At the time I wrote the previous post, I was probably over-reacting to things. We talked things over the next day because he didn't realize how upset he made me. I tried to step back and look at things from a different perspective, and I could see how many of my actions were a bit too overboard. I was also using my knitting as a crutch, or sometimes even an excuse to not participate in social situations. I can't truely say that knitting does not divide my attention until I become more sociable. Being able to knit without looking would help too (eye contact!!!).
So when I'm with others, I will refrain from knitting at restaurants while we're waiting for our food. I will try to engage in conversations. bleh :P
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Torn
I'm feeling really torn right now. I feel like everyone in my life thinks I'm overly obsessed with knitting. Apparently it's all I think about, it's all I talk about, it's all I do. Lawrence feels that it has become a harmful addiction, like when I played World of Warcraft all the time - except this is even worse because I can bring my knitting with me anywhere.
I really don't want to become petulant and turn this into a wedge between us but I'm afraid my initial reaction is to do something rather pouty. He's often said that he supports my hobbies and he's happy that I have things that I'm interested in, but I don't know. I feel like it causes him too much trouble with too little for him to gain. For one thing, he doesn't wear knitted things so it's not like he's getting anything out of my knitting. When I'm knitting or on Ravelry, my attention is not fully focused on him, nor is it fully on activities with him. I don't go and sit with him to watch TV. I decline to play video games with him in order to knit or be on the computer. When I go out, I always bring my knitting with me and find ways to get a bit of knitting done. It takes up lots of closet space and random balls of yarn always find ways to place themselves all over the apartment. I feel like he also thinks that if I weren't so obsessed with knitting, I would "take care of myself" more and do things like exercise, style my hair, cook, etc.
He feels that I'm blinded by my feelings because I have a whole Ravelry community at my back, enabling me and telling me to ignore anyone who says anything negative about my knitting. It's like a cult, and being in the middle of it I can't see how harmfully deep into it I am. I can see his point, but I still feel that my crafting is important to me (is this what cultists and fundamentalists feel like when someone challenges their worldview?). I was trying to figure out why and I think it's a result of a natural progression. I grew up with the message drilled into me that I could do anything.
All throughout high school this felt true for the most part. Nothing was so difficult that I couldn't get through it. I started to see some cracks in my junior/senior year when I took classes outside my high school. I took an online Physics class through the John Hopkins program. I was bored out of my mind and could not stay awake through the video lectures - fail. I took a C++ class at the local community college and so much of it felt beyond me. The only reason I got through was because I had a friend who was willing to help me out on my projects. I took a 2nd semester Calculus class. Math was one subject I had always felt confident in because of all the work I had to put into it. I got a C- in that Calculus class. Come college, everything took work and time - things that I put off and ignored until I ended up almost failing out of school.
I found satisfaction in what felt like the few things I could still succeed in. I started crafting. First there was the physical crafting - origami, sewing, knitting, crochet, beading. Then I started playing World of Warcraft and through my boyfriend I was able to learn to be a good player and raid successfully in a great guild. After the guild splintered and my gaming stopped, I picked up the knitting and crochet again. This second time around I had Ravelry and a previously undiscovered online world of crafting. With so much knowledge at my fingertips, I could take on anything. My hobby would also result in tangible, utilitarian objects. This was something gaming would never have. I could be successful at a skill, AND I got a useful bonus prize at the end.
I feel like taking knitting out of my life would be like taking the potential for success out of my life. Watching TV and playing games is great and all, but I can't accomplish anything through those activities and I need to accomplish things with my life. I also don't want to give up doing what I want to do with my life and end up resenting Lawrence over it. I'm sure he doesn't want that either but I don't know how we can reach a compromise.
I really don't want to become petulant and turn this into a wedge between us but I'm afraid my initial reaction is to do something rather pouty. He's often said that he supports my hobbies and he's happy that I have things that I'm interested in, but I don't know. I feel like it causes him too much trouble with too little for him to gain. For one thing, he doesn't wear knitted things so it's not like he's getting anything out of my knitting. When I'm knitting or on Ravelry, my attention is not fully focused on him, nor is it fully on activities with him. I don't go and sit with him to watch TV. I decline to play video games with him in order to knit or be on the computer. When I go out, I always bring my knitting with me and find ways to get a bit of knitting done. It takes up lots of closet space and random balls of yarn always find ways to place themselves all over the apartment. I feel like he also thinks that if I weren't so obsessed with knitting, I would "take care of myself" more and do things like exercise, style my hair, cook, etc.
He feels that I'm blinded by my feelings because I have a whole Ravelry community at my back, enabling me and telling me to ignore anyone who says anything negative about my knitting. It's like a cult, and being in the middle of it I can't see how harmfully deep into it I am. I can see his point, but I still feel that my crafting is important to me (is this what cultists and fundamentalists feel like when someone challenges their worldview?). I was trying to figure out why and I think it's a result of a natural progression. I grew up with the message drilled into me that I could do anything.
All throughout high school this felt true for the most part. Nothing was so difficult that I couldn't get through it. I started to see some cracks in my junior/senior year when I took classes outside my high school. I took an online Physics class through the John Hopkins program. I was bored out of my mind and could not stay awake through the video lectures - fail. I took a C++ class at the local community college and so much of it felt beyond me. The only reason I got through was because I had a friend who was willing to help me out on my projects. I took a 2nd semester Calculus class. Math was one subject I had always felt confident in because of all the work I had to put into it. I got a C- in that Calculus class. Come college, everything took work and time - things that I put off and ignored until I ended up almost failing out of school.
I found satisfaction in what felt like the few things I could still succeed in. I started crafting. First there was the physical crafting - origami, sewing, knitting, crochet, beading. Then I started playing World of Warcraft and through my boyfriend I was able to learn to be a good player and raid successfully in a great guild. After the guild splintered and my gaming stopped, I picked up the knitting and crochet again. This second time around I had Ravelry and a previously undiscovered online world of crafting. With so much knowledge at my fingertips, I could take on anything. My hobby would also result in tangible, utilitarian objects. This was something gaming would never have. I could be successful at a skill, AND I got a useful bonus prize at the end.
I feel like taking knitting out of my life would be like taking the potential for success out of my life. Watching TV and playing games is great and all, but I can't accomplish anything through those activities and I need to accomplish things with my life. I also don't want to give up doing what I want to do with my life and end up resenting Lawrence over it. I'm sure he doesn't want that either but I don't know how we can reach a compromise.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
First Weaving project
I finally got a chance to start weaving last night. Yesterday I finished up the crochet hook holder and the baby blanket. I had my calculations ready for the warping and I was mentally ready to get started.
I sure am getting a lot of practice warping...The first 2 times I had to take apart my warp and rewind the yarn into balls because one of the pegs was loose and my tension was way too tight. I loosened up a bit for the 3rd try. When I was almost done with the first ball I counted the number of ends and I was already beyond my calculated number of ends. The problem is I had calculated that it would take me 1.5 balls of this yarn. I then proceeded to smack myself on the head. I used a different yarn initially to mark out my path. This yarn I cut to be roughly 2.33 yards, and then I proceeded to wrap for the entire circuit of the path. The thing is, each END is supposed to be 2.33 yards. My first 3 attempts at warping were actually producing ends that were roughly 1.16 yards long, half of what I needed. No wonder one ball was more than enough.
For my 4th attempt, I took a second ball, wound it on the ball winder, then joined it to the first ball (still sitting on the warping board) with a weaver's knot and finished winding the 2 into 1 ball. I will probably have to fine a better solution to join ends for warping, but a weaver's knot is tight and I don't think conventional knitting joins (spit slicing, Russian join) would hold up to the tension. I am now almost done warping, with 126 out of a needed 144 ends on the warping board.
I sure am getting a lot of practice warping...The first 2 times I had to take apart my warp and rewind the yarn into balls because one of the pegs was loose and my tension was way too tight. I loosened up a bit for the 3rd try. When I was almost done with the first ball I counted the number of ends and I was already beyond my calculated number of ends. The problem is I had calculated that it would take me 1.5 balls of this yarn. I then proceeded to smack myself on the head. I used a different yarn initially to mark out my path. This yarn I cut to be roughly 2.33 yards, and then I proceeded to wrap for the entire circuit of the path. The thing is, each END is supposed to be 2.33 yards. My first 3 attempts at warping were actually producing ends that were roughly 1.16 yards long, half of what I needed. No wonder one ball was more than enough.
For my 4th attempt, I took a second ball, wound it on the ball winder, then joined it to the first ball (still sitting on the warping board) with a weaver's knot and finished winding the 2 into 1 ball. I will probably have to fine a better solution to join ends for warping, but a weaver's knot is tight and I don't think conventional knitting joins (spit slicing, Russian join) would hold up to the tension. I am now almost done warping, with 126 out of a needed 144 ends on the warping board.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Updates on a few things
Weaving~
The loom arrived this week, w00t! Lucky for me the weaving books I bought from the Interweave Hurt Books sale also arrived this week. There's a lot more planning and math that goes into weaving than I realized, but it's still doable. I made my calculations and decided on the yarn. If I have time tonight I'll try my hand at warping the loom. Too bad the video instructions that came with the loom were on a VHS tape! The newer versions come with a DVD. I decided on using my KnitPicks Palette yarn since it was cheap and I've got several bags of it. Even if the project goes blech, the yarn was only $2 a ball. It probably won't take as much yarn as I'm imagining. For 2.33 yards at a width of 15", I'm only going to need 336 yards for the warp, which is about 1.5 balls of the Palette.
I haven't decided on the yarn for the weft yet. I may continue to use the Palette. I may use a different color of Palette. I may switch it up a bit to mix the colors. That may not turn out very good as the only colors I have a red, blue, and green (garnet heather, marine heather, & verdant heather). Why can't I pick out more complimentary colors instead of one color at each extreme of the spectrum?? I may end up using some of the other yarns I have in my stash. I have a bunch of thin boucle & chenille that I bought of eBay several years ago. This could turn out to be a multi-part super-experiment. I plan to keep a detailed journal through Google Docs.
Rag Knitting
Fail fail fail. I tried doing what the book showed...snip a bit into the edge of the fabric and rip straight down. That did not work very well for the first strip as it ended up deforming the fabric because I had to pull too hard. I ended up cutting and that gave me tons and tons of frayed edges. There were lots of little fiber bits all over the place, sticking out of the edges of the fabric and all over the floor. I spent a lot of time cutting holes & knotting the strips together. It was okay to crochet with once I figured out I needed my giant crochet hook. I had just enough to finish the bag with, but I'm not so sure it's usable. There are just too many little bits of thread sticking out everywhere and it looks SO messy. This may go straight into the trash.
Fabric from Japan
So I ordered some fabric from an Etsy vendor in Japan because I knew Japanese fabrics come in all sorts of cute and I wanted something really cute for my crochet hook holder. They got here yesterday! The fabrics are totally awesome and cute. Two of them are a little thicker/coarser than I thought but they're still really cute. A thicker fabric may bulk up the crochet hook holder too much, but uh...good thing I made the ties extra long. :D Before warping the loom tonight I will probably finish up this project.
More Goodies from Japan
I bought some things from another Etsy vendor. I ordered several Hamanaka crochet hooks from her because they came in every size I need, they're double ended so you need fewer hooks, and they come with extra padding in the middle so they're easier on your hands. She also sells tawashi yarn and books, so I bought 1 book and 3 balls of acrylic anti-bacterial tawashi yarn. I also bought some cute little animal stickers and a set of pom pom makers!
The loom arrived this week, w00t! Lucky for me the weaving books I bought from the Interweave Hurt Books sale also arrived this week. There's a lot more planning and math that goes into weaving than I realized, but it's still doable. I made my calculations and decided on the yarn. If I have time tonight I'll try my hand at warping the loom. Too bad the video instructions that came with the loom were on a VHS tape! The newer versions come with a DVD. I decided on using my KnitPicks Palette yarn since it was cheap and I've got several bags of it. Even if the project goes blech, the yarn was only $2 a ball. It probably won't take as much yarn as I'm imagining. For 2.33 yards at a width of 15", I'm only going to need 336 yards for the warp, which is about 1.5 balls of the Palette.
I haven't decided on the yarn for the weft yet. I may continue to use the Palette. I may use a different color of Palette. I may switch it up a bit to mix the colors. That may not turn out very good as the only colors I have a red, blue, and green (garnet heather, marine heather, & verdant heather). Why can't I pick out more complimentary colors instead of one color at each extreme of the spectrum?? I may end up using some of the other yarns I have in my stash. I have a bunch of thin boucle & chenille that I bought of eBay several years ago. This could turn out to be a multi-part super-experiment. I plan to keep a detailed journal through Google Docs.
Rag Knitting
Fail fail fail. I tried doing what the book showed...snip a bit into the edge of the fabric and rip straight down. That did not work very well for the first strip as it ended up deforming the fabric because I had to pull too hard. I ended up cutting and that gave me tons and tons of frayed edges. There were lots of little fiber bits all over the place, sticking out of the edges of the fabric and all over the floor. I spent a lot of time cutting holes & knotting the strips together. It was okay to crochet with once I figured out I needed my giant crochet hook. I had just enough to finish the bag with, but I'm not so sure it's usable. There are just too many little bits of thread sticking out everywhere and it looks SO messy. This may go straight into the trash.
Fabric from Japan
So I ordered some fabric from an Etsy vendor in Japan because I knew Japanese fabrics come in all sorts of cute and I wanted something really cute for my crochet hook holder. They got here yesterday! The fabrics are totally awesome and cute. Two of them are a little thicker/coarser than I thought but they're still really cute. A thicker fabric may bulk up the crochet hook holder too much, but uh...good thing I made the ties extra long. :D Before warping the loom tonight I will probably finish up this project.
More Goodies from Japan
I bought some things from another Etsy vendor. I ordered several Hamanaka crochet hooks from her because they came in every size I need, they're double ended so you need fewer hooks, and they come with extra padding in the middle so they're easier on your hands. She also sells tawashi yarn and books, so I bought 1 book and 3 balls of acrylic anti-bacterial tawashi yarn. I also bought some cute little animal stickers and a set of pom pom makers!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Weaving & Rag Knitting
I did it! I bought a Kromski Loom! Someone just posted up one for sale over the weekend on Ravelry. It was a 24" one too. I got it for $180 which is quite a bit less than the ~$213 it would cost to order from Paradise Fibers (shipping included). I can't wait to get it & try it out!!
I found my old pajamas and I'm currently in the process of cutting it into strips for some rag knitting. :) There are patterns in one of the books my aunt got for me from Japan.
I found my old pajamas and I'm currently in the process of cutting it into strips for some rag knitting. :) There are patterns in one of the books my aunt got for me from Japan.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Weaving
I've been seriously considering taking up weaving. I looked into various non-floor looms and decided on the Kromski Harp 24" Rigid Heddle Loom. I was ready to buy it from someone on Ravelry, but she decided not to sell. That just means I get more time to consider this purchase (unless there's some special sale going on)! I did buy a few weaving books from the Interweave Press "Hurt Book Sale". Given that I feel my pros & cons are fairly balanced, I'm going to wait until I get those books before I decide whether or not I'll actually buy a rigid heddle loom.
Pros:
Pros:
- new craft = fun new skill
- could quickly get rid of large amounts of stash yarn that would never be knit/crocheted
- weaving large pieces of fabric is potentially less time consuming than knitting/crocheting
- quicker creation of home decor items (not counting set up & finishing time)
- woven is flatter, Lawrence may like the look better than knit/crocheted things
- learning curve - don't know how steep
- may not have time to practice weaving, may knit/crochet too much instead (like with spinning)
- warping sounds incredibly boring and time consuming
- loom takes up space, especially if getting a stand (closet too full)
- may not have enough table space for loom, so may need a stand
- may end up accumulating large quantities of coned yarn
- don't know much about yet, so could have over-expectations about ease/speed
- no classes nearby that I know of
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Ravelry Effect
...strikes me again. There's a thread about the previews for the new Fall 2008 Knitscene magazine. I normally probably would not even bother to check out preview pictures, but once you hear people raving about this pattern and that pattern, it's hard not to go take a look for yourself.
They've got some beautiful photography, with great attention to lighting and colors. I think that is one of the biggest problems I have with the non-Interweave magazines. A lot of the time they use the most hideous color combinations and no artistry in the lighting or poses whatsoever. Just a quick glance through the Knitscene photos, and I already want to buy the issue. Even if I look more closely and find that I only like some of the projects, I will probably still buy it anyway.
They've got some beautiful photography, with great attention to lighting and colors. I think that is one of the biggest problems I have with the non-Interweave magazines. A lot of the time they use the most hideous color combinations and no artistry in the lighting or poses whatsoever. Just a quick glance through the Knitscene photos, and I already want to buy the issue. Even if I look more closely and find that I only like some of the projects, I will probably still buy it anyway.
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