statements of a fashionable kind
I have been very grateful for a little online thread on Ravelry set up by a fellow knitter and avid fan of Vogue Knitting, coilycurly. This knitter, to honor Vogue Knitting’s 35th anniversary, has set up what she is calling the “Anniversary Challenge”. According to the ‘rules’, contestants are to knit one project from…
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Since being home in retirement, I see, touch, and feel my yarn collection much more than when I was working. In fact, I might even say I avoided looking at my yarn as it seemed to yearn for my attention. Yearning yarn of yesterday has become quite the playmate for today. Corny, but true. Sorting, organizing,…
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This past year, I have made a conscious effort to utilize the growing stash that is forming. I don’t mean the stash of yarn waiting to be worked on with particular projects in mind, I am meaning the remnants or leftovers of yarn from already completed projects. I call the first the stash and the latter,…
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Project as seen on Ravelry, also detailed [HERE] It is typical to find me in my closet of hand knits when I am looking for something to wear. This past week was no different. I pulled out my lovely tri-color tunic I finished about six months, ago. I thought it would be the perfect layer for the weather and proceeded.…
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For a project that pretty much flew off the needles, it is interesting that I have so much to say about it. I have lots to say not due to any pattern issue or yarn dissatisfaction, but rather the changes I made in how I constructed it. From long tail cast on to sewing on the seam…
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I think I have more questions than answers after finishing this project. This will create lingering in my mind. The topic is crochet. This is definitely the most challenging project I have made in crochet as it involved gauge, fit, shaping, and color changing within a row, none of which I am sure I did correctly…
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I want to capture, in writing, some of my thoughts from this last week when I was invited to speak to the Buffalo Knitting Guild’s Membership and be the first of its programming for the 2016/2017 season. The talk was advertised as such: SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 HOW DOES YOUR KNITTING GROW? Presented by Marja Coons-Torn, Holly Olmstead Our Guild President and Vice…
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As Grandmother, I was recently invited to the DC area to babysit grandchildren while very intent parents set up house for their temporary move. (no photos because I never knew how to take care of young ones and be a photographer at the same time) As Mother, I found myself adding a day to that DC trip to hang…
Read MoreFunny, when I notice my frustration regarding housing all things knitting. I am quick to think it is the stash of yarn that needs some kind of attention. Whether it be shelving for the large collection of yarn, or a way in which to organize the yarn, a color coding system, a pattern to fiber system…
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“If only the sleeves were longer.” “If only the neck was loser.” “I wish I had shaped the side seams.” “If only” or “I wish” thoughts are prevalent in the world of hand knitting. They are phrases I very much want to avoid, of course, as they create your beautiful handiwork to have a lot of…
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First and foremost in choosing a project, that project must be wearable in my lifestyle and go with the existing pieces I have in my wardrobe. Of course, I am always looking at new trends in fashion, as I would like to think that even in retirement, I can continue on this quest of always looking…
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If you are a reader of Hollyknits, you know I’ve been talking about a wedding cape I recently made for a daughter of a friend. Also, a former student of mine! Since it is a high risk thing to knit for another, I share tips on how to do so, here. I talk about details of gift giving,…
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