Each winter when the cold winds blow, when the ground is frozen solid and spring is just a distant dream, I get inspired to knit.
I checked out my yarn stash and imagined the lovely things I might make.
No shortage of materials here! I have the habit of purchasing yarn when I see it for sale, most often with no thought in mind of what I might make. It's a bad habit, I know.
I imagined all the eyelash novelty yarns above being made into a lightweight throw/afghan. A coat of many colors sort of thing.
These novelty yarns (below) attracted me, although I can't begin to imagine how tedious it would be to work with them.
See what I mean?
Wait, that's not all. Here's another boxfull of yarn.
I have all the necessary equipment, too. Several years ago I bought this neat book of knitting needles.
Any size needle you'd ever need for knitting that attach onto the plastic lengths. Perfect for knitting in the round, or not.
Tools of the trade.
And a book or two.
I found a sweater that I started several years ago. The pattern is from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Without Tears. She's an advocate of knitting-in-the-round. Sweaters are knitted from the bottom up, ribbing is added later. Sleeves are knitted up and the whole mass joined onto one set of needles where the sleeves meet the bodice at the underarms. No seams to weave; I like that!
The yarn is a fine New Zealand wool and was quite expensive. I need to finish it!
The front is almost complete.
I need to finish the sweater before I tackle socks - something I've wanted to try.
Several weeks of cold weather are ahead, so perhaps along with reading and other indoors endeavors, I'll get back into knitting.
How are you spending the cold winter months? Or if you're in that part of the world experiencing hot summers, how are you cooling off?
Ohhh, so much yarn! I hope you get busy with it. As you know I've been on a knitting binge. It seems like something I do in spurts, sometimes spurts years apart, LOL! Finish that sweater and make some socks. Zimmerman patterns always seem overwhelming to me. I've looked at a little Zimmerman baret displayed at my LYS but I just don't have the nerve to tackle it.
ReplyDeleteDarla
This is my first try at a Zimmerman pattern. She's quite unconventional in how she instructs the knitter in a pattern. But I like her ideas. Yes, I'm going to finish this sweater. It's been started far too long. It would have felt good on the cold days we just experienced. I may need encouragement from you when I venture into socks.
DeleteOf all the crafts knitting and crochet is the one thing I'm not good at :-( I can make scarves and shawls but who needs a closet full of those? My mum makes great socks and gloves and I usually ask her to knit me a pair once I've worn out the previous one.
ReplyDeleteYour yarn stash looks wonderful and I hope you make something special with it in the long cold January evenings!
Anna, I have made so many scarves/shawls that I am sick of them. I make them because they are easy and I don't have to count/keep track of stitches. I learned to crochet many years ago, taught by my mother, but when I discovered knitting later I became obsessed. Find it great for relaxation. I made a good many sweaters back in the day and I have kept all of them for sentimental reasons. The scarves I've given away or consigned. I do love the beauty of a colorful yarn stash, even if I should never get around to using all of it
DeleteBeautiful yarn supply you have sister! I hope you can finish the pretty sweater. Wish I could get motivated for a project but I just want to read and watch movies. I'm telling myself I'm getting rested up for all the spring yard work! !!!!
ReplyDeleteI conflicted between knitting and reading! I am almost finished with The Prince of Tides. I can see why you like it so much. It's "heavy" tho! Just read and watch movies! It's that time of year. Spring will be here soon enough and you'll never rest.
DeleteWhen Darla started her knitting binge, I got out some yarn and needles to make a scarf. We'll see how far I get. I do love using bamboo needles.
ReplyDeleteI have bought bamboo needles; I broke one pair and my previous dog chewed one up when he was a puppy. Now I'm used to plastic needles and they work fine for me. I still have a few of the old metal needles but their clinky sound bothers me as I work.
DeleteLove those novelty yarns, but no idea what you do with them! I have a stash that fills one of those shoe holder things and a shelf in my closet (in plastic bags). I've been knitting 'fish and chip' sweaters for babies in Nigeria. (Where apparently newborns are wrapped in newspapers, like they do here with fish and chips - unprinted newspaper, mind). I attempted socks a few years ago and got stuck, but it was my first time using more than two needles and I got further than I'd expected. Will give it another go this year, now that I'm in an expert knitting group and can get help. I've started doing Continental style knitting and find it brilliant for switching between purl and knit stitches. Need to get a more consistent tension going, though. Look forward to seeing your finished items!
ReplyDeleteHe-he! I know what you mean about the novelty yarns; they don't seem to work for many items, although I did see a hand muff made from them which looked very chic. But how often would I use a muff? They seem more suited for queens and such as they stand around at events. My cats would likely think it was a furry rabbit and attack it.
DeleteWhat a good work you're doing - knitting for newborns in Nigeria. How sad the babies are wrapped in newspapers. I tried the Continental knitting stitch but didn't practice enough to get the hang of it. Those who use it say the knitting goes much faster.
I simply lack the patience needed for handwork of any kind.
ReplyDeleteYou Sanda have a lovely supply of yarns and I hope to see your sweater.The method sounds interesting!
If I never use all the yarn at least it's pleasant to open the boxes and view it ever so often. I probably have more yarn and other supplies (such as needlepoint wool/quilt fabrics/embroidery threads than I can ever get worked up in this lifetime. After I'm gone, and my "stuff" being sorted through, "they" will wonder "whatever was she thinking when she bought all these supplies."
DeleteThe colourful wools would make a fine display around the house!! Like the shade of brown you have for the jumper.
ReplyDeleteI once filled wooden bowls with colorful yarns and displayed them. But then they became dust catchers and I stopped the practice.
DeleteNot surprised you like the color of the sweater. Another difference in what we call things (U.S./U.K). I say sweater, you say jumper. Keeps things interesting. And I am determined to finish that sweater, but whether I will like the fit will be another thing altogether!!
You have a very attractive stash of wool, Sanda, and the climate you need to work with it during the winter! I hope you finish that sweater, and that is a very clever approach, knitting in the round. Still dreadfully hot here, it saps the energy for doing much, plants are all dying, and fans and aircon are the go. A small bit of sewing is still going on :)
DeleteI like knitting in the round because I don't have to sew together the front/back and sleeves. I started my afghan of many colors last night. I know, I should work on the sweater first, but the thrill of starting a new project got the better of me! Wishing cooler weather for you soon.
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