Steph 3.0

Hello dear knitter friends, it’s been quite sometime since we last got together (ok, over a year) and I can’t begin to tell you how much I miss you!

First, I hope your holiday season was bright and I wish you a very Happy New Year.  I can’t believe it’s 2017 and I’m ready to tackle it full on.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been here, but part of my goals for 2017 is to resume my beginner knitters blog.  I still consider myself a beginner, but I’ll explain more about that in a moment.  The reality for the long pause was due to some major life changes.  TJ is now a toddler and a very happy and curious 15 month old boy.  In my mind, I thought I could balance working full time (both professionally and being a mom) and challenge my creative/domestic side.  My family also moved out of the city into the ‘burbs of Northern Virginia, so to say the least, 2016 was much busier than I anticipated.

The title of this post is Steph. 3.o.  This is the 3rd year of the blog (officially in February), we are now three members of my family, and this is my third year knitting–plus I consider number 3 to be my lucky number!  So let’s get started…

I still consider myself a beginner knitter because there are some large projects that I’ve never accomplished including making a cardigan, completing a lace shawl, and tackling new stitches such as cables.  Perhaps, I’ve moved into intermediate/advance beginner stage, but none the less I still have a lot to learn.  Even though I was pretty inactive last year, I still read plenty of knitter blogs, discovered video podcasts, and checking out resources from the library.  I also love Instragram for some knitting inspiration. I hope to continue to share with you what I have found helpful as I continue to explore this creative craft. Last year, I also learned that I have to be more realistic of what I can accomplish during the day.  So, instead of blogging weekly, my goal is to post once a month.  This will also allow me to post my works in progress and share any updates that I may have.

So speaking of knitting goals, I have a few including:

• make a cardigan (any of the lion brand free patterns and/or the featherweight cardigan by Hannah Fettig )
• complete the lattice shawl by Maria from the Stitched in Sweden Podcast
• learn colorwork knitting

I’m interested in hearing your knitting goals and perhaps we can challenge each other throughout the year.

I didn’t completely stop knitting last year, I managed to make two more baby blankets for friends and practiced some swatches. I also looked into my drawer and noticed I could use a pair of socks, so last week I casted on Susan B. Anderson’s How I Knit My Socks and have been in knitting bliss!

Anyway, it’s good to be back with you dear friends and I can’t wait to see what 2017 brings.  Wishing you good health and knitting joy.

–Stephanie

 

The Thankful Season

Good afternoon knitters,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that your home is starting to feel and smell festive. Growing up, that usually met the house smelled of desserts, the Christmas tree, and wrapped goodies gradually being placed under the tree. I know its been quite some time since my last post and I want to thank you for being patient with me as return to this blog.  This year has brought special blessings to both my professional and personal life and the biggest blessing of all has been the birth of my son, Travis Matthew Washington, Jr.

This nugget of goodness has radically changed my life for the better and he truly emphasizes what is important. However, with that radical change, my “own time” has taken a somewhat backseat including this blog and some of my knitting.  You may recall, that I had several projects in mind for my year two knitting goals and most of those projects were put on hold after I learned of my pregnancy. The cardigan and shawls ideas were set aside so I could create my own baby blanket for TJ.

Pattern: Chevron Baby Blanket
Yarn: KnitPicks Swish Worsted (100% Superwash Merino Wool)
Colors: Allspice, Dublin, Dove, Dusk, and Doe
Skeins: 2 of each color
Needle: Addi Turbo Rockets (US size 9)

The colors represent my husband, myself, and the fall season. The idea that this blanket will be a keepsake for him warms my heart and when I finished the last few loops, I reflected on the joy of knitting this gift for him. My hope is that one day, he may pass on the blanket to his family and more traditions will be born.

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Earlier in the year, I also began my first shawl to practice lace work. The shawl was on the back burner until recently when I needed to have something in my hands while TJ took his naps. On a side note, everyone told me to sleep when he sleeps, but sometimes I just couldn’t sleep and stealing a few moments for knitting was therapeutic.  There will be an update on this shawl in the January post, but here is a bit of my work-in-progress and I truly mean this is a learning work-in-progress.

As life changes, I’m excited for the new traditions that I can pass on which truly makes me thankful.  I love documenting my progress on this little blog and the simple joy of knitting and creating provides additional purpose in my life. I continue to be inspired by the knitting community and the idea of making something for family and friends is especially delightful during this season.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season to you and your family and happy knitting!

–Stephanie

Traditions

Hello Knitters,

Happy July and hope you’re doing well. I’m in desperate need of a vacation, but perhaps we may take a mini break later this summer for a change of scenery.  As I think about my next vacation destination, I’ve also been thinking a lot about traditions. Traditions that my family passed along to me and what I want to pass along to our soon-to-be-here son.

Like many modern women, some of the traditions of my grandparents and my parents stopped during my generation.  Even through money was tight, my grandparents baked, cooked, canned, and used other sustaining efforts through tough times. My mom mentioned that some of those cooking efforts didn’t continue with her, but her craft and artistic side created new traditions in her teens/early twenties. My mother was/is a beautiful sewer and for a couple of years when my brother and I were young, she would sew our Easter outfits for church.  One outfit in particular has so much meaning that  she kept my dress and my brother’s suit.

And like many families, many traditions are associated with happy memories to be passed along to the next generation. For me, that meant decorating Christmas cookies, nightly family dinners, homemade cream of wheat and hot cocoa after playing in the snow, and actual books and stories before bed to instill the love of reading just to name a few.

I’m thinking about all those traditions and new memories that I want to create, so I started my first baby blanket in a chevron pattern. The colors mean a lot to me which includes our wedding colors and colors of fall to symbolize his autumn birth.

              

I’m hoping that this will be one of many hand-knits and traditions that I pass along to him and perhaps his future family.  So what are some of your traditions that you are passing along (or hope to) or what new traditions are you creating?

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I’ve mentioned before the cultural opportunities of living in Washington, DC and a long standing tradition includes the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The festival was a bit smaller this year focusing  on the country and traditions of Peru. My office is across the street from the national mall and during my lunch break and I had the wonderful opportunity to explore the music, food, and textiles of Peru.  After walking around the festival, I returned back to my office with a huge smile on my face–feeling fortunate to have this wonderful opportunity for a few moments.

           

        

Continue to enjoy those small and large traditions with your family and friends and lets keep talking about the new traditions that we hope to create.

Happy knitting

–Stephanie

Random Goodness

Good afternoon Knitters,

I hope your June is off to a wonderful start and you’re able to enjoy your knits this Saturday.  It’s warm and humid today, but then again, it’s a typical June in the D.C. area.  It’s been some time since my last post, but I’ve been gathering some ideas along the way and I think random goodness accurately captures this post perfectly.

Each day, I count my blessing for the roof over my head, the food on table, and the love of my family.  We currently live in the city where I’m able to move about on my two feet or take the metro to all my favorite haunts. However, some would say that I live in a “changing” neighborhood where progress has been slow compared to other parts of the city.  That’s why I’m particularity excited that a new farmers market recently opened walking distance from my home. It’s small and intimate, but I can picture myself waking up early Saturday mornings for a stroll and picking up fresh veggies and fruits along the way.  I didn’t have a list this morning, but I randomly picked up these colorful goodies.

                                   

Perhaps I’m moving into nesting mode, but lately I’ve been curious to learn how to can fruits and veggies for this fall and winter. I’ll keep you posted of that progress and may posts some of those attempts here. If you can your own fruits/veggies and want to share some tips, please let me know!

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So now onto some knitting and the progress of my first lace shawl. As you may remember, I began this pattern last winter and it seemed to be going OK.  However, when I attempted to repeat Chart 2, I began to make epic mistakes and not just for a little bit, but for weeks. I kept staring at it…looking at the chart and could not understand what I was doing wrong. Finally, I decided to frog the shawl completely and look for a more simple pattern. As I was pulling the yarn off my needles, IT CLICKED!!! So I began again with Chart 1 and now I’m on my fifth repeat of Chart 2.  Yes, there are mistakes as with many of my first new projects, but I’m having fun again and isn’t that the point?

                   

I’ve never worked with cotton yarn before and that has been huge part of the pleasure of working this project. Now, I can imagine what this shawl will look like completed, washed, blocked, and ready to wear!

…And to round out this random goodness post, I just remembered that I never shared any pictures from my first visit to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.  In my excitement of being a newish knitter, I wanted to experience this festival with some of my girlfriends, but most were a bit underwhelmed with the possibility.  So with my deepest gratitude, Travis joined me at the festival.  I’ll close the post here because who doesn’t enjoy seeing some of our sheepish friends.

Until next time, happy knitting dear friends!

                                        

 

A Few New Things

Good afternoon Knitters,
I can’t believe it was another long pause which I will explain in a moment, but frankly I was getting tired of posting about Travis’ socks. However, the pause went longer than expected because I had absolutely zero energy. When I relaunched this blog, I was in my first trimester of pregnancy and all the classic systems began to appear including fatigue.  Now that I’m slowly beginning to feel like myself again, I finished the socks, started a new project, and I’m ready to say hello to you my dear friends again. I’m happy to report that Travis likes his socks and that he’ll be wearing them to work….and I’m happy to report that they are finally done!

Pattern: Susan B. Anderson: How I Make My Socks Formula For Male Socks
Yarn: KnitPicks Stroll Tweed (65% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 10% Donegal Tweed
Color: Wellies Heather
Skein(s):  2 (231 Yards/50 grams)
Needles: Knitter Pride Cubics (US size 2)

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I’m being pretty obvious today that I was ready to finish the socks and start something new! You may remember at the beginning of the year, that I wanted to add lace shawls to my challenges for year two.  Last October, I learned how to read an easy lace chart pattern. After strolling through Raverly, I finally found a pattern that I thought would work for my first shawl.  I’m not very far yet, but it’s been a fun challenge so far.

Well that’s all my news for today knitters!  There will be more to follow and as my energy continues to rise, so will my postings.

–Stephanie

Tools of the Crafty Trade

Hello Knitters,

I intended to publish this post last week, but I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather/lazy and well…..I’m a week late. In a way, my knitting has also taken a back seat but, I finished one of Travis’ socks. Regardless, I’m here today and on a quest to find my knitting and blogging mojo again. Before jumping into the socks discussion, I want to revisit a topic that I’m growing passionate about…namely tools of our trade or knitting needles.

I scrolled back to an early post about needles and it just dawned on me that I never discussed my upgrades.  Needless to say, I really don’t use ANY of the needles from that post, but I’m glad I gave them their proper due. Those needles got me started on my knitting journey, but now it’s time to talk knitting upgrades!

• Knitter’s Pride–Nova Platina
  I discovered the Nova Platinas at the Stitches East festival last year and I knew the Platinas would take me to the next level. My only regret is that I bought just one pair of circulars in US 5, but I intend to buy more in a variety of sizes very soon. I enjoy how the yarn slips off the metal needles with ease and that the cable does not twist and flop as I work on my projects. Unfortunately, I have only used the needles to create swatches and practice some lace patterns however, I discovered a world of difference by having good needles in my hands. What you heard is true, high quality needles will make your knitting that much more enjoyable.

• Knitter’s Pride–Karbonz
  I’m fortunate to work close to the wonderful LYS Fibre Space and whenever I journey to this delightful shop, I can’t help but peruse their needle selection. I was looking for my first set of DPNs and their fantastic staff steered me to the Karbonz selection.  As a newbie, I was a little nervous with the price (after all, I was use to buying needles from big box craft stores) but as I was learning how to use DPNs,  it was extremely helpful to not struggle with poor quality needles. The carbon fiber kept my hands cool and provided great flexibility. Additionally, the nickle tips allowed the yarn to be worked with ease. I found all these factors to be essential for a beginner DPN knitter and was well worth the investment. I have a set of 5 DPNs in US 8 and plan to invest in more Karbonz soon!

• Knitter’s Pride–Cubics
  I purchased my only pair of Cubics DPNs at a LYS in Illinois to begin my first pair of socks.  Again, they are a part of the Knitter’s Pride needle family, but I’m still on the fence if I want to continue using them. They are marketed as a great set of needles for beginners for the grip ability. Like the name suggests, the needles are squarish and taper to the needle point. However, I initially found the Cubics a bit more difficult to grip than the Karbonz.  That being said, I’m using the Cubics for Travis’ socks and haven’t made the switch to different needles at this point. I have a set of 5 DPNs in US 2.

• Chiagoo Red Lace and Bamboo
  So for all the Knitter’s Pride love, I would be negligent to mentioned my go-to everyday needles.  My collection is mostly made of Chiagoos Red Lace because the metal needle is easy to work with and the cable doesn’t twist my stitches around. However, for a beginner, the biggest difference between Chiagoos and Knitter’s Pride is the price.  As a beginner, we are still testing out our craft and it would be silly to invest so much time and money into products that we are still learning to use.  The price point for the Chiagoos is much easier for a beginner, but a step above the big box stores.  Also as a beginner, I was buying Chiagoo needles in bamboo and metal to see which set I preferred. In the end, I discover that I prefer metal needles, but I don’t have buyers regret for investing in bamboos needles. The price point was palpable and as a beginner I’m discovering what I like and what I can do without.

I hope this brief tools of the trade update helped your needle selection. So now it’s your turn, what needles have been helpful in your knitting journey and which needles have you said adios to?

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As I mentioned earlier, I’m slowly finding my knitting mojo again and one sock is now complete.  It’s not blocked, but the over all results are pretty good.

I started the second sock about a week ago and almost completed the cuff when I noticed a beginner mistake. I knitted the cuff in a  k1, p1 pattern instead of the k2, p2 pattern. Travis didn’t mind the mistake, but I was so careful with the first sock that I couldn’t let it go. So I ripped it out and started over again. Today, I’m just about finished with the leg and about to start the heel flap. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the mojo is back and the crazy mistakes are behind me.

Thanks for landing back on this beginner blog and best wishes with your knitting successes!

–Stephanie

For the Love of Knitting

Hello Knitters,

It’s the shortest month of the year, but packed with lots of goodies. During February, we especially take this time to express our love and gratitude for our significant others, family, and friends.  Today, is also a small anniversary for Steph with Keep You In Stitches as I started this blog exactly one year ago.

We started off small and a little rickety, but through lots of support I finally started to capture my thoughts online. As I wiggled my way through WordPress and gained some new friends in the knitting community, this little blog developed a big space in my heart. For a self-taught newbie, my knitting and blogging skills have grown and this redesign is to reflect that progress. The general format for each post will be in two parts. The first part will focus on a particular theme, technique, or resource that I found useful and the second part will be an update on my knitting projects. I will also ask a few questions here and there to spark a conversation. So my question for you dear friends…what do you think I should add to this blog?

To kick off our new year together, I’ve been thinking about my knitting goals for 2015. I think they are ambitious, but completely doable. Of course, I hope these projects will keep the creative juices flowing and the end results will be something new to wear this spring and summer. So take a sneak peak into what I anticipate will be on my needles. Please note, I did not knit the following images below, but I provided links to where you can find the patterns.

• Spring/summer lace shawl

 

• Two stranded fingerless gloves  

 

• Bolero/Cardigan                      

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I’m making great progress with Travis’ socks and it has been inspiring to circle back to a pattern that I learned just last spring. As you may recall there were numerous mistakes with my first pair of socks. However, the second time around has been a lot easier with no hidden holes. When we meet again, I’m sure I’ll have a couple of photos to share so I’ll close tonight with poem that captures the simplicity of this craft.

Ode to My Socks by Pablo Neruda

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Mara Mori brought me
a pair of socks
which she knitted herself
with her sheepherder’s hands,
two socks as soft as rabbits.
I slipped my feet into them
as if they were two cases
knitted with threads of twilight and goatskin,
Violent socks,
my feet were two fish made of wool,
two long sharks
sea blue, shot through
by one golden thread,
two immense blackbirds,
two cannons,
my feet were honored in this way
by these heavenly socks.
They were so handsome for the first time
my feet seemed to me unacceptable
like two decrepit firemen,
firemen unworthy of that woven fire,
of those glowing socks.

Nevertheless, I resisted the sharp temptation
to save them somewhere as schoolboys
keep fireflies,
as learned men collect
sacred texts,
I resisted the mad impulse to put them
in a golden cage and each day give them
birdseed and pieces of pink melon.
Like explorers in the jungle
who hand over the very rare green deer
to the spit and eat it with remorse,
I stretched out my feet and pulled on
the magnificent socks and then my shoes.

The moral of my ode is this:
beauty is twice beauty
and what is good is doubly good
when it is a matter of two socks
made of wool in winter.

Thanks for being a part of this journey with me!
–Stephanie

Knitting Through Challenges

Hi Knitters,
I can’t believe it’s the last day of the first month in 2015! Are you staying warm and cozy with your knits? Lately, I’ve been daydreaming about where my knitting will take me and I have felt the twinge of envy of those that can make knitting their life’s work.  Like most people, I long for simplicity in everyday living, but at the kick start of the year, my family faced a few more hurdles that were not expected.  However, through those challenges knitting has always brought me back to my happy space where I could leave the day’s challenges outside my door.

Family, friends, and strangers will know when you find your happy space because your face will light up with the slightest discussion of your passion. It was about this time last year when I picked up my first pair of needles and Steph Will Keep you In Stitches was born. Close loved ones knew I found my creative outlet and soon you, my new knitting friends, started dropping by and offering words of encouragement. I refuse to let life’s challenges dictate my creativity and I have a lot of knitting ideas in store for 2015! So let’s set our weekend challenges aside and kick start this knitting conversation.

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I’m not one for quitting projects especially when I’m learning something new, but boy did I HATE the yarn I was using to practice a lace shawl pattern. After I finally said enough is enough, I was free to continue working on Travis’ socks.

I have to say, the sock is knitting up very nicely and this skein has certainly put a smile on my face.  I have so much to look forward to in 2015 and knitting inspiration continues to be high on the list. So, I know it’s a little late to ask this question, but what are your knitting goals for 2015? This blog will have an anniversary next month and I plan to share a little more then. However, since I’m about to tackle knitting year two, what do you think I should add to the knitting list?

See you soon dear friends and knit on!
–Stephanie

A New Year with Sleeves Please

Happy New Years Knitters!
I can’t believe December 2014 has come and gone without a hello from this blog, but that doesn’t mean that I was out of touch with all your knitting updates. Before I dive in, I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends and that you’re excited for the new year. Travis and I had a wonderful Christmas with my family in Chicago and naturally some knitting was in my carry-on bag. It’s been almost a year since I picked up some needles and started this blog, but I can’t think of a better project to end the year than with my very first sweater.

I learned so many techniques with this sweater even though I thought it never end, but it’s finished, blocked, and ready to wear! Special thanks to Ms. Wegner for being my photographer during our lunch hour 🙂

Pattern: Tin Can Knits Flax Pullover
Yarn: Berroco Vintage (52% Acrylic 40% Wool 8% Nylon)
Color: Douglas Fur (5177)
Skein(s) 4.5 (218 yards each)
Needles: Chiagoo (size 6 and 8)

As with most large projects, I was really ready for this sweater project to be over. When the last stitch was casted-off, I breathed a sigh of relief and pondered what’s next?

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So what is the next project? Knowing that my brain was not ready for another heavy lift, I decided to try a simple lace project which includes reading charts and casting on a new pair of socks for Travis.

    

What a great way to wind down 2014 with these two project. As I think back to January 2014, I would have never guessed that I would be creating my own fashion and dreaming of designing my own garments one day. As I step into 2015, I’m excited to continue this creative journey and I hope you will join me in keeping stitches together!

Happy 2015 and yes Mom, this New Years baby treated herself to some birthday yarn!!

–Stephanie

Cozy Knits and Slow Knitting

Good evening Knitters!
Fall has truly arrived in much of the country and as the weather turns so has the fashionable knitting. I’m seeing so many wonderful patterns and completed projects just in time for those cozy knitting nights. When I leave work it’s completely dark, but the comfort of home, dinner, and my sweater makes the day worth it.

So, when I left you a few weeks ago, I was working on my first sweater (Flax) …..well I’m still working on that Flax, but I’m excited to mentioned that there is much progress. I’m sure you heard about the “slow food” or “slow cooking” movement, but I think I’m going to coin a new phrase “slow knitting”. Slow knitting is the art of taking your time on one single project and enjoying each stitch, each technique, each moment of sitting down with your craft. Now, I say this after I completed the body of the sweater which seemed to take FOREVER…and frankly, my progress is just slow. So, I’m a slow knitter, but each evening when I have the opportunity to knit, I’m enjoying being in the moment.

This weekend, my goal is to complete the first sleeve and hopefully start the second.  So, without too much fanfare, here are pictures of Flax in progress. 🙂

This post won’t discuss those dreaded knitting mistakes. Once Flax is finished, I’ll blog about the techniques that I learned and updates of what I would do differently. However, the other day, I reflected on just how far my knitting has come this year. As the weather turns, I’m really itching to start a new hat and this time it won’t end in a funky mess!

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Finally, I was delayed updating my posts, because I was in San Antonio and Austin, Texas for work. I’ve been to San Antonio before, but it was my first time in Austin and I definitely want to return. On the final evening, my colleagues and I were looking for a place to unwind when I stumbled upon Hill Country Weavers. OMG, every nook and cranny of this yarn shop is filled with gorgeous yarn goodness.  After Stitches, I told myself to go on a yarn diet, but I just couldn’t resist.  Friends…before you run for the BBQ, go this LYS.

That’s all for tonight knitters, have a great, cozy, slow knitting weekend!

–Stephanie