Homage to patterns

Just a hello.
Two things.
Some people love yarn, have a major stash, etc. While it is true that my close friend (and pack rat in her own right) told me I have too much yarn, I do not think that my problem is yarn.

Instead I have a problem with patterns. I think I am alone in this one. Many blogs talk about "yummy" yarn, a yarn obsession, an over flowing stash. It's true, I have a lot of yarn. But my obsession, my passion, with knitting is the patterns! What is it? The potential? The thrill of making it my own? Its the idea that here is all I need to create this beautiful clothing. This piece of paper, these letters, can be transformed, translated, with yarn and time, into a wearable object. A clothing item - -but a work of art, in a way. Or maybe just a way of passing the time - a physical representation for the time I spent watching Dollhouse, BSG, Dexter, or any other inanely nerdy show. I show it in knits. Maybe that's why, when I finish a pattern - no matter how many are in my binder - I hunt for more...what's next? A cami? A tee? A slouchy hat? In that moment between casting off and casting on that is where possibility lies! I cannot wait to cast on again - but part of the trilll is finding the best pattern to suit my skill, my time, my available yarn ( use up the stash baby! ). Seeing the potential, the garmetns I can make...That is the most thirilling.
I think I may be alone in this obsession. I know lots of knitters thrilled with yarn. To me the potential of yarn is in the pattern. Perhaps this is because I haven't delved into making my own patterns. Instead I look to patterns to dictate what I will knit. I don't see a problem with that tho. It makes me so excited and thrilled to look at patterns.
What's your take?

Knit Update

I'm almost done with the simple knitted bodice. (Only been at it for about a year...lol!). I have two more rows on one sleeve, and the the second sleeve, then the neckline. I hope to finish the sleeves today. Is that too ambitious? Maybe, but I have a whole season of Dexter to watch, and I am hopeful. Nevermind the fact that I also have to finish an entire website for a final project, and adjust some photos for a friend. When the end is in sight, it makes me want to crank it out.

Other news, I broke down and actually bought the Apartment Therapy book. I'd checked it out from the library before, but I think its a book you should own.

I went to Target yesterday and spent a gift card on kitty litter, aluminum foil, and some cute ballet flats that are 1/2 size too big. My friend just gave me some amazing green Doc Martins that are 1/2 size too small. Can these two shoes get together and exchange their half size wrong-ness...please? I'm going to check out a cobbler next week I think to get some boots re-soled and see if they can stretch the Docs.

Owls Sweater

Wow, this is so cute. I don't even like sweaters with that neck decoration, (what is it called?), but owls are such a little cute friend of mine. Plus button eyes!!! I love it!



Would I personally actually wear it? I don't know.
Should I make it? Maybe for someone else. This totally falls in that category of knits I think are so cool/cute but questionable to wear - ie not really my style. Maybe I will steal the owl cable pattern and create something a little more subtle. Probably in black...what a surprise :)

via CraftGossip

Un Knitting Lace

Well, apparently this can be done. I have absolutely no idea how to do it, and to me it seems a lot more complicated then just frogging and re-doing it.

It is hard to frog back size 3 stitches! I am having a hard time. Not with the frogging part of it, but with getting the needle in place in the row that I want to start from. I'm going to follow some advice I learned on Ravelry and put in an "after-the-fact" life line using thin embroidery floss and a needle.

Also, am I the world's slowest knitter or what? I started this project in July! Maybe it would help if I just focused on knitting instead of trying to watch TV at the same time. I'm going to do some research and let you know my tips for knitting faster...stay tuned.

Don't do drunk knitting!

Rarrr frustration.

I am finally on the sleeves of the Simple Knitted Bodice by Stephanie Japel, working on the lace part. I am being forced to used double pointed needles, because my size 3 circular is too long. Anyway, I was knitting and watching Battlestar Galactica last night (yes, its true), and drinking a little wine, I made a mistake of what row I was on. I tried to "un-knit" but guess what, you can't un-knit lace, or at least I can't.

So I have to frog back to the purl rows. At least I hadn't gotten that far into the lace, I am just annoyed with myself.

I wish:
*Un-knitting lace was possible
*Putting in a "life line" was super fast and easy - I am too lazy to do it.
*Denise interchangable needles came in smaller sizes! They stop at size 5...why? Probably has to do with the size of the cable. Well, they should make a mini size kit, like size 4 down to zero. I would buy it! Hello Denise, are you listening??

A Cute Sweater

Look at this beautiful sweater. I love how casual it looks, I love the flowing drapey sleeves. I may have to make this!

Plus the pattern is available as a free PDF.


via Lime & Violet