Knitting: Shale Baby Blanket is finished!

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This August, I finished knitting the Shale Baby blanket!

This means I’ve met my personal goal of knitting three baby blankets for 2018 a few months early.

The shale blanket is 100% wool, just like the two other blankets I’ve knit this year.

It’s also heavy and it’s incredibly soft.

To be honest, I knew that I most likely would be making another blanket. Why not stick with an even number for the blankets, right? And so, a little over a month after completing my lace blanket I started knitting this simple checkered blanket. This blanket is for my daughter. I asked if she’d like a blanket, she told me she really didn’t need one, but I knew she wanted one. She doesn’t ask me to knit her anything, but she loves and uses whatever I make for her. The reason she doesn’t ask is that she knows the amount of time it takes to create some of my knitted items and she feels guilty about me devoting so much time to her. I’ve told her often, that she’s the most knitworthy person I know and she’s my favorite person to knit for. She finally told me she’d like a blanket in yellow and in a checkered design.

I’ve made a few checkered knit items before and it just so happens that I had yellow wool (mustard to be more specific) in my yarn stash.

I’d started this blanket using my size 10

Hiya Hiya Steel sharp interchangeable circular needles, however, I thought the fabric should be denser and so I ripped out the blanket and started again.

This time I used my size 6 Hiya Hiya’s, much better!

And so it begins again… another work in progress wool blanket.

Monogamous Knitting and Audio Bible ( theatrical version)

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Recently, I’ve discovered that I really enjoy listening to audiobooks while I’m knitting. Before, I was watching shows on Amazon video or Netflix, but… my daughter and I really aren’t television watchers and… I also found myself abandoning movies/series because the content wasn’t appropriate (nudity, sex, swearing). Because of that, I decided to search for another way to occupy my time while knitting. I discovered audiobooks! In the past, I had listened to audio content, while knitting, but I haven’t done it exclusively… that is, until now.

 

Occasionally during the wee hours of the morning (I’m usually awake by 3:30 AM), I spend my quiet time doing my devotions. Recently, I’ve been knitting the shale baby blanket while listening to a theatrical reading of the Holy Bible. All I can say is… wow! I’m blown away by this version of my favorite book. The Word of Promise Audio Bible is my first audio Bible and I got it from Audible. I still prefer physically reading my Bible daily, but this is a nice addition.

 

This audio version of the Bible is over 90 hours (Which means a whole lot of listening/knitting!) and thus far, I’m enjoying it immensely!

I’m typically a monogamous knitter when it comes to large knitting projects. I haven’t knit anything else since starting this project on 7/26/18. Guess what? A little over a month later and this adult-sized version of the Shale baby blanket is nearly complete, however, I’ve recently added one more skein of yarn to be knit, so that’s 465 yards before I’m finished and… I might add another skein. We’ll see!

Shale Baby Blanket… update

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I’m exclusively knitting the Shale baby blanket by Jared Flood. This blanket is much simpler to knit than it might appear. It’s a four-row repeat. The first row being the setup row. It creates a beautiful lacy design. Once I cast on for this blanket, I decided to stop knitting the blocks for the log cabin blanket until I’m finished knitting this blanket. I know, I know… I said I’d be knitting on both, but I changed my mind. Besides, I most likely will need to wear a “finger protector” for knitting that blanket. The bind-off was giving me callouses. Regarding the shale blanket, I’m not making the baby blanket and so I added an additional 100 cast-on stitches, to bring the total stitches to 251. Additionally, I’m using my US size 6 Hiya Hiya interchangeable stainless steel sharp knitting needles.

You know what? I’m at the point where I’m trying to convince myself to stop knitting this blanket and just turn it into a poncho, skirt or… some other item. For whatever reason, I tend to do that with the blankets I’ve knit. However, I know it will pass.

 

I’m looking forward to seeing how heavy this knitted blanket will be once I’m finished this knitting project. This is going to have some weight! I stated that when this blanket was about 4″ and now it’s around 30″ or perhaps a little over that? I do believe the next new blanket I start will be another Shale baby blanket and I most likely will cast on the same amount of stitches (251) however, I will knit that blanket at a much slower pace. I’m still undecided on what color the yarn will be, however, it will most likely be a jewel tone color and I do believe I’ll make it in superwash wool. Regarding the Shale baby blanket, my goal is have finished knitting this blanket by the end of September and if I continue to knit at this pace, this won’t be an issue.

Jumbo Yarn ball winder by Nancy’s Knit Knacks

I’ve had the opportunity to wind one more yarn cake with my Jumbo Yarn ball winder by Nancy’s Knit Knacks and I must say I have no regrets in making this purchase. It was a bit pricey, costing $301, however, it was worth the price.

 

Lacis Swift/Skein Winder

I had ordered this Lacis swift a day after ordering my jumbo yarn ball winder from Nancy’s Knit Knacks. I ordered it from a seller on eBay. It should have arrived earlier, however, according to the seller there was some mixup, and so it was delayed. Admittedly, I was slightly disappointed, however, the communication from the seller was amazing. They did a great job of keeping me in the loop so I would order from them again.

It’s here: Nancy’s knit knacks jumbo ball winder

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Today, my jumbo yarn ball winder from Nancy’s Knit Knacks arrived, by Federal Express one day earlier!

I had five skeins of yarn that I’m using to knit the Shale baby blanket

and so I just rewound those.

Why? I love a center pull yarn cake. I didn’t use a swift. If these were hanks, then yes… I would have needed a swift or something else (arms) to keep the yarn from becoming tangled?

Farewell Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder

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Simplicity Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder

My beloved Simplicity Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder is about to die. The past three months or so, when I use the winder, it starts to slow down and will stop after winding about 80 yards. I have to wait a few minutes before I begin to rewind the yarn and then it slows down, even more, only winding a few yards of yarn before the motor starts protesting, makes squealing noises and stops… again! This continues until I FINALLY finish rewinding a skein of yarn.  So yes, I know that the motor is going to give out. I’ve had this the Boye yarn ball winder since 2012 and since that time, it’s wound numerous yarn cakes. It was my first and only winder.

When it first started giving me issues, I had thought about purchasing the same type, but to my dismay, I discovered they weren’t making them anymore. However, that didn’t stop me from stubbornly searching for another (or a suitable electric replacement). I did find the Boye electric winder, however, they were used and were costing more than I originally purchased mine for. I purchased mine with a 50% coupon at AC Moore. Paying close to or over $100 for a used electric winder? Uh huh… no, thank you!

 

New Purchase: Heavy Duty Yarn Ball Winder by Nancy’s Knit Knacks

Heavy Duty Yarn Ball Winder by Nancy’s Knit Knacks

This past Friday morning, I did make a purchase. I’ve bought the Heavy Duty Yarn Ball Winder by Nancy’s Knit Knacks. This has been on my long-term purchase list for years and I FINALLY decided to make the purchase. This winder does have the option to be turned into an electric yarn ball winder, however, the actual winder is manual. It’s made out of hard maple, and it’s handcrafted with proper maintenance, it most likely will outlast me.