Another Ribbed Scarf

I haven't blogged about knitting in a while, because between the baby and my husband's work, I haven't had time.  I've still been knitting, but haven't had a moment to myself to say much about it.  I wish I had a recent finish project more amazing than this simple ribbed scarf to show for it, but this is all I have.  Two weeks before Christmas, my mom informed me that my dad wanted a scarf, as he is traveling to colder climates for a while.  I threw this one, which is an adjusted version of the Stitch N' Bitch ribbed scarf, but made a bit shorter and wider.  I used some Red Heart Flecked yarn that I had on hand for this one.  I probably could have had it done faster if I wasn't easily distracted by life.

Cute Hat Pales to Cute Kid

I haven't posted in a while, because things got busy again.  I finished up a lot of quick projects and then worked on this berry hat before it was no longer wearable, as winter is coming.  This is only my third hat, so I was pretty nervous about adding stranded color work.  I think, however, it turned out nicely.  It's an easy knit that looks complex and I really like that about the pattern.  Next up, I am back to working on my throw blanket, which I have mentioned I don't necessarily like.  Despite this, I've decided it needs a crochet border to pull it together when I'm done.  I guess I'm a masochist or want to do an extra good job after all that work.

Here is a cute baby that makes this cute hat look cuter:

Blanket Update

After seaming the second row on the right side of the knitting, instead of the wrong side, I ripped it all out and redid it.  Today, I was finally able to get back to where I left off.  I'm down with 7 squares out of 20, which doesn't seem like that much progress from my last update.  For some of these patterns, the knitting seems to be slow going.  For others, they build so fast.  I was going to get a lot more done tonight in the house, but I'm tired.  Going to finish up the laundry and get the baby's things ready for tomorrow.  After that, I'll press forward on my blanket.  Here's an updated picture:

Why I Don't Love this Blanket Pattern

I am working on the throw blanket pattern from Lion's Brand found here: Knit Sampler Throw.  Now, I endeavor to finish everything that I start while knitting, so I will finish this.  However, I have some complaints about the pattern.  I'm guessing that what I'm complaining about was partially done to make it an easier knit.

•  The seaming takes a long time and isn't all that enjoyable.
• The blocks are different patterns and different stitches and the only thing they have in common is they are 9 inches tall, so I find the seaming to be more difficult and therefore less enjoyable.  Matching the stitches for seaming adds additional work.

Okay, I guess that's two complaints.  Now, I could just forget it, but when I buy yarn for a project, I generally work to finish it, even if it's not my favorite.  I have to be honest that I probably would have enjoyed something for my first blanket that you just kept knitting or crocheting straight through.  I'm about thirty percent done at this point and part of my lack of enthusiasm might be the distance I have to the finish.  I will see how I feel when I'm closer to 90%!

Mystery Knit Along

I joined the mystery knit along group on Ravelry that does mystery projects within 220 yards of yarn.  I wasn't sure about it, because it's a lot harder without a picture.  However, it's great practice for paying attention, counting rows, and most of all learning to read patterns.  Unfortunately, I tried to work on it right before bed while dead tired and ended up messing up to the point of confusion, so I frogged it to try again.  Knitting with DPNs is still a skill I'm practicing with, and I feel like it takes me time to get the flow.  No spoilers on what it is, though to be honest, I can't quite tell yet what it is.  I had some left over Knitpicks Swish in a blue color, Whirlpool, to work with so it's a nice stash buster, as I didn't need this entire skein for my lace hat that I made last year.

I plan to give this another go tomorrow when I'm well rested.

What Is Taking So Long

I haven't had many knitting adventures to share.  I've actually been working on just one project.  This doll has been very difficult as far as the many pieces.  There's not so much variation in technique from other projects.  However, this project has taught me more about seams and stuffing pieces.  I still have four pieces to go, if you can believe it.  Here is what she looks like so far.  This pattern I got from Knitpicks and her name is Annie.  Here's what she looks like so far:

Stepping up in Difficulty

This week, I took a project that was slightly higher in difficulty than my other projects.  It wasn’t that the stitches were too crazy and it was only a dish cloth, so I didn’t think it could be that hard.  However, this one is a complicated mix of knits and purls.  There’s a lot to keep track of and this seems to be my folly.  Finally, I figured out what I was doing.  The border is purl 1 knit 1 ribbing.  The inside of this pattern looks like it’s inset because it doesn’t stick out like the border.  This is made by rows of knit 1 slip 1 and then purling the back.  It’s very pretty and looks elegant in its simplicity.  You can find the pattern here and it is free: Simple Slip Stitch Dischloth.

Technique

I'm only on my third knitting project, and, what I've found is there are just some things that feel beyond me.  Let's be honest, I've done a stockinette stitch once on a hat that wasn't all that good.  Then, I decided I needed some more practice so I made a garter stitch scarf on a ridiculously large needle.  I'm on my second garter stitch scarf now, but, I've added stripes.  I never thought I'd ever graduate to the point where I could do stripes so I know more difficult techniques can be learned.  It just seems things, like socks, are just way over my head.

I planned a lot of easy projects to do next.  These are things that well-weathered knitters might find too easy or boring or could do in a few days.  I think it's good practice to just keep pushing out simple stitches for a while, so that I learn how to knit evenly.  As it is, my scarves keep looking better and better, even if they are clearly a bit endearing in their appearance.