I have to the conclusion that I have taken on too many projects this fall. First of all, this is my first term as a graduate student, and finals are Monday! So I spent most of Thanksgiving weekend studying. Not that I hate studying (if I did I probably wouldn't have gone back to school).
But, I also agreed to share a vendor booth with a friend at an upcoming craft fair. I haven't tried to sell any of my crafts at fair before, so I was curious if I could make any money (or at least make some money to pay for more yarn!). Since this is my first fair, I haven't been sure how much stuff to make. I have been knitting washcloths and scarves, and I also make melt-and-pour soap. I enjoy doing these things, but trying to make larger quantities adds some stress.
And, did I mention the fair is on Saturday? Which is, you guessed it, two days before finals. I think I have too much to do this weekend, what do you think?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Ravelry
I realized I have been neglecting my blog since school started (though I suppose studying is more important). I was feeling inspired to start posting again... because I am finally on Ravelry!
A friend had told me about this new knitting community over the summer, but there was a waiting list since it's such a new (and popular) site. So I signed up for the waiting list at the end of August, and was finally able to access the site this week. Very cool :)
So far I have found links to more patterns, and ways to connect with other knitters. Including a group for Charmed fans! So I must not be the only weirdo who watches Charmed reruns and knits ;)
I'm also starting to figure out how to link pictures to blogs, so I might finally be able to add pictures of my finished projects.
In other knitting news, I am about to felt two more purses! My local Craft Warehouse is having a knit purse contest, so I will be entering them when I'm done. I used a couple of patterns form the One Skein Wonders book. Both purses are Cascade 220, since I like the way this yarn felted last time I used it. I just need to weave in some ends, and then I'll be ready for the felting process! Pictures should be coming soon...
Now it's back to studying for midterms!
A friend had told me about this new knitting community over the summer, but there was a waiting list since it's such a new (and popular) site. So I signed up for the waiting list at the end of August, and was finally able to access the site this week. Very cool :)
So far I have found links to more patterns, and ways to connect with other knitters. Including a group for Charmed fans! So I must not be the only weirdo who watches Charmed reruns and knits ;)
I'm also starting to figure out how to link pictures to blogs, so I might finally be able to add pictures of my finished projects.
In other knitting news, I am about to felt two more purses! My local Craft Warehouse is having a knit purse contest, so I will be entering them when I'm done. I used a couple of patterns form the One Skein Wonders book. Both purses are Cascade 220, since I like the way this yarn felted last time I used it. I just need to weave in some ends, and then I'll be ready for the felting process! Pictures should be coming soon...
Now it's back to studying for midterms!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Meet-Ups
In an effort to be more social, I have started attending knit nights and knitting meet-ups. I guess sometimes it's nice to talk to real people instead of knitting and watching TV (I haven't figured out how to knit and read at the same time yet ;)
I like attending the Portland Knitting Meet-Up (meetups.com) since the group is just forming and there aren't any "regulars" yet. So far there are about 5-10 knitters who get together once a month. All women so far, but a range of ages and experiences (knitting and otherwise). And the conversation tends to progress from knitting to... everything else ;)
But with all the talking, I have to find projects that don't require too much thought to work on. I'm not comfortable enough with lace patterns to be able to knit and talk at the same time!
I've also gone to a couple of knit nights at local yarn stores. Everyone has been nice enough, but there tends to be a core group of people that are always there. Since I tend to be introverted, it can be hard to join the conversation. I've also noticed that each group has a different feel, and tends to attract a different group of people.
So, one knit night seems to attract more mom and grandmothers, and they tend to talk about kids a lot. Most of them also seem to have dogs. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but as someone who does not have kids (and is not planning to for a couple of years), I don't have much in common with these women. It's not exactly a generation gap (since I have many friends who are older than me), but more about being in a different place in life and focusing on different things.
I guess I've been trying to find a group where I do fit in, and accepting that I do get along better with some people than others. There are many different types of knitters, and we're not always going to want to talk about the same things (or hold our yarn the same way, but that's another topic).
I like attending the Portland Knitting Meet-Up (meetups.com) since the group is just forming and there aren't any "regulars" yet. So far there are about 5-10 knitters who get together once a month. All women so far, but a range of ages and experiences (knitting and otherwise). And the conversation tends to progress from knitting to... everything else ;)
But with all the talking, I have to find projects that don't require too much thought to work on. I'm not comfortable enough with lace patterns to be able to knit and talk at the same time!
I've also gone to a couple of knit nights at local yarn stores. Everyone has been nice enough, but there tends to be a core group of people that are always there. Since I tend to be introverted, it can be hard to join the conversation. I've also noticed that each group has a different feel, and tends to attract a different group of people.
So, one knit night seems to attract more mom and grandmothers, and they tend to talk about kids a lot. Most of them also seem to have dogs. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but as someone who does not have kids (and is not planning to for a couple of years), I don't have much in common with these women. It's not exactly a generation gap (since I have many friends who are older than me), but more about being in a different place in life and focusing on different things.
I guess I've been trying to find a group where I do fit in, and accepting that I do get along better with some people than others. There are many different types of knitters, and we're not always going to want to talk about the same things (or hold our yarn the same way, but that's another topic).
Monday, July 30, 2007
Learning Process
Today I was looking for a pair of knitting needles that I need to return to a friend, and I came across one of the first things I ever knit. It's kind of an odd shaped rectangle, not really long enough to be a scarf, since I started running out of yarn. I also had a habit of increasing stitches in random places when I first learned how to knit.
I believe I began my knitting adventures in 2006. I didn't really know anyone who knit until I moved to Portland (there's not much use for scarves and hats in California!) Then all of a sudden it seemed like all of my friends knew how to knit, and several of them knit all the time. In fact, one of my friends even worked at a local yarn store for awhile. After watching her knit every time I saw her (on MAX, in coffee shops, basically anywhere we were sitting), I asked her to teach me. She taught me how to make a slip knot, how to cast on, and how to make knit stitches.
Then we both got busy with other things, and I stopped knitting (finding a job seemed more important). When a long-term temp job ended, I decided to work retail again. I ended up accepting a job at Michaels, which meant discounts on yarn, needles, and, most importantly, knitting classes. The knitting teacher was nice, and she offered classes several times a week. And since I saw her at work, I could ask her questions before or after my shift. She taught me a couple of other ways to cast on, the purl stitch, and how to bind off. I made several dish cloths and started making scarves.
After spending most of what I made on yarn and knitting needles (and beads), I moved on to an office job with a non-profit organization. I also started visiting independent yarn and craft stores, and discovered the world beyond fun fur and acrylic yarn ;) I took a hat knitting class at The Knitting Bee, my closest local yarn store. I also fell in love with Blue Sky yarn, especially the bulky alpaca -- super soft and knits up quickly, what more could you want?
Now I'm starting to think about taking a sock class. Socks seem less daunting than making a whole sweater. Not to mention less expensive!
And so the learning process continues...
I believe I began my knitting adventures in 2006. I didn't really know anyone who knit until I moved to Portland (there's not much use for scarves and hats in California!) Then all of a sudden it seemed like all of my friends knew how to knit, and several of them knit all the time. In fact, one of my friends even worked at a local yarn store for awhile. After watching her knit every time I saw her (on MAX, in coffee shops, basically anywhere we were sitting), I asked her to teach me. She taught me how to make a slip knot, how to cast on, and how to make knit stitches.
Then we both got busy with other things, and I stopped knitting (finding a job seemed more important). When a long-term temp job ended, I decided to work retail again. I ended up accepting a job at Michaels, which meant discounts on yarn, needles, and, most importantly, knitting classes. The knitting teacher was nice, and she offered classes several times a week. And since I saw her at work, I could ask her questions before or after my shift. She taught me a couple of other ways to cast on, the purl stitch, and how to bind off. I made several dish cloths and started making scarves.
After spending most of what I made on yarn and knitting needles (and beads), I moved on to an office job with a non-profit organization. I also started visiting independent yarn and craft stores, and discovered the world beyond fun fur and acrylic yarn ;) I took a hat knitting class at The Knitting Bee, my closest local yarn store. I also fell in love with Blue Sky yarn, especially the bulky alpaca -- super soft and knits up quickly, what more could you want?
Now I'm starting to think about taking a sock class. Socks seem less daunting than making a whole sweater. Not to mention less expensive!
And so the learning process continues...
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Beginning
I decided it was time to start a knitting blog. Seems like something many knitters do, though I'm not usually one to follow the crowd.
However, I thought it would be fun to share some of my finished projects with others, and didn't want to bore/annoy my friends who read my more casual (and also neglected) blogs. I have also started taking pictures of my finished projects, and wanted a place to organize the pictures and keep track of the yarn and needles used. Just in case I ever want to replicate a project.
I guess this is my attempt at a virtual knitting journal. In theory this means one less notebook lying on the floor of my apartment, saving paper/ink by not printing pictures, and sharing my ideas with more people. My SO will be proud.
However, I thought it would be fun to share some of my finished projects with others, and didn't want to bore/annoy my friends who read my more casual (and also neglected) blogs. I have also started taking pictures of my finished projects, and wanted a place to organize the pictures and keep track of the yarn and needles used. Just in case I ever want to replicate a project.
I guess this is my attempt at a virtual knitting journal. In theory this means one less notebook lying on the floor of my apartment, saving paper/ink by not printing pictures, and sharing my ideas with more people. My SO will be proud.
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