BinaTKnits is Turning One Today!

>One year ago I made the leap and opened my very own etsy shop: binatknits.etsy.com.  To celebrate my one year anniversary, I have Clearanced a couple of items.

Check out the BinaTKnits Facebook page for links to those listings.

XOXO Cozy Giveaway!

To celebrate my anniversary, and to give back a little love that everyone has given me! I am giving away my XOXO peachy coffee cozy to one lucky person.

To enter for the giveaway, please comment here, or on the BinaTKnits Facebook Page about what you would like to see from my etsy shop in the next year.

I will draw a random winner April 9th, 2011.

iPad and Knitting

I am fortunate enough to be the happy owner if an Apple iPad (and by the end of the month an Apple iPhone) I love using it to help me along my knitting journey.

Podcasts

Being a fan of talk radio I really love the idea of listening to knitting Podcasts. I started listening to the KnitPicks podcast while on a road trip and it really helped make the trip go quick, and I learned a lot about knitting fibers and history along the way.  The downside to this podcast though is that it is brand specific, and sometimes the soundtrack with the barking dog can be a bit much.

I started listening to the Cast-On Podcast this weekend and I AM IN LOVE!!! I love how it how a poetic feel to it and that on iTunes it is listed under the Philosophy category.  This podcast started in 2005, which means I have a lot of catching up to do, but I know I am going to love doing it, I can not recommend this pod cast enough.

If anyone out there knows of another good podcast let me know I would love to check it out!

Audio Books


Knitting has really cut into my reading time, so I am so thankful for audio books.  I recently bought At Knit’s End Meditations for Women who Knit Too Much By Stephanie Peal-McPhee on audio book and really have enjoyed listening to it.  It does read more like a coffee table book with the short stories and quotes, but I love it is something I could listen to over and over and enjoy it every time.

Apps

I haven’t bought a lot of Apps for knitting, I am worried about spending the money then not liking the App, wish I could try it before I buy it.

I do have pdf-notes (free) which is GREAT for pdf patterns.  It has the feature to high light and make notes as you go, great way to keep your place in patterns.

I am curious about the Ewe Stash (2.99) because it is a yarn stash organizer.

I also have the Vogue Knitting Magazine app and bought the Spring/Summer issue to try it out, there is a video feature that allows you to view every pattern on a model who shows you what the item looks like from every angle.  I love the interactiveness of magazines on the iPad.

Let me know if you know of any good Apps, or knitting audio books I could download.  Or just let me know how you are using new technology with you knitting 🙂

Indecisive knitting

>I Am a Project Knitter With a Bad Case of Knitting ADD

One of my most favorite things about knitting is that no two people knit alike.  Whether it be how you hold your needles, or just what part of the knitting process you are in love with, no one is exactly the same.  I have discovered that I am definitely a “project knitter”, meaning I knit to finish projects, that is why knitting accessories is my favorite thing to do right now, instant gratification.  I wish I could be someone that just enjoys the process of knitting, someone who knits just to knit, but the thought of taking months to complete a big project, like a sweater, is so overwhelming that I can’t get past it to just cast on and enjoy it.

Another aspect that gives me some problems is what Stephanie Pearl-McPhee calls “Startitis”, I am constantly seeing new projects that I want to start that I struggle with finishing the old projects.  This ultimately leaves me with a pile of started projects that I ultimately tear out weeks, or even months, down the road.  That is why I am thankful for my Google calendar to keep me on track and reminded me of the projects that need finishing before beginning anything new.

I Have Been Knitting Wrong This Whole Time!!!

One thing that I have recently learned is I haven’t been knitting correct over the past year was my knit stitch.  When I taught myself how to knit, I was able to grasp the difference between knit and purl by remembering they were exact opposites of each other, to me that meant purl in the front, knit in the back, so this whole time I have been knitting through the back of the loop.

This method is not always incorrect, what it does is causes the stitch to be twisted.  So now I have been trying to kick the habit and knit correctly from the front of the loop, a year long habit is hard to break.

New and Almost “Frogged” Projects: 

Right now I have put down my triangle scarf, I am not sure I like how the bulky yarn is taking to the pattern, I am also not a huge fan of the double decrease that it calls for.

I am thinking I might try crocheting one first, like this pattern from www.knitpicks.com:   

I have also started a lacy beret/beanie that is going pretty quick, but I am not finding it near at satisfying as I had hoped.

Completed Projects!

In good news, I finished, and gifted, the Green Baroness Beret I knitted.  

And am looking forward to seeing some of my knitted projects in amazing photographs by Jen Hebert Photography in the future! 

So I don’t have near as many unfinished projects as I thought. 

Current projects

>Just a couple pictures of my current projects:

Baby “sleep sack”:

The beginnings of a triangle scarf:

Beginning of another Baroness Beret:



Spring Cleaning

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Spring in Wyoming means spring cleaning inside.  The weather usually isn’t nice enough to do anything outside until after Memorial Day, so I have started a little spring cleaning in my yarn stash.  This is my cleaned up yarn basket (yes I only have one, and have worked hard at keeping that way).

In addition to getting everything organized, I decided to keep better electronic records of my yarn stash instead of having to rumage through my basket for something I can use on a new pattern, I can use Microsoft Access 2010 to take a better look.  This also helps not to grab a skien that is already assigned a project.  I hate when I go to start a project and the yarn is already used up. 

And to help me keep on track, I have a private Google Calendar:

Now I just have to make time to get through my left overs:

March things I love!

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I recently purchased some new needles through www.knitpicks.com.  I ordered the interchangeable harmony wood needles in a size 9, and a couple 32 inch cables.  I also ordered size 9 and size 8 DPNs in the harmony wood needles.  I am not the hugest fan of their psychedelic colors, but I really enjoy using them.  They are smooth, but don’t allow the yarn to slip, they couldn’t be more perfect! 

I have started another Baroness Beret on the size 8 DPNs for a friend, and just finished a custom order for a baby “sleep sack” and matching hat with the size 9 DPNs for Jen Hebert Photography. I hope to have pictures in the future of the finished items!

Though I have not purchased it yet, I have listened to the audio sample for this book:

I am thinking I might purchase the audio book in the near future and let you know what I think.  

I am also entertaining the idea of knitted and crocheted bandanas, I think they are a really cute look for spring when all the warm cozy knits aren’t really needed anymore.  

I recently started knitting up this triangle scarf: 

In a KnitPicks Comfy Bulky Yarn in Adobo, which is a warm orange-brown color, I don’t think they make that color anymore but I am really liking how it is coming along. 

For the spring I am hoping to get some more accessories done (light-weight scarfs, berets, and bandanna/triangle scarfs), and crossing my fingers that I will find the time to learn how to knit socks (fingers crossed) 

Let me know if you have any ideas for spring knit projects, I would love to hear them!

I don’t Blog Near Enough!

>I don’t post on my blog near enough!  I guess that is the price you pay when juggling hobbies, work, and a personal life.  If anyone has any tips or tricks to mastering this juggling act I would love to hear it!

What have I been doing the past 3 months?  Working mostly.  I am still really new to the world of legal assisting, and without any education in the field I am often left to learn on the fly.  I feel I have come a very long way since my first day in August, but the legal system never fails to surprise me most days.  I have also learned that the work comes in waves, either I am really busy or I have a lot of down time (today is one of those slow days).

I struggle with finding time for both knitting, reading, and family in my down time.  I have made many adjustments, like audio books and conquering my nerves of knitting in public.

At Knit’s End: Meditation for Women Who Knit Too Much By Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

I feel so many still view knitting at an “old lady hobby” and I often get embarrassed when telling people I knit.  When I do tell people I knit I am sure they picture one of two images; one, a house that smells of potpourri over run with cats and hand made quilts and afghans everywhere, or two, a retro, edgy house decorated 50’s vintage, and me with dyed hair and at least one facial piercing. Though I have nothing against anyone who fits those descriptions, I am neither.

My house is an average 70’s bi-level home that I live at with my husband, one dog and one over-sized six toed cat.  My husband works for the local Budweiser distributer and has successfully installed 3 different draft lines in the fridge in our garage (I am so proud).  Though we live in Wyoming, we don’t hunt, fish, own ATV’s, or listen to county music. And we are not very Conservative in our political views which doesn’t usually sit well with the locals ;).

Though I enjoy reading, I don’t always have my head in a book (and I am not a fan of Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult or Stephanie Meyers, sorry) I joined a book club mainly for the conversation and the wine. I think I am a very typical married woman in her 20’s and kind of just stumbled upon knitting and feel in love with it.

The knitting community is so large and I am still struggle with my knitting identity, especially in Wyoming. I yearn for a group of young like-minded women to share my knitting life with.

I am lucky to have a large group of people that have been supportive and curious about the craft.  It amazes me how many women my age would love to learn how to knit but never do.