I am moving, slowly and carefully to www.almicrafts.com. Design is not complete. But I am working on it.
There is no special reason I am leaving blogspot, I just think that my own site is more fun and exciting.
I already published my first post (free pattern!!!) there and planning on making it more consistent.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Sock story V.2
So I started on socks. Easiest version. Worsted wool and plain stockinette stitch with k2p2 rib on cuff on DPN's.
I measured my leg and it was - 8", I used my gauge and it was 28 sts. I knit first sock almost to the toe and ripped whole thing off. It fit but it was stretched on foot. I did not like it at all.
So I cast on 32 sts and finished first 1" k2p2 rib cuff. Leg and heel I got done watching Addams family before Halloween.
Yesterday I finished instep and I am back to my original 32 sts on the needles. Going towards the toe. Can't wait when I am done with it and I can wear it in bed at cold wintery nights.
I measured my leg and it was - 8", I used my gauge and it was 28 sts. I knit first sock almost to the toe and ripped whole thing off. It fit but it was stretched on foot. I did not like it at all.
So I cast on 32 sts and finished first 1" k2p2 rib cuff. Leg and heel I got done watching Addams family before Halloween.
Yesterday I finished instep and I am back to my original 32 sts on the needles. Going towards the toe. Can't wait when I am done with it and I can wear it in bed at cold wintery nights.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Sylvi
Let's talk about Sylvi. It is my biggest project so far. ( Not the longest though- I still knit shawls for a year).
I was very excited to make something in my favorite sky blue. I was very excited to knit something that beautiful! I was very excited to knit a garment!
I used Berkshire bulky with alpaca (omgsofluffy). First, I made a swatch, and of course I had to go down a size of my needles. I had to buy needles too. I didn't have my awesome interchangeable set. So I just got required fixed circulars from Addi.
But I did not wash it .... That was my big big mistake. I don't know how I overlooked it because in the pattern it is very clearly stated "Seed stitch pattern is very stretchy, so be
careful with gauge and wash and block
the swatch before measuring". I did not. My thoughts were "I won't block it like I block shawls. Why would I wash it" Measured my swatch and started knitting. Piece was coming out beautifully.
I loved it. I loved fluffiness of the yarn. The size was right when I tried it. Until I washed it.
It stretched. It stretched!
I tried it on. Sleeves were almost right length but the whole piece looked like a housecoat. I hated it! Not the pattern itself. Pattern is gorgeous. I hated my version. I hated it so much that I tried it on and packed it in a space bag immediately.
My mom was begging for pictures. (She is very big fan of my knitting craziness) I did not have any. My friend was looking forward seeing it. But I hid it. From myself and from everybody. I hoped that I was just tired of it. It happens to me sometimes when I work on the piece for few weeks - I get tired of the yarn size, yarn color and everything else. So I hid it. It was hidden for about few months. Until this Saturday, until cold attacked South Carolina suddenly. I took it out, tried it on and hated it again.
Dont get me wrong - it was not oversized twice my size with the sleeves to the floor. But it was stretched enough to remind me of a housecoat. Again. I did not wear it that night. I took it off and left in my closet.
On Sunday morning my first thoughts were" I hate it enough, It won't be worse. I have to do something with it"
I did not have a heart to rip the whole thing off. So I threw it in washing machine. In hot water. I thought if it will shrink a lot I will give it to my daughter.
Ohhh the magic of hot water and natural wool!!! It shrank just enough to become right length. Stitches became more tight and fabric became sturdy. Sturdy enough to be more like wear-it-outside-coat. I absolutely love it! I am so excited to wear it. It needs to dry. But I tried it on while it was wet and it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
But lesson learned. Read the pattern carefully. Wash and block your swatches. And Viva the wool!
I was very excited to make something in my favorite sky blue. I was very excited to knit something that beautiful! I was very excited to knit a garment!
I used Berkshire bulky with alpaca (omgsofluffy). First, I made a swatch, and of course I had to go down a size of my needles. I had to buy needles too. I didn't have my awesome interchangeable set. So I just got required fixed circulars from Addi.
But I did not wash it .... That was my big big mistake. I don't know how I overlooked it because in the pattern it is very clearly stated "Seed stitch pattern is very stretchy, so be
careful with gauge and wash and block
the swatch before measuring". I did not. My thoughts were "I won't block it like I block shawls. Why would I wash it" Measured my swatch and started knitting. Piece was coming out beautifully. I loved it. I loved fluffiness of the yarn. The size was right when I tried it. Until I washed it.
It stretched. It stretched!
I tried it on. Sleeves were almost right length but the whole piece looked like a housecoat. I hated it! Not the pattern itself. Pattern is gorgeous. I hated my version. I hated it so much that I tried it on and packed it in a space bag immediately.
My mom was begging for pictures. (She is very big fan of my knitting craziness) I did not have any. My friend was looking forward seeing it. But I hid it. From myself and from everybody. I hoped that I was just tired of it. It happens to me sometimes when I work on the piece for few weeks - I get tired of the yarn size, yarn color and everything else. So I hid it. It was hidden for about few months. Until this Saturday, until cold attacked South Carolina suddenly. I took it out, tried it on and hated it again.
Dont get me wrong - it was not oversized twice my size with the sleeves to the floor. But it was stretched enough to remind me of a housecoat. Again. I did not wear it that night. I took it off and left in my closet.
On Sunday morning my first thoughts were" I hate it enough, It won't be worse. I have to do something with it"
I did not have a heart to rip the whole thing off. So I threw it in washing machine. In hot water. I thought if it will shrink a lot I will give it to my daughter.
Ohhh the magic of hot water and natural wool!!! It shrank just enough to become right length. Stitches became more tight and fabric became sturdy. Sturdy enough to be more like wear-it-outside-coat. I absolutely love it! I am so excited to wear it. It needs to dry. But I tried it on while it was wet and it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
But lesson learned. Read the pattern carefully. Wash and block your swatches. And Viva the wool!
Monday, October 27, 2014
All the shawls
Today post I want to dedicate to shawls. My favorite type of knits!
I started knitting shawls pretty early in my knitting journey. There and then I've learned how to read patterns, read charts and all kinds of stitches. From shawl to shawl patterns became more interesting and complicated.
My collection of patterns and books is shawls, shawls, shawls and little bit of everything else.
I am making shawls as a presents for my friends and family.
My first real lace shawl
Right now I am working on shawl "New Zealand tribute to Orenburg" by Margaret Stove. It is amazing. Im am still on the border part. It is taking its time. I was scared in the beginning of all the grafting, but now I kinda like it. I am getting bored pretty fast and opportunity to knit this shawl in pieces helps ( The hardest part - not to get distracted by other projects and knit it for a year.Which I am. Ok, not a year - 6 months :/ ) Plus since I make it for one of my lovely sisters-in-law who really likes pink it is in Rialto Lace Fuchsia. I have to take a breaks from that vivid pink! But it is coming out pretty lovely in that color.
I started knitting shawls pretty early in my knitting journey. There and then I've learned how to read patterns, read charts and all kinds of stitches. From shawl to shawl patterns became more interesting and complicated.
My collection of patterns and books is shawls, shawls, shawls and little bit of everything else.
I am making shawls as a presents for my friends and family.
My first real lace shawl
Right now I am working on shawl "New Zealand tribute to Orenburg" by Margaret Stove. It is amazing. Im am still on the border part. It is taking its time. I was scared in the beginning of all the grafting, but now I kinda like it. I am getting bored pretty fast and opportunity to knit this shawl in pieces helps ( The hardest part - not to get distracted by other projects and knit it for a year.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Sock story
We are in the South. 85-90 degrees until middle of October is normal here, that is probably when it's getting little bit colder - I am freezing! That is when I am thinking about all the stuff I have not knitted for myself yet.
SOCKS are number one in my list. I really-really want warm and pretty woolen socks for myself. The kind you knit on N1 or N2 DPN's. Light and cozy! May be strompe- the norwegian double-stranded kind. Or something lacy. Or something plain. Or something on magic loop!
But no! I don't owe any knitted socks. Shame on me.
I've knitted couple of slippers. In the beginning of my knitting journey I managed to make a giant one. Elephant size. It was before I knew gauge and swatch and all that magic. Little bit later I made ones of cotton. They were so stretchy. They was falling of my feet. I got so annoyed that I had to throw them away :) That was before I knew a difference between fibers. I made ones for my husband's niece! Of cotton! Total disaster. Poor child smiled, said thank you and probably never got to wear it.
Now I know better!
Knitting Daily has wonderful post on knitting socks here. It is worth reading.
Wonderful Staci has great tutorials for knitting socks on her VeryPink.com.
If you google simple "how to knit socks" you will find about 44000 results with tutorials, videos and everything you need. And funny thing is - I always had internet and computer and I still managed to spend two days to knit one giant elephant sock. I wish I'd kept it. I'd made beautiful pictures with it for this post. But I did not. Pity.
I have planned sock knitting for the closest future. If I'll find yarn for it in my stash. If not.. I guess I'll have to wait a bit. But I am sure I will get to it. There is no knitter without warm cozy knitted socks!
SOCKS are number one in my list. I really-really want warm and pretty woolen socks for myself. The kind you knit on N1 or N2 DPN's. Light and cozy! May be strompe- the norwegian double-stranded kind. Or something lacy. Or something plain. Or something on magic loop!
But no! I don't owe any knitted socks. Shame on me.
I've knitted couple of slippers. In the beginning of my knitting journey I managed to make a giant one. Elephant size. It was before I knew gauge and swatch and all that magic. Little bit later I made ones of cotton. They were so stretchy. They was falling of my feet. I got so annoyed that I had to throw them away :) That was before I knew a difference between fibers. I made ones for my husband's niece! Of cotton! Total disaster. Poor child smiled, said thank you and probably never got to wear it.
Now I know better!
Knitting Daily has wonderful post on knitting socks here. It is worth reading.
Wonderful Staci has great tutorials for knitting socks on her VeryPink.com.
If you google simple "how to knit socks" you will find about 44000 results with tutorials, videos and everything you need. And funny thing is - I always had internet and computer and I still managed to spend two days to knit one giant elephant sock. I wish I'd kept it. I'd made beautiful pictures with it for this post. But I did not. Pity.
I have planned sock knitting for the closest future. If I'll find yarn for it in my stash. If not.. I guess I'll have to wait a bit. But I am sure I will get to it. There is no knitter without warm cozy knitted socks!
Monday, October 6, 2014
Best bunny
Hello, dear diary!
As promised, sharing my newest creation. This is just cuteness overload.
Do you remember about me not buying new yarn yet? I did not. I use what I have (sad face here.. a bit). So today creation is Crochet Bunny!
It is probably going to be for my husband's niece daughter. I will have to make another one for her sister. I am lucky to have big family! God bless them all.
The pattern is by Lion Brand. And recommended yarn for it is Wool-Ease. I love this yarn for such creations! Notice how many color variations it has. Perfect for anybody.
But I can't buy yarn yet (sad face again here). I am going trough my stash. Very big stash. I could probably knit something mega-pega-super huge of all the yarn I have. So I do my best. I am being strong!
I had this skein for a while. It is Red Heart Baby Clouds Yarn. And it is big skein! So it was taking a lot of space in my yarn barn :) I just had to fix it!
Just look at this fluffy face!
As promised, sharing my newest creation. This is just cuteness overload.
Do you remember about me not buying new yarn yet? I did not. I use what I have (sad face here.. a bit). So today creation is Crochet Bunny!
It is probably going to be for my husband's niece daughter. I will have to make another one for her sister. I am lucky to have big family! God bless them all.
The pattern is by Lion Brand. And recommended yarn for it is Wool-Ease. I love this yarn for such creations! Notice how many color variations it has. Perfect for anybody.
But I can't buy yarn yet (sad face again here). I am going trough my stash. Very big stash. I could probably knit something mega-pega-super huge of all the yarn I have. So I do my best. I am being strong!
I had this skein for a while. It is Red Heart Baby Clouds Yarn. And it is big skein! So it was taking a lot of space in my yarn barn :) I just had to fix it!
Just look at this fluffy face!
I stuffed it with Poly-Fil and since it is going to be friend of 3-years old princess I used safety eyes. ( You can't be too careful when you make something for kids!)
Please notice, that If you plan to use bulkier than recommended yarn you will need to get a bigger crochet hook. I believe mine was 6.5 mm (K).
That is all for today, dear diary. Have a blissful day!
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Finished projects
It's been a while, dear dairy..
I knitted a lot.
I did not talk to you for a while... It is crazy here: kid, school, cat, dog and everything else. But it is wonderful. It is called a life.
So updates: I've knitted a lot. I have almost everything pictured on ravelry , but I think I should leave few words here:
I finished Entrelac made of Red Heart Unforgettable. It looks amazing. I didn't block it. And I am not sure that I will. Not because I am lazy(actually I am ) , but because I think it may ruin that nice woven look. But if I will I will show you results, I promise!
Here is more :
I knitted a lot.
I did not talk to you for a while... It is crazy here: kid, school, cat, dog and everything else. But it is wonderful. It is called a life.
So updates: I've knitted a lot. I have almost everything pictured on ravelry , but I think I should leave few words here:
I finished Entrelac made of Red Heart Unforgettable. It looks amazing. I didn't block it. And I am not sure that I will. Not because I am lazy
Here is more :
I love the colors. And I almost can deal with the fact that it is pure acrylic. But those colors! It's like it was made for Entrelac.
And also I've made an important decision few weeks ago, dear dairy. I decided not to buy anymore yarn (ohmaagosh!!!) for a while. I decided to go trough my yarn stash and use everything (it is impossible) I have before buying anything else. So I finished few more projects and have something else on my newsuperawesomesexysleeky Knitter's Pride Interchangeable Carbonz which I got from my sister-in-law for my birthday ( Love you, sys!) This needles are so good. They are just incredible. So sleek. So nice to touch. So awesome to knit on. Ok, enough about needles. Let's talk about projects. All made of inexpensive yarn and just few skeins. Wonderful way to get your Christmas list ready. So heads up, dear diary, for new updates!
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