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Elianastar
  • 56, Female
  • Portland, OR
  • United States
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Are you: Copying the link from Ravelry Clicking on the "link" icon in the message window in your post here at KPC Pasting the Ravelry link into the pop up window Clicking on the "okay" button afte...

Replied Apr 25

Have a question that doesn't fit into any of the other categories?

Yeah... I've got a bunch like that I've used for gifts I've made sewing and in other craft forms. But, somewhere in the past, I saw small fabric labels that said "Handwash/Dry Flat" and now I can't...

Replied Apr 19

Have a question that doesn't fit into any of the other categories?

I've not made socks, but I suspect you are right... the pattern is calling for the heel flap at this point, and you will be "knitting flat" for a little bit... trust the instructions, they are prob...

Replied Apr 16

Have a question that doesn't fit into any of the other categories?

I am interested in a swift, although I'm not in any big hurry for one. I'm hoping to finally get my basement cleaned out and one half of it organized into a craft center for my daughter and I. When...

Replied Apr 16

Have a question that doesn't fit into any of the other categories?

You can knit smaller diameter projects in several manners, depending on the diameter and personal preference. Socks are very small diameter and for a whole lot of history, were knitted on DPN... b...

Replied Apr 14

Have a question that doesn't fit into any of the other categories?

First, about the hat... do check out the tutorial and pattern Alison suggested. Its an excellent first in the round project. As for the "ball bouncing around in my bag" I find a gallon zip bag ins...

Replied Apr 14

Have a question that doesn't fit into any of the other categories?

You can reconstruct a sweater to fit if you've got the sewing skills. Here a couple of articles to help you get started: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/ these are helpful!

Replied Apr 14

Yarn Suggestions

Yes... I've been dreaming of Suri Dream Bayou snuggle blankie! I've got a ton of Sand Dune I want to make a couple of things with first though. :-)

Tagged: yarn

Replied Apr 14

Have a question that doesn't fit into any of the other categories?

The catalog indicated a release date as "late April." That would appear to mean it will be released for sale in about ten days to two weeks. (Sometime after April 15th, but before May 1st.) If you...

Replied Apr 14

Pattern Suggestions

My pleasure! Post a photo of your finished hat? If you haven't joined the UFO KAL, consider joining us... a great place to post FO (Finished Objects) photos! :-)

Replied Apr 13

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Elianastar's Page

Profile Information

Location
Portland, OR
About Me:
I've been a "hooker" [crochet] :-) much longer than I've been a "picker" [Continental knitter]. [1971 vs 2007] Someone taught me American style knitting when I was 9 or 10, but it was too frustrating (I knit so tightly my needles screamed) and I didn't stay with it beyond several pairs of 60's style "granny slippers." I picked it up again my last year of high school in a home economics class [1970-71], but was no better impressed than the first time around.

I made the "mistake" of bringing my knitting to a family gathering in 1972. Among the guests was a distant family member from Australia who glanced up from her flying fingers and saw what I was doing. With bitter disgust she exclaimed, "WHAT are you DOING?" "Knitting," I meekly replied. She practically ripped the needles and yarn from me and showed me how to "do this RIGHT." And she taught me Continental style. I wasn't all that enamored with her teaching style, but I LOVED "left hand" knitting. However, I still didn't keep up with it, because I preferred crochet and was far less intimidated and far more creative with a hook than a pair of needles.

I worked through "First Knits" by Kate Haxell and several of the video tutorials at KnitPicks [2007] and knittinghelp.com and have decided that my issues with knitting have been primarily an issue of confidence and intimidation... not difficulty! :-) In the last year [2008] I've knitted quite a bit and even designed several projects on-needle!

Patterns frustrate me. They often call for yarn I can't work with, can't wear, don't like, &/or can't afford. So, the first hurdle is: what can I substitute and be happy with the result. Then I have to deal with my "quiet rebel" spirit that resists being told "what to do and how to do it" with no consideration for my ideas and needs. :-) Many knit projects I've ever completed have been a modification of the pattern idea. I mostly use patterns to see how to do elements of the pattern rather than duplicate it in total.

My knitting goals are to master techniques and to learn to design starting with the yarn and needles I love. To make things I like with the things I like. :-)

I have Fibromyalgia and am often down and/or dealing with "brain fog" which limits my functionality in many ways. Knitting and crochet are two things I can do from bed and still be productive. I adore KnitPicks... their products and service to the knitting community. I LOVE the Knit Picks Community at Knit Picks! I hope to further build my confidence and creativity as a result of this Community while supporting and encouraging other Community members!

Elianastar: "God has answered Star"
What's your Ravelry ID (if you have one)? (www.ravelry.com)
Elianastar

Elianastar's Photos

Some of my favorite or interesting projects...

My mom's last crochet project was a Granny Square Afghan in this yarn and these colors. (The green is more sage than lime, like it looks in the photo.) She made it for a friend of a friend, so I don't have it to cherish. I loved the colors of the afghan so much, I decided to make a "Legacy Afghan" using the same yarn in the same colors. My interpretation is a reflection of my mom and the relationship we developed the last few years she was with me. It is a granny square style afghan of my own design. I see it every day and think of my mom, her love for Granny Square crochet... and how much I love and miss her.


A great example of how knit & crochet "play well together." This afghan is knit in a checkerboard/basketweave pattern, and finished in a lacy crochet border. I made the knit part to practice Continental knit/purl stitches. I added the crochet border when finished because it was too boring alone. :-)




My finished "Sweater Workshop" Sampler.

Elianastar's Blog

Elianastar

My visit to Knit Picks in Vancouver, WA

Well, the day finally came! Tuesday, April 7, 2009. Kelsy (DD) and I drove over the 205 bridge and Columbia River around 3 pm to the Crafts Americana Group office to meet… Continue

Posted on April 9, 2009 at 9:00pm — 9 Comments

Elianastar

Sweater Workshop Sampler... TaDa!

After... what... two weeks of procrastinating and sabotage, I finally took scissors to the Sampler and performed surgery on my Sampler. It now has its final element installed: an Afterthought Pocket, a la Elizabeth Zimmerman and grateful thanks to the KnitPicks tutorial video for the kitchener stitch moral support. I probably could have done it by myself, but I wanted the "security" of actually seeing it done before I wrapped up the last task.

As with every other task in the Sampler, it wasn't… Continue

Posted on February 23, 2009 at 9:30pm — 3 Comments

Elianastar

Sweater Workshop Sampler... part four

Have you ever avoided doing something because you had a preconceived idea it would be too hard, too complex, too intimidating? Maybe that question should begin, "How often have you avoided..." Have you ever wondered how many times in your life you passed up an opportunity to learn something new and fun and rewarding out of sheer fear of failure?

I have.

As I'm working my way, stitch by stitch, through the "assignments" of the Sweater Workshop Sampler I am receiving an education. Interes… Continue

Posted on February 1, 2009 at 6:30pm — 3 Comments

Elianastar

Sweater Workshop Sampler... part three

First the moral, then the story:

Never try to learn something new with a screaming migraine!

I'm starting on my third day of a migraine, off and on... more on than off. However, I really want to finish the Sampler so I can get on to the business of actually creating a sweater. So, when my head isn't screaming too loudly to think or breath, I'm plugging away on it.

The problem with that though, is that my neural synapses do not fire properly when under the stress of a migraine... so something… Continue

Posted on January 30, 2009 at 10:30pm — 1 Comment

Elianastar

Sweater Workshop Sampler... part two

Status Report: Ripped open my KP box upon arrival. SO satisfying! LOL! My GD helped and I could hardly stop her from "petting" the four balls of Suri I'd gotten. [A ball of which looks for all the world like a multicolored "Tribble," a la "Star Trek"!] I, myself, was more transfixed with the Shine Worsted I'd bought with the intention of working my Sampler.

What an AWESOME yarn. Cotton blend? Really? THIS is a cotton blend??? SO soft and silky!!! I got two balls of Creme Brulee... fairly certai… Continue

Posted on January 29, 2009 at 11:50am — 4 Comments

Comment Wall (38 comments)

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At 1:28pm on July 1, 2009, Obsessions said…
I love your blankets so cute!
At 8:21am on June 27, 2009, palsknitto said…
Hi I love the way you post your pictures and comments, I don't know how to do that are add comments under the pictures, you are so good at this, could you guide me in how to do it, Thanks, Palsknitto, Irene
At 6:39pm on May 8, 2009, Susan the Blue Lake Knitter said…
Hey, girl... haven't seen you around in days.. is all OK? I get worried when you are not around.
At 3:22pm on May 8, 2009, pmsmith999 said…
It's May and the flowers are calling but I finished the front of the aran sweater. Just three more sections to go. That makes another UFO as I started a pair of slippers to felt. I like to have an easy piece going at the same time as a dificult one.
At 11:59am on May 2, 2009, Susan the Blue Lake Knitter said…
Have a great birthday!
At 6:10pm on April 25, 2009, Designbee said…
I can't find the comment Barb left about the Galaxy yarn. Can you link me to it (or her) and i'll offer her my Galaxy if she wants it? thanks for the reminder!
At 10:17am on April 15, 2009, pmsmith999 said…
At 9.55am on April 15.2009, Patricia S said-- I just read some of your blog and enjoyed it so much. I;ve been crocheting and knitting forever. Started by creating doll clothes when five or six. There always seems to be something new to learn like "two socks at a time" on a circuler needle. I am working on an arron sweater for my daughter. I find my hands rebelling at the heavy yarn and the twisted stitches. It will get it finished,two rows at a time.
At 9:12pm on April 10, 2009, EdwardRad said…
I'm a huge detail person, I've noticed lately that my distance vision has been getting quite a bit worse than what it was, though. I'm thinking of investing in a pair of reading glasses for when I do detailed projects, read and am on the computer to see it they help at all. Someday I'll uncover my bead-work and post pics for you. ^_^
At 9:22am on April 7, 2009, Karen J said…
Hi Elianastar,
I hear from Kelley that you're joining us tonight! I'm looking forward to meeting you! We have so much fun on craft night.
Karen
http://quiltwithus.connectingthreads.com/profile/Karen
At 4:01am on April 1, 2009, kittyknitz said…
Thanks for accepting it! I am having such a hard time right now and thought it would be nice to at least have someone who would understand. Usually the only thing the fibro leaves alone is my wrists and hands. And what do you think is the flair from hell now. When I started knitting I felt like it saved my life because I cant do anything anymore, and now it is messing with my knitting. I am just feeling really dumpy about it. Mind you I have some other medical issues as well, but the fibro is what keeps me the most broken. Hope to chat with you soon.

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