So, after trying to use a knitting loom – BORING! – I’ve done lots of research and seen that knitting and crochet one handed can be done by using a sheath or a table clamp vise.

I’m also working on getting better at spindling roving into yarn.

The vise thing may work. I just started last night with a crochet hook. I’ll let you know how it goes.

The class was a lot of fun because each student wanted to make something a bit different – it was like learning four techniques all in one! We learned about the tools, a bit of history of the craft, safety (I am the eternal klutz, so even though I tried to avoid it I did poke myself a few times) and different ways of looking at and evaluating roving (the wool used to create felt projects). We also learned different strategies for different types of projects, in terms of how to use the needle and when polyfill or other “internal structure stuffs” to accomplish different goals.

One student worked on creating a 3D squid while another used felting to accent cables in a felted project. A third student worked on creating a 3D flower broach and I started a 3D bunny (don’t laugh too hard, this is an incomplete project – look’s like Marvin the Martian’s bunny right now).

I had a great time and found needle felting theraputic in a way that knitting and crochet are not. Needle felting, for me, requires so much focus and laser-like passion that I couldn’t stop after the class itself (the project will take me a while since I’m a beginner). Lisa kindly gave us all roving to take home as part of the class and thus I was on my way last night. My efforts so far are above.

I give needle felting two thumbs up (albeit, one is covered in band-aids) and Lisa, as an instructor was top notch in patience, kindness and flexibility – giving each student the room to try different ways of arriving at the same destination. Very, very fun!

Using the baggies to hold the two contrasting colors to keep them from tangling, easily mange shifts between strands of color, etc. makes life SOOO much easier.  Give it a try the next time you are using multiple colors and/or strands.

KWWIPing is definitely in my future again. I can finally comprehend how Megs does it while walking ANYWHERE. With a simple pattern and no gloves (need to feel the stitches on the needles) little attention was needed and I felt most like the many devout Orthodox Greeks I saw through out Greece with small hand rosaries constantly in motion as they walked. It was a little bit like walking prayer. I loved it.

How did I achieve KWWIP? I knit cast on while riding the bus home – finally realized that twisting the stitch on the right-hand needle, before placing it back on the left-hand needle, made the stitches truly vertical and much easier to count plus manage – and simply had to continue the project while walking home.

When this Calorimetry (for my friend Melanie) is completed, I’ll post the pictures both here and on Ravelry.com

So, have a small, easy project? Give it a try for your next KWWIP!

I used two new (to me) techniques on this blanket:

Knit Cast On (aka Knitting Cast On) (link to Techniques with Theresa from Knitty.com) – a very easy to learn, simple cast on (I learned long tail in my first classes 20 years ago)

Sewn Bind Off (link to Techniques with Theresa from Knitty.com) -  wonderful bind off that matches the knit cast on edging well, invented by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Click here for a great video of the sewn bind off by KanD86

I knew I’d seen the pattern, but couldn’t remember where. The kindly (and skilled) knitter said she’d gotten the pattern from Knitty’s latest issue (Winter 2009) when I realized I’d fav’d Natalie Larson (the hat designer) on Ravelry just days earlier. This hat is so handsome – take a peek here.

I may have to brave the cables at some point soon.

Harmony Needles Kit

I highly recommend them, I just wish their needle sizes went from 3 to 000 and 13 – 17 (currently comes in set with needles 4 – 11) and that their cable lengths included more than 24″ and 32″…..Any recommendations?

I ripped the whole thing out and spun two center-pull skeins out of it on my new ball winder (great deal at Knitpicks.com).

I had to mourn and start fresh with new eyes. Hence, the crochet and other hats.

Divine Hat - attempt 1

This is a link to Turbo’s Divine Hat.

That said, the pattern was easy to follow and complete. I finished it in just over 4 hours (the Sound of Music and a bit the next night to finish the edge). Now if only I could learn how Turbo did hers….I’m on a knitmission!

The pattern is here

This pattern is designed by Rheatheylia and intended for personal use only.  One of my great Knitsisters, Turbo, recently started wearing her latest Divine hat and I can’t get enough of it.

All this said, when I sat down to start on the pattern earlier today, I realized how long it’s been since I’ve read a crochet pattern. Thank goodness for the internet!

Here is where I learned to create an adjustable ring.

(Completely revolutionary to me, I’ve always used a chain ring to start round projects and what a waste!)

Next I wanted to confirm how to best do both front and back post double crochet stitches. Thank you AnnemKell for posting on YouTube!

Front Post Double Crochet

Back Post Double Crochet

And now I’m on to crochet my little heart out.