School begins

So school has started again. The last year is a little terrifying, knowing that all too soon I'll be out in the real world working full time.

Homework has begun as well, and add marching band in the mix and there is not a lot of time for knitting. I've put a lot of my projects on hold, especially the ones I'm designing : ( , but right now if I have time for knitting, I want it to be something easy and less stressful then frantically wondering how many decreases to put into the waist shaping (and yes, I do find that stressful and more then a little frantic, though I don't know why I do). So it's the easy little projects that keep me going.

Annoying yarn

So I'm doing my sahara in Royal Bamboo from Plymouth yarns. It's a really nice yarn, a little splitty but a gorgeous yarn. I only have one problem with it.

In 2 of the 3 skeins I've knitted up so far I've gotten halfway through it and voila, a knot in the middle joining 2 strands.

I hate that. Absolutely hate it.

I know why they do it but if it happens again, I will never buy this yarn again. It annoys me enough that I cut off the knot joining the two strands and knit it as two separate skeins which makes more work for me but the finished piece turns out better.

Who in their right mind doesn't get that knitters and crotcheters don't like knots in the middle of their skein?

Sahara is started!

So I finally started my sahara. I love this pattern. It was the first pattern I ever bought (EVER!!) which of course led to other patterns but this one holds a special place in my heart. I have been waiting for the perfect yarn to complete the pattern and I think I finally have it. I'm doing it in a lovely bamboo yarn that makes me melt. Great pattern, great yarn, I may never leave the apartment!

I do have a conundrum though. I cannot decide how to attach my pentagons for my friend's blanket. Truly, I have a long time (till April 21, 2009) to finish it, but it's something that bothers me every time I look at it. Do I crotchet around each shape then join them and if so what color? So I just use the numerous ends to whipstitch them together? So many questions....

Top down ladder hat

Size

One size fits most adults

Materials

1 set US 6 double pointed needles or size needed to get gauge

1 US 6 16" circular needle

One skein Noro Kureyon or aproximate amount of another worsted weight yarn.

1 stitch marker

Tapestry needle

Gauge

16 sts/28 rows = 4in square in stockinette st

Pattern notes

The ladder pattern is made up of a multiple of 10 sts

Knitted flat:

Row 1(RS)- P1, K8, P1

Row 2(WS)-K1, P8, K1

Row 3 - P10

Row 4 - K1, P8, K1

These 4 rows make up the ladder pattern.

Directions

CO 3 sts onto 1 double-point needle. Distribute them evenly among 3 needles, one stitch per needle.

Rnd 1: Place stitch marker and join in the round by knitting 3 stitches into the first stitch. Do this by knitting into the front, back, then front of the stitch. Knit 3 stitches into each stitch. (3 stitches per needle)

Rnd 2: Knit

Rnd 3: (Kf+b, K1, Kf+b), 3 times (5 st per needle)

Rnd 4: Knit

Rnd 5: (Kf+b, K3, Kf+b), 3 times (7 st per needle)

Rnd 6: Knit

Rnd 7: (Kf+b, K5, Kf+b), 3 times (9 st per needle)

Rnd 8: Knit

Rnd 9: (Kf+b, K7, Kf+b), 3 times (11 st per needle)

Rnd 10: Knit

Rnd 11: (Kf+b, K9, Kf+b), 3 times (13 st per needle.

Rnd 12: Knit

Rnd 13: (Kf+b, Kf+b, P1, K8, P1, K1), 3 times

Rnd 14: (K4, P1, K8, P1, K1), 3 times

Rnd 15: (K3, Kf+b, P10, Kf+b), 3 times

Rnd 16: (K5, P1, K8, P1, K2), 3 times

Rnd 17: (K4, Kf+b, P1, K8, P1, Kf+b, K1), 3 times

Rnd 18: (K6, P1, K8, P1, K3), 3 times

Rnd 19: (K5, Kf+b, P10, Kf+b, K2), 3 times

Rnd 20: (K7, P1, K8, P1, K4), 3 times

Rnd 21: (K6, Kf+b, P1, K8, P1, Kf+b, K3), 3 times
Rnd 22: (K8, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 23: (K7, Kf+b, P10, K5), 3 times

Rnd 24: (K9, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 25: (K8, Kf+b, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 26: (K10, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 27: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K5, Kf+b, P10, K5), 3 times

Rnd 28: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K7, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 29: ({K1, P1} 3 times, K4, Kf+b, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 30: ({K1, P1} 3 times K6, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 31: ({K1, P1} 4 times, K3, Kf+b, P10, K5), 3 times

Rnd 32: ({K1, P1} 4 times, K5, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Switch to circular needle when convenient.

Rnd 33: ({K1, P1} 4 times, K4, Kf+b, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 34: ({K1, P1} 4 times, K6, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 35: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K3, Kf+b, P10, K5), 3 times

Rnd 36: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K5, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 37: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K4, Kf+b, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 38: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K6, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 39: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K6, P10, K5), 3 times

Rnd 40: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K6, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 41: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K6, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 42: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K6, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Rnd 43: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K6, P10, K5), 3 times

Rnd 44: ({K1, P1} 5 times, K6, P1, K8, P1, K5), 3 times

Repeat Rounds 41-44, 3 times.

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for about an inch.

BO in pattern. Using the tapestry needle, weave in ends.

Abreviations:

K- knit

P- purl

Kf+b- Knit into the front and back of the same stitch

CO- Cast on

BO- Bind off

The perfect pattern

Finaly, I have decided on a pattern for my friend's blanket. I'm doing some pentagons that are knitted modularly and sewn together after. I don't know how many it's going to take, but i've decided to call it firmly rooted. I can't wait to see it grow!

Another new project

Sometimes I get so frustrated with my knitting. I just want to knit so I start a new project then the next day I feel bored with it so I start another one. Sometimes I just feel so constricted by knitting someone elses design. My hands itch to knit, but nothing seems good enough. Nothing seems exciting enough. I look through my entire ravelry queue but what once looked amazing holds very little appeal anymore.

The solution? Look through my notebook with all my scribbles in it and pick a project to start on. I know I dont' need to start another project, but sometimes you have to go with the challenge of starting something new and creating something unique.

My newest project? Another knitted dress. I know I've already knitted one, but I feel like I need something with more structure so I've started one with cables! I love cables and I know I haven't worked on my Samus for a while, but the thought of doing those cables just doesn't hold any appeal to me.

Ravelry Love

Dear Boss,

I must inform you that I will be eating my breakfast at my desk every morning starting immediately. I have decided that the time previously devoted to breakfast every morning will be better spent on Ravelry.

Have a great day.