I'm so glad that fall is here. I absolutely love it. One day last week I sat down in the middle of the day and did some knitting in front of the fire (under my fall quilt!!!) while my daughter was asleep and the boys were in school. It was wonderful. I could use a repeat of that today, or any day, for that matter, but no such luck.
I've been working on these arm warmers for a few weeks now. This is the first time I made a knit project other than a dishcloth or scarf, I think. It's definitely the first time I successfully knit ribbing. Yahoo! I used this pattern, cast on 32 stitches, on size 8 needles. These were supposed to be for me, but they fit my 2 and 5 year olds much better than they fit me. I'm not sure why they don't fit me better, but I am glad that I didn't make them any longer than I did. I used 100% wool yarn that I got from a thrift store for 50 cents a few years ago. (love that.) I think I have enough yarn to make at least one more pair, and maybe even in my size this time.
My 2 year old did awesome modeling them.
This was my first attempt at seaming anything, and I think it went pretty well. A question for you knitters, are you supposed to sew your seam from the outside/right side or are you supposed to turn it inside out and then sew up the seam from the inside or doesn't it matter? I would guess this is much like in quilting where they tell you how to sew on the binding with the sewing machine and then they tell you to hand stitch the binding down but they really don't bother to tell you how. Any tips on seaming would be appreciated.
I saw this in my neighborhood last week and I had to laugh, so today after I went to my favorite quilt store in effort to stimulate the economy (someone has to do something!) I thought I would take a photo. Isn't that hilarious? I bet they have some heated political discussions in their home.
I hope you have a fabulous day.
I hope you have a fabulous day.
When I knit and have to do a seam, I do a whip stitch with the right sides together. That way it hides all the sewing and all you see is the fabulous knitting. I hope this helps. By the way, I LOVE your blog! Keep up the fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteThose signs are pretty funny. One afternoon we looked out our window and had a campaign sign in our front yard. We didn't put it there :-) (But at least we agree with the sign.)
ReplyDeleteThe arm warmers are cute. I wish I could knit. Especially in front of a fire under a quilt.
Learning to knit is definitely on my "to learn" list!
ReplyDeleteI wish it were cold enough here for a fire and some arm warmers. I'm wishing I wore something other than long pants today. Sigh.
I think the best way to stitch up a seam is using the mattress stitch. It is totally invisible and makes it look like you knit in the round. I get on www.knittinghelp.com whenever I need a reminder or want to learn a new technique. It is full of "how to" videos. For the mattress stitch just go to videos, tips, and then scroll down until you find mattress stitch.
ReplyDeleteThat pictures is funny. As "Bill Clinton" said on the Saturday Night Live skit, "THere is only one man for the job..." d
ReplyDeleteLOVE the arm warmers. i'm still on scarves, but think i might just possibly be able to tackle arm warmers, they're so cute.
ReplyDeletelol at the signs! i guess they'll just cancel each other's vote out!
I love the arm warmers! Even though I live in sunny southern california, I still get really cold! I wear scarves and mittens and my husband just laughs at me. I really want to learn to knit - i may just have to "stimulate the local economy" myself here! =)
ReplyDeleteYour fire looks inviting. We are still in the 80s and have the AC on. I am ready for the cooler days whenever they arrive.
ReplyDeleteLook at that cozy fall scene under your quilt. I love arm warmers and soooo want a pair. I may just have to learn.
ReplyDeleteIf my husband and I allowed each other to put up political posters, that is what our lawn would look like. After 17 years of marriage, we are well beyond arguing about it anymore. We just both make sure to go to the polls to cancel out the other's vote.
ReplyDeleteWe agree on many things, just not political ideologies.
I may have to make a pair of those arm warmers. Who knows if any of us will be able to afford heat this winter!! I'm a fairly new knitter too, and I'm still working on getting the seams right. I knit a Warm Up America afghan last winter and I'm still working on sewing it together!!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I wish we lived closer. I generally seam with right sides facing, just like you'd sew something. Knitty has a very good tutorial: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/mattress.html
ReplyDeleteI don't knit although I have all the stuff to learn with. But had to say that those signs belong in our yard too and, yes, we have some heavy discussions (arguments) over it. But I know my dh is soooo wrong. LOL Count on us to cancel each other out.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a fireplace. Those are some cool arm warmers.
ReplyDeleteFinally - something I could help you to learn! If the arm warmers don't feel too 'tight' (not the size, but the gauge - the material) you could knit the next pair on size 9 needles and they will come out bigger. Otherwise you'll have to cast on more stitches - make sure you use a number that is a multiple of your ribbing (i.e. if you are ribbing K2P2, then add stitches in multiples of 4 - if you are knitting K1P1 then it only has to be in multiples of 2).
ReplyDeleteThey look great! Have fun knitting the next pair.
I am so sorry, I don't knit so no help here. Any quilting questions, you are sure to get an answer. But I love the arm warmers, great! You are probably right about the heated political discussions in that home, funny!
ReplyDeleteLove the way these look! For your pair, cast on 40 stitches and follow pattern. I think your yarn guage is different than the pattern makers and the seed stitch pulls in the yarn a bit. To seam, use the mattress stitch illustrated here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/howto/archive/2008/05/15/mattress-stitch-seam.aspx
When you get tired of fiddly seams, learn to knit in the round (easier than seaming, trust me) and you will be knitting hats, socks, and mitts like the wind.
I could use some of those gloves right now...my hands are cold!
ReplyDeletelove the opposing signs. My friends parents are like that...they cancel each other out at the polls.
Love the arm warmers! and the signs are great!! made me chuckle!
ReplyDeleteMiss you!
Great warmers! Love that brown quilt!
ReplyDeleteah, I may have said that already. Di i say I love that brown quilt?
love these...they are a great idea, but i'm no knitting help. i would like to do a scarf someday.
ReplyDeleteI like the quilt and the arm warmers. You can seam it either way. It depends on the project and the fit.
ReplyDeleteI love the political signs. I saw the same thing in my city. I had to do a triple take.
Those arm warmers are so neat. The political signs are funny. Reminds me of my parents, the Democrat & the Republican. They used to joke that they cancelled out each others vote! :)
ReplyDeleteThe signs are funny!! I'm trying to follow the election from Denmark....keeping my fingers crossed :-)
ReplyDeleteLoving the fall quilt!!!
I haven't a clue on the knitting front - I decided that I didn't have the energy (or brainpower) for more than 2 hobbies, at least while I have all my babies at home :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to stimulate the economy! I have a little package on it's way from FQshop :) I'm really excited!
You are so right about that quilt part. I always wonder at the end of those tutorials how they hand stitch the binding closed. Can´t help you on the knitting part, but I am impressed. I never got farther than thinking about knitting.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from cold and wet Holland.
It is great to hear you are doing your bit for the economy. I have been buying fabric over here as well but it came from the US so I am keeping your exports alive .
ReplyDeleteThanks for making my armwarmers and for the link! I'm adding you to my post, too.
ReplyDeleteLove the political signs!
That is a great photo of the campaign signs! Luckily palin scares my husband to death, so he has converted (for this election).
ReplyDeleteHow funny. I love your arm warmers.
ReplyDeleteYour fire looks really cozy! I'd like to learn to knit sometime soon. Oh and our lawn would look like that as well. And we DO have some interesting conversations. :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you and your knitting!
ReplyDeleteAnd that is hilarious! I wonder if its a married couple with wildly different political views just trying to compromise when it comes to displaying...
love the picture of the signs, too funny....we have ONE of those signs in our yard too, we agree on some things in our house!!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog - I´ve been doing some of your tutorials. But now I have a question - do you have anything with christmas stuff?
ReplyDeleteI have ran out of ideas...
My blog is in swedish but you can visit me and take a look if you like.
Love Malin
It is cloudy and rainy here, perfect for knitting in front of a fire! (if only I had a fireplace!) The arm warmers look great! I think those will be next on my list.
ReplyDeleteWant to thank TLC in a comment above for the suggestion for tips on the knitting helps site...
ReplyDeleteI like the arm warmers too, will have to attempt them after my crochet socks project I am working on now... toes get cold before the arms do!
So cozy in your home with the fire and the fall quilt! Love the arm warmers and I say right sides together then stitch the seam. So funny about the signs!
ReplyDeleteI don't knit but I wish I did. My mother knit her whole life and it was the very last thing to leave her mind when she got Altzheimer's. Seriously, this knowledge lasted almost to the end when basic functions were gone. Isn't that interesting? She was a quilter too, but that ability left much earlier.
ReplyDelete~jane
I always do mattress stitch from the right side. It's the best because you'll do it the way it's supposed to be seen, so if you something you don't like you can redo it right away.
ReplyDeleteHope you got a new armwarmer soon!
oh, i love those warmers, and I think i need a new pair now!
ReplyDeleteI always do a mattress stitch from the right side as well. It is hard to explain in writing without confusing you...I bet knittinghelp.com would have a great video, or if you have any knitting books, there may be some pictures for you to look at.
Life would be easier if we were neighbors......
you've already gotten lots of great advice on mattress stitch, so i'll just throw out that you could learn to knit in the round so that you can make armwarmers without any seams. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo nice ! Kiss !!
ReplyDeletethat picture of those two political signs illustrates my married political household to a "T". which is why we have no political signs in our yard. lol.
ReplyDeletep.s. how did you learn to knit? was there a neat online tutorial or did you use a friend or book? could you please let me know? you're inspiring me to take up a 150th project. simp0491(at)gmail(dot)com.
-m.
Nice arm warmers. How cool that you were able to figure out how to knit something other than potholders. :D
ReplyDeleteLove the signs on the lawn. LIVELY household I would bet.
Great armwarmers! Love the scene you painted with words... the thought of being snuggled under a quilt while knitting sounds perfect for the weather we're having.
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert knitter and don't particularly enjoy the seaming of knitted pieces. I would try knitting these in the round as suggested earlier - no seaming necessary then!
Bravo on doing your part to stimulate the economy! ;o) I guess your fabric purchase promises more great projects for us to see here????
I am new to your blog and new to sewing all together. I have quilted (by hand) one quilt in my lifetime and that was over 15 years ago (a 9-patch and I didn't have very straight lines) with the help of my grandmother-I LOVE your tutorials and how you make it seem so easy, but you just may be my new coach. Do you do hand quilting or sewing machine quilting or both? what would you say would be a good project to start/practice the skills of sewing? I really want to make totes or your adorable fabric baskets, but I'm afraid of piecing...is it that hard?
ReplyDeletettmom42 at yahoo dot com
I love the arm warmers... seems like you got tons of lovely advice as to seaming.
ReplyDeleteThe political signs cracked me up...
Excellent new knitting! Although I don't know how you possibly squeezed it in with all that crazy quilting you've got going on!!!
ReplyDeleteyay!!!!!!
ReplyDeletei LOVE your wrist warmers. fabulous job, you!
and i am sure your seaming looks perfect.
I wish we had a fireplace! I lit some candles for the Autumnal effect!
ReplyDeleteI know what to do with the knitting but I can’t explain it very clearly in Eglish, cause I don’t know the knitting terms.
When closing knitting work like shoulder parts or arm warmers I have them facing each other and make a king of V stitch to put them together. Maybe that’s what you call a matress stitch?
That first photo looks like heaven! What a great way to welcome in fall. And your daughter's little arms in those warmers are just precious.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how adding that bit of wool over the pulse area and palm helps warm the arms and body. Those are cute!
ReplyDeleteWe have an Obama McCain household. It's kind of tense sometimes at our house. Will be glad when the election is over.