wifeKnits

Slight Changes / Slight Knitting

If you’ve been here recently, you’ll notice I changed the layout. I wanted something simple, so I found a decent Wordpress theme that I liked and am now using it. It’s been tweaked every so slightly. I customized the header, of course, and changed the wording in a a few places. This was so much easier than trying to create my own theme and plug it into WP. Because I already had a two column layout, it was easy as pie to tweak my code to fit into the theme. Since this is a knitting blog, it only made sense that I had a “blog” theme. And I’m pretty happy with this one. I may at some point change the colors and if I’m feeling adventurous, add some scripting so that you can choose which color you like better. But I’m not sure if I’ll go that far.

In knitting news, I’ve made it to the gusset on sock on of dad’s thujas. I think the 3rd time is the charm on these. The fabric feels much stretchier but also like it will fit snuggly on the foot. I’ve finally (after many start overs) have made it past the first square of sis’ afghan. I’ve got 2 squares done; 10 more to go. But these are going to be better than the last “squared” afghan I made. These are the same # of rows and the same # of stitches across. *And* these will be pieced together the same way, so when I sew seams, I’m sewing rows to rows and stitches to stitches, so I think it will be much easier. You learn from your mistakes and this time around I have to say, I’m doing much better.

But I’m so amazed that I’ve started these two projects so many times over. I’ve never done that with a project to get it right. I guess I’m actually learning a thing or two in my knitting and “getting” gauge is something I’ve been trying to finally get right. Let’s hope this trend continues when I start working on something that really needs accurate gauge, like a sweater.

Posted in Afghans, Knitting, Personal, Socks | No Comments

Crochet Gauge Headache

I’m having so much trouble getting gauge on my sister’s afghan. The pattern suggests hook size K. When I swatch for gauge, I’m not getting enough stitches or rows. I tried using an L hook and it seemed like I had too many stitches per inch, so I went back to the K. But last night I got fed up with it and tried again with L and it seems now that I short with L also. Agh! I can’t figure out what size hook to use. Either way, I don’t have nearly enough rows per inch and my stitches per inch is slightly short too.

I need to go to Michael’s at lunch anyway, so I’m going to look for an M and maybe try it. If that doesn’t work, I may have to just go with the L and make a conscious effort to make looser stitches. Last night I was making an effort to tighten my stitches because I thought I was too loose with the L hook, but maybe I just need to loosen up a bit.

Anyway, this will be the 4th or 5th attempt at working the *1st* square! One of these days I’ll get it right and finally be able to move on.

Posted in Afghans, Crochet | No Comments

The Bearclaw is Fun

I’m having a blast working on the bearclaw blanket. I’m almost done with the center squares. The whole thing is garter stitch which makes it go pretty quick, even though I’m working on size 3 needles.

Posted in Afghans | No Comments

I Can Keep the Yarn!

I have an awesome husband. I do. I bought all the yarn I will need for my bearclaw blanket, but after I ordered it I wasn’t sure about the colors, so I ordered more in a different color, thinking I could decide once I got it and then send back what I didn’t want. Well, when I told my DH, he said to just keep it!! Imagine that! He actually told me to keep the yarn. Of course, now I have to figure out what to knit with 765 yds of fingering weight 100% cotton besides socks. LOL!

Posted in Afghans, yarn | No Comments

A Bearclaw Project

I’m nuts! I just ordered enough Jaegar Siena to do the Bear Claw Blanket in the Spring 2005 Issue of Interweave Knits. I’m so looking forward to this project, but I’ll have to wait to start it. I want to get a few promised projects done first. Needing to be finished first are:

• Amelia’s pinwheel sweater (only 1 sleeve left)
• Nez’s pedisocks (just cast on)
• Nez’s afghan (still need to purchase yarn!)
• Dad’s socks (haven’t started)

I don’t think it will take me too long to finish the sweater and the pedisocks, so the afghan and dad’s socks are probably the ones that will hold me back some. But oh well.

Posted in Afghans, Projects, yarn | No Comments