Designs by KN blog

2KCBWDAY4

Assignment: Whatever happened to your __________?

Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.

In my second year of college in the early ’70s, I moved into the dorms, sharing a room with my best friend from high school.  One day we took a trip down to the local (very small) open-air mall that included a Woolworth’s. We were strolling through the aisles when all of a sudden we came upon the yarn aisle. I stopped in my tracks before rows and rows of colorful brand-new skeins. Even though it was all standard 4-ply Red Heart, I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.  Nearby was the current issue of Family Circle (or Woman’s Day?) magazine, and on the cover was a beautiful springtime afghan. It consisted of individual crocheted tulip-shaped pieces joined together in strips.  Even though I had only crocheted a few small accessories so far, on a whim I decided to make the afghan and proceeded to pick out my 3-color scheme: light & dark turquoise for the tulips and olive green for the joining strips.

Over the next several months between bouts of studying, I sat on my dorm bed working on the pieces of my afghan, while my roommate (a knitter) sat on her bed knitting slippers & reading (she was an English major).  Even though I was struggling with the confusing instructions in the magazine (to this day I’m still not sure if I followed the instructions correctly) eventually the tulip-shaped pieces were completed.

Finally it was time to start joining them. I remember there were rows of double crochet and then a series of short-to-long stitch rows which served to attach the points of the tulips in sequence. The result was an openwork fabric of alternating light & dark tulips bordered top & bottom with olive green strips (simulating green vines and leaves in the garden, I suppose).

Somehow, when the afghan was assembled, it didn’t quite match the pretty photo on the cover of the magazine. But I was proud of it anyway.

Years passed and I held on to the afghan through several moves, but eventually I grew tired of hauling it around and donated it to Goodwill.  Where is it now?  I have no idea.

But wouldn’t it have been smart if I’d taken a photo of it then? Alas, there were no digital cameras, computers, or sites like Ravelry in those days.  The afghan is gone and I only have the memories and images of it in my mind.  Despite describing the construction of the afghan and looking through hundreds of vintage magazines to find anything that resembles it, this unique design still has not been identified or located anywhere.  I will continue to search for it, though, and maybe someday it will reappear as a reminder of that trial-and-error afghan experience.

But …  it was the first step in a long chain of events to follow in the life of this crocheter/knitter/designer.  You can see some of what’s happened since 1970 in the projects on the DBKN website and my Ravelry page.

It is said that you never forget your first love.  In my case, I’ll never forget my first afghan!

2KCBWDAY3

Assignment: How do you keep your yarn wrangling organised? It seems like an easy to answer question at first, but in fact organisation exists on many levels. Maybe you are truly not organised at all, in which case I am personally daring you to try and photograph your stash in whatever locations you can find the individual skeins. However, if you are organised, blog about an aspect of that organisation process, whether that be a particularly neat and tidy knitting bag, a decorative display of your crochet hooks, your organised stash or your project and stash pages on Ravelry.

In the past I have assisted in needlework and yarn shops. One of my favorite tasks was stocking or straightening up the yarn hanks, balls & skeins in their little “cubbies.”  Of course, the popular yarns never stayed neatly organized for long, but it was no burden to tidy up after a busy time.  It was another way to enjoy playing with yarn!

Over the years of creating items for family and friends, as well as contributing to charitable causes, I have amassed a sizeable stash of my own.  Since coworkers and friends know me as the knitter/crocheter/designer behind Designs by KN, I am fortunate to be the recipient of donated yarn or the unwanted stash of others, as they know I will use it to create useful items to fill requests of charitable organizations that accept knitted & crocheted articles.

Despite my valiant efforts to balance input with output, it seems the stash continues to grow when I’m not looking.  Recent acquisitions might still be in their original shopping bags, or when it’s time to travel anywhere, transferred to portable tote bags like my Provence Summer String Bag (shown here in Peaches & Creme cotton):

For years I dreamed of having my own little personal corner yarn shop in one of the rooms in the house. Finally, one Christmas DH & DD granted my wish by installing a set of wooden cubbies (just like the LYS!)  This is how it looked on the first day, with everything organized so tidily:

Alas, since then it has become rather unorganized as I focus on designing new patterns and grab a ball of this or that as I work.  But my favorite place to sit and knit/crochet is in that old chair in the corner by the window (the cats are happy too!)

As for tools, I tend to keep them fairly well-organized in a variety of carriers. I have a small multi-pocketed denim tote (found in the purse section of Wal-Mart years ago) that serves as my main toolkit:

There is room inside for these smaller needle/hook keepers:

On shelves in the room I keep some additional needle/hook roll organizers for longer needles and miscellaneous-sized crochet hooks:

I just had to have one of these short-needle sets because it is so cute (I won a design contest a few years ago and purchased this Takumi bamboo 9″ needle set from Herrschners with part of the gift certificate prize):

There’s a humorous sign that reads “A messy desk is a sign of an organized mind” or something like that.  I guess a messy yarn corner might qualify as well!  Whatever the state of affairs in my personal craft corner hidden from view, I am able to publicly display finished projects in an organized fashion through the DBKN pattern database and my Ravelry page and Facebook.  Thanks to the organized minds who work so hard to provide us with these excellent tools for sharing our work with others!

2KCBWDAY2

Assignment: Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year. Have you learned any new skills or forms of knitting/crochet (can you crochet cable stitches now where you didn’t even know such things existed last year? Have you recently put a foot in the tiled world of entrelac? Had you even picked up a pair of needles or crochet hook this time last year?)

Every knitting and crochet project attempted, accomplished, or left unfinished inherently teaches us something.  Whether following a written pattern “to the letter” or freestyling on our own, each experience provides opportunities to gain knowledge, new skills, and of course to make mistakes.  Over the years I’ve certainly made my share:  mistakes in gauge, mistakes in stitch pattern, mistakes in yarn choices, mistakes in stitch count, mistakes in sizing.

Yet, on the other hand, over the years I have accomplished much in skill-building: cables, lace, twisted stitches, charting, calculating multiples & repeats, designing my own DBKN originals, creating successful design submissions leading to publication in major periodicals, and refining my pattern-writing skills.

One recent technique/skill which I had encountered in the past (but never enjoyed) was making knitted hems. In my opinion, they were never satisfactory, but in the “masterpiece” 3-piece baby set featured in my last post, knitted hems were part of the design. I started out by avoiding them altogether on the Warm & Chic Sweater, replacing the hem with a 1×1 ribbing (see photo below). However, since all of the pieces in the set called for knitted hems,  I decided to bite the bullet and work them as directed on the sleeves, hat brim, and legs of the overalls.  I knew that it was advisable to work the first part of a knitted hem on a smaller needle with thinner yarn, but I was already using a fingering weight on size 3 needles!  I persevered through the awkwardness of picking up stitches from the cast-on edge on to a second needle, folding the knitting and joining the beginning/end rows of the hem by working through both thicknesses with a third needle (the same technique used in 3-needle bindoffs.) True to form, the hems “flipped up”. Despite my annoyance I continued and hoped all would be resolved in the final blocking phase.

To my surprise and delight, blocking did the trick!  The hems actually looked “professional” and gave a special finished look to all the pieces.

The Warm & Chic Set patterns can be found in Chic Knits for Stylish Babies.

Another skill that I never, ever imagined I would accomplish is designing a fisherman-style Aran afghan. After dreaming up an overall plan, determining stitch choices and panel placement, charting every section, writing instructions, and knitting two final samples and a pillow for the yarn company that commissioned the project, I was astonished that I had succeeded in creating this challenging project:

Note: This Fisherman Afghan & Pillow is offered as a kit from Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc. which just recently was purchased by Spinrite. Therefore, I am unsure if this kit is available, but there may still be a limited window of opportunity to order one.

A third skill that I didn’t anticipate successfully completing was designing a pair of socks for publication. The Twist’n Stripe Socks appear in the Debbie Macomber Blossom Street Collection, Book 3 by Leisure Arts. The Petals Socks yarn from Universal Yarns was  a dream to work with, and of course seeing one’s work in print is always a boost!

Photo copyright Universal Yarns

Knitted hems. Original Fisherman afghans. Published sock designs.  I’d say that’s three advanced skills added to my knowledge bank.  I look forward to learning even more.

2KCBWDAY1

Assignment: Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.

Yarn. It’s the main ingredient in whatever knitters and crocheters create. It comes in an unlimited range of fibers, colors, thicknesses and characteristics.  We are truly fortunate to live in the present-day world of unique, wonderful yarns and colors that entice and make our fingers itch to get started on a new project.

Since yarn offerings of today are so vast, the hardest part is deciding which one(s) to work with (personally, I’d like to try them all!)  One ball always seems to lead to another and soon one may discover they have a personal yarn shop growing in a closet/corner/shelf/wall/room/house/garage … it doesn’t take long for an avid knitter or crocheter to collect a yarn stash.

Whatever yarn we choose for our projects, we have the choice to love it/hate it, hoard it/share it, wind it/unwind it, knit it/rip it, or crochet it/pull it all apart. Over the years, through hundreds of projects, I have had the good fortune to work with many types of yarn. When I first taught myself to crochet in college, I was mesmerized by rows and rows of standard 4-ply worsted weight acrylic lined up on the shelves at the local five and dime. The rainbow color assortment was just too attractive to pass by without purchasing one of every color.  An afghan project from my long-ago past is still in use today, thanks to the durability of standard 4-ply acrylic from Red Heart. It consists of blocks of popcorn stitch squares in every color of the rainbow:

The original pattern was lost long ago when old magazines were pitched during several moves, but you could replicate it easily.  Chain about 20 sts, then alternate one row of single crochet with one row of staggered popcorn or puff stitches. Border each square with single or double crochet and join them all together for your own rainbow jewel throw.

This is just one example of why a classic yarn remains so popular. I continue to work with acrylic yarns to this day, since many of my Designs by KN patterns and projects are suitable for donating to charitable causes. These items are often requested to be made in acrylic yarns, as they need to withstand the unknowns of how they will be cared for later on.

At the opposite end from standard 4-ply acrylic is wool. I love wool and wool-blend yarns in all of the wonderful forms available today. My most recent project, this 3-piece “masterpiece” baby set, was worked in a fingering-weight 90% superwash merino wool/10% nylon combination:   Happy Feet yarn from Plymouth Yarns. It was an affordable choice for a special custom knitting request from a dear friend. I wasn’t sure I could accomplish the feat, but after it was completed a few weeks ago and received with accolades, the hours invested in the project were well worth it. The icing on the cake was how the Happy Feet yarn performed: it was smooth, easy to knit with (even at such a fine gauge on small needles), there were no flaws, the colors were rich, and the finished look and feel after blocking was soft and beautiful.

The pattern for the Warm & Chic Hat, Sweater & Overalls appears in the book Chic Knits for Stylish Babies.  It was a labor of love, but in this case the yarn choice was perfect and the finished results were of heirloom quality.

Acrylic or wool? It doesn’t matter to me, I’m just thankful to have so many options. Whatever the purpose of the finished project, choosing the right yarn is half the fun!

You never know when one thing will lead to another.

Several months ago a friend “gifted” me with a box of yarn she no longer had use for, knowing that my free time is spent knitting, crocheting, designing, or coordinating “knit/crochet drives” for items to contribute to charitable causes, such as Snug Hugs for Kids. I was overjoyed with the donation and promised to turn it into useful finished goods.  As projects were completed they were tucked away in a safe place to await the right time for giving.

For some odd reason, today on Ravelry I decided to click on the Colorado Stitches forum when I saw a thread entitled “Children’s Hospital.”  In the past, as a member of Care Wear Volunteers, I had donated hats, blankets & small quilts to this hospital so it was good to find out that there was still a need.  The finished projects that had been stored away were gathered up, prewashed, and packaged for mailing:  a total of 10 hats (preemie to child-size), 5 blankets (infant to child-size), and a soft lamb toy.  In addition, some small gift items for parents of the children staying at the hospital were included: sets of facecloths, dishcloths and small gift bags.

All were made from my DBKN patterns and several of them incorporated yarn from the generous box of donated yarn.  Here are a few of the items being sent off to the hospital’s volunteer office this week:

Funny Face Baby Hats

Block-Stitch Baby Blanket

Coral Reef Baby Hat

Rippling Waves Baby Blanket

Rib-Look Baby Hat

Better Late Than Never Beanies

Scrapper’s Stripe Afghan

And for the parents:

Shell Point Chenille Facecloths/Dishcloths (in sets of 2 tied with ribbon)

Sweet Soap or Sachet Bags

Among the skeins of yarn in the generously-donated box from my friend were a number of granny-style squares started by her daughter. They are being assembled into one more blanket to be sent along with the others.

ETA 3/21/11:  and here it is:

So …

Thank you to the generous donors of yarn …

Thank you to the parent who shared a need …

Thank you to the hospitals (and countless other agencies and charitable causes) that accept & appreciate donations of knit/crocheted items …

… because knitters and crocheters enjoy giving!

Spring break time, and coincidentally, vacation time for me.  For a week and a day, I get to play (hooray!)

We used to live in Southern California. When it was time to watch the 5:00 news we would be greeted by these words: “From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California, a good evening”, the signature greeting from anchorman Jerry Dunphy (you can read more about his life here).

Years later we moved to Colorado, far away from the desert and the sea, to a new landscape along the Front Range at the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains. It’s been quite awhile since we’ve seen either the desert or the sea. In younger days, DH and I enjoyed many trips out to Joshua Tree National Monument, Palm Springs and Palm Desert. At the other extreme, we eventually ended up living about 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, where Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Dana Point and San Diego were frequent destinations on weekends.

Now we are looking forward to traveling from the mountainscape of Colorado to the desertscape of Arizona, to take in some Colorado Rockies games at the new spring training facility Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.   Unfortunately, we won’t make it all the way to the sea on this trip but it will be a great time (DH is SO looking forward to eating at In-N-Out Burger, since he grew up in the town where they originated and was practically raised on them.  We’re wondering if there will ever be one in CO?)

In anticipation of seeing the desertscape again, I looked through photos on my Ravelry page to revisit past projects that (with a little imagination) might fit in with a desert-y theme.  Here are some of them:

Drop of Color Shawl

Pet Turtle Toy

Sun Hat

Photo by Paul Amato, copyright Knit Simple/Soho Publishing

Scrunchies

Butterscotch Basket

Red-Hot Headband

Amigurumi Bumblebees

If you too are on spring break or planning a vacation to travel ”from the desert to the sea”, hope you’re able to enjoy some quality crochet & knitting time and perhaps one of these projects.  Have a good time, wherever you go!

As we all watch and wait and wonder and worry and cry and grieve as tragic events unfold in our world, let us try, if we can, to find some comfort in the work of our hands, even if it’s just a few moments spent knitting or crocheting. We can infuse our needlework with prayers and thoughts for those who are suffering and perhaps find outlets for the blankets, shawls, hats, scarves, mitts or socks we create in a spirit of compassion.

I have just completed some new patterns to be released soon and am working on more.  Perhaps one of these projects (or others from DBKN and the Designs by KN pattern database) will help pass  anxious hours and result in a warm “hug” for someone in need, somewhere out there, who might be comforted knowing it was made with love and concern for them.

Take comfort in your stitches.

Cozy Comfort Prayer Shawl

Hooray, we have overalls!

To match the hat & sweater:

The  3-piece Warm & Chic baby set from Chic Knits for Stylish Babies is complete. The coworker who commissioned it is delighted with the results, and has already shown it to the grandma-to-be, who is so happy.  I am delighted with the Plymouth Yarns “Happy Feet” yarn I ended up choosing for the project. It was an absolutely perfect substitute for the yarn called for in the pattern:  a reasonably priced fingering weight superwash wool with excellent drape and hand, rich color, not a single flaw in the yarn, easy-to-knit with and seam, plus it blocked out so beautifully.

Success … and time for DBKN to do some happy dancing with happy feet!

Getting closer to:  daylight savings time; first day of spring; Rockies spring training trip; and publication of a new DBKN design in Knit (formerly Yarn Forward magazine.)  Issue 36 of this monthly U.K. periodical has just been released, and one of my patterns is scheduled for publication in Issue 37. Something to look forward to next month!

If you’re a baseball fan perhaps you’ve been enjoying spring training games. It’s getting closer to Opening Day! We’ll be taking a trip to check out the Colorado Rockies’ new spring training home at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in AZ. Looking forward to enjoying warmer temps and the desert landscape. Another favorite destination of ours when in AZ is The Fiber Factory in Mesa. Hope to get a chance to stop there when not watching baseball.

Also getting closer to the conclusion of the Warm and Chic masterpiece baby set from p. 82 of the book Chic Knits for Stylish Babies.  I’ve reached the point of starting the suspenders on the overalls and am very excited to be close to finishing.  I think after all the hours spent in fine knitting this set on size 3 needles, it will be time to produce something with thick yarn and a size N crochet hook — perhaps another Chunky Bucket Hat or two!

It’s also getting closer to dinnertime, so I’ll sign off for now.  Keep those hooks and needles busy.  Spring projects on the way!

Designs by KN will be participating in the 2nd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week organized by Eskimimi Knits.  Every day between March 28–April 3, 2011 participants will be blogging on a different assigned topic relating to knitting and crochet.  Should be fun!