We all have different coping mechanisms. I have found that sometimes they fail and we don’t even realize it. The other day I picked up a knitting project that lay abandoned for several weeks and Gordon said, “I’m so glad you’re knitting again. That’s a thing you do, and you suddenly stopped.”
The last time I received yarn was in January, for my birthday. The last time I bought yarn… I don’t remember. I bought some ribbon yarn for a purse, but it doesn’t really count. I just didn’t feel like buying yarn or looking at it or knitting.
I woke up yesterday with a burning need to buy some yarn.
What does this mean? Does this mean I am getting more stressed and things are getting worse or does this mean I am returning back to normal and things are getting better?
What yarn should I buy? I haven’t checked any of yarn newsletters in months. I haven’t logged into Ravelry in months. I don’t even know what to do anymore. What is everyone knitting?
Our students at school have suddenly come down with a craze for ‘French knitting’ – where you have the hollow spindle with four nails at the top and you produce a circular sausage which they’re then using as bracelets, necklaces, bag ties, hair extensions – it’s really quite surreal for 16 year olds! (Then again, they’ve just finished an interesting year of ‘not-exams’ so it’s probably something to do with that?)
I remember doing that when I was 10
We used to call that “tatting”, and my dad used a wooden spool w 4 finishing (headless) nils hammered in. I bet I have yards and yards of multi-colored tatting somewhere still.
We used to do something similar when was a kid, knitting yarn around our fingers in the same pattern until we had yards and yards of these multicolored knitted “ropes.”
We called that spool knitting, after the wooden thread spools that held the nails. I learned as a kid, about 1955. Crafts seem to resurrect themselves every decade or two. Those knitted tubes make really good cat toys…
This is a revivial 🙂 Usually this kind of knitting is done by little kids (5-10years) in Germany.
We did this 70 years ago. My dad drove four headless nails into a wooden thread spool. We called the finished product a horse rein. Never did find a practical use for it though.
My daughter a few months ago received a Doodle crate that was spool knit animals. It came with a modern version of the spool (actually 2 different sizes) and all the yarn and sticky felt pieces to decorate the finished ball, I mean animal.
It was cute.
I crochet and I’m just making some coasters right now. It’s too hot for blankie making.
I admire you – I don’t have the patience for knitting – I look at it, love it, want all the pretty yarn, but then start a project and never finish binding it off. I’m hopeless, but you deserve All The Yarn as you actually do make lovely things with it!
I’m making a crop top for my daughter, the yarn is so soft.
Knit Picks is having a summer sale right now 🙂 Not to enable or anything 🙂 Also, an alum of my college sells hand-dyed yarn on etsy and does really cool dying tutorials. She goes by ChemKnits.
oof
If you don’t want further stress right now, you might want to stay away from the Ravelry community. The accessibility issues from last year still haven’t been resolved, and there’s a lot of meltdown occurring.
I tried to knit from stash over the pandemic, actually got it out of completely unorganized rubbermaid containers and organized again in a dresser (I had it this way at my old house, but we moved and it took me 8 years to get it out of the containers and back into the dresser). Recently, with a kid + his friends getting strongly involved in Pride, I picked up some of the Pride yarn kits from various places and I have promised various teens, various knits.
I hope to get them done by Pride 2022 …. hahahahahaha
Oh no, what happened, if you’re comfortable explaining…
Basically, Rav went through a site redesign. Some users had significant problems with the new interface. Tumult ensued.
https://knitting.craftgossip.com/ravelrys-new-look-knocked-for-accessibility-issues/2020/06/27/
The other poster’s link to the accessibility issues is good.
And further beyond that, there’s been an exodus of designers from Ravelry to other options but no really centralized other option has emerged. Which has made maneuvering around the knitting community a lot harder.
But in a lot of ways, it was about time for an upheaval anyhow.
The redesign unfortunately does cause me a lot of eye strain in either lite or dark mode, so mainly I’ve been wandering about looking for other options. That’s why after many years of avoiding kits like the plague, I’ve been playing with them. It’s nice to get everything in the mail, all self-contained.
Pinterest can be useful-ish for finding patterns across various sites. It’s not as targeted as the old Ravelry search (I’ve been away for over a year, so not sure about the new interface). It’s been useful-enough for my occasional desire to collect a bunch of pretty patterns to look at.
My go to Dyer when I don’t spin my own is Juliespins. Her esthetic is amazing. She is on Etsy.
My other guilty pleasure is Wollmeise, specifically Lacegarn. I love huge shawls and I cannot lie…. So much yardage! So many hours of fun.
I check out Juliespins weekly. She’s got some gorgeous stuff, beautiful dying, but very pricey! I’d love to get some of her yarn, we’ll see.
These are amazing looking! thanks for the referal.
I’ve had a lot of fabric arrive recently from one of my fave UK fabric stores. I absolutely do not have time to sew anything and under the bed is full. I’m avoiding ravelry like the plague or I might need to give up sleeping. One day things will calm down and I’ll have time for crafting again. Can’t wait. Enjoy your yarn buying 🙂
I am knitting a shawl to wear at my son’s wedding this fall. We will see if it is finished in time. The last couple of times that I bought yarn online the colors were not quite true. One skein I actually mailed back.
However, I usually buy online from Miss Babs and A Hundred Ravens. Voolenvine also has nice yarn, but you need to follow her and then be quick to purchase.
There is nothing like shopping for yarn though in person. I am really hoping that the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival will be in person in September.
I’m quilting, making a baby quilt in green and yellow. Still in the pie ing stage. I hate piecing, but ya gotta piece to get to the quilting and I do LOVE quilting.
We need to meet! I love to piece, but am so-so (both in interest and skill 😉 on quilting. But what I really dislike is cutting out the pieces…
And I like piecing more than quilting. 😉
Of all things to knit in the summer, I just started a slip stitch blanket with 10 colors of Malabrigo Rios. Should be nice and warm!
I love all of the Malabrigo!! Have fun.
I learned tunesian crochet for something different, and loved using two colours for a ‘woven’ look. It was fun to learn something new and, once learned, it’s a lovely, mindless-tv-watching type of stich reminiscent of garter. Highly recommend!
The hobbyist drive can be like the tides sometimes…just need to ride it and see where it takes you.
I’m voting for this means you’re getting back to normal, but ????♀️. Oftentimes, a bit of depression (not saying that you have that, but stress can definitely bring us down) can cause loss of enjoyment in our normal things, so it seems like you’re getting back to normal! ????
Buy the pretty yarn as a reward for the bestseller list! Do lizards wear sweaters? Maybe you can make some pet clothes and share with us. ????????
+1 <3
Always always knitting socks, but also a sweater for my daughter, the Dissent pullover, by Andrea Rangel, in some Neighborhood Fiber Co rustic fingering. So delicious!
I’m working on this right now: https://quinceandco.com/collections/patterns/products/caim
That is a beautiful sweater.
I vote for you getting back to normal. You’ve been sounding happier lately.
I think the feeling of accomplishment looking at a completed project is a great help in otherwise stressful times. Also, knitting is known to be a mind calming activity.
So yarn that has me really excited right now is Purls and Postulates science themed yarn. Also, Gauge Dyeworks has a really cool solar system yarn that in using to make a Musselbrugh hat. It is really soothing and fun as the stripes transition.
I really enjoy Long Dog yarn for a more speckled yarn.
Also, since you enjoy shawls, Paper Daisy Creations just published the Ice cream social Shawl pattern. It looks like a lot of fun with a mini set and 2 fun skeins. Nice and cheery and interesting.
While I myself do not knit, I do want to learn. I fell in love with the yarn at Blarney Woolen Mills in Ireland. So soft, and the colors were gorgeous. You can order from their website. Hand dyed too. https://www.blarney.com/irish-craft/
Stashbusting, currently working on a jacket for my MIL and a sweater for my BFF, both in yarn that was bought several years ago with completely different projects in mind. It feels so good to find good projects for stash yarn!
I’m basically a beginner – I used to knit in college as a coping mechanism and got back into it during the pandemic. To teach myself, I signed up for this knitting kit for a “Sampler Afghan” – it’s going to be 30 squares (9.5in) each showing off a different pattern or type of stitch, all in different shades of gray. I’m currently on block 17. The company I’m doing it through sends the yarn and patterns for 3 blocks each month (they also have video tutorials in case you need help – which I’m proud I’ve only looked at twice!). I think it’s an amazing way to learn. But my idea for you, especially if you get bored with your projects easily, is to do something similar with the yarn you already have. The blocks themselves don’t take long once you get the hang of it, so there’s less of a chance you’ll think “oh, this is taking too long.” Anyway, just a thought.
I never comment usually so I’m taking this opportunity to say your books kept me going through some rough parts of this pandemic (I re-read all of the series, multiple times) – and the serial you were doing with Blood Heir at the beginning was one of the only sources of joy in my life in those insane first weeks. Thank you for all you do for us, the BDH 🙂
I love this idea. I’m off to google “sampler afghan”. I likely can’t use the kit (not in US) but if you would share the link that would be wonderful.
My hands can’t handle knitting. I used to do beading tiny baskets and things. When my hands start hurting I stop because the next stage is they stop working. :^( I have other things I do, but I admire people who can knit and crochet. 😀
I use handwork (knit & crochet) to keep my hands working. I have arthritis (not too bad yet) and broke my right wrist last year. The repair involved a metal plate and some pins and screws. It works, but the full flexibility is still a work in progress.
I don’t do a lot at any one time, but I try to do some every day – assuming the cats don’t decide to camp out on my lap that day. I have a needy boy that does not care for noise and likes to hide under my right arm. (I am not left handed.) The Maine Coon just likes to sit on my chest.
On those days, I am reading all day.
I just started watching knitting podcasts, cause i find finished projects to be a work of art, well and so much yarn to see (giggles) it makes me happy. My favorite is Knitting Traditions, so calming and one fairisle cardigan is stunning. It looks so complicated yet gives me hope that maybe after i get better at crochet I give knitting a try. At the moment im trying to make a summer blouse, yet i dunno if it will look like i imagined it or i will have to start all over again… Im still a beginner at crochet. Happy hunting for yarn and good luck with all the projects.
I am knitting a scarf, which is silly because I live in California and it’s summer, but I need something to do when I watch tv. It’s a nice Malabrigo yarn and a no-thinking-necessary seed stitch.
I finished some Frankengloves not long ago, which shows what happens when you’re too wrapped up in whatever you’re watching to pay attention to finger length.
I hope things are getting better for you! The recent Ruby Fever snippet and short “Sandra” story would seem to indicate they are; both are fabulous! Thank you for brightening our days.
I just finished a baby blanket for a close friend, and now for the first time in ages I am working on something for me! Alpaca from a local farm, kool-aid dyed by me and the pattern is the Holden shawlette.
I don’t knit, but do needlework. Needlepoint and Cross stitch. I have at least half a dozen projects decided on, thread purchased and then I stopped. Hit a proverbial wall. I keep thinking I will start up again, but I haven’t. I don’t know why. I love all the finished projects I have. It’s been over a year since I worked on something. I’m not sure what will kick me into gear. ????
I used to crosstitch but had to give it up after having surgery on my thumb on my dominant hand. My hand cramps up too bad to hold the needle.
I don’t knit anymore, but like you I cross stitch. I am proud to say that this year I finished a WIP from 3 years ago! I have done a couple since, but lost interest part way through doing a wedding sampler!!
Good luck with your craft and to all BDH members with their interests, not forgetting Ilona, Gordon and Moderator R.
I have wondered what hobbies Gordon does?
Knitting and buying yarn are 2 completely different hobbies! I suggest Stephen & Penelope out of the Netherlands. They ship to the US and are a pleasure to deal with. I just finished Stephen West’s lava lake shawl. A joy! And no purls!
I don’t knit, though I do like doing cross stitch on occasion. I picked up a project last year but as usual did not finish it. It was a bookmark with funny little monsters on it. I finished part 1 and got started on part 2, and lost focus. Par for the course, really.
My current project, if you can call it that, is rereading the whole Wheel of Time series. For some occult reason 😉 every time I’ve read book six, I’ve come down with a bug. So I’m now empirically testing this 😉
Dishcloths that have F*** 2020 on them.
YES
I am the same. I rotate between gardening, knitting and sewing. I used to knit a ton of socks and enjoyed that but I’ve picked up some Collin from knit picks to do some wash cloths but I also picked up some really comfy cotton yarn to knit a cardigan with. I’ve learned to go with where my mood takes me and to make it me time. I don’t sew for my neighbours or knit for other people. It’s not a business it’s therapy for me. That’s how I justify the price of my materials at least.
There was some recent community support (online via Instagram) for this indie dyer: https://www.knittinbro.com
I haven’t ordered from him myself because cross border yarn shopping generally isn’t worth the added cost of shipping/import tax when I can buy lots of beautiful yarn locally in Canada. That said, his colourways are great, lots of pretty solids and some more sophisticated colours as well. Again, I can’t personally attest to his yarn.
If you’re in any way interested in shopping Canadian, these two are direct from the sheep farmers: https://www.topsyfarms.com/collections/yarn and
https://www.twinoaksfarm.ca/collections/yarn
For more colourful options: https://lichenandlace.com is beautiful.
I could go on and on 😉
On my needles currently:
1) https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chevron-cloud. Requires you to be happy using mohair single strand though but the end product is justifying the fact that I am not.
2) https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hanami-shawl . Really most designs by this designer are so drool-worthy
3) https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shiri-wrap. This is also lovely but lace weight is not for everyone.
Personal brag: I just finished this but it took me seven months: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/jkp/slipstravaganza
I stopped crocheting a scrap afghan when the weather started warming up. I’m at the stage where it’s too long to bunch up in my lap to keep my legs cool, but not long enough to start the edge finishing. Plus, my hands sweat when I crochet in the warmer months. The acrylic doesn’t go smoothly in my hands when it’s wet.
I need to work on my sewing. I have shorts and pants I cut out of 100% cotton batik fabric that need to be sewn up. I get into a rhythm where I cut a lot of pants and shorts out, then stop doing anything sewing for a while, and then pick it back up when I feel like it. Some of it has to do with pressing and standing over a steamy iron. I have to drink tea, water, or Gatorade to stay hydrated. 🙂
I’ve gotten complemented over the shorts and pants I sewed up earlier this year and last year. What’s really interesting is that when I bought a lot of the fabric, the fashion trends were far away from what I bought and sewed up. Now, all of what I make and wear, including the colors, is “trendy”.
I’m a quilter, so it may be different… but I had a long spell in 2020 where I had no interest in sewing. When I did finally go back to it last summer, it was HUGELY helpful. I had stopped wrestling with some things and was ready to try again, and ended up in a whirlwind of creative inspiration. Quilting is once again my saving grace through all the stuff that is my life – FT work, 4 kids (18-26), pets (2 cats, 1 ridiculous Peke, various strays), and my (messy chef) beloved 🙂 So go buy yourself some beautiful, inspiring yarn!!
I have two WIPs at the moment, some socks may get added in the near future as well…
Project 1 is rather boring but great for watching action movies or listening to work calls on Zoom. Link – https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sky-map
Project 2 is a linen top still in the swatching stage, but I’m happy to have something in a cooler fibre to work on as the weather heats up. Link – https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/horizon-20
Buy whatever makes you smile. Hopefully, the desire for yarn mrans a return to more normal! I’m not a knitter, but I can appreciate the beauty of your yarns
The first thing my psychiatrist always used to ask me is if I was reading and if it was something new (not a reread). It’s a very bad sign when your interests don’t interest you. I’ve always preferred psychiatrists to psychologists, they make so much more sense! I would embrace the yarn shopping and be happy.
I got into that kind of funk. I went to annie’s club kits and picked a couple of kits that would teach me new tricks. Its cheap yarn, but I figure I’ll donate the finished products to the church prayer shawl group and have learned something new
Well, I’m knitting socks. Lots of good sales out there as sadly many hand dyers didn’t weather the pandemic well. Yarn Scout is going out of business due to death of the owner, they are now down to 50% off.
I just bought some raspberry sherbet colored cotton to knit a tshirt with. I am dying to knit deschain by Quince and company out of some worsted weight crunchy linen.
I recently took tatting back up after not doing it for quite a few years. I get completely absorbed in those intricate little designs, and since I’m using it for decoration on other pieces, it doesn’t feel like a total waste if I only do a short piece of lace because I got sick of the design. Since I normally do alot of crocheting, I stick with the teeny-tiny crochet hooks instead of shuttle or needle tatting. Right now I’m making some lace for a baptismal gown, but I just got some glass Christmas ornaments on clearance, so I will probably switch to stitching fancy covers on those for next year’s Christmas tree 🙂
More power to you using the tiny crochet hooks. I tried using them when I got comfortable with crocheting, but I got bored with using them 5 minutes after starting something. 🙂
Oooh, that reminded me I have some glass ornaments and an old book with thread crochet patterns for them. That’s a small project I can do also!
*The never ending blanket*
I went to a baby shower and *loved* the baby blanket my aunt made for my cousin. Decided to make a FULL SIZED blanket off this super detailed pattern that leaves little bumps every 5 stiches….I have 38 skeins of yarn, and have completed 20 rows….of 280….in 8 months
Lessons Learned: They made that pattern BABY sized for a REASON
🙂
Based on your last (I think) knitting post I had been slowly working my way through Tablature. The notation is actually the most frustrating part.
I’ve made more mistakes reading (ktb 2 k to 2 sts before end) quickly than I should have.
But I’m liking the pattern with the yarn I chose for the main color- a walk in the woods sock/fingering by Barnyard Knits.
Good luck with that. I finished a Tablature earlier this year. I had to write the instructions out by hand so each sentence had its own row to achieve any kind of legibility. Otherwise the whole thing would have been sentenced to FU Island.
I started crocheting again many years from when I first learned. I love yarns and I buy whenever Lions has a sale on yearns that might have some real stuff in them. I am trying to teach myself and I have already ripped about 5 times. But I am perservering.
I’m knitting a Mariniere. A white T-shirt mit blue Stripes. Thin organic cotton. The whites broad, the blues slim. Square neck. Short arm. Very summertime. Goes slowly because of the thin yarn but I love it. Love from Germany
I stress bake. I have a bathroom remodel that started two weeks ago. So far, I’ve baked four batches of cookies and three cakes…. All the contractors love me.
Ha ha ha. My coworkers were thrilled with my stress baking. Brownies, upside down pineapple cake, apple pie, pound cake….
You aren’t exactly giving them a whole lot of motivation to finish the job, are you?
I had stopped knitting because of arthritis in my hands but I love knitting and crocheting. I decided to try small projects with compression gloves to support my hands. I found an old dishcloth pattern that was my Mom’s. Easy and small using really soft cotton. I’ve been trying to gat away from paper towels and sponges, so the cotton dishcloths are great to clean the counters, stove and other appliances.
I’ve been knitting sweaters & cardigans this pandemic year – never been so productive (though at cost of exercise, no yoga in months now). But I don’t always knit every winter, just if i get that nesting “I’m very cold”, need more warm stuff & keep occupied feeling. Have started more walking now weather’s picked up & doing more walking Saturdays. But have stopped my 5th garment – reading more, walking & not as bothered right now.
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the post.
Sounds like you are “normalizing”. Pandemic was/ is stressful. So life will never be the same as “before” pandemic because it’s life. Change for good or bad means you are alive. Thus have fun Knitting.
My present project is making Titan a coat for this coming winter. As a Rhodesian Labrador he has a thin smooth coat with little body fat a large size neck and steep V chest…. He requires custom made clothes for freezing and below winter weather. I would be thrilled if off the store shelf stuff would fit ….but no luck. Plus he has issues with restraints. Sigh sigh.
Whatever you make will be awesome to me. My best work is making / attempting to make baby blankets for hospital. The rest is like Grandma Frida’s knitting in Hidden Legacy. I totally understand her.
Titan sounds like a cool dude. And you make special winter gear just for him! Good luck with the winter coat and the baby blankets! (I have no textile skills whatsoever – 10 thumbs!)
I gave up crocheting for the love of new kitten. That was 5 years ago. Nothing worse than be in the middle of a pattern stitch and suddenly the yarn seems wet or there is no more yarn. Someone chomped it. No one needs a throw christened in kitten or cat spit. I wash and block but I know what happened in the making.
Besides throws are about the only thing I do well. An instructor told me that unless I was making clothes for the jolly Green Giant to just give it a pass.
Gardening is my stress reliever
Crochet. Got to stop answering questions when writing
I fixed it for you 🙂
You’re awesome ! Thanks
Better. Things are getting better!
I literally just bought yarn the other day after not having done any kind of knitting or crochet for over 15 months. I dont know why I suddenly felt the urge to buy. My shipment will take a few weeks to get here, though. Looking forward to knitting socks for the first time. I’m sure there will be much gnashing of teeth but it should be fun.
Using HHF Tweedy, knitting Winter’s Beach Cardi. Found a mistake in one of the cables so have to frog about 15 rows.
Before you frog all those rows, try dropping down just the stitches for that one cable, fixing it, and knitting the cable column back up again. (With separate needles, obvs.)
If it doesn’t work as planned… well, you were going to frog back anyway, right?
I think its a good sign! At least it would be in my world…
I lost my knitting mojo for several months during lockdown. A good chunk of my knitting time was done during my daily commute and when that went away… so did a good chunk of my motivation. Now that things are starting to get back to normal, my mojo is slowly returning. And while I do NOT need more yarn, I definitely want to buy it and cast on all the things.
I personally LOVE hand dyed speckled yarns, so my recommendations may not work for you, but some yarns I’d recommend….
Spun Right Round (https://www.spunrightround.com/)
Hue Loco (https://hueloco.com/)
Yarn Ink (https://www.yarnink.com/)
Machete Shoppe (https://www.macheteshoppe.com/)
Sweet Georgia Yarn (https://sweetgeorgiayarns.com/)
Blankets! I’m one skein in on a birthday blanket, with 2 more lined up behind it. This current one is crochet because it’s fast and the birthday was last week????.
However the next one is going to be knitted.
I am working on a baby afghan now in the middle of researching to update my previous book on the history of Chinese Silk Embroidery. The two don’t sound like they go together, but they do. If I am stuck with phrasing the writing, I crochet for a few hours. All of a sudden the light bulb goes off in my head and I can write what I mean to say. I need both of these areas! In the evening, crocheting closes the door on the writing work I have done that day. Then sleep.
What do you like most about your knitting? The knitting itself? Wearing — or seeing people wear — your creations? Or just buying the yarn?
You need a Local Yarn Store in your life. Ironically, with the pandemic, it doesn’t need to be local to you.
I work at an LYS in San Francisco, Firebird Yarns. My top three recommendations:
Sincere Sheep: All domestic wool, custom milled, natural dyes. Really remarkable.
https://sinceresheep.com/
The Dye Project: lush bases, sophisticated color palettes.
https://thedyeproject.com/
The Royal Bee: both a Local Yarn Shop AND makes her own yarn, again, domestic fiber, custom milled and naturally dyed.
https://www.theroyalbeeyarncompany.com/
…actually, my number one recommendation is Seismic, but she kinda went viral last week, and I don’t think she can accept any new orders. But – check out her Cosplay collections.
I love Madelinetosh and they are in Texas. Their quality is good and have great colors. Love their yarn w some silk and / or cashmere mix.
You should come to NYC’s Vogue Knitting in January. You would love the craziness.
https://florilegium.com/ It located in Westin, MO, outside of Kansas City. Very nice people. Great customer service. It’s like a wonderland for fiber artists of all stripes and levels. The website has goodies too. Check it out! I’m not affiliated in anyway, I just love it there and they are a lovely small business.
Up until now, I have only bought yarn for specific projects. But yesterday, I finally caved and pre-ordered a yarn advent from an indie yarn dyer I’ve been watching for a while (Dragon Hoard Yarn). It’s 31 mini skeins. That I have no idea what I’m going to do with. It was expensive. But… I am so excited because I know the yarn is going to be so pretty, and I’m going to have so many different colorways, and October is going to be amazing because I get to open one new mini every day.
I recently finished knitting my first shawl! I bought fancy yarn (Fiberstory One Silky in Coastal) that’s faintly shiny b/c it’s 30% silk, and I bought a pattern (Summery Sky) from a shawl designer (Woolenberry) that has lots of pretty and (relatively) easy/repetitive patterns. It turned out great! Now I’m hooked on shawls. That shawl was a wedding gift, which means now I’m knitting another shawl from the same designer (Rose Petals) for another wedding gift! (lots of weddings this year)
So much love for pretty yarns and knitting pretty things <3
I don’t knit, to slow for me but somewhere down the line I want to learn how to crochet with thread to finish the edges of a couple pillow case sets that will be Christmas gifts eventually.
I did try Kumihimo because it looked interesting. I bought a $30 kit from WhatABraid.com. FYI the fittings aren’t included in the kit. I enjoyed it and lots of variations with different yarn, ribbons and beads that can be made. I made three different bracelet variations out of the kit. I have some beads I’d like to use to make a necklace, when I find them, and have time to research a pattern and get it all set up.
I finished my Sashiko cranes and now to find the dragonflies I previously finished. I’m thinking a totebag as I don’t need any pillows. Next is to finish the linen dresser scarf that’s nearly done. I need something that can be picked up and put down at work. Once the calling starts and my tidying is done it gives me something useful to do. So many projects!
I have fallen in love with Hobbii Cotton Twirls yarns. Tcolor changes are amazing. I have been crocheting and knitting lace.
I go through knitting phases as well. Right now it’s just too hot to knit. I’m going to try my hand at embroidery-small simple not wool : )
Freia yarns on etsy has some cool colors.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-craze-cowl-2
fun and happily mindless with color changes to keep it fresh ???? I’ve about to join mine and start the last 6 bands in the round.
My go to site for yarn is Little Knits in Seattle. Gorgeous yarn, huge selection, and the absolute best sales.
Right now I’m working on a new hat design with a really cute crown decrease. You can see a pic on my instagram @helensilvadesigns
There is a yarn store just about 30 yards from my front door here in the French Quarter, where my street T’s off with Chartres. I used to crochet and do cross stitch and embroidery and wanted to knit and I go and stand and love the pretty pretty colors, and then I go home, because I have no stamina left for projects. They have a whole wall of yarn that almost feels like an art installation, it’s so pretty, and I’ve tried to talk my husband into building me a display like that in the living room and he just laughs and thinks I’m joking.
I went there when I visited NOLA! somebody from a wedding was in there looking for string. it was great!
Lion was having a sale recently of their Jeans acrylic worsted-weight yarn. I bought enough yarn to knit 2 sweaters, as it makes a soft, light sweater and hubby doesn’t like wool sweaters (too scratchy).
I used to do knitting and crochet projects every week with a friend; we called it craft time. When the pandemic happened we stopped, of course, and I didn’t have the heart to do it alone. We are getting back together this week! I’ll work on the blue shawl I left off with last year.
Go for it! Maybe try some from recycled Sari silk? They have some amazing colors for that.
Nope…can’t knit except hats with a loom…..never could figure out the needles thing 🙁
Working on 3 quilts for grand-daughters heading off to college this fall.
I’m currently making a shawl with some lovely yarn dyed by Laura of Native Twist in Mt. Sterling, KY. Also I have a pair of Fidget Socks in the works with some Spun Right around Classic Sock in Belly Flop.
Oh man, I don’t know how to buy yarn online. I am still learning as I’ve only been at this a year now and I get all my yarn from Michaels. But I still have so much yarn! I need good website or yarn recommendations. No one I know knits!
Last Saturday was knit in public day. I bought some yarn at my LYS. She has a fantastic store ! Sue2knits.com. We just started our first stage of opening up. First time in the yarn store for a long time.
There is ssooo much squishy goodness in there ! ????
I bought some rowan felted tweed to make a colourwork pullover.
I started a lightweight cardi (soubrette) made with laceweight.
Check out Julie Williams Little Cotton Rabbits. I am making a girl sheep with a red dress. There is a group on Facebook. They are really cute and addictive to make. You cannot make just one ! Lmao
If you are looking to do something different, checkout Sarafina felting fanfare on Facebook.
I’m knitting the Thorne blanket from Faerie knits, a little cable, a little brioche, just routine enough to watch Netflix and hang with.
I went on a stitching hiatus from about October to April. It was, to my way of thinking, a combination of a very close friend’s death and the cumulative effects of quarantining, etc. And then we learned that youngest brother is coming to live with us (hopefully only temporary) next week which meant cleaning out the black hole of a guest room. Now 90% of my yarn collection is carefully stored in sealed containers in the basement. The rest, including all those kits I had purchased, is in my den closet. The half dozen WIPs are lined up next to my chair. Presently working on a modified log cabin style baby blanket, a squishy throw, a gingham baby blanket (crochet), and have one quarter of a scarf-let to finish knitting. The half-done Nightshift shawl will be frogged and started over on larger needles.
I can provide yarn if you need/want any; I have more than I will ever use.
I have just finished (crochet) a baby blanket and am working on a lacy shawl in a cotton yarn. I have a blanket (knitted) started, but Houston has gotten too hot to work on it.
My daughter has called dibs on that, so I don’t have to figure out what to do with it unless she gets a new couch before I manage to get it finished.
I have never been fast, but a fun pattern always helps. (The baby blanket is a spiral of 3 colors, worked 1/3 of a round in each color until the size is right. No time to get bored before a change happens.) I might make another one in a different color.
I suspect that a certain amount of your knitting desire returning is a release of tension as the pandemic eases. (You probably do, too.)
If you are unsure about what to make or at least start on, I suggest something small and/or not too complicated – a hat, maybe a scarf. If something else takes your fancy after you start, there’s not much invested in the project and nobody will use it for months even if you do finish it…
I love pictures of your yarn. I can’t use wool, so all that gorgeous hand dyeing is not for me. But I can look!
Enjoy, Sweetie, you’re entitled to some fun!
Check out Grace Mcewen patterns book on Amazon and patterns on Ravelry
You might be able to shop at home for yarn to fit the pattern – very challenging and delicate
I have too many things in progress. I finished a baby afghan for my nephew a couple weeks ago, and currently in progress on another for my BFF’s baby girl. I also want to make one or two crocheted shrug/tank patterns I bought and picked up some truboo I can’t wait to use. I also started a dishcloth that I think I’m going to frog, and I have a half-done sampler blanket to get back to whenever I catch up. I’ve been spending too much time outside maybe?
I have some hats I am knitting. Whenever any local non-profit has an auction to raise money, I donate a hand knit hat with your choice of yarn and pattern, which I buy and knit for them. For whatever reason I really like knitting hats and my friends and family have been inundated. I scratch my knitting itch, money is raised, and warm heads ensue. Win-win all around.
Baby kimono booties. Quick gratification and extras go to my local women’s shelter
I’m finishing up a lap rug that I’m knitting for my mom who is nearing the end of her battle with dementia. She was a knitter herself and taught me to knit many years ago. She has good days and not-so-good days and, on her good days, I can tell that she notices and responds to my sitting and knitting beside her. It’s a sad/happy project but so, so worth it to see flashes of my mom now and then.
If you are anything like me, this means stress is easing a little. I paint my nails all kinds of wild colours as a form of stress relief – I find the process itself soothing, I am always cheered up during the day by a glance at my sparkly space-Blue or autumn orange nails, and I enjoy reading reviews about and buying new polishes. But when I am super stressed, suddenly it stops being stress relief, and just becomes one more thing I have to do. When my nails are suddenly plain, friends and family ask if I’m OK, and when I show up with colours on, they sigh with relief and say ‘I’m glad you’re feeling more yourself’. If I ever showed up with ratty, chipped polish, they would probably make me have a nice lie-down with a cool cloth on my forehead while they called everyone I know in order to stage an intervention.
Buy some yarn. Go wild. Be nice to yourself. It’s Good that you have the mental bandwidth to feel joy again.
The local craft resale/donation store near me has “fill your own” paper grocery bags of yarn on sale for $25, but I resisted mainly because it was too hot this weekend to want to walk the 3 miles there, then to spring for the Uber home once I had my stash.
I’m not a knitter or crocheter because my mom has been crocheting my whole life and everyone we’ve ever met is set for yarn goods, but I did just take up punch needle embroidery and really appreciate how instantly gratifying it is compared to my usual cross stitch. I can fill a hoop in an afternoon.
I am working on several projects. I also have yarn for several more. My husband is supposed to be getting a stem cell transplant at a hospital 1.5 hours away so we will have to stay in that city during some of the procedures so I am preparing to be sitting around doing a great deal of waiting. I started a Tunisian stitch lap blanket, the Spring Day crochet cardigan and Endless Eyelets crochet cardigan. The two cardigans are light weight perfect for cold air conditioned hospitals. Waiting in the wings are two different pillows and blankets. I get bored working on one project so I always have at least two WIPs. BTW, I found you on Ravelry.
I’m a cyclical crafter, too! Sometimes I’ll wake up and crave my cross stitch and I’ll work on that exclusively for months and then… not interested for a while. Then I’ll pick up crocheting (usually my winter weather craft) or baking or I’ll just read a book a day. As long as you enjoy it, do it!
I want to break into your house and ravage your yarn stash. I crochet, not knit, and do only simple stitches because it is a relaxing thing to keep my hands busy when my mind is doing something else. So what is important to me is the feel and color of the yarns. The photos you post always look gorgeous.
Unraveled and reknitting the bottom part of a handspun cotton top I decided was too short. Thankfully I have enough yarn left over to make it 2-3 inches longer. Other than that I’ve been knitting my brain dead projects like cotton kitchen dishcloths & socks. Life has been too chaotic to tackle something that requires a lot of planning. 😀
I do not need more yarn. I don’t even knit in the summer when it’s stinking hot and sweaty here in Atlanta. I knit in the fall and winter, or anytime there is an emergency need for a baby hat. My last one was for the son of my daughter’s best friend, who hails from Savannah.
That said, Alpaca Direct, knowing me for a sucker, just sent out an email – $5 off with the code Summer5. Of course, I have to spend $40 minimum to save five bucks, but they know I’m not rational when it comes to fiber.
My gateway drug/yarn is baby alpaca, which feels like you’re holding true love in your hands. Light and warm and luscious. Generous and forgiving.
I encourage you to buy all the yarn you want. To paraphrase Mary Karr’s quote on reading, “It’s better than heroin. More effective and cheaper and legal.”
Darling!’n
I was knitting a hat for my daughter when I got distracted by a Mandala Madness crochet afghan by Helen Shrimpton. Now I may have to tear the hat out again and start over — counting stitches can be a challenge. I am pretty proud of the progress I’ve made on the Afghan, though, although it will take years to complete it (I stop during the summer months).
I’ve got four ends to work in on a trapezoid tank in Bamboo Pop (my absolute favorite yarn) in Clover and Jungle Life for the young lady that cleans for me each week. I’m going to cast on for a tank top for my sister. Hers will be a combination of pima cotton and cotton/bamboo.
I’m currently knitting a baby blanket in acrylic (baby things need to be washable). Third one in this pattern, it’s going to a couple from church who miscarried last year. (I think she’s pregnant again!:)
I knitted a bunch of socks, but nobody wore them, so I stopped. I made a bunch of scarves and hats for my local shelter. My son got married last fall and I knitted shawls for the bride and me. With only 5 weeks notice, only the bride’s got finished. Mine’s done except for the blocking.
Have started knitting again after many (too many) years – as lockdown relief…
The bamboo-cotton mix O have chosen is slippery, splits easily, is saggy and baggy… But it should make a nice summer jumper for my eldest daughter.
(And the colour will be perfect!)
*I!!
I just finished a summer top over the weekend in “Ocean Blue” 50% cotton and 50% bamboo. First time using the bamboo but it gave the top a really soft feel for summer. Dreaming of visiting the ocean again!
All the crafty folks on this community, and especially Ilona, need to see this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpzwVRahJ6I
😉
???????????? Yep!
Loved that! Hilarious parody.
I’m currently working on an enormous basket-weave crocheted blanket. It’s a mindless project and I honestly love it. Now the rows are horribly uneven in length because I just sit there and use it as a vent. But I’m determined to accept the imperfections as perfect for this project!
But honestly I haven’t touched it for months either. I’ve been so down it’s hard to get up much less do a mindless activity. That takes energy I haven’t had to spare before this last few weeks.
A few months ago you showed us 4 shawls and asked which we liked. I picked the Ambah Xanthe wrap and started that. I did the garter stitch portion but am stuck on 1 part of the lace instructions. So a trip to the knit store is planned.
I’m not knitting but I was learning to weave, and now I’m in the very early process of learning to sew. I’ll be happy if I can sew a reasonably straight line. That will be more difficult for me than you might think. I had to take sewing I 7th grade and it was horrible. All the boys in the class (everyone had to take it)sewed much better than me.
It takes practice with scrap fabric. I would recommend using contrasting thread to see why the stitches aren’t straight. Plus, doing that will also help with the top tension. Also, use a longer stitch length.
I started sewing when I was 10. I did the same things when I started sewing, and it helped.
That is what I plan to do. I’ll get some decent, but not expensive cotton fabric and one color thread for the bobbin, and a different color for the top, and practice using the machine. When I did that sewing class, I transferred there from another school and had to do all of the projects for the whole class in just 3 weeks where the rest of the class had a whole semester. It was horrible and turned me completely off the process. I ended up taking it all home and sitting there crying over it. Mom ended up having me start a process then she’d finish it for me while I did the rest of my homework.
Straight lines are easy, once you understand that the machine actually has a straight line to place the edge of the fabric on and slow down so you don’t let the material slide around as you sew. Home sewing machines can go at 200 stitches per minute, while the industrial ones move along at 2,000 per minute. Take your time and don’t push so harder on that speed. Because my machine is actually older than I am, I had to put a piece of scotch tape on the line, and because I did that, my line is longer than the original line on the machine. The key at the beginning of learning to do straight lines is to slow down. When you have to move your hands to hold the material, stop the machine entirely with the needle down in the material, move your hands, and start sewing again. I cannot stress enough to stop with the needle down, to hold the material still as you move your hands. Always roll the wheel to put the needle down in the same direction it moves as you sew, if it doesn’t stop with the needle in the fabric by itself.
Pin, pin, pin. Keep that material still and steady. Practice on the pieces left over from cutting out what you want to make. Get some tailors’s chalk and a ruler and draw straight lines and practice on that. Someone once suggested using lined paper, but if you do that, you need to change your needle because paper is just wood and the needle will be as dull as dishwater when you’re done.
I have to make my own clothes because I am not built correctly for anything sold in stores, so I’ve had half a century, at least, to practice sewing. Also, if you haven’t done so, get a vision exam. You can’t sew what you can’t see clearly. I have taught a few people to sew, and I wish you the best with your attempts to learn how to do it. It’s very fulfilling to make something to wear and know it fits and looks good.
Buying wool any knitting is always a pleasure and relaxing! I am just finishing a summer shirt made out of stash and a few balls tencel yarn I had to buy. And I am already planing the next shirt. This will be done out of a cotton yarn which has been lying here for at least 20 years. It was a project I never finished but I still like the yarn.
Now I hope that the summer will not be too warm to wear them ….
I love to knit and read. I am also a “Yarnaholic”. Currently, I could knit the rest of the year and part of next year and never come close to clearing my stash. But I still buy yarn…One of my favorites is Blue Moon Fiber Arts. The owner, Tina, is an amazing color genius. She will customize her colors for you and I cannot say enough about how awesome she is. I have also just ordered several skeins of Lascaux from Ancient Arts Fiber to get my hands on Manx Loughton wool. I consider my order as part of my contribution to keeping Manx Loughton from extinction. That’s my excuse, anyway. Happy knitting!
A reader’s shawl!! Well… I am crocheting it with my Tuesday, 10am Crafty Chat group through NYPL. Yay virtual programming!
I got yarn for many many projects so I don’t need more yarn. I still pop by the local sellers an check out what they have… and you know how that goes. I have so many patterns book marked (so sneaky with free patterns https://www.garnstudio.com/) that I could knit from now and until my arms fall off and not be done.
I don’t knit much during the summer but once it gets cooler I snuggle up in one of my shawls (like these https://www.christel-seyfarth.com/webshop-overview-i-news?Kollektion=SHAWLS+knit+kits) and start up again.
I’m a quilter, so I know the stash mentality well. For the first time in almost a year, I HAD to have some fabric last week, and I needed a couple hours in my sewing room when it came last Friday. I like to think that means things are getting back to normal stress. The kind of stress that lets you know you are alive but not the overwhelming kind that makes you want to curl up and retreat.
Hope you will share what you make with your want to have yarn!
I just bought yarn for a sweater and cowl for me, and am working on a blanket for grandkid2. He wants blue. All blue. *snooze*. But mine is red, black and gray block sweater. ????
My take is you’re better, so able to do more than hide your head. Love the knitting posts. This is what got me back into knitting!
i am knitting the ribbed crop top i saw on the blog a few months ago for my teen. and of course socks…
Finishing a lap throw for my legs when the AC is on. I get cold with the blast of cold air, but at over 90* it’s necessary. So a small throw it is.
I just signed up for The Knitting Circle mystery knit along on fb. So far I have received instructions on needle size and length and how much yarn to purchase.
I have never done this so I am looking forward to it. In between reading Hidden Legacy series. Really enjoying the series. Would love another Kate Daniels world book.
My sister and I bought a membership in this mill and the yarn and Fiber is amazing and addicting.
https://www.jarbon.com/
Knitting socks, stranded mittens and a lace patterned shawlette, then a pair of mitts to match. Plus weaving tea towels. ???? The procrastinate-knitting is strong right now. (I keep the socks stashed in the car for waiting on people) ????
I actually just wrote a blog post about this! I picked 3 small-ish projects for this summer: Christmas stocking, holiday ornaments (for any holiday) & an Ugly Christmas Hat.
When I’m too stressed, I stop knitting. Maybe picking up knitting again is a sign of things improving.
I call it Pandemic Blah. I lost interest in a lot but I am starting to look for something new to do. Maybe watercolor..
I’ve been knitting baby booties using the free “baby uggs” pattern from the internet. Can do a bootie a night and they’re cute and stay on. Satisfying!
Have you ever made it into Austin Creative ReUse? They’re coming out of lock down and they have yarns. Sometimes really cheap, sometimes stupidly expensive, but interesting odds and ends of someone’s leftovers. You should check them out!
Sounds like getting back to normal; at least, Gordon seems to think so.
I just started crochet about 6 months ago. I wanted to make a tire cover for the spare on the back of my camper. Now I am tackling a lacy top to go over tank tops… I think I have bit off more than I can chew. I do love hearing about your projects and yarns.
I went into knitting doldrums soon after shutdowns last year – only knitted a winter warmup for my grandniece. Started to knit again recently. One of my charity groups is knitting afghan squares for teenage kids in foster care, just started my seventh square. Still knitting hats for the homeless. Also knitting some baby things for the daughter in law of a friend, who is now pregnant after successive miscarriages, and for our church choir director, expecting their first. I have not bought yarn in a long time, either. Really need to use what I have.
Who is pregnant, sorry…..
I fixed it for you 🙂
That’s me too! Normally I’m always making something, but lately I’ve been in kind of a funk and worried about business and all that, and I realized it’s been months since I’ve felt inspired to craft something. This has happened before though, and sooner or later I always find something that gets me excited. I feel like this spring /the start of summer has been a very distracting one for Texas as a whole though.
I don’t have any knit suggestions, but maybe a trip to Hill Country Weavers might inspire? Or one of their group knit social classes?
I am currently knitting a purple blanket using cascade 220 super wash.
I think it means things are getting more normal. When your hind brain thinks you are in danger it doesn’t want to be distracted by anything that isn’t needed for survival. Knitting isn’t life, so gets put aside. However, now you have Kid 1 situated, a project you needed to finish done, and your house repaired. Along with the vaccinations helping get the pandemic under control (though care is still needed), the level of stress has gone down to a more manageable level. Yarn is important again.
I like the Darn Good Yarn company–Most of their yarns are made from recycled sari silk (loom ends from weaving which would otherwise end up in landfills) and they give their workers in India and Pakistan living wages.
I would suggest that yarn cravings are a sign of return to normal! Happy knitting!
While there has been some angst, many of us still enjoy and rely on Ravelry, so always best to form your own opinion.
I have also struggled with knitting this year. It seems easier to collapse on the sofa with a good book. Maybe line up Hidden Legacy for a 6th re-read? I have only managed to finish two things this year so far (a fair isle vest for my husband – https://knitigatingcircumstances.com/2021/04/25/ursula-waistcoat/ – and a linen tee for me – https://knitigatingcircumstances.com/2021/06/06/tin-roof-in-linen/ -which I managed to knit from yarn that had been in my stash for many years). My plan for the rest of the year is colour! I’ve got two very bright things on the needles and one more waiting to cast on. I’m so happy to hear you have picked up the needles again! That’s a good sign.
Ravelry has free preemie patterns on their website. I came across them when I was looking for preemie sewing patterns. There is a local charity that I sew doll clothes for and it occurred to me that they might need actual tiny baby clothes. I found a nice raglan sleeve gown that will work for a preemie or a doll. I suspect a preemie crossover sweater would work up quickly.
I am finishing the most boring top I have ever knitted because I am tired to see it lying unfinished in my basket. It’s pretty but oh, so boring.
Also, I started a shawl, which is both pretty and not boring. So there is that.
My sister lace knits because if the pattern is too simple she loses interest and her mind. She once did a plain stockinette hooded sweater for a baby and proclaimed it the most boring project ever…until she attempted a ten stitch blanket.
Do you also crochet? I just finished a toiletpaper hat. It’s for a friend who bought an old camper van. She really wanted such a roll cover and I said I’ll give it a try. ????????
Whenever I need comfort yarn, I order something with possum fur from New Zealand. I used to be able to buy the yarn while visiting, but I switched jobs and now don’t get paid trips to NZ 🙁
Possums are an invasive species in NZ and kill many native birds. Culling the possum population is difficult and expensive, so turning their fur into yarn is a both a boost to the economy and a way to get rid of a pest. The yarn is sooooooo soft and very lustrous. I really cannot emphasize how soft this yarn is. And warm.
For a first-time buy, I’d recommend trying Outlaw Yarn. They ship to the US and the colors are great. Machine washable if you like to treat your knits that way. There are plenty of other brands and tons of indie dyers as well. But Outlaw is a good place to start.
Not a knitter but I really want to buy some material don’t even have any idea on what to make just want to look at new stuff ????
My current works in progress are a blanket for one of my nieces and a baby blanket for a baby due in September. Both will be Christmas presents. Baby blanket is cotton from my stash sugar and cream violet stripes and the adult blanket is Bernat yarn also from my stash.
I got Covid Maine Coon Kittens. So, my knitting is curtailed until they’re past the point of attacking the yarn????
I’m a beginning knitter, but I’ve been making blankets during the pandemic. I dislike counting and following a pattern, but making a blanket is easy enough for me to do without a pattern, so I’ve made …5? Working on a 6th. I guess I’ll need to find a place to donate them soon. ????♀️
I’m knitting a shawl (Stormy Sky pattern) for a dear friend. Double stranded of Vintage Rose (Camel and Silk) and Purity (Alpaca and Silk). The yarn is from Expression Fiber Arts. It’s pricey but I buy on sale. The camel and silk was too difficult on my hands but adding the alpaca and silk made it easier to knit. I will use this pattern again because the stitches are easy to knit but not boring and so pretty. That’s my criteria nowadays.
Shawl photo
Working on Espace Tricot’s Campfire Cozy. Takes any worsted weight yarn. Easy to set down and pick up. My goal had been to have it done before the weather got too warm. Classic fail. Now my goal is to have it finished before it gets too cold. ????
My coping mechanism is cross stitch thread and patterns Hubby says I now have enough to last until I am 145 (we won’t tell him I just ordered more) Enjoy
your knitting I know how relaxing and de stressing it can be
Wendy
Hi, I am knitting socks. I am participating in online Summer Sock Camp 2021 with the Crazy Sock Lady. Check it out on Ravelry or her podcast. I am slower than many people,
due to a darn full time job.
Janis
I’ve picked up my knitting again recently, too! I was surprisingly apathetic about it in 2020 – I did a few projects out of a sense of obligation, but wasn’t really EXCITED about it. I started crocheting a temperature afghan at the beginning of the year (one square per day, representing the lowest and highest temperature that day), but it was almost a non-project just because it’s such a small blip in my days.
About three months ago, kind of out of the blue, I suddenly had a burning desire to KNIT SOMETHING. I started the Knights Who Say Knit MKAL by Lyrical Knits (hilariously themed around Monty Python and the Holy Grail), and am now also finally knitting up The Crown Wools pattern by Casapinka (I bought a kit for it, solely because the yarn was SO GORGEOUS, about four years ago). I started and almost finished a Sockhead hat during jury duty last week. And I keep trying to work on my Leo Scarf (a Jade Starmore design/Alice Starmore yarns) but it’s such a detailed chart I have to have uninterrupted time and that just never seems to happen these days… I just signed up to test knit a sock pattern that I’m pretty excited about, too!
Hi Ilona! I go through this as well. Sometimes I’ll be in a mood to buy yarn or to knit/crochet something and that will last a few weeks up to a few months. Then I will have no desire to see anything yarn related for a few weeks. For me, it has to do with the fact that crocheting/knitting is sometimes frustrating when I do it all the time and I need a break. It’s not because I don’t love it because I do, it’s just a cycle that I go through. For me to love it again, I need a break every once in a while.
When you woke up with that need to buy yarn, I hope that means you’re not stressed and you feel you are returning to whatever your “normal” was. Buying yarn always makes me happy regardless and I hope it’s the same for you.
Have you every looked on Etsy to find patterns? I find the most beautiful patterns there.
My local yarn store https://www.crazyforewe.com/ is where I buy most of my yarn if I am buying it in person. The owner sends out a newsletter and I’ve been wanting to try this yarn: https://www.crazyforewe.com/products/kelbourne-mojave?_pos=1&_sid=6cf694391&_ss=r It is a cotton linen blend that seems great for summer tees, tanks and light weight sweaters. I think I will try something like this soon: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/keane-wonder
Hope you are okay and happy yarn buying!!!
I can totally understand you. I have strictly forbidden myself to buy more yarn until my stash is dramatically redused.
I started again after three years with a project which I frogged the first time. It’s the Sweater Mystic Glance from knitting delight. Hopefully I will pull through this time.
So good luck for all our knitting projects
I don’t knit, but a friend of mine does. To make a long story short, she remodeled her craft room, turning one of the closets with the huge folding doors into a storage space. When she give me the penny tour, it was only one room so not worth the usual nickel tour, I walked up to the closet and opened the door. Holy shit! It was filled floor to ceiling, wall to wall, with yarn. Yea, she said, I won’t be buying any yarn for the rest of this life time…LOL. To be honest it wasn’t all for knitting, she also weaves, but still…..thought you’d appreciate it.
I’m learning to knit, so it’s just potholders for me right now!
I’ve been spinning more than knitting lately so if you need some handspun yarn, I’ll be happy to send you some. I’ve recently cast on a harvest cardigan from tin can knits out of Camilla Fiber Company.
I vote for being better!
I am an artist, not a knitter, but I do know how to do a basic stitch.
I inherited my great grandmother’s knitting needles and decided to knit a wee mat for one of my miniature pieces.
It makes me smile.
I don’t knit, I sew. Last week I made a nice simple baby quilt.
It was awesome to start and finish a project in 2 days!
Going to the fabric store on Friday!!!
I’ve been knitting with friends. Finishing up my first big lace shawl, the horizon deluxe or whatever Hobbi named it. It’s a diamond lace repeat that was good for getting my head around reading lace charts.
The other day I showed my knitting friends pictures of the Lace Eater Shawl on Ravelry saying how much I’d like to be able to knit it. It’s beautiful, so everyone decided they also want to make it.
The pattern is 14 pages long with various charts as it evolves. I’ve gotten a really pretty wine colored Morino/Silk/Yak blend yarn. I also think we’re all crazy and none of us has done anything so advanced, but here we are. It will probably take us all the next 6 months to make it, if not longer.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-lace-eater
Slip stitch and mosaic seem to be big lately. That and the lotus flower stitch (with the ridiculously overpriced beanie pattern). I’m seeing alot more attention on local yarns (stuff that hasn’t been shipped across oceans). Knit Picks has its new High Desert yarn that I really want to play with, and I get some yarn now and then from Mountain Meadow Wool, a mill in Wyoming I visited with my mom when I went to visit once. I do a fair chunk of my own dyeing though (Knit Picks SW and Alpaca for a baby blanket most recently!) so I’m not entirely sure what all is the big thing in yarn these days.
Fingerless mitts, solid colors from the stash I bought to do colorwork with, plain 1×1 rib, a few beads on the backs of the hands. I’ll be taking them to the next craft night we have to share them around.
(btw, there is no asterisk in the name or email box today; gremlin?)
We moved to a new house and new state right before Covid. By the time the house was fixed up and I was ready to look for a new job, Covid hit, so I decided it was better to stay at home. Hubby was able to teach remotely, so I spent my time cooking, cleaning and obsessing over the news. Unbelievably, I was too stressed out to knit. Finally in the fall I felt okay enough to start knitting again. I worked on baby blankets and a Little Cotton Rabbits bear for a little girl down the street who was remote learning. Now I’m working on a college tiger mascot for my daughter who will be going back to college in the fall. It’s been a rough year. I’d say your stress is decreasing if you’re ready to knit again.
https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/cagillam/778962190/73A75259-B8E9-4E6B-9B0D-8E3692C69822_small2.jpeg
Need? Think “Want!”. My view on this sort of thing is that as long as the person can afford to splurge a bit, they should go for it. It can brighten up a day and helps stimulate the economy. It just shouldn’t be done to excess. For example, my nail polish collection keeps expanding. It still fits in a drawer so I’m not going to limit myself just yet.
You may not need the yarn, but if it makes you happy to add to your collection that’s a good thing. You seem very sensible about not overdoing things so a modest splurge shouldn’t be a problem. Happy shopping!
I just started knitting again myself, after taking a 2 year hiatus. I’m making a hat out of some Knit Picks Elegance that I already had, in a delicious plum color. It feels good to have yarn and needles in my hands rather than a phone.
I’m not a knitter but I am an avid gardener. Going through the same thing. Spring hits and I buy plants like crazy. Then summer kicks in and i have to struggle to get my latest plants in the ground. I think of combinations to fill my planters and gardens. I love different pallets this year I’ve been focused on hot pallets for annuals. Blood red & hot pink geraniums fill their planters. Mixed planters red pentas, giant blue salvia, white frost diamond with silver dichondra. Bright orange gerbera daisies with more red geraniums,deep purple verbena. Then there are the pots of Boston, maidenhair and royal ferns on my shaded patio along with mixes of dwarf hosta. I have large planters with young weeping japanese maples interplanted with more dwarf hosta and brass buttons. Then there are the roses, assortment of herbs, carnivorous plants, dwarf mock orange, azaleas, slender deutzia, iris and daylilies. I used to have pots of orchids but bringing them inside during the cold months is just way too much temptation for the cats.
Washcloths
I crochet hats. Pretty quick gratification, especially baby ones. I don’t get where all the Ravelry distress is coming from, I thought it was political? I still love it. I love taking bits and pieces from different patterns and making something that works for me.
Here’s my WIP for the last few months- almost done, just the ribbing around the neck and arms and blocking! This is only my second “fitted” piece, and I had to make adjustments to the pattern https://ravel.me/viceroy-3 to fit my proportions. Fingers crossed!
I think things ARE returning to more normal. I knit hats that I have adapted from a flat pattern that I make in the round. It really works for me because I haven’t found a way yet that I like when it comes to bind the knitting off. Everyone of them looks so nasty when I used them. With this pattern I keep reducing the rounds until I can use a large plastic embroidery needle to weave and close the hat off. So much nicer. The hats are then donated to different places. I also enjoy crocheting different simple things as well.
I’m currently crocheting a giraffe lovie blanket-guy for my best friends baby. My motivation comes in waves. I’m a beginner at this as well so I did a practice round to get the stitches and spacing/tension figured out and now that I’m onto the real deal, I have to really push myself to get it done. Nearly there! The struggle is real!
(I never buy yarn, I just steal my mom’s ????????)
I can’t knit, but I can crochet. I am working on an afghan done with Tunesian crochet.
Knit a Nuvem. They are wonderful to knit because once you finish the cast on (Judy’s favorite)it is stocking stitch in the round. Use beautiful yarn and it turns out lovely. You use up a good amount of yarn which leaves able to buy more. I usually use Wollmeise lace but, many more yarns look great in this pattern. It might get your knitting mojo back.
I am finishing off some old stash wool – bulk weight. Making a lap blanket because its winter here and it keeps me warm while I crochet.
My ongoing project is an asymmetrical shawl in Fyberspates Scrumptious 4 ply (silk and merino) . Beautiful colours in magenta, gold and oyster that make me happy.
I consider it my down time meditation that cuts out the background buzz of my brain.
I’m a sock addict. I bought a circular sock machine 4 years ago and make a lot of socks. I make most of the sock on the machine(you can do the entire sock by machine) and hand knit just the toes. Very addicting, they are quick with the CSM, they don’t take up much space, people are always happy to receive them and you usually only need one ball for a pair so buying yarn is fun. You can purchase lots of different skeins verses need several of the same color for a single project.
I’ve recently resumed knitting after a (decades) long hiatus. I decided that watching TV, while enjoyable, makes me feel guilty as it’s unproductive so if I need to destress I now knit or read (although I need to reduce my time spent doing that too). At the moment I’m knitting the Old Shale Shawl which is a free pattern on Ravelry. It’s my first attempt at a lace pattern and at knitting a shawl so I’m excited about it. Feeling positive and excited about my knit and crochet projects actually improves my general outlook and that makes moving through the work day easier for me as I have something to look forward too.
Hubby and I are embarking on a knock down re-build for our house and things are progressing rapidly. I’ve started to vacuum pack my yarn, and let me tell you the places I’ve been pulling that stuff out of is astonishing!! I have found seven – count them – SEVEN completed projects that just need to be stitched up (hate the sewing), eleven half completed, four inherited projects from a family friend no longer with us and five on-going that I got bored with and put away because something shinier came along.
So of course I found some yarn just perfect for a triangle shawl (all in garter stitch) for hubby’s grandmother who is in care – the staff are always losing her clothes – and had to start it right away!!!
Also just made my son a hat and fingerless gloves for his birthday, and am working on a lovely shawl that has arm holes. Very pretty.
Crochet and knitting are my meditation. I combine them with exercise. When I complete a row – to be fair they are LONG rows – I do 10 seat squats, my physio exercises for my shoulder and some form of step/arm combo that increases my heart rate. When I’m stitching all day I end up really tired 🙂
I agree with Gordon. There are some days I am so tired – mentally and physically – that I cannot do anything stitch related at all. My husband always knows when I am not feeling well, am angry or upset by whether my week includes yarn.
Our husbands know us well.
Thank you Ilona and Gordon for all your snippets – they are vastly appreciated.
I here you!! I realized a couple weeks ago that I hadn’t done any crocheting since early in the year, the thought of diving back into my big projects was to much so I browesed some YouTube how to’s and just been doing some small projects I am making a mesh rotten bag at the moment.
I don’t need anymore helmets but I’m going to buy more. I find it is not about “need” anymore, it is have to have.
I started looming an afghan last year but put it aside when it was almost done. I stopped embroidering, looming and pretty much everything crafty.
A few months ago I told my doc that I needed some help and he put me on antidepressants.
Life is much better now. And I’m getting the itch to craft. <3
Good for you, for asking for help! That can be sooo hard. Craft or don’t craft – whatever works for you in the moment (seasons, and all that…) Pulling for you!
Knit Gordon a Dwarven Battle Bonnet and convince him to wear it every time you get stressed. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sally-pointer–wicked-woollens
I’m making socks for the first time ever! Bamboo blend yarn and a youtube class. I also have some very stunning yarn I bought on impulse this fall – the skeins are half red and half black. Maybe a shirt/blouse? Not sure what to do with it yet.
I’m working on a shawl. Well, 2 shawls, but one is finicky charted lace and one is garter sitch, so when my mind is a hamster (frequently now), you can guess which one I run with.
I’m crocheting a couple of loveys for my sister’s first baby. It’s due in Nov. so I should be able to manage as long as I don’t procrastinate…cough cough…not something I’d ever do…
Imagined Landscapes has a new gnome pattern. I cranked out 10 of a different gnome last summer when the world was heavy.
I hear you, but sometimes you have to treat yourself with new yarn. I am making a Baby Bandit cardigan. A simple pattern with some special touches that I am a little nervous about. One of my favorite indie dyers is doing a pre-order for an abbreviated advent set. I have never bought one and am debating buying it.
I recently got yarn from Hobbii. I’m not sure if it’s Denmark, Sweden or Norway. BUT the yarn id really something, and I’m crocheting again. Question, have you any experience with these knitting looms? I sort of want to find out before committing to buying one. Thanks, me
When my Mom went through treatment for breast cancer (she’s a survivor now!), she probably spent as much on yarn as the cost of her medical care. My Dad was happy to accommodate. She is still an avid knitter, but is no longer supporting multiple specialty yarn stores! Do what you need to for your happiness and stress control, and make no apologies!
Baby blankets. Lots of baby blankets. I have 2 friends who are due within days of each other and neither told anyone untilthey were half way throughtheir secondtrimester. So I’m knitting like crazy trying to get baby presents finished.
I bought some yarn at knitpicks, sale! I’m crocheting lots of washcloths recently. I did buy a knit pattern called hexipuff blanket. I’m like a year behind the hype, but they’re very cute. I am going to use all my spare yarn for that. Still not that great at knitting yet. Maybe I should try that next.
I’m currently crochetting and I have 2 projects at the same time : a mandala plaid and a cotton sweater (the sweater is very plain, all in the same stitch and the mandala always change stitches and colors).
Well, I will probably pause for a few days because I just don’t feel like it.
I hope you find something to inspire you
PS : pardon my english, I’m french
Have you tried plantdyed norwegian wool? https://www.vaid.no/en has some beautifull plant dyed woll that she does by hand.
It definitely means that you are getting better. My Mum completely stopped gardening, and painting when my grandfather was in the final stages of dementia and then passed away. When she started gardening again, I knew that she was feeling a bit more herself. But she only just picked up a paint brush again more than 6 years later. Can’t tell you how happy it made me.
Sending you hugs and love your way~~
Hoping you picking up yarn is a good sign
I have been crocheting a shawl for my friend using Joker yarn from https://ladydyeyarns.com/. It’s a Black owned business that makes the most gorgeous hand dyed yarn I’ve ever seen. The Joker yarn, specifically, is a vibrant mixture of purples that makes my simple crochet pattern (I’m a beginner) look elegant:
I have the Fibre Co.’s “One Sock” on my double points as well as working on both Caitlan Hunter’s “Sunset Highway” pullover and Anne Hanson’s “405 Lex” cardigan.
Here are my suggestions:
1. Sweater: knit something simple.
A. Stockbridge by Ysolda Teague in fingering and DK patterns. I’ve got about 4 of these going (ran out of yarn, waiting for budget to get more). Easy, mindless knitting. Well written pattern.
B. I like Giesel cardigan pattern by Irina Anikeeva. It looks challenging, but not really. Once u get the lace pattern down, it goes quite quickly.
2. Yarn: Much to my budgetary dismay, I’ve discovered Miss Babs. I’ve purposely stayed away from her website because I’d heard the yarn was so expensive. Well the rest of the indie dyers have caught up, and her prices seem almost mainstream which is totally completely insane. I’m completely Gaga over her yarn and color.
Knitting time is precious. Don’t waist it on yarn that u really don’t like just to save a few pennies.
Happy knitting!
Oh, check out Yama Yarn indie dyers out of South Africa. Amazing yarn and designs!!
Any more, I knit as a form of zen. In the car, listening to a book (and occasionally reading one on my computer), long talks to friends on the telephone — so I do easy stuff, and the two below are as easy as they come.
The top-down faroese shawl. Hugs the shoulders. Easy pattern, good rhythm, and I can adjust it to the amount of yarn I have. You might need very long circulars, depending on size you make.
And the Southwood basic top down pullover sweater. Front and back are identical. Sizes from newborn to 5xl. Comfy sweater, easy to make. Standard needle sizes. I’ve made several for grandchildren as parents don’t need to fuss with which is the front/back, and as they start to dress themselves, there isn’t a “right way” to put it on.
Both patterns are on Ravelry, and both are free. The shawl can be adjusted to yarn weight and type. I haven’t tried any weight by worsted on the Southwood, as that is what I have in my stash.
My stash is generally a wool blend, although I like James Brett’s “Marble” line for 100% acrylic. Welcome back to the needles…
I got my current job because I put my hobbies, which at the time included knitting and crocheting, on my resume. They needed someone who could felt. I had only used a felting needle once, but I showed up and got the job. 8 years later and I’m the SME.
The job is in the biomedical field. The ‘felt’ is made from a PGA mesh (pga is the material dissolving stitches are made from). So I’m using my science degree (which was actually in botany :shrug:) and my crafting skills.
Life is weird.
Hope you enjoy the knitting!
THAT’S cool! What kind of items result from this felting?
I used to knit and crochet a lot.
I haven’t touched anything since last summer.
Ah Yes! finishing up the knitting projects. I actually finished one that I started years ago, I promised my self ” NO MORE YARN purchases until I finish all the projects – finished 3… several to go….broke my promise- ( my friend opened a knitting shop I have to support her). I talked to my daughter on the phone ( ME) guess what I am knitting this beautiful shawl ( Daughter) Yeah really smart, its gong to be 102 degrees on Thursday isn’t it a little HOT for wool ? ( Me-excited voice ) I am knitting with cotton!!! Juniper Moon Farm Cumulus rainbow ( It knits like a dream and it is so soft and squishy 🙂 I used a ravelery pattern ( when I find it I will post it)
I picked up the yarn the other day – the need to crochet was unreal. A friend drooled on this crochet pattern for a Maleficent cape, so I told her I’d make it for her – with the understanding that it may not arrive until Christmas.
As for yarn, I’m somewhat of a fan of the “mandala” cakes – 500+ yards in some cases – of yarn w/o the need to weave in? Yes, please.
My engineers are leery of me knitting – two sharp, pointy things and all. 😉
Socks. ! I knit socks all the time. Easy portable and sick yarn comes in a million luscious colors
I sort of got in a photography funk for a while, I think the pandemic got t all of us, starting to pick up and be creative again is to my thinking, a very good thing. ^_^
Your yarn stash makes me think about my fabric stash. I bought, I think, miles of fabric many years ago, and I was working my way through it when a vision exam discovered that my cataracts were bad enough to remove. I’m currently waiting for the second eye to heal — this Friday is the deadline for the surgeon to say it’s done — and I will get new lenses for correcting astigmatism and to have bifocals so I can see to sew again, and I simply dance in anticipation! I made long pants and long sleeved blouses in winter, but I have zero summer wear due to changes when I lost 45 pounds while I the cancer was eating all my calories.
This pandemic made us all a little crazy. Toss in being seriously ill through most of it, and my “crazy” is all the worse. Creating something out of materials of whatever kind helps us all feel as if this might end one day, and I wish you well with your knitting and yarn purchasing. To me, this post says you have come through the pandemic.
I don’t knit, I crochet a bit. Preferably small projects where the risk of me loosing my patience is small. But I might as well share my “Don’t loose my mind during worldwide pandemic” while taking care of twins. For said twins second birthday I did my first (and probably last) “Pimp My Swedish Piece of Furniture” aka the Duktig Kitchen. I painted the hell out of it, added lights, knobs and then added a “fridge” with a magnetic chalk board front. The microeave will get a real “turntable”. I loved the research, the planning, playing around with different colors. I really like the end result. So yes, I also think it is a sign of getting better when the “creative outlet” is back on track ????. Bonus: my son and daughter love it AND it fits into my dark blue kitchen.
I just ordered a boatload of yarn from filati-store.com: shades of summer and twisted summer shades. The plan is to knit a bunch of shawls for friends and myself… Let’s see how that pans out. I and forcing myself to finish the hoody I started before I touch the new yarn. I have finished half of the hoody so it might actaully happen ????.
I hardly touched my knitting during the pandemic and only started again at the beginning of this year. Not sure why, but I take it as a good sign that I am starting to do things that I enjoyed pre-pandemic.
Kathmandu cardigan from Drops/Garnstudio in Its a Wrap by Red Heart. I’m at the annoying knit for days to make the belt after the “are you kidding me” sewing instructions for the collar.
There is this beautiful short row flower petal jacket that I think you would like…. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jacke-blattwerk
I have much the same problem I have a shawl that I was making for my mom and now she will never see the finished project and I just can’t seem to pick up my yarn again. I’ve got lots of lovely yarn and a few partial projects but I have no drive, I think it’s just something you have to wait out when you have stress.
Thank you for sharing this. I haven’t knitted in over a year and it’s been driving me nuts. I think about it but haven’t picked up my needles. Definitely will remedy this and wish I knew the answer to the stress/normalcy question. Now, new project or resume an old? ????
I love this community! I can relate! I got a wild hair Sunday to crochet a shawl. Found some cotton yarn in my stash, (recently reorganized into just 6 bins!). But of course there wasn’t enough of a particular color so went and bought 17 more skeins yesterday! The struggle is real! I go in phases as well, have been mostly using up the stash on small projects for babies. Sweaters, baby Lovies and toys….
I find that crocheting for me is a meditation and helps create zen when I am stressed, and it makes me Happy when all is good….
I’ve been knitting a sweater for a while now – it’s more of a project for the winter as at the moment it’s HOT outside and handling wool is not so much on my mind, but I’m on the last stretch. I’ve already bought the yarn for my next project, probably a summer top (which will be finished by winter)
I don’t need more yarn, realy I don’t as I have some more lying around, but then I see something that inspires me to start a new project …. sometime next year or so
Hi Folks,
I have 4 projects working right now.
A Moss stitch baby blanket that I made up: 15 stitch edges; 100 stitch body; 19 row boarder on size 10 needles. Using Caron brand, white party. I find the Moss stitch pretty, but boring to knit.
The rest are all on Ravelry
The Thymus shawl in cream mulberry silk. Bad name but a very pretty and easy to knit shawl. Great directions.
The “Wheat” scarf pattern in a Malbrigo silk linen blend fingerling with a fingerling weight Milk Yarn. This is a Christmas Present
And the Das Tuchle scarf in Malbrigo chunky yarn, again for Christmas
Both the scarfs are easy and pretty. I usually only have 3 things going at once, but there are a lot of babies on the way!
I hope everyone is doing well. Love the blog and love the books
I love buying yarn but I find that I cycle through projects so when I get tired of working on a yarn project, I do something else. Eventually, yarn becomes my favorite again. Not sure what triggers the cycle change to a new project, but I do know that the world is always better when I know something is always waiting in the wings to accomplish.
I totally understand. I can go months without touching my needles or hooks, and then bam! I suddenly need to buy yarn and do a project or two!
The knitter’s muse is fickle and if it has just returned, Yay! To nurse it back to health, may I offer a few suggestions;
1. Do not resume that unfinished project that just did not spark joy. It may be why you went off your craft in the first place.
2. Stay away from novelty yarn and anything that has languished in the stash for a long time. There’s usually a reason.
3. Buy a skein or two of something in your favourite colour with a gorgeous handfeel and make a smallish project from a pattern you are familiar with and for yourself.
4. I would go the whole hog and invest in some new needles or a knitting bag.
You’ll have your mojo back in no time!
The yarn store is open to walk-ins. I’ve bought 2 sweaters worth of yarn in the last month. It’ll be forever before they’re knitted up. Current project is out of my stash – Araucania Mana – a mulberry silk yarn MC is Lapis, CC is “Golden Oak” emphasis on the gold. The pattern is Brightfeather on Ravelry. I’ve made a few mods. As usual…
What kind of things do you like the to knit? I got back into knitting last year and have created a large yarn stash already! Cascade is a simple but nice brand. Malabrigo Worsted is also a favorite of mine. I really want to buy some Sandnes yarn, but it’s difficult to locate in the US.
It means you were too drained to do anything before. Now that you have feelings to do (activity – knitting) again, be careful, because it can easily leas to another burnout if you don’t pace yourself. Nothing worse than investing a bunch of time & money to start a hobby up again and then crash.
I am crocheting a lace window valance with little lemons to attach to it. I have a few unfinished baby blankets, but it is hot, so I think I am going to make some hexagons for a table runner.
I think it’s a good thing…I’m thinking of going back to the yarn again. I cannot decide whether I wish to start knitting or crocheting (I started crocheting because it was faster than knitting, but I can’t figure out how to crochet cables…which I LOVE). Anyway… yarn is a good thing! Take to it, and fly. Just don’t overdo it.
(I was on eBay purchasing bamboo yarn once, but it was all from Asia and started at a $0.25 per skein. I just started bidding $1.00 on many skeins, thinking I would not get them all… 3 weeks later, I had about 300 skeins of lovely bamboo yarn in the mail! They are lovely, soft, and small, but I have enough to crochet a cozy for our house.)
I am currently knitting socks. I brought Dream in Color smooshy in Mermaid’s Shoes. It’s several shades of green, purple, and blue. It’s come out looking like a dark green yarn with flecks of lighter green, purple, and blue woven through it.
I already plan on making more socks after this. I love knitting socks. I don’t know why but I do. I plan on making a pair from my last yarn purchase, a coral color, from Cascade Heritage. Lacy, summery, socks…which it will probably take me until September to knit if we’re being honest. I…I never claimed to logical. But hey, they are a pretty, pretty, color, so “Yay!”
Hook and Needle Yarn Shop in Spokane WA has unique colors because they carry local dyers. If you are looking for yarn you should check them out. And no, I have no vested interest in recommending them to you, only a love of yarn.
I buy lots (and lots and lots…) of yarn from EatSleepKnit online—their customer service is fantastic, and they sell hand-dyed and hand-painted yarns, supporting lots of indie folks.
I knit sweaters for people, using Amy Herzog’s CustomFit. It’s amazing to knit things and have total confidence they will fit, as the patterns are generated to measurements you provide for each person.
When I stopped consuming broadcast news and limited my newspaper reading when the news starting getting so hard in 2016, I took up knitting again after 20 years. I’m now on my 84th sweater. All my children and all their friends have multiple sweaters. All my friends (and some of their friends) have sweaters. I send stuff to the local shelters. It keeps me balanced and calm; I can knit while I read, and while I watch stuff, and, salvation of all salvation, during work zoom meetings. I wouldn’t have gotten through this all without the knitting!
The nice thing about customfit on top of the wonderful fit and how happy recipients are, is that you do it in pieces, so a lot of the knitting is mindless. When I need a challenge, I knit Jutta von Hinterm Stein, whose patterns are wonderfully interesting.
Squoosh Fiberarts Ultra DK is a fabulous substitute for MadeleineTosh (which has many bases out of stock most places right now). I’m doing my first linen knitting this summer—it’s a challenge!
If you decide that you want to pick up some more yarn because you are in the right place to begin (or recommence) knitting, Hobbi is a great site for all kinds of yarn. It a Danish company and they have a great selection. Just a thought
I’m just finishing off the (never ending) icord bind off on Stephen West’s Dotted Rays. (I was supposed to finish it in March for a couple of KALs, but when I couldn’t finish the last wedge, I kind of put it away for a while. It is now Stash Dash, so I need meters, and am happy to get them any way that I can.)(Love the project, love the pattern, will probably make another someday.)
I knitted throughout 2020, but I couldn’t be arsed to finish anything much. Eh. I’m now thinking of frogging a couple of those projects, but no hurry. My greatest achievement of the year was to learn Norwegian purling and switching completely to it. (I like how my ribbing looks much better now.)
Next, I need to finish off the two sweaters I am making for my nephews… I’ve only been knitting them since 2019!!! And I had the realization that I have to have their mamma check the boys’ measurements as it’s been two years since I last checked. Oy. (No worries, I made them big because I knew I wasn’t a fast or consistent knitter. They should fit this autumn and winter, at least! I’ll probably just have to add length to the sweater hem, the sleeves are suspiciously long already.)
Once I’ve finished at least one of the nephew sweaters, I might cast on a cardigan for me. (Siri by Linnéa Öhman.) There are another couple of KALs…
My suggestion for you Ilona is to look at Stephen West’s shawls. He has patterns that are one color, and others that are a riot of color. And they’re fun to knit! Or maybe Andrea Mowry’s Find Your Fade. Something joyous where you can play with color—and dig through your stash for fun options.
I’m really late commenting on this post but I bought a bunch of awesome and bright worsted yarn from Haute Knit Yarns and am now knitting an extremely basic shawl (Boneyard Shawl) for my Gma. I’m using stash yarn from MadTosh for a pair of super thick sleeping socks and Sauron eyeball colored sock yarn to knit a basic mesh bag.
For pandemic reasons, I find it difficult to knit anything that requires too much attention so I’m here for the soothing/coping processes.
I also picked up my Boneyard UFO and finished it for just the same reason! And I’d just about come to the conclusion that I would never finish it and should go ahead and frog it… but then I needed simple pandemic knitting et voila…
I stopped knitting for a few weeks and a couple people noticed and got *deeply concerned*
The yarn buying has also backed off but that’s mostly due to moving. I’ll get there again once I unpack the stash. Hope what you bought was lovely!
I’m not knitting at the moment, but crocheting. I’m trying my hand at amigurimi with a pattern i found on Pinterest of Toothless from “How to Train Your Dragon”.