Surprise!
What’s the surprise? Me with no makeup? No, it’s a Wednesday post! I thought I would post some of the things I’ve been working on lately. I started knitting when I was about nine or ten. I didn’t learn much beyond the basic garter and stockinette stitch. I didn’t even learn how to bind off. The neighbor who taught me to knit always bound off for me.
Fast forward to high school. During the time I was in high school (mid 1970’s), we had 14 mods to a day. Each mod lasted 28 minutes. I guess mod stood for module, but until now, I’ve never given it any thought! Classes varied from one to four mods. When I was a senior, I had basically run out of classes to take. I hadn’t taken any home ec classes yet so I opted for a needle arts class. Interestingly, I didn’t receive any grade type credit for it! That’s kind of a slam when you think about it. Anyway, during that class, I learned how to do crewel work, needlepoint, and crochet. I was hooked (pardon the pun) on crochet! We had to have a semester long project. Mine was an afghan. It was…yep, you guessed it…avocado green, harvest gold, and cream. My son confiscated it a few years ago. With the exception of a few broken threads, it looks the same now as it did then!
And, then, forty years later, we moved. I was desperately lonely and joined a knitting group at our church. We started out knitting a washcloth. This group met at the home of a Finnish octogenarian who is as funny and spry as anyone I know. After knitting that washcloth, we moved onto making sweaters that were basically Ts that were sewn together, very basic and all done in garter stitch. Eventually, I needed to know how to sew those pieces together, and off to YouTube I went. I learned how to join pieces with mattress stitches and ribbing. And, one glorious day, I discovered Arne and Carlos (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arne_&_Carlos)! During the early days of the pandemic, they hosted “Sit and Knit for a Bit” on YouTube. It was a lifesaver! For some reason, these two guys from Norway created a need in me to go beyond making the infamous pussy hats to making a sweater…a real one! In another post someday, I’ll share some of my finished items!
This scarf is one shown by Arne and Carlos. Arne is more a knitter than Carlos. They knit the Norwegian way. I knit English. This means they pick and I throw…it’s basically how you hold your yarn and move your needles. I wish I’d learned the Continental way (which is another way of knitting). Both Continental and Norwegian knitting are so elegant. Anyway, as always, I digress! This scarf is called “The Easiest Scarf in the World”, and it is! It’s also a stash buster! Basically, you cast on however long you want your scarf to be and knit. Leave a long end at each end. Each row is a different yarn. There’s no weaving in of ends because you just tie them to the row before. When I began this scarf, I was going to stick to greys of varying hues and textures. But, then, I thought, “What would it look like if I added in just one different color?” So, I did. That lead me adding in other colors. I used variegated yarns as well as thicker yarns. I love how it turned out. I was thinking about trimming the fringe to one length, but I kinda like raggedy fringe. What do you think?
Before falling in love with these Norwegian guys (I mean their YouTube channel…of course, I do), I was strictly an acrylic yarn knitter. I had no idea how much more sumptuous woolen yarns were. I knitted a pullover out of merino yarn. Oh, it is lovely, but I didn’t finish it until after spring hit this year. And, then I just kept at it with natural fibers. This particular shawl is a superwash merino DK weight. That makes you think I am an expert, right? You would be wrong! I just read the label. I did know it was merino. The lavender color is the same yarn I used for the pullover (aka a jumper). The green is the same yarn only green. I don’t know that I love the color combo, but it’s what I had. You might also notice my bedspread is purples and greens…might be a pattern!
I purchased the pattern from Helen Stewart on Ravelry. It’s part of her Shawl Society collection. There are five shawls in the collection; I have one done, and about half of this one. I’m not sure if I’ll make all five. I mean, who needs five shawls!
I’m in a couple of different needle arts groups on Facebook. Someone mentioned using safety pins as stitch holders. In my last post https://marshainthemiddle.com/lets-talk-trends/ , I mentioned my grandma. She was a second generation German and very frugal. She saved everything. Grandma was a master baker (as in really, really good) and would bake copious amounts of cookies. Since she wasn’t big into eating them and kept Grandpa on a strict diet, she’d just freeze them in those big cookie tins. Her freezer would have several of those tins full of scrumptious cookies. She would wash breadsacks, fill them with cookies, and drop them off at my house on Fridays for my kids! She always insisted on turning lights off when you left a room. You absolutely never wasted anything. Grandma patched work jackets until they were more patch than jacket! And, I inherited a lot of that! I save everything…those cords on paper shopping bags, ribbons on Jo Malone packages, and any type of cording on anything! I also saved these bulbous bottomed safety pins. You know what? They make excellent stitch holders as well as to indicate the right side of the garment you’re knitting.
The next few pictures are of a sweater I’m also working on. It won’t be ready until next summer! It’s a tank top and I surely do hope it turns out better than the pink one at the end of this post! I like the self-striping of this all cotton yarn. You never know what something is going to look like when you buy these cakes. And, sometimes, the manufacturers choose the strangest color combinations. At times, they work. Lots of times, they don’t!
This top called for I-cord edging. I really had fun with that, but it became tedious after doing the neckline, both armholes, and all around the bottom! For some reason, I didn’t photograph the back of this sweater, but here’s the link and you can see what it looks like. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beals I was a little afraid of that back, but it actually turned out to be quite easy. Again, I love that nubby texture. This is the same yarn as above just in a solid. If you knit, you know that stockinette stitch curls. I thought the I-cord would be heavy enough to hold the hems and edges, but it doesn’t seem to be doing that. I’m not sure that blocking it will work either. I just need to weave in the ends, and it’s finished. It’s been at this stage for several weeks. I just don’t know whether or not I like it.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I hope you enjoyed this different aspect of me. I have finally recognized I am a creative person. Knitting is one of those creative pursuits. If you are a knitter or a crocheter, please consider commenting and telling me about it. If you’d like to weigh in on any of these projects, I’m listening! And, please consider subscribing if you haven’t already done so!
I’m glad you found your passion for knitting again! You have some interesting projects going on and I really like the color combo on that sweater you are working on!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Lovely, knitting has become so much a part of my life! I just enjoy seeing what I can create. I focused for lots of months on hats for the homeless shelter here. But, I’ve since branched out to items I can actually wear! Love your post with those mustard pants! You are stunning!
Your items look great. Its nice to see what others are interested in and get joy from doing/making.
Thanks, Nancy! I love to watch knitting and crafting videos. They’re relaxing and give me ideas! Thanks for commenting!
OMG, did you know that I knit too?? You should join me on Instagram and showcase your creations (even things just started) on Saturdays with the hashtag @Yarnday Saturdays!!
I just love the green and purple together….I have a sweater very similar here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKZKxldDyZI/
I do miss my knitting groups in Denver. I have yet to find that here in AZ, but I try to knit almost every evening. Right now I’m working on a sweater vest for my hubby (that I’m sure I will “borrow”)
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I would love to join you! I’ll try to do that. That sweater is amazing! Your talents far exceed mine! It’s so relaxing for me. I knitted and crocheted so much in 2019, I had to have carpal tunnel release surgery as soon as elective surgeries were ok’d here in Indiana. I knit every night as we watch tv. I think Mike gets annoyed because he has to catch me up every once in a while! I can’t wait to see the sweater vest!
I love your projects. I knit too, a skill handed down from mom and grandma. My Mom was a master knitter! I had knit sweaters, dresses, swimsuits, pants, Barbie doll clothes, and about anything else you can imagine. She also designed many of her own patterns. I have knit some complicated things, but now mostly do baby blankets, stocking caps, and scarves. I knit continental style, but had to learn the other style to work with a knitting club at Brown Elementary. I would love to knit with you sometime, and the lavender/green is a beautiful combination!
Oh, I hope you still have some of the things your mom knitted for you! My mom taught me to embroider, and she could sew quite well. She made my Barbie clothes! But, when it came to knitting or crocheting, she wasn’t interested. I love the look of continental knitting and can do it if I really concentrate. But, my gauge is way off then. Yes, let’s get together and knit sometime. It’s not like we live far apart!
Oh, this post brings back so many memories! My grandma knitted and crocheted and made wildly colorful things–especially big chunky knit slippers! She did very intricate crochet, however. I used to knit and got involved with a group at a knitting shop. We made some really cool sweaters with beautiful yarns. Like yours. I love your lilac and green combo, Marsha! Keep sharing. I can’t wait to see the finished sweater you’re making for next summer. Cute!
xx Darlene
Isn’t it funny how different families can be? I don’t remember either of my grandmas knitting or doing any kind of fancy needlework. My maternal grandma (the one I usually write about) just mended things. My paternal grandma had a stroke when I was very young so I don’t remember much beyond how much fun she was! I can do intricate crocheting, but, for some reason, I just like to knit better. There is a yarn shop about an hour away from me (and probably more, but I have yet to really explore this area). I’d love to go in, but I’m afraid I’d walk out with way too much yarn! The lilac and green combo seems to be a winner with everyone! Thanks for coming by, Darlene!
I was grinning hugely reading this. Firstly – congratulations on your knitting. Love it all. Always wanted to be a knitter. But – and this is why I was grinning – I find it the most stressful thing, ever, to do. My stitches get tighter and tighter until, well, you just can’t knit with them. I have a history of unfinished garments. Basically, every 15 years or so, I give it another sincere go. Sigh. So stressful. I never finish…..
And, now I’m grinning hugely! I find it to be quite calming until I notice a big mistake four or five rows down! Depending on what the item is or how bad the mistake, I might TINK it. I had lots of practice before branching out into actual garments. I made dozens of hats and scarves in basic garter or stockinette stitch. My daughter has tried to knit…her stitches are so very tight, too! I CAN’T even knit them out for her! I’m so glad you visited! I hope to talk with you again!
Wow, Marsha, I’m so impressed and amazed by your knitting talent! That is bogus that you didn’t get a credit for that class – girl’s stuff didn’t count?? I loathed home-ec: cooking because I loathe the time-waste of cooking vs. eating; sewing because I was taught a bunch of shortcuts and didn’t want to take so long to make things. Maybe I’d have done better if they had a needlework class. I learned all my sewing, embroidery, knitting and crocheting from my mom, who pushed me through many badges in Brownies and Girl Guides. I love crocheting, and once made a full Barbie wardrobe (including a wedding dress) for my nieces! I have also crocheted afghans and a million scarves. I bought some gold thin wool and am thinking about crocheting a big Edwardian type of ruffled collar with it.
Hooray for exploring our art! Brava!
Oooooh, yes, an Edwardian collar would be fabulous in gold wool! Yay for your mom in teaching/pushing you through those badges. My mom wasn’t really interested in much beyond embroidering. She was a farm girl so I’m not sure if she ever learned how to knit or crochet. I have had such fun making things. But, an entire Barbie wardrobe would take so much more patience than I have! I have a cardigan I’m in the process of making…I have one sleeve done…hahaha! I have to make another one! I don’t like to repeat things so I’m dreading making that other sleeve!
Art is what makes this world so much better, right?