Froggy Knits: Wanna Knit List 2005 (Take 2)

January 23, 2005

Wanna Knit List 2005 (Take 2)

This list actually started late last fall and throughout the beginning of winter additions were made as I carried it in my knitting bag appending my list as needed.

I have decided that I would like to get comfortable knitting the following knitting elements this year. And I say get comfortable as opposed to actually knit one thing that contains these elements 'cause when I approach it that way I tend to knit that one piece and move on never to address or improve upon that technique again (and then sometimes forget, okay make that most times).

1) cables (just the skinny this time)
I have had Fanny from Rowan Big Just Got Bigger on my mind since seeing it at Reverie Knits a while back and I'm sure I probably have some more big wool somewhere that could knit this up. But also on the radar is Rogue and Mariah. I actually would like to knit all three of them (ADDED: eventually), but I'll have to see what my stash can knit up in regards to gauge.

(2) socks
Though, I did get a jump on these at the beginning of the year, I still want to learn some of the many ways to knit socks along with the wide variety of patterns and yarns that are out there to try. So this is definitely just the beginning. And to help me along a bit, I have joined: Boy, this knitalong was right on time.

provisional cast-on as directed in Wendy's toe-up pattern

If I had know it was this easy to work a provisional cast on using a crochet hook, I would have used this technique a loooong time ago. The directions where a snap to understand and I'm lovin' all the possibilities that have opened up by knitting a sock toe-up. Thanks Wendy!

I just love the colors in this Kroy Stained Glass Vitrail. The wrap stitches were going pretty well. And its so fun to pull out the provisional cast-on very carefully...ohhhh...onto the needles and then look inside....ahhhh. Am I easily amused or what, lol? Needless to say, I was very impressed by the method and got a kick out it transforming into a toe on sticks.

Looks okay, huh? well...take a closer look Ugh. I'm having a bit of trouble picking up those double wraps I think. Considering the fact that I don't remember picking up double wraps may account for the fact that I must not have picked up double wraps, LOL. One side worked out perfectly while the other side rebelled (i have chosen to blame the sock today). But I'll try it again. It was too fun not to. It was so neat to do all of those cool wraps and turns. I guess it can only be more fun to actually do them along with picking all double wraps next time and have a sock without the side sky light, hee hee.

(3) focus on knitting stash yarn
Just want to keep stash top of mind. I'm not restricting myself completely (of course) but want to search for yarn to match patterns in stash before looking to my lys. And also consider picking yarn first instead of being led by patterns only. I also want to rip and reknit those lingering projects. Here is another fantastic knitalong that works very well with that part of this particular knitplan point:

(4) knit with multiple colors (intarsia, fair isle, and/or stripes)
Mini is mad about Hello Kitty, so the should be a great start. When I went to the knitalong site I could barely understand the squeals as she raved about Oslofia's Kitty creations.

This isn't my first attempt at intarsia, but I hope to include a lot more color this year and maybe include at least one for myself too. However, I have a feeling that if I can get this Hello Kitty worked out for mini, that there may just be more "Hello" in my future knits for sure.

(5) actively choose knitalongs that are in keeping with my knitting plan

I'd like to make a effort not to change my personal direction in knitting to fit knitalongs and to make the choices that are in line with where I am or where I trying to go at the time. That's not to say that I won't knit that pattern or join later, just want to think about where it fits into my plan at that moment before signing up.

I think I've been good about that so far (okay so its still January, lol).

(6) zippers
I'm already making an effort to knit more cardis. But I have been steering away from zippers. I'm not happy with the fact that the only reason I don't want to knit one is because I haven't knit one before. So since that attitude is not in the knitplan for this year, one ribby cardi coming right up. If that isn't inspiration to learn to knit zippers, I don't know what is. Also, Kristine graciously let me try on her Rowan Big seed stitch cardi (click for gorgeous closeup) that was at the shop and it instantly became a must knit. Just can't beat the versatility and quick closure of a zippy. The zipper was completely invisible and looked fantastic which I thought was pretty impossible to do considering the chunky weight of the big wool. But it worked, it looked snazzy and inspired me to want "face the zipper".

I bet you thought I was done, right? Nope, more later.

TO BE CONTINUED...AGAIN...

Update: Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I did eventually learn to knit continental and it knocked out that shoulder/arm/wrist pain faster than prescription motrin!

Posted by froggy at January 23, 2005 07:03 AM

Comments

I have fanny on my list too (My DH just offered me Big just got bigger lats week)! Do you think we could gather a fanny-along? that would be my first!

I was actually looking through ebay to find some bargained big wool...

Alice

Posted by: Alice at January 23, 2005 08:12 AM

The toe-up pictures are great! I'm also on the "try a zipper" list - I have to put one in my current sweater WIP - yikes!

Posted by: Jackie at January 23, 2005 08:35 AM

when i pick up the double wraps I use and extra knitting needle and then I put my active right needle through them. I do this to make sure I got both. Just a thought.

Posted by: Leslei at January 23, 2005 09:26 AM

Hey Froggy! Another interesting post with lots of info--Thanks for all of those knit-along links. That Hello Kitty pattern would look adorable on my niece... I just might have to try that intarsia! (maybe I should learn how to do it first)

The socks look great, and I am really loving that color too.

Take care, and go play in the snow a little bit! :)

Posted by: Lolly at January 23, 2005 09:58 AM

Nice list of things to work on this year. There are all things I want to do, too. But they will probably be more like the year after next :).

Posted by: Monica at January 23, 2005 10:02 AM

I like your plan. That big cabled cardigan is great! I have a love-hate relationship with Rowan. Love the yarns, love the finish objects, but I find that getting to those FOs can be a challenge (i.e. the patterns.)

Posted by: Colleen at January 23, 2005 10:04 AM

I am knitting the toe-up socks too. I was very confused by the wraps at first, but I got the hang of it. I have the same sky light problems on one side too. Hopefully I will go it right on the second side. Have fun with all of you plans for the year.

Posted by: Kristin at January 23, 2005 10:15 AM

Have you tried the figure-8 cast on for toe-up socks? It's so fun! I couldn't believe how well it worked and easy it was. Not that I have anything against the provisional cast on, but the figure 8 is so much faster.

Posted by: Lauren at January 23, 2005 10:39 AM

Great list! I love the skylights in your socks - LOL! I'm definitely going to try Wendy's toe up pattern, too - great link to remind me of a super resource. BTW, if you "knit a zipper" I will be terribly impressed. (Now I'm imagining you going off to do just that in order to spite me for teasing you...) xox, J

Posted by: Julia at January 23, 2005 11:50 AM

Now that I saw your list I want to make one too, I've been aimlessly knitting whatever comes to my eye. I should focus. It's good to hear that you did find a more comfortable way of knitting. Good for you!

Posted by: Pioggia at January 23, 2005 11:52 AM

Nice plan - ambitious! but very well thought out. I've imposed a shop the stash policy for this year too.

Posted by: sally at January 23, 2005 12:33 PM

Pretty soon you are going to ruling the knitting world.

Posted by: claudia at January 23, 2005 12:56 PM

Pfew you sound soooo organised, I wish I were a bit more like you re. choice-making!

Posted by: Sophie at January 23, 2005 01:35 PM

Oh, heck. It's okay if you forgot to wrap! Just call them eyelets and say they're a design feature. Hee hee! In any event, those rainbow socks are gonna be fab.

Posted by: Becky at January 23, 2005 02:06 PM

You are an inspiration! As you can see from all the comments, you've got a great support system of knitters cheering you on.

Love those cable choices...I might have to copy! ;)

Posted by: Christie at January 23, 2005 02:28 PM

i have the exact same problems with wraps ... tried the same toe, decided to go with the figure 8 cast-on toe (also by wendy) and it looked better. still, i'm also aiming to master the short-rows this year! and colour knitting! as for zippers, they are horrible to insert! why oh why do i love zippered cardis so much?

Posted by: kris at January 23, 2005 03:09 PM

Whew! What a great list of stuff to accomplish. Mine looks similar (only a little more basic, LOL). Kudos on getting that Continental knitting down. I have gotten mine even enough that I can't tell the difference between the rows where I knit continental and the ones where I forget and go back to American :-)

The hello-kitty-along sounds like something I should do for my daughter. Unfortunately (or fortunately!) she's wearing much larger sizes and I'm TOO LAZY to size up that pattern so she'll just have to do without - LOL!

Posted by: Domestigirl at January 23, 2005 03:36 PM

Your socks it's very funny

Posted by: Krystine at January 23, 2005 05:29 PM

I like your list.
Especially the part about more cables, intarsia, and stash-busting.
Those are on my list too.

Posted by: Anna at January 23, 2005 05:29 PM

hey, yr socks look fantastic! Are you knitting those continental as well!? I can't tell you how encouraging it is to hear that changing your knitting style helped your pain - I'm hoping it works for me too.

Posted by: gaile at January 23, 2005 06:47 PM

Japanese short rows take care of those pesky double-wraps. I started a pair of toe-ups using Japanese short rows and the toe looks fantastic!

Posted by: Carol at January 23, 2005 06:58 PM

yaaahhh!!!! Thanks for posting about the "Sock it to me!" knit-along! I had to go join right away hehe!!!! ^_^ I'm sooo excited about it!!!

I really wanna try that toe-up pattern as well!!! (when time permits that is ^_^ ) And that Rogue sweater has been on my mind since I "really" began knitting last year. But I think I have to hold off another while yet 'till I get to that level!!!! It's beautiful though, isn't it??!!! ^_^

Posted by: lana at January 23, 2005 07:41 PM

I had the same feelings about zippers, I ended up taking my finished ribby cardi to a seamstress to insert the zipper. It was only a few dollars and saved me some sanity.

Posted by: lcord at January 23, 2005 07:58 PM

Froggy, you are exhausting me! And it's not even my list! We'll enjoy watching you work on all these things, just don't knit yourself to death. ;-)

Posted by: H.E. Jenny at January 23, 2005 10:24 PM

The toe is looking great! Me too is having problem with one side of the double wrap. Now that I've tried to Ozyarn no warp method, no trouble at all. Why don't give it a go?

Posted by: Siow Chin at January 24, 2005 12:35 AM

Hi Froggy...great list...I just had to make one myself! Good thing your daughter saw the Hello Kitty stuff...so you can learn to knit intarsia. I'm looking forward to see the handbag =)

Posted by: oslofia at January 24, 2005 09:43 AM

Hey Froggy,

I'm making Fanny from Big Just Got Bigger too, but with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky in eggplant. Fanny knits up pretty fast, you'll be done in no time... can't wait to see pics of yours. :)

Liz

Posted by: Liz at January 24, 2005 11:49 AM

One side of my short rows always looked different too, until I started knitting the stitch and the two wraps through the back loop on the knit rows. Or, you can just use a Sherman heel which doesn't have any yarn-overs or wraps.

Posted by: susan at January 24, 2005 03:10 PM

This is a very inspiring list! I share many of the same goals. I want to knit more cables this year and someday want to try my hand at color knitting. I'm also REALLY glad to learn that continental knitting helped reduce the pain you experienced when knitting. I've started teaching myself the technique...it's slow going now, but I'm going to stick with it. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Posted by: Amy at January 24, 2005 03:30 PM

I'm tying to purl continental, any hints, tips?

Posted by: Ruth in Houston at January 24, 2005 04:00 PM

I do my toe up socks starting at the tip casting on 2X the number of stitches you want at the toe, dividing the stitches on to 2 needles so the odd stitches are on one and the even are on the other. Then start in the round increasing everyother round by 4 (1 after the first stitch and 1 before the last stitch on each side). This solves the short row hole problem. then for short row heels I knit 2 rounds between the reduction and increase (means no double wraps). If you still get holes in your short rows pick up the stitch below the wrap along with the wrap and stitch. Hope this helps.

(sorry so long)

Posted by: Jayme at January 24, 2005 04:09 PM

Great goals so far. We don't have a thing for Big Wool now do we?? :)

Posted by: Vicki at January 24, 2005 05:06 PM

Ooh, Fanny is awesome. And I feel you on the zipper fear .... I haven't conquered that yet.

Posted by: Carrie at January 25, 2005 08:25 AM

Lots of good plans, I see! ^_^ Best of luck with all of it. I look forward to seeing how you progress through it all.

Posted by: Missy at January 26, 2005 01:05 PM

I admire your pledge not to jump every new knit along. I'm bad enough when I browse the LYS or the mags, but add a few fellow bloggers to the mix and I get I-wanna-make-it-too-itis no matter what I was doing before.

That being said, I'm in the sock along too - that's just so useful!

Posted by: Nancy at January 26, 2005 11:56 PM

Yay! More socks! I knew the sock bug would get you :)

Posted by: cari at January 27, 2005 10:48 PM