Little Needles

Based on my love for vintage kitting and sewing patterns, it's quite evident to me that:
a.)  The people were tiny. 

• Side note:  Did you know that today's size 6 is actually a vintage size 14?  Yeah..  So when people say that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14, please understand that she was actually a size 6 based on today's varied measurements.

b.)  These tiny people loved their tiny knitting needles.


I on the other hand, am not such a fan of tiny knitting needles.  I like the big chucka-munka's.  Yeah, you know the kind.  I will openly admit that I am the kind of knitter who would gladly knit with a baby's thigh if I could. 
I also love chunky wool.  I love how you can see every dyed fiber in all it's glory.  There is nothing like seeing one vibrant color spun beautifully in with another.  Nothing. 
Our great grannies didn't care so much for chunky knitting needles or chunky wool.  They might call me lazy today for cursing the little jerky needles.  Don't get me wrong, triple great grandma, I love the way dainty projects look.  My first summer in Madison I started my first tiny needle knitting project.  It was a tiny cardigan, and I was madly in love with how demure it looked.  It took me the rest of the summer to finish the left front of the cardigan, the whole fall to knit the right front, and the whole winter to knit half of the back.  By the spring I was so sick of this cardigan, I set it aside and didn't pick it up again until it had been bleached by the sun.  I kid you not!  I had to take that long of a break from knitting, because it burnt me out.


So my fellow knitters, what do you do when a tiny needle knitting project burns you out?  What do you do to keep going?  How do you keep yourself inspired to continue?

 

P.S.  Both of these pictures are from Vintage Purls.  It's an online directory of downloadable free vintage knitting patterns!  So if you are unlike me, and you have the patience for reliance, please feel free to visit such a great resource!

TRY the DIY.

Here's a collections of some great DIY projects that I'm itching to try!  I knew you would all be pretty interested too, so I thought I would share.

1.)  I've been seeing these knitted pouf stools everywhere lately.  And they are always extremely expensive.So if you're like me, and you're asking yourself "how the heck can I get this look for less?":  look no further!
Click here for a knitted floor pouf tutorial from Norwegian Knitting Website, Pickles!
Wouldn't this pattern work great with a stretched jersey fabric instead of yarn?

2.)  DIY sprinkles!  I know, right?  Can we just talk about how many times I have gone to the grocery store to buy just plain white sprinkles and all I can find is a rainbow funfetti vomit fest?  Now I never have to worry about it again.  This tutorial makes so much sense, and I am POed that I never thought of it before.
Click here to learn how to make your own sprinkles!

3.)  Spumoni Bombe!  Think Neapolitan ice cream and Baked Alaska had a chunky Italian baby.
Click here for a step by step Spumoni Bombe recipe!

Easy Peasy Baby Legwarmers.

Legwarmers. What can I say? They have always treated me well.
I don't care if you think they are pointless or dated or only for ballet class. The truth is that you just haven't found the beauty in them yet.
And let me tell you, they are so useful to have when you are carrying around a toddler during the winter months.


I don't know why more people don't use them, they're fantastic.
I'm currently knitting some more legwarmers, still easy, only a bit more fancy (think diagonal rib.) so keep checking up for the pattern.
Until then...

Easy Peasy Baby Legwarmers
(No joke. I finished both in an hour.)

Supplies:
-- 1 skein worsted weight wool yarn
-- US size 9 straight needles
-- tapestry needle

Pattern:
C/O 36 stitches onto size 9 needles.
Row 1: Purl 2, Knit 1 rib through whole row.
Row 2: Purl 1, Knit 2 rib through whole row.
-- Continue until they are as long as you would like them to be.
-- Bind off.
-- Sew together with an embroidery needle.
-- Done!

free decorative lace circular scarf pattern

Since the last time I wrote,

• My lovely boyfriend, Austin, has arrived safely in Pennsylvania in one piece from Seattle.
• I bought an old man's sweater at a Good Will for $4, made of lamb's wool. I unraveled it, and I'm getting some great use out of that cheap, but yummy yarn!

(That's just a sleeve!)

• I have finished the decorative circular scarf.

It's perfect for beautiful autumn days like today, where it's much too warm for anything wool, but you still want something to block the wind from slapping you in the face.

Detail:

The pattern isn't completely my own. I found the simple lace pattern on a website which I can't find, so if this is yours...it's really great and I love it..I'm sorry I didn't bookmark your page.

Materials:
100% cotton yarn, in peaches and cream
Recommended Needle Size:
US 11, straight needles


Directions:
1.) C/O 34 sts
2.) follow the graph for the whoooole scarf

****slip the first stitch at the beginning of every row as if to purl for the whole project
****knit the last stitch at the end of every row for the whole project

3.) 3 needle cast off





enjoy!



Currently Knitting: Coffee Sling
Currently Hearing: Yawning
Currently Loving: Seeing old friends.