I Learned to Crochet!

I can't believe I haven't had much time to talk about the Knitting Guild Association Knit & Crochet Show that I attended a couple of weeks ago in Philadelphia. As I mentioned, I had joined TKGA with the thought of starting their Master Knitting Program, and I am still contemplating doing that in the fall.

I just attended the market at the show. I was proud of myself: I went with a list of things I "needed," and got everything on my list, with nothing extra except a set of KnitKlips, which I think will be useful as I take on more of my own finishing work. If anyone has used KnitKlips, I'd love to hear about how they worked for you.

Along with everything I bought AND a lot of free yarn that was given to me as a TKGA Member (pictured here),


the most fun part of this event was that I learned to crochet! I have wanted to learn for so long; I just felt that it would be a nice complement to my knitting and that it might be useful in trimming and finishing garments. At TKGA, they had an area set up where volunteers taught people how to knit or crochet. It was a lot easier for me to watch someone crochet than to learn from a book, which I had tried to do. I learned how to chain, single crochet and double crochet. Now I may get Debbie Stoller's new book and learn more from that. It was all very exciting, and I have been practicing a bit each day in between knitting projects!

I Learned to Crochet!

I can't believe I haven't had much time to talk about the Knitting Guild Association Knit & Crochet Show that I attended a couple of weeks ago in Philadelphia. As I mentioned, I had joined TKGA with the thought of starting their Master Knitting Program, and I am still contemplating doing that in the fall.

I just attended the market at the show. I was proud of myself: I went with a list of things I "needed," and got everything on my list, with nothing extra except a set of KnitKlips, which I think will be useful as I take on more of my own finishing work. If anyone has used KnitKlips, I'd love to hear about how they worked for you.

Along with everything I bought AND a lot of free yarn that was given to me as a TKGA Member (pictured here),


the most fun part of this event was that I learned to crochet! I have wanted to learn for so long; I just felt that it would be a nice complement to my knitting and that it might be useful in trimming and finishing garments. At TKGA, they had an area set up where volunteers taught people how to knit or crochet. It was a lot easier for me to watch someone crochet than to learn from a book, which I had tried to do. I learned how to chain, single crochet and double crochet. Now I may get Debbie Stoller's new book and learn more from that. It was all very exciting, and I have been practicing a bit each day in between knitting projects!

Maple Leaf Socks: Try, Try Again

As I've shown here previously, my first attempt at the Maple Leaf Socks, from the Maple Leaf Sock Knit-along, was using a Fortissima Socka self-striping yarn. It didn't help that I didn't really understand how to make the leaves in the pattern, until I read all of the wonderful posts from other KAL members about pulling loops through with a crochet hook, kind of like bunny ears, which suddenly made it all clear to me!

I made the decision that I didn't like the way I was doing the socks, AND I didn't like the yarn. So....I ripped that sock, used the yarn to make the hat described in my last post, and then, I bought Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the "Gold Hill"
colorway, which is so perfect for these autumn leaves. This is my
first experience with Lorna's Laces and I absolutely LOVE how my
socks are coming out now.
These KALs really help as support groups to figure out these patterns. So of course, I've signed up for the related one, Pretty Petals.

Maple Leaf Socks: Try, Try Again

As I've shown here previously, my first attempt at the Maple Leaf Socks, from the Maple Leaf Sock Knit-along, was using a Fortissima Socka self-striping yarn. It didn't help that I didn't really understand how to make the leaves in the pattern, until I read all of the wonderful posts from other KAL members about pulling loops through with a crochet hook, kind of like bunny ears, which suddenly made it all clear to me!

I made the decision that I didn't like the way I was doing the socks, AND I didn't like the yarn. So....I ripped that sock, used the yarn to make the hat described in my last post, and then, I bought Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the "Gold Hill"
colorway, which is so perfect for these autumn leaves. This is my
first experience with Lorna's Laces and I absolutely LOVE how my
socks are coming out now.
These KALs really help as support groups to figure out these patterns. So of course, I've signed up for the related one, Pretty Petals.

Patterns, Calendars, New Projects

Charity had asked how I like the Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar. I would say I have mixed feelings. It's a lot of fun to turn the page each day and see a new knitting pattern. However, on the majority of days, the pattern is not something I'd necessarily make. That being said, I've already made three things from the calendar and have marked several others that I might make. The hat I just made came out really cute. It will go to Afghans for Afghans and hopefully find a good home, warming a child's head!
I don't know that I'll buy the calendar next year. I can refer to this year's patterns (along with the numerous other patterns that cross my path in the magazines I receive and online!). I've heard nice reviews of the 365 Knitting Stitches A Year Perpetual Calendar, so I might consider that, but I don't know that I'm creative enough to design my own garments yet. It might just be nice to look at!
I had a great day at The Knitting Guild Association Market in Philadelphia on Friday. Bought too much, but I was well behaved in that I had a list of things I was looking for to complete some projects, and that's really all I bought. More on that later.

Patterns, Calendars, New Projects

Charity had asked how I like the Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar. I would say I have mixed feelings. It's a lot of fun to turn the page each day and see a new knitting pattern. However, on the majority of days, the pattern is not something I'd necessarily make. That being said, I've already made three things from the calendar and have marked several others that I might make. The hat I just made came out really cute. It will go to Afghans for Afghans and hopefully find a good home, warming a child's head!
I don't know that I'll buy the calendar next year. I can refer to this year's patterns (along with the numerous other patterns that cross my path in the magazines I receive and online!). I've heard nice reviews of the 365 Knitting Stitches A Year Perpetual Calendar, so I might consider that, but I don't know that I'm creative enough to design my own garments yet. It might just be nice to look at!
I had a great day at The Knitting Guild Association Market in Philadelphia on Friday. Bought too much, but I was well behaved in that I had a list of things I was looking for to complete some projects, and that's really all I bought. More on that later.

Choka!

If you are a fan of Aija's Blog, check out:
1)Her cool new sock pattern, rpm, in the new issue of Knitty
2)Her even cooler yarn and needle give-away contest using Choka!

Choka!

If you are a fan of Aija's Blog, check out:
1)Her cool new sock pattern, rpm, in the new issue of Knitty
2)Her even cooler yarn and needle give-away contest using Choka!

Back to the Drawing Board

I had been very enthusiastic about my Maple Leaf Socks, part of the Knit-a-long I've been referencing in past posts. I started the socks at the beach over the 4th of July Holiday, but they just weren't coming out right--see for yourself in the picture. I didn't like the yarn, the pattern didn't look as nice as the other versions I was seeing in the KAL Photo Album, and I just wasn't a happy knitter.
Lo and behold, I received an email from Afghans for Afghans, another list that I have joined but have never made anything for. They are now doing a big push for warm winter items, particularly for kids. So, I've come up with a win-win: I'm going to rip out the Maple Leaf Sock, use the Fortissima Socka Colori for a colorful hat for an Afghan child. The site encourages bright colors and particularly green, so this colorway should work out perfectly. I found a cute hat pattern in my Knitting Pattern-a-Day Calendar and plan to start immediately in order to make the July 21 deadline for Afghans.
Then, I will persevere with the Maple Leaf, and plan to purchase some nice sock yarn that I'll love at the TKGA Convention in Philadelphia, which I plan to attend this Friday. I am interested to see what this organization is all about. I've recently joined and--I'm not sure why--I think I'd like to try out the Master Knitting Program, just to say I did it.

Back to the Drawing Board

I had been very enthusiastic about my Maple Leaf Socks, part of the Knit-a-long I've been referencing in past posts. I started the socks at the beach over the 4th of July Holiday, but they just weren't coming out right--see for yourself in the picture. I didn't like the yarn, the pattern didn't look as nice as the other versions I was seeing in the KAL Photo Album, and I just wasn't a happy knitter.
Lo and behold, I received an email from Afghans for Afghans, another list that I have joined but have never made anything for. They are now doing a big push for warm winter items, particularly for kids. So, I've come up with a win-win: I'm going to rip out the Maple Leaf Sock, use the Fortissima Socka Colori for a colorful hat for an Afghan child. The site encourages bright colors and particularly green, so this colorway should work out perfectly. I found a cute hat pattern in my Knitting Pattern-a-Day Calendar and plan to start immediately in order to make the July 21 deadline for Afghans.
Then, I will persevere with the Maple Leaf, and plan to purchase some nice sock yarn that I'll love at the TKGA Convention in Philadelphia, which I plan to attend this Friday. I am interested to see what this organization is all about. I've recently joined and--I'm not sure why--I think I'd like to try out the Master Knitting Program, just to say I did it.

Thanks, Secret Pal!

I returned from a 4th of July Weekend--which allowed me to gloriously knit at the beach for 4 days!--to find a lovely package from my One Skein Secret Pal. One gorgeous skein of Colinette Point 5 in the Venezia colorway, all dark blues, greens and purples--GORGEOUS!--as well as a skein of Patons Glittallic in pink sparkle. I had fun last night figuring out what to make from each of these skeins. I might try for the Spiral Rib Bag in One Skein, but I'm not sure if either skein has enough yardage. There are some fun yarns that I have in my leftovers bag that might work for mixing with the Glittallic, but I'm thinking now that the Colinette Point 5 might become either a little envelope clutch or a pair of wristwarmers. It will be fun to think about in weeks to come!
I finished my own One Skein project for my secret pal...more on that in a future post, as well as my ambivalence about my Maple Leaf Socks, which may end up going to charity.

Thanks, Secret Pal!

I returned from a 4th of July Weekend--which allowed me to gloriously knit at the beach for 4 days!--to find a lovely package from my One Skein Secret Pal. One gorgeous skein of Colinette Point 5 in the Venezia colorway, all dark blues, greens and purples--GORGEOUS!--as well as a skein of Patons Glittallic in pink sparkle. I had fun last night figuring out what to make from each of these skeins. I might try for the Spiral Rib Bag in One Skein, but I'm not sure if either skein has enough yardage. There are some fun yarns that I have in my leftovers bag that might work for mixing with the Glittallic, but I'm thinking now that the Colinette Point 5 might become either a little envelope clutch or a pair of wristwarmers. It will be fun to think about in weeks to come!
I finished my own One Skein project for my secret pal...more on that in a future post, as well as my ambivalence about my Maple Leaf Socks, which may end up going to charity.