Eeeee!

That's what I said when I saw that the yarn store had the color I wanted!  My 15yo cracked up.  She didn't know I'd been dreaming and hoping desperately that it would be there, thinking that it might not.  I also found beads to knit onto the dreaded "nursing cover"/wide scarf.  I think it's going to turn out well.  I've had a happy/content feeling ever since Friday (eeeee) night.

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick...

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul"

                                       ~Proverbs 13

Switching Tactics

I'm wrapping up my blue projects and hope to be purchasing pink yarn in the very near future!  We found out the latest baby is a girl.  Some of the blues will go to the midwife's new grandson and some will be saved for future gifts.

I have been able to bind off several projects but am still looking for the camera!

Mohair... who knew?

I just found out what fiber I am.

Mohair – A smooth, polished surface“Mohair is warmer than wool, with larger, flatter scales that contribute to an overall silky-smooth appearance. The fiber absorbs dye readily and, thanks to that smooth surface, reflects it back brilliantly.” –The Knitter’s Book of Yarn

"Mohairs are positive and confident. You always strive to make a good first impression because you are a proud person, and you care a good deal about what people think of you. You are careful with your words and are always tactful. You enjoy having a broad base of support and respect from those whom you come in contact. You attract this with your warm, sunny, and inquisitive personality."

What fiber are you? Find out here.

Knit vs. Crochet

I began my yarn crafting career as a crocheter. Now that I've learned to knit, it seems I do that almost exclusively. If I were to start my career over, I wouldn't change a thing. Learning to crochet in the beginning trained me to hold the yarn in my left hand (I'm right handed). I've since learned that this is a more efficient way to hold the yarn for knitting (aka, continental). Here's an excellent video that explains it: Since I am both a knitter and crocheter, I've complied my own personal list of reasons why I would choose a project in one method or the other. Knit, Pros:

• Seems to take less yarn for the same projects.
• Seems to be a little quicker.
• Many garments (clothing) look better when knit.
• Two basic stitches: knit and purl. Sure, there are varieties, but once you know how to do those two, the rest is pretty simple.

Knit, Cons:

• Learning to hold a needle in each hand AND the yarn.
• Cost. You really must budget more for knitting than crochet. In the beginning it seems every project has a different type of needle (straight, circular, double point); and then, there are stitch markers, cable stitch holders, storage cases for needles, etc. Then, different types of needles (bamboo, wood, metal) work better with different types of yarn (cotton, wool, silk, acrylic, etc.) I wish someone had told me to buy circular needles when I was starting out. They are so much more practical. They hold your project on the cable and you don't lose a needle when you set it down amongst your other projects.

Crochet, Pros:

• Hook in one hand, yarn in the other.
• Once you have a set of hooks, there's nothing else to purchase (besides yarn). My grandmother started me out on Susan Bates and I've not found any others that please me as much.
• Usually looks very "homey" and warm... like you want to wrap up in it and sit by the fire. I've been making baby blankets in large granny squares lately. I don't use it for much else now, except blankets.
• Like knitting, is making a comeback (even for garments) =).

Crochet, Cons:

• Takes more yarn for similar items.
• Slower.

I know that this list is very personal. I wouldn't expect anyone else to have the same reasons for knitting or crocheting, but sometimes it's fun to learn others' reasons.