Finally finished knitting the shorts I started in May!! I started over 3 or 4 times (I learned to knit when I was little, abandoned it for crochet, but picked it back up this year. I got overconfident from following a sock tutorial and then crash coursed my way through with this shorts set). Made the matching top in between all the frogging, which was surprisingly quicker and easier than the shorts. And while it’s too cold to wear the shorts, I finally got to wear the socks I made at the beginning of the year!
knit set patterns: “the lost tank” and “the lost shorts” from Friday Knits
sock tutorial
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I've been struggling to draw lately (thanks to a burnout) but turns out knitting is a great way to combat stress. And as a bonus I got a new jumper now!
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Baubles
"Human, what is the purpose of the head covering you are wearing?"
"This? It's a hat, it keeps my head warm."
"Yes, I understand that, but why does it have a ball of strings on the top?"
"Oh, that? It's called a bauble, or a pom-pom. They're mainly used for decoration, but I've heard they originated with sailors, who used them as a sort of sensory extension so they'd know when they were about to hit their heads."
"That is BRILLIANT. Can you show me how to make one?"
"You knit?"
"Sure! Loads of us do! Knitting is one of the most basic ways of turning fiber into cloth, most sapient species have something like it. Show me how to make this 'bauble.'"
*a few weeks later*
"Do you like it?"
"Um... yeah, it's great. You really like baubles, huh?"
"I love them. I posted a tutorial video online, it's well on its way to being the new fashion."
"That's... great bud. Good for you."
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New project!!!
A sweater for niece with some pink hearts (the pink is hand dyed, I wanted to go for a soft pastel pink, with confetti like other Coors (blue, gry, violet) but moved the yarn way to much 😅)
Here is the free pattern:
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Last month, Sixth & Spring publishing reached out to me to review the new Short-row Colorwork Knitting book by Woolly Wormhead. Woolly is best known for designing clever hat patterns that employ the use of short-rows to create dynamic shapes in colorwork. I've never made one of her patterns, but have long appreciated them as a sort of brain teaser. Each one seems to fit together like a puzzle of yarn. I've now spent a month with this book, reading through it and using it as a textbook to learn Woolly's signature short row technique.
The cover of the book has a frosted glass feel, which I think is nicer than a glossy cover. Three of the brightly colored stitch patterns are displayed along with the title. The book contains 50 stitch patterns and 10 projects. The yarn for the publication was provided by malabrigo so every stitch pattern is shown in beautiful tonal yarn. I also noticed a stitch key on the inside of the flap of the cover that folds out so you can look at it when you're working on a pattern. I love the consideration for the reader and the functionality.
This book is written like a workbook, it starts by giving you all the tools that you need to use to knit the stitch patterns then use them in your own projects. The first few chapters explain the short-row colorwork fabric, the chart system, ways of altering the motifs in the book and color theory. I was not left with any questions about the instructions. The next section of the book contains tutorials teaching the basics of short row knitting, the skills that are needed to complete the patterns are shown with photos. There's even a photo tutorial on knitting backwards - a huge time saver. It seems like Woolly and I have the same party trick.
Next, I tried making a few of the stitch patterns with my new skills. The chart system was intuitive. The first swatch is the Sine Stripes pattern. The swatch in the book showed a selvedge, which I added on my swatch as well. Next, I tried making the Anemones motif. I did not add a selvedge this time, but felt confident using the lessons to shift the placement of the short rows. None of the short rows were changed,I just cast on extra stitches and practiced moving the motifs. I did not have a chance to try any of the "repeatable" stitch patterns yet which can be used in the round as well as flat. The majority of the book is spent on these adaptable stitches.
I didn't have time to try any of the projects, but noticed a good mix of different accessories. I appreciate the inclusion of multiple designers showing different perspectives and approaches to the Short-row Colorwork technique. The final chapter of the book explains different design considerations, inviting the reader to actually use the stitch dictionary portion of the text for their own applications. The properties of some of these stitches are unique and the lessons are helpful and explaining all different scenarios that may come up.
I always intended to get this book, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. It's incredibly thorough without becoming overwhelming. If you enjoy learning new things, this is a great purchase. It's currently available for pre-order and will be available in the US on April 16th and in the UK on May 14th. More info is available on Woolly's website. And you can preorder a copy of the book on Amazon.
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