One row too far...

Last night, after a completely unproductive day with a migraine, I decided to do a little knitting. Yesterday was the one week one day marker in my knitting story. I have been practicing stitches like a mad woman. I even did a little swatch to check out the pattern I wanted to try on my first project... a scarf. I had it down... knit, knit, knit through the back, purl, knit, knit, knit through the back, purl, etc. I finally felt like a knitter! I had found my rythem! And then it happended... I knew I was feeling sleepy. I told myself, "One more row!" And then I did it. I dropped a stitch. At the end of the row I had 29 instead of 30! I dragged myself off to bed where I proceeded to beat myself up for at least 30 minutes before I finally fell asleep. Guess what my first thought was when I got up this morning? What will I do? I have heard that fixing knitting mistakes is almost impossible. Well, I am going to give it a shot. I think I can see where the accident happened. I am going to fix the problem. I will not let myself give up and start another project. I will not unravel the whole thing. I will figure it out!

Wish me luck!

LC

ps. Any tips or suggestions will be appreciated!!!

*Cast on* this!

Today's lesson is Learning to Knit: Part One-- Casting On

Step 1: Start with a slip knot on the needle in your right hand.

Step 2: Hold the end of the yarn away from you. Wrap the yarn around your pointer finger. The ball of yarn should be the strand closest to you.

Step 3: Take the needle over the strand closest to you and point away to the other strand.

Step 4: Go over the strand furthest from you.

Step 5: Point the needle down.

Step 6: Point needle back toward you and pull through pointer finger and middle finger.

Step 7: Let strand on pointer finger go.

Step 8: Pull tight...

tighter...

Step 9: There is no step 9... if you have done it right (if I have taught it right) you will be ready to repeat the steps until you have enough rows for your pattern (or your ugly practice square... like me).

Knitting in Public...

Every Wednesday night I work with the children's choir at my church. Last night I went to the classroom early and started practicing my knitting. A precious little girl came up to me and asked, "What are you doing?" in a high pitched 2nd grader voice. I said, "I'm knitting." mirroring her tone. She replied, "Oh, I have seen that on the movies but it looks a lot faster than that." I laughed heartily and she proceeded to look at me like a I was a crazy lady. Kids are so much fun!!!

Have a great day!

LC

Not your everyday knot...

The infamous Slip Knot.

This knot is used to start any crochet or knitting project. I thought I knew this one but it turns mine wouldn't slip. So, here it is:
Lay out yarn over your fingers with tail end away yarn end toward you.

Grab the tail and place it over top of the yarn, towards you.

Use pointer finger and thumb to go through the loop and grab (yarn ball) yarn.

Pull on ends of yarn to tighten.


Take loop and place over needle.


Now you are ready to start your project!
There are other ways to start crochet and knitting projects like the magic circle or long tail cast on but I just wanted to get started with the basics.

LC

ps. This beautiful yarn was sent to me in my Phat Fiber Box! I was so thrilled when I saw this colorful sample from Desired Haven Farm called Spring Day. More samples and fun things to do with them coming soon!!!