Me in my first sweater!!

Done!!

I finished it today! No photo yet because I just washed it. Letting it air dry but may put it in the dryer for a bit when I wake up (stayed up late to finish it).

I made a few mistakes in my seams, and of course I did stockinette instead of reverse stockinette, but it actually looks pretty good. I was worried that the heavy yarn would be uncomfortable and look weird, but it feels fine and looks rather chic.

Wait 'til you see the photos! Stay tuned ...

Heading down the back stretch

I turned the corner, so to speak, and am now knitting down the back of the sweater. I'm about 2/3 finished with the sleeve. Then a few rows of garter, then my inside-out stockinette (duh!), then a few rows of garter and the knitting will be done!

I'm getting ready to knit 3 swatches to test blocking tonight: washing in the washing machine (or maybe by hand), using a spritzer, pinning and letting dry, and using the steamer while I press out wrinkles with my hands. Which one will work best? Hmmm ... I'm really not sure. I have read conflicting information about how to block a blend of wool and acrylic. I wish Lion Brand offered some suggestions.

Inside out

Just like me to do something in reverse, in reverse. My reverse stockinette stitch is reversed! I didn't look at the photo carefully enough to notice (and someone else on ravelry's looks the same as mine). But you know what? It's such a nice design, it looks good this way.

I think I will get some more yarn and try making another sweater the right way -- no really, the RIGHT way -- when I'm finished with this one.

I love it ... what a funny beginner's mistake!

Something funny

I'm halfway done with the knitting. Had a tiny problem at the neckline but was able to disguise it, I think. Good enough, at least.

Here's the funny thing: I just realized that the "wrong side" is actually the "right side" -- it's REVERSE stockinette, duh. I'm not sure I actually like what's technically the right side. I'll have to take another look and see how it looks on me, and also look carefully at my stitching. The wrong side, the regular stockinette, sort of has a slimming effect. And who couldn't use that?

Skein 2 done, on to skein 3

How about that? I'm nearly halfway done with the knitting -- just need about another 1-1/2 inches and I'll be up to the neckline. Then there are some directions I hope will make sense as I'm doing them (you know how that is, right?).

Have a few questions in my mind about blocking ... like, should I wash this first before I block and sew it? Or should I just steam block it -- seems to be the best way with a wool/acrylic blend -- and then sew it, and not worry about washing it first?

I think I'll take two swatches and wash one first, and not the other. We'll see what looks better.

Hope to have some time to finish the sweater this week, as I'd love to wear it on the weekend. And of course, I'll post a photo of myself wearing it, no matter how bad or good it looks. :-)

Sweater: skein 1 just about done

Wow ... can't believe how much progress I have made on the sweater, especially considering I haven't really put that much time into it (work, life, commitments, you know how it is).

I learned how to cast on stitches at the end of a row using the cable cast on, which was actually quite easy. I'm now beginning to knit the sleeves and will add my second skein of yarn momentarily.

Frogging the tam/knitting on the subway

Just seemed like the sizing was off kilter, so I frogged the tam and will make my daughter a different hat with the pretty forest green yarn. It's not going to warm up anytime soon, so she'll be wearing hats and scarves for at least two more months. :-)

Knitting on the subway is sometimes ... interesting. Lots of people stare at my hands and seem to go into a sort of trance while watching me. Other people (mostly kids) ask what I'm making. Some (women only) will tell me their knitting stories, about their own projects or how their mom or grandmother knitted things for them.

At first, I was self conscious about knitting on the subway. But now I just go into my own zone and ignore the stares and answer the questions politely, always with a smile. Because knitting always makes me smile -- even when I'm frogging a tam.

Cast on, cast off

I cast on my sweater, and cast off on a new journey today.

One stitch at a time ...

Sweater yarn and needles arrived!

Gorgeous navy Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick n Quick yarn ... yay!

I plan to knit my swatch tomorrow to check the gauge. And then I'm off to the races. I hope I can finish this sweater relatively quickly; my actual knitting skills are improving, so I'm going to keep track of how long it takes me to knit this sweater (not counting the gauge swatch).

Honestly, I know this is going to sound a little nuts, but I haven't been so excited about something in a long time. I feel like I'm embarking on a wondrous journey: creating something I can wear.

More posts and some photos to come ... This is a quick webcam photo of what's on my needles right now: a blanket that I intended to make for my niece's baby when she was born last year, which is now going to be a first-birthday present!

Why I knit

Even though I'm a beginning knitter, I wanted to stop and think for a moment about why I chose this particular hobby, at this time in my life.

I've always enjoyed creating things. Over the years, I've done photography (that's been my longest hobby, one I still do -- going on 28 years!), I've enjoyed making quilts (would love to do that again), and I'm a writer professionally.

I wanted a hobby that was portable -- in addition to reading -- that created something tangible. Photography is great, but you can't wear a photo. I also like the feeling of the knitting needles and the yarn, and the sound the needles make when I'm working with them.

But why now? Some might say I'm a little late to this game, starting in my late 40s. I don't have any grandchildren, and I doubt I will ever have any (which is fine, by the way). I do, however, have people in my life who might enjoy wearing and using something I made for them. And I want to create things for myself, too.

At this point, my skills are basic but improving all the time. I'm proud of the progress I've made. When you get to a certain age, you really do need to challenge yourself. That's also part of the reason I chose this hobby.

While I wait for my sweater yarn to arrive -- got the shipment notification today, yay -- I'm continuing on a blanket for my niece's toddler and will also pick up that tam again (for some reason, that project intimidates me; maybe it's because I barely have room on the needles for all the stitches and I'm paranoid I will drop them).

Knit and purl, knit and purl ...

Happy 2010!

I have a good feeling about this year. It has to be better than last year, right?

So ...

In 2010, I intend to focus on having more fun, which definitely includes knitting.

While I'm waiting for my sweater yarn to arrive, I'm starting a baby blanket for my niece's daughter, who turns 1 in April, and will also try to finish this weird tam I started (although I may end up frogging it!).

Also found a sweater pattern that, if I'm successful with the first sweater, I'll make next, using pure wool this time (Cascade ecological wool -- very reasonably priced at $15/400+yards).

But I digress ... All I meant to say here was, Happy 2010!

Chose the pattern, ordered the yarn!

Decided to make a kimino-style sweater using navy blue Wool-Ease Thick 'n' Quick from Lion Brand. The yarn is relatively inexpensive, so it's a good choice for a beginner like me.

I purchased the pattern online here: http://dimanchechezmoi.com/patterns/nati/.

On Ravelry.com, I saw that another knitter had made this sweater in navy Thick 'n' Quick. I toyed with the idea using a different color (claret and linen were second and third choices), but I really like the navy ... so if I post my project there, I'll say I was inspired by her beautiful sweater!

In the interim, I'm continuing to work on this weird tam -- will post a photo soon. Also biding my time with a strange stocking cap pattern that I don't know if I'll finish. And am reading Twilight, recommended by several friends. (So far, I really don't see the attraction!)

I'm excited to get started on my first sweater. I think it will be the first of many. :-)

Which pattern? Which pattern?

I discovered Ravelry.com the other day after hearing a woman mention it in a knitting store. Here I thought I had enough basic sweater patterns to choose from, but noooo -- Ravelry has loads more for me to peruse! And I really appreciate the examples and comments people share on that site. Way cool.

I bought a couple of patterns as a result ($5 each) and have a slew of free ones I'm still considering.

As soon as my yarn samples from Lion Brand arrive -- which should be any day now -- I will make a decision on the pattern. The excitement mounts!

Whichever pattern I choose, I vow to start and finish it as quickly as possible. With the weather we're having these days, I really need it, and fast. My down coat, even with a store-bought sweater underneath, is barely managing the wind chill around here.

So much to learn!

As a beginner -- maybe an advanced beginner, depending on one's definition -- I sometimes am overwhelmed by how much there is to learn about knitting. Every time I start a new project, I learn something (usually from my mistakes).

Over the weekend, I started a hat project 3 times, and I'm still not convinced it will turn out right. First pattern seemed like the sizing was off, despite my correct gauge. Second pattern (I tried it twice) had an error in it that I couldn't figure out. At least, that's what I told myself! So on the third try, I used a book I have that's supposed to be pretty foolproof if you follow the directions for any yarn, any hat, any size.

I started working on a tam. Made a few errors while making the increases (tried an M1 technique that I hadn't used before) that I just decided to leave in -- not terribly noticeable, and I really just want to see if the sizing calculations actually work. I'll complete it, and if it doesn't work out, I'll try to see where I goofed. There's also a new "double decrease" stitch I'll need to use when I reach that point, so even if the hat isn't wearable, at least I'll have learned a couple of new techniques for increasing and decreasing. Definitely not a waste of time.

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for the yarn samples to arrive. Then I'll make a decision on a simple, basic sweater pattern and what yarn to use. I mean B-A-S-I-C: like, four rectangles that I sew together! Sometime in January, I will be the proud wearer of a hand-knitted pullover!

Samples are yummy

My whole life, I have loved looking at samples: of basically everything. I remember my mom getting carpet samples and paint chips and I thought the small pieces that you could mix and match like a jigsaw puzzle were sooooo cooool.

I still have a thing for paint chips; I repaint our home every couple of years myself, out of boredom and the desire to look at paint samples, both in chip form and on the wall from small sample tins.

I had ordered a sample card of Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease Thick 'n' Quick, because there is an easy (I think) pattern using that yarn.

But then tonight, I ordered sample cards of 3 other yarns. I almost got them express delivered, but I restrained myself and figured I could busy myself with other things during the holiday period. And then I'll have something to look forward to in the mail come New Year's or so.

Am I weird? Probably. But I love looking at the colors and feeling the textures, and trying to make a decision is so deliciously difficult.

Yummy.

Why am I starting this blog? Let me count the stitches.

My new passion in life is knitting. I have joined the knitting world a little late in life, but so be it. My mother used to knit and crochet, and I'm not sure why she never taught me -- or if she tried, maybe I resisted. That sounds like me.

But two years ago, I taught myself to knit using every book I could find. That, and YouTube videos (thank GOD for YouTube videos). And a friend showed me a couple of basic techniques, too.

The first knitting year, I didn't try very hard. Made a few simple scarves, but that was it. For some reason, even though I enjoyed the process of knitting, I wasn't inspired.

This year I decided it was time to try a little harder. So for Christmas, I set a goal of giving several hand-knitted gifts to family and friends.

I'm happy to say, I met my goal: I made 6 hats, 2 cowls and a scarf to give as gifts. For myself, I made a scarf plus 3 hats (trial-and-error hats, mostly error, but I kept them and wear them anyway!).

While I enjoyed making hats, scarves and cowls and want to try more difficult patterns, my goal for January is to knit myself a sweater. It doesn't have to be stylish -- I just want it to (sort of) fit and be decent-looking enough to wear at home. On the weekends. When I'm doing laundry.

If the sweater looks any better than that, it will be a bonus.

One thing I learned over the past 2 years is that while 100 percent wool yarns are lovely, they are just too expensive for a beginner like me. I did break down and make a cashmere cowl for my daughter for Christmas (still have some yarn left -- debating what to do with it). But mostly, I just need decent yarn that is comfortable enough to wear.

I discovered Lion Brand Yarn and haven't looked back. Although I love shopping for yarn in the store -- they have one where I live -- their online service is great. I just buy the sample cards so I can see the colors/feel the textures, and I'm set.

So here I go, off to find myself the simplest sweater pattern I can possibly screw up.