When I learned to knit in Oct. 2009, I had no idea that I would enjoy it as much as I do. I learned to crochet right before moving to Iowa in 2003, but that's my extent of yarn history. So, when I got bit by the yarn bug I was a bit surprised, then decided I needed to challenge myself and learn some new stuff.
I learned to knit socks. I love hand knit socks. Who knew (other than knitters) how absolutely wonderful they are to wear? In order to satisfy my need for uniformity, I knit them both at the same time on the same needles. It would drive me batty if one was even 1 row longer than the other. I know, I'm wierd...especially when you see how unruly my house is LOL
My first two paris of socks
Pair #3 - it's an alpaca blend that turned out too big :(
I will have to re-knit with smaller needles
Pair #4 has no toes - they are pedicure socks.
Put them on before they paint your toes and your feet will stay warm. Perfect for cold weather pedi's! These were a gift for my SIL
Pair #5 - first true lace socks.
I had to learn how to read a charted pattern for these.
Oh, and they were knit from my own hand-dyed yarn...Bonus!!!
I learned so much more this year, besides socks:
I learned how to knit in the round by making hats
I made several hats, but Bubba would kill me if I posted the pics of him modeling them!
I learned how to cable, making my MIL some hand knit cabled legwarmers
I learned how to "felt" a wool project - on purpose!
I did NOT felt the cat...but I did felt the bag.
(the cats were not harmed in any way by my felting or knitting...Tigger just likes the camera's ANY attention)
I learned all about yarn swapping, and learned to swap out "yarn minis" like a pro. I also learned that when you are trying to find a scale that measures in the tenths of grams, you need to specify CLEARLY what it is that you are weighing so they don't think that you are a drug dealer. (yes, I got a few weird looks)
But why would I want to cut up my pretty yarn into 20 "minis" and swap them with other yarnies, you ask?
So that my itsy-bitsy sock yarn blankie will grow into a big couch-sized blankie
I think the last, and maybe the BEST thing I learned this year was how to dye my own yarn. It's like coloring with a little chemistry for big kids!
All of the yarn I have dyed has been cut into minis and swapped out, with the exception of this last one, "orange creamsicle"
While I have never been a big fan of the color orange, I love how the yarn turned out. I knitted it up into the socks shown above and L-O-V-E them!
Well friends, that's all I've learned in 2010 as it relates to my craftiness. I have not stamped or scrapbooked ANYTHING in at least a couple years...it's all packed away, and I don't really sew or quilt, although I have a sewing machine and would like to learn (I still have my unfinished quilt I started when we were first married).
What does 2011 hold for me and my yarn? I am not sure, but there is so much to learn...I'm sure I can fit it in somewhere between socks and dye pots!
