Rolling
There are ways to keep the edges of your knitting from rolling, but sometimes you just need to relax and go with it. And this is totally one of those times. I like how the rolled edge looks here. It plays nicely with the texture in the bands, and it shows off the colors in the yarn beautifully. I'm going to have to wear it a bit to make sure it doesn't feel awkward on my thumb, but I suspect it will be just fine. What do you guys think? Do you like rolled edges? Or do they bug you?
Blocking 201 – Hats
So instagram seems to be a place that starts all sorts of fun discussions. I posted a blocking picture of a cowl the other day, and that turned into a post about blocking cowls. Now the same thing has happened again with a picture of a hat. I mentioned how important I thought blocking was, yes even for hats, and some folks asked just how you block a hat, so I thought I'd share. But first, how about a little reminder of just why it matters. I promise those wouldn't be *nearly* as pretty without a good blocking! Now I [...]
Smitten
Yeah...so it is supposed to be a baby hat (that's a lie, it's sized to be a toddler/child hat, because I don't like anyone enough to knit something they'll grow out of in five minutes). But if it were a few inches bigger around and an inch or two taller? I'd totally rock that hat myself! And, as always, blocking takes what was generally adorable and makes it all tidy and orderly and just extra nifty in all ways. Those of you not blocking your hats are missing out on a treat, they really do deserve it! And me? Well [...]
Carom (plus giveaway)
I suspect you might already know this, but I have a thing for sets. I can't help it. As soon as I finish a piece I start wondering 'and what would happen if I just wiggled this little bit over here?' Then all of a sudden there's another variation on the needles. That's totally what happened with Carom, and I'm so happy to have the pattern back out!The first hat uses a bigger, lacier version of the stitch pattern. It's lovely and swooshy and just a bit dramatic. The second one uses a slightly smaller version of the stitch pattern. [...]
Instant gratification
Knitting is not generally an instant gratification sort of pursuit. I mean sure, there's the thrill of casting on and the satisfaction of finishing a row or a pattern repeat. But to actually have a finished object, you're generally going to have to put in the time. But every now and then, the right combination of mindless knitting (this about 80% stockinette) and project scope (it's also intended for a child sized person) gets you there awfully quick. Throw in the marvelously entertaining colors (Malabrigo's archangel is more or less the only pink yarn I consistently like) and a lazy [...]
Easily distracted
So apparently I can't take direction well (no one is at all surprised). Instead of doing mitts as several of you suggested, I somehow accidentally tripped and fell and cast on a hat. Now the good news is it's a small hat (it's for one of the world's newer people, and new people often have smallish heads). And there will will be yarn left over that I suspect will turn into cuffs (for me, babies don't really need fingerless mitts I don't think) or something else depending on what catches my fancy. I've got two skeins of each color, so [...]
Done…times two
Oh hey look, done! This one does some interestingly spiky/pleaty things on the top (because of how quickly the decreases happen and how their spaced). But it was declining to be photographed, so we'll have to talk about it another day. This does leave me with shockingly empty needles though. What should I knit next?
Blocking 201 – Cowls
I posted a rather unassuming little picture on instagram a little while ago, and from the comments it got, it seems like you guys are as into blocking as I am. So, as instagram is a bit impermanent, I thought I'd come chat about it a bit here too. This is how I block cowls. Let's break that down a bit. I've got blocking wires (mine are from Inspinknity) threaded through the top and bottom edges. Here I've passed the wire through the tips of the scallops because I want to emphasize the wavy edge. If I wanted a smoother [...]
Left right left
This has, as expected, continued to be unreasonably amusing. It shouldn't be. It's just lines swooping off this way. Then swooping off that way. And, spoiler alert, they'll soon swoop off the other way again. But really, I couldn't be happier. It's pretty much perfect autopilot knitting (and the yarn continues to be a delight), and some days, that's really what you want. Now all we need is for it to get a bit chilly so I can take proper advantage of them!
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