2009/11/04

There once was a woman, who knit obsessively for five years, and lived to tell

A few people have asked about my whereabouts, and I thought I would drop in and tell that I'm fine. Still knitting, but here's the thing: I don't live and breath knitting anymore. I don't really know what happened, but suddenly I just noticed that I could live without checking the knit blogs and Ravelry every night. I could watch tv without knitting. I could even knit something and give it away without taking photos of it. I feel… free. :-D

So I don't think I'm gonna blog anymore. I've used all my words, and cannot really find anything interesting to say about the umpteenth pair of socks I've made. It's been really fun though, and that's because of you! If you're interested, you can still find me on Flickr and on Ravelry. Happy knitting, and thanks for reading!

2009/03/23

Peppermint stripes

Baktus scarf

Baktus Scarf
by Strikkelise
Pattern source: Strikkelise's patterns
Yarn: Elann Peruvian Baby Cashmere, about 50 grams of both red and white
Needles: 3,5 mm
Modifications: I moved the shaping from the beginning of the row to the end of the row, just to keep the edge where I changed colours neater


I'm ridiculously happy with this little gem of a scarf. It's just everything it needs to be – small enough to wear comfortably under the coat, yet very warm, and cute and stylish too! I feel chic wearing it. French, somehow. Quite an achievement from a simple little scarf don't you think.

I'm already planning my next Baktus(es): maybe a navy blue and white one, in cotton for summer… and perhaps one with stronger colours, like green and violet? Hehee. I'm in stripy garter stitch heaven.

Baktus scarf

I want to thank all of you who left so nice and encouraging comments on my previous post. It's a good thing that there are so many of us worriers out there, just think if I had to worry about the whole world all by myself! Seriously though, your kind words meant a lot to me, and really helped too. Thank you.

2009/02/21

All my troubles and some socks too

If there's one thing I'm really, really good at, it's worrying. I specialize in worrying about things that I have very little to no control over, and if I'm not careful, I can bring myself to tears thinking about something that has not yet happened or is not even likely to happen. One time my husband found me crying, and let me tell you, he was very puzzled when he found out that I was crying over his untimely death.

So, thank god for knitting! It has been a lifesaver for me – I can usually put a stop to my obsessive worrying by working a few rows. The last few weeks have given me the opportunity to research knitting's stress-relieving qualities in full measure, and the results are interesting, to me at least. It appeared that different kind of worries were eased with different types of projects. You don't necessarily need heavy garter stitch therapy to make you forget the six extra pounds on your waist.

Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear

Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear
by Nancy Bush
Pattern source: Knitting Vintage Socks / Nancy Bush
Yarn: Yarn Workshop Footscray, dyed with food colourings
Needles: 2,25 mm
Modifications: added decreases to both leg and foot to make the sock smaller, made a flat toe instead of star toe

More photos

Minor worries (like those six extra pounds) can be easily forgotten with a good Nancy Bush pattern. This one was perfect – the need for slight modifications kept me glued to the sofa, which also made me happily forget the fact that I could have been exercising instead of knitting.

Pigeonroof Socks

Pigeonroof Socks
Pattern: 48 stitches (increased to 58 sts for the calf) toe up, short-row toe and heel
Yarn: Pigeonroof Studios handspun, in Lichen
Needles: 2,75 mm

More photos

Medium worries (like work related issues that have made me grind my teeth in the bus all the way home) are best fought with the combination of a simple project and luxurious yarn. For some reason I had been saving Krista's beautiful handspun instead of knitting with it – stupid really, because knitting these socks on my commutes made me come home much calmer and happier. My husband and son thank you too, Krista!

Stress Relief Slippers

8-square Socks
Pattern source: Käspaikka
Yarn: Sock yarn leftovers, held doubled

Needles: 3,5 mm


More photos

For major worries (like anything that has to do with my son. If I'm worrying about him, it's always major. Even if it's actually something not that serious. I blame that love thing.) there's really only one thing that works: garter stitch. The ultimate garter stitch therepy: knitting small squares with brightly coloured leftover yarns, so you can feel thrifty too. The sad thing is that I've now used almost all of my sock yarn leftovers, so I better not encounter anything major before I have knit more socks.

– – –

Right now, I'm back to knitting some Nancy Bush socks, so all's well. Worrying is such a waste of time, and I'm actually really trying to learn not to let it ruin my life. Trying to think positive and enjoy my life. And knit a little too.

2009/01/26

Keeping the family warm

The weather's been great for wearing handknits. Last weekend we went skating, and for the first time ever, I decided to wear my Norwegian Stockings. They are too thick to wear with boots, but just perfect with skates, and they kept my feet nice and warm. And stylish too, which is important especially when your skating skills leave a little something to be desired.

Norwegian Stockings

Onni skated too – obviously we both need some more practice. :-)

Onni on ice

I've been on a smaller knits kick lately. I've knit a neckwarmer for mom (because she liked mine):

Wham bam for mom

Wham Bam Thank You Lamb
by Insaknitty
Pattern source: Insaknitty (Ravelry link)
Yarn: two strands of Rowan All Seasons Cotton and one strand of Lopo Xavier Phoebus held together
Needles: 7 mm

Little socks for my goddaughter:

Kaffe Fassett socks

Kaffe Fassett Socks
Pattern: 52 sts
Yarn: Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett, 1 x 50 g
Needles: 2,5 mm

And a hat for my sister:

Simple Pleasures Hat

Simple Pleasures Hat
by Whit's Knits
Pattern source: The Purl Bee
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Lush, 1,5 x 50 g
Needles: 4,5 and 5 mm
Modifications: cast on 86 sts

Hopefully these little knits keep my loved ones warm!