Trish Knits.com

Author: Trish

  • Book Review: Afghans and Throws

    I just got the book, Afghans and Throws, by Luise Roberts, in the mail this week. Oh my GOSH it has been ages since I have waited for a book so impatiently! This is my kind of knitting book. It doesn’t so much give directions for specific afghans, as it does give you tons of ideas for great afghans. Anyone who can knit can knit a big rectangle, right? Well, this one gives you ideas on how to plan that rectangle, from how to create random stripes that really aren’t so random, to planning the size of your afghan, to planning the shapes and colors that will make up your finished piece.

    There is a fair bit of crochet in this book, so if you’re put off by that don’t buy it. I had hoped for a little less crochet, but some of the joining methods described for joining squares or panels are genius and worth having the whole book just for that. If you’re a creative knitter who doesn’t mind knitting really big rectangles, but wants to get inspired to make your rectangles unique and fun, this book is for you. Go get one! I know I’m going to be using mine lots.

    Onto another subject, tomorrow is my monthly knitting group and I am excited. I’m really looking forward to sitting and knitting with everyone. See you then!

  • Summer Knitting and Sock Shoes

    Baby sweater yoke section completed

    After hours of yarn sorting and photographing yesterday I was tireder than tired, but the kids and DH wanted to go to the pool. I thought about staying home, but it was such a nice night, I went. And I’m glad I did! The weather was GLORIOUS, and it was built-in knitting time for me.

    I managed to finish the yoke of my baby sweater! Now onto the interesting part. I decided to do the sweater in stockinette stitch, all except for the front panels which will have a cable and lace pattern band on each front. I still need to divide the sections of the sweater so I can decide where to place the stitch pattern. I love cables, so this will be good for me. I haven’t had a project with a cable in it for a while. So, I’m doin’ the happy dance.

    Show Yer Socks!

    Chuck Taylor All Star transparent sneakers

    Just had to share these new shoes I got from Journeys. I first saw them on the day I went to see the Yarn Harlot in a shop window. But alas, they didn’t have them in my size. I tried to order them online but my size didn’t even show up as available until about a month ago, and then when I ordered, they were out of stock. So, at long last, I got them this week.

    Yet another reason to be a sock knitter. Cool shoes to show off your socks. Niiiiiiice.

  • Stash Containment

    wool of the andes yarn in multiple colors

    Today was a really productive day. My knit buddy Rhoda came over with her daughter, Sarah. They were on a mission. Today was the day that we were going to organize every ball of yarn I own, and all the little doo dads that go with it.

    They arrived at about 10 a.m. and before I knew it, every bit of yarn in my house was dumped onto my den floor. Rhoda said she thought there’d be more. People always say that about me. Turns out my yarn stash isn’t that bad.

    We decided to organize my yarn by type. So, all the wools are together, all the cottons, all the sock yarns, etc. I had attempted to organize my stuff recently and even started a box numbering system, but now, knowing that all of my cottons are together in one place, it’s somehow easier. I had enough wools to fill two Rubbermaid tubs, which didn’t surprise me. So that had to be split up. It did surprise me that I had as much cotton yarn as I did. Equally surprising to me was that I had such small quantities of both luxury yarns AND cheap acrylics, so, oh the dichotomy! They are in a box together. Also placed neatly into crates are my UFOs (that’s UnFinished Objects, for non-knitters who might be reading). I have one crate for the really hot, active projects, and one for the longer term projects. Now, everything has its place.

    I also reclaimed a rolling cart/bin thingy from my kids, which has my needles, accessories, and related crafting supplies all neatly arranged. Now I have a place for all of it, it’s not in a huge jumbled mess, and I can reach it all! How cool is that?

    We didn’t tackle the knitting library today. That’s a huge project all its own. But I feel like I’m well on my way, with a huge thanks to Sarah and Rhoda! Huggers!

  • The Return of the Blankie

    brown ripple afghan in progress

    I feel ashamed. It is so easy to be swayed by other projects these days. Especially now that it is hot and I’m generally cranky and tired. Most of my knitting time is also limited to knitting by the pool or during my commute in the car. Which, I’ve rationalized, is too hard for working on a large project by my brown ripple afghan. So it’s been easy to leave it alone.

    But, the fact is that I have to get this done. Lots of people have contributed to it by knitting in stitches or rows. It even survived a major disaster. Now, the fact is that I just need to get it done. And I will. I’m just not sure when. But soon, ok? I’ll keep plugging away.

    Remembering My Friend

    Today, the following news story hit the wires:

    Money ruling a remarkable woman’s legacy

    Dr. Sandra Welner was a pioneer in the field of Women’s Health for Women with Disabilities. And she was my friend. I still miss her every day.

  • The Yoke’s on Me!

    sweater yoke in progress

    So I’ve never really done major baby knitting. A couple of blankets, but this is my first time attempting a sweater. I’ve never made a sweater of any kind, so I figured I’d better start small. I’m basing the method of construction for this sweater on the February Baby Sweater, except that my gauge is different, and my yarn is different, and, in the end, I don’t like the stitch pattern that was used. Well, ok, I do like the stitch pattern, but what if the baby is a boy? In that case, then not so much.

    So I will use the concept of the sweater, in the use of the percentage system and the overall design. But I am still uncommitted as to which stitch pattern to use. Something that says, “Yeah, I’m a boy and I can still wear this sweater, even though it has pink in it,” but that would be ok for a girl, too.

    Any ideas? I’d love to hear them. I’m stumped. 🙂

  • Summer of …. Sock Toe

    beginning of sock toe

    I so wanted to kick off Summer of Socks 2008 in high fashion while knitting by the pool on Saturday evening. But alas, we were all tired, and I had trouble getting started. Earlier in this evening, I cast on for about the 10th time my first pair of real socks. I don’t know why I have such a hard time getting started, but I can’t seem to do the toes until I’ve started at least half a dozen times. So this is all I have to show. Whoop-dee-do.

    I recently bought a Namaste Cali Malibu bag in Hollywood Pink. But I also found a mini sewing kit that nearly matched. I don’t really sew at all, but it’s good to have an extra tape measure, scissors, buttons and thread on hand. It matches the bag, and is SOOO cute. For that reason alone, I had to have it. Shallow? Don’t answer that!

    Here are two views, one with the kit closed and one with it open.

    sewing kit closed

    sewing kit open