Keeping Up with the Kelley

Jen posted again after a while, so you know what that means...I have to post to try and keep up with her. Seriously, when she posts it reminds me I have a blog and should maybe write in it from time to time. I get discouraged after a while because I know this blog won't become something huge like YarnHarlot or something, but 'eh. At the very least it organizes my knitting thoughts. So let the organization begin...

Last night I finished a cowl for Lauren and it made me wonder what other projects I have lying around unfinished. So I took stock and realized there are a lot. This doesn't even count the items I've promised people and haven't cast on yet. These are projects on the needles/hooks and languishing in baskets and bags around my apartment.

Jen's '70s Sweater started in...oh...2011?

My spinning...started in 2013?

Super secret fingerless gloves started 2014.

Capelet for Mary started 2014.

Stole for me started 2014

Mountain afghan started 2014.

Megan's skyp socks started 2013.

Bellatrix test knit started 2014.

Plus size sweater started 2014

So there we go. There may be one or two more hiding in the craft room but this is the bulk of it. Now the big question...what to finish?

Obligatory New Year's Post

Well, it's the new year. 2014. I should probably talk about all the wonderful and not-so-wonderful things that happened in 2013. Then regale you with tales of my 2014 goals. But I'm not feeling it. I've always found New Year's to be rather depressing. It's that whole ending/beginning human conflict I just can't get past. To tell the truth, my life these last few years has been a constant test filled with momentous struggles and not quite as momentous victories. I've had so much loss and pain, it's hard to remember those victories. It's hard to imagine any good that may come my way in the year(s) to come. But that's life I suppose. Constant up and down as we try to stay focused long enough to see where we are along the trail.

I will say that my knitting year has followed a similar path of ups and downs. Little binges of knitting here and there. Month to month. I'm bored with everything yet can't seem to start anything new. Same goes for books. I read them, but as soon as I finish that last page I couldn't tell you the plot or about the characters. I can only tell you, in stunted phrases, how it made me feel.

Maybe that's why New Year's is depressing...because all the hopes and goals I thought about never came to fruition. And I know the next year will yield the same.

Okay. That's enough of my emotional unloading on the sorrows of each passing year. Here's my latest obsession:

Not the cat, though he is darn cute. The crocheted fingerless mitts. It's a pattern called V-Stitch Fingerless Gloves by Daphne Bekiari. They're super fast and easy and fun. I made over 8 pairs in less than 2 weeks. Like I said. Obsessed. The only alteration I made to the pattern was that I added another row to the cuff. They're pretty, warm (especially if you use wool), and practical. I made some for my co-workers.

Pink, Interlace, Lace, Gauge and My Dream Job

Hello my lovely blogger stalkers! I hope you are all well and happy and have plenty of yarn around you during this hectic time of year. For me, knitting has been my salvation as I only have two more weeks until I complete my first year at graduate school. I'm starting to stress: headaches, stomach aches, sobbing uncontrollably (okay, maybe not the last one, but the urge to sob is there). To help me through it all I dedicate a good chunk of my time to knitting. This is a requirement for my well being. I get my work done, so I'm not neglecting anything. Fact: I spent close to 6-8 hours on a PowerPoint presentation with a recorded voice over for one of my classes. A project only worth 10 points! But I had to spend that much time to get it right and somewhat acceptable. Therefore, I need to spend equal or more time knitting or holding yarn. Life is all about balance. Anyway, here's what I've been working on:

Pretty pink fingerless gloves for Erin!

It's like Thing...only in pink!

They're a bit small on me, but Erin is small.

These were quick to knit up. I finished the first one in less than 5 hours. And that's with interruptions. I won't tell you where...

So pretty!

Then last night I finished knitting Sara's cowl! But I had to block it. Since it's wool it stretches a bit and the finished piece has to measure 24 inches. So I took it into the bathroom and gave it a quick, gentle rinse under the sink and then lightly squeezed out the excess water. I then pinned the cowl onto a piece of cardboard I saved for such blocking excursions (I don't block too many pieces, otherwise I'd invest in blocking boards. Cardboard works well enough). Blocking your knitting is important because it flattens the work. For this cowl, the "weaved" joins were a bit bunched. Blocking helped to flatten it out so it's easier to wear. Most people block lace pieces and sweaters. It can also give your piece shape depending on how you pin it. I had a purse I felted and I pinned the handle into a lovely curve.

I'm so artsy! (I can almost feel my photography friends shudder).

I just adore the colorway!

And that leaves the sock I'm knitting! It's a beautiful lace pattern (I won't block it though, no point when it's just going to stretch out a bit anyway from wear!) made with a gorgeous purple yarn! I described the yarn in an earlier blog post. It's lovely and makes me so incredibly happy that I purchased a different shade of purple for another pair of socks. What's really surprised me knitting this up is how well the Harmony circular needles are working! The last few pairs of socks I've tried to make with the Harmony needles was so excruciating that I gave up after about an inch or so. I'd have ladders (gaps in my knitting where the tension wasn't tight enough) and the yarn would catch on the needles! All sorts of issues. But for these socks, it's working beautifully.




And finally, dear bloggers...here's a question I received from Ginger about gauge:

"My primary knitting projects have been afghans and Christmas socks--both years ago. I have a problem already with the gauge. The pattern says 4" square. On #7 needles, I knit two gauges, one in stockinette and one in moss, the pattern stitch. No stitches per inch are indicated on the pattern. My pieces measure 4 1/4 inches. Do I need to use another needle size to make the right size garment? (#8?)."

The quick and simple answer is, yes, adjust your needle to get the correct gauge. Her gauge is most likely off because of her tension. Her tension isn't wrong; everyone's tension is just different which is why they include gauge instructions in patterns. Gauge is defined as the "tightness (or looseness) of your knitting" (Radcliffe, The Knitting Answer Book). In this case, you should switch to a bigger needle and repeat the swatch in the moss stitch instructions (20 stitches/28 rows = 4 inches) and in stockinette stitch (19 stitches/26 rows = 4 inches). The pattern doesn't include stitches per inch, but it should be around 7 stitches per inch. Try a #8 and see what you've got.

That is all my knitting friends! Remember to knit and/or crochet this week! If you have a question regarding knitting, please drop me a line! I'd be happy to find the answer for you!

Ps. I just visualized my dream job: reference librarian in a knitting library! How magical would that be?!