Just wanted to make a quick post to say that I'm still here! I am excited by the response to the patterns I have posted so far, and I have several new designs in the works.
Some of these new designs are actually ready and waiting to be posted. However, I've been having some trouble with my digital camera that has prevented me from getting any pictures up. When this issue is resolved, I'll post my new patterns both here and on Ravelry.
Speaking of Ravelry, did you know that I am making all the patterns I post here available as free Ravelry downloads there? All you have to do is go to Ravelry and download the PDF to your computer. All of the patterns I've posted on the blog have been made available in PDF format for your viewing, printing and e-reading pleasure. Links are on the way.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
New Doctor Who Themed Gloves
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Knitting with Recycled Yarns
While it has been a long wait due to holiday confusion throughout the postal system, I have finally received my big bag of recycled yarn from Smart Monkey Refurbished Yarn, an Etsy seller who deals in unraveled sweaters. I have never knit with recycled yarn before, but its low price compared to new yarn excited me, so I decided to give it the old college try.
I am impressed with the yardage most of all. It's a full sweater's worth of 100% wool yarn, approximately 1,104 yards, for about $40. An equal amount of new wool yarn can cost twice as much if not more. Saving that much money is fabulous. Recycled yarn allows knitters with limited budgets, like me, to attempt larger projects that they otherwise would not be able to afford.
There are also the environmental benefits of reusing yarn, which are obvious enough that I don't feel the need to discuss them at length here, but I will mention them all the same. Reusing materials instead of buying new materials keeps stuff out of the landfill a little bit longer, and has an impact on the pollution that results from manufacturing.
Style-wise, reusing the yarn from thrift store sweaters is actually much better than simply buying second hand clothing and re-wearing it because you can create a new, stylish looking article of clothing instead of wearing clothes that appear dated. That is really something excellent. It opens up new possibilities for people who would never want to wear the hideous, ratty, old sweaters they see at the thrift store.
I must say, however, that the appearance of this recycled yarn is not the same freshness that one would expect from brand new yarn, and the hand of the yarn is pretty harsh. I wouldn't go so far as to complain about those things. It falls within the realm of the expected. The fact is that when you buy an unraveled commercially knit sweater you never really know what you're going to get, but you can probably expect that the wool will not be of the "nice and soft" variety that you might find at your local yarn shop. Still, I can knit with it and it will not shred my hands, and I will have enough yarn to knit for a long time at a fraction of the cost of new.
There is one thing that I will complain about, though. Colorfastness, or rather the lack thereof. I may have to treat this yarn to a nice vinegar bath before I continue knitting with it because the dye is rubbing off on my hands and my needles. Since the yarn is in shades of black and grey, my hands look like they are covered in soot after I have spent about half an hour knitting with it which is very undesirable. It is easily fixable, though.
When I finish my recycled yarn project, I will post pictures!
I am impressed with the yardage most of all. It's a full sweater's worth of 100% wool yarn, approximately 1,104 yards, for about $40. An equal amount of new wool yarn can cost twice as much if not more. Saving that much money is fabulous. Recycled yarn allows knitters with limited budgets, like me, to attempt larger projects that they otherwise would not be able to afford.
There are also the environmental benefits of reusing yarn, which are obvious enough that I don't feel the need to discuss them at length here, but I will mention them all the same. Reusing materials instead of buying new materials keeps stuff out of the landfill a little bit longer, and has an impact on the pollution that results from manufacturing.
Style-wise, reusing the yarn from thrift store sweaters is actually much better than simply buying second hand clothing and re-wearing it because you can create a new, stylish looking article of clothing instead of wearing clothes that appear dated. That is really something excellent. It opens up new possibilities for people who would never want to wear the hideous, ratty, old sweaters they see at the thrift store.
I must say, however, that the appearance of this recycled yarn is not the same freshness that one would expect from brand new yarn, and the hand of the yarn is pretty harsh. I wouldn't go so far as to complain about those things. It falls within the realm of the expected. The fact is that when you buy an unraveled commercially knit sweater you never really know what you're going to get, but you can probably expect that the wool will not be of the "nice and soft" variety that you might find at your local yarn shop. Still, I can knit with it and it will not shred my hands, and I will have enough yarn to knit for a long time at a fraction of the cost of new.
There is one thing that I will complain about, though. Colorfastness, or rather the lack thereof. I may have to treat this yarn to a nice vinegar bath before I continue knitting with it because the dye is rubbing off on my hands and my needles. Since the yarn is in shades of black and grey, my hands look like they are covered in soot after I have spent about half an hour knitting with it which is very undesirable. It is easily fixable, though.
When I finish my recycled yarn project, I will post pictures!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
More Knitted Bracelet!
I'm not doing much today because it's New Year's eve, but I did work on some photos. Here's a look at another of my bead knitted bracelets:
Above is a detail shot of the middle. This bracelet is made of black cotton thread with yellow striped seed beads. At left, you can see my wrist! The smaller bracelet is the one I wear all the time. This style of bracelet ties at the wrist, and does not have a clasp. The ties are long, so it's very adjustable.I'm done for the day. Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
New Knitted Bracelets!
For the past couple weeks, I have been working on my new line of knitted bracelets. Unfortunately, I managed to break my digital camera during that time, so it has taken me a little while to get pictures. I have listed the first one on Etsy today! I am considering opening up a new shop for just the bracelets. I am starting to think that my Etsy shop is looking a little bit jumbled together.
Please bear with me while I get used to my new camera. I love my new camera, but I've got a few things to learn about using it.
So far, all the bracelets I've knitted have been one of a kind items, but I am considering writing down some patterns so that others can try it. These are tiny needle knits, so it's not a project for everyone, but I find knitting jewelry quite fulfilling. It's much more interesting than all those scarves I used to knit and sell!
In other news, I have ordered myself a foam head from an Ebay seller. Yes, I know that strickly speaking "Etsians" are supposed to be all anti-Ebay. I don't really care. I just want to take some pictures of my hats, and I am so excited that it will be happening soon!
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