Monthly Archives: April 2010

Knitting and Crochet Blog Day 3-One Great Knitter

The first name that comes to mind is  Maile Mauch. She has been a free lance designer of knitwear since 1974. Her designs have been published in a variety of places. At the present, some of her creations are available at the site for Pisgah Yarn and Dyeing Company.

Somehow a few years ago I ran across her  website: K1,P1, Keeping You in Stitches. One of my goals at that time was to learn to knit lace. It was a technique I had never had the courage to try. I was amazed at the abundance of free patterns on her site with most of them being lace.

Soon after  I discovered her site she announced the establishment of a Yahoo Group called: Cloth Of The Week. She was offering to teach new knitting techniques on a weekly basis. And so she has for almost the past three years. I have learned  many skills from her  ranging from t how to make a yarn over following a purl stitch to feeling comfortable following more complex patterns. 

Maile's lasting gift to me is Courage: Courage to try new techniques…Courage to play with yarns and tools I have never used…Courage to think: "what if " and then to try out my idea… Courage to explore new patterns…Courage to try my hand at designing…Courage to go where I have never been. For this I will forever be grateful.

Shortly before Thanksgiving Maile had a stroke. At this time she continues to be recovering from this  event.

For Knitting and Crochet Blog Day 2

Since I have gotten behind blogging this is my attempt to catch up.

The topic for Day 2 was: Blog about a pattern or project which you aspire to.

There are a few that come to mind. The first one is the Babette Blanket. In terms of  my skills, it ranks as very simple. My concern is the time commitment. It is a huge undertaking that I am not ready to do at this time.

I am fascinated by the color possibilities. They are endless. I have decided to use Peaches & Creme Worsted Wt. because it is my favorite cotton. Another reason for using it is the abundance of color choices. I want to make one showcasing all of the colors. My goal is to make another one using any colors that contain purple. I might choose to use a lighter shade such as White, Cream or Ivory to offset the darker shades.

The knitting project to which I aspire is to learn to knit Intarsia. I tried one time but did not catch the concept. I will try again in the next couple of months after some major projects are completed.

Knit and Crochet Week Day 1

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Today’s Topic is: How and when did you start knitting/crocheting?

Because I knit and crochet this is a two part question.

I became thoroughly fascinated with the art of crocheting when I was five years old when I was in Kindergarden. My mother worked so I spent the afternoons after school was out with an elderly lady who lived a few doors down from the school. In good weather she sat outside in her front yard and crocheted. I vividly remember watching her make the most beautiful pineapple doilies using very fine thread and tiny steel crochet hooks. I was completely fascinated. She sat and made beautiful creations without a pattern meanwhile talking with me. One time I asked her how she could it without a pattern and she told me words to the effect of “I have done it so many times the pattern is in my head. ”

I was hooked and in love. From that time my goal was to learn to crochet with thread. My mother had different ideas saying that crocheting was only for poor people or old ladies. I did not care. I knew that one day this is what I wanted to do.

I was 12 or 13 before I finally learned to crochet using a book to teach myself. This was a bit of a challenge because I am left handed and the only books available to me in the 1960’s were written for right handed people. I was able to look at the pictures and follow the written instructions. It worked. I managed to learn enough basic skills to satisfy my curiosity until I became an adult.

Growing up I met some of my parent’s older relatives who crocheted. I was always fascinated.

Even as a young person I had distinct tastes in crochet hooks. My choice was the Boye hooks because they suited my hands and style better than other hooks.

I did not resume crocheting with any degree of seriousness until after College and Nursing School. At that time I was able to purchase my own books, yarn and tools. I discovered books such as:

I spent many hours devouring them. I learned to read English and American instructions. I learned so much there is not room to list it all here or anywhere.They remain treasured volumes in my collection.

I made my share of Granny squares and some small items in yarn. for many years knitting and crocheting took a back seat to to other interests.

I allowed myself to take a  Crocheting class at what was then Lee Wards in the 1990’s. I quickly learned that I knew more than I realized. I came away from the class with a large amount of much needed self  confidence. It also helped increase my love for and fascination with this wonderful art.

There was finally courage to try my hand at thread crochet! I successfully made an assortment of small doilies, coasters and a couple of collars to satisfy my hunger for thread. I had to face the reality that my eyes limit some of what I can feel comfortable doing. This is one of those things. I own some magnifying equipment and have the ability to purchase more, but it is not worth time or energy to do so at this time.

I learned to knit when i was 8 years old. Knitting lessons at a local Sears store were a gift from my mother. it was an alternative to my desire for crocheting. I learned to knit right handed on some 14 inch size 8 metal needles. I still own them today.

The lessons were good. i learned a lot and took to knitting easily and naturally. Reading patterns was the same way. In addition to basic  knitting I learned to treat yarn with respect and care. I made lots of slippers and other small items. I distinctly remember my mother being annoyed at my ability to knit without watching what I was doing.

I continue to knit and crochet to this day. There is normally at least one project on hooks and needles at the same time. There is still much to learn and do.

As much as I enjoy knitting, my first love continues to be crocheting. Memories of my first encounter with that amazing lady, her tiny steel hooks and fine thread continue to inspire me.

Thank you kind babysitting lady whose name I do not know! You have given me the gift of a lifetime.

My Table

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This is a picture of my kitchen table last Saturday. Everyone in my household was asleep except for me, i decided to take advantage of it and treat myself to two of my favorite things: a cup of tea and crocheting. It was a very peaceful time as I sat crocheting. There was time to enjoy the feel of the rhythm of my hands making stitches with my hook and yarn.I had a sense of peace as I worked. My fingers flew as they made a
familiar stitch many times. I wondered who would receive this blanket and prayed for him or her to be comforted and warmed by it.

Before I knew it, my tea was gone;three rows of orange had been added to the blanket and it was time to wake my household. As I cleaned off the table I hoped the sense of peace would remain through the day, which it did.