sort-of-crafty

I am what I like to call “sort-of-crafty.” I have always enjoyed the idea of crafting, but it’s the execution that gets me. I have been known to get frustrated and rip out 30 rows of knitting because of a mistake I found halfway down. This past Christmas, my mom taught me first to knit and then, a few days later, to purl. I distinctly remember begging her not to make me learn a second stitch when I was so hopelessly struggling with the first. Still, she taught me to purl, and it opened up so many options as far as projects go. I’ve since learned more complicated techniques and conquered some pretty challenging projects.
Somehow that has led me to believe that a craft blog would be a good idea. It’s mainly to track my progress and show the finished projects so that I have a visual collection of everything I make. So to start out, I’ve taken a little inventory of all of my current projects and future plans.

To start, this is one of two projects I’m currently working on. This one is based loosely on KnitPick’s Endless Loop Scarf. I have adapted it, using a less bulky yarn and smaller needles.

I’m using Bernat Softee Chunky bulky yarn in “Shadow” and size 10 needles. I’ve used 1 skein already and am just over halfway finished with it—I plan on knitting through the entire second skein.

The pattern is really simple (knit 5 rows, followed by a row of knit 2 together and yarn over, repeated until you reach the desired length) and creates this really cool design. Plus I just love the yarn!

Next up is Megan’s ‘super secret surprise’ Christmas cowl. I’m about a third of the way through it, and it’s pretty tedious work. All you really need to know is how to knit, purl, and join in the round, but with 96 stitches in a round and a constantly changing pattern that only repeats every 16 rows, it can get a little mind-numbing.

I’m using KnitPick’s Meine Kalte Liebe Cowl pattern with Caron Simply Soft yarn in Dark Country Blue. I am a big fan of this yarn, as it’s super soft, and there is no dye lot—which means that if you run out halfway through a project, you can buy another skein without having to worry about the color being slightly off. The pattern is basically a 4x4 rib stitch followed by a diagonal rib pattern, which repeats a few times throughout.

And now for some bits and pieces…I had been eyeing this Vickie Howell sheep yarn in Robin Egg for quite a while when i found it on sale for $2.99 at Joann’s a couple weeks ago. Needless to say i snatched up two. I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with them yet, but I’m definitely going to save them for something special!

I already know what I’m going to do with this red Loops & Threads bulky weight yarn—a Christmas scarf! Yes, I do realize that I took this picture on my back patio in 114 degree summer heat, but I’m still allowing myself to be deluded by the idea that cold weather is soon on its way. I have to get started on this soon so that I can wrap up in it on Christmas morning!

And lastly…when I first started knitting, I only made washcloths. I somehow convinced myself that it was all I could ever make, so I bought up a lifetime supply of cotton yarn. So if you ever need a new set of washcloths…call me.