I Love Yarn Day 2015

This year instead of going on my annual yarn crawl, I decided that I'd just visit my favorite yarn store, Yarn Story.  My decision to do this was in part that: 1) I'm still in the throes of renovating my (endless) walk-in-closet (and needed to work on it that day :'(); 2) the fact that I currently have two projects going on (posts on that later) and; 3) I'm trying to use up yarn stash before getting more yarn stash (I know - crazy concept, huh? ;P).  Plus, my whoville tabi didn't exactly turn out and I needed advice on what to do on keeping it up (another separate post on that later).

With regards to my Whoville tabi, Kim told me that I could try adding elastic to it but, there'd be no garuntee that the elastic would work to actually keep to up simply because of the yarn type I had use.  Had I decided to make a pair of short ankle socks, this yarn would have been fine; but, since I made such a long sock, the cotton/bamboo just isn't going to stay up. :(  Ever so hopeful that I could make my Whoville tabis work out, I picked up some elastic:

So, while I was there catching up with Kim, I noticed that she had quite a bit of sale yarn. ;)  I couldn't resist peeking in there and ended up finding this:

It was on sale for a steal so, I simply couldn't resist and picked it up.  It'll be another pair of socks for my hubby.  Then, as if he knew I was thinking about him, he walked in the store and picked this out:

Shocked that he even looked around, I also picked up his choice of yarn too. :)

So much for my resolve on not adding to my stash! :P

Well, that was the extent of my I Love Yarn Day this year.  (And, yes, I actually spent the rest of my weekend working on my closet, not my knitting. :'()

Yarn Ball Winder and Swift

I was recently chatting with one of my knitting friends and drooling over her new stash when she mentioned to me that she was hesitant about getting these particular skeins of yarns because they came unwound.  I was shocked to find out that my friend (who's been knitting for years) didn't have a swift or a ball winder!  So, this post is about my adventure about these specific items.

I think after an adventure of picking up a skein of unwound yarn and torturing my poor Hubby to be my swift, I realized it was much easier (and really cheaper with a lot less whining about how one's arm is tired) to just buy a swift.  I looked around the web to see what was out there and found that I wanted a Amish style, table top swift.  Something that was in all wood, would "fold" flat (aka not take up too much space), and that I could put on a flat surface (in other words, something that actually didn't need to be mounted on anything so it would be more versatile for me).  So, off I had gone to my favorite yarn shop: Yarn Story and talked to Kim about my situation.  Amazingly (as usual), she took out her swift and said: "You mean, something like this?":

This was exactly what I was looking for - a Chiaogoo Amish style, table top swift.  It works perfectly, whether I'm working on the floor or on a chair (with a table/flat surface near by).

Once one gets a swift, you also need a ball winder or at least some way to wind your yarn off your swift.  So after looking around and seeing how much a ball winder can cost (which can be quite a bit), I decided that I'd go old school and either get a nostepinne or go the "home made" route.  There are tons of youtube videos out there about how to wind your own center pull ball of yarn and what you can use to do this, including how to use a nostepinne.  So, here's my version of a nostepinne:

I know, I know ... it doesn't look like much other than a very thick empty paper towel roll (which it is) but, hey! it's free (we have tons of these at work), I didn't have to put much effort into making it and most importantly, it works!  While it's not as nice looking or fancy as a real nostepinne, it was the most inexpensive route to go (especially since nostepinnes can come in a large array of woods types and sizes and can be very expensive as well).  With the right ball winding technique, one can have a really nicely wound center-pull ball with my version of a nostepinne (although I must admit, sometimes my ball winding technique isn't the greatest and as such, I don't always create the nicest and/or the prettiest center pull ball; but it works and it's functional). :P  What more can I ask for? ;)  Here's a sample of my work on my "nostepinne":

 Here's what it looks like on my "nostepinne"

Here's my center pull ball of yarn - not bad! ;)

Ultimately, I'm very happy that I invested in my swift and have the best kind of nostepinne - the free kind! :)  

D, when I get a chance to see you, I'll pass along my "nostepinne" to you. ;)  You'll just need to get a swift and I promise you, you won't know how you ever lived without it! :)  Plus, think of all the other kinds of yarn you can buy now! :D

Another Find at Savers

I stopped by my local Savers last week and look what I found!

I know this isn't as cool as the Aarlan yarn I had found but, this was too good of a deal to pass up.  I found  eleven (11) skeins of Patons Pure Wool!  I got 10 of them at $1.49 each and only one (1) teal skein at $2.99.  What a deal!  I got enough to make a sweater and then some for a whopping $18.73!!  Plus, I totally lucked out that I found it in colours that work well with my skin tone (and more importantly, colours I actually like!).

Now, my only problem is finding time to actually start making my sweater(s)! :P

Helpful Hints Pt. 3

I saw this article on a web blog: LoveKnitting.com that I follow and I thought it was ingenious! :)  It's about how to figure out yarn weight (when the wrapper is no longer with you) and wraps per inch. I've always heard of wraps per inch and even seen tools for this but I couldn't really figure it out - until now. :P  Here's an excerpt from the article: 

You’ll need a pencil and a measuring tape or ruler.

We’ll be using Wraps per Inch to figure out your yarn weight. You might notice that most ball bands have the wraps per inch, or WPI, indicated.  This is meant to overcome the difficulties of regional terminology.  Wrap your mystery yarn around the pencil, making sure that the strands are touching, but not overlapping.

Next, you’ll measure the pencil with yarn wraps against a ruler or a measuring tape to make sure you’re wraps are within an inch.

Count the wraps within the inch, and compare against these measurements below:

– Lace or 2 ply: 35 or more

– Light fingering, sock, or 2 ply: 22 – 34

– Fingering or 4 ply: 19 – 22

– Sport: 15 – 18

– DK: 12 – 17

– Worsted or Aran: 9 – 11

– Bulky or Chunky: 8 – 10

– Super Bulky or Super Chunky: anything that has 7 or less wraps per inch

[The] mystery yarn clocked in at 10 wraps per inch, making it a worsted weight yarn.  It’s no longer a mystery yarn!

Thank you, Angie for making Wraps Per Inch clear and easy to (finally) figure out! :)

Stitch Markers - An Update

Just wanted to give you guys an up-date about my stitch markers:

First of all, one of my knitting friends (who reads my blog - Thank you!!), was wondering about stitch markers as well and I told her that if she wanted, she could have my split ring markers.  I gave her my Pony and Leisure Arts markers:

Pony Split Ring Markers

Leisure Arts Split Ring Markers

Next, I wanted to give you an up-date on my new & homemade markers and how I liked (or didn't like) them.  :)  What's the verdict?  Well ...

• The pink clothes pin "marker"

It worked really well to help me "mark" how much yarn I used to complete a row.  I really like it and wanted to pick up more of them when we had gone to Japan.  However, I couldn't find this type of "pin" anywhere! :(  I've asked my friend who originally got this for me to see if she could find them (again) and get me a box of 'em. :)  She too couldn't find the plastic ones and ended getting me these instead:

They're different from the Santa pin below in which they're thicker and more stable (or less flimsy).  However, it works like the pink plastic one above but really isn't comparable. :(  In short, it's ok but I simply like the pink plastic one better.  It's a bummer that I can't find more of those. :(

• I also had a wooden clothes pin "marker" with a little Santa head.  

While it was ok, it didn't work as well as the pink plastic one (even though it was lighter than the plastic one) nor the (newer) wooden pins above.  What I didn't care about it is that it twists easily (as you can see from the picture) and that it also catches the yarn easily. :(  This pin works better holding papers rather than using it as a stitch marker. 

• The plastic locking stitch markers:

These cheaper ones were exactly what it was - cheap.  I had purchased a package of 100 and all I have left now are about 20 of them (at best).  They break with you open them, when you close them, and even sometimes just on its own.  The other ones I bought (the Clover, Hiya Hiya, and Pony Brands) are much better and worth the additional price (even if it has fewer markers in a package).  Other than that, these are great stitch markers and work really well on my larger projects. :)

• The plastic Chiaogoo stitch markers:

These stitch markers are nice, bright, light and colorful.  The only downside of it is that since it's made out of hard plastic, I found that as I moved them from needle to needle, if I wasn't careful, I could flip them off the needles and lose them (possibly permanently, especially in an airplane seat!).  If I do manage to lose these as I'm using it, I don't think I would replace them because it's too easy to flip off your needles.

• My homemade markers: 

These were ... alright.  Despite making it so that it fit my US 13 needles, they kind of work like the Chiaogoo markers, in which, if I'm not careful, I could easily flip them off my needles.  So, while they're really cute and pretty, I don't think I'll be making any more of these types of markers. :(

Then, my hubby found some number and letter beads (to turn into markers) for me so, I also have these markers now (isn't he so sweet? :) ♡):

I plan to use these for bigger projects.

And these for projects that have Fronts, Backs, Tops, Left, and Right sides.  I've used these markers for my socks and work perfectly ♡.  No more wondering which side I'm working on and if it's the top or bottom side of the sock! :P

And these:

These dice were so cute ... I couldn't resist. :P  But, they're heavy because it's ceramic; as such, I'm going to try to resist cute ceramic beads for future stitch markers.

I was also telling my hubby how I wanted smaller removable markers (the plastic ones I had were fine for larger, bulkier yarn but was simply too big for my smaller, sock yarn projects).  He recommended that I should use smaller safety pins.  But I don't care for safety pins as I tend to always get pricked by them (don't ask ... sharp objects and I don't always get along :P).  So, he asked if I'd thought of locking fishing swivels.  I thought that would be a good idea; so, I picked this up at Wal-Mart for $0.97:

 And, here's how it looks like in my project:

Perfect!! :) But ... Because these are cheap ones, the silver coating started to chip off immediately (there were silver fillings were all over my poor sock). :(  So, while the concept is really good (and, it is exactly what I was looking for and, it essentially works like I how I wanted/expected it to), if I wanted to use this "idea" on a more permanent basis, I really need to get better (and real) stainless steel ones.  These size 7s work on my needles US 0 - 3.  I'll need bigger ones if I want to use it on larger needles or, I'll just need to use these as body markers (which was my initial intent because my plastic markers were so large and cumbersome on my sock).

Upon hearing my complaint about the fishing swivels, my sweet Hubby offered to dull down all of my safety pins. :) (He's such a sweetie! ♡) And, that has worked so much better than the fishing swivels.  The only problem with it was that sometimes the yarn would get stuck in the coils. :(  Thus, the search for coiless pins started. 

And, I found these at Yarn Story:

The coiless stitch markers are ... AWESOME!! :)  Love them! :)  They're perfect as markers and stitch holders. :) ♡

And these at Flora Dec:

And these from Fringe Supply Co. as well:

Besides the ball and chain stitch markers (below), these are my next favorite type of markers to use. ♡ :)  So, to add to my "little" collection of coiless markers, I also picked these up from Knitifacts (I wanted other metal colored ones then saw the painted ones and couldn't resist ♡ :P):

And these pins are exactly what I was looking for and are work perfectly - no snagging the yarn. :)  I think I have enough now - maybe. :D

Then, I went on my yarn crawl in Japan and found these ball and chain stitch markers at my favorite Yuzawaya in Takashimaya Times Square:

I've been using them on my sock projects (yes, I finally got smart and am only counting new stitches I put on instead of all the stitches! :P) and they're working perfectly! ♡ :)  They're bright, colorful and very light! :)  Now, all I need are connectors to make a set of big and small rings! ;) (Or, maybe I need to pick up more to have extra large, large and small rings?? :P)

And these KA stitch markers (also at another Yuzawaya in Kyoto):

Now, I (finally, I think) have enough of these for my sweater! :)  These markers are perfect for more bulkier type yarn and hold very well.  You never have to worry about it slipping off! :)

I also found these beads. :)  They were so cute and colorful, I simply couldn't resist! :P  Plus, it helped that I found most of them at Seira (which is like a 100¥ store) in Nagoya or at my favorite bead store: Kiwa Seisakujo in the Umeda Yodobashi Camera building so, it was also very inexpensive. :D  They all fit my (inherited) short circular US 13 needles except for the stars; they only fit on US 8 needles (as I couldn't find inexpensive jump rings big enough to fit the US 13 needles.)

They're all made out of plastic and are very light so, it's a bit of bling for me when I use them on my projects. :)  

I just might've found the perfect combination of stitch markers - finally! :)  Well, at the very least I now have TONS of stitch markers! :P

More New Toys (and some Yarn - more Stash)! :D

I've been working really hard this past summer so, I felt that I deserved some new toys. ;)  Check it out! :P

New (smaller) double Crochet hooks (for dropped stitches) and stitch markers:

After my yarn crawl in Japan (where I was hoping to find a smaller/shorter bamboo crochet hook), I finally decided to pick up these crochet hooks from Fringe Supply Co. to keep in my knitting bag.  I have been looking for something smaller and shorter because a standard crochet hook was sometimes too long and cumbersome for picking up stitches.  These are wonderful and fits in my needle case perfectly! :)  It's just what I was looking for. :)  I also saw these stitch markers and couldn't resist picking them up. :P

A new Sirka Counter:

I'm hoping to actually have a "take with me" project and an "at home" project going simultaneously; hence the need for two (2) Sirka counters.  This counter really helps to keep me on track.  Hopefully, I can really put this to the test (i.e. having two (2) projects going at the same time) this coming fall! :)  And of course, I picked this up at my favorite yarn store, Yarn Story. :)

New Needles & accessories:

I bought these needles after my foray with my Summer Market KAL.  I still had some leftover Lily's Sugar 'n Cream yarn and wanted to make another (different) market bag (which called for a different set of needles :D).  So, off I went to my favorite yarn store, Yarn Story to pick up another set of needles. :)

While I was at Yarn Story, Kim showed me some raffia yarn:

So, I've added to my stash! :D  I hope to make a summer bag with this. :)

More stitch markers!:

I love coiless stitch markers! :)  I practically used nearly all of my bronze and copper coiless stitch markers when I was working on my Whoville tabi and that spurred me into picking up a "few" more. ;)  Hey!  If I managed to use nearly all forty (40) - yes, almost all forty of those stitch markers for a pair of knee-high socks, how many would I need to for a whole sweater? ;D  So, I went a little nuts and picked these up. :D  They were so cute and pretty, how could a girl resist? :P  If you'd like some of your own, I picked these up from here. :)

New knitting bag:

 It's called Sprinkles and this is the Nesting (aka largest) size. :)

And look how much yarn I can fit in here!  

(And, there's still more room for more stuff!)

I've been drooling over this bag and have been wanting to try this brand (Chicken Boots) for quite some time.  So, I've finally taken the plunge. :)  This baby is supposed to be big enough for a sweater project so now, I have a sweater bag and a sock bag:

My sock bag is actually a Rickshaw bag and is so very awesome - it's strong and very durable; my needles have poked through it a few times but, the material seems to be self-healing since I haven't found any holes on my sturdy little bag. :)

That's it for my current set of new toys! :)