A little more crafting reveal:
Bridget asked for a knit cap. My knitting has been weird — I keep making things too big! I made this cap so ridiculously big that it swallowed up the head of the Chief, and believe me when I tell you that he has quite the noggin. I should have taken pictures, but I was doing a million things as weren't we all, just before Christmas!
And a picture would have convinced you that I'm bonkers. Who would make such a thing.
So in that panicky rush when you know your crafting time is running out, I washed and dried it. Like, in the dryer.
I actually really liked the near-felted texture when I was done (and think it's probably much warmer this way). Maybe in the photos it doesn't look felted, but it did get thicker and tighter. But then the worry is (of course!) that it got a mite too short. <mental image: me banging my head on the desk>
But I added the trim and I think all is well. I also used up every scrap of (leftover stash) yarn (the yarn from my “Breaking Bad” afghan and also from my green leaf shawl, which I'm seeing now I haven't put on Ravelry yet) — hence the idiosyncratic pompom.
I wish I could knit faster. Bridget says that if I weren't so distracted all the time my knitting would count for more (that is, I wouldn't have to rip everything out all the time; and what about the time just spent staring at the article, gently shaking my head back and forth, moaning? What about that time??).
Do you have all sorts of resolutions to do more crafting this year? What are you going to make? If you are a knitter, and like making socks, you might like to know that this pretty pattern is offered free until the 20th.
M. says
Resolutions–I’ve resolved not to make them. I usually fail, so I call these kinds of things “Things I Am Going to TRY to Accomplish”. That way, IF I don’t succeed, I can tell myself, “Try, try again!”
Crafting, ahhh. Yes, I am crocheting along with Lucy over at Attic 24, the Highland Moor Blanket. The yarn for this gorgeous creation was a gift from DH. Yes, he had a bit (ahem) of help from his loving wife with this gift! I also intend to make a dozen crocheted dishcloths for each of my DD’s hope chests. I enjoy dishcloths, not a lot of yarn or time commitment.
Sewing–hmm. Don’t tell DH, but if I NEVER bought another piece of fabric, I do believe I’d have enough to last the rest of my life. But needs and wants are two different things, right? I intend to update my wardrobe, mostly skirts and all manners of tops/blouses. The children are past the stage when sewing is imperative just to keep them clothed. Having taught the wee ones how to sew, I am mostly their “consultant” at this point. There are a couple of windows that could use modesty curtains and some new “treatment”, but we’ll see about that.
Leila, I do so enjoy your blog. I am always happy to read about the doings in your dear family. The handicraft posts inspire and motivate me. Thank you and God bless!
Leila says
M, thank you!
diane says
In an effort to power through my UFOs, I’ve joined a Facebook group where we made a numbered list, 1 – 12, of quilt related UFOs. At the beginning of each month, a number is drawn, and participants work on the corresponding number from their list.
So far, so good; I finished my January project the weekend of the 7th (a scrap quilt top that had to be done for the quilt guild meeting last night, LOL). I would still like to get it at least layered before the end of the month, which pretty much means this weekend.
I knew myself well enough to include as one of my numbered UFOs “finish any monthly UFOs not quite finished in their month”. As long as that particular number isn’t drawn in February, I should be fine…
Leila says
Diane, what a great system! Very clever!
priest's wife (@byzcathwife) says
I love it- I have always loved that shape of hat- and it looks like she will need the warmth…. it is even (relatively) cold here in S California!
Jana says
Very cute. I’m always missizing my projects so i tend to work on things where size matters not, like baby blankies that my kids love and drag all over the house and sometimes eat (which is why I have to make new ones often).
While I love knitting I really hated how slow I was. I’ve been knitting since I was 12 and my fastest was 10 stitches a minute. So slow. I was taught old English style by my grandmother. After watching some videos of Stephanie Pearl McPhee https://youtu.be/8o00ux6zPiE I knew I needed to try some other styles of knitting to improve on my 25 year experience in the field.
I finally found a comfortable uncomplicated style that was dubbed Russian Speed Knitting https://youtu.be/8ByKeqjuTrA but falls under Combination Knitting. My speed has dramatically improved to 30-40 stitches a minute. It took some getting used to and trouble shooting on the tension but I’m very happy with the results. My gauge is tighter too. If you do try a new style, simple little blankets (30×30), are excellent practice and give you time to adjust.
Good luck!
Margo, Thrift at Home says
Looks like a success!! I just made myself a knitted hat and I’m still deciding if I like it. I was so worried it wouldn’t be big enough and stretch out too much and let the wind in. But it’s pretty big – in fact, I wish it hugged my head a little more closely. OH KNITTING. I understand your knitting angst and issues – I have them too 🙂
Julie says
” and what about the time just spent staring at the article, gently shaking my head back and forth, moaning? What about that time??” Yes, yes, and yes!
After years of quilting, I’m so excited to finally be learning the art of crocheting – it’s a lot more portable and forgiving when you change your mind or make mistakes. But, that said, I have a number of quilting projects that need to be finished (as my dear son reminded me, “Why don’t you just finish the quilt you started last summer?”) but require me to sit at a machine and have everything “just so”; and there are new projects for now-old babies and matching quilts for sons and thrift-store-finds-to-change-into-items-of-amazement…in my spare time.
DeirdreLMLD says
I didn’t realize that it was new! I knew that you made it, but somehow I thought she’d “always” had this hat… Wonder why that idea was in my mind.
Mrs. B. says
It looks like a cozy hat to me: earflap hats are my favorite style. I do think it took some courage to toss it in the dryer: 🙂 And to have the satisfaction of finishing stashed yarn! I think this is a good reason to buy a little more yarn than we expect to use for a project: it’s not just a way to quiet the little voice that tells us we will need more yarn when there are 20 stiches left to bind off. Beautiful yarn is expensive, but if we can use it all in small projects or as a contrast yarn, then there is no waste and we feel great!
I’m a slow knitter too, though not a distracted one. I enjoy the process thoroughly, one stitch at the time, and it relaxes me: just the sound of a phrase like “speed knitting” stresses me out.
If that’s your house in the first photo, you have a beautiful view!
Leila says
Mrs. B — true! Speed knitting stresses me out too, and ends up slower because of that. I do like getting more efficient (surely efficiency isn’t to stressful lol)… so I like new tricks.
I think I do knit the way the lady does in that video, but not “backwards” (her stitches are all backwards). But with the same very little waste of motion that she has going on there…
That is not my view in the photo. We are standing outside of the Abbey after 7 am Mass — the light was lovely and she looked so cute! They do have an awesome view!
Teri Pittman says
I had to full several hats, as they kept getting bigger when worn. We like to sleep in them.
I can’t get my husband to pose for a picture of his new sweater. It turned out well and he is so happy with it. I’m making a sweater for me with this strange stretchy yarn (Avalanche by Classic Elite). It’s going well and is a fast knit. I am trying to knit dressier sweaters. I have lots of outdoor sweaters. I like Churchmouse patterns. This is the third sweater pattern that I’ve tried. I’ll do their Easy Folded Poncho in some Icelandic yarn that I’ve had forever as my next project.
The socks are nice. I’ve decided there’s no point in knitting any fancy sock designs. I like Priscilla’s Simple socks, toe up with short row heels and toes. I can knit them without a pattern and they fit well. I just don’t wear the fancy ones as much. I have this handspun sock project that I will be working on but it’s on hold for now.
I’m just happy that I seem to be making something besides shawls. I love them, but I really have enough for now.
Rose M says
I started spinning (yarn, not exercise!) this past fall, and am adoring it, but have hit a block because I’m not a particularly proficient knitter and don’t like just spinning to spin. So I’m planning to spin enough to make a lap blanket in this really great but fairly easy pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-johnnys-patchwork-blankie
I’m enjoying having an actual end goal in mind!
Kimberlee says
Very cute hat, and suits her well! I have a made a hat that would do quite well for a fruit bowl, even after felting. 🙂
Katy says
I taught myself to knit (the first time) using a knitting book for children. My first project was supposed to be a newborn hat. I made it a little big — since my baby’s heads are big.
When my little guy was born I couldn’t even squeeze the hat on. It was crazy. I thought he must haves mutant head.
Years later I realized I had managed to twist every since stitch somehow and the hat didn’t fit because it didn’t stretch, like, at all.
I got a friend to help me out and am a competent knitter now, but I always think of that funny first project!
Hang in there!
Annym says
Oh my goodness you sound like me- so distracted! Sometimes I feel like somethings wrong with my brain! At least it leaves you plenty of opportunities to be creative in order to outsmart yourself. I feel like in my knitting I do more hacks/fixes then I do just simply following the pattern correctly like a civilized person!
Your hat turned out cute- so all was not lost! 🙂
Jennifer says
Auntie Leila,
I know this is unrelated to the post, but…
Could you recommend a book about the Catholic faith to explain the beliefs in plain English for a Protestant to read? I can Google and find a plethora of titles, but I trust your advice. Thank you in advance!
Audrey says
Your knitting stories are ever so comforting, as I also tend to find -in the middle of things- that they are much more complicated than they ought to have been. And it’s usually all my fault, having changed this and that according to my ideal outcome. So thank you!