...I'm not completely drowning in patterns. Which is a good thing.
How did I determine this? Well, I created a spreadsheet. And realized that my Barbara Walker books (which are simply stitch dictionaries) account for 148 patterns.
I realize that I should still count these in my endeavor, though, so here's what I'm going to do: From each chapter, I will knit a swatch. They may be useful someday, anyway.
I also happen to have two books of granny squares, accounting for another 198 patterns.
For these, I'm going to make 20 motifs. (This will be a little easier, since I've already made a few.)
Something else that I realized: There needs to be some sort of order to making my way through these, both so I don't get bored/frustrated/psychotic with doing just one thing, and also to make it more interesting to follow. Initially, I thought theme months were the way to go, but the idea of making countless gauge swatches for weeks at a time does not appeal to me. And weekly themes/challenges would only give me enough time in the case of hats and cowls.
Themed fortnights, on the other hand, sound great! I can keep at something for two weeks at a time, and it's enough time to finish a child's sweater, or make some serious progress on a me-sized item.
I'm working on cataloging my yarn stash right now, so hopefully I can sort things out and set up a schedule soon.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Hello Again
Yeah, it's been awhile since I even looked at my blog dashboard. I've been really, really busy.
That's motherhood for you.
Anyways, while my son naps on this dreary, rainy, thunder-y Sunday, I took the opportunity to peruse Ravelry. I do this often. I have a bit of a knitting and corchet addiction, if you hadn't noticed. (I have a sewing problem, too, but when you're chasing a crawling baby around, it's a lot easier to pick up & put down knitting.) I also have a bit of a yarn-buying habit, which I am assured is perfectly fine as long as I intend to use said yarn to make something fabulous. Which I totally do. I just don't always know what that something fabulous is when I buy the yarn.
Hence I peruse Ravelry for inspiration and ideas.
This leads a pattern-hoarding problem. Which made itself known when I downloaded yet another shawl pattern, and looked at my library to see the count: 999 distinct patterns.
Whoa.
In my defense, I probably do not have enough yarn to knit all 999 patterns, and I have several books of patterns, which all contain several items that I have no intention of ever making. (Although each book has at least two or three patterns that I totally do want to make.)
I immediately clicked over to another webpage, so that Tim wouldn't see the count. He gripes about the yarn taking over shelving (which is only slightly true; my sewing supplies take up much more of the tatami room closet.) If he sees the pattern count, he'll probably flip, because that's what husbands do.
(For those of you who don't know our family, I'm not spending my husband's money on any of this. I work my tail off to provide for my family, and this comes out of my "mad money.")
But really, I surprised myself when I saw the number. And I thought, "Is this a sign? Can I actually do something with this?" The answer is simple.
Of course I can.
But I need some parameters.
First, any pattern for which I have a finished object, is dropped from the list. (That seems like a no-brainer, right?) I will (eventually) put together the list of what has already been accomplished.
Second, is a way to account for books: For a book to be counted, I need to produce at least two projects from it. (In this case, I will count two projects from the same pattern the same as two projects from two distinct patterns.)
Third, if I don't have suitable yarn on-hand, I will not purchase it. (At least, not until my current stash is reduced significantly.)(Of course, this is me, so "significantly reduced" may well mean "I ran out of Malabrigo.")
Fourth, Christmas and Birthday knitting take priority. They have to. I have six nieces and nephews who live in the Midwest, and Target and Walmart don't really carry hats & scarves meant for cold. And my sister-in-law appreciates handmade items.
So what is left? Ah, yes. Record keeping. I may need to go back to my week-end round-ups. And I'll need to photograph everything. And catalog my yarn. And...
...How about I check in sometime this week, ok?
That's motherhood for you.
Anyways, while my son naps on this dreary, rainy, thunder-y Sunday, I took the opportunity to peruse Ravelry. I do this often. I have a bit of a knitting and corchet addiction, if you hadn't noticed. (I have a sewing problem, too, but when you're chasing a crawling baby around, it's a lot easier to pick up & put down knitting.) I also have a bit of a yarn-buying habit, which I am assured is perfectly fine as long as I intend to use said yarn to make something fabulous. Which I totally do. I just don't always know what that something fabulous is when I buy the yarn.
Hence I peruse Ravelry for inspiration and ideas.
This leads a pattern-hoarding problem. Which made itself known when I downloaded yet another shawl pattern, and looked at my library to see the count: 999 distinct patterns.
Whoa.
In my defense, I probably do not have enough yarn to knit all 999 patterns, and I have several books of patterns, which all contain several items that I have no intention of ever making. (Although each book has at least two or three patterns that I totally do want to make.)
I immediately clicked over to another webpage, so that Tim wouldn't see the count. He gripes about the yarn taking over shelving (which is only slightly true; my sewing supplies take up much more of the tatami room closet.) If he sees the pattern count, he'll probably flip, because that's what husbands do.
(For those of you who don't know our family, I'm not spending my husband's money on any of this. I work my tail off to provide for my family, and this comes out of my "mad money.")
But really, I surprised myself when I saw the number. And I thought, "Is this a sign? Can I actually do something with this?" The answer is simple.
Of course I can.
But I need some parameters.
First, any pattern for which I have a finished object, is dropped from the list. (That seems like a no-brainer, right?) I will (eventually) put together the list of what has already been accomplished.
Second, is a way to account for books: For a book to be counted, I need to produce at least two projects from it. (In this case, I will count two projects from the same pattern the same as two projects from two distinct patterns.)
Third, if I don't have suitable yarn on-hand, I will not purchase it. (At least, not until my current stash is reduced significantly.)(Of course, this is me, so "significantly reduced" may well mean "I ran out of Malabrigo.")
Fourth, Christmas and Birthday knitting take priority. They have to. I have six nieces and nephews who live in the Midwest, and Target and Walmart don't really carry hats & scarves meant for cold. And my sister-in-law appreciates handmade items.
So what is left? Ah, yes. Record keeping. I may need to go back to my week-end round-ups. And I'll need to photograph everything. And catalog my yarn. And...
...How about I check in sometime this week, ok?
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Music & Memory
I'm sure you've had memories triggered by a song before. Maybe it was the song playing for your first slow-dance that takes you back to your freshman homecoming. ("In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, in case you wondered.) Or your first dance at your wedding. (We didn't have a reception, but I kept the playlist from our dinner.)
My dad is a fan of Little River Band. Consequently, I grew up on their music. Every time I hear them I'm suddenly 9 years old and riding in the car to Eastern Market on a Saturday morning. My dad says that every time he hears the song "Reminiscing" he's back on a particular stretch of I-75 in 1978.
This week, I heard a song on the radio that took me instantly back in time. Not 20+ years back, but the feeling was so intense that I'm pretty sure it will always do this.
What song was it? "1901" by Phoenix.
Really, I'm not a fan of them, but this one song rocketed me back 4 years, riding shotgun in a truck through the mountains in central California. It was just one of those times when the weather was great, the sun was out, we had some time and we were just having fun, chasing some friends down a dirt road, trailing my hand out the window to catch the wind.
Did I mention it took me another 3 years to even find out what the song was? It didn't matter. Every time it plays on the radio, that's where I am. It's possible that in 20 years, I'll hear it on the radio and tell my son where it takes me. And hopefully he'll have musical memories of his own.
My dad is a fan of Little River Band. Consequently, I grew up on their music. Every time I hear them I'm suddenly 9 years old and riding in the car to Eastern Market on a Saturday morning. My dad says that every time he hears the song "Reminiscing" he's back on a particular stretch of I-75 in 1978.
This week, I heard a song on the radio that took me instantly back in time. Not 20+ years back, but the feeling was so intense that I'm pretty sure it will always do this.
What song was it? "1901" by Phoenix.
Really, I'm not a fan of them, but this one song rocketed me back 4 years, riding shotgun in a truck through the mountains in central California. It was just one of those times when the weather was great, the sun was out, we had some time and we were just having fun, chasing some friends down a dirt road, trailing my hand out the window to catch the wind.
Did I mention it took me another 3 years to even find out what the song was? It didn't matter. Every time it plays on the radio, that's where I am. It's possible that in 20 years, I'll hear it on the radio and tell my son where it takes me. And hopefully he'll have musical memories of his own.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
"Modern Quilt Patterns" E-book review
Not too long ago, I received an email soliciting a book review for a free modern quilts e-book.
I like when the words "free" and "book" come together in a sentence. Even more so when the book is about quilts...and I certainly trend towards modern styles. So I said "sure thing!"
The e-book is McCall's "Modern Quilt Patterns" and you can find it here. (Really. It is free. You do have to enter your email address...but you can opt out of receiving emails if you wish. That's what I did, and I have not seen a single email from them.)
There are 3 patterns in the book: "Baubles and Beads," "Rainbow Rhythm," and "Lemon Squeezy." As you might expect in one of the McCall's magazines, the patterns list fabric requirements, cutting instructions, piecing directions, and present a color assembly diagram. They also provide ideas on how to quilt, and include a tutorial (with photos!) for a quilt-as-you-go technique for "Lemon Squeezy."
The photographs are nicely done, showing each quilt in a "model" setting (across a couch, table, or chair) and also presenting a laid-flat, full-quilt picture-quite necessary, in my opinion. (How else would you know what it should look like?)
Overall, this is a nicely planned and presented e-book, and the patterns should be no problem to follow.
However, I doubt that I will make any of these patterns myself. Why? I guess they just aren't "modern" enough for me. To my eye, they look like more traditional designs using bright colors. The only quilt that I might concede as being a "modern" quilt is Lemon Squeezy, and that is more because it utilizes quilt-as-you-go construction than from a design standpoint. Maybe I'm being too nit-picky (it wouldn't be the first time), but I just didn't have that "WOW" factor that makes me want to dive into my stash and start quilting.
I like when the words "free" and "book" come together in a sentence. Even more so when the book is about quilts...and I certainly trend towards modern styles. So I said "sure thing!"
The e-book is McCall's "Modern Quilt Patterns" and you can find it here. (Really. It is free. You do have to enter your email address...but you can opt out of receiving emails if you wish. That's what I did, and I have not seen a single email from them.)
There are 3 patterns in the book: "Baubles and Beads," "Rainbow Rhythm," and "Lemon Squeezy." As you might expect in one of the McCall's magazines, the patterns list fabric requirements, cutting instructions, piecing directions, and present a color assembly diagram. They also provide ideas on how to quilt, and include a tutorial (with photos!) for a quilt-as-you-go technique for "Lemon Squeezy."
The photographs are nicely done, showing each quilt in a "model" setting (across a couch, table, or chair) and also presenting a laid-flat, full-quilt picture-quite necessary, in my opinion. (How else would you know what it should look like?)
Overall, this is a nicely planned and presented e-book, and the patterns should be no problem to follow.
However, I doubt that I will make any of these patterns myself. Why? I guess they just aren't "modern" enough for me. To my eye, they look like more traditional designs using bright colors. The only quilt that I might concede as being a "modern" quilt is Lemon Squeezy, and that is more because it utilizes quilt-as-you-go construction than from a design standpoint. Maybe I'm being too nit-picky (it wouldn't be the first time), but I just didn't have that "WOW" factor that makes me want to dive into my stash and start quilting.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
33
I like the number 33.
I'm weird about numbers; I like primes, and I like odd numbers that are divisible by 3. The volume on my car stereo is set to 15, 17, or 21. (Odd, I know. But it's me.) So 33 is a good number...even more so, since 33 divided by 3 (a prime number) is 11-also prime.
And today is my 33rd birthday. So it's a good day.
This is probably the first year, since I turned 18, that I have looked at my life and realized that yes, this is exactly where I wanted to be at this age.
I am married to a wonderful man.
We have a beautiful son together.
We are fortunate enough to spend some time out of our home country.
And we are happy.
...well, most of the time.
I'm weird about numbers; I like primes, and I like odd numbers that are divisible by 3. The volume on my car stereo is set to 15, 17, or 21. (Odd, I know. But it's me.) So 33 is a good number...even more so, since 33 divided by 3 (a prime number) is 11-also prime.
And today is my 33rd birthday. So it's a good day.
This is probably the first year, since I turned 18, that I have looked at my life and realized that yes, this is exactly where I wanted to be at this age.
I am married to a wonderful man.
We have a beautiful son together.
We are fortunate enough to spend some time out of our home country.
And we are happy.
...well, most of the time.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
What we've been up to...(photo heavy)
I've been busy.
Crazy busy.
So busy I don't really remember my last shower.
All because of this little guy:
Yes, he is adorable. Kawaii is the word I hear most often. (That's Japanese for super-cute.)
But really. I've been mostly tied to the couch, nursing him, for weeks now. It's a wonder how I've gotten anything done. Actually, I haven't. At least not housework-wise...unless you count washing endless diapers. Seriously. It's like I won the stork's raffle for super-soaker baby...which I suppose goes along with his constant nursing. (On the other hand, it's nice to have an economic justification for breastfeeding and cloth diapering.)
Anyway, I did figure out how to knit while nursing (no small trick since I knit continental style), so while I've been feeding my son, and watching endless episodes of Quantum Leap and Star Trek: The Next Generation, I managed to finish up a few pieces this month.
First there's this lovely Who? hat, whose Owl cables are a bit difficult to see, but I assure you they are there:
Then, there's the Declan hat, which I knit because I had a bunch of gorgeous purple Cascade Eco+ that screamed at me "I want to be a hat!"
I knit Clinton a pair of blue longies, so that he would have a diaper cover that also doubled as pants:
And then I started making another sweater from one of my favorite kids' sweater patterns, DNA:
So that's about it for January. I've only one more week of maternity leave, so I'm certain there will be more to write about soon.
Crazy busy.
So busy I don't really remember my last shower.
All because of this little guy:
But really. I've been mostly tied to the couch, nursing him, for weeks now. It's a wonder how I've gotten anything done. Actually, I haven't. At least not housework-wise...unless you count washing endless diapers. Seriously. It's like I won the stork's raffle for super-soaker baby...which I suppose goes along with his constant nursing. (On the other hand, it's nice to have an economic justification for breastfeeding and cloth diapering.)
Anyway, I did figure out how to knit while nursing (no small trick since I knit continental style), so while I've been feeding my son, and watching endless episodes of Quantum Leap and Star Trek: The Next Generation, I managed to finish up a few pieces this month.
First there's this lovely Who? hat, whose Owl cables are a bit difficult to see, but I assure you they are there:
Then, there's the Declan hat, which I knit because I had a bunch of gorgeous purple Cascade Eco+ that screamed at me "I want to be a hat!"
I knit Clinton a pair of blue longies, so that he would have a diaper cover that also doubled as pants:
And then I started making another sweater from one of my favorite kids' sweater patterns, DNA:
So that's about it for January. I've only one more week of maternity leave, so I'm certain there will be more to write about soon.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!
It is the first day of 2013, and it is a pretty good day.
My son let me sleep for 3 hours uninterrupted this morning. My parents landed safely home in Detroit. And I'm almost done knitting him a pair of longies. (Actually, the knitting part is done. I just have to finish weaving in ends & then lanolize so he can wear them.)
Since I would much rather look forward to the new year than look at what I didn't finish in the past one, here's my list of what I'm looking forward to in 2013:
Watching my son grow. Because, really, Clinton is the most amazing thing that has happened to me. Ever. Way more so than even joining the Navy.
Taking the advancement exam. Again. And probably again. It will be attempts 5 and 6 to get that promotion, and the advancement rates can't get much worse...so I may have a shot. (I'm masochistic like that.)
Sewing clothes for myself. That is, once I lose the baby weight. I have a skirt and a dress that I would like to make.
Being a tourist on my island. While my parents were visiting last week, we took a short excursion around Kujukushima National Park, and I realized how little we actually know about where we live. So hopefully we can start to fix that.
How about you? Anything exciting planned for the New Year?
My son let me sleep for 3 hours uninterrupted this morning. My parents landed safely home in Detroit. And I'm almost done knitting him a pair of longies. (Actually, the knitting part is done. I just have to finish weaving in ends & then lanolize so he can wear them.)
Since I would much rather look forward to the new year than look at what I didn't finish in the past one, here's my list of what I'm looking forward to in 2013:
Watching my son grow. Because, really, Clinton is the most amazing thing that has happened to me. Ever. Way more so than even joining the Navy.
Taking the advancement exam. Again. And probably again. It will be attempts 5 and 6 to get that promotion, and the advancement rates can't get much worse...so I may have a shot. (I'm masochistic like that.)
Sewing clothes for myself. That is, once I lose the baby weight. I have a skirt and a dress that I would like to make.
Being a tourist on my island. While my parents were visiting last week, we took a short excursion around Kujukushima National Park, and I realized how little we actually know about where we live. So hopefully we can start to fix that.
How about you? Anything exciting planned for the New Year?
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