When I first started working on the Leaf Pullover in the “All Alpaca” pattern book, I thought the pattern might be difficult for me. But, I decided to just go for it, and figure it out as I went. (I have lots of knitting friends and resources online, so I’m not afraid to try new things.)
But, I had no need to worry. This pattern is EASY! 
I’ve been amazed to see the gorgeous leaves just magically appear as I knit. The stitches are simple, and each round of knitting is just flying off my needles. The only stitch that was a little confusing was the M1P. In this stitch, you pick up the strand of yarn between the stitches, and purl in the back of the stitch. Purling in the back of a stitch is hard to do when you first try it, because you have to turn around the work on your left needle in order to purl on the back side. But, I finally figured it out, and now things are going smoothly.
I’m almost finished with the leaf section!
When I was working on the Bernat Star Afghan, one of you (Karen in Texas) asked about my craft room. You thought it was funny that I was knitting in a room with a wall of yarn behind me. Karen, I decided to take a few photos of my craft room (yarn cave), so you can see where I do my knitting every day.
This is my knitting chair. I just love it. It supports my back very well as I knit, and the armrests are spread out, so my arms have room to move for knitting. There is a nice full-spectrum light on the table beside me, to help in seeing my stitches clearly, as well as for reading patterns and charts.
In this photo, you can see the entire wall behind my knitting chair. I have knitting and other craft supplies all the way to the ceiling!
Just across from me, I have a small bookcase, filled with knitting books and magazines. Sometimes, I will take a break from my knitting, and look through the patterns, dreaming of all the knitted items I wish I had time to make. There are also some good reference books there, to help with trouble spots in my knitting.
On the other end of the room, there is a television and DVD/VCR combo. I like watching PBS, TruTV, HGTV, Discover, NatGeo, and the History Channel (sorry Karen…no NCIS). If nothing is on TV, then I put in a DVD or video. Occasionally, I will listen to a book on tape, or music.
Sometimes, I just turn off everything, and knit in silence….very soothing. Quiet knitting helps to calm my soul, just listening to the steady rhythm of my knitting needles, and feeling the soft yarn flow through my fingers. Nice!
Where do the rest of you do your knitting? Do any of you have a craft room like me?
- Shandeh
Thank you for sharing your yarn cave. It is so awesome that you have a special spot to knit. Until all my kids are grown and gone, I knit wherever and whenever I can. (Sshhh, don’t tell my boss but it is mostly at work…I am lucky that way
) My youngest is now 12 so I have a few years until I get my very own yarn cave. Until then my family puts up with my yarn all over the house and in every closet. Lucky them…
You are SO LUCKY that you can knit at work. Awesome!
Now, if I could find a job like that, I’d jump at it.
One day, one of your kids will grow up and live on their own. Then, you can use their bedroom for a yarn cave! (It’s what I did.)
I’m a new fan of NCIS, so funny you mention it here.
Love your cave – I hope I can have one of my own some day. Or as I prefer to call it – my Loom Room of Doom.
“Loom Room of Doom”! Ha!
I do occasionally watch NCIS with my hubby in the living room. But, just because he loves it so much. I tell you…that man watches EVERY ONE of those CSI shows. (I think there are about 5 different ones, aren’t there?)
But, when I go to my yarn cave, I watch MY favorites.
I love your craft room. I am busy trying to redo our guest bedroom into a bedroom/craftroom. It is used so seldom as a bedroom. At this time I have stuff spread all thru the house and can’t find anything so I am trying to get it all organized. Then I find something I forgot I had and I get distracted playing with that yarn. My favorite chair is in my bedroom but I hope to move it to the craft room in the near future. Maybe I will be able to post my craft room soon.
Oh, I can’t wait to see your craft room!
I think that setting up a craft room is so fun. I’ve chnaged mine about 4 times so far, and learn something new each time. I think you realize the best set-up AFTER using it for a while.
Can i move into your craft room. I Love it!!!
Come on over! But, you’ll have to be VERY NICE to me if you want to share the yarn. Ha!!
I’ll bring my own yarn, I’ll just add to yurs. I just love the place away from it all to do your own thing. I have a room it’s just too full of stuff to find a place to sit, I need amonth just to organize. and lots of plastic totes I see.
Bring it on! I’ll add a few more pink totes to make a space for your stuff. Ha!
The totes are great, because I can stack them as high as I want, and put labels on the front to help me remember what’s inside.
If your space is small, concentrate on making storage areas as HIGH as possible, to save floor space.
Hi Sandy! I have to say, I LOVE your craft room! I have to show your pictures to my DH….maybe he will let my buy more yarn then!
I have a spot on the couch that is all mine, well the landlord (cat) allows me to sit there as long as she is on my lap. Makes for difficult knitting as she likes to “help”.
Love your leaf pullover- looks good!
Thanks Tracie! *hug*
Nice to hear from one of my friends here.
Tell your hubby that a craft room makes a WONDERFUL gift for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any other time of the year! He can always give you something new to add to the room. He’ll never run out of ideas for gifts.
And be sure to have a door on the room, so you can have privacy to figure out those complicated stitches and patterns. I have a sign on my door to keep out intruders.
OMG! That is too cute!! I love it
Thanks!
I made the door sign, using a t-shirt I found on sale. The shirt was way too small for me to wear. I cut off the sleeves, trimmed around the edges, added thin padding, then quilted the front and back of the shirt together. Then, I sewed lace on the sides, and used push pins to attach it to my door. Fun!
I am a lucky crafter as I also have my own crafty room. It’s a light grey-blue, cream trim, and I sprayed my switch plate and plug in plates dark brown. I have a craft desk, sewing desk and drawing a painting desk on the walls as well as a 29 gallon fish tank ( I like the sound of water, but with cats a fountain is a no go) Currently the room is being over run by yarn…my husband teases me saying that one day a yarn store is going to call me up asking if I have a certain color because they’re all out!! Ha! Even if it’s just a corner on your couch or a spot infront of the fireplace I’m a firm believer EVERYONE deserves a place to knit, crochet, be crafty WHATEVER! Ya’ll deserve it. Get a rubbermaid tote, cram it full and lug it around your house…that’s what I do for back up when I don’t feel like being sequestered in my room!!! Happy yarn crafting!! ; )
I wish I could see photos of your craft room. It sounds amazing! You’re a very smart crafter, Kris!
Oh, and as I am 30, I usually just listen to shows. Mostly Ghost Hunters, Haunted History, I like the History and Biography channels, I do not like commercials.
I’m a leftie crocheter and like knitting better as their isn’t a difinitive left or right. I’ve only been knitting for about a year, I don’t understand yet how one can be watching tv and have their needles whirrlin away. I usually stare in awe at knitters who do that, trying to see what secret there is to the “magic” Practice and lots of time I’m sure.
I too stare longingly at all the patterns out there wishing I was one of the tv-watcher-knitters, I just print out the pattern stash it in my room with the other reams of paper patterns and figure I’m all set on patterns and yarns for a good long while…What can I say? “Hello everyone my name is Kris, I’m 30 and addicted to yarn”
I can watch tv while knitting, but ONLY when it’s the same stitch design on every row. If there are any decreases, cables, or any other special instructions, I have to turn off the tv and concentrate.
Same thing for casting on. I always lose count if I don’t give it my undivided attention.
Hi
i love to see how everyone has their rooms set up… mine is just a stigae in a closet under the basment door, and no I dont crfat there. I carft depending on the mess. Kntining in the family romm and messy on my big laundry room which has a big table. so I always have to py stuff away depening on what i;m working on..
I thought this might be a good place to ask if any body knows where I can get bernat cashmere in earth colour.
i ran out and need to make the front of a vest.
thnks
I’ve been there, my friend. I used to work on my crafts all over the house! I hope you get a space just for you very soon. *hug*
You might be able to get the Bernat Cashmere yarn on Ravelry or eBay. Good luck!
Oh Sandy I love the craft room! And I’m so jealous as I only have an itty-bitty knitting corner. Hmmm, maybe some day . . . LOL!
I hope you get your craft room one day. I waited several years before making mine, after sharing our house with our kids. Hang in there…the kids DO grow up! *hug*
I LOVE your craft room and the door sign. I am so envious. We have this real small little room that is suppost to become my craft room when ever my DH cleans it up. Since it is mostly his stuff. Right now I just knit/crochet at my desk my favorite knitting/crochet chair is my desk chair.
A few weeks ago my DH surprised me with a 19″ flat screen LED monitor since I watch all of my stuff on my computer. My macbook screen is 13″ inch so he knew I would love the bigger screen since I watch stuff all the time while knitting/crocheting.
He is even making me my own knitting needles! He got 2 finished last night.
I can’t wait to get my craft room. One of my favorite things to watch while knitting/crocheting is the TV show South Park and South Park the Movie.
Crystal, your hubby sounds awesome! I hope your craft room becomes available to you very soon. It’s so nice to have a place set aside JUST for crafting.
Since your room is very small, I would recommend putting shelves on the wall for storage. It really helps to keep the floor clear. My shelving was cheap and easy for my hubby to put on the wall for me.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1398/1245360602_bd06c96d3d.jpg
Crystal, if your little room perhaps has a closet why not use it for your shelves? That’s what I did in mine. My craft room used to be my bedroom growing up and when I moved out my dad started the shelving project. Now that it’s all finished (and if I had the money…I have a yarn habit)I can put everything in clear plastic totes like the rubbermaid or off brand ones. Or, like right now, put everything nicely on the shelves. OOOhhh, whenever your hubby has your shelves up, you should paint your room!! Something you picked out.
I do agree too, South Park is great!! Back when I first started knitting I laughed so hard I dropped stitches. That’s how my knitting friend and I gauge how funny something is. “Girl! That was so funny I dropped my stitches!” I don’t care who you are…you say that to a knitter and you both will be laughing. See, you’re laughing now I bet.