After writing yesterday's post, I decided to upload many pictures from previous projects. Here they are!

Well, I can't keep my resolutions without periodic check ups. Let's see what my goals were 3 months ago:


1. Lose 10 pounds by May. That should be doable.
I've lost 4 pounds, but still have a way to go. I stupidly have been eating lots of pizza, Mexican food, etc., which doesn't help. I'm cracking down on myself again, wanting to exercise more, etc. I'm doing zumba tomorrow and spring break is next week, so I'll try to exercise 5 times at least. There's also walking my dog...

2. Learn to knit lace. I already know how, but I want to get better and to do more than a rectangle. Craftsy.com is helping me accomplish this goal.

I started the lace shawl, which was going well, but then I took a break to finish other projects. Stupid me didn't say where I stopped. While I could have studied my knitting, I had so little done that I just unraveled it and will start again tonight. No stopping this time!

3. Learn to knit socks. Craftsy.com is again going to help me learn this.
Will start after the lace shawls...

4. Organize my place 5-10 minutes a day. It's a habit I need to hone...I'm good at cleaning and chores, just not putting my stuff away!

Google calendar has saved me here. I do clean daily now, but the reminder via email saves me daily as well. Things are much cleaner now and I'm less stressed because of it! Can I still improve on overall organization? Yes, but that's a summer thing.

5. Start designing hats.

I designed a baby hat. Now I need to start designing more things. TKGA Masters Level 1 will have me write out a full pattern. I'm excited for it!

6. Blog more.

I think I've improved, but I'd like to post more pictures and post 1-2 times per week. So it's still a work in progress.

I'm glad to see that I'm continuing in my resolution efforts! Of course, I have added more goals this year:
1a. Write an article comparing two 19th-century authors.
2a. Work through my yarn stash.
3a. Make a CD
4a. Learn to knit brioche.
5a. Learn to knit entrelac.

And that's all folks!

I started this project in December and had hoped to finish much sooner. However, I have knit many other projects meanwhile. Now that I have finally gotten this pattern down and a fast rhythm, I'm just about done. The wrap is supposed to be a little over 7" long. Mine is currently 6'3". I have 5 more rows to knit and a 1" border. Although I could do one more repeat, I'm stopping there. I'm short, so it will be a great length. Now I can finally buy one of those wrap pins so I can wear it artfully. You can find the pattern here: Topiary Brooklyn Tweed has other beautiful patterns and this one was definitely worth paying for! Pictures to come!

Happy knitting!

Knit Your Congressman a Vagina | Mother Jones

Not to be political, but it is a cool way to protest via knitting.

Once again, knitting is the ultimate coolness :)

I have finished knitting the first three swatches for the Masters Level 1. Since I did them in three days, my arms are hurting just a bit. They will require blocking, which I know how to do, but I want to research it a little bit more. That is perfect because it goes along with the report needed for the course. Now that they are knitted, I will spend the next few days researching and writing, then I will block them and answer the first group of questions for the program. After that, I will go onto the next set of swatches.

So far, it's not too hard. I think I may need to reknit the swatch with the 1x1 rib. It turned out pretty well, but I think I can do better. Perhaps when I block it all will be well.

Happy knitting!

OMG! Heart � Mr. Rogers Sweater

I have already knit the Dude sweater, now I'm thinking about Mr. Rogers' sweater...

Yesterday I received my materials in the mail. I opened them at about 7pm and I was super excited. The first packet was the information that is posted on the website, basically verbatim. So I skimmed it, but now realize that I should highlight or take notes on the required aspects to make sure I do everything correctly. I also read through the swatches and the projects. At first glance, I doubted my knitting abilities--just from looking at the first swatch! However, I realized that I have done everything that they are asking for, but now I need to think about which increases/decreases are best to use, etc. After this level, I'm sure that I will change from being a knitter who rather mindlessly follows patterns, to one who reads a pattern between the lines: reflecting on why a pattern is written a certain way and if I agree with the decision of the pattern designer.

My first major decision to make is the brand of yarn that I want to use. Initially, I planned on using knitpicks wool of the andes. It's very affordable and the colors tend to be consistent, or not discontinued frequently. However, after looking at both the TKGA group and people who have completed the program, most use Cascade 220. It is a more expensive yarn, but the majority of knitters used it for the program and had no cons for it. The only con of the knitpicks yarn was that it didn't 'do much for the swatches.' So today I'm going to call my knitting stores and see how much Cascade 220 costs and perhaps drop by. I'm really excited to start knitting and answering the questions. I will keep you updated!

Happy Knitting!

knitty.com

A good article about weaving in ends.

Happy knitting!

Knit Chart Symbols |

Knitting Abbreviations Master List |

I have been knitting fairly consistently for six years now. The first two, I was very hesitant in learning new things: I basically knit all rows and simply made scarves. It wasn't until I went to Spain when one of my friends told me about knitting and purling in the same row and how to prevent yarn overs. Ever since coming back from Spain, I have definitely branched out. Since then, I have made purl/knit combination scarves, learned to knit in the round, made and designed hats, learned how to knit with colors, how to weave in the ends, blocking, seaming, different cast-on methods, i-cords, increases and decreases, and how to make sweaters. This year I have already learned the basic brioche stitch, will be knitting a lace shawl, and I plan to learn how to knit socks.

Last summer, I first learned about the TKGA Masters Program. I have always been interested in perfecting whatever task I take on. Is that always possible? No, but I love to research, do, analyze, and improve. I really wanted to start the program last year, but with a new job, my friends and family figured that I had too much on my plate.

Last night, on an impulse buy with the help of a few glasses of wine, I renewed my TKGA membership and decided that it was time to start the Masters Program. I have taken courses on craftsy.com and I knit hours each day. I am SUPER excited! I know that I will have to knit 16 swatches, design a basic hat, and write a short paper, but I can't wait to start. Of course I hope everything will be perfect the first time I try, but I know it's not realistic. I figure that I will have my materials in a few weeks, which means I will have my spring break to start knitting, as well as my summer vacation. I'm hoping to have everything set by this August. It seems that most people take a year to finish the first level, but I'm really going to make an effort to finish it before the next school year starts. I, of course, will keep you updated.

Happy knitting!

The ‘How Many…?’ Knitting Tool

The ‘How Many…?’ Knitting Tool