How to get your Knitting Mojo back…..

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 I’ve used this pattern many times before.Besides I already frogged the toe up pattern and switched to this one, still problems…

3. The needles, wrong type, size, (gauge, well this is a whole separate topic).

OK, no I hate the needles…..Yay! I’m off to get new needles…

I was using two circular needles of different types. One of them was a very old circular with a horrible join, that I had to push the stiches over each time I came to it. That begin said, I love the two circular needle technique, a la Cat Bordhi.

To my LYS!!

Great Addi Turbo needles

Back and now that I’ve purchased needles that were a wee bit more expensive that I wanted, I decided I would use them many times over thus saving myself money in the long run. Right????

After chancing to the new needles, Yay, I can breath while I’m knitting! First sock done! Now on to the 2nd!

Now to tackle the sweater I’m knitting, well that is another post…..and problem,

Until then,

Happy knitting

Review of a Kick Spindles Or Mother Marion to spin

When I made the decision to buy a Kick spindle I could find very little info on it, anywhere. Below is what I gathered, bought and my experience with mine. I could only find two being marketed, since I purchased mine I have found a third. Below is my views on the Kick spindle I purchased (Little Meggie from Heavenly Handspinning), and some info on all of the other Kick Spindles that I could locate. Links and costs are included. Review: Things I like about my Kick Spindle. 1. Long spin time, I like the addition of the ball bearing. 2. Leaves both hands free to draft 3. It's my "wheel" 4. I like using my foot, I am moving around and don't get stiff from one position. It's a very "active" type, rhythmic motion. 5. You can actually stand and use it also. 6. Great price point. 7. I have never spun on a wheel and when I sat down at one the first time, I could actually spin (some) I think this action of foot/hand coordination helped. 8.

Aran Shrug, Bridesmaid Wrap, Baby Bunting Pattern free

Here is the start of my "Bridesmaid wrap" from " Wedding Knits " by Suss Cousins. I am making it out of heavier yarn, From Handpainted yarns I love the yarn it is so soft and the colors are beautiful. The wrap is made in mohair in the book. I plan on making it a shorter wrap, due to the heavier yarn. I hope it turns out OK . If you check out the book link, there is photo of it. If you want a free Bridesmaid wrap pattern this is a lovely one from Knitty! I made this baby bunting, on the spur of the moment, just playing around. I used one skein of red heart yarn, and a small amount of the fun fur yarn in a coordinating color. Cast on 80 stitches at 4 sts /inch. Knit in the round, until 24 inches long. If you would rather knit flat, knit even rows, purl odd rows. Add Fun fur yarn, or other novelty yarn for the last 10 rows. Bind off, using a very loose bind off. I like to use the Elizabeth Zimmerman method of the Sewn Bind off

Knitted Flat Slouchy Hat Pattern

I’m still tweaking my flat slouchy hat pattern. Here is the next in the series. This is a slouchy hat pattern, knitted flat. It is easy for a beginning knitter! Super slouchy hat, pattern below…. I originally started making this pattern when I didn’t have access to my circular needles. It was fast and fun. With cuff turned up (below) Super Slouchy Knitted Flat Hat Pattern (bulky yarn) Pattern: Flat Slouchy Hat (SuperBulky Yarn) Slouchy hat knitted flat and sewn together, suitable for beginning knitter Yarn Used: Super Bulky Lion Brand Hometown USA, I used 1 and a third skeins which is about 110-120 yds of super bulky yarn Gauge: 13 stitches x 9 rows, 4x4 inches Needles: US 13 or size to get gauge Cast On: 42 Stitches Ribbing: Row 1: K1, P1, repeat to end Row 2: Repeat row 1 until, your ribbing is as long as you desire, mine is approx. 5 inches long. Body: Row1: (Knit 3, Inc 1)* repeat until end of row (total 55 stitches) (see link here, for all types of increase ex

Knitting Dragonflies

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