The Independent Knitter

Most knitting patterns are very particular about what kind of yarn should be used, sometimes even specifying a brand.  Sometimes, though, the rebellious knitter deviates from the specifications -- and this surprises you because?

Lace knitting is one group of patterns that I find allows me to choose my own yarn and needles, not necessarily what the designer suggests.

Here are two shots that show the same pattern, using different yarns and different needles.

Finer yarn, smaller needles
(Lyndon Hill cotton/silk and
size 6 US)

Heavy yarn, larger needles
(Rowan worsted wool and
size 10.5US)

In an earlier post I mentioned the holes and the 'take away stitches' that can look (and BE) mistakes.  In lace knitting, the holes (called YarnOvers) and the 'take aways' (called Decreases) are put together to form leaves or other designs.  Often the instructions are given in chart form, which means more code.  Each symbol stands for a different action the knitter needs to take.

I like lace knitting for a lot of reasons.  The possibilities of yarn and needle choice appeal to my sense of independence; I may be knitting someone else's design but I will make it my own by choosing a different yarn and needle combo.  

Lace knitting just looks complicated.  Actually the pattern is often as few as 10-12 stitch instructions that just repeat over and over across a row of stitches.  Then there are as few as 3-4 rows that repeat.  So after a few times of reading and doing, you can memorize the instructions.  This means it becomes somewhat mindless, though you must still pay attention so as to avoid mistakes.  Mistakes in lace knitting can be corrected but sometimes you have to rip back (moan and groan and sometimes tears.)

Back to the shawls -- they start at either the top (shoulder) or at the point that hangs down the back.  The pattern shown starts at the point, adds stitches, adds rows, etc etc etc until you either run out of yarn or have the shawl the size you want.  It can be a small scarf or a huge wrap around shawl that drapes with elegance.

More accessories -- Can you see the tiny yellow sliver on the needle on the left?  This is a piece of plastic that slips onto the needle so I can always know the size.  Hoping you can see the 10.5.  And while we're at it, notice the needles.  They aren't the straight sticks you might remember from watching your aunt knit.  In this case the pointy parts are connected by a flexible plastic cord.  So, as in lace knitting, you can work with lots and lots of stitches.

I enjoy this blogging thing.  It's a convenient -- and fun -- way for me to keep a diary of my work toward the designation.  But it has its challenges.  I haven't yet figured out how to knit while I'm posting.  I will be listening to a book, though.  A saga or spy story, something that moves along while I do the mindless repeats of the lace pattern in these two shawls.

Didn't I mention that problem before?  And hasn't anyone solved it yet?  

  

Accessories

Accessories are essential for all people who seriously pursue an art -- rebuilding an antique car; encasing a model ship in a tiny bottle; designing, cutting, assembling, and quilting a quilt; knitting a new something or other.

Best part about accessories is searching for the next new thing to add to the collection, some helpful item that inventors decide will make the stitches more even (like square needles), or measure your gauge more accurately, or mark your pattern progress (highlight tape.)

Here's a picture of some of my simplest accessories:  a small ruler, a retractable tape measure, a pair of very sharp scissors with nice points, and a coaster for my tea or coffee cup.

Yes, a good cuppa is almost as essential as the ruler and scissors.

You may be asking, "But what about the needles?"  Oh, they are everywhere, in project bags, attached to UFO's, in a needle case (the prize Brittany set), and in a drawer.  You really don't wanna know how many.

Though I do have the size 8 Boye needles I used for the first cable sweater, red wool, I knit when I was still in high school.

Here are some more accessories, each picture caption will tell you what's what.

Yarn Winder

The thing with sticks is a "swift" -- expands and contracts

 to hold the skein of yarn.

Sometimes you ask your child or husband to hold the yarn skein
 with two hands spread to  provide some tension on the skein.
But a Swift is more reliable and less trouble.

This is the whole party --
the winder, the swift and a nice, neat ball of yarn.

The fishing box from Cabela's that holds things like stitch markers and yarn needles.
The box opens
from the other side, too, so I have 'stuff' there.

And just so we can continue our profound discussion of UFO's, here's a pic of a new scarf pattern from Whit's Knits at Purl Bee, Soho NY.  Great stuff.  She tells stories about the project (this pattern was used in her first knitting project) and has great photos about techniques.  I'll add the link on the blog footer.

Hoping you can see the twisty-twirly effect from the RicRac stitch
The yarn is Rowan wool.  Needles are US 8 (5.00 mm)

It's a wonderful scarf and I can't get the picture to load.  Groan.  Gotta go put my brain and hands around something else.