Ludicraft

Learning Cables, Part 2

2012-05-22T12:45:00.002-04:00

After knitting those swatches last week, I decided to do a simple project involving cables: a scarf. I found an easy pattern on Ravelry, and hunkered down with some yarn that I otherwise had no idea what to do with.

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far. It’s a simple pattern to memorize, and I would recommend it for anyone who wants to learn cables. I recommend using a pattern with straight needles to start with has not to get a jumbled up with a circular or DPN’s. At least that’s what seems to be helping me out.

I’m still having a little trouble juggling my regular needles with the cable needle, but I’m getting better at it. It’s all about practice.

Learning Cables

2012-05-18T16:12:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday I got six pain management shots in my back. Yeah, it is as fun as it sounds. Last time, it was eight.

Later, after all the sedation and had worn off, I found myself on the couch watching daytime TV, as that was pretty all I was allowed to do that day. I was restless, so I decided to teach myself a new knitting technique.

Cables! They always scared me. How do they twist? What makes them do that? How on earth am I going to manage them? I had cable needles, so I decided to take the plunge. I grabbed some yarn and went for it.

Turns out, easy peasy, at least the basic patterns are. What was I so afraid of?

Now, I still had a little trouble juggling the needles and yarn, but I’ll learn. Practice, practice, practice!

Here are two of the swatches I managed. One is a basic cable, and the other is braid cable. I might tackle a real pattern with cables this weekend or sometime in the near future. Here’s to learning!

Bob the Sweater

2012-05-15T11:24:00.001-04:00

The weather gets warm and what do I do: I knit a sweater! Actually, it’s a summer sweater and made out of an acrylic/cotton blend.

I like this sweater. It’s called Bob and showed up in the Summer 2003 edition of Knitty. I don’t know why it’s called Bob, but it is.

This took me about three weeks or so to complete, which is pretty good for a sweater. It’s a fairly easy pattern to understand, but there is a little math involved since there are raglan decreases.

The one thing I would change about this pattern is my fault, as I would make a smaller size. Otherwise, it’s a nice, fitted sweater. I’m glad I found Bob.

Parachute Cord Crafting

2012-05-07T12:26:00.000-04:00

I had gone into a local crafting store from some beading supplies, and found a panel display for parachute cord crafting, and thought, why not? Sam had been talking about it and to find it readily available at my local A. C. Moore was just a plus. I bought a kit that included some project directions, some extra cord, and was on my merry way.

It’s fun to use! Not only is it utilitarian (you can use it for a lot of practical things), you make some pretty cool stuff from it. Beyond bracelets, you can make key chains, lanyards, dog collars and leashes, and use it for shoelaces.

The only pain about the stuff is that you have to melt the ends after you cut it, so that means playing with fire. Kids, get an adult to fusing and melting steps.

It comes in a lot of colors, besides the military grays, blacks, and greens. Lots of fluorescent colors, I noticed, which seem to be in right now.

What I have done here as an example are two bracelets, both done in what is called the cobra stitch. The first is a two toned cobra stitch bracelet with a plastic clasp. The yellow one is a single cobra stitch with a Celtic knot and loop closure. Beside the bracelets is an example of the parachute cord.

For more information about parachute cord crafting, check out the Pepperell Braiding Company’s web site. Looking around, you can also buy this stuff in bulk and there are a ton of other patterns out there. I will be doing that myself.

Otherwise, here are a few other places to get you started:

Instructables

eHow

Survival Belt

Joining a Guild

2012-05-04T10:44:00.003-04:00

I find myself in a somewhat contemplative mood this morning. There has been something that I had been toying with the idea with for a while, and took the steps to find out more about it. I am interested in joining the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.

The guild is based out of the city where I work, and their craft store is not far from my office. They accept all skills and crafts. I could join for fiber working and/or photography. A yearly membership is $75.00 a year.

I am also thinking about entering their mentoring program for knitting as someone receiving mentoring. I would still have to join for that, but I think it would really expand my skill set.

Readers, what do you think? Should I join up? Think about it more? I’m leaning towards joining, but I’m still hesitant to do so. I need validation! Or someone to talk me out of it. Either works.

Interviewed and Featured!

2012-04-30T16:34:00.000-04:00

I have the proud honor of being selected as So Crafty’s Crafter Spotlight for this week! I am excited to share this with you and want to encourage you to check out So Crafty. I know I push it this site a lot here, but it really is a great resource for all crafters.

Knitting and Crochet Week 2012: Something a Bit Different 3KCBWDAY5

2012-04-27T17:01:00.000-04:00

A moment of knitting zen....

Needles in my hand
Moving through stitches quickly.
Creating is done.

Can you come up with your own knitting haiku?

Knitting and Crochet Week Day 4: A Knitter for All Seasons 3KCBWDAY4

2012-04-26T14:47:00.000-04:00

What to knit for spring. I sort of wrote about this dilemma a few weeks ago, but I have since completed a pretty lace scarf and have decided to start knitting a spring sweater.

Let me introduce you to Bob. Bob showed up as a pattern in Knitty’s Spring 2003 edition and I found the pattern actually on Ravelry. I really only knit my gauge swatch and a few rows last night, so I don’t have much to show for it at this point, but that is how I sort of solved my warm weather knitting dilemma.

Still, more on that dilemma. Looking back last year, I did a lot of small projects, such as hats. I also got a big jump on my Christmas knitting. I know it’s silly to start thinking about the holidays while the weather is warm, but, hey, if you’ve got the time, might as well. That’s one way to deal with warmer weather and what to knit.

Back to Bob. Bob is going to be in an aqua blue color and not knit in the recommended yarn, but rather in the much more affordable for me Lion Brand Cotton Ease. The gauge swatch matched. Bob’s recommended yarn is Rowan’s version of a cotton blend, but that’s a bit out of my price range right now.

This is also a great time to enhance your skills. Why not take a class at your LYS? They would also have plenty of great warm weather patterns for you, too.

My advice to you about warm weather knitting? Keep it small, prepare for the holiday onslaught, and enhance your skill set.

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 2012: Knitting Heroes 3KCBWDAY3

2012-04-25T12:16:00.001-04:00

When I was about eight years old, my grandmother cast on a set of stitches and taught me to purl. It did not go well. After a few tries, I gave up.

I also asked Grandma to knit me an afghan. Knowing what I know now, I was asking her to take on a HUGE job. Still, she did it, and I still have that afghan today.

Fast forward to October of 2010. I bought a kit and some yarn and learned to knit. Little did I know, I was rekindling a family tradition.

My two knitting heroes are my grandmother, Miriam Gottlieb, and her mother, Jenny Keller. These were wonderful gentle women who loved creating beautiful things. I miss my grandmother greatly, and I never got to know my great-grandmother.

Let’s start with Great-Grandma Keller. From what my aunts tell me, this woman was a rockstar knitter. She would knit argyle socks with the thinnest of yarns. I also understand she was a gentle and loving woman who cared for her family.

Her legacy in me? I love knitting socks, and I hope to do argyles in her honor one day. I wish I would’ve been able to meet her, talk to her about knitting and to thank her for instilling her values in the rest of my family.

Grandma Gottlieb was a woman of many talents, besides knitting, but that’s what I’m going to focus on. She was an afghan knitting queen. And I’m not talking just garter stitch here, people. I’m talking lace, tassels, chevrons, the works. Every bed and sofa in her house had an afghan. She would also knit sweaters.

I remember going through supplies when I was little and being fascinated by her brightly colored and eye-catching yarn. Grandma was also an acrylic goddess. That’s what all her afghans were knitted out of.

She also used wool a lot, especially for sweaters. I inherited one of her wool sweaters from one of my aunts. It was a gray cabled sweater. I loved wearing it. And I love wool today.

I miss my grandmother so much. She passed away from cancer in 1996. She is one of the reasons why I knit chemotherapy hats for cancer patients.

Her legacy in me? Where do I begin?! Besides also raising a wonderful family, she was one of the most stable and loving people I’ve ever had in my life. And I knit her memory.

My aunts often tell me that both of these women would have been proud of me, as they both are. That makes me feel wonderful and happy that I’m rekindling a family tradition.

I’m going to stop before I cry now.

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week Photography Challenge: 3KCBWDAY2

2012-04-24T10:56:00.003-04:00

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 2012 3KCBWDAY1: Color Lovers

2012-04-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

I have a very distinct taste in colors, but when I look through my stash, I see all colors. Some I have purchased myself, some I've found, some have been given to me.

Two colors seem to dominate my stash and projects, though, and that would be blue and green. I've even inadvertently bought skeins and balls that have been very similar to each other at different times. For example, take a look at the two Liberty Wool hat and the Knit Picks Chroma WIP that were purchased at different times and yet are similar.

Knit Picks

Plymouth Wool

See what I mean? And these shades of blue and green dominate my work. Always that bright green with sky blue, aqua, and a dash of yellow.

I'm not sure what it is about these colors. Perhaps it is the way they make me feel. There is something comforting in these hues. Besides complimenting each other in the color wheel, they are also found together in nature: green grass, blue sky, yellow sun. They are the ideal colors for my ideal sunny day.

These are colors that I love. And I feel like they love me back. I wear them, I knit with them, I enjoy them. They make me feel good about myself and the world around me.

Knitting Community I Like

2012-04-20T16:44:00.003-04:00

I have recently discovered Reddit and the wonderful knitting community that they have there. I recommend you check them out. Read the rules before posting anything, though. I have found the other subscribers and admins there to be quite nice. It's a thriving community.

Knittit on Reddit

Wordless Wednesday: Jellies

2012-04-18T15:52:00.000-04:00

Photography Article on So Crafty!

2012-04-14T13:18:00.001-04:00

I've said it time and time again, I LOVE it when photography and crafting, two of my loves, come together. So Crafty recently published an article I wrote about the subject. Please, check it out! If you want to see my original blog post about photography and crafting, take a look here.

Sick

2012-04-13T16:20:00.002-04:00

I have been sick, but am better now. I was laid up with a cold/flu for a few days. During that time, though, I did get a lot of knitting done during that time. The lacey scarf below got a few more inches. A video game-themed hat I’m knitting for my DH also got some length on it, too. Sam is a HUGE Legend of Zelda fan, so he asked me to knit him a hat styled after Link’s. I am, and even found a pretty close color for it in my stash.

Despite that, I really was feeling crummy. Healthy knitting is much better than sick knitting.

Stumped, to an extent.

2012-04-10T16:36:00.000-04:00

I hope that you all had a wonderful Easter! I did. I got to see how my baby cousin has grown, and spend time with my relatives. During my day off on Good Friday, I even managed to get some good finds at GoodWill. It does pay to check in there from time to time!

I had this problem last year, and I have it again. When the weather gets warm, what do I knit?! I don’t want to start a sweater. Chunky hats and scarves are out of the picture for a few months. What’s next? I started a fingering lace scarf in KnitPicks Chroma. Very nice yarn. Here's my progress. I’ll post the completed project here when it’s done.

What do you knit when the weather turns warmer? I’d love to know, because I’m probably going to hit a wall again.

Bunny!

2012-04-04T16:36:00.001-04:00

I knit a bunny! It’s cute, but I knit her weird. Her eyes are skewed, and I didn’t sew her ears on right. Still, a funny bunny is still an adorable bunny. I’m going to give her to my baby cousin Traci as an Easter gift. I named the bunny Clementine.

I used a great FREE pattern on Ravelry.com called Henry’s Rabbit. It’s easy to follow, fast to knit, and you get a very satisfying result. There’s still time to knit one before Easter! Get some Red Heart Super Saver in your favorite bunny color, some US 4 DPN’s, and get knitting!

A Touch of Spring for Tuesday

2012-04-03T14:12:00.000-04:00

It's nice outside today. Go craft outside! Have you ever gotten weird looks for knitting/crocheting/other crafting outside?

Knitting Lessons

2012-03-29T13:42:00.000-04:00

Deb arrived last night with a pair of US 8 needles and a bright multicolored skein of yarn. I was going to teach her how to knit.

Deb’s grandmother had taught her how to cast on and knit Continental style, rather than the English style that I use. As with learning any new craft, it’s best to do what comfortable for you, so she’s going to be Continental knitter, and that might encourage me to learn that style, too.

She’s pretty good! I gave her a ball of Lily’s Sugar and Cream and started her off on a garter stitch washcloth. Basically, I’m going to be showing her how to read a pattern, decreases and increases, and how to fix stuff.

I’m very happy to have a new knitting buddy! Deb and I have been friends since high school, and I’m glad that she’s joining me in knitting. We knit for a while, and then she left to pick up the kids, with needles, yarn, new project, and one of my books in hand.

I told her to look at how to purl with Continental knitting, and then we’ll start a flat hat. It’s getting a little too warm for hats and scarves right now, but they are still good to practice with and can be stored for when the cold weather comes again.

As for myself, I might give Continental knitting a try. Deb says it’ faster, as others who use the style say. What do you think? English or Continental?

Knitting Fear 1: The Shinty Vest

2012-03-28T16:06:00.002-04:00

Berroco’s Shinty Vest. It had haunted me for close to a year now, but I conquered that project and am wearing it today. Here’s what happened and why this is a knitting fear.

Closeup of the vest.

Last year, almost exactly one year, I started a class for this pattern. It was the first garment that I tackled. The classes were fine, but this vest brought me so much frustration. Why? I hadn’t learned to properly read a pattern yet.

Still, I muddled through it and managed to finish the body. Then came the worst knitting fear of them all: picking up stitches for the band. I was so flummoxed and frustrated. I stuffed the project in its bag and left it sit, always in the back of my mind of as an example of what I felt was incompetence.

A few days ago, I picked this vest back up, almost a year after I stopped. I started to pick up stitches with a lot more ease. And reading and comprehending the pattern was a LOT easier. See what difference a year makes?

The lesson? Don’t give up, even if it means putting something down for a long period of time. As you gain more experience as a knitter, things that at one time seemed daunting are now doable. Two fears were conquered with this one: picking up stitches and reading a pattern that I once thought to difficult.

On Deck

2012-03-27T16:41:00.001-04:00

I've got a lot coming up to write about, but I'm still working on the details, so here's what's on deck.

I have been facing a lot of my knitting fears. It’s been an interesting process, to say the least. Over the next couple of days I will be telling you more about those fears and how I’ve been going about facing them.

Second, I have my first knitting student! I’m going to be teaching my friend Deb how to knit! How awesome is that?! Last week, while visiting at my house on Wednesday, she was going through one of my knitting magazines and books, and said, “That’s it. You’re going to have to teach me to knit.”

So, that’s what’s on deck. Oh, and I should have another article up soon on So Crafty. Lots to look forward to!

Driving while knitting?

2012-03-21T12:24:00.001-04:00

You've probably heard this one before, but here's a joke for ya.

A woman sped past a police officer in her car. The officer immediately went off in pursuit. Driving up next to the woman's car, he noticed she was knitting while driving! And not paying attention to the flashing police lights behind her. In an effort to get her to stop and, of course, give her a speeding ticket, he got out his bullhorn and said "Ma'am, pull over!"

"No, it's a scarf," she replied.

(You may groan if you'd like.)

St. Patrick's Day in Boston

2012-03-20T11:16:00.004-04:00

Yes, that is a TARDIS t-shirt.

Yes, yes, I haven’t posted much here lately, but I’d been getting ready for a trip to Boston over St. Patrick’s Day weekend! Hence the silence. This entry has NOTHING to do with crafting, but I still want to tell you all about my fun weekend.

This is our annual trip to meet up with some of our World of Warcraft guildies. We belong to the Browncoats, a great guild full of great people, and it’s so much fun get together with them.

Sam, the DH, and I took the train to Boston. That’s how we got there last year, and it’s a relatively stress-free way of getting there. Anyway, we arrived, our friends Len and Carol picked us up, and off we went!

Friday night was filled with seafood and karaoke. I actually got up and sang! I performed “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers. Most of us did a song, and we all did very well.

Free is always good.

Saturday, we had breakfast at McFadden’s Bar in Boston. We got free t-shirts! After that, we saw the line at The Black Rose. Wow. TONS of people. It is the place to be in Boston in St. Paddy’s Day, though.

The insanity outside The Black Rose

Let me digress for a moment. Boston is INSANE during St. Patrick’s Day. Nuts. Bonkers. Green. Lots of green! And there’s a lot going on, too. The bars are packed, there are street performers, and there was even Irish dancing in the streets in front of Fanuiel Hall.

Ok, back on track. Next, we hit the New England Aquarium. I think I like aquariums better than zoos for some reason. So cool!

Jellies!

Yeah, we're chillin'.

Now, I must say that two of our guildies were not able to join us until later on Saturday. Poor Kris ate some bad seafood and got quite sick. Jason, another guildie and her boyfriend, stayed with her and took good care of her. They did meet up with us later, but we missed them during the rest of the day!

That evening, we had the customary game of Apples to Apples, which I won the first hand. And then was so exhausted that I had to go to bed. Might as well quit while I’m ahead!

Sunday, we had a great breakfast at Johnny’s Luncheonette and said our good-byes. Back to the train. Time to come home. Once a year isn’t enough to see this group of friends.


Carol, Sam, Me, Andy Front: Chris and Len

This is just what happened in a nutshell. Enjoy my whirlwind post and the pictures. See more here if you are interested.

Kris and Jason

For the Horde! For the BROWNCOATS!

Yard Sale Yarn

2012-03-13T19:53:00.000-04:00

I love yard sale yarn. People bring it to me all the time. My boss gave me a bunch she found at a yard sale. My friend Bruce gave me a ton of it for my birthday. My coworker brought some that didn't sell at her yard sale. I gladly take it off their hands.

The quality? Mostly acrylic. Red Heart type stuff, but it's great for charity knitting and when I want something that is going to take a beating. I have made pretty neat stuff from the yarn people have given me.

So, to all who have given me that yarn, I say thank you. Please, if you come across more, you know someone who will take it!

Book Review Published!

2012-03-06T12:16:00.001-05:00

Yay! I was published in So Crafty! Check out my article reviewing a great knitting book. I encourage you to take a look at the web site itself and to support it, as it s a growing online magazine.

Links for 2011-04-14 [del.icio.us]

2011-04-15T00:00:00-07:00

Artwork Portfolio of Jenn Dixon

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2011-02-17T00:00:00-08:00

St. Baldrick's - Participant - Lancaster County Commissioners

Links for 2011-01-20 [del.icio.us]

2011-01-21T00:00:00-08:00

Jenn Dixon's Flickr Photos

Links for 2011-01-05 [del.icio.us]

2011-01-06T00:00:00-08:00

Fractal Art by Jenn Dixon: Home: Zazzle.com Store

Links for 2010-11-08 [del.icio.us]

2010-11-09T00:00:00-08:00

Susan Gottlieb artist, lancaster pa artist

Links for 2010-07-21 [del.icio.us]

2010-07-22T00:00:00-07:00

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1485040
"Dog Smile" is a collection of canine faces and their smiles, with a mixture of other dog expressions mixed in for good measure. If you are a dog lover, this book will put a smile on your face!

Links for 2010-05-12 [del.icio.us]

2010-05-13T00:00:00-07:00