What Knitting Mood Are You In?

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

Kate Manning — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:03:59 GMT

I know I should be thinking about knitting baby stuff for the arrival of TWO grandchildren (any day and end of Nov), but I get so easily side-tracked by another new project. My son says I was a crow in a previous life and that shiny things distract me too easily...and string, give me lots and lots of string.

I guess I am in a Fall mood....coffee colors, pumpkin, deep green and golds (ewww, that sounds like the 60's harvest gold and avocado etc.). NO WAY. I am so ready for cooler weather....I do project boards and am inspired by what is happening outside....weather, blue sky, black clouds...I am knitting a double knit, gradation alpaca scarf, baby blankets and a sweater made with stripes of sock yarn and Manos bulky....sounds weird,but really neat (and fast). Don't ask what I am NOT knitting....that would fill a book

Enough said.

Happy Knitting.

Kate

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

Sherrey — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:10:31 GMT

My knitting mood is, like others, driven by what's happening in the family life. Right now I'm in the "I'm going to be a great- grandmother (and I'm only 62!!!) mood." So, for the first time for a new family member-to-be, I can cast on pink yarn!!!! Yes, it's a girl so I'm in a frilly, ruffly, pink mood (and maybe lavender since that's her grandmother's favorite color!). Just finished an afghan and a cap, and I have other projects in mind. Mood board?? Don't need one right now -- maybe later.

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

Silemuirin — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:09:32 GMT

Bought the book a few weeks ago, and I sort of have my own process for this as I mostly knit for the special people in my life. I have gift bags tacked up around my room and when I come across a pattern or yarn that screams "I'm for..." I slip it into the appropriate bag. Then when I'm preparing for their birthday (I do birthdays and not Xmas, as birthdays are all spread out and Xmas everything is "due" at once), I go to their bag and see what I've collected for them. About half the time the pattern and yarn that best suits is in the bag already. The other half of the time I have one or the other and then get to go "hunting". Not that I object to a good yarn hunt , of course...!

For myslef I try to find odd patterns: funky constructions that make people stop and go "What?!"

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

LindaW@4 — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:30:04 GMT

I have been knitting and crocheting "again" for about a year and a half ...

Often, as I knit or crochet, I am not just creating a project, but also creating peace in a life cluttered with responsibilities. Sometimes, it is a treat at the end of a day that deserves one. Always, it is a part of me, the voice for the aesthetic part of my creative spirit.

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

carolinka — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:35:53 GMT

My knitting mood right now is one of wishfulness...I had carpal tunnel surgery about 8 weeks ago and I am only really knitting for an hour a day. I used to knit non-stop in my free time. So, now all I currently will do is one repeat of the Undulating Waves scarf pattern a day, which I should finish in two weeks. Then, back to socks, which will be slow going.

I'm really looking forward to being able to knit a lot again!

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

GailH@2 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:15:15 GMT

Sandi,

I've got the Fall 2008 magazine, and just love the Sunrise Circle Jacket...Is there any chance KD can make the pattern available again? I don't know how I missed it the first time around...maybe I was just to afraid to try it...so let it pass. But now I think I might be "Fearles"

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

KellyA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:54:27 GMT

As someone who has a great fondness for making handmade books and altered books, the idea of a mood board greatly appeals to me. However, as a slow knitter with a full-time job, mood boards would greatly cut into my knitting time. It's hard enough for me to be motivated enough to take photos of my finished work and upload them to Ravelry!

And yet, maybe the thing that distinguishes designers from knitters is the willingness to make or take the time to deslgn.

I've only been knitting for 2 years and already I know I love to work with natural fibers in bright pinks and reds and purples.

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

Betty BJ — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:06:47 GMT

The idea of a mood board is very creative and I am glad that it works for some knitters. Frankly, it's too elaborate and time consuming for me - as well, I have many projects in my head that are waiting to be put on needles, so I don't need a board to help my creativity.

Mood plays a part in my knitting only to the degree of deciding which project when. For instance, I have 3 afghans on needles - 1 is extremely simple color blocking and I knit that when I feel like knitting but know I will have a number of interruptions; the other 2 have stitch patterns that require more attention, and time and attention dictate which one when. I have 2 skirts on the needles as well, and once again, which one I knit depends on time and attention. And, yes, I have other projects on the needles as well - it can be daunting to keep track... but that's the way I knit - I rarely knit only one project per day - it's usually at least 2 and often 3 projects that get my attention in any given day. So, I don't need (or have time for) a specific mood board. I do keep a color wheel on my bulletin board (and look at it often) - I also have many scarves and pieces of material that I have on display in my knitting area, and while knitting (or picking the specific color(s) for a project), I find those objects offer enough motivation and inspiration.

I will add that I think many of us find inspiration in unusual ways, and often without realizing it - e.g. I have some "house blouses" that I throw on when I'm at home. There is one that I reach for more often then the others - and that one is patterned, and the pattern is quite ugly (it was on sale) - but I still find myself reaching for it more often than the others... Now the point - one of the skirts I have on the needles right now involved several different yarns and several colors, and I am enjoying the look as it unfolds... Yes, once again, I grabbed the "ugly print" blouse from my closet, and wondered why... then realized that the blouse has the same colors as the multicolored skirt that I'm knitting - so, although the blouse's print is ugly, the color scheme was unconscious motivation when choosing the colors for that skirt.

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

MiaJ — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:57:19 GMT

Sometimes when I cannot decide which project to start (there are so many) I take one of my favorite articles of clothing out of the closet and think about what I could knit to enhance an outfit. I have a beautiful handmade chenille jacket and I have knit two fancy scarves to go with it. I have a collection of jackets and try to spend time making accessories that enhance what I already have. I am thinking about a black sparkly top to go with a long black wool skirt. So, instead of a mood board, I look in my closet and see what inspires my interest. Currently I am working in the color orange making hats and scarves for friends to wear to Giants Games.

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

BonnieR — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:37:06 GMT

I have no trouble finding inspiration. When I see a beautiful pattern...and one that I can envision as an article of clothing for myself or a loved one, then I become obsessive about knitting it. This leads to buying yarn (must have yarn to make project, after all) and starting projects. I really do love starting projects...getting the feel of the yarn....seeing how the piece is going to come together. But then I find myself with 3, 4, 5 or more projects started and not enough time to make fast progress on any of them. I do like having at least a couple things going at a time...with something easy to do when there are a lot of distractions and something more complicated to do when I need the challenge and interest. But getting too many things started becomes problematic. Once I get to that point, then I have to reign myself in. No more new yarn and no more starting another project until I get a few done. Plus if I have too many projects going, I find that the needles I need for one project are often in use on another one!

Anyway...I bought Michele's book. It is beautiful and filled with many lovely patterns that I hope to work my way through over time. I enjoyed the articles and hope someday to design something of my own. Maybe then I will use the mood board idea. In the meantime, it is interesting to see how she brings an idea together. Currently I am working on the Winter Wonderland Coat. That is the pattern that caused me to buy the book. It is coming along nicely and makes the idea of the approaching fall and winter seem kind of exciting!

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

MarisaL — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:39:54 GMT

I am in a sock mood. I am just staring to make my first sock and I'm very excited. I hope they turn out okay!

I am in love with this mood board project. I am going to start my board today. I think that you can see it, you will create it. Thank you!

Knit On!

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

Susan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:27:04 GMT

I agree with the writer with startitis who laughed at "not knowing what to cast on." Not a problem here, folks! What knitting mood I'm in is driven by gift projects, but since there are at least 5 or 6 of those going at any given time, I can pick and choose by complexity of the project, and what yarn I like that day (minute?) I did put together a knitting journal within which I journal, record projects and have an idea section. I put my design drawings in there along with photos from magazines, catalogs, etc. If my muse is not doing her job, I go to my journal to get ideas, and/or to flip through my binders of knitting books and patterns. Then, it's time for a trip to the yarn closet to see what's there and if it's applicable to the ideas I have.

Right now my mood is to finish the Piku Piku sweater (pattern from Berrocco online) for me, the All American Aran Afghan for my son's wedding gift, and the pair of socks for me that I started a year ago and forgot. I usually finish one or two projects and start a new one...

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

WendyH — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:30:34 GMT

I love the mood board concept. I guess I've been doing it all along in my head...just never actually found objects and placed them on a board. But I do keep a "notebook" of all of my current/finished projects and that mood board picture would be a wonderful addition. By George....I'm going to try it!

Lately my mood has been to knit a small items like lace scarves, socks, mittens, etc. because I can't believe how HUGE I've become - I don't want to knit a sweater that would actually fit me. So, I keep telling myself....when I lose my 20 lbs, I'll make another sweater.

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

GloriaP — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:55:21 GMT

I'm a knitting mag and book enthusiast! That is where I get my inspiration or mood. When I find something really cool to knit I sometimes buy the yarn for that project and put it aside. I do one project at a time. I knit faster that way knowing I have another great project waiting in the wings. When I use to knit more than one project at a time, I was getting too overwhelmed! I'm not quite advanced enough to make up my own patterns, but, I have no problem finding cool sweaters, etc. to knit. Maybe in the future I'll be able branch out and make my own bonafide mood board. I look forward to the day!

re: What Knitting Mood Are You In?

LadyKRose — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:29:40 GMT

I'm in a finishing frame of mind. I have at least five WIPs. But part of that is the seasonal thing too. I'll put something down if the season for it is passing and start something new for the next season. That's why the WIPs.

I'm hoping to finish a light weight lacy sweater and then pick up the shawl I put down last year when I got to the border with over 500 stitches per row in a lace pattern. Then the kidsilk haze vest in an Arctic Lace pattern, and the Pie R Round ruana that I decided to add lace to. The ruana was a bit much for me and it got relegated to the 'later' list.

Meanwhile, I'm working on my first pair of knee socks [Quidditch Socks] and an Arctic Lace scarf. If I get too overwhelmed, I'll do something quick like a diagonal scarf in funky/furry/fuzzy yarn. Makes me feel like things are moving along really well and I can go back to the big WIPs.

I love the finishing mood time as I tend to get very focused. The Olympics are helping as I'm up later watching the events and the needles are moving right along.