Crafty Resolutions for 2013

No, I haven't parted ways with consensual reality.  No, it's not a typo.

Back at the end of 2012 I listed some goals for 2013.  One of them was to learn Brioche Knitting.  I bought Nancy Marchant's book.  I enrolled in a Craftsy course.  But no Brioche. Not in 2013.  Not in 2014. Oh, sorry, you mean I actually have to pick up needles and yarn and do something?

It's a pattern.  My shelves are heaped with instructional materials.  My devices are stuffed with educational apps. Let's not talk about the oddball devices I've stockpiled:  the pom-pom maker, the tiny loom, the I-cord spool, the jewelry pliers.  I could start a  craft store with the supplies in my closet.

When it came time to think about what I wanted  to learn in 2015,  I didn't have to waste an iota of brain power. I had all these perfectly good resolutions left over from previous year-end dreaming, and  recycling is  a good idea, right?

So I looked up my Craftsy password, grabbed yarn and needles, and gave it a go.  Progress to date: a bit more than halfway through the sample swatch in Lesson 1.  That wasn't so hard now, was it?  Anyone else with a recycled resolution?

Swatch WIP

Began work on the Woolly Wormhead Mystery Hat KAL. Here's the swatch:

The color is called "Jacques" and it finally occurred to me that the name referred to "Jacques Cousteau," so I'll be knitting a Cousteau Chapeau, albeit a bit fancier than his trademark watch cap. The first clue was released this week and I have knit the brim, but no spoilers here, just a cute picture of JC.

What's the man in the orange hat doing?

Started work on Chicknits Uma sweater. Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in the Long Johns color. Another swatch:

With the least bit of luck there'll be a bit more to show next week.

I've made a bit of progress on a pair of socks, but not much progress and no picture.

Please visit Tami's Amis for links to other crafters taking part in WIP Wednesday. I always have fun seeing what others are up to.

Half a Swatch

is better than none, right? Two halves make a whole, right?
Pretty cheesy knitting math, right?

Top: Crystal Palace Panda Silk
Bottom: Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere

Swatching for my Lady Is A Ninja Cowl KAL over in the ravelry What Would Madame Defarge Knit? group.

Still want to swatch the two yarns again with a larger needle, then wash and block them before deciding. Trying to be a good role model

Unappetizing?

Knitting along with the Capriole mystery KAL.

Love the pattern. Pleasure to knit. Lace pattern is bold and suited to variegated yarn.

Love the yarn. Likewise a pleasure to knit.

But, do I like them together?

The White Patch

Wasn't crazy about the swatch.

Thought the things I didn't like about it would even out in the full-size knit.


What's so hard about putting it down and backing away?

Not like there isn't plenty of yarn to choose from here in Yarnytown. Not like plenty of books don't get tossed after 10 pages of reading here. 

Creamed Violets

So, what's so hard? 

The mystery is in my head, not in the pattern.

Is it like having to eat everything on the plate before you get up from the table even if it is stone-cold creamed spinach?

Breathes Upon A Bank of Violets

Mystery Knitalong: Capriole

Love getting marching orders week by week.  
High probability that the item will be completed in a timely fashion instead of sinking into the Morass of Incompletion.

March 8,  bought pattern.

March 10, chose yarn.

Sunshine Yarns Merino Sock, "Violets"

March 12, knit swatch, re-learned a crochet cast-on, learned a new stitch as well. Came up with a poetic name for the project, from Midsummer Night's Dream. Once an English major, always an English major. 

March 27, first clue will arrive.

Take a look. In awe of Remily's productivity and talent.

Sucker for the Strange, 2

The Swatches

Before

Single Crochet, 6 rows, 10 sts, 4''x5"

Stockinette, 20 sts, 10 rows, 8" x3"

Stockinette, 20 sts, 10 rows, 8"x3"
Held with Tilli Tomas Disco Lights (American Beauty)

and after a bath

From top to bottom:  6" 10" 12"

The Secret of the Yarn Habu N-91 Silk Crepe:  Overtwist, will pleat and crinkle as soon as it is washed.

This look like a case for knitting math! Designs to follow. Neckpieces will be easy. Garments? Your guess is as good as mine.



(The first post in this series is here.)

Liar, Liar, Swatch on Fire!

Who stole my gauge?

I swatched for this. Honest, I did.

The final measurements of the finished shawl were close to the pattern. Honest, they were.

Granada Shawl designed by Kathy Merrick

So, Sherlock, how come I ended up using 3 balls of Kidsilk Haze instead of 2?