How Many Projects Can You Juggle?

Juggle Knitting

How many creative projects can you juggle?  I like to limit myself to working on three knitting projects at one time.  Why three?  No reason, it just sounds like a manageable number.

Right now, I am working on socks, a scarf, and mittens for boys.  (To learn why I am knitting mittens for boys:  http://wp.me/p1pus6-fn)  I am having fun and enjoying each one of these projects.

So what’s the problem?  Well, my knitting mind wants me to knit another sweater!

Another sweater is a big job, I keep telling myself.  I don’t have time right now.

But it’s so much fun!  My knitting mind replies.

Yes, it is fun. My creative side wants to knit almost everything it sees.  My practical side tells me that I really need to finish those socks and scarf before winter returns. And the boys are counting on me for some mittens.

What to do?  I will try to put off my urge to knit another sweater until later this year.

I hope to have my socks, scarf and some mittens finished by then.

My Turtle Pullover

Turtle Pullover

I just finished knitting a striped pullover.  This sweater was inspired by the turtles I enjoyed watching last spring. So I decided to name this sweater my Turtle Pullover.

It took about four months to knit this sweater.  I used a sport weight wool yarn from Brown Sheep Company.  The pattern is my own.

I had planned to make a hooded pullover but then I changed my mind.  I had the feeling that it would look better with a green neckline.  Now that it is finished, I like the way that the green neckline balances with the bottom stripes.

Cold weather has returned.  It was 24 degrees F last night, and there are a few snowflakes blowing in the wind today.  This pullover is perfect to wear to the pond and watch the turtles.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Indulge

Knitting Books

A quiet afternoon, a comfy chair, my favorite knitting books, and my mind gets lost in thoughts of colorful yarns and creative ideas.

A New Year, A New Sweater

I just started knitting a new sweater and I’m really having a lot of fun with it.

The yarn that I am using is a sport weight wool from Brown Sheep Company.  I must admit that I am very fussy about the yarn that I choose for my projects.  I do not like wool that is itchy or feels rough.

This is the first time that I have used Brown Sheep Yarn and I can definitely say that it will be added to my list of favorite yarns.  This yarn feels great.

Back Piece of Hooded Pullover

Here is a photo of the back of the sweater.  I am knitting with straight needles because that is my favorite way to knit.

Knitting is quite wonderful in the way that there are many different options available for constructing the same garment.  Some people, for example, would prefer to knit their sweater with circular needles.  In my opinion, there is no wrong way to knit.  All knitting is good.

My plan is to make a pullover sweater with a hood.  I am using my own pattern.  The sweater will be lightweight to wear, but plenty warm, because it is wool.

Last spring, I had a lot of fun visiting a nearby pond and watching the turtles.  Some mornings were a bit chilly and I thought it would be great to have a wool hooded pullover to wear when I visit the pond.  My sweater should be finished just in time to watch the turtles again this year.

Boys Need Mittens

Winter in Minnesota is very cold. We have many days below the freezing level. And lots of snow too.

Kids want to go outside to play. They like to throw snowballs and build snowmen.  They like to slide down the hills on sleds.  They like to ice skate on the outdoor rink.  It is very important for them to wear warm clothes.  Hats, mittens, and warm boots are required.

I knit warm wool mittens for local children who need them. I do my best so that children who go out to play have warm fingers.

Recently I talked with the person in charge of distributing donated mittens to children.  She said that they have a shortage of mittens for boys. I was surprised. When I asked why, she said it is because they receive too many pink and purple mittens. Girls love pink and purple mittens. Boys want mittens that are dark blue, brown or black.

Her words made me think. Over the years, I have knit many mittens for children. I have knit dozens of purple and pink mittens. But I have knit only a few pair of black mittens.  I felt sad. I had forgotten to knit mittens for boys.

Well, now I have decided that 2012 will be my year of knitting mittens for boys!

Root Beer Yarn

Today I bought this brown and black wool yarn. It is soft and warm and just perfect for mittens for boys.  I read on the label that the color of the yarn is “root beer”.   I was pleased.   Boys like root beer.  I hope they like my mittens.

Yarn Bombing

Street Art Made From Yarn

Knitting Socks – Many Choices

I love to knit socks.  I also love to wear them.  It only takes some yarn and  knitting needles to make a pair of socks.  And with good instruction and some practice, it really is easy.  So here are my tips, mixed with a bit of humor, on knitting socks.

Before you start knitting socks, you need to decide how you want to make them.   That’s right.  There is more than one way to knit a sock.  In fact, there are five ways.  Don’t worry.  Each way works just as well as the other.

Let’s look at the five different paths to a great pair of socks.

1.  Knitting Socks With Four Double-Point Needles

In this method, three needles are used to hold the sock stitches and one needle is free for knitting.  Many people learn how to knit socks this way.

No wonder knitters think that it is too hard to knit socks.  Three needles make a triangle.  I find it very hard to knit a triangle.  So I say keep reading to find something better.

2.  Knitting Socks With Five Double-Point Needles

Here we use four needles to hold the sock stitches and we knit with the fifth needle.  This is the way that I was taught to knit socks and it is my favorite method.

Knitting Socks WIth Five Needles

3. Knitting Socks With One Circular Needle

Knitting needles are a very personal choice.  After all, you will be holding them in your hands for a long time.  So they need to be comfortable and you need to like them.

With that in mind, I must admit that I do not like circular needles.  I know many knitters love them.  But they are not for me.

4. Knitting Socks With Two Circular Needles

My first reaction to this method is … never.  Never in a zillion years would I knit anything with two circular needles.  I know there must be someone who loves this way to a great pair of socks.  But it’s not me.

5. Knitting Socks With One Long Circular Needle

This is known in the knitting world as the “magic loop” method.  The basic idea is to twist the long needle into two “magic” loops.  I tried to coax my long circular needle to form two “magic” loops.  Of course, my circular needles refused.  So I will move along.

Circular Needles in a Relaxed Pose

Casting On

The next thing to do is to place the yarn on your knitting needle.  This is called the “cast on”.

Of course, there are many different ways to wrap a piece of yarn around a needle.  Each way has advantages and disadvantages.  The best way is often influenced by the design of the sock.

Let’s look at some options for casting on.

1.  Loop Cast On

The loop method is very easy.  The yarn is twisted to form a loop and the loop is placed on the needle.  Beginners may produce loops that are too loose or uneven.  Don’t worry.  Practice makes perfect.

2.  Backward Loop Cast On

The backward loop is nice if you like to knit backwards.

3.  Long Tail (Continental) Cast On

The long tail, also known as the continental cast on, is done with one hand and one needle and two long pieces of yarn.  The fingers work the yarn around to form loops and slip the loops onto the needle.  Talented fingers are required.

4.  Norwegian Cast On

This way is similar to the long tail cast on.  In this case, however, the two yarns are wrapped around each other an extra time. Super talented fingers are required.

5.  Knitted Cast On

The knitted cast on involves two needles, one piece of yarn and gives a stretchy edge.  Two needles, two hands and only one piece of yarn.  I like it.

6.  Invisible Provisional Cast On

Invisible! Provisional! It’s too scary to think of such words so close to Halloween.

7. Eastern Cast On

Hold two double-point needles parallel to each other and wrap the yarn around both needles.  Then use a third needle and some knitting gymnastics to create your stitches.  Yes, you can use two hands.

More Choices – Top Down or Toe Up

Going Up?  This means you want to start knitting with the toe, then work to the heel, and finish up with the cuff.

Down Please.  Start knitting at the top, with the cuff, then knit down to the heel, work the foot and finish with the toe.

I Love to Knit Socks

Now you know a bit about the many choices available to sock knitters.  I hope you are not too confused!  With so many choices available, there is sure to be a fun and easy way for you to knit a great pair of socks.