Nobody is Perfect

I say it straight away to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings,  I have nothing against Facebook, Twitter and whatever else exists (to me it looks like every day something else pops up, doesn’t it?), but I’m keeping my social engagement to a minimum, for a number of reasons, lack of time is one, inability to understand how the b…y thing is working is another. But this post is not about the disfunctionality of all those networks, along their disadvantages (which I’m sure they have!) they are invaluable for … I don’t know exactly, you name it, you do it so much better than me :)
What I really want to talk about here is how being on Ravelry, Facebook, Flickr and so on and so forth changes us. I’ve been on Ravelry for some years already, and I love to knit, but recently I’ve noticed I am planning projects JUST so that I can take a pretty picture and publish it there. The practicality, or, my gosh, such a ridiculous question, DO I really need this scarf? have slightly lost the importance they enjoyed before. Perhaps someone will notice and write a nice comment (not bad per se!). This has proved anyway a great jumpstart for me, a push I needed after years I spent without the needles and mulling over the next project in my head. But reality can be a tough lady, you know. Or I have problems with seeing things in my head properly, because sometimes they turn out rather different from the image in my head. And here it all starts… If the project turns out photogenic, I can still make a picture of it and hang it out on Ravelry. And then every time I look at my project page, I feel like a fraud – people surely think I’m enjoying this thing and wear it every single day, but the truth is, it is lying at the very bottom of my knitting basket and I have to reknit it before I can wear it. IF I will be able to wear it at all. Sometimes I’m really wondering, am I all alone in that dimension of the knitting universe?
So today I’ve been working on my son’s sweater (a nice photo is already on Ravelry and even got a sweet comment from the designer, yippee!). I reworked the collar, the arms and the edge. Now I am anxious that the sewn edge I’ve did on the collar will make it too tight and the sweater will not fit comfortable over the 2-year old’s huge noggin and, of course, he will not wear it. The collar was the central issue, by the way. Then I have a wonderful Abigail Cardi, that I wore only once. But the number of time I already reworked the collar band is considerable higher. Today I’ve frogged it once again. One more try is to come. Pathetic, I know.
So I’ve decided to keep to socks, for the time being. Playing safe, you know. Heal the wounds and ponder what I should knit next.

Color Obsession_Yellow

Spring is in the air (at least in the Northern hemisphere), and though poor Germans are all covered in snow, we are enjoying rather mild weather, and whatever snow fell recently it has already almost melted away. For me spring will always be of two colors: green and yellow. Sometimes a splash of orange. But yellow and green are a must.
The table runner and two pillows are made with IKEA fabric, their fabric is my favorite when it comes to making home decor! The backs of the pillows are just simple solid color cotton.
And daffodils! I don’t have a garden, and buying potted ones are rather a waste of money for me anyway, as I have to throw them away as they don’t bloom anymore.

And what are your spring colors?

Those Who Can’t…

fake it! Or, at least, get a ready-made version. Today I sat down to have some coffee, happy that my boy was rather content to play by himself. Also, at this age of his it’s not potentially dangerous anymore for me to have a cup on the table and even arrange it on some kind of … well… something nice. I even splurged on some biscuits. And just before the first sip of my coffee I glanced down on my pretty arrangement and it struck me: my mug rug was a heat pad from IKEA (in fact, bought straight away to serve as a mug rug!), my butter biscuits from a supermarket contained, oh jeez, 13% butter, and my coffee was of the instant variety. One thing was genuine, though: my pleasure.

Simply Grey

I am a trained teacher, and worked long enough in education. Almost every teacher will agree: even though you have a secret favorite, and maybe aren’t on very good terms with some of the students, but in the end, you love them all. Just differently. And the same applies to colors. When asked about my favorite color, I’m always at a loss – I don’t love ALL of them, but I have hard time to pick only one. If I say ‘royal blue’, them immediately yellow comes to mind. If I say ‘green’, I feel I’m betraying deep red. And so on. Take grey: it has always been on my list, just the last 6-8 years due to various life circumstances it was … well… not very present. So now, I guess, it’s compensating for all those years in exile. Namely, it has taken over. I’ve realized it when taking photos of my recent craft projects for this post. Just look for yourself:

• grey hats for my men, big and small

• dark grey table runner

I have a elaborate here a bit: the Christmas tree on the right (yes, it’s a Christmas tree) was built by my DB from our son’s Lego pieces. Big boys like to play, too :)

• dark grey pillow cover with a grey linen back. I’ve mastered zipper installation with this one, thanks to a marvelous tutorial from Design Sponge! I’ve made 3 pillow cases already, and it worked like a charm!

Zipper view :)

• grey and white checkered cloth napkins

On New Year’s Eve we are hosting a small party. Guess, which color scheme I’ve chosen for that one? In case you are having a hard time, I tell you: silver. Now, I’m wondering: is it a reaction to the red and green Christmas? Or just to the red and orange colors of my son’s pram?
And what color is YOUR Christmas?
This one more time I link to My Creative Space.

As You Like It_Neckwarmer pattern

19.12.2012:  I've updated the pattern, adding the US needle numbers throughout, and measurements in inches, too. Sorry for confusion!

I needed a neckwarmer that will fit easily under jacket, something in the turtleneck style. The first attempt became too sloppy and too long, and simply didn’t want to lie as I wanted. As it turned out, the answer was changing to bulkier yarn and bigger needles. What I could never imagine in my wildest dreams, is that I would finish the neckwarmer in half a day!
It is knitted topdown, starting with thinner needles. After ribbing the simple knit and purl pattern is knitted with bigger needles. Several rows of ribbing finish the neckwarmer, and increases make it flare a bit. To make it lie better, I’ve used even larger needles to bind off. The stitch pattern is completely reversible, you can easily turn the collar down if necessary, and it’s long enough to pull over the nose if polar temperature arrives. If you prefer a straight neckwarmer, use the same needles throughout and omit the increases in the end.

Finished size: 30 cm/12" upper circunference, unstretched, 20 cm/8" length
Suggested yarn: Lang Yarns Merino 70, 2 skeins, gauge 14 st x 4"
Needles 5/US 8 and 6/US 10, 7/US 10 3/4 (optional )
Stitch marker
Abbreviations:k- knit
p - purl
kfb - knit forth and back
pfb - purl forth and back
CO - cast on
BO - bind off
R - round
Stitch pattern (multiple of 10):
R 1: k5, p5
R 2: k5, p5
R3: k4, p1, k1, p4
R 4:  k4, p1, k1, p4
R 5:  k4, p1, k1, p4
R 6: k4, p1, k1, p4
R 7: k3, p2, k2, p3
R 8: k3, p2, k2, p3
R 9: k2, p3, k3, p2
R 10: k2, p3, k3, p2
R 11: k1, p4, k4, p1
R 12: k1, p4, k4, p1
R 13: p5, k5
R 14: p5, k5
R 15: p5, k5
R16: p5, k5
R 17: p4, k1, p1, k4
R 18: p4, k1, p1, k4
R 19: p3, k2, p2, k3
R 20: p3, k2, p2, k3
R 21: p2, k3, p3, k2
R 22: p2, k3, p3, k2
R 23: p1, k3, p3, k1
R 24: p1, k3, p3, k1
Instructions:(I’ve divided the pattern into 3 sections only for convenience of explanation)
Section 1: With needles nr 5/US 8, CO 90 st, join to knit in the round, put a marker for beginning of round. Repeat rounds 1-2 of the stitch pattern, until work measures 5 cm/2".
Section 2:Change to needles 6/US 10 and  knit one pattern repeat.
Section 3: Knit rounds 1-4 once. Note: Before increases my cowl measured about 15 cm/6", hope this helps since I give no row gauge!
R 5:  K 2, kfb, k 2, p 2, pfb, p 2. Continue in k 6, p 6 rib for another 10 rounds, or until the neckwarmer measures 21 cm/8". BO loosely, alternatively with needles 7/US 10 3/4.
Wash and block if desired, pat the wet neckwarmer somewhat together to keep the three-dimensional look.
Sorry, the coat hanger models, since I’m not in a good shape yet after surgery. The neckwarmer on picture hasn't been blocked yet!


Please note that this is a free pattern, use it for gifts and charity, but please don’t sell items made with this pattern.
Don't hesitate to contact me if something is unclear or you find mistakes!
Ravelry link