Friday, August 20, 2010

Not Galina but Galena

I've calmed down a little after my initial reaction today. I got a PM pretty much telling me off that I wanted to be Galina Khmeleva (who does lovely work, don't get me wrong).  I am not her, nor am I pretending to be. I didn't even know she existed when I picked this name.

I picked this name because I almost (1 semester short, before I decided that I didn't like it) had a geology degree. My favorite mineral was galena. It was metallic, with a high specific gravity. It's found near coal mining areas. I fell in love with it. It was also very pretty to say.  Also it began with a G and my name begins with a G.

I've gone by this nickname for about 7 years now, long before I was a knitter (I was crocheting at the time). I have several online friends, and even some in person that just know me as Galena. I see no reason to change it.

If you are looking for Galina and Orenburg lace, follow this link: http://www.skaska.com/about.html

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Knitting Retreat

I went to my first knitting retreat this past weekend. I didn't know what to expect really, I've heard of some being really structured and some being not so much. This one had some, which I liked, but it wasn't rigid. We work as we wanted, but there was time to take a class if we chose.

We started out picking out grabbags.
Each was slightly different, but we each got a skein of a KnitPicks yarn (mine is Wool of the Andes Pumpkin) two skeins of another type ( Classic Elite) and 2 sets of stitch markers. There's also a tape measure, stitch holders, needle inventory, KnitPicks Emergecy Fix keychain, and a pattern (given by the the designer).

I did decide to take the class they offered since I've done very little with colorwork and I've been knitting 4 years. I picked out an easy pattern (Picot Hem Snowflake Hat).
 I got about halfway through the star/snowflake before we left. I'm having a lot of fun with this. I couldn't get the method of wrapping the yarn around the needle then removing it to make the float, but I've got it now. And I'm using both hands, so learning right handed wasn't a total waste. I'm looking forward to doing more colorwork.I think I even have my next project picked out for it.

Friday, August 6, 2010

The month of Finishing

Learning to knit right handed did not turn out well. It aggravated the carpal tunnel that's starting in that hand and was just uncomfortable. I now say to knit the way you like and don't let anyone tell you you're knitting incorrectly. That and I wasn't too thrilled about what I was knitting (baby hats).  Medically I may not be able to have kids (i.e. these projects weren't for me...I'm a selfish knitter/crocheter what can I say).

Over at Ravelry (which if you haven't seen and are reading this blog, go check it out!) I'm a member of the HP knitting/crochet house cup. Yes, I'm a Harry Potter nerd, and you had no idea how much. They have 3 month terms with 6 classes each month. Then a month in between terms for sign-ups (sign up will be happening this month if you want to join in on the fun).

This month the focus there is on not starting anymore projects but finishing the ones you have. So far I've finished 2 projects. Both are not for me surprisingly.

First, my husband's birthday was Tuesday. I'm constantly showing him patterns and asking if he likes them. I'm still trying to understand his style, we've been married for a year and together for 4 so still not that long. I knew he would like this hat though since he had 2 just like it.

I'm not too thrilled with the pattern (Lidsville from Son of a Stitch and Bitch). Hubby has a big head, 24" around. Most hat patterns are sized for  23" heads. Sizing up wasn't the problem, just used a size bigger hook, the inside lining didn't size up, and there was a lot of seaming. Hubby loves it and wants a couple more.

The other project is a Christmas present, so it won't be posted right now. I'll just say they are lovely soft and I want to keep them for myself.