Creativity at Play

The Go To Magazine Any Beginner Knitter Should Look Into Getting  One look at my well used copy of Knitting for Beginners magazine and you'll surely realize that it's got it's fair share of usage. From the marked, dog eared and post-noted pages to the definite worn crease on the spine; my copy of the magazine -which really could be considered more of a book- has definitely become a go-to manual. One I've had since starting to knit in February and kept amongst my knitting needles, extra yarn and other knitting magazines for inspiration- which you or I could find anywhere- but Knitting for Beginner's is more provides more than just that, because amongst it's pages lies invaluable how-to's tips, tricks and different stitches along with a glossary of terms when feeling stuck. Which makes it's an essential resource for any one to have- whether you already know the basics or not- looking to learn some new stitches or are starting from scratch this magazine...

My Thoughts and Review on Using Cotton versus. Wool Yarn... so far! After feeling becoming pretty confident with my knitting skills using wool yarn I decided it was time to try something new and take on a knitting project that calls for cotton yarn. After all, a girl can only work on one major project for so long before wanting to explore and conquer new challenges. This weeks particular project was in making two small dish clothes using a cotton yarn in Neptune Ombre. I chose these colours because they remind me of the mountains with greens being like the trees, blues representative of the sky and lakes, while white resembles the white peaks of snow covered mountains. First Impressions: At first glance, cotton yarn looks like any other typical skein sold until you give it a closer look and feel. As the cotton has a more stiffer feel and string like look to it which is best for more durable and house ware knits such as the dish cloths I've made (in the image below) because ...

An Update on my month of knitting in February  Hello All, here we are a little halfway through February (already!) and my month of knitting is a great success so far. With that said, I thought it would be a great opportunity to update folks on how things have been going and the scarf's progress.  As the month has gone by much faster than I could have anticipated I've continued to work diligently and patiently on what I've lovingly called my " mulligan scarf ". Which looking at the project this way has really helped, I've loosed my grip (figuratively) on trying to frantically knit, been willing to explore some more new techniques and allowed discouragement to stay at bay. Heck! I've even embraced looking at my errors (which have been few since that time) as authenticity marks in my other endeavours- which are baking and now coming up in March doing pastel artwork (which I've started to briefly playing around with). I don't expect to finish thi...

So I discovered that for a first attempt, perhaps my scarf isn't as bad as I thought. It may have a few mistakes here and there, with a valuable lesson that knitting is best when we are well rested or have the energy to focus our best but isn't that what this whole experience is about, learning. It's not about the scarf coming out perfectly, yes it would be nice but since there's much to learn this time around it's become more about practicing the technique of knitting and simply seeing this one through. Which is why I've called the first knitting project- a hefty two ball scarf- my "mulligan scarf". When I take on other projects I'll have it down pat and be more careful. For now I am learning: learning how to fix my "boo boos" as I refer to any mistakes made, when it's best to knit- during the early parts of my day- and when it's not such an opportune time- later at night. Which is equally important to curbing any possible mistak...

Early insights, pleasure and obsessions in knitting Well... guess what, we are now officially in the month of February which means it's time for my next added challenge. In full admittance I was skeptical of this months plan- mainly it being knitting- and the success rate but leading up to the month and new creative experience I summoned up all my courage, openness and patience potentially needed to make it a positive one. The project (since you only need one to keep busy and learn) is a simple scarf and bought supplies yesterday (there's no backing out once you have what's needed) all set to take up my first lesson (with my Aunt). The knitting itself at first seemed intimidating and finicky, the type of thing that I thought might need all my patience but actually turned out quite well as it turns out I'm quite the natural at knitting despite popular concerns (including my own). As I first those first few stitches on the row, then the next few came I surprised even ...