Knitter's Almanac - February

I know I am still working on my Aran sweater from January but I am taking the easy route for February.

There are three distinct projects. First, the baby outfit. Second, a double-knit blanket. Third, a square shawl. So many lessons, so little time!

I promised I would knit the shawl for Xena's breeder, Lora. Remember, she went to the Black Sheep Gathering and was drawn to natural colors - mainly greys and blacks. She wears black, white and grey because she travels a lot and that makes it easy to pack. She is also often in over air-conditioned meeting rooms so a shawl would be ideal.

I've chosen Suri Dream because of the warm, soft, fuzziness. The colors will be Stone and Black Forest. I'll start the center with Stone and knit until that ball is gone. Then switch to a ball of Black Forest. The increasing circumference of the shawl will cause the stripes to become more and more narrow as long as I switch colors after every ball.

Because Suri Dream is so fuzzy, I'm not going to bother with a fancy lace design. Just plain knitting. I'm considering a simple picot edging.

I used the Magic Loop method for Emily Ocker's cast-on. After crocheting the first 8 stitches, I transferred them to my long circular needle. Then I split the stitches to have 4 on each side of the loop. From then on, it was very easy to work the stitches. MUCH better than trying to handle them with four DPNs or even 2 24" circulars. Once I get enough stitches to fit around a 24" circular, I will transfer over to that needle.

Comments

[Debra]

I just wanted to let you know I am passing on the "You Make My Day Award" to you!

I love listening to your podcast and seeing what you are doing next on your blog. Thank you for teaching me so much about knitting. I really think of you as one of my knitting mentors. And thank you for introducing me to EZ, she is such a character. I love her.

See my blog for more details and feel free to pass this award on if you want to.

Thanks

[Sarah]

These sound like great February projects, and perfect complements for between sessions with the Aran sweater.

[Sharon]

Kelley & Bob, Glad you were away for the "game". What happened to our boy???
I'm going to knit him an ankle cozy; maybe knit a new brain for Bill.
Well, happy vacation. Can't wait until you podcast again. I live for your podcasts. Thank you so much. I've learned so much from you and always look forward to the feature: A Knitter Who Loves Books...that's my favorite part...no, not really, it's all good.
Come back soon! Sharon

[Lora]

How exciting to see my shawl started! This will be great fun to watch it being made. It looks so soft and the colors are perfect for me. This is going to be great to have for cold meeting rooms and the plane. I can't wait to try it on! Give Xena a big hug and kiss from Mommy Lora. See ya lady - Me

[Mary K in PA]

Those colors look so nice for the shawl for Lora. But I'm confused. I thought Emily Ocher cast on was for round shawls. I've racked my brain on how the shwal is going to look but can't seem to "see" it. Can't wait to see how it progresses. ~Mary K in PA

Hi Mary,

And shawl that is worked from the center outwards will probably start with a very small number of stitches. The final shape of the shawl is determined by the way you manage the increases. Regular increases at four points will give you a square shawl like the one in the Almanac. Increase equally spaced all the way around will give you a circular, or pi, shawl. Emily's cast-on is excellent any time you want to start with very few stitches in a circle, like maybe even knitting a hat from the top down or mittens starting at the fingertips.

Kelley

[Karen M]

Is there an easy way to make sure you don't twist your stitches? I feel like I'm forever doing that!

Hi Karen,

With so few stitches, I've found the only hope is to sit in a quiet corner, do your best and be prepared to re-cast-on. It is only a few stitches so starting over isn't painful.

With more stitches, like the bottom of a sweater, I like to lay my circular needles down on a flat surface, like a tabletop, and then arrange the bottom of the stitches so that they are all facing the outside of the "circle". Then I carefully pick up my work and quickly make the join.

Kelley

[Maureen]

How many balls of Suri do you think you'll use? I am making the circular Pi shawl and would love to make another with Suri.

[Pammie]

Hiya Kelley...I have been really enjoying your blog and podcasts...as well as the yahoo group...lots of good info and help and everyone is so nice.I have been in a slump lately..I have so many things going I don't feel like I'm going to finish anything...How do you stay motivated to finish a project? I have knit on mine so much I am bored

[Anne]

I'm listening to last week's podcast about cast-ons, and I had to share something. I also like using the long tail method, but get frustrated by using too much or too little yarn. You have a point that the amount of yarn wasted is usually small, but for projects where I'm trying to use up scraps, it can actually make a difference. Here's a tip that helps tremendously: starting at the end of the yarn, wrap it around the needle the same number of times as stitches you're casting on. That gets you to exactly the place you need to start to come out even. As long as you're not casting on too many stitches, it won't take long. And if you are casting on, say, 200 stitches, you can always wrap 20, then fold that length over 10 times and you're there! It might not be for everyone, but it definitely adds some peace of mind to my process (since I more often come up short and have to start over!).

[katherine]

Thank you Anne! That's great! I will definetly remember that. In the middle of all the hubbub at the Yarn Harlot site, I did notice that someone was inquiring about the needles! Let's focus on what's important; after all, the guy did apologize. I will miss the podcast, but I hope you have a good time! I will suvive by listening to previous recordings. :)

[Karen M]

What size needles are you using? I'd love to knit this along with you while finishing up my aran.
Thanks
KarenM

[Leah]

I would love to see a tutorial on the cast-on.

[jae]

i enjoy your podcasts mucho! and seeing your blog brings you to life evven more since now I can see what you are talking about. Your hurry up sweater as a dress is my fav!