Times I wished I said "NO FREAKING WAY"

I love being able to create. When I used to crochet, bags were my all time favourite thing to make. Now that I knit, hats are my obsession. I love almost every hat I see. I truly enjoy the process of making hats. Sure some take a bit longer than others but for the most part I rarely ever mind. I've been asked a few times whether or not I don't become bored with making hats....the answer:- HA nooooo. Do you get bored eating your favourite dish? Or wearing your favourite outfit? Exactly! That's how I feel about my hats. But every now and then someone asks me to step out my comfort zone and make them a scarf. Sighs...you probably already guess where this is going. I don't enjoy it.
A few months ago (feels more like a lifetime), I was commissioned to make a hat and scarf for a very nice woman. How could I say no? I happily agreed and settled on a colour that I knew she would like. I had no trouble selecting a pattern for the hat and in no time it was finished.




Unfortunately, the same did not happen with the scarf. Everything that could go wrong went wrong with it. The ball of yarn used for the hat was perfect but for the scarf the worsted weight felt more like either sport or DK. This would added a few more weeks of torture. The yarn wasn't complementing the pattern. I knew I had to change something. The only logical thing to do was to change the pattern to fit the yarn. So I did. Still couldn't get past a few rounds of knitting. I would be lying if I said I wasn't fed up with the whole thing. I even tried returning the money for the scarf. Ms. M wouldn't dream of accepting it. Instead, she said "you can do it"... Not the words I want to hear. Especially when I was thinking "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE". I even found myself trying to come up with a list of people who I could ask to knit it for me. Hey, I was desperate. After, another few weeks or months had passed, I felt I needed to create my own pattern. I ended up working the yarn doubled to compensate for the thinness of it. It worked. Doubling the yarn meant that the amount purchased wouldn't be enough. Sighs again. By this time, I hated everything about the scarf, the colour, the yarn, the scarf, my needles...even the project bag it was kept in. I was over it. Way over it. Every night I begrudgingly knitted a row that took forever. Almost five hundred stitches every night. Fast forward a few nights ago....




I FINISHED IT. I finally finished it. After almost three months of ripping out and starting over I finished it. This is why I love knitting. Because despite the frustrations and setbacks and torture we sometimes put ourselves through, we stick with it because deep down we know the challenge will be worth it in the end. Giving up is not option even when it's the only thing that makes sense. This was my "make it work" moment. (I love Tim Gunn and Project Runway)



The moral of the story:- stick to what you love or be prepared for bumpy ride over the hill :)

Juggling Act

I have been a bad blogger. I have every intention of blogging but between being tired and trying to finish up my ongoing wips I just don't have the energy. This month is going at rapid speed but I am not complaining. This it's what I've asked the good Lord for and as the scripture said "ask you and you shall receive". Imust say though, that I have a newfound respect for other crafters who work full-time ave still find the time to actively create with passion. I hope to find that balance very soon. I am happy to report that I was able to finish two thirds of a hat package. It doesn't sound like much but right now I'm taking all the progress I can get. This is my second time making this hat but the first time making it after learning that I was twisting my stitches. I'm constantly amazed by the difference between making a project where the stitches are twisted and not twisted. It is like night and day.



The above picture is the hat done in twisted stitches. I still love it. It holds a special place in my knitting heart as it was the first baby beanie I ever made.
The second hat was done in the exact style and colour as well as size.



I got the opportunity to see it on the baby and boy oh boy he looked quite dapper in it if I do say so myself :). I'm loving the finished touches that my customized stamp adds to it.
Picture below is of the wrong side of the hat. Had I gotten a different label I would call this style reversible.



Until next time
CEE

New Beginnings

"There should be a day between Sunday and Monday" says everyone that works on Mondays. I can't believe the weekend is over already. This week is one filled with new changes. Life is moving and I am doing my best to keep up with the pace. Yesterday, I said goodbye to my job. It was a bittersweet feeling but one that was necessary for my growth as a professional. To mark the occasion, I did what I love to do which is:- KNIT. I don't need a reason, season or time to justify knitting for someone. This is one of the problems I have to work on...I want to knit everything for everyone but there's never enough time or hands...sighs. Anyway, as my farewell gift to someone at work, I made a hat. Months ago, the request was made and I mentally filed it away. But as the time approached I decided it would be now or never. The recipient had asked for a plain black hat that would be a beanie style fit. I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before but I dislike knitting with black coloured yarn. It is number one on my yarn related dislike lists. What's a knitter to do? The only thing to do was to focus on the fact that this isn't for me, it's for someone else. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't hate the process as much as I had anticipated. I wanted the hat to be warm and comfortable. My favourite pattern that is turning out to be a go-to this season is David's Hat by Kenny Chua. With pattern selected I went through my stash and settled on leftover patons classic worsted in black for the lining and filatura Lanarota in black for the rest of the hat. Both yarns have been dependable workhorse loves for me in the past. They are a dream to knit with and wears well over time.





Taking photographs of this hat was challenging for me. I couldn't get the right image. I'm overdue for a photography class brush up. I think the pic below shows the hat in a better light...



Life happens whether we are ready for it or not....goodbye old hello new! Ohhhh here's something else I will be celebrating this week:- MY BIRTHDAY! Yup...hello old once again :)
Hope your week is good one