Yarn Noodles

This post rambles a bit. Whatever; it's craftemplation. :)

I've been working on three different knitting projects lately, which I'm loving, but I'm also starting to get the itch to do something different. This happens to me all the time. I'll get hooked on a particular craft, go at it like mad for a while, then get bored and want to do something else. Eventually I circle back to the first craft; it goes in cycles.

One of the knitting projects I've been doing is Slither, and I love it! It's the first thing I've knitted that wasn't just flat, and there are different kinds of increases and decreases, so I get to see how they work and why they matter. You can find my notes on my progress at my Ravelry project page (though you will need to have a [free] Ravelry account to see it.)

So, I'm nearly done with my Slither gloves, and I'm already wanting to plan another project, but I'm thinking crochet, which I've been doing far longer than I've been knitting. I started surfing the patterns available through Ravelry, and Oh My Gods, so many beautiful patterns, and so many of them available for free! There are some crocheted shawls and stoles I would love to try, but they look like the beginning chains are sooooo long!

The hardest, most frustrating part of any crochet project for me is working that first row into the stitches of the starting chain. I crochet with a really tight tension, so much so that I usually have to go up at least two hook sizes to match gauge on someone else's pattern. This means that while my work may come out the right size, I still have a hard time working the hook into those tight chain stitches. If I make the chain with a larger hook, this might give me the room to move that I need to not go crazy, though I would need to make sure doing that wouldn't adversely affect the project.

But what if, instead of crocheting a starting chain, I cast on the required number of stitches as for knitting, using a long-tail cast-on on a convertible circular needle? If I use a needle size to match the hook size, I'll end up with perfect little loops that stand up free from the bulk of the cast-on, resting loosely along a thin cable. If I take one needle off after casting, insert the hook in the first stitch, pull up a loop from the working yarn and start crocheting into each stitch while it still sits on the cable, the cable should slip out easily enough once the first row is done.

Hmmmm....

I'll let you know how it comes out.

Image borrowed from Patricia at Knitting for the Soul.

Want-to vs. Ought-to

In May, I was gifted with two hanks of Ullcentrum one-ply yarn (the website's in Swedish, but your browser may be able to translate it), one in Denim, the other in Heather. Lovely stuff. I've finally decided what to do with one of them.

I plan to make the Fall Silver Shawl, available for purchase from Ravelry (you'll need a Ravelry account to visit that link, but the account is free.) I have the pattern downloaded, I have the yarn, and my fingers have been itching to start for days, but I need to buy needles for this small yarn, and I have a custom order crochet project that's waaaay overdue, and I owe blanket blocks to seven or eight people from last year's swap, and I have multiple projects to finish for the AntiCraft, and flutter sleeves to make for my formal dress, and and and....

Sigh.

Someone kick me in the ass, please?

The aftermath

So, the tie silk scarves were a big hit. I gave one to my boss, and both his wife and his son tried to abscond with it. The guys in my family were impressed with them, too. I still have a couple left, and I'll probably put them up in my Etsy store, as soon as I get around to photographing them. I'm thinking $30-$35 is a good price for a flannel lined silk scarf, yes?

I haven't completely finished any of the purses, though a couple of them just need the linings sewn in place, and the bead pulls made for the zippers. I have until Easter to finish them now, but I can't let myself procrastinate based on that. It just means I don't have to rush and panic over it.

Aside from having my car wrecked by someone who didn't look before they turned into my path, this holiday season has been pretty good for me. How was yours?

I've got *how* many days left 'til Christmas???

I am freaking insane.

I've got the gifts for the guys in my family-of-origin made: scarves made of tie silk, lined with flannel. Warm, but classy.

But, like an idiot, I decided to make purses for the ladies. Views C and D of this one, from Butterick. That's a little more involved than a scarf. And I only got the last of the materials today last night. (I'm typing this at one in the morning, after washing and pressing all the fabrics, before going to bed.)

My family does Christmas on Christmas Eve. If I can make one purse a day, I'll get the gifty ones done just in time. If I can get at least three done over this weekend, I'll be able to make mine before then, as well. If I don't get mine done along with everyone else's, it will never get made. I know this from past experience. I make a dozen of something for gifts, and get so sick of looking at the same project over and over that I just give up on my own.

Wish me luck, and a lack of gremlins in the sewing machine.

Time, She is a Wastin'

I have less than a month to do the sewing and photography for a project to be published in the Imbolc 2009 issue of the AntiCraft. I have Giftmas presents to sew for my family of origin. I haven't a clue what to buy/do/make for most of my chosen family. I have sewing commitments that are over a year old, and related to winter events. Not to mention that I really need some new clothes, myself.

My living room WILL be tidied and organised enough for me to start sewing this week.