Monthly Archives for September 2008

Continental

I have many times wondered why in the world I taught myself to knit American style (yarn in right hand) versus Continental (yarn in left hand). I had all of hte instructions for both methods, yet I chose American style ’cause, well, it’s the American way! But now I greatly regret this. I’m all about process improvement and Continental knitting has far less wasted steps than American style does. No wrapping the yarn all the way around a needle, you just pick it up.

So, I’m going to teach myself. Not just watch the videos but really, truly teach myself. I know it’s going to take forever, old habits die hard, but it’s definately not the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I still remember how aggravated I got the first time I ever tried knitting. Lots of holes, big mess.

Here’s my plan: knit lots of dishcloths using some mystery cotton I have. I’ve got three balls of it, so that’s at least three dishcloths. Yeah, they’ll be black but whatever. Some goth type I know will LOVE them (if that’s you – identify yourself!). I’ll be using yarn that had no other purpose and no intended recipient so little pressure other than what I put on myself.

I’ll start tomorrow. Not the sort of thing you begin at 10 pm on a Tuesday after two glasses of wine and 12 hours at school!

(Three cheers to Jerry who will be joining me on this fun adventure – I am really going to need his support!)

WIP Wednesday #3

This is a one topic WIP post becuase, well, I’m only working on one WIP. I frogged so much Friday the only other things on my needles are rather boring. My one project is a Clapotis for myself in beautiful Handmaiden Kasbah. I want to make a blanket out of it, it’s so soft. I’m about 30% done and cannot wait until the chilly days of Fall arrive for me to be able to wear it!

Note: These are iPod photos taken in crappy light. I promise much better ones are coming later.

Clapotis

photo

Fridays are Alright for Frogging

I frog things a lot. Blame the fact I tend to start four projects at a time and won’t finish something if I think it’s not going perfectly right. I don’t quite know how to tick back to mistakes so I typically just restart altogether. But this has got to be the first time I have ever frogged three things in one day.

Item One: Blue Waves Clapotis

I forgot to take a photo before frogging this so just imagine a 1/4 done Clapotis in colonial blue. The yarn makes me itch like mad and didn’t get any better when I washed a swatch. Yet I stupidly decided “ooh, this would make a great scarf that I’d have right by my face!” I decided to frog it a few weeks ago at Sitch n Bitch but didn’t actually get past the removal of the needles until today. The yarn will be given away to someone in my SnB.

Item Two: Amaterasu Sock

These are being made for Dao who has rather small feet. The 36 stitches per side are, well, quite big. I was almost to the heel turn, too. Thankfully I can restart the sock just as soon as I finish frogging it.

amaterasu-pre-frogging

Item Three: Sidewinders Sock

I got gauge, I followed the pattern, I measured my foot twice. I finished knitting the sock and had already Kitchenered the main part of the sock. Then I tried it on to realize that the foot is too short and the leg portion too loose. Sure, I could re-knit it in a better size but decided not to. Although there’s a certain interestingness factor in its construction, I don’t much like the look of my finished sock.

sidewinders