My Sister's Knitter

A Knitting Mind...

 

Hello there!

 

 

Happy Sunday evening.  How was your weekend? Not long enough, I'm sure. :) My weekend was nice with weather being a combination of sunny times, rainy and wind, and then sunny again. I know this is not typical for most of you and if you are amongst the peeps suffering through a hard winter right now, I'm sorry.

Now that I have finished my latest sample knit, I was able to delve into some selfish sock knitting. Previously I had mentioned starting the Forever and Always socks by Danielle Jorge in a different yarn, but I changed my mind. I started these socks last night and haven't been able to put them down.

 

 

That chunky little cable has my heart. It is allowing me to knit in a bit of a meditative state of bliss. On the subject of meditating, I have a question for you all. I was watching a podcast where the host was talking about some really stressful times she has been going through and how knitting was hard for her because it made her think or dwell more on these worries. For me when I am stressed or worried knitting helps me clear my mind and sort of meditate.  But the podcast made me wonder, when you are stressed or worried is knitting more of a hindrance or a solace for you?

Inquiring minds would like to know. :)

 

 

On a different note, I have gone through my sock WIPs and these are a few of the survivors of the "To Frog or not" mission I was on. That means I really need to put aside the pink cabled socks and get to finishing these right?

Enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

andi

 

Well hello there...

 

Hello loves!

 

 

I am back, a day later than promise...but some days are just like that. :) I have missed you loads. Thank you for being so understanding about my time away. I know that it did me a world of good and it feels like my words have come back. How have you been?

 

© Anne Podlesak

Knitting has been happening while I was away. Mostly sample knits for the talented designer Anne Podlesak. I was so excited to be able to show you the above sample knit! This gorgeous pullover is named Spring Frost and what a joy it was to knit.

 

 

A new KAL/CAL has started in the My Sister's Knitter Group. If you know me, you know I am thinking about knitting up some socks. With so many wonderful and talented designers it is rather hard to focus on just one, but I think I have narrowed it down. When I decide I will let you know.

I currently have another stranded color-work knit on the needles for Anne Podlesak which is requiring much of my attention at the moment, but once it is off the needles I will get to my KAL knitting. 

Oh and I almost forgot, I completed a color-work sample hat...but only got the progress pic.

 

 

As you also may have noticed there has been a lot of reading taking place.  We will have to chat about that soon. :)

For now I will leave you with a song and wish you the very best day. Thank you again for being so kind about my time away.

 

 

XO

andi

 

 

 

Knitting thoughts...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

Another weekend arrived and I was so ready for it. How about you?  Maybe it is because my knitting has increased, but this weekend was welcomed with open arms. I guess that is what happens when you make a conscience decision to include it in your everyday. Since I made my temporary move in with my family of non-yarnies, it has been a bit of trial and error fitting knitting into this life. 

In addition I am in introvert and adapting that to living with others has caused my spirit to jolt around.  Today I am letting those around me know that it will be a recharging day for me and I am going to knit till the cows come home.  The key for me it to remember to let people know when it gets too "peopley".

 

 

Helping me on the "all I want to do is knit" journey are two beautiful skeins of sock yarn that have made their way into my life. Above is Lamby Toes Moon Pie Merino in the colorway Experiment 098.

 

 

This luscious yarn is from Playful Day Yarns Simply Sock in the colorway Himalayan Salt,  and most likely with be my next cast on. I am trying really hard to finish at least 1 pair (out of 6) of socks before starting. I may have to repeat...a be strong chant in order to help me. :)

Since I am on the topic of sock knitting, (then again when am I not talking about socks), Knotions just launched an issue that is all about socks. You guys, I know I mention Knotions a lot, but it is such an invaluable resource for patterns and tutorials. The sock issue has 13 patterns and each one of them is free. Seriously that is a whole lot of talent for free. Bonus, I got the privilege of sample knitting 2 of the 13 pairs.

 

 

Friday I had one of those mail days that knocks your socks off (heh- see always talking about socks)!  My dearest friend Jeannine had offered to send me a few samples of yarn that she started dyeing.  In addition to the gorgeous yarn she dyed, all the wonderful things arrived. I cannot get over every lovely thing.

 

 

Here is a closer look at the amazing project she sewed for me. It is the most perfect bag and stole my heart instantly. What you can't see is the lovely zipper pull progress keeper teapot.  Jeannine...if you read this, your kindness has no limit.  Thank you!

I hope your week was a good one and you were able to fit some knitting into your days. Enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

 

 

XO,

andi

Knitterly chat...

 

Hello loves!

 

Pattern~ The Coziest Memory Pattern.

Happy Sunday to you, or whichever day you are reading this. :) How did your week treat you?  Mine was a bit all over the place...good, but a bit here and there. Sometimes that is how life is, right?

In the U.S. we have some horrific fires in our beautiful state of California this week. Above you will see that I am knitting up some mitered squares. The squares are going to be donated to a lovely knitter (lostandfawned) in our community who is going to make a cozy memory blanket for a talented dyer, Hookers Corner, who lost everything in the fires.

If you would like more information on how you can help with squares, you can click on the link under Lindsey's profile.

There are also a couple of dyers who are donated a portion of their sales to help HookersCorner and her family:  Playful Day Yarns and Loft Twenty Two.

Lastly, there is a Go Fund Me Page set up if you would like to donate.

 

Yarn~ Cosy Posy Yarn Co Organic 3-ply in the color Emily Gilmore.

Other than the mitered squares, I have frogged a sock that was started. Sometimes you have to listen to the yarn and that was the case with this yarn. It did not want to be the previous 2 patterns I tried, it only wanted to be Hermione's Everyday Socks.  Other than a vanilla pattern, Hermione's has been the pattern that I fall back on more than any other. Do you have a pattern where that is the case?

 

 

You may remember this guy who previously liked to sleep on my yarn. We have come to an understanding, as long as I allow him to sleep on my lap and knit atop him, I can knit. Now it does help that I have the Dodo Youtube channel on to keep both of us entertained. :)

Basically my week has been all about knitting, which is wonderful as it has been a while since that has been the case. How was your week?

Enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

andi

Knit review and October loves...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

Hello loves.  Today I have a fun post for you all. There will be a review for a wonderful new E-Book as well as our October loves...so grab your coffee or tea and settle in. :)

 

 

The talent at Knotions has created another wonderful resource for us sock addicts in the form of SockStar Vol2.  If you are not yet aware of SockStar, the first E-Book was released two years ago. Volume 1 SockStar introduced us to the ins and outs of sock knitting and now SockStar Vol2 takes us to the next level- heels.

 

 

 

 

Volume 2 contains 35 pages of everything you ever wanted to know about knitting heels for your socks. You can use it as a resource to modify your favorite sock pattern's heel to one that fits your own heel.

Just a few of my favorite things about Volume 2:

 

• How to mask holes- I find that is one of the biggest problem areas for sock knitters.
• Tips- Who doesn't like tips? Anything that helps me improve my knitting is golden.
• Ratings- Being able to know which technique is beginner or advanced, helps users start at a level they are most comfortable with.

 

Use this invaluable resource to expand your knitting techniques, be your own sock designer or create your own sock adventure. Whether you knit your socks cuff down or toe-up, your options with SockStar Volume 2 are endless.

Sockstar Volume 2 will be released Saturday November 10th for the very reasonable price of $5.95, but if you pre-order this week you can save a $1 making it $4.95.

 

What is not to love about sock knitting?  Now, let's take a gander around blogland, shall we?

 

• I have a thing about WIP pictures. They often inspire me to pick up my own needles. Behind The Ivy never disappoints and all the WIP pictures could pull me out of any lack of knitting mojo.
• It may be obvious from the review above, but I love tutorials. Anything that ups my knitting skills and my technique understanding is aces for me. Pink Brutus Knits has posted an excellent tutorial for the Latvian Braid.
• Julie's Mama Vertebrae has stolen my heart. Despite the fact that the shape of this cardigan would not flatter my figure, I am almost tempted to cast it on after seeing Julie's.
• Amongst my great loves (knitting and tea), there is another love that I don't talk about very often...that is food. I adore food and cooking, so when I saw Mason Dixon Knitting posted the recipe for an Italian Sheet Pan Supper, I was so there.
• Winter is my favorite month, but Autumn is a very close second. That is the reason I really enjoyed taking a walk with Little Cotton Rabbits in this post.
• The Beeswax pullover has been making it's rounds on Ravelry, Instagram and blog. Knitosophy's Beeswax is stunning and bonus she includes a lovely video on how to knit cables without a cable needle.
• After recently finishing a colorwork project for a sample knit, my eyes have not stopped looking for other colorwork projects to wet my whistle...they landed on Michelle's Cardamom Coffee Hat. So wonderful!
• In the month of October is rather fun to celebrate spooky things, right? Autumn Geisha's spooky projects fits the bill spectacularly.

 

I hope you found some loves of your own in October. Have the best day today!

XO,

andi

Knitterly chit chat...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Natural Fibre Arts Merino Superwash Sock Tweed in the color Natural.

I am almost back on track for blog posts, today's is just a little later on Sunday.:) I'll get there soon. Thank you all for your kind comments about my move. Yes, moving is stressful and just plain exhausting, right? I never would have thought that I would be too stressed to knit, but that was the case. But thankfully, I am getting back on the Zen train of knitting. 

 

 

Now, I have to say I may have been more productive with my knitting if my new "roommate" would let me get a stitch in more often.  This little guy's name is Maxx and he belongs to my mom and stepfather. Since I am staying with them for a bit, it would seem that Maxx has taken me on as one of his people. I am never without him by my side...never. :) In the picture above, it would seem that it is the perfectly opportunity to knit, right? What you can't see is that he is laying on my sock WIP and is in full snore mode.

So other than some simple vanilla socks, nothing too exciting happening on the needles. I am hoping to rectify that very soon. I am thinking I want to cast on a fun hat or something along those lines. How is your knitting going?

I have been really enjoying watching what I call "Maker" videos. Sometimes they have nothing to do with knitting or yarn, but creating in other mediums. I posted this video many years ago, but recently watched it again and was immediately inspired.   Enjoy and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

Andi

Scrappy socks chat...

 

Hello, loves!

 

 

How have you been? Did you have a good week? Thank you for all the well wishes on my move. While moving is not my favorite, there is so many new things to look forward to so it is exciting.

Since I have been packing and cleaning, there has been little time for knitting. The only project I have been working on in the very late evening hours is a sample knit cardigan that I need to have finished very soon. A comment from Michael on my last post gave me an idea for today's post. Michael asked:

 

i love the look and idea of making scrappy socks
but i'm wondering how you manage all the ends that need weaving in
i know well how to weave for regular knits, but with socks being pulled on and off and stretched so much i worry they will come apart over time
what's your secret?

 

 

The fun thing about Michael asking about how I weave in my ends is that with both pairs of my recent scrappy socks, I tried different joining techniques as a sort of trail and error. Now, my most recent pair is not completed so I can't speak on the wear and effectiveness of the two techniques I used.

 

 

This pair has a different technique with each sock. These socks have been have been hand washed twice and worn about 4 times.

The first sock I used a double knot or magic knot using this tutorial from Jane Richmond:

 

 

Notes: These socks have not come undone. I really like this technique for joining yarns, but I don't think I will be using it for sock yarn again. The reason is those tiny knots show in your sock. While the sock is scrappy, I would just rather prefer a smoother finish.

The second sock I waited to weave in the ends at the end.

 

 

On my newest pair, I figured I would try two new techniques because why not? Scrappy socks in themselves are an experiment, so why not do a bit of trail and error to find out a new go-to method.

The first sock I used this technique from Dye Another Day:

 

 

Notes on this technique~ I feel very confident in my ends staying put. The technique is not quick by any means. Video tutorial explained in great detail and very clear. 

I am currently working on my second sock and trying this technique on weaving in ends as you go from Very Pink Knits:

 

 Notes~ This process is simple and clear. My fingers are crossed that the ends will not come undone, as there is a bit of uncertainty, yet it is much like weaving in at the end of your project. One thing I am noticing it that the stitches where I wove in sort of look like I did a slip1 knit1 stitch. Maybe that will sort itself out once it is soaked and block, but it doesn't really bother me.

So have any of you knit scrappy socks? If so what tried and true techniques did you use to manage your joins/ends?

Thank you, Michael for your question!

I hope you all have the best day today!

xo,

andi

 

September loves...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

The last couple of weeks have felt like a whirlwind some good some bad, but the best thing is that  I woke this morning. Changes are coming my way as in a few weeks I will be moving from my home, not far but still moving.  While I can look at it as a bad thing, I have chosen to look at it as I do knitting...filled with endless possibilities. 

 

 

The best part is that it will not change my blog which has been my connection to all you brilliant people. So why am I sharing my life change with you all? Well because you all are important and I never think for a minute that I am alone in my struggles or battles. I know there are those of you who have had life-altering happenings and share it with us all who read your blogs or other social media feeds. I can honestly say I draw inspiration from all that you share, making my transition that much easier.

 

 

With all the happenings, knitting has been sparse. I am sure it will pick up once things get settled. In the meantime I am continuing to sneak in those therapeutic stitches whenever I can.

So how about we visit blogland and get inspired?

 

• Behind the Ivy's Five Things on Wednesday brings me joy. I want to do this as I think we miss so many wonderful observations while we rush around our lives.
• Lene Alve's post on her Ziggurat sweater is brilliant.
• Love these Alpha socks by Tanis. I think they are the perfect pattern for a special man in your life. Now, If I am honest they would also look brilliant in pink for myself. :)
• The Teardrop Lake Shawl  is one of those patterns that you can't stop thinking of. Isn't it incredible?
• I love being able to add new baby knit ideas to my repertoire. A long time I knit a wool diaper cover but it was not even close to as lovely as the one Lena created.
• Knitters are so creative and generous, which is why this post where Jenise talks about maternity knitting tips  is brilliant.
• You all know how much I love it when you share your trip photos. Dianna has the loveliest post of her trip to Norway which gives me all the feels.
• Around this time of year feeds seemed to be filled with Rhinebeck sweaters. I love Karin's post on her Not Going to Rhinebeck sweater. :)
• Tahnee has knit the most beautiful Tegna, but that is not the only reason I love her most recent post. It is because the theme is how we all need to be kinder to ourselves.

 

Hope you enjoyed your visit to blogland. I will leave you with a song and wish you the best day today!

 

 

 

 

XO,

andi

Method to the knitting madness...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

Hello, there!  How was your week? Mine was nice and calm, but that doesn't mean I wasn't looking forward to the weekend. Knitting has been all over the place. I think sometimes it helps me to feel a bit scattered, as it makes my feel unsettled. Primarily because I am not a fan of feeling settled and it forces me to stop and take note and focus.

 

 

Two socks were finished, but not from the same pair. So I immediately cast on cuff for the second one to avoid second sock syndrome.

 

 

Despite not being a monogamous knitter, even I have to have some organization to my knits. Maybe that is where the term, "Method to my madness", came from? Do you ever feel that way? Where if someone else were to look at your stash or projects and see chaos, while you know where everything is and what stage the projects are at?

 

 

A good mail day happened when this sweet package arrived this week. These little nuggets of joy come from my lovely friend Diane. Making is more special, she even noted how she watched a YouTube video on how to make mini-skeins.  Thank you, Diane!

While I get back to my knitting chaos, I will leave you with a lovely video on how knitting is good for our brain. Enjoy and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

Andi

Knitting negative self-talk...

 

Happy Sunday, loves!

 

 

Hello, there. How was your week? My week was filled with great work days and ample knitting time, which makes for an ideal week in my book. We have been having our usual Monsoon storms here, but as I was discussing with friends and family, the storms feel stronger and more frequent than the years prior. Are you noticing that your Summer storms have increased this year?

 

 Yarn~ Cosy Posy Yarn Co. color Emily Gilmore

Enough talk about weather, let's chat about knitting. There is something I have been thinking about for a little while now. It is a topic that comes up from time to time in comments here and on Raverly. I noticed that some yarnies making comments about what it means to be a "real knitter".

 

 

I have heard comments like, " I wish I could knit [this] or [that] type of project, but I only knit washcloths. Or maybe certain techniques like colorwork or brioche, hold them back from feeling like they are "real knitters". I have even heard people downplay their projects because of the yarn they use, for example if they knit something out of acrylic instead of wool or a wool-blend. At time I have even read people comparing themselves to knitters who pump out more projects, considering themselves less than because of it.

Not sure where all this negative self talk came from and I am sure there are those who say that it falls upon the individual who may put themselves down in all aspects of their lives, not just knitting. Maybe it comes from all the stunning and sometimes stages photos from Instagram or there about making them feel "less than" about their own knitting?

All I know is that knitting should bring us pleasure. We spend our days at work or in other areas of our lives being compared and accessed by our abilities, looks and productivity...let's take the time to not only say something nice to others, but to ourselves.

Please enjoy a sing and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

andi