i’m so happy you enjoyed film petit’s comeback – it was super fun to get that going again and i’m already looking forward to (and brainstorming) it for next month!
so…i didn’t do very much sewing this weekend. the main reason is that i asked for (and received – thanks mom and dad!) a gift certificate to take a knitting class here in town! i’ve wanted to learn how to knit for a few years now, and for some reason my brain does not grasp it via book or youtube video. i need an in-person teacher to show my hands what to do. my friend Erin taught me enough so that I made a cowl and a hat last year, but she lives out of town, and i was ready to learn more NOW. the class is going to be awesome – i’ve learned so much after just one!
the thing is, and i knew this from dabbling last year – knitting takes FOREVER compared to sewing. i took photos every few hours or so to compile the collage below – i knit while watching movies with my husband in the weekend evenings, while at Em’s ballet class, while the kids are in the bath, any chance i get. HOURS, guys. i’ve gotten pretty quick at sewing so this is an adjustment – totally could’ve sewn a scarf in a half hour, but it’s the process, right?
i’m making the honey cowl and i love it – knitting is extremely addictive. i’m 27 weeks pregnant and starting to physically slow down as i get bigger (O was almost 9 lbs at birth and this fella looks very similar from a belly standpoint), so it’s the perfect activity to keep me sitting and relaxing but still doing something, which i kinda need mentally.
oh also – after i did the welt pocket tutorial, Liesl asked me to post as a contributor more often while she wraps up her spring 2014 patterns. like…twice a week!
so if you haven’t been following along over on the Oliver + S blog, i’ve kind of been there a lot. i’ve written posts on holiday inspiration for boys and for girls, a new series where i invite die-hard Oliver + S fans to write about their favorite pattern, coordinated other guest posts, and did a brief interview of Liesl as part of another new series called Ask Me. it’s been a huge learning experience, one that should continue through December, and it’s been a lot of fun too!
how was your weekend? got any in-progress projects? it’s funny – i’m not sure how knitting bloggers do it if projects take 10, 20, 50 hours to complete…do they just have multiple projects going on at once? more in-process posts? is it a slower blogging pace than sewing blogs? got any must-follow knitting blogs i should check out?
i’m all ears (and belly)! 🙂
skirt as top 
I finished a honey cowl recently and have worn it lots since… you’re going to really enjoy it when it’s finished!
yay i’m excited!! i wear scarves/cowls almost every day in the fall/winter/spring.
I love the honey cowl too! I used to knit all the time before I started sewing – I love the instant gratification of sewing so much more now! but at least knitting can be taken anywhere.
true true. it’s a tradeoff.
Well, i’m not into sewing but at a certain level in my life, I thought it was nice. My mom used to teach me a few steps but maybe because I’m a male, I just don’t get it easily. Have a good week and take care of the baby. 🙂
Yeah, knitting blogs usually do a lot more WIP posts than sewing blogs. It took me awhile to get used to sewing’s “Yesterday I started a dress. And today it’s done!” Haha. Anyway, my favorite blog was The Yarn Harlot. She’s very funny and has several books out about knitting, too.
thanks for the tip! i’ll check her out! yeah kids clothes especially can be sewn so quickly – a simple skirt in a half hour, a dress in two. that’s probably why i’m more selfish with my knitting!
yay on your knitting class!!! I seriously don’t know how you do it all. jeepers. Love your o + s contributions. 🙂 I’m interested in the knitting bloggers too!
haha oh you know – when a new ball is added to the juggle, other ones drop. for instance, laundry folding or sewing.
Here is a web site you may enjoy. It’s called KnittingParidise.com . I like to knit from time to time and fingerless mittens, cowls and infinity scarves are on my to do list as gifts this year. I will agree with you it is not like sewing so you have to be a little patient, but the change is nice and like sewing you get that feeling of accomplishment when your project is done. Show us you finished project when done. Also could you also give us the pattern? Happy knitting.
Thank you!! I will definitely show it when it’s done. The pattern is this: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-cowl
I started knitting before I started sewing and I love them both, although knitting has been on the back burner for awhile since I have 500 000 sewing projects I want to do. Give or take a few. It’s kind of funny because I’ve never knit anything for myself, but the majority of my sewing is done for me.
Are you learning the English method or Continental method of knitting? I would recommend Continental, it is sooooooo much faster.
I’m learning English, though I’ve heard Continental is faster. Maybe once I grasp the most basic concepts I can get all crazy and go Continental. 😉
wish I could just type an eggplant emoji.
hehe.
Knitting is very exciting for you, wish I could do it – I could never get the two handed thing, but I like crochet – go figure. the nice part is you can take it with you and be with your family and rest with the baby. Two knitters I love and follow are SouleMama and Posie Gets Cozy — you probably know them both. Your knitting looks beautiful!
i tried crochet and it wouldn’t click for me, isn’t that funny? and my mom crochets! i love both those blogs, thank you!
Wow, the knitwork-in-progress looks great! Love the colour and structure. Really would love to learn to knit properly, but I’m afraid I do not have the patience… Though I’m really attracted to the idea, so maybe one day I’ll give it a shot 😉
Your baby-belly looks great as well, by the way 😉
And enjoy your Oliver+S-success, it sounds busy but fantastic!
Such beautiful colours of yarn you have there. I love the idea of buying yarn, stroking it, squishing the balls,… but knitting it? nah, not for me. At least not yet. The idea of a kleanr to knit retreat does sound good.
I like reading Jorth’s blog http://www.jorth.blogspot.com.au/ It’s funny and she takes lots of lovely photos of beautiful wool.
Congrats on the Oliver + S “job” I just did a stocktake on my pattern stash before buying more in their sale and it was kinda scary!
Wow, you have been a busy blogger, impressive! I just picked up a couple more O + S patterns in the sale, yay! Your cowl looks great so far. I think knitting is good for all of the sitting around waiting moments we have as moms, that’s why I want to get back into it….plus my husband loves to take road trips and I like knitting in the car 🙂 But I am not sure I have the patience for anything more than mittens and hats!
Hi Kristin:))
Knitting is a great ‘nesting’ craft. I can knit but haven’t knitted anything for about a year. I also recommend jorth for knitting inspiration…I went to high school with leisl – the author and she also lives in Melbourne. Her knitting and photography are beautiful – you will certainly be inspired there!!! My Mum is an awesome and super fast knitter (she can also sew beautifully). Since she knows I sew for the kids, she knits for them (and uses beautiful wool)…. a great arrangement!!
hey, welcome to the wonderful word of yarn! And ya it takes for ever, its why i sew so much now instead of crochet. I mostly do yarn work now on family road trips (i can’t sit still)
A great blog is http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/ lots f projects, knit alongs, pattern reviews…
Love the yarn segments you have been doing. I’m unable to crochet or knit this season…my wrists are in bad shape from lifting my special needs daughter. I usually have several yarn projects going at same time. Some complicated, some easy. One in car, one in purse/diaper bag,one by my bed. I finally got sewing machine so doing that more.
I think I will put that cowl down for spring project in a lightweight yarn.
Stay well.
Oh I do like that pattern… and yours looks like it’s going to be lovely! Just think – now you get to build up a wool and fabric stash!
Knitting is so perfect for pregnancy, a great slow down & sit craft! I knit, and have for years, but I keep it very simple with no great desire to challenge myself like I do with my sewing – I just do it for the calm, the process, to keep my hands busy while watching TV or in waiting rooms. Accordingly, I don’t follow any straight knitting blogs, but ones that knit and sew, (and do some other things too!) like LovintheMommyhood which of course you know, and what I’d call Australia’s equivalent (but in a different way) Retromummy.
I love that color combo in your first pic!