Sunday, May 18, 2008

Bronte's Mitts and Pink Kitty Bag

I joined the KAL for the Bronte's Mitts with the FGF at Ravelry. I know that I'm a newer knitter, but I shouldn't be having so many problems with these gloves! I started with a pretty sort of off white color, but ended up frogging the whole thing because I couldn't seem to get things right. So I restarted in another color and things went fairly well until I hit row 5 of the edging. I put them down for a few days, picked them up again and still had trouble. So I put them back down. When I finally picked them up again, row 5 went by like a breeze! Finished that part with no problem. So today I'm working on the next part, which was going pretty well until I got to row 3 and now I don't have enough stitches on my needles. I'm sure I missed some yarn overs, so I'm going to have to frog again! Someone just doesnt' want me making these gloves!! But I'm stubborn, so I'll keep trying until I get them done. Or at least one done!

In the meantime, I've also been working on a pink kitty bag in tapestry crochet. The lady who asked me to make it wants to use it to carry yarn, so I'm using Red Heart worsted weight yarn to make it bigger. I'm very happy with the results so far. I'm almost finished with the third kitty row. So I should have it finished this week.

I would post a picture of both of these for you to see if I had a camera. But since I don't, you'll have to wait until I get my ydd to take one for me. Then I can post pics for you to see. Hopefully of a finished mitt!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Frogging Bronte's Mitts

Since I was home alone this morning, I decided to work on the KAL that I'm doing with the fingerless glove group on Ravelry. We're all making Bronte's Mitts which are very pretty and a lacy design. For me this is a learning experience because there are techniques in the pattern that I've never done before, such as using waste yarn. I've had to research and read posts to know what everyone is talking about, but I have been learning new things. This is good.

I had started a glove using a #3 double pointed needle, which I discovered was the wrong size! It was supposed to be a #4!! Then there was the yarn that I was using. It didn't feel very soft to me and so I decided to look in my stash for a different yarn which I found this morning. So I frogged the first glove and started all over. The second time went much faster until I hit the lace part. This was part of the learning experience! I had to read the pattern correctly for it to turn out right. I thought I was doing this until I actually looked at my work. Then I discovered that somewhere in the first few rows I had made a mistake. I don't know what mistake I made, but I definitely made one! The design had started out straight, then was suddenly off to the side of the original design, sort of like a zig zag pattern! I thought about continuing, because it was coming out right now. But the perfectionist in me just couldn't do that! Darn!! So I had to frog about 10 rows, then pick up stitches that got dropped in the process. Thank goodness I've learned how to do that so that I didn't have to start from the beginning.

Now my glove is sitting on top of my bag waiting for my return. I'm afraid that if I start it now, my husband will come home right in the middle of the lace row and I'll lose my place. So I'm waiting. Either tonight, after he goes to bed or tomorrow morning, I'll pick it up again. At least I think I like this color yarn a little better. It's sort of a creamy white and will show the design beautifully, and I'll be able to wear them with anything! I thought of making them in a pale pink, but I don't own anything that I could wear them with if I did that color.

I've completed my entrelac project! I like it. Now I've got to figure out another project to do in it. I've almost completed a crocheted cable bag. I have a lining cut out, but haven't sewn it together yet. It's supposed to have store bought handles, but I think I'll crochet them since I don't have any cash right now and I actully prefer crocheted handles to hard ones.

I managed to take a walk yesterday after dinner. I haven't gone for a walk since I hurt my knee last September. Becca went with me, and I walked where I used to walk when I had first started my walking routine. My knee was slightly sore when I got home, but nothing that rest didn't help. I had been at the Historical Society's booth for Founder's Day yesterday morning. So I got some walking in there too.

Guess I'll go work on my dishcloth KAL. I just wrote down the directions for todays rows. I don't care if dh comes in while I'm working on that.

My Birthday

Your Birthdate: June 27
You are a spiritual soul - a person who tries to find meaning in everything. You spend a good amount of time meditating, trying to figure out life. Helping others is also important to you. You enjoy social activities with that goal. You are very generous and giving. Yet you expect very little in return. Your strength: Getting along with anyone and everyone Your weakness: Needing a good amount of downtime to recharge Your power color: Cobalt blue Your power symbol: Dove
You Are Strawberry Cake
Fresh, sassy, and romantic. You're a total flirt, who never would turn down a sugary treat. Occasionally you're a bit moody - but you usually stay sweet!