Machine Knitting Update

Show and tell time...

First, here's an American Girl Doll sweater, adaped from the All-in-One baby sweater by Marg Coe.


Last week, on the KnittingMachine yahoo group, there was alot of discussion about this sweater and Arlene Hahn's new v-neck version (both available on http://www.dfwmachineknitters.com/Patterns.html). This idea intrigued me, but I don't have any babies to knit for. What I do have is 2 little girls...with little girl dolls. So, I decided to try and adapt the pattern to fit an American Girl doll. This is a leap for me, only 3 months into my machine knitting experience, but I just kept telling myself "It's a doll", and gave myself permission to take chances and make mistakes. I think it turned out great. I'm already thinking about variations, and since I have 2 girls to knit for, I think I'll be doing alot more of these. (This one could stand to be blocked, but I'm an impatient sort. Also, please ignore my 6yo's writing on the doll's dress...you can't take your eyes off them a second ;-)

Next, is my Take-a-Turn sweater from Knitwords.



This was my first real machine knit sweater. There's a knit-along in Ravelry for this sweater. I enjoyed knitting it and learned alot along the way. It was a real challenge, and I'm happy with the outcome. The sleeves are a little short, but I'll definitely wear it. It is made out of 100% llama yarn purchased at Pasa Yarns in Uxbridge, MA (a great place for coned yarn).

...off to knit.

Restarting the blog

Okay, I haven't kept up my end of the deal...actually blogging...LOL. I've been reluctant to add a new post, since I've linked my Improvisation pattern from Ravelry. I don't want it to get lost. But, I'll figure that out.

There's been so much going on in my knitting life. I just have to start writing about it. In April, I made the decision to pursue my Master Knitter certification through the TKGA. I got my materials for Level I on April 29, worked through it and returned it for judging the first week of June. I was on a mission. I knew some people take months, if not years, to complete a level, probably because life interferes. But I wanted to get it out. I have a goal of designing a real sweater in 2008, and I think the Master Knitter program will help me reach that goal.

Once my Level I submission was out the door, I turned my attention to the fancy knitting machine sitting covered in the corner of my bedroom. I bought it in 1999, brand new, top of the line. I took a few lessons from the dealer, and then found out I was prego with my 1st child. Somehow the machine just got backburnered at that point. It sat mocking me in the corner of my bedroom. Actually, truth be told, I just ignored it. I didn't even notice it was there. Now and then, I'd have to tell my kids to leave it alone, but other than that, it was invisible.

So, in June this year, I decided to finally unearth it. I have had so much fun with it. Surprisingly, I remembered alot of the stuff I had learned in those lessons 9 years ago. I've completed a few items, most significantly a full adult-size sweater (I'll cover in another blog entry). I also bought 3 plastic bed machines on Craig's list, and I must say that I'm tempted to buy every machine I see on Craig's list.

Well, the TKGA committee returned my Level I submission in late June, pretty quick turn-around. There were just a few things I needed to resubmit -- 3 swatches and 2 questions. Not too bad. But, by then, I was knee-deep in machine knitting. This week, I did the swatches and next week I hope to finish the questions and get it back out the door. (Now that the kids are back in school...)

Wow, I can see that there's a lot of blogging to catch up on. I will try to do that soon.

Now...go knit!