Dabbling with Design

When I first learned how to crochet my exposure to patterns was limited to doilies (or centres as they are called in Guyana). As a result of this my imagination was my on overdrive and everything I made was from there. I lost my passion for creating my own designs once I picked up knitting needles and discovered all the beautiful patterns the internet had to offer. I figured now is as a good time as any for me to change that, don't you? I went through my stash and this microfiber screamed "pick me, pick me!"



This is my first time working with micro grande by SMC Schachenmayr. I wasn't sure what to make with it after it arrived in my mailbox. But I love the sheen it has. I thought it only appropriate that my first dabble into the world of hat design should showcase the yarn. The pattern is a simple one. It is a basic beanie that has some slouchy-ness to it.



I had planned on adding a pompom but changed my mind. The crown looked too cute to be hidden with a pompom. Maybe my next dabble will accommodate one.

Starting September With A Bang

On the 1st September Andi over at MySistersKnitter started a new knit-a-long focused on completing WIPs (works in progress to the non-knitters out there). I really really really needed this challenge, because the good Lord knows I have a few projects that I need to get off my needles. They have been there wayyyyyyy too long. When did I stop being a monogamous knitter? I have no idea but what I do know is I don't like it that much. Startititis is real people...I love being apart of Andi's ravelry group. They have been very helpful in my knitting journey. It's important to be apart of a group that motivates, inspires, supports and fosters growth. If you're ever on ravelry you should stop by :).

Now that the knit a long has begun, I am sorting through the projects that I have been avoiding. First up is a hat that almost never made it pass the start line. I spent all of last night working on it. It didn't matter that I wanted to sleep and may have had a few moments of head nodding, I was determined to finish. Guess it was one of those "now or never" situations.

These pictures were taken immediately after cutting the yarn. Couldn't wait until I washed and blocked it. Yup, I was excited.



The first time I saw this hat I knew that I had to make it. The designer, Caryl Pierre did a fantastic job with the pattern. It was easy to understand. The crown of the hat is gorgeous. I love it! Plan on making this again. Any suggestions regarding colour for the next one?

Merlot:- washed and blocked

My knitting is still off track. This week I've started the same hat four times and every single time I reach the same place in my knitting I unravel it. Sighs. Can't seem to make any real breakthrough. I'm also struggling with the sleeves for the cardigan I'm working on for my friend's daughter. Nothing is going right in my knitting. I think I know the reason behind all of the false starts and the hurdles. I will go into this more very very soon. In the meantime, I washed and blocked Merlot :)



If you look closely you'll notice that Merlot can be worn three ways :- 1) slouchy toque, 2) as a beanie with the brim turned up and 3) beanie with brim turned inwards.

New Hat:- Merlot

I just looked at my ravelry page and realized that it has been two weeks since I blogged. Where did the time go? I have a newfound respect for bloggers who post several times a week. I just don't have it in me. Sighs. I will be a happy camper once fall starts. My knitting output is directly affected by fun in the sun :)
I am pleased to report though that I have finally finished something. Nope, it's not one of the WIPs shown in last post. Sad to say, no progress has been made there, other than I frogged the hat and started another. The new hat was completed yesterday.



I think I have been bitten by the cable bug. This was my first time using Northampton by valley yarns. I love it! It is nice to have another go to workhorse yarn that is affordable. Will be ordering more of it in the near future.



This is the hat prior to being washed and blocked.

Do you have a blog? If so do you ever have moments or phases where you don't blog frequently?

A week of WIPs

Over the last few years I have realized that I am a process knitter. I enjoy the entire process of creating a hand knitted item....for the most part (the process becomes less enjoyable for larger items) this is true. The last few weeks I have not had any completed projects. My head and heart aren't connected with my needles. It has been lots of knitting a row or two here and there. But every little counts right?

First work in progress is the Sawtelle sweater I started in March. Yup, I knowwwwwwwww it's now August. Sighs. What can I say



I am hoping it will be finished before Fall starts. Today I was able to finished the back and fronts. I had hoped to start the sleeves but my mind is having trouble following the directions. Instead I think I am going to knit the sleeves separately then attach. Fingers crossed that it doesn't take me another month or two to finish



Next up, is a hat I've been commissioned to make. I am feeling a tad bit "iffy" about this. I am not going to frog it or st least that's what I keep telling myself every time I pick up the needles to work on it. Oh did I mention this is another hat where I've been given total creative control? Yup...we all remember not so long ago how I stressed myself out in a similar situation. No second guessing this time.



Btw:- don't you just love my knitting bag? It's really a cosmetics bag but I'm all about converting. I absolutely love it. I picked it up from Michaels a few weeks ago. Can't beat a three for one deal :D



The final WIP is no longer a work in progress but rather a member of the frog committee. I do plan on remaking it. I love the yarn. Will talk about it in future posts




What are you working on this week? Do you ever have moments or phases where you just can't create?

Prayers Needed

It has been an emotional couple of days in my neck of the woods. I recently learnt that a family member of mine is on life support. The situation has affected us greatly. Bringing up memories of other loved ones who passed away. How does one cope in these kinds of situations? I have been praying but i must confess I don't know what result to pray for...I ask for her suffering to end but her life to be speared but I know that's selfish. I ask for peace in accepting the transition that is inevitable but I know we (the family) can't accept this....I am lost and worried and scared. It was just two months ago we experienced the lost of her brother and now here we are two months later crying tears of pain just at the thought that she will be next. I know that God has a plan and HIS WILL will be done. It doesn't make it any less emotional though. I have tried not to share my personal live on here but this one can't be avoided. Hold your loved tight...tell them every chance you get that they matter, that they are loved...please say a prayer for my cousin


Thank You,
Cee

Knitting gone wrong or did it???????

Last week I was fretting and complaining and moaning about my most two recent FOs being hideous. Am I being a bit too critical? Maybe...I still don't care too much for this hat. However, the other hat has stopped looking hideous.






Looking at it now I can't remember what it is that I didn't like....I am not seeing the mistakes I made. I am not complaining this time around either. Lesson:- sometimes we have to give ourselves time and distance away from our projects in order to see beyond the mistake.



I love the polka dots. Thinking of other colour combos for the next one I will knit. What I love most about this pattern is how fast it knitted up. Baby/toddler items always make me feel like a fast knitter.



Don't you just love the back of this hat? I do





What to do when you have nothing to block your hat? Use a balloon and a vase. These are the moments I feel like watching Macgyver paid off :)

Ravelry page can be found here