Trying Something New....

I am going thru one of my being "bored" stages and when that happens I regroup my creative energies by challenging myself with a new pattern or learning a new technique. This time, I am trying a new technique. I am trying to learn how to knit using the "modular" technique. This technique uses knitted squares, triangles and diamonds to form articles of clothing or afghans. For the most part, you don't have to pick up stitches to create your finished article if you use Iris Schreier's instructions from her book "Modular Knits." There are other books available using similar techniques. The other book title I have is: "No-Pattern Knits" by Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer. Iris's patterns are just beautiful and using the painted variegated yarns she recommends makes you want to knit her patterns forever. However; the yarns are on the expensive side, and before I "invest" I had better learn the techniques. I have been having trouble learning how to knit this way; but never fear, Iris has a Yahoo group that is more than willing to help you over the impending hurtles, and I subscribed.
I am working on a Baby Blanket that consists of 4 squares, and you only have to pick up stitches once to secure the first and second squares together to complete the finished blanket. Seems like it should be easy, but it wasn't at first. I can make another one now that I know what is involved, but need to finish the one I am working on.
I am not quite finished, but want to show a picture of what I have done so far. Perhaps you might be able to see how seemingly 'complicated' this can be. I hope to be finished in a week and will post the finished blanket for you to see. Hope it turns out alright.... Wish me luck!



In the photo above you can see two completed squares of the blanket. I am knitting a third square in the upper left-hand corner, while the fourth one is waiting 'in repose' on circular needles in the lower right-hand corner of the photo. The yarn I am using is by Red Heart. While I had my camera out and portions of my "working" yarn stash sat close by, I thought I would expose it to the "knitters" viewing this Blog. I don't know about all knitters, but I love looking at yarn. It makes my creative juices roll. These photos represent about one third of my total yarn stash. The other two-thirds will probably never ever be used. Why?? Because the colors might not inspire me anymore, or the texture might not inspire me, etc. Some knitters are fickle like that, and I am definitely one of them. Anyway..... these colors breathe "life" into my soul; therefore I keep them in plain sight each and every day, and keep them next to my chair.

Here is my "natural" fiber stash; wool, cotton, etc.

Here is my acrylic stash...

Here is my combination yarn stash. Some are cottons blended with acrylic; wool blended with acrylic, etc.

Past Knitting Accomplishments........

These are photographs of articles I have knitted over the past few years. Most of the things I have created are for children; babies in particular. Why? Because I taught myself to knit when I was newly married and needed something to do while my husband Charlie was away at night working his part-time job. I think my Creativity opened up during those years. I not only learned to knit; but out of frustration with the 'slowness' of knitting I taught myself to crochet because it 'went' faster, and I taught myself to sew. I stayed with crocheting because it was quite the 'rage' during the 'hippie' years. Women and some men were crocheting hats, vests, mini-skirts and belts. And articles worked up quickly, but as I got older I wanted a more refined look to my work and crochet did not allow that. Yes, there were afghans, etc, but knitting allows you to create a much more tightly woven fabric. So after a period of years and into my fifties I dragged myself back to knitting. Because I wanted quick results, I began knitting baby things. I am more patient now that I am older, and I want to "perfect" my work. I am still learning and increasing my skill level with each article I create; even if I have used the pattern a number of times. So here are the pictures. I hope you enjoy.

Everything I create is given away, either to people and babies I know, or to various Charities around the United States or people in need in other countries. It pleases my spirit knowing that I doing something to help others. And there are a lot of humans in need on this Planet.

This is a wool scarf I knitted that will be sent to Tibet. The pattern uses a newly acquired technique called 'multi directional' knitting. In multi directional knitting you use squares or triangles to create shapes without picking up stitches. It can be 'tricky' and challenging, but it is definitely not 'boring.'

These are felted wool baby mittens that are also going to Tibet this July.

This is a baby sweater knitted a few years ago.

This baby sweater went to a friend's nephew. We are looking at the back of the sweater. I took a plain pattern and 'embellished' it with various colored yarn and made a tic-tack-dough design and sewed handmade clay buttons on the back.




This baby sweater and hat was a gift for a baby in my town last fall.




This baby sweater was knitted and given to a friend's first grandson.




Don't remember who received this baby sweater, but I had fun making it!




Ditto with this baby sweater. I am currently making another one like it in a different color for my deceased husband's great-granddaughter.

A baby scarf for those winter months.....

This was done as an experimental small afghan in the 'Log Cabin' style and is now decorating my Heart-Mate's apartment.



This lovely little baby blanket was given to a cousin's baby last year.



This Toddler's sweater vest was made and given to a friend's nephew.




This Baby Kimono and hat was created for a cousin's first born son last year.




This Baby Car Seat Blanket was created for a neighbor's newborn grandchild last Fall.




These are Baby socks knitted of wool and felted. The other article is a wool head scarf that buttons in the back to hold it in place.



Baby socks, mittens and hat were all made for a baby in my neighborhood last Fall.



This scarf was created for a friend who lives in Rhode Island.



This baby sweater was knitted about three years ago. Don't remember who received it.



This baby sweater was knitted about 5 years ago....




Made this baby cardigan a few years ago......



This is another Baby cabled scarf and hat





This scarf was created for my Aunt who lives in Baltimore, Maryland




I knitted this scarf for ME.....!!!!





This Sweater Vest is my first attempt at knitting a full-sized article of clothing a few year ago, and was given to John, my Heart-Mate.





Don't remember where this was sent.... but it is crocheted.





This is little Ruth Drake wearing one of my hat creations...



Here is another Sweater Vest for John..





I've always enjoyed looking at miniature artwork and envied those who are talented enough to create it. Tired of envying, I tried my hand at it and knitted this miniature sweater last year. I placed a quarter next to it so you can see just how small it is.