Knitting Dragonflies

MOJO (from the urban dictionary) N 1. Self-confidence, Self-assuredness. As in basis for belief in ones self in a situation. Esp. In context of contest or display of skill. 2. Good luck fetish / charm to bolster confidence. 3. ability to bounce back from a debilitating trauma and negative attitude She lost his mojo when she had to frog her socks five times. She got her mojo back now. Above is the PowerPuff girl villain Mojo Jojo I stepped back and took at look at why I was having knitting project problems. How many times do I just keep hitting my head against the wall without stopping to think and look at the problem. Ok, so I stopped and looked…… If I have knitting problems, I usually think it is one of three things (or a combo of them) 1. Yarn, wrong yarn for the project. Yarn I don’t like. So I looked at the yarn, no, it is yarn I’ve used before and  I like this type of yarn. 2. The pattern isn’t making me happy, flawed pattern or not the right pattern for the yarn. No...

This summer has been busy! My brother got married to a wonderful gal who has a cool edgy daughter. I am super excited to have a sister-in-law and be an aunt all at once! Lots of yard work! We are enjoying beautiful flowers, and even have some tomatoes! Of course I’ve had help from Syd, who loves to oversee (and help with) any digging in the yard. In the way of knitting, I finally took stock of my UFO’s and decided that the toe up sock had sat long enough, I frogged it and started a plain sock in self patterning yarn in the two circular needle method! Paula who blogs as The Quilter , urged me to try this method. I have tried various methods and always returned to the dpn’s. But this one is a keeper, easy, fast and great for travel knitting! No dpn’s to slide out of my stitches and get lost! Take a look at this You Tube video on using two circular needles to knit socks, it is easy and fun! The Video is by Cat Bordhi and is the same method as her book. (which I recommend, it has a...

I finally broke down and ordered the Cat Bordhi Book, Socks that soar on two circular needles . And I’m not disappointed! I quickly understood the concept and took off knitting. I have tried many methods of alternative sock knitting and I think I will use this one again! This book explains the technique and also has a variety of patterns. Her description of “A manual of elegant knitting techniques and patterns” is correct. She includes instructions for the method itself and how to convert your favorite patterns to her method of knitting. She starts with a basic sock pattern in 3 sizes, so there is one for you. Then progresses to Felted boots, and a variety of other patterns, from socks with cats on them to an advance leaf and tendril pattern. A large variety, and I would knit quite a few of these. The book is great for the patterns alone. One suggestion that she makes that I agree with; If you are going to try this, get some good circular needles! I started a pair of toe up s...

While sitting outside and doing a little knitting I spied this little guy. I first thought he was a bee, then when I got closer, I noticed he was acting like a hummingbird. A long nose, clear wings, and a hairy body? Could he be a moth?   Yep, after some investigating, I discovered he is a Hummingbird moth, see this great slowed down video. He is actually a Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth ! We have been enjoying watching him! While sitting outside I’ve been working on my Sock, the basic sock from the Socks that soar on two needles by Cat Bordhi. I love this method of knitting socks! Hoping to get these done soon, it is a fast method of knitting socks, and when carrying them, no worries about having a dpn drop out. May your knitting needles fly as fast as dragonflies..

It all started with the book by  Melissa Morgan-Oakes ( rav link ). Knitting two socks at a time. I have tried several other methods of knitting two at a time socks and this is the one that “clicked” for me. The greatest thing about knitting two at a time besides not having the “second sock syndrome” is any alterations you make in the pattern, are immediately done on each sock. I had trouble writing it down, (thinking I’ll remember I did this), ha, no telling how long it would be between each sock.     2 at a time Sailor’s Delight Socks I love her book and the patterns. Almost all of the patterns are for socks I would actually make and wear, or gift to someone. Hot tip!! She is in process of writing another book! The second book will be out in April of 2010 and is toe-up, two at a time.     2 at a time Berry Season socks I did try other methods before this one made sense, if this book doesn't work for you try some others: Knitting Circles Aroun...