the emotional life of sølje

Yesterday I went to Joann’s and bought a big skien of worsted yarn to practice with. I also found a book on learning to knit gee, think I ought to have purchased it first… oh well. Now at least I know how to add a second color or ball of yarn. Not sure what I will do with this thing, but at least I can practice. I attempted doing a basket weave pattern, but I got confused when it was time to reverse the pattern, and well… it’s only a section of a basket weave My cast on was also pretty tight, so I need to remember to be a little looser.

So my question is, like with fabric (specifically quilting fabrics), is it like a no-no to buy yarns at Joann’s too? I know there are varying grades of fabrics with Joann’s compared to quilt shops, which is why one has to be somewhat selective, is it the same with yarn? Oh well… I am still learning and having fun for now. I won’t turn into a yarn snob yet! LOL!

Tags: Knitting by Solje
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Here is my third completed knitting project using Lion Brand Fun Fur novelty yarns. Don’t I look glamerous this morning? LOL! It’s too bad it’s TOO WARM to be able to wear a scarf in my area. It should be great for skiing, as it will tuck in nicely to my coat, and the furry yarn feels nice.

One thing I have been finding… that knitting is really helping to keep my hands busy during quiet tv time in the evening. Instead of popping in a snack, I knit. I don’t want to get my yarns all icky, so I am not mindless eating. I still need to work on my food choices, but knitting can definitely become something I will turn to that is easy to pick up instead of late night snacks. You only need three things: two knitting needles and some yarn. I love quilting and applique, but for knitting, it’s a repetive project that I can do almost at auto pilot. I don’t plan to get into too difficult of projects, this is a bridge for my creativity. I may end up with a lot of scarves and boas! LOL!!

Back to this scarf, I wanted to find technical details on how to work in a second yarn to a project… and after much searching, I still never found out how to add new yarns. I searched blogs, knitting sites, and nada. If anyone has the answer to this, I’d appreciate it Here’s what I did for this scarf: I essentially cast on the second yarn about four stitches in to a row, and knit both yarns in for a blend for about three rows (ending the first yarn somewhere within a row and not at the end). I am confused about knotting or not. I guess I ought to take a class.

Tags: Knitting by Solje
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This morning is one of those days that I wish Daniel would always stay little and never leave me. For some reason I am feeling a bit hormonal and it makes me sad that he is in a morning-only preschool class. I love that little boy so much, and I am sad that he is becoming so independent (at least I am this morning, can’t say that I am always sad about this! LOL). Daniel is such a character, and when I think of the stories and dance moves he comes up with, it just makes me smile. But then it makes me sad that I am moving out of toddler-hood. Little by little, his innocence leaves… but no matter what, he will be my favorite little boy. I hope to never stop hearing the impromptu “I love you’s” that he says every day. I hope his sense of endearing humor keeps growing. And most of all, that the sweet smile on his face will never be lost.

That little boy has my heart in a big way.

Tags: A Family Affair by Solje
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I have learned something new this week. I decided to teach myself to knit. I have seen so many great yarns out there, and while browsing through Joann’s, I couldn’t help myself and purchased some cool furry yarns, knitting needles, and a little confidence to teach myself.

My first few rows were not great, but I got into the groove and created a nice looking piece of orange furry fabric–too short to be a scarf, but in my mind, I was seeing a purse! So I added a lining, sewed the piece to the purse frame, added some cobalt fringe beads and a funky strap, and voila! I love it, and I have to admit I am feeling very proud of my first knitted project! I took a pic of the inside… what you can’t see that well is that I used the yarn around the top edge of the insides. It was interesting trying to create a clean edge, which is why I decided using the yarn as another embellishment–albeit one that hides stitches, but it’s functional and looks great.

And then I had a “ding ding ding” moment to help me break through a very long creative block I have been enduring. Along with two friends, we’ve been doing a challenge project. We box up materials that we’ve been wanting to make into a quilt, but haven’t done it, and pass it on to one of each other. I had a great idea growing in regards to the quilt I am creating for my friend, but then I had a major stall and hadn’t touched the project in a couple of months. In the box I received, there was this fabulous furry yarn for possibly using in the quilt… and now with discovering knitting, I have decided to create a border using this yarn. I have created one side, and pinned some embellishments around the central theme of the quilt, and now I am really excited!

It feels good to be back in the creative groove again.

Tags: Knitting by Solje
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