Inspiration: Waiting for the Spring

Yes, I'm waiting, waiting, waiting for the spring... And in doing so remembering one of the last sunny days in September. A lovely day with my family :)

I've been wearing my own design all summer and here I already had to get another layer and admit to myself that it's time to leave it alone for a while...

I was a bit self-conscious, I can see it now when I look at the photos. I guess all new moms are. But I also think that the top drapes nicely and fits well even with that extra baby weight.

I was also surprised this January while I browsed a new Linea Pura magazine. There's a pattern that looks terribly similar to this one. Did I maybe inspire someone? Now, that would be nice!

It was certainly intended for this pattern to be modified to fit everyone's needs, with stockinette part as long as desired or not even there.

If there's someone else who'd like to give it a try, the top is a part of matching tunic and scarf set and here's the link to the free pattern!

I can make it on my own ;)

As I've mentioned in my previous post, when it comes to handmade gifts, I make them very often and I don't expect some sort of immense gratitude. It is what it is :) And I don't ask people to take photos while wearing/using something I've made. That's almost a rule for me.

So when I designed and knitted No Trouble Mesh Set for my sister in law Dana, I was very careful about asking for a photo. I explained how I want to take my blog more seriously since I have time right now, how I liked the way the whole thing turned out and if she would be so kind to take a few pictures once she tries it on, no big deal. And she was thrilled to help me, so I was too and I prepared it all. The photos I took were there just in case. When I published the pattern, I was hoping to get her photos in a day or two and add them to the post.

It took a bit longer, though. In the meanwhile I got curious, then bored and eventually started asking all sorts of silly questions. Even if the tunic somehow didn't fit or looked good on her, I didn't see what could be wrong with the scarf? Is it so that just because this one time I didn't actually buy the yarn it doesn't count as a gift? That the time I took designing, knitting, seaming and washing something is not worth the trouble of taking two photos on someones phone? If this was a big and successful blog, this would have been plainly embarrassing :)

On the upside, when I complained to Dean about his sister, he just said: "Who cares?! Why do you even need her photos?" And as usual, he was right. After all, he has seen all the things I've made these few years in Innsbruck.

We went through my stash together and found a perfect yarn to make a brand new set for little ol' me. It's even very old yarn, as I've just found out. Made in West Germany :D It's wonderfully soft and glowing 100% cotton. The color reminds me of  a warm sunset, me somewhere on the beach wearing my new thing over a swimsuit... Well, I can fantasize just a little as I cast on, it's allowed...

This would be my swatch, same needles 8,5mm and a made a few rows in stockinette just to feel the yarn, since the recommended needle size for this yarn is 3-3,5mm. I have to say I was satisfied and continued fantasizing about that beach. After all, this color looks better with a tan :)

The gauge was the same, 9st to 10cm, but I've made the adjustments for the size, to fit chest 92cm. It went something like this: 92*9/20=41,4, then rounding up and adding 2st makes 44st for each upper part in mesh pattern.

I'm amazed how fast it flows! I'm not used to working with large needles, I have to be honest. More often I go for the size smaller then recommended, I prefer dense fabric. But this project makes me smile :)

As things usually work out just fine, as soon as I started my new top, Dana sent me her photos. I guess nothing mysterious was going on after all. Still, I believe I was right not to ask for this kind of a favor so often. It's a great way to make things awkward, isn't it?

I have very few regrets in my life...

...but not photographing all of my knitted and crocheted pieces is definitely one of them. Just a few days ago I started adding my projects to my Ravelry page, always wanted to do that :) Then I realized most things I made are out of my reach, I simply gave them away with all the joy it brings without taking photos first and I'm just not the kind of person to start bothering anyone after some time has passed... So all I have is what I kept for myself or maybe some photos of things I made for my closest family. And I was so wrong...

This is me with my husband Dean before it all started. It's September 2011 and just moments before this was taken I got my MSc in Applied Math, yay! 5 days before, we got married, double yay! We were supposed to move to Innsbruck so I could start my PhD that October and things were looking up. Although I learned how to crochet and knit as a child and I made some things here and there, at the time it was far behind me...

And then all the reality and worries came upon us... Moving to Innsbruck was postponed until spring, Dean was unemployed, I got a job that was way over my head... When you're a student, you are going through a lot, but always with a bunch of other guys, coping together; in real life, nobody cares. I had to do something to make it easier... And we all know what kind of a therapy crafting is.

He needed a hat so I made one, nothing much... Then I wanted to try something bigger, since I only made small things before that, so I made a sweater for a friend, it went well and I was hooked :) That was probably the finest and the most appreciated gift I ever made. There is no photo, of course, but who cared back then, I was finally having fun! This guy was wearing it proudly and when the weather got warmer, he came to me and explained how he had washed it carefully and stored it until the next winter to make sure nothing happened to it. I was astonished!

When we did move to Innsbruck, as things got more serious with our life in the new place, my knitting got more serious, too. I've made many things and most of them I gave away, for some I know they are loved, for some I'm not so sure... And it's o.k. One should not give away something that one can't part with. I'm not making big or very expensive gifts anymore. Sometimes it even pays off. In 2014, I wanted to learn how to knit socks, so I tried it all, toe up, top down, different heals, solid or changing colors, lace, cables and such. A big batch of Christmas presents. That time I didn't even care if they don't want their feet to be warm :) Surprisingly enough, that was the only time that I got a spontaneous photo from my brother who loved his pair!

In the end, I understand, understand that most people who don't do it themselves can't estimate the time or the effort, not the mention the price of yarn. 5 years ago I had no idea :) After a while, I don't even ask, if they don't tell about the piece. That way I don't have to imagine it on the bottom of that big pile of things someone is not wearing or using. But I don't understand why I simply forgot to take those photos.

I wish I had taken the photos to let me remember after some time. It's not like it hurts the person who's getting the present, or making you like one of those people who make photos of each meal they have. It adds to those crafting moments you don't forget. Like finishing your first project. Realizing you have a stash. Or that first look in your husband's eyes, not complaining or judging, just trying to understand why you need some more yarn :) Some people, not me, can also go through all those cute photos of all those precious hours that went away to make someone else happy.

The worst thing is, I keep doing it all over again. I made a lovely baby dress with a lacy skirt and satin bow, booties with the same bow and made up a pattern for a matching hat. It was adorable and I didn't even get the chance to ever see the baby since the parents had to move away before she was born. They even believed it was bought in a store (they meant this as a compliment :) And no photo for me... Even made the same pair of booties for another baby I didn't meet in the end. You can guess I didn't take a photo. And the list goes on and on... Damn! I have no idea why I keep on doing that and will I ever change...

Inspiration: Knitting in Innsbruck

Just lately I decided to go back to my blog idea and change it completely. I really wanted to have "photo blog" and I wanted to keep it in German.

But, for the first thing, why not tell a story? I have more time now to occupy my brain with non-mathematics and (just maybe) non-baby stuff.

The reason for switching to English is a bit more complicated and - more like a story. To make it less boring to a knitter, it involves this hat and loop...

I really wanted to have posts in German with a strong hope that in time I'll be able to find a knitting buddy or, better yet, a knitting group. After all, it was in Innsbruck that I remembered how much I loved to knit and crochet, there must be someone nearby just like me...

In the middle of my fever, Autumn 2014, my parents decided to come and visit. A perfect opportunity to make something for my mom, she loves hats, hat it is! I decided for this one in Lana Grossa "Olympia", plus a matching loop.
https://www.filati.cc/lana-grossa-strickmodelle/lana-grossa-modell-muetze-und-loop-olympia-id_12393.html
I headed to the yarn store that was my favourite at the time; I needed the needles, too. After getting the yarn and the long circular needle, this nice lady selling it asked what I was going to make. When I mentioned a hat, she was assuring me that I can't do it without DPs. I started explaining, you know, "magic loop" and so on. I'm not sure who was more amazed after I left the store: seeing her, after hearing my story and not believing it, or me, realizing that she's the one working in a yarn shop.

The knitting part was a success, there was even enough yarn left to make a hat for me, but my hopes in finding a knitmate were sinking.

Last summer, I was all about knitting for the baby. Also in a pregnancy yoga class and from time to time, we had a round of saying a couple of things about ourselves. So I suggested doing some baby knits together or helping someone learn how to knit. After all, it can be very fun and you get to finish things in no time! But still no luck...

By the time Lulu came in November, I found out that it's not that people don't knit in Innsbruck, but most women my age take up sewing as a hobby. Funny thing is, they also have knitting in school. So, maybe it isn't so much fun when they make you do it!

In any case, it doesn't look like I'm going to find a local knitting enthusiast. I'm starting to knit globally!

P. S. Planning to share one of my own patterns soon :)

Coffee time

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