Starting The Third Project

I am so excited. I went to my knitting group this morning and showed my finished designs to them. Everyone was very encouraging. I realize that if I want to keep this design to use for my own patterns, then I need to design them quickly. With two patterns already posted on Ravelry, it may work against me if others start borrowing my design.

So with that in mind, I began the design for a skirt using a very fine weight yarn. Because I live in Arizona I don't want a heavy knit skirt that I can't wear. So I have chosen a 2-ply washable yarn. It is 100 % acrylic, which is not usually my favorite, but I also have plenty of the yarn that was given to me and I don't want to begin using real expensive yarn for projects that I am just using for practice. However, this yarn will still wear well if it becomes the skirt I envision.

I couldn't find any yardage printed on the pattern so I researched the brand on-line. I found the yarn with all the details and discovered that each skein has 220 yards in it. I was given 11 skeins, which means I have 2,420 yards of yarn. I decided the measurements for the skirt to be 27-inches long with a 2-inch band for folding over and encasing elastic and 18.5-inches wide, which equates to 37-inches around. There will be no hem, because the ribbing will finish the edge.

Now I needed to figure the gauge. The skein indicated that the gauge was 7 sts x 8 rows per inch. But the on-line information was different for the same yarn. It indicated that the gauge was 24 sts per 4-inches, which means 6 sts per inch. So I calculated the following:

1. I need 37 inches for the circumference of the skirt. 7 stitches per inch times 37 = 259 stitches. 6 stitches per inch times 37 = 222 stitches.
2. My pattern design requires 2 stitches for the beginning, 8 stitches for the Cable Pattern, and 6 stitches to end the round.
3. Starting with the 7-stitches-gauge first, I subtracted the 2 stitches from the beginning and the 6 stitches from the end (8 stitches) from the 259 total cast on stitches required. That gave me 31.375, which does not divide evenly by 8. So I rounded-off the total to 32. [32 X 8 = 256 + 8] = 265 stitches for this cast on.
4. Using the 6-stitches-gauge next, I subtracted the 8 stitches from the 222 total cast on stitches required. That gave me 26.75. Rounding-off that total I had 27 stitches. [27 X 8 = 216 + 8] = 224 stitches for this cast on.
5. This means I will have 33 repeating patterns for the 7-sts gauge cast on. And 28 repeating patterns for the 6-sts gauge cast on.

I have a couple ideas of how I want the design to work in this pattern. I want there to be rows with long cables running the length. I want there to be rows with two-cables for each long one in the other row. Then I might choose to have four-cables that match those two. I will try to capture the design on paper and include it later.

I will need to configure the pattern repeats to see how they fit with the calculations from #5 above. I also need to go  knit a gauge so I can be absolutely sure of the stitches per inch. The yarn requirement for the needle is Size 4. So I will start there.

I finished the calculations for the design pattern on graph paper. It took a bit but I figured a 16-sts repeat that will flow nicely around the skirt, matching at the beginning of each round.

I played with several cable shapes on the left, but the placement of them on the graph to the right would only allow half of that design. But I am satisfied with that.

I finished the swatch and the gauge for me using a Size 4 needle is 7 sts x 8 rws per 1-inch.

Okay, that is it for tonight.

The Second Project is Complete

I finished the second project for the contest last night. It was really late so I didn't journal at that time. I waited until today to capture the process.

Cable side out, ribbing on the inside but folded out into a  ribbed brim.

Ribbed side out with the cabling on the inside but folded up to form the brim.

As you can see, I decided to knit a hat instead of a scarf. I am glad I did because the pattern really "pops" now. The yarn, Willa, is super bulky and suggests using a size 11 needle. I decided to use that size but chose dpns (double pointed needles) for my needles instead of two circulars. I was not sure how many stitches to cast on my needles, so I did some research. While at Jessica Knits yesterday when I was taking a class teaching finishing techniques, I pulled Ann Budd's book The Knitter's Handy Guide to Patterns off the bookshelf to get the information about how many stitches are needed for various sizes of hats. Because I only have 153 yds. of yarn in the one skein I purchased, I chose the 6-18 months size hat to knit. I also needed to consider my pattern and make sure I cast on enough stitches to allow the repeats and the joining of the design in the round. After graphing my design stitches and calculating my gauge (3 sts per inch), I finally decided to cast on 64 stitches divided between the 4 dpns (16 sts on each one).

The knitting progressed smoothly, especially since I have been using this design so much lately. But I did change the ribbing. Instead of the K1, P1 stitch pattern I used with the Cowl, I decided to use a K2, P2 stitch pattern instead, hoping this would further define the cabling. The bulky yarn and the added stitches in the cable really helped the pattern design "pop". Because the hat was so small, I was concerned at first that maybe I shouldn't use so much bulk. But I was pleased as the work progressed to see that this worked well.

It really didn't take long to knit the hat once I started. There were only four repeats of the pattern to form the brim necessary to get the 5 inches I wanted. I was left with a 2.5 inch brim after turning up the edge. Perfect. Then another four repeats of the pattern was needed to get the crown of the hat long enough to fit the head snuggly. Then I decreased for 1.5 pattern repeats to shape the top of the hat. That was all and then I was finished.

I was especially pleased with the way the cables and ribbing decreased without losing the design definition. There was no shifting of the lines. There was no overlapping of stitches. Using the K2, P2 was perfect, because I could decrease by K2 tog (knit two together), P1 and still have a K-P rib. Then I decreased with a K1, P2 tog (purl two together) still leaving me with a K-P rib.

I spent this afternoon and evening typing the pattern into the computer and saving it as a pdf file so it could be saved as a pattern on Ravelry. At first I thought I would call this pattern simply "Child's Reversible Cable Ribbed Hat"; but because I am using the same design stitches, I went ahead and called this pattern like the first one - "Cable Me One Side - Rib Me The Other Child's Reversible Hat". This will keep all patterns with the similar design stitches in the same category. But I have to laugh. That is one long name for such a short little hat. So the pattern is now posted on Ravelry and is free for downloading. I have the written pattern with the chart configurations finished and ready to be mailed to Juniper Moon Farms. I choose to wait until next week to mail the package because I want to show my knitting groups (The Needlers who meet on Thursdays at Jessica Knits and the Monday night group that meets in Prescott Valley) and Steve's parents and family who we are planning to visit next week. I want them to see the original projects, not just photos of them.

Now that both of these projects for the contest are finished, I am back to the other projects that were placed on hold - the white lace sweater, the wrap I am knitting as a gift, and the Shell that is my own design. I almost forgot what I was knitting when I picked up the Sweater again. Whoa, don't want to allow that to happen. It took a bit of re-figuring to remember where I stopped, but I did and I have already knit one additional row. I want to finish it quickly if I can because I am taking another class starting March 1st where as a group we will be knitting one of Ysolda's sweaters in her book Little Red in the City. Ysolda designed her sweater to be knit from the top down and provides for sleeves that aren't inserted but knit with short rows giving the appearance of insertion. I am real excited about learning those techniques. More about that later once I get there. She also designs patterns that are fitted rather than loose - one size fits all. One chapter in her book gives lengthy and detailed information on how to take those measurements to guarantee a perfect fit. I am glad that as a class we will do that together. Always much easier to measure someone else than myself.  This should add to my experience and to the training I received in college when learning all about flat patterns and design.

Well, that't it for tonight. I am going to go sit & knit. So what else is new, huh?

Well This Is Really Something

I just finished knitting the entire Scarf using the one skein of Willa yarn. I hadn't finished the project before I had decided the scarf is really too wide to fit around the neck nicely, so I already decided to undo the yarn and eliminate two pattern repeats. But I went ahead and knit the pattern to the end so I could try the "dropped stitch" and see what happened. I discovered several things.

1.  The dropped stitch is awesome, but makes the scarf wider than I wanted.
2.  The dropped stitch would help separate the cables and make them pop, but this particular design needed too many dropped stitches to really be effective for a short neck scarf. The total number of dropped stitches would make this short scarf way too wide.
3.  The dropped stitches, as planned, would be quite lovely in making a shawl, which would require adding another skein of yarn so it would drape around the shoulders and not just the neck. I could do this according to the contest rules, but I don't want to. I will keep this pattern design for later, however.

See how pretty this would be if it hung this way across the shoulders in a draped shawl?

Here you can see how the dropped stitch definitely added space between the cables.

This helped me see that I want the edges to be thicker so that a dropped stitch would not be good on the ends.

So now I am back to the "drawing board" to design another scarf pattern that will work for this one skein of yarn. It must be skinnier, which will make it longer.I still want to use the basic cable/rib design, but I must have space between each of them. Maybe I can add the dropped stitches if I don't use so many cables.
<brain whirl>

My Second Contest Entry

I began my second contest project entry yesterday evening. I spent all day getting the first entry (the Cowl) listed on Ravelry. I had to become a designer on their site first, which involved a lot of "paperwork". Once that was done, I then had to get the pattern typed and saved as a pdf file. That took some more "paperwork" details. Once that was done, I then had to upload the pattern and post it for sale. In this case, I am "selling" it for free. I just want to get my patterns published this year. I can sell them later.

Now the new project uses the other required yarn from Juniper Moon Farm - Willa. I choose red because on Valentine's Day all red yarns at Knit Happens was 35% off the regular price. I only bought one skein and must design a pattern that uses only 153 yards of yarn. This is quite a challenge.

I decided to once again return to a prior design that uses the same cable/rib combination of the Cowl. Only this time, the cables and ribs are both on the same sides - front and back together. I decided to make a Scarf with this design using a five-row rib to start and finish the scarf. This way the scarf will hang without rolling at the edges.

I drew the graph showing the stitch pattern and then wrote the instructions from that. I began knitting and found that this new yarn is much heavier than the Chadwick. It has a gauge of 12 stitches and 15 rows per 4x4 inches. I went ahead and CO 37 stitches but found that the width of the scarf is now 7" instead of the 6" the earlier swatch had. That is okay but may make the scarf shorter than originally designed.

I found the knitting to be fine but see that the pattern is lost due to the thickness of the yarn. I have knit about 9.5 inches and keep studying the design.

See how the cables are indistinct from the ribs? I want them to "stand out" more.

I am not pleased with it but still want the scarf to be reversible so I don't want to change the design. I have thought about pulling out all the stitches and starting over with a different pattern. I considered a ribbed hat but must consider the options of that. First, one skein might not be enough to finish the hat and I don't want to use two skeins for this second project. Second, I think the hat would look better with all the cables on one side and the ribs on the other, thus making a reversible hat. This current design I am using and really want to showcase would not work as well. Third, in order to calculate the decreases for the cables necessary for the hat's crown would take longer than I want to spend on this project. The deadline is fast approaching. So I decided not to change patterns but see what I can do with the current design to make it "pop",

I am going to make the scarf shorter than originally planned. I want it to be a little longer than a choker but shorter than a scarf. I think, right now, that I will attach one end to the other with buttons so it drapes off center. I considered adding a buttonhole to one end with a button at the other, but dismissed this idea when I decided to just attach the end completely with buttons only. I considered adding beads at each cable juncture. I tried several different sizes and colors. The smallest gold ones look best and I  might still use them. But while they look pretty, the design is still not exposed clearly yet because of them. I then considered using a ribbon-like yarn of another color and weaving it around each cable. But I don't like that idea either; feeling it, too, will distract from the original design.

I studied the pattern more closely to evaluate why the design was not "popping". The thickness of the yarn was causing the cables and ribs to push against each other. Each separate entity was not recognizable. Remember they are both sharing the same side. So what I needed was space of some sort between them. But how to make this happen? I only have two stitches that separate the cables on the front from the cables on the back. Then I remembered that Gail from my Thursday morning knitting group had shown us a pattern for a scarf she was knitting. At the end of the scarf while binding off the stitches, certain stitches are "dropped", which causes a "run" in the garment. This is just like getting a "run" in a pair of stockings - same concept. Most of the time, if a stitch is "dropped" this is considered a mistake and causes a lot of anguish to the knitter; because the stitch has to be "chased", picked up, and carefully re-formed into the proper position it once held before "running away". Most knitters are not "happy campers" when this occurs. So to do this on purpose seems almost immoral, not quite right, something to avoid.

But if I do the same thing with my design, then there would be a "run" or open space running the length of the scarf. If chosen carefully, these "runs" can be between each of the cables and thus provide some space and maybe allow them to open up, stand alone more and "pop". It is worth a try. So I am going to continue the scarf for the shorter length and add the runs to the design. If this doesn't help, then I will consider something else, assuming there is enough time to re-design and re-make the project. Who knows, I may end up with a "winning" project. :-()

My First Pattern - Ready to be Downloaded off Ravelry

Well, I have completed my first pattern and submitted it to Ravelry. It can now be downloaded for free if anyone is interested.

I have completed everything needed to mail my entry submission to Juniper Moon Farm. Let the contest begin..

My First Contest Entry - I am Officially a Designer

I decided to name this project "Cable Me One Side - Rib Me The Other Moebius Cowl". I know that is a mouthful but it best describes what I did.

I have now entered the project into my Ravelry posting and also became a listed designer with Ravelry. So much to  learn about the whole process, but at least my name D. Teresa Simmons is now listed and soon to be recognized as a designer there with this pattern. I will be entering other projects soon, but for right now, I am focusing on this contest.

Here are some photos of the finished Cowl.

Here is the Cowl laying flat. It is 8" X 48".

This shows a close-up of the cable and rib designs. Notice how the  rib is behind the cable and then appears to be in front as the twist of the piece demonstrates.

This is the way a Cowl is worn. I draped it around my neck twice and arranged the pattern such that only the cables show.

Here the Cowl is pulled up over the head and can be worn as a Hood.

Notice the cable is clearly seen separate from the rib even though they both share the same front/back space.

Here the Cowl is not wrapped around the neck but draped over the shoulders and worn as a Shawl or Wrap.

So there you have it. My first project for the contest entries using the Chadwick yarn.You can find this design posted on Ravelry under my name dteresasimmons. It is listed in my notebook tab under projects as Mobius - Knit Cowl. It is also listed at the top of the projects section under my original designs.

 I will be starting the second entry with the Willa yarn in red. It will have the same cable/rib design technique but I will arrange the pattern differently to display the yarn more adequately.

Hope you enjoyed this process with me. I know I enjoyed the journey.

The Finished Product

I finished the first contest entry - the mobius cowl.

I am so amazed at the finished product. When I first envisioned this design I was thinking that the cable pattern would be on one side and the rib pattern would be on the other with a twist that displayed both at the same time. But using the Mobius Cast-on started the pattern from the center of the piece and the pattern worked out from there on both sides except that the cable was on top with the rib on the bottom unless the piece was turned over and then the pattern was reversed with the cable on the bottom and the rib on the top.

I was also unsure about the length of the finished piece. When I did my computations I figured how many stitches I would need to cast-on in order to get a 48" length. But again the Mobius Cast-on caused the piece to look small while in process of being knitted because the circular needles were twisted, too. It wasn't until after I bound-off the edges that the piece unfolded to the original design length. I was so pleased.

Another point of "holding my breath" occurred as I reached the end of the 2nd skein of yarn. I had calculated how many rows I wanted and was pretty sure that the 202 yards of yarn in each skein would be enough. But as I neared the end of the last row knowing there was still a binding off to follow, I was eyeing the remaining yarn left and hoping I would not need to tink the bound-off stitches with the last row in order to finish the project. But my calculations were "right on the nose". The piece was finished and there was yarn left over. (Not much, mind you, but still some left - six yards to be exact - I measured.) That was fine with me.

I still need to post the pattern and photos on Ravelry as a new designer. I have a site as a knitter, but not as a designer. I still need to take photos of the finished piece and type a decent copy of my written directions. Once this is done, I will be ready to mail the cowl to the yarn company as an entry in their contest.

I was able to buy a skein of the other yarn that can be used in the contest. It is called Willa. On Tuesday, being Valentine's Day, all red yarn was sold for 35% off the regular price. I took advantage of that sale and bought a skein of red Willa yarn. I plan to make a scarf from it using a different variation of my design I used for the Cowl.

I still need to name my projects. I have several ideas but haven't determined which will be used. For the Cowl I am considering the following:
1. Here A Cable, There A Rib
2. Not Your Basic Rib
3. One Way Or The Other
4. Accordion Cable Cowl
5. Cable Me One Side - Rib Me The Other
6. Two For The Price Of One

For the Scarf I am considering one of the above but also Reversible Front Cable Back Rib Design. I may take them both with me to my knitting groups and see what ideas are generated there. Anyway, I have one project complete and the second one soon to be.

Knitting Mishap

There I was. Knitting frantically on the Cowl to make sure I finished it on time in order to submit it by the postmark date of March 1st, when to my horror just at the time I tugged on the yarn to move it further down the cable to the other side, the wooden portion of my circular needle disengaged itself from the cable portion. A circular needle is two short knitting needles attached to the two ends of a long pliable cable allowing for a long knitting surface. One of the two needles separated from the cable to which it had previously been attached  while the stitches were still on both. The horror part of this sad tale is that the stitches that were on the needle and cable suddenly were not any longer. Any knitter at any level of skill will tell you that this is not a "happy situation". I didn't count the stitches because of the numb scrambling I was doing, but I would guess that about 2-dozen fell off the needle. Not only that, there were several more stitches at the ends of each needle/cable disjointed sides threatening to join the loose stitches if I even moved a  muscle to prevent their intentions. Now this is really bad if the stitches begin to unravel and undo the completed pattern so hard-earned previously. But I was VERY careful not to panic and pull the yarn (believe me - I was deliberate about that), which would have made the scenario worse and me even sadder. What I did do was slowly (so slow you couldn't see me move unless you replayed the video frame by frame) place the piece down beside me and rummaged in my knitting tool bag removing a stitch holder. I painstakingly placed each loose stitch onto the stitch holder and was blessed to catch all stitches safely without further mishap. Then I got out my super-glue and proceeded to repair the damage to the needle. This didn't take long and before much time had lapsed, the stitches were back on the needle/cable; and I was once again knitting frantically on the Cowl to make sure I finished it on time in order to submit it by the postmark date of March 1st. Just another day in the life of a knitter. These things do happen.

Capturing Thoughts Again

I am amazed at how this designing is happening. I didn't think I could do it, but here I am doing it. It started with one idea and now I can hardly keep up with all the designs that keep flowing through my mind. I capture most of them on paper, which may become something later, or not. Not the point though. Just fascinating to me right now to know that I have so many designs inside me. Just smiling as they are "popping out" when I don't even expect it.

This contest I am entering is another surprise to me for designing. I started working with one idea of cables on one side of the piece and ribbing on the other. I played with some pink cotton yarn that was in my stash but then set the swatch aside. When thinking about what to enter into the contest that was original to me, I picked up my swatch again and evaluated it. As I studied the pattern, I noticed that all the cables formed a pattern. I wondered what would happen if I alternated a rib pattern between the cable patterns. How would that change the look of the piece on the other side? Would the cables and ribs alternate there as well? I swatched a sample and discovered that the pattern did transfer to the other side but that the cables were all identical. The original swatch had each row of cables alternating from the starting point of each cable, something I just happened to do when I was playing with it.  Like this...

I     I     I     I     I     I     I

  I     I     I     I     I     I

I     I     I     I     I     I     I

  I     I     I     I     I     I

But now, the alternating cable pattern had shifted to the other side, which caused all the cables on the same side to start at the same point.  Like this...

I     I     I     I     I     I     I

I     I     I     I     I     I     I

 Amazing!

I haven't done this yet, but I expect that if I were to shift the patterns for each side I could once again have the cables alternate but on the same side. Greek to you right now, I know; but should I try that I will share photos explaining. For right now, I am only capturing my thoughts about it.

Now imagine what might happen if I were to really change the shape of the cables. Right now the cables are the same size just alternating in the position in the row.

But look what happens if I change the size of the cable itself. There are three I's stacked on top of each other representing a long cable with a short cable between each long one. 

I          I          I          I

I     I    I    I     I    I    I

I          I          I          I

I          I          I          I

I     I    I    I     I    I    I

I          I          I          I

See how the pattern changes? And I am doing the basic stitch design. The cables are still alternating from row to row but now the length of each cable is different. And I could even change the shapes and alternations from row to row.

I          I          I          I

I     I    I    I     I    I    I

I          I          I          I

I          I         I

I     I    I     I    I    I     I

I          I          I

I          I          I          I

I     I    I    I     I    I    I

I          I          I          I

Now that is another neat pattern, still using my basic design stitch. Can you see how I can just go on and on and on.....If I transfer this basic stitch pattern into various designs then I might could write a book using only this one basic design. Amazing, isn't it?

Well, I guess I better stop for now. I need to get back to knitting the Cowl so it is finished in time to submit to the contest. Catch you again later.

Wow It Has Been A Week

Today is the Saturday following my last post. I have been so busy that I haven't taken the time to journal. But I have a moment right now so I will share some thoughts.

I received an email from a yarn company [Juniper Moon Farm www.fiberfarm.com] that is orchestrating a design contest. The rules require that their yarn be used (of course), which there are two selections - Chadwick and Willa. The winner wins some free yarn but the most important part to me is that the winner gets a lot of recognition. The yarn must be used in an original pattern and submitted by the end of this month. I decided that I would like to try my hand at this, so I bought the Chadwick yarn from a local shop near me [Knit Happens www.knithappensaz.com]. I played with several ideas for a while but kept coming back to the one I set aside last week - the one that is cabled on one side and  ribbed on the other side. I decided to see what I could do with it. I had written down the directions as I had knit the design, but now I captured the design on graph paper.

Not a real clear photo, but this is my original swatch where this side has cables and the other side is ribbing only.

I then graphed my calculations for the cast on stitches needed to make a scarf the length I could get from one or two skeins of the yarn. That was the other requirement of the contest. Only two skeins, max, could be used for the original designed pattern. Then I had to graph the ribbing for the rows that built the cables. There needed to be two rows of ribbing following each of the two rows of cabling. This allowed each cable to have a nice rounded look to it. Because the first cable row started before the second one, there were actually three ribbing rows between each cable pattern stitch. This happily carried over to the second cable row, too.

I spent several days working the pattern design on graph paper so that the cables were not parallel to each other even though they were aligned together. What that means is that one cable starts in one row a little before the two cables on either side of it. So there is alternating start points for each row of cabling. Sorta looks like this...

I        I            I            I            I
    I           I            I            I

Cables and Ribs on both sides, the graphing notes, and the written directions.
 In this pattern  the cables all start on the same row. They do not alternate.

I swatched the pattern first with alternating ribs and cables on both sides. I knit the first four rows after casting on 37 stitches. The graph was pretty accurate but I was glad I had used a pencil. I did find several changes were necessary as I knit what I had graphed. I fine-tuned my cable pattern and was pleased with the results initially. But after the swatch was a good bit larger, I evaluated the pattern a little more closely and realized that the garter edging wouldn't work at all. I liked it for the ends of a scarf, but ribbing pulls tighter than garter stitch and so the sides were not straight as I would like. So I garter stitched four more rows and bound off the swatch. It is now part of my files, set aside to be used another time for another possible project. If used for a scarf, I will begin and end the edging with ribbing.

Cables on one side and ribbing on the other side. There are five rows of ribbing before the first cable row.

                                             
Also, since I didn't really feel that the cables were clearly seen on the other swatch as I wanted; I swatched another sample with the cables on one side and the ribs on the other, as I had done before. This time I re-calculated the graph using a starting rib instead of the garter stitch. I knit a k1, p1 rib for five rows before starting the cable pattern. The results were wonderful. I liked it well enough I decided my project would be to make a scarf (6" X 48"). But as I worked with the swatch, I knew that I wanted something that would display the two patterns at the same time. I didn't really want to scarf to be different on each side. So when I joined my friends for our knitting session at the yarn shop I asked for some ideas for my kind of pattern. It was suggested that I knit a Mobius, which when worn shows the pattern from the front and the back because of the "infinite" way the design is knit. The piece is twisted in such a way that there appears to be no beginning or ending to the pattern but a continuous line. In my  mind, I saw plainly that the pattern I had designed would work well with the Mobius, so I decided to make that.

The next day, I went to another yarn shop [Tempe Yarn & Fiber www.tempeyarn.com] and started the casting on for the Mobius. I had to recalculate my cast on stitches to accommodate the length of the scarf rather than the width. My first and second swatches were for a scarf measuring only 6" wide. But the Mobius deals with the length, which I wanted to be about 48-56" long. So instead of casting on the 37-39 stitches of the other swatches, the Mobius was 312 stitches. That is it was until I discovered that the continuous circle would require an additional cable pattern that was up and not down. The flat scarf has a pattern that started and ended with a down cable so it would be balanced on both edges of the length of the scarf. But since the Mobius is a continuous twisting circle, the ends would meet and the pattern run right into itself. Well I didn't want two cables that matched next to each other, so I had to configure another up cable to rest between the two down cables, which then balanced the whole thing. The pattern is an 8-stitch repeat, so I cast on 320 stitches, which worked out perfectly, but seemed to take forever to get from the first stitch to the last. Whew!!!

I had never knit a Mobius before - only crocheted this pattern using a foundation chain. I thought all I needed to do was twist the initial first row once it was finished joining the two ends together. But I didn't know that it was the cast on row that is twisted. So after using a knit cast-on for 320 stitches and then ribbing those same stitches through the back loops, I get to the ends for twisting and discover that the ribs won't match because they are not on the same level any longer. Think about it. The untwisted ribs are face up. The twisted end is now face down. There is no way to join them smoothly and continue in the pattern. Whoa...what to do now? I remembered that Cat Bordhi teaches a Mobius cast on on one of her You-Tube videos. So I pulled out all 640 stitches and went home.

I watched the video and learned the technique for a Mobius cast on. It is somewhat like a Provisional cast on and I completed all 320 stitches on my circular needles - size 47". Good thing, too, because all the needle cable was used. Now I learned another fact. The Mobius is NOT what I expected when I envisioned my pattern in a "twisted" scarf. Yes the Mobius is twisted but the pattern is worked from the center of the scarf out, not from one edge to the other. As the pattern is knitted in what appears to be a normal row of stitches, it goes around one way and then back up the other, thus a center line. A flat scarf starts on one end and builds up. I also discovered that while I had the length I desired with the flat scarf, the Mobius (being a circle) is only half that length. Duh! So my flat scarf would hang longer. The Mobius would be tighter. But rather than start over AGAIN, I chose to keep the measurements because a rib stitch will stretch and then spring back into shape. That means it will pull over the head easily and then fit snug around the neck. [At least that is the plan.]

Also by now, I was determined to see if my pattern would look good twisted. What my pattern did was move around the circle from the middle outward. So looking at the scarf (or now cowl) laid flat against the table, there are cables at the top from the middle and ribbing at the bottom from that same middle. But turn that piece over and the pattern reverses - the cables are at the bottom from the middle with the ribbing at the top. Really weird!!! I honestly don't think I could have planned that design. This just sorta happened by accident with me just trying to see what would happen if I did this or that. I like it, though.

Mobius
See the twist in the pattern as it knits around the needles? See the middle starting line and how the pattern knits away  from it? On the other side, the rib is behind the cable and the cable behind the rib; but the pattern looks the same with a cable on one side of the middle and the rib on the other side. Weird, huh?

I think I am going to finish the Cowl - yes I believe that is what this is - and submit it for the contest. I may, if I have enough time, knit a "twisted" scarf, which will show the cables on one side and the ribbing on the other, (at least I think that is what will happen) much more like the flat scarf I first started and will finish later. I am considering submitting it, too.

Each pattern is to be submitted on Ravelry and the public gets to vote on which submitted projects they like best. Me? I just think this will be fun and has already proven to be a good teaching/learning experience for me. Funny! What started out with me designing one pattern has evolved with me putting my design into three different applications. Kinda neat!!

Changing My Mind

I went to the Phoenix PGA Golf Open yesterday and had so much fun with KaTie. We followed one group of three men - Flores, Noh, and Blixt. I don't follow golf and don't know much about it. But it was fun to be on the course and walk around the greens. It was interesting to see all the different people in the crowds. But both KaTie and I were quite glad when we finally left, because we WERE tired. We shared lunch at the Wildflower Bread Company. I enjoyed a wonderful bowl of Vegetarian Sweet Potato Bisque with 1/2 an Almond Tuna Sandwich while KaTie ate a Cob Salad. We did a little shopping at Kohl's and then came home totally satiated.

But the day wasn't over, so I sat down to work on my projects. I had decided to start a new Gift project. This one required crocheting, so I got out the yarn and all my supplies. I designed a pattern and started crocheting. I only got pass the first 1/4 of the design when I realized that I would not have enough yarn to complete the project. Silly me. I just didn't pay attention to that detail, one I really would have recognized as a problem if I had paid more attention. I also discovered that I didn't like the yarn for this project either. So now what to do? I decided to set this project aside and give it some more thought. I really prefer to use yarn I already have in my stash rather than go and purchase new yarn. This project, if I want to make it, will require purchasing new yarn to have enough. Right now I don't want to do that. So I unwound all the work I had completed and went to bed.

Now this morning I perused my patterns and decided to start another project that will use yarn I have in my stash quite well. I am improvising the pattern a little, but basically will make it just as printed. I will probably use this as a gift, but I like the pattern and the yarn, so it may end up in my wardrobe. Won't know until I finish it and try it on. Either way, it will be useful.

I am also changing my mind about this blog. I want it to be a journal of my experiences in becoming a designer, assuming that happens this year. But I also want to be me and share what is really happening with me. So I am including lots more about me rather than just knitting or crocheting. So you will probably become more familiar with those I love most. Emma-Leigh, my granddaughter, is my inspiration. She read my blog and really appreciated the more intimate nature of it rather than just details and information. So I am going to follow my heart and include more of me in my blog.

Steve is gone today, which leaves me free to work on my projects for the whole day. I will probably start this new project and then pick up the Shell later. I am excited about both right now and looking forward to seeing how this new project responds to my choice of yarn. It is an old pattern from Plymouth Yarn and the recommended yarn can no longer be purchased from them. So it will be interesting to see if my choice of yarn, a close match, will work. I had given this yarn to KaTie the other day because she wanted to make a vest like one I had already finished. She didn't have any yarn and this was the only one I had with the amount needed. When she tried using it, she didn't like it and returned it to me. As soon as I saw the pattern I am using, I knew the returned yarn would be perfect for it. I love the creative nature of my art. At first glance you think you only have a skein of yarn in your hands, but that yarn can become anything that can be imagined. KaTie could have used it for one thing and that yarn would have been transformed into a vest. But I looked at the same yarn and saw a wrap instead. This ability to see something from a "nothing" allows us to share in God's creative nature. Thank you, Lord. I love it.

BTW - I did write down all the directions for the pattern I created yesterday. It is still available for me to use for another future project. I am still searching for just the right yarn to use for it. So stay tuned....It is sure to become a project later.

Hey, I just found out that there are a lot of free patterns on Lion Brand Yarns web page. Here is the link:
www.LionBrand.com. You can print them or download them as pdf files.

I was also reading a magazine "Military Spouse" and found an article about knitting. I was pleased to read this one page article written by Janine Boldrin, an army spouse who knits. She wrote, "Over the past decade, knitting has become popular among Hollywood stars, including Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz." She also shared, "Research by the Craft Yarn Council of america (CYCA) shows a 150 percent increase in the number of women ages 25-34 who were knitting and crocheting between 2002 and 2004. The Internet has become a hotspot for sharing patterns and getting new project ideas." I do know that because I use the Internet for posting my projects and for this blog. I also find lots of free patterns and numerous ideas for other designs. So knitting and crocheting isn't just for the grammas. It is a very useful craft and art. Janine also commented, "According to research by the Benson-Henry Institute, knitting is one of several meditative techniques that can create a "relaxation response". The institute's extensive studies show that repetitive movement, such as those associated with knitting, can be useful in countering the harmful effects of stress." So there you have it. Another good reason to pick up the knitting needles or crochet hooks. You can release your tensions while making something for yourself or another.

I made great progress on the new Gift project. I have it started and at a place in the directions where I can put it down, pick it up later, and not be confused about where I am with it. I posted the project on Ravelry and will keep it updated as I progress.

Right now I am knitting the Shell again. I want to see how much progress I can make before Steve comes home this evening or before I go to bed - one of the two.

I have completed 16 rows, which makes the Shell 6 1/2 inches long now. That leaves 8 1/2 inches to knit. I leave that for another time. Steve isn't home yet, but I am ready for bed, so we know which of the two options I am choosing. Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Hold Your Ears While I Shout

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I finished the gift project - The Hot Water Bottle Cover. I have it posted on Ravelry.com under my name dteresasimmons. I decided that I would keep it for myself rather than give it as a gift, since I had a naked hot water bottle and I really like the colors of the chosen yarns. So this first gift project is a gift to me.

I improvised this pattern from one in a book by Chrissie Day. I chose to use a cast on and bind off that left no seams to finish. The Turkish cast on creates a finish like that in the toe of a sock. Knitting the cover on two circular needles allowed me to have seamless sides. Then I cast off by picking up a stitch and knitting it together with the first stitch originally on the needle. The bind off then left a smooth seamless edge. I am very pleased with the finished product. See for yourself what it looks like.

The finished edge from a Turkish cast-on.

The finished edge using a pick-up stitch and knit two together with a bind  off.

The I-cord drawstring through the eyelets.

The finished product covering the hot water bottle.

I am now ready to start the next gift project. I have gotten all my supplies together and will start it tonight after I finish the day. I will be meeting my friend, KaTie in 1/2-hour to go to the PGA golf tournament meeting here in Phoenix. We will spend the day watching the tee-offs and the hole-to-hole plays. I will be quite ready to sit down and relax after walking all day. This will be my first time to attend the conference, which is held here each year. Steve will be driving a limo all day transporting different ones to the event. KaTie and I will be driving ourselves and paying for the parking. At least we won't need to tip the driver or pay those expensive "let's rent a limo" costs.

Because my next gift projects will actually be given away as gifts, I will not be giving too much information about them. My sister, Rita [the one who guessed the mystery gift - the hot water bottle cover], is very sharp and would probably discover this secret, too. So, "mum is the word". I may choose to give clues to see if anyone can reveal the secret just to keep it fun. We will see.........

Moving Right Along

I finished the ribbing for the back today. I set myself a goal to finish the last 10 rows before my friend Ewa came to go walking with  me. We set aside Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for walking each week. We set a pretty good pace together and walk at least 2 miles each time. Lately we have been carrying old dry bread with us and feeding it to the ducks, birds, and geese that inhabit the five lakes behind me. I had finished my Bible study earlier and sat down to knit until it would be time to meet with Ewa. Hooray...I finished before she arrived. Now I am knitting the stockinette rows until the piece measures fifteen inches. Then I begin shaping the armholes. That fifteen inches will be complete at row 101. So the 20 rows of ribbing, plus row 21 - the increase row, leaves me only 80 more rows to the shaping. Should go pretty fast. Steve is resting right now before dinner, so I will see how many rows I can complete before we eat. Then I will set this project aside and make more progress on the hot water bottle cover.

Managed to get 4 1/2 inches complete.

Almost finished with the hot water bottle cover. Have five rows left to knit and then the drawstring to finish it. I am very tired of knitting right now. So I am off to bed and to watch a movie with my honey. Tomorrow I hope to meet with The Needlers and I will knit the Cardigan during our two our social/knitting time.

Happy knitting to you and to all a good knit.
Goodnight from the wishful knitter.