Tag Archives: On the needles

Happy Birthday!

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Can you believe it? I’ve been at this blog for 5 years!

That’s absolutely nuts!  I don’t really know how long I expected to keep this bad boy going, but it certainly wasn’t 5 years.  It’s been a huge learning experience for me- the patterns I write today are head and shoulders better (or at least less full of typos) than the ones I came up with in 2013.  I’ve learned a lot about my style of knitting/designing, and I think I’ve become a better writer and teacher.  You kind of have to get better when you work on the same project three days a week for 5 years!

Of course, On the Needles is going to start changing a little bit, what with the whole “baby-on-the-way” thing, at least until I get my feet under me.  Starting next week, I’m going to switch from my usual 3 posts a week to a slightly less insane twice-a-week schedule (Monday and Friday), to give me a little slack so that I can get some posts prepped so that when I have to go on parental leave, I won’t leave you blog-less.

It’s going to be crazy to see what the next 5 years has in store!  Talk about changes!

What’s On YOUR Needles?

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I’m always sharing everything that’s on my needles (or in the case of the Cursed Sweater, I’m sharing what’s on my needles, then off my needles, then on my needles, then off my needles…).  It’s something that I like doing, obviously, or I wouldn’t keep writing this blog.  I love sharing my ideas, and my projects.  I love commiserating with you guys when something goes horribly wrong, and I love celebrating when something turns out better than I expected.But, I never get to see what you’re all are working on!

So, I was thinking it would be fun to start a monthly (or so) post series, about what you guys are working on!  I’d love to see your WIPs and FOs, and I bet you’d like to see each other’s projects, too!Interested?  Awesome!  Send me an email (knittingontheneedles@gmail.com) with a picture and description of something you’re working on, or something you’ve just finished and you’re particularly proud of!  (Or, you can tweet at me @on_the_needles, or leave a message in the comments section, if email isn’t your jam.)  And, of course, your project doesn’t have to be knitting- Are you halfway through a big cross stitch project?  Have you just started a crochet afghan?  Did you just put the finishing touches on a particularly elaborate sewing project?I’m sure you’re all crazy-creative, and I can’t wait to see your creations!

Happy Birthday to On the Needles!

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On the Needles is 4 years old!  It’s potty-trained, running around, and getting ready for pre-school.  It’s probably learning its letters and is getting the hang of drawing.

Or whatever 4-year-olds do.  I’m not an expert in 4-year-olds.

img_4637But, It’s exciting!  I’ve been at this way, way, waaaaaay longer than I expected to be when I started this back on 2013.  I’ve written more patterns, and met more people than I planned.  I’ve even turned this whole knitting/pattern-writing thing into an actual part-time job, which I never thought I could do.

It’s been fun, working on my writing skills and my knitting skills.  I love sharing the projects I’m working on, and I especially love sharing my patterns.  I love teaching you guys techniques and skills that I use every day (and I hope you like that, too!).  I’ve even enjoyed learning how to take not-terrible pictures (sorry about today’s, though- it’s crazy foggy here, it’s almost 10, and I’ve still got all the lights on inside the house).

I’m going to keep going as long as I can still think about things to talk about.  I hope you’ll be willing to come along with me.  And, of course, please let me know if you have questions about anything, suggestions or ideas- I’m only one person with one brain, and sometimes it gets a little empty, so help is always appreciated.

Here’s to another 4 years!

Happy knitting!

Inspiration: Last Minute Gifts

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We’re in the home stretch, folks!  So, today, I’m highlighting a few (FREE!) patterns for last-minute gifts from yours truly.

If you’ve got a week until Christmas, think about knitting up a Lazy Susan Beanie.  Worked in the round with worsted-weight yarn, this little hat goes super quickly.  And, the clever spiral stripe technique creates jog-less joins with virtually no effort.  Try knitting one up in your nephew’s favorite colors, or your cousin’s school colors.

P8265286_medium2[1] Get the pattern here:  Lazy Susan Beanie

What’s that? You’ve only got the weekend?  Maybe try working up a Cabled Coffee Sweater!  These use just a fraction of a skein of yarn, so you probably have plenty hanging around your stash.  After all, everyone likes coffee!  (Or is that just Seattle?)

coffee_sleeve_medium2[1]Get the pattern here:  Coffee Sweater

Oh no!  You’ve only got a half hour?  Well, then you’ve got to break out your scrap yarn, glue and toothpicks and make yourself a WIP Ornament.  With a total of only about 50 stitches, these ornaments knit up in literally no time.  And they’re so cute!

PB175734_medium2[1]

Get the pattern here:  WIP Ornaments

What is your go-to last-minute gift pattern?

What’s On Your Needles?

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It’s been a blue moon since I’ve checked in with you on what you guys are making, and I think it’s time for me to change that!

My friend Jenny just finished this darling little baby sweater!  (We picked out the buttons together when we visited Bainbridge Island last month.)  It’s a fantastic Halloween-y mix of purple green and black, with tiny silvery-gray mother-of-pearl buttons.image_medium2[1]Adorable, right?  I’m so glad Jenny sent me a picture of the finished project, because her visit to Seattle ended before she got to finish the sweater.

She used the Sunnyside pattern by Tanis Lavallee, which comes in two adorable versions-featuring cables and garter stitch or zig-zag lace and darling picot edging.

5617340260_185f264cd1_z[1]Too cute!

So, what are you working on?  I’d love to see!  And, if you want to send along photos, they might end up on the blog (with your permission, of course!)

 

Happy Blog-Day To Me

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOn The Needles is two!  It’s going to start throwing temper tantrums soon.  (Or whatever it is that two-year-olds do.)

It’s been fun, you guys.  I really didn’t expect this blog to go very far, and two years later, I’m still writing it three times a week (I think I’ve only missed one day, but I’m not even sure about that), and I’m getting hundreds of visitors every day.  It’s kind of amazing.

I’m actually turning this whole knitting thing into a semi-legitimate job, too, which is something I didn’t expect, even in my wildest dreams.  I never thought I would do anything knitting-related in my professional life, yet here I am.  How awesome is that?

And, you guys, I have so much more awesome stuff coming up, you don’t even know! I can’t say what it is yet, but you should totally be sure to come back on Wednesday.  I have a really exciting announcement and a super cool giveaway! (I know, right?  A real, actual giveaway!)  You’re totally going to want to get in on this.

So, keep reading, and I’ll keep writing, and together, we’ll keep knitting.

Hello, Everyone!

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Holy moly, you guys!  When I started this blog (almost) two years ago, I never really thought it would take off.  I might get a couple readers, but mostly I thought I’d be just yelling out into the void of the internet.  But, now I just saw that I got my 150th follower!

150[1]I don’t even think I know 150 people in real life!  (OK, maybe I do, but they certainly don’t all want to hear me yammer on about yarn and my weird TV shows.)

I just wanted to say “Thank you” to all of you for reading my ramblings, even when they veer into the incoherent.  I love reading your responses to my posts, and seeing your projects on Ravelry.

So, tell your friends!  They’re all invited to the knitting party.  (And if one of you wanted to make me a ‘150’ cake, I wouldn’t complain. :D)

What’s on Your Needles?

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It’s that time again!  Time for me to be a nosey so-and-so, and for you to tell me what you’re working on.

But fair is fair, so here’s what I’ve been working on.  I’m on a bit of a sock kick these days.  I just finished blocking a pair of socks (made with KnitPick’s Stroll in Tree Fort).  I absolutely love the colorway when it is in a ball, but I don’t love how it knit up.  I definitely picked the wrong pattern for variegated yarn.  It’s all weird and pool-y, and the shell texture I knit in isn’t really visible when they’re worn.  Oh well.  At least they’re warm and cozy.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

And, yesterday I cast on for a belated birthday gift for my friend Shirley.  She wanted slipper-socks in grey.  Ask and ye shall receive!  These are knitting up thick and super-cozy looking with Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash in Dark Gray Heather on size 5 needles.  It’s weird, knitting socks for someone with little feet at such a big gauge.  My typical socks use 60 stitches, but these only use 40.  I’m flying through!OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI’ve shown you mine, so now you show me yours!  What do you have on your needles?  Send me a photo, and I’ll put it up on the blog next week!