New Beginnings

So I got bored one day and decided to start a blog. I always thought blogging was cool...and I still think it's cool...which, I guess is a pretty good testament as to how geeky I really am. ;)

So, shortly after that, a whole bunch of stuff happened. I won't go into details, but I became uber busy. So I let the blog fall by the wayside. But things have finally settled down and I'm feeling the blogging urge so here we go again...


I've started and put aside a bazillion projects and managed to actually finish a few since my last posting. From what I understand, this is pretty typical among knitters. So I have projects strewn about my room...some in tote bags, some in the baskets designated for yarn storage/ongoing projects, some in plastic tubs under my bed. At last count I think there were 20 some unfinished works, ranging from garter stitch scarves that I've gotten bored with to afghans that I've been working on for years. There are even a few barely started projects that had to be set aside for various reasons.

So, I've decided to clean up my act, so to speak, and devote some energy to finishing some of these things...which may be easier said than done, especially considering that I have 3 gorgeous hanks of Malabrigo lace weight begging to be played with.

(Aren't they gorgeous?!?)

So anyway, I've formulated a plan to limit myself to 2 or 3 current projects. That way if I get bored with one, I can switch back and forth and I'm not allowing myself anything new until I get a few old ones finished.

The plan seems to be working thus far.

Right now I'm working on finishing an afghan for my cousin's high school graduation...that happened 2 years ago.

The original plan was to make an afghan for her of my own original design. I decided to do a crocheted mitered square design that was cool in theory but as I began working the squares problems soon arose.

I decided on Red Heart yarn because of it's low cost, availability and color options. The main problem was that the different shades of yarn actually crocheted up in different gauges, so some squares were significantly smaller than others. I did a lot of playing around with different hooks and what not and finally just had to give up on it for a little bit.

Finally I decided to try knitting it instead of crocheting it...I didn't want to knit it at first because I thought it'd take too long...ha! So I found a mitered square pattern on the internet and viola, I've actually been making headway on it.



Since this pic was taken, I've nearly finished the dark blue row. Huzzah!


I'm also working on a cardigan right now.

I felt the sudden urge one day to work with some cotton yarn. I suppose that might have something to do with the seasons changing, or that I like the almost cool hand that it has....or maybe I was just craving a change from wool and acrylic.

Anway, I live in the middle of nowhere, so the only thing readily available as far as cotton is concerned is Sugar 'n Cream. It's not idea, but it's not bad and it's affordable. So the 2nd project on the needles right now is a striped cardigan. Granted, this isn't something I've had in the basket for awhile now, it's something new that I started about 3 weeks ago. I have the back completed and am about to start working on the sides.




Right now, what I'm trying to figure out is whether I should knit the sides at the same time, just like you usually knit the sleeves at the same time. I'm thinking it sounds like a good idea, except that I'm working with straight needles instead of circulars, so that might make the whole thing a little awkward. Oh well.

So those are the 2 main projects right now...we'll see how soon I get bored with either one of them and if so, what I replace them with.

That's about all for now.
Until next time...happy knitting!

:)

Let the Christmas Knitting Begin!

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the yarn store...which is a huge event for me seeing as how it's a 3 hour jaunt away. I kinda live in the middle of nowhere and that means the limited Red Heart selection at the local Pamida store (yup, we have a Pamida) doesn't really do it for me anymore.
I like to crochet afghans out of Red Heart because I find it's a durable and cost effective yarn. However, last January, as a treat, I purchased a ball of wool and to make my first pair of socks from...and now I'm hooked on natural fibers. I can't stand to knit with acrylic yarn anymore...my stitches don't turn out as even and acrylics just don't have the same hand as natural fibers do. Even the softer acrylics just don't cut it for me anymore.
Anyway, back to the yarn store....Whenever I'm there, I have a hard time restraining myself because I only get there maybe 6 times a year and I happened to have some extra cash on me (in case of an emergency) so I made a rash decision and decide to purchase enough wool to knit something for every person in my family for Christmas.
I must confess, I also seem to have delusions of grandeur...I had been mulling over the plans to make sweaters for everyone this year...thank goodness my finances didn't allow for it!
My knitting time is fairly limited at the moment...and with so many great things to knit (I think I have 6 or 7 projects in the works at the moment...and a huge stack of patterns in cue) I've been lucky to get 1 sock done in the past week.
Now I'm starting to panic a little. I did the math in my head and I need to pick up the pace a bit if I want to get everything done by Christmas.
I also think I might be a sock knitter at heart...
But Grey's Anatomy is starting...so more on the sock knitter thing later.

Here we go!

Welcome to my first blog. Well first post of this blog anyway. My name is Norsie and I am a knitter (everyone in the room says "Hi Norsie".)....and well you get the general Idea.

Really I'm quite proud of the fact that I knit, crochet and do various other crafty things. Mostly it's all for the sake of satiating my overwhelming desire to be creative while trying to figure out my life's purpose. I knit to keep myself from becoming bored and unproductive. I knit because it calms me. I knit for the sense of accomplishment. I knit because it's a great way to start a conversation with a stranger. Mostly I knit because I had a burning desire to learn to do so since I was young but only recently taught myself to do so...and I haven't been able to put the needles down since.

I think a lot of other knitters can relate.

Anyway, so I created this blog because I was working on a project the other day and a dialogue started in my head about what I was doing and what was happening at the time in my life. So, I thought it'd be a good thing to write it down and share it with other people. Simple as that. Plus I hope this opens up the door to meeting other knitters from across the web (as I mentioned above, I think knitting is a great way to start conversations with strangers).

I'm looking forward to meeting new people and sharing ideas and opinions.

Enjoy!

Norsie :)