When Creativity Gets Frustrating

We're coming up on my third published pattern. The first two were a breeze. The third has turned out to be quite a bit more frustrating. A few times I've gotten to those moments when you just want to throw the knitting across the room, use your needles for darts at the computer screen and say "forget it". The problem is that I enjoy this so much I can't stop myself. So I push past the frustration and go for it. I guess I'm addicted to it now. I knit the Veronique Avery's Lace Ribbon Scarf just to prove to myself I could still knit someone else's pattern. I've submitted a pattern to Knitty more than a month ago. I still haven't heard back from them. People on Ravelry keep telling me that the long wait usually means good news and a quick response is usually a reject. I guess we'll see soon. I have a mountain of stacked designs in my head just itching to get on my needles. My husband wants me to design him a cardigan for Christmas. I just finished a lovely vest I'm calling The Lady of Chalot. I can't show all these designs anymore on my blog because most companies want pattern submissions that haven't been shown anywhere. So you'll have to take my word for it. Its adorable. I've got a fairisle baby sweater pattern I'll be sending off to another magazine shortly. I've got to design a size up for it. My 5 year old saw it and claims he must have one. It is pretty cute. Its called Beach Baby. I've been sewing dresses for my daughter and myself for the past three days. My back has been hurting so much I had to get up from the knitting for a bit and sew something. Winter is almost here and with it comes the necessity for sweaters and knit socks. I only wish I could knit faster.

Cell Phone Cozy

Here's a new free pattern for you guys.
Cell Phone Cozy
By: Christine H. Wilkins
Okay, so I know you’re saying to yourself, “A cell phone cozy, does my
phone really need a cozy and why should I take my precious time to
knit it one?”
Reasons to knit your cell phone a cozy:
Your cell phone works hard for your every day…What have you done
for “it” lately?
The tea pot has a cozy, the Ipod has a cozy, even the coffee mug has a
cozy. All day, every day your cell phone has to know that it’s the only
appliance now without apparel.
Just look how snug and warm the cell phone in the picture looks. You
really don’t want your cell phone to catch any of those crazy viruses
out there.
For less than ten cents a day you can support your cell phone (and
others like it) by taking a few moments a day to knit a round or two
towards helping your cell phone have a brighter and happier future.
Really? I mean, don’t we have enough knitted “things” by now…its all
about the yarn addiction baby, and you know it.
Materials:
Leftover sock yarn (Regia), about enough for one baby sock (2oz.?)
Color “Rio”,
Co 48 sts
K 3 rounds.
*Yo, k2 tog*, repeat to the end of round.
Knit plain stock st rounds to 4 “from co edge or to just a “tad” longer
than your cell phone.
Turn your work inside out and bo off all sts using the three needle
bind off method.
Seam co edge to inside of cozy so that your picoted edge becomes the
opening edge.
Enjoy!

You Learn Something New Every Day

Atleast I feel like I learn something new every day. A few days ago my mother in law (also a knitter) sent me this interesting "Flat Feet" product. Anyone seen one of these before. Maybe I'm just behind on the times. That wouldn't shock me at all. I had never seen one and can't wait to come up with a pattern for this yarn. I was thinking maybe striped with black yarn? Hmmm. Any ideas?


I had some left over Regia sock yarn I thought I'd use for something little. Here ya go....a cell phone cozy. Its all I had enough yarn for. I'll put it up as a free pattern on Ravelry soon just in case anyone else is interested.

So glad its cooling down some here. This heat is oppresive. I'm thinking next year we'll get the a/c fixed. :-)

Why Is Knitting For Babies So Much Fun?

I can start a new design or something for myself and it seems to take forever, but along comes a cute little baby and the knitting just flies! I was babysitting a cute little bundle this week which also happened to be her birthday. Lucky me! I got inspired by the cute little fat rolls and big blue eyes.

On the other hand I have ripped/frogged about a dozen different designs that started off pretty cool but sorta petered out toward the middle. I dunno what's got into me. I seem to have knitters block or something. I finished the Ribbon Lace Scarf by Veronik Avery last week for a friend's birthday. That was fun. It was actually a relief to knit someone else's design for a change. It was almost like taking a vacation from designing. Have I knitted the heck outta the fun of designing? I hope not. I'll be out in the winter issue of Cast On. I'd like to be in the following issue as well. We'll see.....maybe its the heat? Hmmmm...I'll blame it on the heat. :-)

Its Out!

The waiting is over. My pattern is finally out in the fall issue of Cast On. These are some lousy pictures...but some of my friends wanna see. Right? It isn't a fancy pattern. I know. I'm a little nervous that there will be alot of errors or something lame like that. Thanks for all the input and support you guys!

Mates

I scrapped the last blue cotton sweater. The lattice (I felt) was just gonna be too stretchy for the sleeves. I was concerned that with regular wear it would get all droopy. I am really loving this plaited sleeve though. Tell me whatcha think! Also, gratuitous pic of my Phoebe's new mate. Of course he's gotta get a little older, but ain't he cute??? He is a present for my daughter who cut off ten inches of her hair to send to Locks of Love. We were so proud of her. It was all her idea. She couldn't bear the thought that some little girls didn't have any hair at all.

This apple pie was made by substituting half of the normal white flour for whole wheat. It came out lovely!

They Just Keep Comin'

I barely finish a garment I've designed and a new pattern pops into my head. I hastily and nervously pick up my pencil and begin sketching a new idea. I get excited about the new design and either put down my current project to see if the new one will work out or finish it with speed knitting in order to move on to the next new design. This seems to be the pattern lately. No pun intended. :-) They just keep coming.

I was reminiscing the other day about how my first project designed in the round consisted of a gazillion yo's. This, due to the misinformation that all increases were yo's. Can I get a big OOOPS!?! Needless to say back then I just filled all those tiny holes in with thread. Duh! Now, these days I much prefer a good lifted increase to any other method. For some reason I'm attracted to the way things fan out with the lifted increases, there are very discreet discrepencies in the knitting and it has a sorta relaxing rythm to it that keeps my knitting peaceful.

These two new projects are a result of some yarn bought for me for mother's day. I don't think I need to tell you they were out of the package and on my needles before anyone could say "what's for dinner mom?"