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November 27, 2004Knitting Slump...What knitting slump?Hope all celebrating had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The great knitting vibes that came my way, a little bit (make that a lot) of turkey and kind words can cure just about anything. The knitting slump is officially OVER! Woohoo! Though I am not participating in any of the official secret pals, roak or any of the other great knitting swaps going on, I really enjoy watching it as yarn and other goodies get many frequent flyer miles and knitters exchange goods along with a whole lot kindness. However, I am really enjoying my not so secret pal unofficial roak swaps status at the moment. Knitbloggers and knitblog readers are just too cool and generous. Even though I'm not in the official fab swaps, I see what all the hoopla is about. I just received a fabulous package from Sophie (the real frog, hehe. you totally crack me up that Sophie). You picked out an amazing project for me. I was immediately drawn to that project the moment I saw it. Merci beaucoup! How did you know that would be perfect?  Marie Claire Idees~Phildar leaflet~yarn~buttons~la droguerie post card~very cute note This has got to be some of the most amazing yarn and gorgeous buttons that I have ever seen. It is destined to be this beautiful project. I am even enamored by the la droguerie bag and post card. I always like to keep the many projects being jostled around in my bag separate from each other to reduce wool wear and this cute little bag will have a project in it shortly (much more stylish than my usual ziploc's, hehe). Sophie, your timing was perfect and it helped snap me out my slump. And super big thanks for the extra goodies and thoughtfulness that landed this package at my door. Another highlight this week was my meetup with Stinkerbell at Knit Happens. It was so fun to meet her and see in person why I think her blog is great and just downright hilarious. How could it not be? She's a riot! The knitting table at KH, as always, was fun and full of great knitters. Carol, Erica, Kristine, Phyl and Wendy were all there. It was quite encouraging to knit with them and feel a bit better about a few projects that were just in their beginning stages. They are all very helpful and extremely skilled as I sat there with only my little "am I doing this yo-thing right?" and "hope I can get this chart thing down" to contribute. But lucky for me I left the table with much more knowledge than I walked in with (and I know that is not that hard to do, lol). Thanks guys! I had just started a couple of new projects and that was just the boost I needed to really get me going.
  Artyarns Supermerino in color 106 and Rowan All Seasons Cotton in color Fern Clapotis has just been the perfect knit to pick up after that "knit gone bad" issue earlier this week. I am getting the hang of the pattern and it is a very relaxing knit. Clear, concise instructions are really a plus right now. I'm enjoying every minute of it. And I just love this Artyarns Supermerino in color 106 I picked up a KH a lit' while back . Backyard leaves however, is another issue and not as a result of the pattern. I'm a newbie to chart reading and this presents a new challenge to me. I have used charts in basic sweater design, but nothing this complex. To me all the boxes seem to have a different symbol in them (and yes I know I am exaggerating greatly). It's just such a s l o w process for one knitting at a snails pace. I keep having to refer back to the symbols. I still think my leaves are more leaf like than actual leaves (and I only showed the one that I like since I couldn't get a good pic of the bad ones, yeah right), but I guess they could look like that in someone's backyard, lol. And hopefully it will improve as I progress. I'll get the hang of these knit and purl or purl and knit in the same stitches. This is only my second repeat. But I do wish at times someone had asked me for a symbol for knit and purl. I would have sure voted for 'K' and 'P' hehe. Now I only say that cause I can remember the clear box (knit) and box w/dot(purl) on right sides and reverse for wrong sides, but sometimes after I look back down from whatever else I am doing I start doing everything according to the right side regardless of the side I am on (I know, don't watch subtitled movie while knitting this scarf again, user error, duh). I'm knitting only a few rows every time I pick it up so I think this is going to take a very long time. Hey, does anyone know how long it takes to knit a very long charted scarf at about a couple rows a sitting when one looks at the symbol legend on almost ever box. Never mind, that's an unfair question. Knitting hasn't even been around as long as it is going to take me to knit this scarf, so how could you know? Yes, I know. Extremely exaggerated to the nth degree, but somehow my embellishment seemed more humorous than "I'm a lame chart reader". Posted by froggy at November 27, 2004 05:58 AMComments
Glad to hear that your slump has passed! Love the new projects you are working on - and that scarf with the buttons is gorgeous! Can't wait to see that one finished :) Posted by: Shelby at November 27, 2004 06:57 AMI love that yarn & buttons for the scarf project. That is going to be fabulous! Your scarves are looking wonderful so far. You should get the magnetic board for the charted patterns. That really helps. I am glad you found your knitting karma again! That bPhildar scarf looks wonderful, can't wait to see it knitted! Oh My God, that scarf is gorgeous! I am sure I should be able to figure it out from your photos but which book/leaflet is that scarf from exactly? I think I need to buy a copy.... and some yarn... and some buttons... Posted by: Jo at November 27, 2004 07:49 AMThe La Drougerie bag is So Cool! And the scarf/buttons are wonderful. I can't wait to see that when you have finished. I posted some of the strategies I use to deal with charted lace (especially this pattern, which is particularly challenging because every row is different, rather than the typical "purl back" row) at the Scarf Style Knitalong (http://scarfstyle.blogspot.com/). Maybe one of these ideas will be helpful, but it's slow going at best, even after 11 repeats! Enjoy your gifts and keep soaking up good knitting vibes. Posted by: Martha at November 27, 2004 08:04 AMYes, that white scarf with the buttons is really, really pretty! And Clapotis! I've been drawn to that pattern lately, too. Glad your out of the kniting slumps :) Posted by: Monica at November 27, 2004 09:54 AMGood to know I'm not the only one who's tried to knit from a charted pattern and watch a subtitled movie at the same time, LOL. :P Charts get easier, they do. After you do a couple of repeats they start to stick in your brain. I also had such a problem with reading back and forth charts at first, it's what did in my Rogue attempt. "Do what on the which side when?" ;) Posted by: leila at November 27, 2004 10:54 AMI'm glad your break was a quick one. I enjoy reading your blog so much. Your new projects look like great fun. Posted by: amy at November 27, 2004 11:46 AMIt might be slow but those leaves look great! I hear you on the clear instructions - so frustrating. Scrummy new project scarf! It's all good! Posted by: Sally at November 27, 2004 02:58 PMI love that scarf with the buttons....it is soooo pretty and different! Glad your slump is over. Backyard leaves is on my list too... so many pretty things to make! ;) Posted by: Karen at November 27, 2004 06:05 PMlucky you!!! the scarf is going to be stunning withthose buttons!!!!!! and your backyard scarf looks great! reading charts can take some getting used to, but i find them somewhat easier, all the info is right there, there's nothing to interpret. Posted by: babette at November 27, 2004 08:45 PMGlad you liked it, from the other projects I'd seen you working on I thought you would. I added the card and the little bag because there wasn't any label on the wool, they just give you the right amount from the skeins, and I use the bags a lot because they're perfect for a small project, even the needles fit in. Oh this was so much fun, we have to do it again some time. Take care, Sophie Posted by: Sophie (Lille) at November 28, 2004 04:25 AMSuch pretty projects! That leaf scarf is going to be beautiful. Hang in there! Posted by: alison at November 28, 2004 08:53 AMI love your Backyard Leaves scarf - you'll get the hang of the chart by the time you finish it ;). The scarf with the buttons is beautiful - the buttons you've got are excellent. I love that scarf! What a great project to get reinpired with. Good luck, I'm anxious to see how it comes out. Posted by: Wendy at November 28, 2004 12:31 PMI love that scarf! It's going to be really neat. Funny -since my first scarf [well one of them], I just don't think of cotton scarves. But I always wear mine. Duh. Must make more - and that one is *really* pretty. I love your posts. Reminds me of when I had time to post, LOL! ;) Posted by: Alysia at November 28, 2004 01:36 PMYour new starting projects are so gorgeous. I love so much Backyard Leaves. You're knitting very pretty scarves, I can't wait to see the final result on all of them. Posted by: Pioggia at November 28, 2004 03:59 PMI am having the same problems with backyard leaves. I started it several times and was convinced I had messed up every time because of that darn chart.... :) maybe I will try again soon though. Good Luck! Posted by: megan at November 28, 2004 06:02 PMThat's the most beautiful scarf I've ever seen! What lovely use of buttons. As for charts, looks like I'm from the other side of the camp. Being so used to Japanese magazines which used a lot of charts and schematics, I've become a more 'visual' knitter. Charts seem easier for me to see a pattern repeat and make any necessary adjustments to the pattern when needed. However, sometimes I can't do without words too, just like sock patterns, definitely I need them to be explained in plain English. Posted by: Siow Chin at November 29, 2004 05:22 AMI really love the scarf you've chosen from "scarf style",. I am sure you will get on wih the chart,and you'll be very happy of your work. Posted by: Melanie at November 29, 2004 06:32 AMLove that gift, and mine!! Going to have to see if I can track down that latest Marie Claire Idées! I am blushing you know that and it is all your fault!! BLUSHING :) And I forgot to tell you what I do with charts. (though I like Eilene use a magnet board for the charts too) I picked it up when I was doing color work on my Lopi and playing around with rubber stamping on cards: Make a copy of chart- get out the color pencils. Color in the legend and then color in the chart. It works phenomenal for any color work you are doing and can make cable etc charts easier- IMO Ok back to blushing in the corner and dealing with the jolts of returning. Posted by: stinkerbell at November 29, 2004 06:36 AMwhat a lovely present! i got that marie claire idées in paris - it's got some beautiful projects. i don't blame you for taking your time with backyard leaves. i did a little swatch for at and it took bloody forever. yours is looking beautiful, though! Posted by: kris at November 29, 2004 06:38 AMI've been meaning to give that scarf from scarfStyle a try myself. You give me hope *smile* I HATE charts! I have a kinda bone head question. I've seen you and others using Phildar patterns and as far as I can see they are in French. Do you read French or is there somewhere you can buy translated versions of these magazines? I love the patterns, but I can't read them! LOL! Thanks! Posted by: Stacey at November 29, 2004 07:42 PMlucky you with the goodies! don't you just love getting knitting items in the mail? the scarf is gonna be fab with those buttons--can't wait to see it. Posted by: amanda at November 30, 2004 03:00 PMglad to hear you are out of your slump...sometimes its better to kick the bad project under the bed, and get some good knitting karma rolling...we all need a victory! Love the clapotis' colors. gorgeous. You have a good eye for color! Posted by: heather at November 30, 2004 10:03 PM |