Book Review: Knit Christmas Stockings!

Knit Christmas Stockings, 2nd Edition by Gwen Steege
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was generously donated by Storey Publishing for review.

First Impressions: It is my favorite Christmas stocking book but updated! I own the first edition of this book, and I love it so much. I try to knit a Christmas stocking every year. Ooooh! The patterns have all been reknit with new yarns! Oooooh! The book looks so much more grownup too!

The Details: This book contains 19 patterns. Storey Publishing has updated the yarns for the new release and has reknit the stockings with the new yarns. I really love that the publishing company updated the yarns with the new edition. This shows that the publishing company cares about the product and isn't just looking for a quick dollar. All of the patterns are the same from the first edition of the book except for one. The Furry Felts stocking has been replaced with the sleeker Reindeer and Bells stocking. The book itself also looks much sleeker than the original book. Now the book is in the shape of a rectangle instead of a stocking. The patterns are not in colorful boxes anymore. This knitting book blends in with your other knitting books. In short, it looks more grownup. The book retains its opening chapter on how to knit stockings and the anatomy of socks.

Final Impressions: I love this book. There is a ton of variety of Christmas stockings in this book. You will not get bored knitting the stockings in this book. I am super happy that the yarns were updated and that the patterns look less busy (no super colorful boxes breaking up the patterns).

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Book Review: The Knitted Teddy Bear

The Knitted Teddy Bear: Make Your Own Heirloom Toys, with Dozens of Patterns for Unique Clothing by Sandra Polley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was generously donated for review by Anova Books.

First Impression: Do you like to knit cute and fast toys? Well, this is the book for you. The bears are super cute and wear cute outfits! I also love the fact that the toys are small, so you can knit them up fast. Personally, I have little desire to knit a huge teddy bear, I would much prefer a cute and tiny bear that I can knit up in two days.

The Details: The Knitted Teddy Bear: Make Your Own Heirloom Toys, with Dozens of Patterns for Unique Clothing is filled with 18 bear patterns and lots of outfits for them to wear. My favorite is Catherine and her adorable lacy dress. She is super cute.

The patterns are very straightforward and list row by row what you are supposed to do. I much prefer this to books that state at the beginning "knit all odd rows," because I can keep track with a post-it note of where I am in the pattern. The book also goes into some explanation of some of the more complicated techniques that go along with knitting toys like attaching pieces together and making faces. Although Sandra Polley does an adequate job, I wish there were more diagrams.

I should also point out that gauge for the patterns is not listed. Although the author explains her reasoning, I generally prefer to have a gauge to get an idea of what I should be shooting for. If you are new to toys, keep in mind that your gauge should be tighter than usual, because you want the stuffing to stay inside the bear! Also, the yarn brands are not listed, but clues in the book suggest that Rowan yarns were used.

Final Impressions: The patterns looks super cute and straightforward. This book looks like a nice jumping off point for knitters new to knitting toys, because the patterns are fast. The book does not list yarn brands, so if you like your projects to look exactly like the pictures in the book, you have a bit of work to do.

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Monday Update!

The students are back in town in my new little hometown, and they are ridiculous. Students are just walking into the street without looking both ways. I think it is safer for me to stay at home and knit.

Updates

I just knit up two Turn a Square hats. I have now knit 4 hats (I reversed the colors for the fourth hat) out of two skeins of KnitPicks' Chroma. I may even have enough yarn to squeeze out a fifth hat too.

I started knitting the scarf Amy Pond wears in
The Pandorica Opens (Doctor Who). I had bought three skeins of red yarn several years ago, when I had originally planned to make this scarf. Now that I have actually looked at the scarf patterns, I realized that I need to double the yarn and need more yarn. I know I am supposed to be on a yarn diet and be knitting the stash down, but it is okay to buy yarn to knit the yarn down, right? Because this scarf is knit with two strands of worsted held together throughout, it is knitting up super fast. The size 11 needles don't hurt either! I am hoping to have a scarf in about a week, so I don't have to look at the extra skeins of yarn.

Knitting Television

Like always, HGTV is making up most of my knitting television. You rarely have to look up to know what is happening. It is nice background noise. On a fun note, my local library has blu ray DVDs, so my husband and I have been renting the Star Wars movies. We watched episodes 4-6 and 1. Tonight we are watching episode 2 and tomorrow we are watching episode 3. Because we have seen them so many times, I can focus on my knitting.

Book Review: Handknit Holidays

Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice by Melanie Falick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Open Road Integrated Media generously donated this book for review.

First Impressions: This book is so pretty! I want to live in each of the pictures in this book. Seriously, everything is so shiny, romantic, and holiday-like. I want to knit everything in this book.

The Details: This book has over 50 patterns! Patterns include ornaments, pillows, hats, scarves, mittens and gloves, socks, sweaters, shawls, and bags. It is important to note that although the book has several patterns for the home, children, and women, the patterns for men are lacking. There are no men-only patterns. Some of the clothing patterns are large enough for men, but this book is definitely more skewed towards women's patterns.

Although I love this book so much (I bought the hardcover edition years ago), I have reservations about the e-book. First, my galley copy was a bit "funny." Specifically, knitting charts were cut off. This may be a problem with the galley copy; however, if you purchase the book, check to make sure that you can see all the charts. Second, all of the yarns listed are those that were listed in the original printing. Some of these yarns may not be available anymore. This isn't a huge issue to me; however, because it is hard to keep the yarns in book up-to-date. Finally, the galley copy of the e-book that I received had errors in it that were corrected by the 3rd printing of the book. This is unacceptable. If you purchase this e-book, please look for errata online before knitting any of the patterns. In fact, I would rate the e-book version of this book as 2/5 stars.

Final Impressions: This is a beautiful book. The patterns are clever, fun, and amazing. This book also does a decent job of showcasing patterns for Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice. At the same, the e-book has some serious problems.

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Friday Update!

I have recently found myself in the wintery North again, and I have rediscovered my love of knitting. Sure, I enjoyed knitting cotton washcloths in Florida (who doesn't enjoy a good washcloth?); however, since I have been back in colder weather, the yarn has been calling to me full force. I am being commanded to knit wool hats and wool socks and wool mittens and wool...well you get the idea.

Since being here in Pennsylvania (I wasn't kidding when I said the wintery North), I have joined a little knitting group in town. I am excited about spending time with other knitters. Most of the knitters I knew in Florida, I had taught. I love spending time with new knitters; however, whenever I spent time knitting with them, I showing them how to do stuff. I like being able to knit during my knitting meet ups. I do like teaching others to knit too; I just don't like it to be the only thing I do during knitting time.

Updates

My ravelry page is a bit out of date, but I am hoping to get it updated with my projects in the next few weeks. I mainly have to take pictures of things. I also plan to have my entire knitting book and magazine collection in my ravelry library. It is a pain to do, but I think it will help when I am searching for patterns.

This brings me to the next part of the plan. I have five huge bins of yarn in my one-bedroom apartment. If I was living alone, this wouldn't be a big deal, but I have gotten married, since I last posted. My husband is totally okay with the stash, but I would like us to have a bit more room in the closet. I also don't feel like I can cram any more yarn in the closet, so I don't feel okay with buying more yarn when it won't have a cozy home.

Okay, back to the plan. My plan is to knit down one bin of yarn a year. I have two bins of sock yarn, one bin of worsted weight yarn, one bin of sport and dk yarn, and one bin of bulky and lace weight yarn. This isn't the best plan ever, but I am going to go with it for now, because I have momentum. I am working on the worsted weight stash right now. I have completed several washcloths (I have cotton yarn that needs to be washcloths) and a Turn a Square hat. I have big plans for more Turn a Square hats to deal with some of the self-stripping yarn that I have.

TV and Movies to Knit by

We get free expanded basic cable at our new apartment, so I have been watching a ton of HGTV and SyFy. It works out great, because they are next to each other. I just press the up or down button, and I am good to go. The HGTV shows are all the same, which I find strangely comforting. It is nice to see people find their "dream home." As far as knitting TV goes, HGTV is great, because I don't need to look up too much to know what is going on.

In regards to SyFy, there are a couple of shows that I am enjoying. First, I enjoy FaceOff. It is a reality competition show about people who do costume makeup. The makeup designs are pretty awesome, plus the people seem relatively nice and the show doesn't focus on drama outside of the competition. Second, Heroes of Cosplay is pretty fun. This show focuses on people who do cosplay semi-professionally/professionally. The folks are a bit catty at times, and there is a bit of snobbery towards the casual cosplayer. Finally, I am obsessed with the Thursday night movie. Sharknado was pretty amazing a few weeks ago, and Ghost Shark was pretty decent too. These movies are supposed to be a bit gory, but their budgets are so bad that nothing on them grosses me out. They are just campy and ridiculous.

Random Wednesday

The spring has finally come to Florida! Woo hoo! Contrary to popular belief, Florida does get cold (the temperature got to the 30s in North Central Florida). I made good use of my scarves, sweaters, hats, and other wooly goods this winter (and far into the month of March too). Of course now that winter is over, it is time to put this lovely items away and keep them safe for next year.

Here is my process...

1. Convince myself that I should wash my knits now and not next week (this step takes a few weeks).
2. Gather all of my knitted items, my wash bin, salad spinner, wool wash (whatever wash that was on sale or that I have a free sample of), trash bags, towels, and pins.
3. Pick out a few items that are similar in color that will fit in my wash bin.
4. Take the items, wash bin, salad spinner, and wool wash to the bathroom.
5. Fill the wash bin with water and a bit of wool wash.
6. AFTER the tepid water is in the bin, I place the items in the water. NEVER put the items in first and then turn the water on unless you like felting your items.
7. While the items are soaking, I clean up my living room a bit, and place trash bags on the floor and then towels on top of them. I have allergy problems, so I don't like the idea of the carpets getting damp.
8. After 30ish minutes, I take one item (or so) out of the bin, squeeze gently to get out some of the water.
9. Then I place the item in the salad spinner, and spin the item damp.
10. Finally, I gently take the item over to the living room and place it on the towel.
11. If the item requires blocking, I proceed to pin the item into shape.
12. After several hours (usually overnight) I flip the item over, so it dries thoroughly.

NEVER, place a damp item in a drawer, unless you are a fan of moldy clothes. After this is all done, I have all of my knitted items tucked away with a bit of lavender to keep the bugs away. I haven't had a problem here in Florida, but I like to be prepared.

Monday: WIP Day!

Another Monday, another go at the Boyfriend Socks otherwise known as the Blackrose socks in Knitty. I am working the decreases on the gusset now. I must admit that I was really confused by the instructions for the gusset decreases, but like many knitting instructions, if you just do what they say, it will all make sense. So in the case of these socks, the designer wants you to do a k2tog with one of the lace pattern stitches. I was horrified. Wasn't that going to move the whole pattern and make it look weird? Well, yes and no. Yes, the pattern does move down the side of the foot, but no the pattern doesn't really move. The whole thing was so clever. Now I understand why no one was posting on ravelry that the pattern needed errata.

Saturday Book Review: Stitch 'n Bitch

For Christmas 2004, I decided that if I was going to live in New England, I should learn how to knit and make myself some scarves. After a quick review of the knitting books on Amazon, I bought myself the book Stitch n' Bitch by Debbie Stoller. I loved this book, because I felt that Stoller and I were on the same wavelength. She was edgy, funny, and educational all in one. I taught myself how to knit with this book. I went chapter by chapter and did all the projects from the garter stitch scarf to the ribbed scarf (the final beginner project was a kerchief and that did not appeal to me at all). Although I did go to a few other books for additional diagrams, Stoller's book had great drawings of everything. In addition, I really liked a ton of the patterns in the book. Unlike some of the other beginner knitter books, I have returned to this book again and again for both basic patterns and for more advanced patterns. This book has scarf, sock, hat, sweater, and a variety of other patterns. Most of these patterns are not for the conservative, but you can definitely tone down the "hipness" of the patterns, if you want.

My knitting projects from this book: 1 Go-Go Garter Stitch Scarf, 2 Ribbed-for-Her-Pleasure Scarves, 1 Hot Head hat, and I am currently working on the Alien Illusion Scarf.

Errata

Random Wednesday

Yes, I know it is Thursday, but I had to watch LOST and Glee, so time got away from me. My lovely sock is coming along, and I am ready to pick up stitches for the gusset. I hate picking up stitches for the gusset and the decreases that come next. I feel like it goes really slowly, because I have several more stitches that I had been working with. Then, (have you noticed this too?), the foot seems to take ten times longer than the leg, even though it shouldn't. I am a fan of just knitting the leg and heel. I don't really need a toe or leg or gusset when it comes down to it. I mean, no one is going to see those parts anyway. :)

Alright, I better hit the sack, so I can be awake enough tomorrow to pick up my gusset stitches. I never seem to be able to pick up the same number of gusset stitches on both sides!

Monday: WIP Day!

I have been bitten by the sock bug. I cannot believe that I keep wanting to knit the same thing over and over again, okay just twice, but still it is wacky for me. The only item I have knit twice is the Yo Drop It! scarf, because I can knit one in a sitting. What is that saying again? Madness is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result?

I started the Blackrose socks on Saturday, and I just cannot stop knitting them. I think this is because everything else I have been knitting recently has had a somewhat complicated pattern to follow and so far this pattern requires a 17 stitch lace pattern and a lot of simple stockinette. I like stockinette. I am three repeats away from the gusset!

The yarn that I am using is Tosh Sock. My boyfriend bought me the yarn when he was away on spring break. Yep, he's a keeper! Going back to the yarn, this yarn is amazing. It is so cushy and soft. I want to cuddle with it. The yarn is 100% merino with no nylon, so I am a little worried about holes. At the same time, I have a darning egg, so I might as well learn to use it if it comes to that. My other concern is the crazy pooling that is going on. I think I am going to have two vertical stripes on this sock, one green/blue streak and one black/bronze streak. I am just going to hope for the best, because the pooling doesn't really bother me too much. Once I finish the sock, I will have a better picture of the pooling.

Book Review: Knit Socks!

I remember buying Knit Socks! as a present for myself. I bought the book, because I liked the shape (the book is shaped like a sock!) and because the patterns are written very simply with very little for the knitter to have to figure out on her/himself. I should note that I bought this book as a beginning knitter and instructions that didn't require me to figure anything out was a plus (the patterns even list how many stitches I should have on each needle (the patterns are written for 5 DPNs, but that is easily converted). While I am at it, all of the socks are written from the cuff down.

The first part of the book goes into detail about how to knit socks and sock anatomy. The rest of the book is a set of 13 patterns. What I like about the patterns is that there is a variety of plain socks, kid socks, fun socks, "technical socks" (i.e., intarsia), and more conservative socks. Also, some of the socks are written for worsted weight, some are for fingering weight, and others are written for both worsted and fingering. This is one of the few sock books that I have that has such a large range of sock types.

I have not completed a pair of socks from this book; however, I did start two pairs of socks from this book. I started them before I had a real understanding of sock construction, and they lingered for a while, before I just gave up and frogged them. With that said, the patterns were well written.

Tools of the Trade

I have been relistening to the KnitPicks podcasts recently and rediscovered a great podcast on knitting tools. I am the knitter so is always bringing her WIP with her but always forgetting the important essentials like a ruler to see when I can stop doing garter stitch or extra stitch markers or moisturizer (my hands seem to dry out when I want to knit and have no moisturizer). Anyway, the KnitPicks podcast inspired me not only to create a tool kit to keep with me, but to create three tool kits, so I always have one. I keep one in my living room, one in my purse, and one with my knitting stuff as an emergency back up. I cannot tell you how pleased I have been with my kit! It has almost everything I need (more on that later).

Here is what my kit contains:

1. a collection of darning needles in various sizes so I can graft, darn, or weave in ends
2. two different sizes of post-it notes (normal and tiny), so I can write notes or track progress on a chart or set of instructions
3. a measuring tape
4. a bottle of travel sized moisturizer so my hands are never dry when I want to knit (I take them from hotels when I travel)
5. a needle gauge, stitch measurer, and ruler so I can double check that my needle is really a 2.25mm, that my gauge is correct, and that my cloth measuring tape is giving me proper measurements even though it is old and worn
6. two row counters One attaches to the needle, the other one attaches to me.
7. a black pen so I always know that I have one because I always seem to need one when I don't have one
8. two cable needles so that I can cable with a variety of yarn weights. I am a fan of the ones that are shaped like a J; they seem to get the job done without getting in my way
9. a few price tags (white piece of paper attached to string) so that I can mark a swatch with the gauge or a knitted piece with information that needs to stay with the garment. These are really great to attach to a garment if you know that it is going to the retired WIPs for gauge issues, missing pattern, whatever. This way, when you pick it back up, you can quickly see why you stopped working on it in the first place.
10. a variety of stitch markers including brass rings, locking stitch markers, and flexible stitch markers (NOTE: I do not keep my fancy stitch markers in these kits just in case they go missing.)
11. point protectors so I can keep my stitches on the needle when I am not working on my project
12. a yarn cutter so that I always have something sharp with me to cut the yarn. I like the yarn cutter better than scissors, because it is smaller and cuts better.
13. a small crochet hook for picking up dropped stitches and for beading
14. two "ends" and a key to my KnitPicks interchangeable needle set, so that I can take the needles off or un/tighten my needles whenever I need to do so

Believe it or not, but all of these objects fit into a pretty small bag and many of the items fit into an altoid container. Now, there are a few things that I am currently still adding to my kit: (1) I need to add basic knitting instructions like the Kitchener stitch so I have it when I am ready to graft a sock and (2) a bobbin of crochet thread for provisional cast ons and lifeline.

What do you keep in your tool bag?

Hi Again...

It has been a while since I posted here. Life (and more importantly graduate school) has gotten in the way. For the past several months, however, I have been thinking about this blog and different types of posts that I would like to do. I realized that when I used to blog, I was knitting fairly often, so I could show off a lot of progress. Now, I do not have as much time as I used to have, so I my progress is slower and I hate to show pictures of the same thing over and over again. Also, after I found Ravelry, I felt that I didn't need to reinvent the wheel over here. Things have changed for me now. I am knitting more, and I have realized that there are other knitting related topics I want to post.

So what does this mean? This means that I am going to start posting on a regular basis about current WIPs, FOs, knitting books, and other knitting related topics.

Enjoy!

First Socks!

About three years ago, I cast on a pair of socks. Since that time I have cast on six pairs of socks, until today I have never finished a pair. I am a process knitter and the idea of knitting two of the same thing makes me tremble. This month though I decided to try something new. I decided to finish something I started even if every fiber of my being makes me want to run in the opposite direction screaming. Wow, that is a bit dramatic, huh? Let me explain. As I have discussed in previous posts, I am in the Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup. This month for the Defense of the Dark Arts class, I needed to finish a WIP and not just any WIP but one that is quite painful and uncomfortable. After reviewing all of my projects, I decided my Heelless Sleeping Socks would be the perfect, painful project. It was amazing that the more I knit, the more painful the project became. It was almost like I didn't want to finish the project. I guess that is the process knitter in me; I don't want to finish a project because that means that the knitting is over for it. Don't feel too bad for me though, I have 14 other projects on the needles. ;)

Now without any further ado, let me give you my very first pair of COMPLETED socks!

Why Are We Whispering?

My, I didn't realize how quiet this blog has been until a friend made a comment on a post and I realized that the last post was ages ago. Now before you think that I have been just sitting around watching episodes of Doctor Who (okay I have been doing this) and trying to keep my ahead above water at school (okay I have been doing this too), I have ALSO been knitting. Really. No, really. Really. I am not kidding. Truly!

Anyway, I have fallen in love with the lost art of washcloths. Washcloths are the most amazing projects ever. 1) You can knit one in a day. 2) You can knit almost anything on a washcloth (anything, seriously). 3). They are cheap! You can knit one for less than $1. 4) They are super useful! You can use them in the kitchen, you can use them in the bathroom, you can use them with a fox, and you can use them in a box.

So here are some of my recent favorites (in no particular order): Hedwig Illusion (you need to try illusion knitting, if you haven't tried it before, it will blow your mind), TARDIS, and Exfoliate! (I TOLD you I have been watching a ton of Doctor Who).

Another FO!

I can't believe I finished another project! Check out my Spiral Hat (101 Designer One-Skein Wonders)! It was fun to knit plus the yarn was super dreamy. If you haven't knit with Dream in Color. I highly recommend it. The colors are gorgeous! The worsted weight is called Classy. I should note, however, that I haven't washed my hat yet, so you will have to wait and see how well the color holds.

This hat brings my total FOs of the months to SEVEN! This is all thanks to the Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup on Ravelry. I was hoping to knit 52 projects in 2009, and it now looks like that might actually happen! I think I will definitely pull through since my OWL consists of 20 Mason-Dixon Washcloths. If I only knit 1 project in June (real life might get in the way of House Cup knitting) and six projects again in July (for my 6 classes), I will have knit 34 items for the House Cup! Wow. I guess I need to go buy more yarn! ;)

Color Stranding Here I Come

I just knit my very first color stranding project! This this little baby hat turned out well, I am inspired to knit the Knit Picks Andean Chullo hat kit I purchased a few months ago.

I started knitting this hat at the perfect time too. I found out recently that my friend's wife is pregnant! I foresee myself knitting more baby stuff in the near future. I do feel limited by knitting only lightweight non-wool items though, since the family lives in Florida though. Hmmm.

Look At That Girl Go!

Wow, I can't believe how much the Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup is keeping me motivated to knit! I have made 4 projects this month and I am planning on finishing 3 more projects before the end of the month! I am really loving seeing the finished products. Here is a little Gryffindor Bookmark I knit from Charmed Knits. I left off the fringe, because I detest making fringe. I always seem to make a mess and the product always seems bunched and sloppy. I knit the bookmark in worsted weight, so it is too bulky for most of my (fiction) books, but it is perfect for textbooks and other books, which I am not concerned about putting force on the binding.

Felting Is Fun!

Last night I finished my very first felted project! I made a Royal Crown for my Ancient Runes class for the Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup. I was super nervous about the whole felting process. I was concerned that (1) the project wouldn't felt too well and I would have to wash the project a couple of times (which would have been expensive since I pay by the load at my complex), (2) I would break the washer with excess lint (yes, the project was in a zippered bag that had a safety pin holding the zipper and a rubber band tying the bag tight, but I was still concerned), and (3) the tennis balls I put in the washer would go crazy and bounce out of the washer. Yeah, none of my worries came true. Maybe I should stop worrying about zombies taking over the world.

Anyway, felting is so much fun! I highly recommend it! I am now inspired to finish my Christmas Rainbow Surprise stocking (all I need to do is the stupid i-cord, I hate i-cord, it is so boring). I want to see the project shrink and be super cute like my crown.

Keeping Up with Class

As I blogged about previously, I have been quite busy with classwork for the Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup on Ravelry. This group has really lit that fire beneath me to not only start projects but to finish them! I have been working on a few exciting numbers including the Hurry Up Spring! Armwarmers. I am loving this project. I remember when I first saw this pattern in Stitch 'n Bitch Nation, I thought I would never be able to knit them. A year or so later, I bought the Noro yarn for the project, but I still only looked at the pattern in awe. This pattern had several intimidating factors to it including having to knit 2 similar objects and having to knit thumb gussets (what in the world is a thumb gusset? I kept asking myself). Well, it has been about 4 years since I first looked at the pattern, I knit one armwarmer. Parts of the pattern are challenging (I do need to doublecheck the pattern chart with every cable, so I make sure if I am supposed to have the cable needle in front or behind), but it is doable. I must admit that I keep putting on the one armwarmer and admiring my handiwork. I can't wait to see what "impossible project" I decide to knit next!