Knitting Disaster

I am always knitting something and to be brutally honest I am usually knitting many projects at once. Lately I have been churning and burning items for my booths at a fall and winter craft sales coming in November and December. It’s been daunting lately and I felt a strong pull to make something special, just for myself.
I made a quick swing through the yarn store and picked up some luxurious (and expensive) yarn. I studied patterns and picked a super sweet shrug design that would be perfect for fall. And with that I was off to the races!
I had just grafted my second hank of yarn on the first and had about 10 inches complete……then disaster struck! I had purchased Denise Interchangeables early this year and I had used the crap of the larger needles. This was my first project with the US 5 size. I went to push the work down off the needle onto the cord so i could turn to start the next row and SNAP! The needle broke right above where it attached to the cord!

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I gasp do loudly that my husband came to see what was wrong from the room. I had dropped about 25 sts across and 2 rows down. This was 15 minutes before I had to walk out the door for a performance at the local theatre. I wanted to cry and scream at the same time! I knew I didn’t have any other 5s on hand do I grabbed a set of US 6s and carefully picked up the loose stitches so I didn’t lose any more work and then ran out the door.

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The next day I swung by Joann’s and picked up some Boye’s metal US 6 29 inch circs. I very carefully frogged my piece back off the broken 5s and temporary 6s onto the new 5s. Took me over an hour, but by golly I got it fixed. A quick count told me I still had all 216 sts! I am now halfway done 🙂

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I know knitting disasters happen to knitters of all levels and I am better for it. I didn’t panic and frog the whole thing and I’m calling that a win! This will be a sweater to remember!

I am also contacting Denise about a replacement needle. I know the needles are low end plastic…but they structurally failed on the first project! All the larger sizes have performed beautifully and I had been very happy with my set. Time will tell…

Happy Knitting to all!

Rhythm of the needles

There is something so special about the rhythm of your knitting needles as the form row after row of neat stitches. This is compounded by the sound of gentle rain against the house. After a long day of work I can literally feel the stress release with every relaxing stitch.

Who can argue with this view? And not to mention finally some rain to ease the drought we’ve been having!

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Tonight is for quality movie time with the hubs and leftovers from last nights cooking adventure. Ok and maybe some or a lot of knitting 🙂

However not all members of our house are as excited about the rain….

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No trips to the park today buddy, maybe tomorrow.

WIP Wednesday

Knitting is my meditation and I need it more than ever today!

I got to stop in Wildflower Knits & Yarn on Saturday and I’ve felt like making something for myself for a change. So I picked up some Berroco Vintage DK in ruby. I knew it was destined to be a sweater/shrug. It called to me from the shelves!

I cast on Lion Brand’s Glitter Shrug. I chose this pattern only because it was the shape of garment I wanted written for weight of yarn I purchased.

I am now seven inches in and can’t wait to finish so I can wear it!!!!

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May your knitting bring you peace this Wednesday!

Rachelle

FO Friday

Ok….truth time…. I haven’t picked up needles in four days. My time has been consumed by TCT’s Legally Blonde, the musical. It’s been a glorious blur of amazing acting and scenery whizzing by! And I wouldn’t trade it for anything (except for maybe a nap) but I feel like my knitting is glaring at me due to neglect. Therefore for this FO Friday I share something special I finished this summer!

I needed a baby blanket this summer for a special bundle if joy! I found the One Row Blanket by Da La Harlot and fell in love. I chose to knit it with Knit Picks Biggo yarn in dark purple. It’s a blend of merino and acrylic and oh so soft and lovely to work with!

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It’s an easily memorized one row pattern that is great TV knitting and creates a beautiful finished product! Perfect for knitters of all levels and it’s free!!!

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I have made this project twice now, the second time with extra fine merino wool I up cycled from a goodwill sweater. I was really happy with the finished projects!

Happy Friday to all!

WIP Wednesday

Knitting, or really the lack there of have has been the norm lately. I LOVE live theatre and I’m lucky to live in a city with three theater companies. At the moment I have been volunteering back stage at Topeka Civic Theater‘s Legally Blonde, the musical!

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Photo courtesy of Mark Rapp

Anyhow, on with knitting! I have been in a washcloth mood lately. I have cast on The Yarn Tarts’ Berry Basket Washcloth with Bernat Cottontots solids
http://theyarntart.blogspot.com/2006/08/berry-basket-dishcloth-pattern-free.html?m=1

It’s a very nice pattern I just haven’t had much time to dedicate to it lately. I aim to remedy that this coming Sunday.

Happy WIP Wednesday! What’s on your needles?

FO – Frilly Knit Scarf

Just a little FO this Friday. I had a three hour car ride to kick off my labor day weekend. Only took me 2 hours to complete (in between chatting with the hubby)!

It’s Frilly Knit Scarf by Red Heart made with Red Hearts’ Boutique Sashay in Salsa. I made one small change to the pattern, I only cast on five stitches instead of six. I wanted a little more length and it doesn’t change the look of the scarf very much.

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Hello world!

I have put down the needles tonight to begin my blogging adventure! I have many hobbies including knitting, theatre, volleyball, sewing, and much much more. But I find myself always drawn back to knitting. The simple clickity clack of the needles is deeply soothing and the sense of accomplishment when gazing upon a finished object is beyond compare! So with blog I want to bring you along on the ups and downs of knitting adventures with a few stories of my other hobbies thrown in.

Here we go!