It’s been a bit of a blah kind of week. I think it’s because I started knitting and haven’t been an instant expert. I see knitting everywhere at the moment and thought I should jump on the band wagon. Well, I don’t think I’ll stay on very long. I don’t think I’m enjoying it that much.
I’m tempted to unravel this pappy attempt and crochet my way to a baby blanket instead. It’s messy and has dropped stitches. There is always the fear of it coming off the needles and I have no idea of what real knitters do if they make a mistake. I mean, do you just unravel some rows and then painstakingly reattach all those loops, without unravelling the underneath row by mistake?? What a pain in the arse! It’s happened. Twice. The first time, my nearly three year old grabbed the needles and effortlessly yoinked away the knitting by swishing around his new “light sabers.” I did it the second time because there were too many loose bits after a colour change. Ugh. Stick with it ?… Or not? I’m surprised that I’ve picked up speed when I’m doing it right and I love the click clack of the needles, but, that is about it. Hmm.
In a bid to change the mood, I thought I’d have some fun with pompom making. Turns out this isn’t much fun either. I bought a cheap pompom maker and it keeps popping open at the crucial moment, spilling tiny threads of yarn all over my lap. Also, I think mixing up the colours was a mistake. I’m thinking of trying some mono colour balls. They’ll look better.
This is where I’ve been sitting this week. Surrounded by mess. I’m like some sort of creative tramp at the minute. It’s the rotten weather that does it. Although, yesterday I took the small boy for a long walk around town. I said we could go and look at the swollen, rain filled river but by the time we got there he was asleep. When we returned home, he was angry with me because we hadn’t been to the river. It’s not my fault that he missed it.
Looking out the window at the spring flowers, I had an idea that might cheer me up a bit.
I know I’ve used the snowdrop picture before, it’s the only goodish one I’ve got.
I love the smell of Hyacinths. I love the smell of daffodils too. They’re also among the prettiest flowers of the spring. They are the first signs that the winter is on the out (although they’ve been fooled as it was -1 this morning and there is frost on the grass).
Anyway, I drew some quick sketches and off I went, cutting up bits of fabric and stitching them roughly together.
I’m really pleased with the results. One or two mess ups have occurred but nothing too awful. I asked Husband his opinion and apparently they are twee and granny like. Something you’d find in a charity shop, he said. Maybe that’s the result I’m after but it kind of threw me. Now I’m having doubts.
I think this one looks the most granny like and I’m hoping that will change with the things I’ll do to it. I’d really like them to be displayed in the embroidery hoops but they’re expensive so I only have one. I’ve got another idea but i’m afraid that it’ll transform them into “twee” monstrosities. Oh well, we shall see.
Lastly, I have this Drops recycled cotton. Hearts on the label, must be Valentine’s or something. 80p each! I want to make a doily or two but still on the look out for the right sort of pattern. Fingers crossed I’ll find a pattern soon and get on with it. I’m getting crochet withdrawal.
Are those plastic or metal needles you’re using for your knitting? Maybe you should try using bamboo needles – I much prefer bamboo needles because my stitches don’t slide off them nearly as easy. I’ve heard a few beginners say that they find bamboo needles easier to use. 🙂
They’re metal with a non slip surface. I don’t think the kind of needles will make a difference with me, it’s the make up of the stitches which really frustrates me. 🙁 I should prob keep at it really. I might fall in love with it!
Keep at it for another while at least. I remember when I first started and almost gave up after a few days. My first project was a mess of dropped stitches and accidental increases and decreases but I kept at it and eventually I got the hang of it 🙂
Your knitting looks good to me! Maybe you could pick a simple pattern so you practice and make something at the same time. I just made a Quake yarn stretcher shawl, it was just basic stitches but worked up quickly. Your embroidery flowers are gorgeous. I love the layering up and they don’t look twee at all. I can imagine them framed or in a hoop on a wall 🙂
*Quaker*
Think that would help too. Need to work up some more enthusiasm to keep on with it.
I think the flowers would look nice framed too but I’m going to try something else first. Would also need slightly deep frames from somewhere…
we all need some sunshine and then we feel better and men really sometimes don’t have a clue bless them.I don’t ask my husband what he thinks of my makes I just say to him this looks good don’t you think !!!!
There was a blue sky this morning but after lunch, grey! Just when I was tempted to go walking, rain started again. Boo.
Love the embroidered flowers. What a great dimensional effect the felt and stitches provide.
Thank you. They’re quite tactile too.
1. Your three year old using your knitting needles (and project) as a light sabers??? Oh my goodness! I would have been so frustrated/sad/laughing my butt off! Your blanket LOOKS great though 🙂
2. For some reason I find pom poms IMPOSSIBlE to make. IMPOSSIBLE. I once used an entire skein of yarn (and several hours) trying to make pom poms for some hats. It was a disaster! Yours look pretty good though. 🙂
3. Those photos of the flowers are GORGEOUS.
4. As is your felt work/embroidery!!! 🙂
5. Have a great day!
Nooo, it was soul destroying, head in hands despair to see my precious knitting all unravelled. For about ten minutes, then I got over it.
I was almost tempted by another pompom making device today but have decided just to be more careful with the one I’ve got.
Thank you for all the lovely things you said. X
Aren’t small children so frustrating- I laughed out loud at the bit about the trip to the river, I’ve had had similar experiences!
I really like your stitched flowers, fresh and springlike.
I’ve given up on knitting… crochet is much more fun! I’ve decided I don’t have enough time for crafts that frustrate me 😄
Teresa x
Think I’m a definite crocheter. Haven’t gone near the needles today.
I have the perfect example of a frustrating child. Actually both of mine can be. But they’re also cute and lovely too.
Thanks for saying nice things about my stitching!
Love how your needle craft is inspired by nature. Beautiful flowers and lovely crafting.
Thank you very much!!
I was like you at first when I started knitting again last year, I had done a scarf and half a try before!! I persevered and I do enjoy it now but it doesn’t come anywhere near crochet, it’s sooo slow for a start 😊!! I like knitting on circular needles even when I’m working flat, there is all that space to push your knitting down onto! You can put a life line in every few rows to help if you need to do back. Just thread through scrap yarn as you knit a row then if you need to go back the scrap yarn will hold your stitches. I loooove your ‘Granny’ flowers btw 💐!
Life line! See, things like that I have no idea about. That’ll help no end. I’m surprised at how much slower it is, crochet has some really nice, big stitches though! I’ll not give in, but I won’t go at it with full gusto either. It’ll just be good to be able to say I can do it! Thanks. X
My sentiments entirely!!😃
Just persevere with the knitting. When you get as good as your Nanna, you can read or watch TV at the same time so makes it much more fun. You don’t even realise you are knitting. I like the clack of the needles too. I like your embroidered/felted flowers, some good inspiration from your garden, hopefully the weather will improve soon so you can get out there too. I went to the holiday cottages yesterday and it was frosty and sunny, I wanted to keep getting out of the car and taking photos, I didn’t but I wish I had, the frost and sun and mist in the valleys was lovely.
Oh, and children soon grow up, treasure each moment however frustrating it may seem at the time.
I can almost do it without looking! But still, it’s very slow. I won’t give up but I don’t feel like going full throttle on it just yet. Maybe some alpaca wool will convince me?! I think it’ll be a few years before I’m Nanna level whatever happens.
Dorset would look stunning all frosty and icy. I don’t remember being there in a winter before.
If it helps, I did a post to show how I unraveled stitches using a lifeline. With photos.
http://365dayshandmade.com/2015/05/23/day-142365-how-to-shorten-a-sock-and-unravel-your-stitches-without-totally-losing-your-mind/
I bet it would help, thank you. I’ve got a lot to learn and a long way to go!!
Love your flower creation, BTW. I could see it as a pretty brooch…
Thank you. I thought so too. I hope to use them in many ways (if i get the time to make more)!!
I knit too, infact I’m a knitter first and then learnt to crochet. Picking up a dropped stitch is a pain, especially the unravelling bit but your photo doesn’t show the mess you are describing! I love your flower pics. My husband used to say things like that about the stuff I made, I am now living on my own! x
The other side was the messy side! And it had also been redone twice from different points. Crochet is much easier to sort out if you go wrong. It’s still a pain, just less so. Plus, I understand crochet and can ‘read’ the stitches, whereas I feel blind with knitting. More experience will help with that.
Husband is usually very complimentary about stuff I’ve made, I’ll forgive his ignorance on this occasion!! 🙂
Pleased I’m not the only one who finds knitting a bit mind boggling. I wish I’d been taught it when I was younger. I too have no idea what to do when something goes wrong! You really need a live-in knitter fixer I feel =) Loved reading this blog post and I think your snowdrop and daffodil makes look awesome! Very creative! Shelley x