Last 3 days of the 30 Days of Knitting Meme

It's about time I finished this! I started this in what...February? And since I only have three days left and I'm wide awake I figure I'll finish them now.

Day 28: Do you do any other crafts besides knitting? What are they, and did learning to knit come before or after learning these other crafts?

(This question should be what crafts don't I do.)

I learned how to crochet a month before I learned how to knit. I was visiting my grandma, and asked about what she was doing and she taught me. I came home with an I hook and fugly acrylic yarn and crocheted funny little gauge swatches. I decided to visit her a month later and she said she would teach me how to knit! It took me a lot longer to learn how to knit, and for designing purposes I understand crochet better. Maybe because the stitches are like Lego blocks and are just stacked right on top of each other, but I just understand it better and the composition. Even though I can understand it, I wouldn't describe myself as being solely a knitter or solely a crocheter. I love both crafts and am grateful I know how to do both. (I know way too many people who can do one and not the other.) Sometimes I will crochet for a few months straight and then come back to knitting, and sometimes I can knit and crochet in the same night. It just depends. 

I also know how to sew. I learned how to sew from my mom when I was little, but I only stitched by hand. I wanted a sewing machine, but with elementary and high school, along with extra-curricular activities (and all my other hobbies) it wasn't feasible. After I hopped on the knitting and crocheting train, and found crazy mom quilts amazing designs I realized that I did want a sewing machine. I really enjoy sewing, though not as much as knit/crochet. I have a serger as well and just found the instruction manual so I will be serging soon. (I also found a pattern to make a little monster online that requires a serger. Perfect!)

My mom also taught me how to cross stitch when I was little. I like it, but it takes a long time. Since then I've branched out into embroidery, but neither are as serious as knitting or crocheting. 

As for new crafts I'd like to learn? I have a yarn dyeing kit, a drop spindle with roving, and a "learn to needle felt kit." I just can't get enough!

Day 29: Do you have any tips, or things that you’ve learned from knitting?

 Off the top of my head the only one I can think of is doing the cable cast on with a crochet hook. I used to do the "knit on" cast on technique, but when I was knitting a Blythe sweater the cast on row looked really bad. I never liked doing the cable cast on because I could never finagle it properly and the yarn would always split. The other day it dawned on me to use a crochet hook, and it works perfectly! So just instead of using the second needle, using a hook!
*KnittingHelp.com's webpage on Casting On*

Day 30: What’s your name on Ravelry? If you don’t have a Ravelry account, why?

My account on Ravelry is OnePinkHippo. I also have progress bars for my WIPs on the right sidebar. If you don't have Ravelry, I seriously suggest you sign up. It's not in the beta stage anymore and you can get an account ASAP. It's the best way to keep track of my stash and projects. My mom isn't too technically advanced (Baby Boomer!) and keeps track of her project details in a little notebook, but I love using Ravelry. I can easily access (as long as the Internet works...) a project and see what size needle/hook I used and what yarn. Since I love photography, it's also convenient to keep pictures on there along with all the details. One of the best things is that you can see what other people's FOs look like; hear their complaints or praises for a design, yarn, project; see different yarn; and talk to other Ravelers on their message boards. It's the best website I've found for people that share my love of knitting and crocheting. They recently expanded it to include a hand-spun yarn category as well as a weaving category.

Well that wasn't too hard, was it?!

Day 27: How do you acquire most of yarn? Online retailers, local yarn shops, swaps, or large chain craft stores? What’s your favorite?

I would say I'm unable to acquire yarn now, according to my New Year's resolution, but that didn't stop me from buying 6 balls of Sugar 'n Cream that I didn't need at Michael's today. I usually get my yarn at Michael's, a 'large chain craft store' to go with their terminology. It's cheap, and I don't mind acrylic, since I make a lot of 'ghans and amigurumi, and I'm a poor college kid without a job. For more expensive yarn I like LYS's, especially one on Capitol Hill I found which I can't remember the name, and the Brooklyn Yarn Cafe on Flushing Ave. where I got my Noro Kureyon. I love KnitPicks, which is cheap, but for expensive yarn and new fibers I really like to feel it and squish it and see the colors in person. And when it comes to Noro, smell it. (If you've ever used Noro, you know the Noro smell I speak of.

 

 On a non-meme related note, today was a fabulous mail day, thanks to EssHaych and kimberlymunn, so there will be many photos soon. And I need to start sharing my FOs! 

Day 26: Have you ever been a part, or wanted to be a part of a knit-a-long? What was it? If not, why?

Remember this?

I have been part of a KAL. Probably more than one, but I can't really remember. I do remember the most recent KAL was for the Effortless Cardigan. I was really excited, but it took me a few times to cast on and stay with the right stitch count. Then it was plain stockinette, which was boring, and I was super busy with school, so it's in hibernation right now. Hopefully I'll get back to it over the summer.

(Actually, writing this just reminded me about it! Back on the to do list it goes!)

Day 25: Do you have a knitting book or a place where you keep patterns, ideas, size measurements? Post a picture of it!

Wow, remember this meme? Let's try to complete it, yes?

In the little notebook I keep ...notes, patterns and ideas. In the binder behind it (which has the schematic for my grandma's afghan) I keep projects I'm working on now. I have three binders that aren't pictures: one for printed knitting patterns, printed crochet patterns, and printed sewing patterns, which includes small patterns.

That wasn't so hard was it?!

Day 24: Have you ever made your own pattern or dyed your own yarn? How did it turn out?

I have yet to dye my own yarn, but I have two crochet block patterns!

Vera's Spike Stitch Daisy

Wagon Wheel Granny Square

Which reminds me, I should take better pictures.

Day 23: If you had the supplies (and patience) for it, what project would you start today?

Another blanket! I am such an afghan and blanket crocheter. I have four in progress (granny daughters, happy summer hexagons, my grandma's 80th birthday and swap hexagons) as well as squares from 2009 that need to be joined, but I'm jonesing for another blanket fix.

Granny Stripe Afghan // Attic 24

I might have enough yarn to do this. I have a bag of random full skeins of worsted yarn, but I'm tired of having scrapghans. I'd like something with a set color combination.

Color Bar Blanket // Cat Mazza, from Stitch 'N Bitch: The Happy Hooker

I love granny squares. And color. I want to do one of these so bad. I have an image of color bars that I'm going to use, but I really can't afford to buy more yarn and where would I even put it? Plus, I have like 5 WIPs and various UFOs all over the place. Maybe some of those single skeins of worsted I can put towards this.... hm, idea!

Babette // Kathy Merrick 

Log Cabin // Kay Gardiner and Anne Shayne, from Mason - Dixon Knitting

photo courtesy justfeltcreative

And I would love to do either of these in a specific palette, maybe pinks for the Babette and muted tones for the Log Cabin.

Oooo, now I'm frustrated because I want to start all of these!!

Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-knit-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last knitted gift to them?

Unfortunately. For a time during my senior year in high school I had three best friends, and I made them all fuzzy Fancy Fur scarves like my first project. I never saw them wear the scarf and promptly scratched them off my list, though one friend who spent a year abroad in China was put back on the list and received an octopus holding a Chinese flag for her birthday.

Day 21: Do you knit gifts for friends and family for the holidays or birthdays?

Yes I do, though the presents are usually late. My parents always get something for Christmas, and I'm two behind on a set of placemats and coasters for my aunt and uncle. I've got my grandma's 80th birthday afghan still unfinished, with about 8 square to go, and for my other grandma I have a ripple shawl planned. Her birthday is March 4th, and I haven't started so I doubt that will get done.

Day 20: Do you knit in public? Was anyone offended/incredibly happy/curious that you were doing so?

I do. I've taught a few people, though I'm not sure how much it stuck because they didn't have needles or yarn with them. Usually people are pretty curious about it. In fact I was knitting before class and this guy was fascinated by it and was just staring at me, mesmerized.

Day 19: Do you watch movies and/or listen to podcasts while knitting? What are your favorite things to knit to?

I usually watch movies or TV when I knit. The TV's almost always on History Channel, so it's not like Jersey Shore is on all the time. Sometimes I listen to music, but usually I'll listen to some of my records since they aren't portable. But I just got glasses today for distance, and I was trying to knit earlier, and had my glasses on to see the TV, but can't focus close up so I had to ditch the glasses and move to the floor so I could be closer to the TV. I might be sticking more to watching movies on my computer or listening to music now.

I've tried to listen to audiobooks as well, but those are a snooze-fest. You can't beat a book.

Day 18: Do you knit English or Continental?

I thought it was Continental, because I hold the yarn in my left hand. But apparently "the motion of bringing the yarn forward with the needle held in the other hand" is picking, which I don't do. So, I guess it's more of a hybrid method.

Either way it gets the job done, and I enjoy it.

Day 17: Have you ever had a project that you loved become ruined? What’s the story behind it?

This was one of my first "real" projects. I think it was the first one after I graduated from simple garter stitch scarves. It was a 1x1 rib with a slit in it. After you were finished, you'd gather the ends together and have two pom poms.

Here it is modeled by Muttsey: 

I was really thrilled, because it was a muted camouflage color yarn, and I had beige worsted to make the pom poms. I think I wore it twice and a pom pom fell off. 

After a few dozen failed attempts at making pom poms (they're difficult to get so even!) and my cats being loaded down with pom pom toys, I decided to just give it a fringe.

It's not nearly as cool. If I still have it, I should suck it up and make some pom poms for it, because it really was cute, and I worked hard on it. This was back in the day when 1x1 ribbing was a pain in the ass, and doing that slit in the middle was the hardest thing I had ever done. 

Day 16: Have you ever had a knitting related injury?

Actually I have! I had tennis elbow a few years back, which

...is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. It is commonly associated with playing tennis and other racquet sports, though the injury can happen to almost anybody.

Tennis elbow is an overuse injury occurring in the lateral side of the elbow region, be more specific, occurs at common extensor tendon that originates from the blah blah medical speak... (source)

Apparently it's because I was use my left hand to throw the yarn. (apparently I knit Continental?) I think it was more from crocheting, but it didn't stop me or slow me down.

Day 15: What was your least favorite pattern and why?

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any. I know I've had problems, but I think they've been with me. I know I've had problems with some 12 inch square patterns that I've had to translate get clarified but nothing that I can even remember.

Day 14: What’s the worst yarn/fiber that you’ve worked with and why?

Novelty yarn, ugh.

I hate it because it's so temperamental and obnoxious. Trying to work with it on its own is impossible, so using it with a strand of worsted acrylic makes it less tedious, but I'm still not much of a fan.

That being said, I still have a lot from the Dollar Store (it's yarn...for $1!) and it's great for adding things such as hair and details to amigurumi. 

Day 13: Do you have yarn that you love but can’t find a project for?

I have two skeins of this Knitting Fever Cashmere Luxury Chunky, one each of the teal and purple, and don't know what to do with it. I think I only have enough for a hat. 

And I have some Malabrigo, worsted weight in Dusty Olive on the left, and lace weight in Purple Mystery, but I'm not sure if I have enough or what to make out of either.

And I have some gorgeous handspun yarn, but only a skein or two of each and don't know what to do with them! I need to flip through my One Skein book. 

Day 12: Where do you keep your stash? Post pictures!

Ah, my beautiful, glorious, humongous stash. 

It's been reorganized since. In the blue box on the far left has yarn I've purchased with a pattern in mind. The big yellow box has my true stash, just yarn yarn yarn. And there's some SpaceBags in the back with unfinished afghans and cotton. 

For 2011 I'm working on decreasing it. We'll see how that goes...

Day 11: Do you have a “Knitter Hero” or someone that is just way too awesome for their own good? Do share!

Gosh, there's so many. Just a few...

Knitting:

• Knitting in the Red
• Knit and Company (the best knitting pictures of tumblr)
• and I recently stumbled upon Kathryn Ivy's blog.

Crochet:

• EssHaych, though she needs to update more!!
• EASY
• Bunny Mummy

I have a ton on my Ravelry favorites, so check those out, too. 

Day 10: Do you have a favorite pattern or designer?

I don't have a favorite "go to" pattern, except for washcloth ones, but I do have some favorite designers:

• Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi Land. I was lucky enough to take a class with her to learn how to make her adorable baby gators. I love her quirky knit amigurumis. 
• Beth Doherty of GourmetAmigurumi. Another amigurumi maker, this time working in the traditional crochet. I love the colors she uses and how she adds fabric and other cute details to give her creations personality. 
• Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed. Just go look at his beautiful knit designs and photographs. Go. He really has an understanding of fibers and knitting construction, and his designs are just fabulous.
• Lucy of Attic24. I am incredibly jealous of the colors this woman uses. It's like a color-gasm reading her blog. As a fellow color lover, I am enamored. 
• Jan Eaton. She's my afghan square goddess, author of both 200 Crochet Blocks and 200 Knit Blocks. Check out her Ravelry design page; she's done a lot more than these two amazing books. (And these books are totally necessary for every knitter and/or crocheter.) 
• Stefanie Japel. I have Fitted Knits and I want to knit everything from it. I just love the sweaters and cardis and such she designs; they can fit in any wardrobe. Her blog is a good read as well. 
• Hansi Singh. I first found her on Ravelry with four of her realistic amigurumis: a cuttlefish, octopus, dumbo octopus and squid. Since she's expanded to include more patterns (like a chameleon) and wrote a book, Amigurumi Knits. In comparison to Mochimochi Land's and Gourmet Amigurumi's amigurumis, Singh's are more realistic, rather than cutsey and kawaii, but they're cute in their own right.

Day 9: What fiber or yarn do you love working with?

I'm too cheap to be a yarn snob, and will use acrylic, especially Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice. Wool is okay. It's a bit scratchy. I don't think I could wear a pure wool sweater. I'm just starting to use an alpaca and wool blend for my Effortless Cardigan - Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light - and it's a dream.

But I think my favorite is cotton. I love cotton yarn. It's cheap, comes in tons of colors, and can be used for everything. I normally use it for washcloths or cat toys, but it can even be used for sweaters. It's soft yet strong, and gets better with washings. I love it.