Knitting 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 Around Socks: Knit Two at

Upon a suggestion from a fellow Plurker, I am converting a pattern that I am knitting, to a top down pattern. I am well versed in knitting in the round, bottom up sweaters . I found and fell in love with Elizabeth Zimmerman early in my knitting life. But have found limited info on top down sweaters. Bottom up in the round sweaters made me convert any pattern I could into this type of construction. When you are done, there are none to few pieces to put together, your good to block and wear. Top down, in the round sweaters have had the same effect on me, plus, as everyone points out, you can try them on as you go. I feel like I am “in the flow”when knitting this way. I didn’t think trying them on would be a great plus, but it is. Now I am in search of more top down construction books and info. The best resources that I have found are: Barbara Walker’s Sweaters from the Top down, great book, good explanations, great section on increases, more types than I knew there was, and exam

At my house we have stitches of a different kind. It has been keeping me from my knitting. My husband has had a knee replacement. My admiration to anyone out there that has had one. It is a lot of pain, work and time. I originally took two weeks off to be his “coach” (because now hospitals can charge a whole group of patients physical therapy and have one or two PT’s and a family member helping out), it was hard for me to see him in so much pain. But he has done well, above photo is after the bruising and swelling went down, in fact, the day the staples were coming out. I decided maybe he needed a photo of what he had been through. It is a month post-op and I am still taking extra days off to take him to PT, and other appointments, and keep him going. Originally, I thought I would get great amounts of knitting done during this time. In reality, it was quite a bit of work for me, and a lot of work for him. Little TV, reading or time or anything. I didn’t realize how much I de

I find it valuable to keep a knitting journal, usually it is a large spiral bound book. I mean to keep all of my knitting info, swatches, yarn samples etc. in it, but it is large and I am always behind. Dragonfly soars , fellow knitting blogger, gave me the idea of keeping a small journal for each project. This is a perfect solution for myself. Small, portable, and pretty I can write all of my info into it! Start for just for socks! I have been working on 2 at a time socks and am using a small journal to note my ideas, problems, and progress. It’s great. With that being said here is an Etsy seller that makes some cute little journals and scrapbooks. She also makes custom scrapbooks. Memories for Life Scrapbooks  Edi also blogs here . Some of my favorites are: the Love album $20.00 the Summer book $20.00 Bird Notebook $6.00 The Butterfly note book $5.00 Sweet little books to place your thoughts, photos, or even your to do list. Take a look…

I saw this sweater on this front of Knitscene Fall 2009 and decided to make it, but  with a twist of colors, minus the belt (why place a belt over your pattern area?). Deciding on blue I picked out some Blueberry Kool aid, then offset it with Lime Kool Aid. I did this in a three step solar dyeing process. For more info on my solar dyeing see this post . (more dyeing how to info links here ) Wet your yarn (natural fibers take up dye better), thoroughly, soak at least 15 min in warm water. While you are waiting for the soaking. Dissolve your Kool Aid packets in warm water (or the same temp. as the water you are soaking your yarn or fiber in), standard amount is 1 package of Kool aid per oz of fiber or yarn. Less Kool aid=lighter color, more kool aid=vibrant. 1-Solar dye my yarn with the Blueberry Kool Aid, I used 5 packets per 4 oz of yarn, dissolved in 4 cups of water. (I use a sun tea jar, I know many people use canning jars) After this is dissolved, gently place your yarn i

I started out with my first handspun, and decided to make a plain little knitted in the round bag to store my Tarot cards. It was my first attempt at spinning on a spindle, so it was pretty wonky. Thick and thin, so the square gathered up as the gauge changed. Just a row of ktog, yo, knit 2, repeat for the drawstring, and I’m ready to sew it up. Then I decided that I didn’t like the plain beige. Being in the middle of a Kool Aid Dyeing frenzy , I decided to give it some color. A little microwave dyeing , and then decided to felt it , because the shape was irregular enough that I couldn’t think of how it could be used.  Well, felting is unpredictable, sometimes too small, or too fat. But like life, if given lemons, lemonade it is. And so my tarot bag became a make up bag. Which even works out  better. Due to the triangle shape, everything fits it in perfectly. Great, a cute little bag and it holds just enough to make a girl pretty, and fit in my purse! May your nee

I had dyed this yarn using Kool Aid and had so much fun it lead to a Kool Aid explosion in my kitchen. Lots of Kool Aid, lots of yarn, fun and color. See this post for the yarny back-story. So then I began looking for a pattern that would suit my needs. I settled on The Sailor’s Delight Socks (rav link)  from 2 at a Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes . I decided to use the dark plum for the cuffs, toe and heel. and the variegated for the rest of the sock (I hope I have enough) Here I have started the heel. This will be the 2nd pair of socks that I have knitted with Melissa’s 2 at a time technique. The first attempt was rocky, but this one is going smoothly. Heel turned and…. Gusset done, now all I have to finish is the foot and toe. Almost there…. All done, pre blocking. I do like knitting two socks at a time. Pros… -use every bit of yarn -if you alter a pattern, and don’t write it down (like me, thinking “I will remember that” no worries, you have already done