On being "A Knitter"

So, a few months ago, a friend of mine told me I was "the coolest knitter he knew." Now, I know he knows other people that knit, including his wife. I doubt that he'd say I was cooler than his wife, so that lent a discussion with another friend about the difference between someone who knits and "a knitter." I asked her what she meant, and she said, "You don't just knit. You're a knitter. It's part of who you are." Which is an interesting statement, as 18 years ago when I met this friend, I wasn't a knitter. I was on hiatus. I was in college and didn't "have time" for knitting. And knitting wasn't "cool." (I beg to differ now, as knitting is quite possibly more popular than it's ever been.)

So, what makes me a knitter? Well, maybe it's the ridiculous stash of yarn that's spilling out all throughout my house. Maybe it's the vast collection of needles I have acquired, both inherited, and on my own. Maybe it's that I've currently got several WIPs (works in progress) ~ 2 dolls, 3 hats, 1 blanket, and an almost forgotten sweater for a doll of my daughter's. Maybe it's because it's a rare day that has me without my needles, working on a project. Maybe it's because I take my knitting with me "just in case" I'll have a spare few moments to knit. Maybe it's because I have a blog devoted to knitting projects. Maybe it's because I belong to Ravelry, an online knitting and crocheting community. Maybe it's because.... who knows. It's probably a combination of all of those and a few more for good measure.

Whatever the case, I know she's right. Somewhere over the years, I went from being someone who knits to a knitter, and I'm proud to say it. :)

I even blogged about it on my "regular" blog... here: http://troismommy.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/labor-of-love (You'll have to copy and paste, as the link isn't working here for some reason.)

The blanket that almost killed me

So, a few posts back (a few months ago, sadly), I posted about the blanket I started. Little did I know that this blanket would be such a big undertaking. I'm making 9 squares, and joining them all together, using a 10th color to tie them all in. O.M.G. I have been searching the interwebs looking for various and sundry ways to join these panels together. I don't crochet, so the whole idea of that scares me. I don't want to just seam them, because I want this golden color to tie them all together. However, it's a royal pain in my tushie.

First off, each panel is like 16 inches long. I'm attempting to join them together with a 1.5 wide "panel" done in stockinette stitch. I'm joining it on both sides as I go, using dpns. It's a BITCH and a half. I mean, it's going to look pretty good when it's done, I think, but the getting it done is taking forever. I have to reposition the dpn every time I turn the work, and I have to turn both large squares together to do it.

*sigh*

This is what it looks like so far. This is the Emmett (brown) and Carlisle (green) panels of the blanket. The gold color is supposed to be representative of their topaz eyes. Unfortunately it's more gold, but I still think it will look nice.

What do you think?




I may try something different with the next join, but I'm not sure. I was thinking I could just knit the gold strip attached to ONE panel, and then seam it on the other one.

I am currently knitting up Jasper's square. Then comes Alice, Edward, Bella, and Renesmee. If this doesn't kill me, I will be so incredibly strong it'll be ridiculous!

New Year!!

Okay, what's new? Well, I'm still plugging away at the blanket. It will be the death of me. :P I'm also working on the doll, and on my "Yes We Can" scarf. I'm going to try to finish it for the Inauguration. :)

Here's a preview:

What's new, pussycat?

Or, werewolf? Here's what's up...

Imprint Pillow is finished and is being test knit as we speak!! I finally conquered it with a duplicate stitch. Yay me!!




I've started my Jane voodoo doll. I hope I can pull it off! I'm also still working on the Cullen Blanket.

Oh, and I got a WONDERFUL swap package yesterday from my Twilight Swap partner, Emberchyld. Lookie!!

WIPs

So, here's the scoop on what's on the needles...

First off, here's a preview of the first side of the Imprint pillow.




Next the Rosalie panel for the blanket. Embroidery to come! Each panel will be a different color, with a different symbol for each member.

Thanks, Mel!

The book wins! I'm working on Panel One for the blanket. Rosalie's panel, to be exact. :) Pictures to come, surely. These are big panels, so they'll take a lot of time. Wish me luck!

Priorities - Advice anyone?

Okay, if anyone's out there, please help! What would you do?

I've got a few projects to finish for the book. I gave everyone a deadline of November 30. The projects I've got are:

- A blanket, made of 9 squares, with possible embroidery, and crocheted together.
- A pillow - basically 2 large-ish squares. One in a fur, and one in a solid color with a small bit of colorwork OR embroidery.
- A doll, maybe. (Right now I think that's the one thing I'll drop.)

Now, I also have an opportunity to make some money. Next Tuesday and Wed. there will be a boutique, and if I can knit up a few things, I can sell them. However, all I've got right now is ONE hat. To finish enough to really sell seems crazy. I'd have 8 days to do maybe 3 more hats, and I was hoping for a few dolls, but that seems utterly impossible right now. *sigh*