Impulse Buying

A couple of months ago I went to this lovely yarn store called The Yarn Spot. Now, I was actually in the neighborhood to take an exam. I got so nervous/anxious about the test that I googled a LYS and found one 2 miles away. The Yarn Spot was spacious and filled with luxurious yarn. I think I walked around the store three times looking as the same yarn. I fell in love with the hand dyed yarns that priced anywhere to $35-$50 per skein. The Yarn Spot also had these beautiful knitting bags for...get ready $225-$300 dollars!!! Now I can splurge on yarn and knitting accessories as much as the next girl or guy but that is just too much. Anyhow, I ogled them none the less. 

I ended up getting two skiens of  Baby Alpaca Grande Yarn about $16 dollars a skein (picture shown above). It's still kind of pricey but it was soooo soft and it was just about the cheapest thing in the store. This yarn is currently the pride of my yarn stash and I have no idea what to do with it. A slouchy hat, maybe. A warm cowl, perhaps. I believe I have somewhere between 150 yards to 175 yards which doesn't leave much option for projects. I bought the yarn out of sheer love and adoration, no project or practical application in mind. I will keep you guys posted as these little guys wait for me to conquer my indecision.  Oh and P.S. the anxiety crisis was averted and I passed the exam. 

Cables & Supernatural, How Do I Love Thee?

     

        This weekend I binged on Netflix and Cables until my fingers cramped; it was wonderful!  There's something about cables that just adds an elegant sophistication to any piece your working on and there's something about those damn Winchester boys, that make Supernatural so irresistible.
        Besides being beautiful and elegant cables are out of this world easy. I'm currently working on a cabled blanket/afghan/throw. I will call is a "blafgow"  for now because I have no idea what the difference is between those three. I am in love with the outcome, I plan to use this in my living room draped across my couch for cuddling and watching movies on chilly winter nights or for strategically covering  red wine stains on the couch (wink,wink). I'm just saying when you stitchin and bitchin while sippin those things happening.

        I digress, cables are super easy and I just learned there is a way to cable without a cable needle! In the past I've been know to cable with pens, pen caps,  pencils, double pointed needles and bobby pins, anything I could get my hands on to avoid spending $3.49 it costs to buy a real cable needle. When I finally overcame my frugal-ness and managed to make the luxury purchase, I found the cable needle to be just a finicky as my pens, pen caps, and pencils. So this technique should alleviate those woes.    

My current WIP (Work In Progress) Braided Seedy Cables Blanket
Official Pattern: HERE
My Modified Version: to come

            But first thing, first if you don't know how to cable at all. I want to give you a quick run down. So, cable knit is simply knitting out of order. I know you are probably thinking  "WHAT?!?! What you talking about, Willis? How could I possible knit out of order, that's blasphemy, that's SUPERNATURAL." My response is NIEN!!!! I'ts possible so listen up. You simply use your makeshift cable needle or an actual needle if you are a fancy pants and slip the allotted sticthes onto it. You will then you will either place that needle in the front or  in back of your project depending on the pattern you are using. You will then work the allotted stitches on your primary needle. Once done, you grab your needle and knit all the stitches held on that needle. Then, voila you continue knitting as regular. you can dance around, celebrate, and drink wine to the fact that you have just done your first cable! For all of my visual learners check out KnitPicks Youtube Tutorial below for in depth step by step instructions. Everything you know and could possible want to know about cables is in this video. 

             For those of your ready to go to EXPERT Knitter level 1,000 here is LionBrand's How to cable without a Cable Needle video. Now, I've watched both videos but have  yet to venture to EXPERT Knitter 1,000. I will be trying this technique on a trial swatch to see if it works for me. I will let you know about the outcome on a future post. I challenge you to try cables if you haven't already and if you want to go a step further or avoid the cable needle all together try the needle free technique, below. 

Here is a simple pattern to try your new skills on Cable-licious Ear Warmers  

Enjoy!!

It's Not You, It's Me

       So, I'm afraid that I may have to break up with a project. First, let me say, it is totally not my style to just leave a project. I am a "till cast off do we part" type of knitter, meaning I stick with one project till it's done. But my current project, Emmanuelle and I,  we've been going through some hard times. In the beginning things were so simple, we were happy and the future looked bright. Things were moving fast but it felt right.
       Then one day, things changed. I started to enjoy our time together less and less. I found myself looking at other project. Then, I actually started casting on and working other projects right in front of my Emmanuelle. First, it was a pair of finger less mittens now, it's a full size afghan.
       I hate to string this project along but, I don't see how we can pick-up where we left off. (HONESTLY, I have no idea where to pick up in the pattern because I got so confused and frustrated trying to make sense out of the instructions and charts.)  The intarsia charts, the decreasing rows, and especially the collar shaping was not connecting with me at all. I sought out help to no avail.
        I guess, as long as it remains on my circular needles there is hope. But for now I am forced to hibernate this project due to irreconcilable differences. Has anyone else had to break up with a project? Leave me a comment below.

                                              Emmanuelle during the happier days.

Once Upon a Time

I thought it would be nice to share the story of how I began to knit. So, put on your comfy slippers, grab some hot cocoa, and get ready for the true and unedited version of how I became the knitter that I am. Now, let us begin.

     Once Upon a Time... at the tender age of 23, I went to my local library to find some free ways to entertain my time. As I perused the library's' selection I encountered a woman, militantly training three students to wield dangerously sharp needles and hooks through yarn. This woman was a veteran her needle swordsmanship were beyond anything I had ever seen before. I immediately asked for entry into her strenuous training program.
     After, a through interview and a $10 tuition fee I was enrolled as student and her as my Sensei. Under the supervision of my Sensei, LiN-Da (Linda) I learned to wield one needle haphazardly, then two needles. The training only lasted a couple of weeks but I practiced relentlessly. Once my training was completed I not only handled two needles, I handled four dangerously sharp needles and a garrote haphazardly (well is wasn't technically a garrote but it sure looked like one). I surpassed all of my fellow students Ally, 6 and Scott, 9 and Lacey, 11 so I had to move on and leave them behind.
     I was alone in my journey because Ally, Scott, and Lacey were too young for a stitch and bitch with wine, and my Sensei charged $10 an hour for her time. I ventured the world with my new found skill as a lone wolf. Yet, I credit my knowledge, skill, discipline, and stealth to my Sensei, LiN-Da who showed me the art of knitting all those years ago.

                                                          The End

P.S.:
Some people have come to the conclusion that I am some sort of Knitting Ninja--and that is ridiculous there is no such thing...

or is there!?!?!?!

Hello, World!

Welcome to my blog, here you will find my yarn adventures and my expert opinion on all things knitting. I will also sprinkle in my rambles as a mother, wife, and worker bee. So, stay tuned folks!



                                                                                                       -Paige