Tag Archives: Knitting

30 Days is kind of the same as 90 Days

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Awhile ago, actually 90 days ago I set forth to knit a sweater in 30 days. I have been wanting to knit an Icelandic style sweater called a lopapeysa, for some time and was in a rut. I came across a TEDtalk by Matt Cutts.
Knitting a sweater in the round, with such detail of patterns always scared me a bit. I found some confidence in the message from Matt Cutts and decided to give the lopi sweater a try.
It was a good project to try. I used a pattern by Védís Jónsdóttir on Ravelry.
I chose neutral colors since I wasn’t actually sure who I would be making the sweater for. I used Lion Brand fishermans yarn in oatmeal for the body, and found the rest of the yarn in my stash.
I blocked the sweater today.

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I find that by dampening the sweater and blocking it flat is the easiest way to block. I read an article once that blocking makes a handmade item into a professional looking item. It relaxes the stitches and helps it hold its shape overtime. I highly recommend taking the extra few days to finish your knitted goodies by blocking them.

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In this picture, you can see the yarn pattern puckering in areas. That’s because the sweater wasn’t blocked yet…blocking remedies the puckering…
Something magical happened when I pulled the sweater over my head, it became mine! All the while, keeping track of every stitch, making sure I’m following the color ways just as the pattern read, I was creating a new sweater that I’ll treasure for a long time.

I challenge you to mix life up a bit and try a new skill, it’s an awesome feeling when you realize that you can just do it…you just got to take the first step…or stitch.

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This little light of mine…

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I have been watching Tedtalks lately. Ken Robinson is someone I have been intrigued with from his talks on education killing children’s creativity, I often think of how my life would be if I was encouraged to dance or knit or make things instead of focus on a general curriculum. Would I be teaching dance instead of teaching product knowledge to a bunch of twenty somethings who are waiting for their next break…would I be onstage entertaining audiences with my moves instead of being onstage waiting for the next customer to entertain.
While my parents encouraged us to go to school, follow the teachers directions, none of our talents were encouraged and developed. My older brother who was always drawing would often come home with a note from his teacher saying he was caught drawing again instead of focusing on his math lesson.
I wonder if he ever thinks what his life would look like if those skills were nurtured at an early age. Fortunately his drawing skills are now being used at the architecture firm he works at, creating plans and models.

Here is Ken Robinson talking about education.Ken Robinson

If you are a parent, aunt, uncle or lucky enough to be an educator, take a moment to watch his talk. We can make a difference in this world. Encourage children’s creativity to help them shine!

Not counting days but it’s a start

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As I shared previously I set out a goal to do something for 30 days. I was inspired by Matt Cutts and his TEDtalk. I admit I have been in a rutt, knitting small stuff that takes no real commitment other than to sit down and knit straight for 2 hours and voila a hat is finished.
So after lurking through TED one night I got inspired. And when you get Inspired about something, magic happens, you then begin to DO something and then after that the Motivation kicks in! So here I am, maybe a week into it and what you see is the bottom. Knowing that when you knit stockinette the edge rolls up, I changed color to create a surprise, added a couple rolls of ribbing then onto the intarsia. I’m definitely excited the way it’s turning out. The body of the sweater seems mammoth to me, I hope it goes by fast as my attention span wanes on monotonous types of knitting. Enough about that, I’m sneaking some stitches in before I get ready for work.
Cheers to Just Doing It! Hip hip hooray!

February is Fabulous

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First, has anyone ever had a dog that absolutely loved kale? As you see here, my 2 doxies are extremely anxious to get these greens…licked lips and the stares! Crazy pups!

I have been knitting…not as focused as I would like but have been knitting. On a recent TEDtalk I viewed the other day Matt Cutts talks about doing something for 30 days. It could be anything…but the end result will be something learned, happiness and motivation will result…interesting talk and here’s the linkTry Something For 30 Days

I would love to knit an Icelandic sweater or lopapeysa. See here from Wikipedia…

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I’ve been eyeing them all over ravelry. The use of colors and patterns strike awe and delight when I catch someone wearing one. So for 30 days I will work on my lopi sweater. If I miss a stitch I will rip out until perfect. I have a bad habit of knitting as I go, however it turns out should be fine. However, since following a pattern with various bobbins of yarn throughout the pattern must be followed to arrive at the final result…So here I go…lets lopi!

Passion

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So you may be wondering why my blog is called protoknits…I was born a Bailey, got married changed my name to a Proto. PROTO as in Protozoa, Proton,Protege’,Prototype…
KNITS as in wool, sheep, needles, sticks, handmade, art, crafts, warmth…
I learned how to knit from a friend 12 years ago. I have always had a craftiness about me and have vivid memories in 2nd grade needle pointing a white kitten with blue eyes onto a piece of burlap for my mom for Mother’s Day. I loved creating that picture…I wonder if she kept it?

I have knitted hundreds of hats, lots of scarves and a few treasured blankets for my loved ones. You can find me on Ravelry as protoknits. For one Christmas I made a knitted zippered hoodie for my MIL and it turned out somewhat professional. I could hardly believe it!

I always have something on my needles. Usually at the end of the year I sit down and make my new year resolutions. The thinking session usually ends up with a plan on what I will knit for the following year. Last year I planned on using only yarn from my stash. I wouldn’t buy any yarn…The resolution went hand in hand with the changes in my lifestyle. To live simply. Be more resourceful. Weed out what I don’t use…I realized I had LOTS of yarn. I used a large amount on the College Years Blanket for Josh. While I’m still going to continue using the yarn that I have, I’m also planning to make an Aran Sweater in 2013. I signed up for Juniper Moon Farms Shepherd and the Shearer project. By practicing cables and sweater knitting will prepare me for when my shares arrive from Juniper Moon. I will use the yarn from Susan Gibbs flock. I was lucky this past year to spend a few days at the farm. It’s a magical place. I’ll write more later about my farm stay. Meanwhile if you would like to learn more about Juniper Moon here’s a link to the farm.
I am also planning on submitting an entry to the county fair. I’ve been working on Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Pi Shawl. Once holidays pass, I’ll continue on the shawl.

Finally…some knitting to share!

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I had been looking for a wreath for a longtime and realized I should just make one instead!
I was lurking on MasonDixonKnitting blog and noticed this really cool wreath pattern. All proceeds go to help victims from Hurricane Sandy.
You can find the pattern and info here: Hampstead Wreath

It was a very easy pattern. I used a florists 14″ ring for the form. I finished it in 2 days and used my made up pattern for the leaves.
Happy Holidays!

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