I hope that this helps to explain things. I would have written out instructions but I just couldn't figure out a good way of wording it.
I just acquired yet another knitting machine. I love eBay. This one has a ribber and I can't wait to figure out how to use it. I'm in the process right now of making some youtube videos to show how I created a fan lace pattern I saw on ravelry. My next post will have the videos.
I can't tell you how many of my hand knitting projects have gone oh so wrong because I had never taken the time to learn how to properly execute the kitchener stitch.
As the little bit of warm weather we get here in Chicago is going to wind down pretty fast thoughts of what I want to knit to keep me warm this winter are swirling around in my head. I have missed my daily knitting over the summer. I still knit but not as feverishly as I do when it's cold. I haven't touched my knitting machines at all in the past few months and I look forward to continuing to learn how to use them. I think leg warmers will be my first order of business, I am a child of the eighties after all.
Just in general I try not to be too new age-y when it comes to spirituality but sometimes it just works. When I am knitting I find myself feeling very calm and at ease. There is only the stitch.
I'm adding beading to my knitting for the first time. Having the right tools for the job really helps in this instance. I have a tambour beading hook that makes sliding the beads onto the stitches go like a dream. I can't wait to finish and block it.
And don't even get me started on my renewed love of crochet...
It has been very cold and I have been feeling under the weather but I have still been knitting like a mad woman. I haven't been playing with my machines much because of the under-the-weather-ness but it it easy to knit in bed. I'd go into more detail but I am tired, so click the pictures to get to the patterns.
Yesterday I was sick but I wanted to still be productive so I knit a match to a sock I had mad a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I used the wrong keyplate in my USM and now I have a momma bear and a baby bear sock. So heed my advice and do not knit while sick. I have been trying to learn how to translate hand knitting patterns into machine knitting patterns. It has been an adventure to say the least but I am having a lot of fun. Learning to machine knit has been very exciting. I haven't been this passionate about any craft since I first learned how to sew. So now instead of always being covered in thread I am covered in yarn. I'm having fun and I am feeling better.
Hello, my name is Cheryl and I am a sock-aholic. I finally got around to trying to make some Alltogether socks on my USM. It took four tries for me to make a perfect pair, but I really do love them. Thank you Heidi for writing up such a cool tutorial. There is nothing better than not having any seams to sew up once you are done knitting them. I was so happy that I didn't have to sew anything that I embroidered all over them! I got my inspiration from some embroideries I saw on a pairs of Knucks on knitty.com. I''m still cleaning and learning how to use my new knitting machines and so far they seem to be in good working order. I'll keep you posted.
Yesterday I wrote an e-mail to Susan who is the YouTube machine knitting video goddess to try and pick her brain about my Knitmaster 321. I reached out for help with my new machine and Susan graciously pointed me in the right direction. After the past few weeks of dealing with the frustrations with the post office, WalMart, PayPal, the bank, and the lost or stolen credit card folks I didn't feel like I had much to hold on to. My faith in humanity is officially restored. Thank you Susan, you are awesome.
My knitting machines finally came yesterday, but only after having to shift into "angry black woman" mode. I am a really mellow chick but when people do not do their jobs properly they only get two chances to interact with me in "reasonable, understanding black woman" mode. Okay, I'm over it now.
I have tried to be patient. I have tried not to think about it. The fact still remains that I won a knitting machine off of eBay in December and it is still not here. I actually won two, but one isn't coming because she can't find the accessories. The guy that sold me this one didn't mail it right away because of some unusually bad weather but now I am starting to think that it isn't coming either. I must have some bad knitting machine karma or something because about 4 years ago I won a knitting machine off of eBay that never came either and it was a complete nightmare getting my money back so I am hoping against hope that I am wrong. I just am so excited to try out my new purchase that it is really starting to get under my skin that they aren't here yet. I need to start a new project to get my mind off of stalking the mailman. Blah.
I made my own stitch markers this afternoon. Now that I know how to make socks on one circular needle I figured that my reward would be to make a pretty set of markers. They were really easy to make as well. I used bracelet hardware for the rings and with some easy wire wrapping techniques with my beads on I-pins and now I have an end product to be proud of. Wormspit.com has an awesome tutorial if you would like to make some of your own.
Okay, it's not Kool aid it's Wyler's but it's the same concept. I was intrigued when I saw the instructions for dyeing yarn with Kool aid on the knitpicks site so I decided to give it a whirl. It was fun, easy, and not too messy. I dye my own fabric for quilting so I know what a hassle chemical dyes can be. I used Sensations Kashmira 100% wool from JoAnn fabrics and it worked just great. As long and you use drink mixes with no sugar added you won't have any residue or extra scent when you are done. I however will never drink Kool aid/Wyler's again because anything that can permanently dye yarn this easily certainly shouldn't be going in my body!
I finally got my goodies in the mail and just let me say that at this very moment I am prepared to get in my car and drive to wherever it is that they make these needles and kiss the creator right on the lips. Using these needles is like knitting with butter! That doesn't even make any sense but I don't care. I love them, I love them, I love them. I think I will call them George. The only other time that I have been this excited about a delivery I was waiting for news that my niece was born. (Hi Jazzy.)
It's a bit snug but very wearable. I used Wool Ease in avocado.
This one is also made up in Wool Ease, in paprika. I'm going to give it to a friend as a gift because I made her some fingerless mitts already in the same yarn.
My knitpicks needles haven't come yet. I am sad. I am never opting for "free" (ie. SLOW) shipping ever again. When I order products online I want them yesterday. Apparently they send the free shipping orders on the back of a blind, lame mule named Moe from Istanbul. My knitting machines aren't here either. One isn't coming at all because the seller can't find the accessories so I got a refund but I didn't want a refund I wanted a knitting machine. I passed up other machines I could have bid on because I knew I had two coming, grrrr. I did take a field trip to Chix with Stix today as retail therapy before my dentist appointment and I bought some sock yarn. It's so pretty that I don't want to use it just yet. Is that crazy? I do this with fabric as well. I buy really nice silk that I have no intention of ever sewing and I caress and love it and then put it away.
