Knitting

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Knitting Project Monogamy

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This has to end. I’m declaring to an end to this. What is “this”? The random, willy-nilly casting on of new projects just because I have that yarn in my stash that would be wonderful knit into this, that or the other thing. Or I’ve come across a new pattern (usually free) that I can NOT live without the knitting of said pattern.

Enough! Take that knitting karma! I’m taking control. So I pledge the following:

1. I will not cast on for any new projects until the 3 that are currently living on my end table are done. All are in a ridiculously “so close to being done” state that I can surely accomplish this by the end of the year. I won’t have to make my forced fast last for too long.

2. I will take control of this ridiculous obsession I have with the fibery goodies. NO NEW CASTING ON! Hear me, Karma? Nothing new shall be cast on until the top of the end table is once again viewable (except the 2nd in the slippers, that doesn’t count).

3. Karma, I’m not sure you’re listening. I’m prepared to deal with you, bring it on, but you will not win with this one! Nothing like a war with myself to get the blood flowing!

There, now I’ve sufficiently jinxed myself and am surely doomed to fail. But I can fix that too. All I have to do is look for another pattern to start.

So, this was found: A free pattern for 3 different Tams, from Knitty! I had seen one made up in pale blues, purples and frosty whites. Gorgeous. And, yes Virginia, you do still have time to whip this up, unless of course you’ve tempted fate like I have and are in bed hiding under the covers!

And, what will be the next project I cast on for after my self-induced fiber famine? The Wisconsin Socks. Nothin’ like hand knit socks in worsted weight up here in N. Michigan!

Another shot to Karma, and most likely a blow to myself… all of my grandchildren (7 counting, I think) shall receive a hand knitted gift from me on their birthday this year, but, seriously, what in the world can you possibly knit for a 13 year old boy??

Comments

  1. 13 year old boy?

    I have a 13 year old cousin that I made the Half Pipe hat for as a Christmas gift. I’ve found that you generally can’t go wrong with a hat for a guy of any age (except my dad who isn’t a hat person).

Have you read?

Knit Little Fish to Use Your Yarn Scraps

I rarely understand why something becomes a trend in crafting. Gnomes and geese are both cute I guess, but I never thought we’d be making them for all seasons. (See, for example, this collection of gnome knitting patterns, or these knit geese.)

Another one I don’t totally understand is sardines or little fish more generally. Sure, they’re cute, and the shape is fun, but I had no idea when I was sharing this pattern for a fish-shaped pouch last year that it would become a hugely popular pattern that people are still searching for on the site. It is pretty cute, though, so if you weren’t around then or don’t remember you should got check it out. 

Recently another fishy knitting pattern crossed my monitor: the little knit fish from Classical Songbird Designs. 

Just as the name suggests, these fish are little, about 4.5 inches or 11 cm from end to end. They look like little sardines and take about 12 yards of sock yarn to make. 

You can even make a two-tone fish and use just 6 yards of each color. 

This sounds to me like just about the perfect use for the yarn that’s left over after knitting a pair of socks, or a mini skein or several that have been sitting around unused in your stash. 

The fish are knit flat in one piece, which makes it easy to stitch on the eyes with more yarn or embroidery floss before stuffing, and you can stitch up the sides while you stuff (though it’s not a very big piece so you could probably stitch and then stuff, finishing with the end of the tail). 

Because I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one wondering, I measured an Altoids box and as the pattern is written the fish are a little too big to fit in it (the box is about 4 inches/10 cm long). But you could make the fish a little smaller if you want to make a box of them. Or just make a fishy bag to put them in!

You can grab the free pattern for the little knit fish at Classical Songbird Designs. 

[Photo: Classical Songbird Designs.]