knowing that when I start to sew (which will probably be in another five years or so--gotta stop wearing my t-shirts, come up with a layout, etc. etc. etc.), none of my hard sewing work will go to waste (Yes, it's just pressing a pedal on a machine, but so what?) Sadly, interfacing costs money. Not that I'm going to have time (or t-shirts) to work on this for a while yet...

I just wish the quilt were done already. Do I? It's an amazing concept (as I've already expressed). But sewing's not really my thing... not even pedal-and-let-the-machine-do-the-sewing-for-you sewing.

Only the future can tell... I should get back to homework now.