A Year of Techniques - September, October and November 2017

September saw the publication of the Year of Techniques book - in a way it turned out to be bittersweet. The surprise element that had been so much part of the experience had gone as we were able to see the remaining six patterns, yarns and techniques. While each of these were super patterns, there was, for me, a sense of very slight detachment from the forums as there was no longer the excitement of guessing the technique and designer. In reality, the mystery phobic me had turned out to be someone who found that actually, mysteries were not that bad after all! The book itself was perfectly formed - and it was so good to have a step by step photographic reference to the techniques alongside the patterns themselves. Clearly laid out and very engaging, it will be a go to source to refresh my memory about the techniques in the future. Indeed, the accumulation and integration of several of the new techniques in subsequent patterns meant that having the physical book for the last six months was actually a very good idea.

Garter stitch grafting - this was one of the fastest patterns to knit and a very satisfying project. Two row garter stitch stripes were addictive and watching and anticipating the colour changes made for compulsive knitting. Constructed and seamed like origami, this was a gratifying knit.

German short rows - another garter stitch project, knitted in a gorgeous wool and silk worsted weight yarn with a glowing sheen. An ingenious side to side construction that incorporated shaping, short rows and slipped stitches to create another project that intrigued and inspired. It seems the potential of short rows is quite unlimited.

Reading cables from charts - this was the second large project knitted in worsted weight, worsted spun Shetland wool. Rich, springy and textured. Beautiful. While I had knitted cables from a chart several times, this time round I was able to conquer knitting cables without a cable needle - something that was truly liberating and as a result, I will definitely be knitting more designs with cables. Removing the extra manoeuvring of slipping stitches and moving them back and forth, picking up and setting down a cable needle certainly helped to speed up the process. A super sized and super warm scarf suited for the cold weather.

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Is there such a thing as 'Investment Knitting'?

Following my knitting revival came a succession of plans and lists of items that were to be produced - some sooner than others. One of the first Rowan patterns I completed was 'Lisette' by Kim Hargreaves from Rowan 36. Boy, was I a proud girl when this was finished! It was my first experience of knitting with a Rowan yarn, and nothing has yet shifted 4-ply Soft from the top of my list of the best yarns for drape and finish. It has virtually no 'bloom', washes brilliantly and wears as new. The colour is aptly called 'Beetroot' and is a bit darker than the picture below. The pattern was straightforward to knit, and as a result I think I will forever be partial to a Kim Hargreaves pattern. The edging was knitted separately and sewn on, which was a challenge for me as I am not too confident of my hand sewing skills when it comes to knitted fabric! I have learnt many things since I knitted this a couple of years ago. One of them is never to carry 'live' stitc...

Shade Card Ripple - Ta Dah!

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All's well that casts off (with enough yarn)

This wasn't a good time of year to start blogging, I think. I have a growing pile of assignments to mark and lots of preparation for summer teaching to get underway (no long break for us nursing lecturers, unfortunately!). Yet I still want to knit and talk about knitting in preference to working. I need some discipline. I have just finished knitting Birch from Rowan 34. It started when I needed to buy an extra ball of Kidsilk Night to cast off about 100 stitches of the Froth scarf that was the free gift pattern from Rowan a few months ago. I was knitting it a second time for a gift. I was left with almost a full ball and thought it would be a good idea to buy 2 more and cast on for Birch (which I had always fancied knitting). After getting one third of the way through the shawl I had only one ball left: So off I went to buy another ball of yarn to complete the last few pattern repeats. Now I have about 3/4 of a ball left. Am I the only one who would find that frustrating? After all...

Stitches Galore

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