What I've been up to

Hey! Lost about three weeks with the flu--but I have a few projects done despite that. This is the start of a soap-saver, that I robbed the knitting needles from for another project with a higher priority--lol:


I've added the last panel to the blanket aka shawl--I think I liked it better with the three panels as a shawl. Hopefully, some blocking will take out the puffiness and it can get it's binding (still need to put new needle in sewing machine, but have to find book to get right size in it.)


A crochet pattern I couldn't resist working up--a present for Mom's Christmas.

Here's a better picture of the test for placemats. All done on the knitting machine except for the sides, which are backwards single crochet.


Testing a pattern to work up for next month's baby shower (first great-granddaughter.) I am just loving, loving, loving this. It's a Ravelry free pattern called Pretty Baby Sweater, and it's living up to it's name so far.

Some half machine knit and half hand knit slippers I'm playing with. I like both versions, but I think the one on the left is a bit masculine, while the one on the right would be good feminine slipper.

Best for last! Made a pair of actual real slipper/socks by hand. I'm quite pleased with them, but they are a bit large for me, so Mom will get them.

That's more than enough for now--back to knitting Pretty Baby!

It's been almost a month

Got the camera bug this morning and am playing catch up with the blog--lol.


A few flowers surviving my neglect and the summer heat:


Working on a mate for



this baby boot:



Playing at the knitting machine. I'm liking this border I found when looking at blankets:

I'm thinking it would look good as place mats for a table setting.

Another playful time at the knitting machine. I like how it curls up, but I really should block it:



More work on the everlasting bagstopper--love the name. I got the casing for the top done on the knitting machine.


OOPS! Well, I tried to get it done--lol. I shouldn't knit with distractions. So, what happened was I started hanging stitches on the machine, and got pulled away. When I returned, I was like, let's get this thing done. Pushed back the "extra" needles and knit away. Hung the second side and discovered the extras weren't really extras, so some frogging is in order here. I put a garter ridge at the top of the casing by turning the work twice with the garter bar. I really like that. Next challenge--find the rest of the yarn to finish it--lol.

A peak out the front door:


Yay! Crepe Myrtle is blooming!


Lazy assistant--lol:


A stray we feed who looks amazingly like the assistant:



Kitchen window pretties:


Take care.

Crochet

Surprised myself. Instead of knitting, I actually crocheted a dishcloth. The story behind it is a friend wants me to show her and her daughter how to crochet, so during my research on the best way to help them learn, I ran across this little dishcloth pattern that I had to try.

Other than that, I've been working some on the bag, knitting and frogging some scrap yarn in an attempt to understand turning a heel when hand knitting, and seaming and ripping the seams on the puzzle slippers. So, what with the frogging and ripping, not much to see there.

Home again

A quick post to explain what I've been doing. Lots of traveling to visit friends and family, and some knitting too. This is a bag (looking at it from the bottom.)
And these are some slippers I'm trying--like working a jigsaw. Will post more details of patterns and yarns later!

Ta Da! Booties with bib

First bootie

Found a pattern and finished one yesterday. Here's a peek!
Got to show my little helper!

Soon to be Aunt again

Time to explore some patterns for a new nephew due in August!

Woot! Finished objects!

Well, I finished the drink cover in time for the bridal shower.

Since I was in a hand crafting frame of mind, I started and finished a crochet potholder as well. I don't crochet too often, but this pattern was cute, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It starts as a rectangle and is folded to become a square when you put it together. As usual, my helper is asleep on the job.

Work in Progress

Well, I have the bridal drink cover blocked. Now I just need to graft the seam. Sure wish I had paid more attention to how to knit in the round, but it would have made blocking a bit more challenging. I ended up having to use straight pins to hold the garter stitches up so they would stand out.

Back at it

Well, I've decided I would like a blog, so the easy remedy is to start using the blog I made for a school project.

I enjoyed a quick trip to see a grandson graduate high school. It was great seeing everyone, and I even did some knitting for a bridal shower gift. It's all in white (Mary Lou Solo yarn I think) and is a glass cover (huggie) with two intertwined garter stitch rings centered on it. I haven't blocked it yet, but the rings don't stand out as much as I would like--may have to rework it in a tighter gauge. Can't fuss with it too much since I need it for next weekend. If I can get a camera going, I'll post a picture.

Another deficiency noted

Hello!

I have been remiss in sending you all off to look at pictures. From reviewing the instructions, I discovered I was supposed to put a picture into my blog. Vicky has put some wonderful art pictures into her blog--I can't hope to match her artistry. So, here's a picture of yours truly:

Cool Flickr Website by Artist using Knitting Machine

Not much time to post, but I wanted to show you this link I found when researching for this blog.

For many years, this artist has used a knitting machine to create his art--quite dramatic. He calls it Knitted Installations and has the website set up with Flickr--I like it.

I call him Spider Man

Enjoy!

Why 13 knitting machines--just lucky I guess

Actually, the answer requires a bit of explanation. There are four categories of knitting machines: bulky, mid-guage, standard, and fine. Each name corresponds to the size of yarn you can easily knit with the machines. Yarns come in different sizes, and you get the best results using a knitting machine that will easily knit the yarn. Of course, I had to have one of each type.

There were a lot of different manufacturers when I started machine knitting. You may be learning how different computers (like Macs and PCs) basically do the same thing, but how you make them do their thing is different for each. Well, knitting machines from different manufacturers have different capabilities and accessories. And each usually had a beginner machine, middle of the road machines, and then the ones with all the bells and whistles (figuratively speaking.)

Here's an example: Let's say you wanted to knit-weave pillow covers and throws. Well, with one model, you have to use two carriages to knit-weave--very labor intensive. Another model has an accessory carriage that knits and weaves with the single carriage. Gotta have it!

Well, slowly but surely, I collected different ones in my quest to knit whatever stitches I wanted in the easiest manner possible. I even got a machine for free--after all, who could resist a Knittin Kitten? But, what about when I didn't have time to sit at the knitting machine to make fabric? What if the machine could work by itself? Maybe next time...Later.

How I got started knitting by machine

I was never attracted to the hobby-type stuff. Takes too much time and patience to be really good at it. Then, my mother-in-law wanted to go look at what someone had told her was a quilting machine. When we got to it, we discovered it wasn't for quilting, so she wasn't at all interested.

Hanging above the machine was an amazing dress. I learned it had been made on a knitting machine for a Miss Oklahoma contestant. The lady who was selling the knitting machine ensured me I could make that very same dress without having to know anything about knitting. I was intrigued. Thirteen machines later....but, that's another story. Later.

Hacked Knitting Machine?

Too cool. A knitting machine that translates a person's voice into stitches:

Voice Knitting Machine

Future Projects

In that dreamy far away time when I have space and time to knit with my knitting machines, here's one of my eagerly anticipated projects:

Table for Two

Doesn't sound like much to someone who isn't a machine knitter, but, believe me, it's a beautiful thing.

Later

Computers and Knitting Machines

Catchy title, huh? The first site I sent you to had a manual (non-computerized) knitting machine. It gets it's pattern-making capability from a punch card.

The baby this next link shows gets it's information from a PC:

Advanced Creations

Have fun!!

Better wait to read when you have lots of time

For my first ever blog, I thought I'd be informational (not that we're not drowning in information at the moment, but whatever....)

Prepare to be drawn into a new world--one that lurks behind the scenes. It's the crazy, misunderstood world of the machine knitter (no, we don't knit machines, but we do make about everything else.)

I'd thought about blogging a project, but I've been forced by circumstances to put all my machines away--and it's a good thing right now--no time for it. Oh the temptation...honey, it's a school project!!!

Wait, I've not told you what they are--well, for lack of time, here's a good link to learn with:

Angelika's

The knitting machine in the link above is very similar to my first one. Angelika has put a lot of effort into her website (of course she would--it's for her business.) However, she has a nice history page and a "how to select one" page.

Woot! She has a blog. I know where I'll get one from now for the next assignment.

Laters