Dropped a Stitch!

So, I was merrily knitting away when I found out that I had dropped a stitch at the end of the row. Not knowing how to fix it, and not wanting to frog the work, which was almost 3-4 inches long at this point, I quickly went to my laptop, and onto the trusty internet. Unfortunately, I couldn't fix it, so I opted for the next best thing, which was going back a row. So, I did.

So, back to knitting I went. And wouldn't you know it? A few rows later, I had slipped a stitch in the middle of the row. Not panicking, I caught the stitch almost immediately, and then with my trusty crotchet hook, one the same size as my needles (6.0mm or size 10), and a quick look at this site, How to Fix a Dropped Stitch, I easily fixed that too.

So, if you find that you've dropped a stitch, don't fret, and catch as soon as you can, the sooner the better, and fix it. Of course, the more complex the pattern, the harder it might be to catch and fix the problem. I am doing a simple garter stitch for my project, so it was very easy to catch right away. Some people recommend threading a string along a row as you knit, to act as a sort of "safety line". This is particularly helpful if you are doing a complex pattern like a lace. If you find that you've dropped a stitch and its next to impossible to fix, you can simply go back to the row with the string in it and start knitting from there.

Officially 8.33% done with my scarf!!

Since I am not very good with caculating percentages manually, I went and found a percentage calculator online to help me figure out how much of my scarf I have done. I have about 5 inches knitted so far, and want to knit a total of 60 inches. I plugged those values in and hit the "Calculate" button and it showed that I have 8.33% of my scarf done.

I am proud of myself for finishing almost 10% of it already. I just found a tape measure, which goes up to what I think is the standard 60 inches. It's my mom's but I think I can borrow it for now. She surely isn't using it much, if at all. Anyways, 60 inches is about how long I want my scarf to be, so it works out perfectly!! I have nearly 5 inches of scarf so far, and being about 20 stitches wide, it should turn out nicely!!

Also, going to have to make a note somewhere to call Stitch One, Knit Too, so as I can see if I can secure a place at Moonlight Madness, which is the name of the event I described in the previous post. I think I can figure out how to do it on my Driod, but I don't always carry the thing with me when I am at home, so maybe a note on my laptop would be more prudent.

I am both excited and nervous about this, as I usually get anxious about social events, but I think I'll have a lot of fun regardless.

Also, after a ton of headaches and trying to figure things out, I finally managed to add a widget (that nifty progress tracker from Raverly) to this blog so anyone who reads it, but mostly just me, can easily keep track of how much of my project I have completed and which project (or projects) I am working on. Its right above my Bio, if you couldn't find it. Enjoy!!

First trip to LYS!!!!

Today I went to my LYS, called "Knit One, Stitch Too", and drooled all over the fancy yarns (there was this one particular yarn, a lovely silk with some sort of metallic thread in it to make it sparkle and shimmer), however, I forced myself not to buy them, as I am not experienced enough to work with them yet. I was sweating, literally, as the air conditioner wasn't working, or on (I didn't want to seem rude so I didn't ask) and it was about 80 degrees or so in there.

I did, however, buy a couple of pairs of Clover Bamboo Needles (straights), and while I was checking out, the store clerk there, a really nice guy, started talking to me about things happening in the store. He handed me some literature (three full printed pages) about the store and events taking place there over the next few weeks. I noticed that there was a class/event taking place on the 28th from 6-11 PM, called Moonlight Madness, with refreshments being served and sale items being put out, all while a class is to be taught.

The best part is that the doors to the store will be closed to the general public at around the time the class begins, and only those who sign up, which is a first come, first serve basis with limited space etc., can attend and partake in the sales.

However, there is a small teensy tiny catch to it all. The project you are going to be working on, or have been working on, must contain, and be worked on with, materials bought only from the store. However, since I have purchased those bamboo needles, I already have some sort of start on "materials" already.

I guess I am going to have to either work really hard on my current scarf project and finish it by Friday night, or put it on the back burner and leave it for another time while I go and work on something else at the class/event. Yes, I am going to call and hopefully secure a spot for this event/class. Just need to get a few things in order and I'll be set.

Hopefully my notoriously short attention span won't interfere with the 5 hours of constant knitting. That and the lateness of the night won't be so easy for me. Some say I have the attention span of a gnat and tend to wander off, my mind on something else completely unrelated. I guess I am just your average sufferer of ADHD!! Ah well, I'll just make sure to pace myself and take a break when I feel I need to, so I can refresh myself and refocus on the task at hand.

The yarn has arrived!!

I got my yarns now!!!

They came yesterday, as expected, and I now am set with the task of figuring out what to do with them. Do I knit more scarves? Or perhaps a hat? I am leaning more so on making a hat with one or more of them. Here is what they look like.  

Bright and colorful!!

They are, from right to left, "Bon Bon", "Plum Pudding" and "Candy" from Red Heart's Super Saver line. I also have the "Monet" print as well, and might use that to make a scarf for my mom for Christmas.

Long Overdue Update!

Whew!!!

Its been a few weeks since my last post, so I thought it would be a good idea to get another one out.

I've been diligently working on my scarf. I have about 3 and a half inches done. I know, its not much, but its all neat and I haven't picked up a stitch due to counting each row upon finishing it. I am aiming to get it done by fall.

I've also been busy organizing all my knitting paraphernalia. I found an old, unused set of plastic drawers that are perfect for storing my yarns, pattern books, and other knitting things. It has three drawers and each holds different things. The top drawer holds my needles, stitch counter, and other things like my needle gage. The middle drawer holds my pattern books, and the bottom drawer holds my yarns. I might have to eventually get something bigger, as my yarn collection will undoubtedly grow, but for now, the drawers will do nicely.

Another thing that I've done since the last post is buy three new lovely skeins of yarn for my stash. They are from the Red Heart Super Saver collection. They are the Plum Pudding, Candy, and Bon Bon prints. I can't wait till they come and I can actually hold them in my hands. I guess you could say that I am a yarn hoarder, as I've also bought the Monet print from that collection too. Sure these aren't the fanciest yarns, nor the most luxurious or expensive, but I find that Red Heart yarns are great for beginners like me to make projects out of and otherwise practice new techniques on. Someday I might delve into more luxuriant yarns, but for now, I am sticking to the basics.