Knitting Dilemma

Now that I have finished my first SAL, I'd like to begin a new one but I have a bit of a dilemma. It all started yesterday when I found the Webs site. They have lovely yarns on closeout and I can't make up my mind which ones I'd like. Well, maybe this really began back when I received my email from Elann with their sales yarn. Hmm, or it could have started with the KnitPicks one. Either way, my dilemma is this ~ I don't know how much yarn to buy. I have a little moola that I can spend on yarn but I don't know what to buy. I have picked various textures ~ no problem; I've selected various colors ~ no problem; but I can't seem to get the quantity down. I do realize that if I want to make Tuscanny from No Sheep for You ~ it will require about 3-6 skeins (depending on which yarn I get).

You see, I've recently learned that I enjoy making things for babies and I think in terms of what I could make for one. If I don't think specific project for a baby then I just purchase yarn to make requested items for family and friends. I've never actually made anything for myself other than a scarf. Now this should be an easy dilemma to solve, right?! Especially since I am in a few KALs but its not. I am a little intimidated by some of the projects, you know I'm new to all this and the other thing is "do I really want to make that" syndrome has been sharing space in my head.

Ok, so if you have any suggestions for me, I am totally open. I've at least managed to figure out that I should buy each skein in quantities of two, that way I can either make a scarf, a hat or socks. Maybe not much else but it won't go to waste. Also if its wool or acrylic ~ I can make dish and wash clothes or even something for a baby. LOL

So, suggestions please. Btw, which stitch markers do you like best? I don't have any of these.

Have a great day!

Knitting along...

Haven't said much in a week, but progress has been made. I have finished my first SAL goal ~ Yeah! Though I earned a strike at the end ~ boo ;( However, it was well earned. ;D

I will upload pics as soon as we can get the camera working or I buy a new one, which I think might be the best option. The CAS Seaman scarf that I was doing is done but it doesn't look quite right. I am hoping that when I upload the pic some of you more experienced knitters can help me out, then I can make a new one. I also finished the red/silver scarf which I named the skein of yarn from hell. LOL

I've started a child's sweater using some of my daughter's stash ~ its Red Heart Sherbet we got on clearance. Oh speaking of clearance, the items that earned me a strike were all clearance items. I picked up several skeins for my dc and secret pal but couldn't resist getting some of it for myself. Namely ~ Lion Brand Wool Ease for $.73 to $1.78, totally a bargain. Some of it will make socks, some will make scarfs and I will be able to pickup more of one to make a sweater or shawl. Not sure which yet but the most I spent for one skein on clearance was $1.78 and the least was $.47 ~ Red Heart, TLC, Caron and Lion Brand. Now tell me, would you have passed up this deal?! It was fun and my dh tried to help me out. He offered to purchase 2 skeins of the LB Wool Ease so that I wouldn't get a strike but I wanted all 7 skein. Oh well, he tried but I said "it was just to good of a deal to pass up." I wrote more here. I will be starting a new SAL goal soon, once I decide which option to do next.

The past week has been very busy around my house. My dd's have been teaching the neighborhood children how to knit and I think have started a little knitting group of their own. I went to my fav LYS and the owner showed me how to use a swift and winder ~ totally cool. I was thinking about getting one but I think it would be more fun to visit w/her and use hers. ;D I ordered my subscription to Interweave Knits and joined several kals too, including one for IK. I've fallen in love w/Debbie Bliss' work and hope to acquire a couple of her books. I picked up over 30 books from the library but am lovin' learning the patterns in DB's books. I've confirmed that I love making baby things more than anything. I may occasionally branch out to other things ~ especially my dishclothes but baby things call my heart and they are quick too.

Well, I'll leave you with some thoughts I found in the Mason-Dixon Knitting book, p17. I am enjoying reading this one too. I'll type up a list of the books I have reviewed later in the week. Have an awesome day!

~ Great things you will do ~

knit far into the night

wake up and start knitting before you've had any coffee

buy more yarn before you have finished your first project

buy a pattern book

Google "yarn"

finish something and feel like you've reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

~ I agree with each and every one of them because I've done it. ;D

1st SAL Goal ~ Done!

Hello all,

I've been MIA of late, working on things around the house and school. However, I did manage to complete my first SAL goal though I earned a strike too. ;)

Last week, I finished off the last 12 oz of my original plan under option #1:
CAS Seaman scarf dark blue yarn - done
Child's scarf red/silver yarn ~ done and now known as the skein of yarn from hell ;D
Blanket squares true red ~ done
~ there is only a small amount of each left which I will put in the pile for the scrap scarf I'd like to make. I am hoping for some advance regarding the Seaman scarf because it doesn't look quite right to me. I'll upload pics as soon as I get the camera working.

Now about that strike ~ I had gone to a local store to purchase some cable needles. There was a 40% sale on all knitting and crochet notions ~ woohoo. I picked up many needed items then started looking for the yarn I needed to complete my Country Cousins blanket in yellow and green ~ I had used up all that I had in stash but needed 2 more skeins to finish the blanket. I didn't find what I needed, but found 3 clearance bins of yarn. There were several brands for sale and lots of variety. Each skein cost from $.47 to $1.78, such a bargain I was willing to take the strike for the ones I bought for myself ~ Lion Brand Wool Ease and TLC Essential. I purchased about 10 skeins for me and several for gifts and my dc stash ~ they've even started a knitting group in the neighborhood. ;) I'll upload pics of these too. Funny thing, since my dc started their little knitting group, I've lost about 3 skeins of this sacred purchase. LOL

Its been a productive two weeks and I am looking forward to doing more in the next few days especially with my new yarn. I am looking through lots of books I borrowed from the library and I am hoping to make my first pair of socks. My oldest dd made baby socks and they are so cute. I think I'll start w/these myself. I'll update again soon.

Have a wonderful week!

Knitting 101

I've learned something new ~ I learned to cast on long tail style. Yep! I did it all by myself, twice too. I am really likin' how it makes my work look. I figured it was vitally necessary to the stability of my garterlac clothes and my new one is looking really good. I've started a new cloth pattern and used it and it looks very good. It almost looks like a popsicle to ~ guess its because the color is "orange sherbet" which is varigated. ;D

I've made 2 more crochet items today. They were the crochet caps in the "One Skein" book which took about 1 1/2 to make each. Not bad at all. I'll upload pics tomorrow so you can see how they look. The first one was made using a N hook but the pattern calls for a P. I did the second one with the correct hook but I think my tension was a little loose because Sk8rChick says its too big compared w/the first one she had on her head.

Both girls have requested more of them along w/a couple of the first hat I made. We'll see. I need to get back to my scarves but I'm having fun making quick projects. It kills the time and uses up my stash. I'm working on creating a WIP list and may create a FO flickr page too. We shall see. Off to bed w/me. See ya tomorrow.

Garterlac Dishcloth #1

Here it is, I'm done. I've already cast on a new one in the PnC ecru remains of the bath mat. Sorry the pic isn't very good but I'll do better next time.

Not much else happenin' around here. Peace & Quiet is the order of the day. ;)

Have an awesome night.