Monday, December 15, 2014

Cheaper Yarn for Designing These Days

Best Quote I Heard All Day

“The more I see, the less I know for sure.” --John Lennon

Yes, John! I've been hanging out in Michael's, searching for cheap stuff that I can use for designs that will be created for knitting beginners.

Primarily, I have bought some Lion Brand yarns that I figure beginners would buy first. Lion Brand does have a decent sock yarn, Sock-Ease Yarn. Just started knitting a basic lace sock design with this.
This picture is upside-down. The lace ribbing are the bottom stitches, the others are the main lace pattern. These lace patterns are pretty easy for beginners, so I figure that putting this up on Ravelry will sell pretty well. Heh, heh!

The other Lion Brand yarn I bought yesterday is this--Heartland, which is a worsted weight, but 100% acrylic. FEH!

I haven't knit acrylic in years. And bought purple too because I'm a purple freak. I'll design a cardigan with this, using a good stitch pattern that will appeal to beginners. Gonna call the cardigan "Knitting Novice Cardigan."

Back when I wrote "You Can Knit!", had to design shit for beginners. After these two designs, I have a bunch of advanced designs. Yes, lots of socks, plus several sweaters. Plus I designed a hat for my two nephews, so I'm gonna put that design up on Ravelry too.

A short post today. Ain't got much to write about and am going back to needles in my hands. Knitting keeps me comfy, due to my unemployment. And am about to send some yarn shop owners my workshops list.

Love to teach. My darling grandmother, Constance Carsten, was a teacher in Staten Island, at PS 11 there. When I applied for college, Grandma told me that I should be an Education major. "No, Grandma! I don't want to teach a bunch of silly little kids!" I wish I had paid attention to her. Once I became the Assistant Knit and Crochet Editor at McCall's Needlework & Crafts magazine, Grandma was very proud! She told me, "You are now a teacher, correcting or writing directions for readers." This was in 1983, Grandma still alive. She died in 1985 and I have never stopped missing her. She was a sweetheart, who I adored. And when Mom made her a sweater, that I designed, Grandma was thrilled that we both knit.

Yes, losing Mom last March broke my heart. She and I were best friends with our knitting stuff. Now that Christmas is approaching, I am still saddened, going to miss her even more for the holiday. Last Christmas, she had given me a KnitPicks lace shawl kit that she couldn't make, confused with the lace chart and the directions. So I made it for her, finished by Christmas. And kept the directions. making the shawls for my daughters because I had a pile of KnitPicks Palette yarn, used for the shawl.

So will probably blog post before Christmas, if I have anything to tell you, skanks.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, the holidays always bring out the "missing"- try to focus on the happy memories- but you already know that. sending love!

Caroline aka FiberTribe said...

Sending you best wishes for a Merry Christmas as best you can, Marilyn. Love the purple madness. Hope your Mom is laughing somewhere and shaking her head at the color she KNEW her daughter would pick.
All the best to you and the family.

Unknown said...

Aw, sweet, Mindy!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Caroline. Mom loved purple yarn too.

Cinderellen said...

The holidays are hard when you have had a recent loss. Be kind to yourself.

I too like Sock-Ease. It's not the softest around and can feel a bit scratchy on the needles, but I have been wearing a couple of pair for ages and they feel great on the foot and hold up really well.

Unknown said...

Yes, Ellen. It is a bit scratchy but considering the low price, I wanted to create a sock design for beginner sock knitters. And thanks for your care of my sadness.