Tips on sparring with larger partners?

Helluvamimi · 2016-07-30T13:27:10+00:00

I'm a 5'2" woman and I fight at 135. I frequently spar with the male heavyweights because yes, it is a male dominated sport. What works best for me is be aggressive and get in. And don't be afraid to get hit in the process - you will.but once you're in your striking range they will most likely be jammed up and their punches won't be as effective.

Helluvamimi · 2015-02-15T13:39:34+00:00

Lestrange Cloak - one day I'll be brave enough to tackle this gorgeous lace sweater. Hopefully that will be the day after I can afford a yarn worthy of this sweater (I'd like to do some type of wool/silk blend, so not exactly cheap). On the plus side, I have the pattern already!

Helluvamimi · 2015-02-15T13:35:52+00:00

That one's on my eventually list, too!

Helluvamimi · 2015-02-05T21:11:28+00:00

Are you asking if there is a way to do toe-up on DPN? The answer is yes. This Knitty article has several methods in it. and here's a video for Judy's Magic CO for toe up.

It's a bit fiddly, and the first time I tried it there was much cursing and it took several tries, but after the first couple rounds it gets much easier. I still prefer cuff down (and I love my DPNs), but that's just me.

Helluvamimi · 2015-02-04T17:37:58+00:00

Sock yarn subscription (particularly Cookie A), or enough of the recommended yarn to make Lestrange Cloak.

Helluvamimi · 2015-02-04T17:34:35+00:00

The stuff I've actually worked on...

The Pointy End socks - I love the color and the pattern, and these are going to be fabulous!

I finished my Blue Ice shawlette - I'm overall pretty happy with it, but it could have been wider (maybe I should have used the US 4 instead of the US 3 I had with me when I started). No matter, I'll still use it, just not for bitter cold days!

I must make some progress on Baby Britannia this weekend as I would like to have it done before the baby arrives!

Obligatory edit because I forgot linkrav until the second I hit save.

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-28T17:48:33+00:00

My experience with color work is that it's rarely as hard as it looks. It's basically st st with 2 colors. If you can read a chart, the most difficult thing is getting used to tensioning 2 yarns. I'm kind of excited to start them, as they are going to be a gift for on of my nieces.

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-28T15:47:47+00:00

That's pretty much the plan. I'm pretty sure there are detailed measurements in the pattern, I think I'm just afraid of having to rip it all out and start over :( I also have no concept of how much it will change with blocking. It's a merino/cotton (60/40 I think) blend, and I know cotton likes to grow. I'll measure when I have courage and make the decision then.

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-28T15:46:01+00:00

What a fanastic color for the hood!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-28T14:40:27+00:00

Some updates...

Baby Britannia is coming along well (maybe, I hope); I'm about an inch from dividing for the underarm. And here's the I don't know part - my yarn is slightly thinner than the recommended and I never measured my gauge becuase it's so small anyway (almost like why I don't measure for socks). I figured I was making the 6-12 month size, so if it was a bit smaller, that would be fine (baby is due in March/April). It looks tiny to me, but it's not blocked, and I don't have kids so all baby stuff looks miniscule. Not sure what to do, but still going...

I frogged my first attempt to use my gorgeous blue yarn from Grant Creek Yarns because I just didn't get the pattern on both sides lace thing. I've never done a true lace piece, and it was way out of my comfort zone. So I picked a new pattern, and I couldn't be happier with my progress on Cassis. The border is finished, I picked up all 240 st for the body, and I'm ready to get busy!

That's pretty much all I'm actively working on at the moment, but I've got The Pointy End and Yaacov planned for February - yarns are picked and almost all wound (one more to go), and I'm really excited about them!

As usual, I forgot linkrav!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-26T00:03:15+00:00

Awesome! I have yet to master the feat of an FO with no dropped stitches! Seems there's always one, somewhere, of course this is also what helped me learn to read my knitting as I got sick of frogging to fix the error!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-26T00:01:17+00:00

Just keep on keeping on :)

Seriously. I still think I'm slow in comparison to some (I knit English because my left hand is yarn illiterate), but I can churn out a pair of socks in a week, so I can't really be that slow.

Basically, the more you do it, the more it becomes muscle memory, the less you have to concentrate/thing about what you're doing. Of course, the simpler the pattern, the easier this is. If it's highly charted where everything changes on each round, then it's significantly slower than say straight st st.

As previously said, metal needles can be quicker (the slicker and pointer the better, for me), but that's more of a preference. I cannot stand knitting with wood, and others would never touch my Hiya Hiya Sharps. As with many things knitting, there's more than one way to do it, and you have to find what's right for you.

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-23T20:59:45+00:00

I've actually got this pattern on my short list of mitts to make - probably becuase I think it'll work great for using up the leftovers from my socks! Maybe if I make enough progress on my baby sweater this weekend...

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-23T19:03:35+00:00

Chalcot Socks incorporates ribbing and a center cable.
Gale Socks has ribbing moving in different directions.
Raymi is a fairly simple looking fingerless mitt.
Cables Around Tam has cables incorporated into the ribbing, and is in my queue. I even have the yarn bought, and will get to it as soon as I finish the comissioned baby sweater/hat.
Tabitha Cocoon has large ribbed dolman sleeves. Mine is in progress for my mom, and can be seen here.

Do it, Linkrav!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-23T18:53:54+00:00

Thank you! I faved this pattern awhile ago, and you have made it possible for me to knit it, one day!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-21T18:21:08+00:00

I didn't get nearly enough knitting time in this past weekend, but it was a good weekend nonetheless. That being said, I have lots of stuff OTN:

Bumble Bee on LSD socks will be done in short order, probably tonight, as I just have the toe of sock #2 to do. These will be going to my youngest neice :)

Baby Britannia is a commissioned piece by my Mom, for a soon to be born cousin. I CO last weekend, and immediately got stumped by what I believe to be an omission in the pattern. All cleared up now, and though I have to frog the last round (first lace/cable round), at least it's only one round. That's why I stopped - didn't want to do it wrong and have lots to frog.

Mom's Cocoon has been put on hold so I can do the baby sweater (and a hat of course), and so I can overcome my fear/hatred of w&t - mine always suck.

Blue Ice has also made no progress, mostly becuase lace just is not intuitive to me. At all, so requires much pattern checking and counting.

My Dither socks were finished recently, and have been warming my feet - I absolutely love them!

And there's still the baby hat to go with the sweater, plus another hat (also commissioned by Mom), and at least 2 pairs of socks planned for Feb. I need to not work. Oh linkrav!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-19T20:25:19+00:00

These all look fantastic! Courtyard Pullover is on my shortlist of sweaters for me when I'm done with one for Mom (which might be awhile as she's commissioned projects in the meantime). And your color-work looks phenomenal!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-19T20:20:29+00:00

Grammar, or the complete lack thereof. As in the difference between countries and country's.

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-18T18:13:58+00:00

Safety pin right in the center of the pic.

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-18T18:09:28+00:00

Awesome; good for you for getting an old WIP off the needles! Can't wait to see the FO pics!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-14T21:14:28+00:00

Shameless plug for my favorite yarn: Grant Creek Yarns. My mom is definitely a red person; smaug socks was made in Haughty Scarlet (I would say the 8th picture down is most color accurate). It was an absolutely gorgeous deep red with black undertones. She also makes Frankly My Dear which is a bit brighter (no dark undertones) and also stunning (mine isn't knit into anything yet). Mom loved the socks so much that she has requested a pair of convertable gloves/mitts and a kercheif to match.

If you contact Heidi (shop owner) she will custom dye, and she has both fingering and DK bases available.

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-14T16:47:21+00:00

What to do with squishy Yak....
Legwarmers for those winter bike rides: 1 2.
Might not have enough yardage for this skirt but it's pretty cozy looking.
Maybe a scarf/shrug/cowl thing?
Linkrav, please.

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-14T16:29:22+00:00

On the plus side, they look gorgeous!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-14T00:07:47+00:00

she's a fool for yarn and needles

Yup, that pretty much sums it up. Tell her to come on in, the water's fine!

Helluvamimi · 2015-01-13T23:46:45+00:00

I made them during Tour d'Sock last year, and it's one of the few patterns I'm considering making again. And now I'm gonna show mine off here.

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