There once was a woman, who knit obsessively for five years, and lived to tell
A few people have asked about my whereabouts, and I thought I would drop in and tell that I'm fine. Still knitting, but here's the thing: I don't live and breath knitting anymore. I don't really know what happened, but suddenly I just noticed that I could live without checking the knit blogs and Ravelry every night. I could watch tv without knitting. I could even knit something and give it away without taking photos of it. I feel… free. :-D
So I don't think I'm gonna blog anymore. I've used all my words, and cannot really find anything interesting to say about the umpteenth pair of socks I've made. It's been really fun though, and that's because of you! If you're interested, you can still find me on
Flickr and on
Ravelry. Happy knitting, and thanks for reading!
Peppermint stripes
Baktus Scarfby
StrikkelisePattern source: Strikkelise's patternsYarn: Elann Peruvian Baby Cashmere, about 50 grams of both red and whiteNeedles: 3,5 mm
Modifications: I moved the shaping from the beginning of the row to the end of the row, just to keep the edge where I changed colours neaterI'm ridiculously happy with this little gem of a scarf. It's just everything it needs to be – small enough to wear comfortably under the coat, yet very warm, and cute and stylish too! I feel chic wearing it. French, somehow. Quite an achievement from a simple little scarf don't you think.
I'm already planning my next Baktus(es): maybe a navy blue and white one, in cotton for summer… and perhaps one with stronger colours, like green and violet? Hehee. I'm in stripy garter stitch heaven.
I want to thank all of you who left so nice and encouraging comments on my previous post. It's a good thing that there are so many of us worriers out there, just think if I had to worry about the whole world all by myself! Seriously though, your kind words meant a lot to me, and really helped too. Thank you.
All my troubles and some socks too
If there's one thing I'm really, really good at, it's worrying. I specialize in worrying about things that I have very little to no control over, and if I'm not careful, I can bring myself to tears thinking about something that has not yet happened or is not even likely to happen. One time my husband found me crying, and let me tell you, he was very puzzled when he found out that I was crying over his untimely death.
So, thank god for knitting! It has been a lifesaver for me – I can usually put a stop to my obsessive worrying by working a few rows. The last few weeks have given me the opportunity to research knitting's stress-relieving qualities in full measure, and the results are interesting, to me at least. It appeared that different kind of worries were eased with different types of projects. You don't necessarily need heavy garter stitch therapy to make you forget the six extra pounds on your waist.
Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wearby Nancy Bush
Pattern source: Knitting Vintage Socks / Nancy BushYarn: Yarn Workshop Footscray, dyed with food colouringsNeedles: 2,25 mmModifications: added decreases to both leg and foot to make the sock smaller, made a flat toe instead of star toeMore photosMinor worries (like those six extra pounds) can be easily forgotten with a good Nancy Bush pattern. This one was perfect – the need for slight modifications kept me glued to the sofa, which also made me happily forget the fact that I could have been exercising instead of knitting.
Pigeonroof Socks
Pattern: 48 stitches (increased to 58 sts for the calf) toe up, short-row toe and heel
Yarn: Pigeonroof Studios handspun, in Lichen Needles: 2,75 mm
More photosMedium worries (like work related issues that have made me grind my teeth in the bus all the way home) are best fought with the combination of a simple project and luxurious yarn. For some reason I had been saving
Krista's beautiful handspun instead of knitting with it – stupid really, because knitting these socks on my commutes made me come home much calmer and happier. My husband and son thank you too, Krista!
8-square SocksPattern source: Käspaikka
Yarn: Sock yarn leftovers, held doubled
Needles: 3,5 mmMore photosFor major worries (like anything that has to do with my son. If I'm worrying about him, it's always major. Even if it's actually something not that serious. I blame that love thing.) there's really only one thing that works: garter stitch. The ultimate garter stitch therepy: knitting small squares with brightly coloured leftover yarns, so you can feel thrifty too. The sad thing is that I've now used almost all of my sock yarn leftovers, so I better not encounter anything major before I have knit more socks.
– – –
Right now, I'm back to knitting some Nancy Bush socks, so all's well. Worrying is such a waste of time, and I'm actually really trying to learn not to let it ruin my life. Trying to think positive and enjoy my life. And knit a little too.
Keeping the family warm
The weather's been great for wearing handknits. Last weekend we went skating, and for the first time ever, I decided to wear my Norwegian Stockings. They are too thick to wear with boots, but just perfect with skates, and they kept my feet nice and warm. And stylish too, which is important especially when your skating skills leave a little something to be desired.
Onni skated too – obviously we both need some more practice. :-)
I've been on a smaller knits kick lately. I've knit a neckwarmer for mom (because she liked
mine):
Wham Bam Thank You Lambby Insaknitty
Pattern source: Insaknitty (Ravelry link)Yarn: two strands of Rowan All Seasons Cotton and one strand of Lopo Xavier Phoebus held togetherNeedles: 7 mmLittle socks for my goddaughter:
Kaffe Fassett SocksPattern: 52 stsYarn: Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett, 1 x 50 gNeedles: 2,5 mmAnd a hat for my sister:
Simple Pleasures Hatby Whit's Knits
Pattern source: The Purl BeeYarn: Classic Elite Yarns Lush, 1,5 x 50 gNeedles: 4,5 and 5 mmModifications: cast on 86 stsHopefully these little knits keep my loved ones warm!