Crafting Balance (3KCBWDAY7)

OK, I started this post yesterday (which was the official end of Knit and Crochet Blog Week). Then life got busy, and I didn't end up finishing it. So maybe it's appropriate that today's topic is balance in crafting...

The original theme was supposed to be about balance in fiber crafts, i.e., knitting and crochet.
However, I'm going to extend this to balance in all types of crafting (I thought about extending it to include work/life balance in general, but I think I'll save that idea for another day).

First of all, I only know how to knit. I have friends that crochet, and would like to knit one of these days, but I keep getting distracted by other things! What are some of these crafts?

Well, I took a drop spindle class a couple of years ago, and do some spinning. I find spinning to be relaxing in a different way than knitting, though I don't do it that often. And while drop spinning is enjoyable (and portable) it's not the most efficient way to make a lot of yarn. I also like the idea of spinning wheels, but haven't tried spinning on a wheel yet. This is partly because I haven't had time, and partly because I'm not sure I want to invest the money in buying a wheel. But I've had a few people offer to let me try spinning on a wheel at knit night, so we'll see...

I've also been doing more papercrafting recently. For me this mostly means creative journaling, a little scrapbooking, and a little bit of cardmaking. I also made a few things at a papercrafting event over the weekend, but more on that tomorrow (have to keep you reading somehow ;)

I also like to bake, which I think is another type of craft (especially today, since I could go to the store and buy a box of cookies instead of baking them myself). Today I was trying out a new recipe for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Not sure I'm that impressed with the recipe - since the dough seemed pretty soft, and then I noticed most people online said they ended up adding more flour. Will have to experiment some more.

And one of the first crafts I tried was jewelry making. I used to make woven friendship bracelets in elementary school, and we also used to make bracelets out of telephone wire. I've done some beading, though not as much recently. Organizing the beads is still on my to-do list! I also have a few projects planned that add beads to knitting. And I've seen a few people mention knit and crochet wire jewelry which looks interesting...

So many crafts, so little time! What crafts have you tried? What are your favorites?

If you want to check out more blogs on this topic, search for 3KCBWDAY7

Improving your skillset (3KCBWDAY6)

Today's topic for Knit and Crochet blog week is improving your skillset. One of my current knitting goals is to knit myself a sweater. I have been thinking about it awhile, but hadn't been ready to invest the time and money necessary to make something that will (hopefully!) fit me.

While some skills I feel confident learning from a book or watching a you tube video, I felt it would be helpful to take a class to really learn how to knit a sweater that will fit. I have been looking at the class schedules for the various yarn stores around town to find a class that would fit my schedule. During the Rose City Yarn Crawl last month I was lucky enough to win a gift certificate for a class at the Naked Sheep. So I was excited to see them announce a First Sweater Class starting in May. I even get to pick my own pattern!

After some debating, I finally decided on this pattern from Ashfield Cardigan from New England Knits, and ordered some Cascade 220 Superwash in a Sage green (they didn't have enough in stock, and I'm not sure of the exact color name). Now that I've ordered yarn I think I'm comitted to starting this sweater!

I'm looking forward to learning new skills, and being able to wear a sweater that I made myself. I'm sure there will be more to say once the class actually starts, but for now I'm excited to take another class! Look for more blog posts on sweater knitting in the future :)
And if you want to read more blogs on this topic, don't forget to search for 3KCBWDAY6.

What new skills have you learned recently? What skills would you like to learn? 

A Yarn's Story (Something a Bit Different 3KCBWDAY5)

Today's theme for Knit and Crochet Blog week is "something a bit different." The idea is to challenge ourselves to create a different kind of blog post. One of the suggestions was to write from a different perspective (such as from a knitted sock's point of view). Using that as a starting point, I decided that I would "interview" a ball of yarn from the stash.

Note: To keep me from being biased, I had my significant other (with some help from the cat) select the lucky ball of yarn.

***

Me: First of all, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. What would you like to be called?

Yarn: You can call me Pumpkin.

Me: Would you mind explaining your name to our readers?

Pumpkin: Of course not. I was dyed in the Oh Great Pumpkin colorway. I'm proud to be one of a limited number of skeins that Bohemia Fibers dyed for Halloween.

Me: I thought it was a fun colorway.

Pumpkin: and you're a sucker for limited edition colors!

Me: You must have been talking to other yarns in the stash...

Pumpkin: Yep, we have a lot of time to chat while waiting to see what we're going to be made into. Sometimes we even take bets on who is going to get knit up first!

Me: That brings me to my next question. How long have you been in the stash?

Pumpkin: I believe it was sometime in October 2010... I am a Halloween colorway after-all. 

Me: We've talked about your color, but what about your other qualities?

Pumpkin: Well, I'm a DK weight yarn, and I'm 230 yards long.

Me: And what fiber are you?

Pumpkin: I'm a Superwash Merino. I like being soft and squishy.


Me: I had forgotten how squishy you are.

Pumpkin: You really should spend more time with your yarn stash.

Me: I'd rather spend more time knitting, but I've been busy with work.

Pumpkin: You always have some excuse for not knitting with me...

Me: Well, what kind of project would you like to be?

Pumpkin: I think I want to be a cowl. You have certainly been knitting a lot of them lately! And Moonstone seems happy now that she's a cowl. And she's gotten compliments now that she's knit up.

Me: Ok, we'll have to look at some cowl patterns and see which ones you like.

Pumpkin: Maybe a twisted rib pattern... something to show off my lovely colors...

Me: That sounds like a good idea. I'm not sure a cowl will use all 230 yards though. Is that ok?

Pumpkin: I hadn't thought about that... I'd be ok with being a cowl and a matching pair of fingerless gloves.  As long as you wear them together!

Me: That sounds fair. Is there anything else you want our readers to know about you?

Pumpkin: I wanted to say that I look a little washed out in the picture - I'm really much brighter in person.

Me: Sorry about that, I was too slow to take your picture in natural light.

Pumpkin: I'll forgive you - I'm not a big fan of the sun anyway. Rainy days are more my style.  I love fall, and I'm totally looking forward to the Great Pumpkin visiting us on Halloween!

Me: You do realize there's still about 6 months until Halloween.

Pumpkin: Then you should be able to knit me into a cowl and mitts by then!

***

Let me know what you thought about today's post, and if you have any suggestions for cowl/mitt patterns for Pumpkin!

Check out more creative blog posts by searching for 3KCBWDAY5
You can vote for your favorite post here: http://www.eskimimimakes.com/2012/04/knitting-and-crochet-blog-week-creative.html

Seasonal Knitting (3KCBWDAY4)

Today's post for Knit and Crochet Blog Week is about knitting in different seasons. I pay more attention to seasonal changes since I moved to Oregon (there weren't really seasons in California), and participate in seasonal celebrations.

As far as knitting goes, I have noticed that I want to knit more shawls in spring and summer, while I'm more likely to knit hats and fingerless gloves in the fall and winter. I also think about what fibers I'm using depending on who I'm knitting for. I might knit an alpaca/wool scarf for a friend in Portland, but I knit a lacy bamboo scarf for my mom in California. I've also been thinking about knitting shawls and bags for friends this summer.

I notice my knitting goes through cycles - I was knitting lots of cowls for the cowl KAL, and now I'm starting more shawl KALs. But I'm not sure that's related to the seasonal changes so much as just getting bored with one type of project.

As I mentioned in Mondays post on choosing colors, seasonal changes have more affect on what colors I choose for a project. I like deep, saturated colors in fall, icy blues in winter, pinks and lavenders in spring, turquoise and greens in summer. My coworkers have also been wearing brighter colors this week - I think everyone is getting ready for summer, and trying to wear happier colors to make up for the cloudy weather we've been experiencing.

Do you find yourself knitting different things at different times of the year? Don't forget to check out more posts on this topic by searching for 3KCBWDAY4.

Knitting Heroes (3KCBWDAY3)

When I first read the topic for today I wasn't sure who I would consider a knitting hero. I think I was put off by the word "hero."
But I've read a few other bloggers take on the topic, and realized I'm more comfortable writing about knitters who inspire me. And I'm continually inspired by other knitters.

First of all, I feel I should mention Eskimimi who started Knitting and Crochet Blog Week. I wouldn't be writing this if it wasn't for her! And I also have to mention PDXKnitterati, since her blog led me to Eskimimi. I've enjoyed reading PDXKnitterati's blog, and also like her patterns. I hadn't considered trying entrelac until I saw her lovely designs! Haven't gotten around to trying entrelac yet, but it's on the list now!

I have also been inspired by Feministy, who is the designer behind the recent cowl KAL that I participated in (and the topic of many previous blog posts). I think the first pattern I knit of hers was the Traveling Woman Shawl (I was going to show you a picture, but can't seem to get pictures off my phone right now.)

Another designer I recently discovered is Fickleknitter. I am currently knitting her Ballerina Shawl, which is well written and has challenged me to knit bobbles and a knit on edging for a lace shawl.

I also admire PNWBookGirl for organizing our local Knit in Public and Spin in Public Days. And also for trying so many different crafts - she has tried spinning, yarn dying, knitting and crochet. I originally met PNWBookGirl during a knitting class, and she managed to finish the market bag we were making, while mine is still sitting half done... and if I ever finish that bag it will because she keeps giving me a hard time about it ;)

I was also impressed by the random knitter I met on the MAX last month who said she knits a pair of socks in 2 weeks! (The fastest I've knit a pair of socks so far has been 6 weeks.)

I feel thankful to live in such a crafty place, where I can continually be inspired by knitters, designers, dyers, and spinners. Who are your knitting heroes?

And don't forget to search for 3KCBWDAY3 if you want to read more blogs about knitting heroes.

Photography Challenge Day (3KCBWDAY2)

Colour Lovers (Knitting Crochet Blog Week Post 1)

Color is an important part of knitting for me. I think about what color will match something in my wardrobe, or what color a friend likes when I'm knitting gifts. I may choose a different color for a project depending on whether I am planning to wear the item (like a hat) or if I'm going to be using it (a washcloth).

Blue is one of my favorite colors - from deep sapphire blue:




and bright turquoise:



My color choices also vary by season. I'm finishing the peacock shawl pictured above, and look forward to wearing it this spring and summer. I also plan to knit a shawl out of this yarn:


which makes me think of the grain harvest in late summer.

And last fall I knit this shawl out of a deep burgundy red:



(Difficult color to photograph!)

I've also found myself buying more purple yarns recently, since I have several close friends who like purple. I'm also on the hunt for some deep green yarn and am considering a black (or almost black) shawl for another friend. Color is definitely a consideration as I start planning birthday gifts this spring.

When knitting for the men in my life I tend to pick browns, greens, or grays. Like these fingerless gloves for my brother:



I think the only color I tend to shy away from is yellow. Lemon or banana shades just don't look good on me. Come to think of it, I'm not sure who they would look good on. Though I could see knitting some washcloths in a sunny yellow...

and I have a strange fondness for chartreuse:



There are definitely colors I am more likely to buy for myself, but I've also been pleasantly surprised to receive other colors during swaps. Swapping has definitely inspired me to take more risks with color. 

What are your favorite colors to knit with? Are these also your favorite colors to wear?

3KCBWDAY1

Something New

Blogger seems to have updated their dashboard function, so I'm trying to get used to it!
Though that wasn't what I was expecting when I decided to write about trying new things...

I was catching up on some of the crafty blogs that I read, and stumbled upon this Pay-it-Forward idea:

1. I will send a surprise gift to the first three commenters on this post. The gift will be handmade by me. It will be sent sometime in the next 365 days. It will be a surprise. We all love getting surprises in the mail, right?

2. To sign up and receive a gift, you must play along, too. Pay it Forward on your blog, by promising to make a surprise for the first three people who comment on the post.

3. You must have a blog (that is updated, as I will blog stalk you to find the right gift for you).

4. After commenting here, you must repost this or something similar to your blog in 48 hours. If not, I will chose the next person who comments.

Sounded like a fun way to interact more with other bloggers, and use up some of the yarn stash!


While looking at the original post, I also discovered that this coming week is Knitting & Crochet blog Week. I haven't tried daily blogging yet, but thought I would give it a shot. Hope you enjoy reading!


And figured we needed a theme song:

In progress

Didn't realize I had skipped 2 weeks of blogging already - oops! I even started one post, but was waiting to insert pictures before I posted it. The ironic thing is, the theme for the post was almost finished projects...

So, I have one cowl that needs to be blocked and one that needs ends woven in. But I started another cowl! This was a prize for finishing the last cowl in the Great Cowl KAL (so I could argue that the KAL isn't quite finished either!):


Somethings seem to be perpetually in progress... do you have any projects that are almost (but not quite) finished?