Tag Archives: knitting for hire

Will Work For Yarn

Posted on by

3

In a wonderful arrangement with a friend on Ravelry I traded some labor for some yarn. This is what she asked for –

IMGP1256

Saroyan in O Wool Classic 2-ply, Evergreen
My Ravelry project page here

IMGP1259

The pattern is written for worsted weight, but easily adjusted for any weight by weighing the yarn as you go. In this case, I was working with 150 grams of fingering weight yarn; a gorgeous, drapey, super soft merino fingering weight yarn. I used 37g for the increase and decrease segments and the remaining 80 grams for the main body. It worked out to be about 80″ long and 17″ wide at the center. IMGP1260In return for this lovely piece of work, I received some Mosaic Moon treats.

IMGP1024_medium2

Purple Mountains on Mountain Meadow Worsted
IMGP1020_mediumButterscotch on High Twist MCN

And there was another skein of Mountain Meadow that I forgot to photograph before I gifted it to another Ravelry pal.

YUM!

I am also knitting a pair of longies with feeties for this sweet mama. I’ll let you know how that goes when it is done. I can’t seem to get the feet right and have ripped back a few times.

Knitting for cash is fun and all, and I appreciate the opportuniy to make a little money. But knitting for yarn is really awesome. Because, who do I think I am kidding? The cash goes towards yarn anyway!

Gramps

Posted on by

4

I love knitting baby things. They just fly off the needles and they showcase beautiful yarn in such an adorable way.

Gramps Cardigan in Madelinetosh Tosh DK Saffron (Ravelry page here) (recipient is going to pick out buttons for it later)

 

Three things about this knit.

1. The pattern – It left a lot to be desired, but it was also well written, if that makes any sense. I was frustrated when I found out that when I was “knitting in pattern till piece measures 6″ from CO edge” that I was supposed to pick up x number of stitches on it later, for example. And I was unhappy with the way the cables were forgotten during the shaping. I am kind of tweaky when it comes to cables and I want them to blend well with the sweater around them. Other than that, it is a lovely pattern, and when it is followed by someone who can fill in some of those gaps, it produces a lovely little sweater.

 

2. The yarn. Madelinetosh. Who could complain? It is lovely and the color is so deep and alive. It is expensive, yes, but it is worth the extra cost to use such a gorgeous yarn. I have had issues with pilling with Madelinetosh in the past, but this yarn is an 8 ply that seems much more sturdy than the single that I made this sweater out of two years ago (a sweater which, by the way, I am still in love with and willing run a stone over every time that I wear it). Also, it is superwash which is a plus for a baby.

3. It is leaving my house. Shipping this sweater off and marking it finished on Ravelry today feels very good. It was fun while it lasted but now I am ready to knit something else. You gotta love baby things for that reason alone!

 

 

 

 

 

Frivolity

Posted on by

1

It feels good to have some lace on the needles again.

Sure, I always have a lace project in progress (or two…. or three). Alas, the time that is required to concentrate on such complicated frivolities has been quite limited as of late. As in, I’d rather spin. Ha! The lace has been taking up needle space and collecting dust for a few months, now. Untouched, unloved.

Actually, the three lace projects that I currently have on the go have been collecting dust because my knitting has been more utilitarian. I need to make a baby gift for so-and-so. I must finish this sweater for a customer. I should get that test knit finished. And while I would love to while away my time on complicated lace shawls that have no purpose in my life whatsoever, there just aren’t enough hours in my day.

That is why I jumped at the chance to test knit a lace shawl for Cosy. At last, a lacy knit that has a deadline and a reason and a sense of urgency that my other lace projects utterly lack. Besides, look at this shawl that I am testing. Beautiful, right?

And another look:

Mary Louise Shawl in Cosymakes Snapdragon Light Fingering, Red (Raveled here, and Cosy’s finished shawl here)

It feels so good to be working on lace again. And not just because it is so stimulating and interesting. Not only for its delicate beauty or the gorgeous yarn. Not merely for the charm of turning a chart into art. All of that is true, to be sure. But at this moment right now, I am taken with the way an entire large shawl project still fits inside my new knitting bowl. (From Blue Room Pottery on Etsy. A “Happy Nothing Day” gift from the Mother-In-Law from Heaven)

Oh, sweet frivolity!