I'm back!
Hello, hello, hello! No, your eyes are not seeing things, I'm alive and posting on my blog! I didn't plan to be away for so long, but life happens. Work has been REALLY crazy and I haven't had the energy to write about sewing, however, I have managed to squeeze in some actual sewing. There are quite a few projects I want to share with you guys, but first I'd like to talk about some highlights of the last month and a half.
1. Have you seen these Mood buttons on blogs? Did you know that if you post the badge on your blog and then send Mood an e-mail letting them know, you could win a $200 gift certificate? Guess who won the last drawing, ME!!!!!! You could not believe how excited I was to win something, anything, from my all time favorite store. I haven't bought anything yet (and I kind of want to because today is my birthday...), but I'm sure I will soon. Thank you so much Mood, I love you!
For information on how you could win a gift certificate then check out the rules.
2. I made a new sewing/blogger/IRL friend! Her name is Melissa and she blogs at Scavenger Hunt. It's a funny story of how we met and it's all because of Colette Patterns! You might recognize Melissa as one of the winners of the Laurel sewing challenge that Colette hosted a few months ago. I was lucky enough to be one of the judges for the contest and Melissa found and contacted me through that. Turns out that she works down the street from my house, lives fifteen minutes away, and we have a bunch of mutual friends! It was a match made by the sewing gods, I think. How had we not met before???? Since our initial meet up we have sewn at my house, her house, and taken finished garment photos for one another. Last weekend we drove around town on the hunt for "some good walls" to take photos in front of. It is SO nice to have a friend that sews the same patterns as me and is a blast to be around!
3. I learned how to knit! I'm about to get personal with you guys, I have been dealing with some anxiety over the last few months and it was suggested that I try out knitting. Not only has it been a lifesaver, but it has been fun! I learned from Stefanie Japel's Craftsy class, which I cannot recommend highly enough. She has a great personality and explains things in a way that is easy to understand. I like her so much that I bought another one of her classes on making hats. I don't even wear hats. But I want to learn more and support her while doing so.
The next project for me is the Miette cardigan. Unfortunately, I need to go buy more needles because the swatch I made was wayyyyy too small and I probably need to go a size up.
Do any of you knitting experts have any tips for a beginner like me? Have you knit the Miette? Have I missed anything super exciting over the last month? Do you have any good secrets you want to tell me?
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welcome back and good to know that knitting has been therapeutic to you (I know I need this when things get tough...). I'm also doing the Miette this summer, so I'll be watching to see how things evolve... Are you on Ravelry?
ReplyDeletewww.craftseverywhere.blogspot.com
Yes, my Ravelry page is: http://www.ravelry.com/people/MissCrayolaCreepy
ReplyDeleteI haven't posted anything, but it's fun looking at all the projects. Hope your Miette goes well! :)
I've knitted Miette three times, it's a great pattern! Check out Gail's Miette knitalong, lots of good info here: http://gksagenda.blogspot.com/p/miette-knitalong.html
ReplyDeleteWelcome to knitting! It's my primary craft...although being a product oriented (rather than process oriented) crafter I really appreciate how quickly a sewing project comes together by comparison. Glad to see you back in blogland.
ReplyDeleteI learned how to knit back in college by reading a book, but have only made a scarf and a purse. Honestly, I'm not sure how to read patterns, so I haven't been able to make any garments. I would LOVE to make the Miette cardigan, and I'm sure yours will be divine!
ReplyDeleteI already told you this on FB, but again - Happy Birthday! Yayayay!!!
ReplyDeleteMy advice for the Miette - make sure you wash that swatch! Washing can change the size, which is something you don't want to discover after you've knitted the sweater :) Also, another lesson I learned is that, even though the sweater is top-down so you can try on as you go, do NOT try to try it on while it's still on the needles. Thread a loooooong (like 2ft) piece of yarn on a big needle and push it through your live stitches, pull out the needles, tie the ends of the yarn together so nothing slips off, and then try it on. I tried to try mine on with the needles and something like 20 stitches fell off. It was terrifying! Just put it on a piece of scrap yarn and save yourself the headache :) I wish someone had told me that!
So glad you're back! I learned to knit last year with Stefanie's Craftsy class and I am right there with you - it's fantastic! I'd tried to learn 3 or 4 times over the last few years to no avail, and now I'm a knitting addict. I haven't made the Miette yet, but it's on my list so I'm excited to see yours!
ReplyDeleteInvest in a good set of interchangeables and forget having to go out and buy a bunch of needles. I have the Addi Click set but am considering a Chiagoo set because the Addi points are too dull.
ReplyDeleteMiette has some errata on the rav page. Make sure you check it. I haven't made it yet, but it's a pretty straight forward pattern. My first knitting project was a lace shawl, so I'm all about diving in. Good luck!
Happy happy birthday! So glad you are back! :)
ReplyDeleteTrying not to be wildly jealous of the fact that you found a close-by IRL sewing pal! Good on you for learning to knit -- can't wait to see your cardi! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Good Looking! Yay for winning a GREAT prize! I'd be too dazzled to even try to imagine spending that much! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! You were missed :) And what news - a big win and a birthday to boot! I hope you have a wonderful day, and at least spend some of it fabric shopping :) I really love Melissa's sewing style - definitely a good friend addition there :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you back and happy birthday! Miette is on my to-do list but my first project was the Shalom cardiac and I still wear it often. Are you on Ravelry? It can be a time suck but I like how it keeps my projects organized. Cool about meeting Melssa . I voted for her Laurels and was glad she won!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, sweetie! Miette was my first cardigan and it turned out brilliantly!! I loved the pattern so much, I knit two more!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've found knitting and ScavengerHunt. Although I'm a little jealous of your sewing buddy ;) I've met a girl here in Texas that wants to start sewing; of course I offered to help. So maybe I'll have a sewing friend soon. You so deserve the Mood certificate--can't wait to see what you get. Miss you!
ReplyDeleteOoh sounds like some exciting and awesome stuff going on for you! ALSO, omg super jealous of you getting Mood fabric! You lucky thing!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so excited you're knitting too! I made Miette as my first cardigan, and me and Gail from Today's Agenda did a knitalong on it. So you can find heaps of information on our blogs!
http://makingitwell.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/knit-along
http://gksagenda.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/miette%20knitalong
I have loads of knitting tips I could give you, I don't know where to start! Ooh here's a good one- on your swatch, play around with dropping stitches and picking them back up, basically practice learning how to fix your knitting so you don't freak out when you do it on the garment! I linked to some good vids in the sewalong posts. I love to help so if you have any questions, I will probably have a lot to say! Hope you enjoy your knitting journey :D
Oh yeah, totally! Getting interchangeables changed my knitting life for reals! I have a bunch of knit picks (well they're called knit pro here in NZ for some reason), and they rock my world :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI loved stefanie's class, that's how I learned to knit, too :)
Have fun picking out your mood fabrics -- how exciting!
Welcome back! And what a great entrance back by winning a great Mood prize, you must be so excited, I am looking forward to seeing what treasures you purchase. I am glad the knitting is going well - I am knitting the Miette at the moment, nearly finished and it seems pretty true to size for me, I am doing it on super long circular needles so have been able to try it on as I go. I did add one pattern repeat to the length though as the cardi is super short, even on 5'2" me! I use YouTube to help with with some knitting tips, like picking up stitches for buttonbands etc. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Hope you had a fab day... I learnt to knit too! But I'm so not at the stage of making a cardi yet so I'm really impressed with your skills going along so quickly!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! And yay for winning a voucher- what a lovely surprise! And I'm in the middle (okay- the start) of my Miette and it is super fun. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!!! Hooray for using a craft to help with anxiety. I've been dealing with anxiety for a number of years now and it is no fun. Sewing definitely helps me to focus and not think about anything else that might be stressing me out.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks Erin! I'm so glad to have you as a sewing buddy! I can't wait to see what you get with your gift certificate!
ReplyDeletei hope your stress is decreasing with each stitch...and i can't wait to see your mood picks!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back and hope you had a great birthday! Can't wait to see that Miette! And thanks for the heads up on the Mood thing, awesome!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back lady! I am also knew to knitting and enjoy it's calming effect. I have everything I need to sew the Miette, but haven't started it yet. I am kind of intimidated. I took my knitting class last Fall and have been knitting scarves and wristbands and flat, boxy stuff like that. I'm not sure I remember how to increase and decrease any more! I also recently discovered Scavenger Hunt and love that blog. Melissa and I did an advertising swap (great idea) and she helped me with some technical problems I was having. She is obviously a very cool, talented and smart girl. I wish I lived near you guys!
ReplyDeleteYou've been a busy bee!! I am so blown away by your knitting progress. I need to learn a thing or two from you! And I have to admit I'm a bit jealous that you get to hang out with an awesome sewing blogger in real life ;) I just got to meet Gillian but I don't seen another meetup in my future any time soon. I wish there were more sewers in my area! I hope you had a super wonderful birthday, too! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you have a IRL sewing buddy. I desperately want one! And such a beautifully stylish one too!
ReplyDeleteKnitting--invest in a good reference. I really loved Stitch-N-Bitch--Debbie Stoller's way of explaining things is fun, funny, and totally understandable. My grandmother tried teaching me to knit half a dozen times and it never took. I would *get it* but couldn't manage to carry the knowledge over to the next day. Having a reference with good graphics helped me out a LOT!
I'm knitting the Miette right now. It's an easy knit--I had to frog it a few times (per usual--all my project start this way!) before I actually got in the groove. It's a good, easy, confidence building project. I can't wait for yoru pictures!
P.S. Happy belated birthday!
Tina, you have no idea how long I have been dying for a sewing buddy! It's like a dream come true!
ReplyDeleteThe only knitting book I have is the Stitch-N-Bitch one and I like it! I haven't had to reference it too often yet, but I am sure that will change very shortly :)
I wish we were knitting together with Lucille and Frankie and watching TCM! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm very new to knitting too, but I figure that the worst thing that can happen is that I will have to undo some stitches. Actually, I'm planning on it :/
ReplyDeleteMelissa is awesome! Whereabouts do you live?
Yeah, get in on the Mood button! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Oona! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa! :) I am so lucky to have you as my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela!
ReplyDeleteAnxiety is not fun to deal with at all, but knitting has really helped. The plus is that I have learned a new skill!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there are quite a few ladies sewing the Miette. If only we could all get together and help each other out!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sabs!
ReplyDeleteGood idea with the YouTube videos! I'm going to have to learn how to pick up stitches and a video sounds super helpful.
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
ReplyDeleteJo, I have your blog and Gail's blog open on my phone! haha. I haven't started the Miette yet, but when I do I'm going to be referencing all the posts. Actually, your posts have helped me with some of the questions I have had, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteAw, Qui, I wish so badly that we had more opportunities to sew together :( Who knows, maybe one day Jessi and I can come visit!!!!!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, yay yay yay! Always stoked when people can be helped by the knit along :) I hope you enjoy your knitting. Keep us updated :D
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/people/MissCrayolaCreepy
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, there is so much inspiration on there that it can be hard to stay focused. Next thing you know it's been an hour!
Awww thank you! xo
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to buy! I'm going to wait a bit because I just went to Mood a month ago. After I knock a few projects off my list I'm going to place an order.
ReplyDeleteWhereabouts do you live? Have you seen the map of the sewists?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor has some interchangeables and really likes them! I may ask if I can borrow/try out hers before making a purchase. Thanks for the tip!!!
ReplyDeleteI was in the same boat, I'd tried knitting a couple of times, but Stephanie made it so clear and I picked up on it much faster than I would have if I was reading a book or website.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely do this and save a few tears!! Thank you, Lauren!
ReplyDeleteI live in Northern VA... map of sewists? Tell me more about this map....
ReplyDeleteYou should check out Stephanie's Craftsy class! It was really helpful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amanda!
ReplyDeleteI've got her knitalong up on my iPhone for when I need help!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Thank you so much! There's only one other person in my area, but that's awesome. :-D
ReplyDeleteWe need to join that Thursday night knitting group!!! You can work on your sweater and I can work on my shawl!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm in Seattle and am always down to meet my fellow bloggers, if you ever find yourself out this way!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to Seattle some day! If I do, I'l let you know!
ReplyDelete