Why I Love Knitting (and Crochet and Spinning!)

Knitting as a hobby used to conjure up images of little old ladies making blankets and crocheted doilies on tops of dressers. Today, there is a surge of knitters in the younger generation (say, 60 and under) and knitting is becoming more and more popular. But why? Obviously I love these crafts because I enjoy them but it goes deeper than that.

Knitting connects me to my past. 
Both of my grandmothers knit and while one died before I was born, snuggling up with an afghan she made makes I feel like I'm connected to her in a special way that no one else in my family can claim. Since knitting used to be such an everyday task, I'm sure I have lots of women (and maybe even some men) in my family history that sat down with yarn and needles. I feel like I'm keeping that aspect of my ancestry alive.


Knitting keeps my hands busy! 
Easily portable and sometimes mindless, knitting keeps me from getting bored. I knit while I watch tv, ride in the car, and I even take it with me to restaurants when I know there will be a long wait. I can be productive at almost all times!


I love turning nothing into something.
This is true for most crafts but I especially love it with fiber arts. Turning wool into yarn and then yarn into a hat, socks, or a sweater? That is the ultimate "Look! I made this!" moment. For someone who has dealt with depression and needs small victories to feel accomplished, this is a huge part of why I do what I do.


It's very cerebral.
It may not seem like fiber arts involve a lot of thinking, but math plays an integral part in all three of these crafts. There are drive ratios and twist angles in spinning and pattern repeats, increases, and decreases in knitting and crochet. Not to mention adjusting sizes in things like sweaters. Once you start following pattern, there are charts, repeats, and color changes to keep track of. Make no mistake, fiber arts take brain power!


It connects me to an amazing community.
I have met so many creative, generous, and highly individual people through knitting. Finding out someone is a knitting (or crocheter or spinner) gives you an instant bond. Ravelry has been a huge part of meeting people as has the Harry Potter Knitting/Crochet House Cup game that I play. Knitters are incredibly generous selling patterns with proceeds going to every charity you can think of, making hats for chemo patients, and blankets for kids in the hospital. We also send hats and mittens to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, our troops, the homeless, and veterans.


Every item is made with love.
That sounds cheesy, but it's true. I can easily go out and buy any of this already made at any store in America. The things I make involve not only my time, but my desire to make whoever it's going to end up with happy. I literally will spend hours searching for the perfect pattern and yarn combination for gifts. Every stitch is done by hand and every project made with a lot of thought put into it. Seeing a smile on someone's face that has received something I've made is the ultimate thank you.

New Look, New Address, and A Giveaway!

Sparkle Monster has gotten all gussied up for a new address! Along with a new color scheme (taken from this palette), some new fonts, and graphics, I've got a new home on the web! Since it seems every domain is taken, I was shocked to find the one I wanted available. No worries, the old blogger address with redirect here. To celebrate, I'm giving away a mustard and teal slouchy version of my Over the Rainbow hat. It's made from soft acrylic and a wool bamboo blend and is perfect for transitioning spring weather. There are 5 ways to enter and two of them count for two entries. Giveaway ends next Sunday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HPKCHC Fall 2012 Term Round-Up

I know you are probably thinking what the heck is HPKCHC? It is a group over on the knit/crochet community, Ravelry, called Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup. See? HPKCHC is much easier to write! Now you are probably wondering what that is. It's a friendly crafting competition framed within the Harry Potter world. We are sorted into houses and then craft for points to bring home the House Cup. Every month of the 3 month term, we have 8 "classes" to choose from, all from the HP books. They have different challenges that revolve around their area of study (say dementors for DADA or polyjuice for Potions). When you complete a challenge, you turn it in as "homework" to get points. There is also quidditch which involves more crafting for points. Obviously there is a bit of a role playing element to it all!

melofors hat, snowflake doily

It sounds way dorky and it kind of is but it's a total blast. While I played Nerd Wars in the past (another competition group on Ravelry) this was my first time playing in the House Cup. I love that it involves my love of HP with crafting and writing. These competition groups are fantastic motivators to get things done! Even making a boring garter stitch dishcloth can be fun when it's framed within a competition and theme.

calavera amigurumi, puff paint mask

I was sorted into Ravenclaw for my first term, and had so much fun. Because everyone was so nice, I never felt left out because I was a "first year". Ravenclaw had it's own activities to participate in, and even has a thread about dolls! They also love spreadsheets, and the oxford comma. These are people after my own heart! I can proudly say we scored the most points and therefor won the House Cup this term! :tosses confetti:

hand dyed yarn, blythe helmet with demi octopus

Here's the number of projects I completed September - November in the fall term:
10 little bows
6 hats
3 dishcloths
2 amigurumi
3 things for Blythe
2 masks - one knit, one paint
1 dyed skein of yarn
1 sewn project bag
1 knit bag
1 dish scrubber
1 poop bag holder

I did 11 knit, 18 crocheted, 2 sewn, one dyed, and one painted project! A lot of these were Christmas presents, so it was fun to earn points while making things that had to be done.

autumn slouchy hat, project bag

If you knit, crochet, spin, or dye yarn, and like Harry Potter, I highly suggest you play! The minimum requirement is to finish one class per month which can be something as a hairbow or dishcloth. There are all skill levels playing the game so you don't have to be spectacular to play. You have an entire month to complete at least class and I've seen everything from a blanket square to a sweater turned in. Here's the group and sign-ups for the next term (January - March) are open now through December 20. If you are too nervous to jump in and want to just dip a toe, you can play as a Not Quite First Year (NQFY) where there are no minimum project turn-ins. You don't have to sign up to play as a NQFY and can start that anytime (even in March!).

If you sign-up, play as a NQFY, or already play, let me know!

Over the Rainbow Hat Pattern

This hat can be worked in any combination of stripes or a solid color. The rainbow version uses pink, coral, and dark blue along with the standard roybgv. Every other row is worked in cream including the first and last row.

Skills used: adjustable ring, double crochet, chain, and slip stitches.

Hook: I Hook (5.5 mm)
Yarn: Worsted weight (approx. 109 yards)
Size: 22" head

Over the Rainbow PDF