Knitting and Crochet Blog Week is March 28 to April 3! It’s that time of year again! (What, already?!?) It’s time for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week! This was started last year by Mimi from Ravelry (Ravelry Profile Link), moderator of The Blog Hub group (‘nother Raverly link). I don’t know how or why exactly she started it, but I think that a) it helps people to get in the habit of doing more regular blogging, and b) it also promotes staying on topic while going in new directions on that topic, thus allowing people to get more creative with their blog’s content.
I mean, it’s good to have more than just the “here’s what I’m knitting today” kind of posts, isn’t it? Especially if you’re like me, a painfully slow knitter for whom the project progress photos all look the same if taken too soon one after another. Which is why I include family stuff and book reviews and occasional appearances by the cat on my blog. But Mimi has proposed topics that are all interesting and thought-provoking, so I’m going to give this a try again. I can’t promise a post every day, but I’m going to do my best.
Yes, I’m going to do it again, even if it kills me. Or rather, I have to find a way NOT to let it kill me. Last year, I did a post for every day of blog week (at least I think I did!) and by the time it was over, I was EXHAUSTED. Ever since that killer week I have, in general, blogged much less often. Now, as you can see, I’m making an effort to get back in the habit. I still won’t have daily project progress reports on this blog (“See that half row right there? That’s what I knit today!” Snore.), but it turns out that I do have lots on my mind all the time so I might as well share. Maybe it’ll be more family-related content from time to time, or more resources added to the other parts of this site. Whatever it is, it is my goal that you’ll be hearing from me more often again. And I shall try to keep it focused as much as possible on knitting, while at the same time not making it too boring for those who have never experienced the rapture of holding yarn in their hands.
A tall order? Maybe. But then, there’s Blog Week to get me started.
View of the back of the shawlI’m excited to share with you yet another update of my shawl in progress. See? It’s starting to look like a shaw! Yay, me! I’m almost done with the second skein of my lightest color, and then I can move on to the next shade of lavender in the progression. I still have about 18 rows left in the current lace section, and I am thinking the color change will happen before I switch to the next lace pattern. Which, incidentally, I don’t know what that’s going to be yet. Nothing like making it up as I go, eh? I just hope that the thing will be wearable in the end. Haha!
Closeup of the lace patternAnd here’s a closer view of the lace pattern. It’s Gull Wing Lace, which is a traditional Dutch pattern that has been included in A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, by Barbara Walker. I like it because it’s a lace pattern I know and I don’t have to think about it, beyond counting to seven. Also? It’s easy for me to read, so easy for me to fix. Knowing how to fix it is important, because even with the familiarity I have with the stitch, the occasional missed yarnover or dropped stitch does happen. And so, I can fix this one pretty easily by now.
I don’t know that there is another lace pattern that I know so well, so the final section and the border are going to be a challenge. Hopefully, by the time I get there, I’ll be up for it.
The book starts with the basic formula for making the dolls. It talks about yarn choices, and other materials needed. After giving you the basic layout of how to knit a doll, the majority of the book goes into how to knit the numerous variations that will create the various parts, including feet and legs (or shoe and pants style), numerous clothing and sweater/body styles, and tips for doing various hairstyles and facial expressions, using a variety of materials. Overall these seem like quick little knits, perfect for using up small bits of yarn, odd little buttons and various other things.
The book takes a mix-and-match approach to body parts, clothing styles, and accessories, such that the design possibilities are practically endless. The book even includes such details as whether or not to knit individual fingers, separate clothing pieces, and a variety of shapes that could easily turn your doll into an animal, or even a mermaid.
Me? I’d probably be interested in creating knitted amigurumi dolls of people I know. I’d probably start with someone wearing purple sneakers, a long denim skirt, a hoodie, and purple bangs sticking out from under a rasta hat.
Hmmm… I wonder if that sounds like anybody I know?
I almost can’t wait to start, except there’s this shawl… back to that–tomorrow.
I was sitting in the very back of our large community theater. My daughter, the one with the blue hair, was a small speck of a kid on the stage. And THIS, this photo? From my seat, all the way to her, with NO flash.
Not bad, eh?
Oh. And neither was the concert. Festival’s this Friday, and my fingers are crossed.
, by Barbara Walker. I like it because it’s a lace pattern I know and I don’t have to think about it, beyond counting to seven. Also? It’s easy for me to read, so easy for me to fix. Knowing how to fix it is important, because even with the familiarity I have with the stitch, the occasional missed yarnover or dropped stitch does happen. And so, I can fix this one pretty easily by now.
” after waiting almost 6 months for the publication date. I love dolls! And I was intrigued by what this book would have to offer. After paging through the whole book I can say that I think I’m really going to like it!
