What We Think We Know

When I recently resumed knitting I assumed I remembered how to knit but as I started creating knitted objects I noticed that my knit stitches did not look as straight as others I was seeing on the web. At first I thought I was just rusty and my stitches would improve but that did not happen. Only when I was looking at one of the knitting books from my local library did I realize that I was wrapping the yarn in the opposite direction from the book's illustration. If one wraps clockwise around the front to the back a twisted stitch results as seen in last post's scarf. I've since retrained my brain to wrap counterclockwise from back to front and am now producing very straight knit stitches.

Likewise I assumed I remembered how to make yarn-overs so blithely started knitting the alpaca glitter scarf but again my scarf was not looking like the pattern illustration. No worries I thought...blocking would fix everything but even stretched the pattern still didn't look quite right. Once again I was wrapping backwards to create the yarn over. I've since frogged the first start and am knitting again with beautiful results. Tried to photograph but my camera did not do a good job of focusing so I'll try again later.

The Booga bag is finished and I did indeed know when felting occurred. It took two runs through the washer to achieve the desired results.





Tarah asked if felting gives me the heebie jeebies and indeed it does. I have a very vivid memory of a beautiful sky blue wool v-neck pullover sweater which DH inadvertently felted for me early in our married life. It goes against my nature to put wool in my washing machine but I'm so glad I overcame my resistance this time.

I've also just completed sock 1 in the Lion Brand Magic Stripe Bright Spring pattern. I really like these colors.

Almost Ready to Get Back on the Horse

I am not yet accomplished enough to do complicated knitting in a moving vehicle so found the Orange Bliss scarf perfect for last weekend's journey to the Philadelphia area and back. This was my second time knitting this scarf and this picture clearly shows the difference between my early twisted knit stitches (on the right) and my new and improved straight knit stitches (on the left). I like both versions and am surprised that the twisted version did not result in a shorter scarf. Both are going into the Dulaan box which I hope to ship shortly. I'm dithering about making one more pair of Rowan Plaid mittens but most probably will not.

Yesterday I learned how to make I cord. As I write, my Karaoke bag and cord are agitating in my washing machine. (It was not a problem finding laundry to accompany them.) Everything I've read says it may take multiple washes before sufficient felting occurs. I'm a little uncertain as to how I will know if it is done. Is it like pornography? Will I know it when I see it? I hope so. Southwest Trading Company calls the color Autumn but it looks like summer to me and I'm looking forward to the finished bag.

Although the instructions for the bag specified 3 skeins of yarn, I used exactly 2 so have an additional skein of Karaoke with no definite project. I suppose I could make these, but already have a pair of fingerless gloves.
CPH is still residing on my dining room table. It was tempting to ignore my error but I couldn't have done it in a more obvious place than the center front neck opening. Shouldn't take long to frog the extra cable repeat and reknit the shoulder.

Let The Wild Rumpus Begin!

The long awaited summer vacation has begun! And knitting did occur when I was not blogging. I finished 3, count them, 3 Chunky Cashmerino hats



and a pair of Artful Yarns Museum mittens for Dulaan.

I also frogged this

and turned it into this

I'm probably the last knitter in the world knitting a Booga Bag but I want to try felting and I wasn't particularly liking the Karaoke Scarf.

My weekend included several hours in the car and I also knit an Orange Bliss scarf for Dulaan and think I've finished the Booga Bag. Need to count rows this morning to verify and then I'll just need to knit I cord for the handle.