Knit & Nosh

twist & shout

I mean that in the worst possible way.

A few posts back I introduced you to Ophelia, fair Ophelia.  Ya' know how a sock pattern will advise you to be careful not to twist your stitches when joining to work in the round?  This is important when casting on a sock with say, 72 stitches.  Imagine how much more important it would be if you were casting on 626 stitches.  And then knitting eleven rounds of lighter than air lace.  And then realizing the ghost of Ophelia was looking over your shoulder. Laughing.

This my friends is what happens.  First there was shock, then disbelief.  More than disbelief, good old fashioned denial set it.  I checked and re-checked more times than I care to admit.  An optimist in denial is a sad thing to watch.

I can't bring myself to rip it out.  It is so lovely.  In a twisted sort of way.

rhododendron red

My first blog post for Patons is now live.

http://www.patonsyarns.com/blog/

Please stop by and say hello.

a diversion

For the past couple of months I have been thinking about crochet. It began when I had to walk away form a great book of knitting patterns because they were all finished with sweet little crochet edgings.  It continued during the remodel.  I have three new bathrooms and would love to have pretty little hand towels hanging in each one.  The problem is that I do not want to stop knitting lace long enough to knit hand towels.  I think lace knitting has become an unhealthy compulsion, but that is for another post.

Hand towels.  I have a couple of friends that love making washcloths.  I am aware that a towel is simply a long washcloth and that if made up with crochet, they would be done lickity-split. (note-research where that phase originated)

Problem.  I do not know how to crochet. Also, because I learned to knit as an adult, I have a built in dislike towards crochet.  But change is good and I can grow, so yesterday I took a crochet class.  So much fun!   Last night while having a nightcap I played with a circle.

This morning while having tea, I played with a square. 

I love that I have put aside my sterotypes, learned something new and added a new skill to my toolbox.

cough, cough, knit, knit

I have been slowed by a cold the past few days.  I turned the corner today and have high hopes for tomorrow.

New on the needles - Ophelia.

1200 yards of merino/silk in the color of reeds.  So pretty.  Last night I chilled in bed and watched Hamlet with David Tennant.  My new favorite version, hands down.  The green is so perfect.

Winding the yarn gave me reason to play with a new toy tool.

I purchased this a couple of weeks ago from Scott's Mountain Crafts.  Handmade, totally reasonably priced, works like a dream.  I have been using a ball winder and the back of the dining room chair for years, this is SO much better.

The pattern begins by casting on 626 stitches.   Yes, 626.  I manged the cast on and four rows today. 

Tomorrow is a new adventure.  Tomorrow I am taking a Learn To Crochet class at Fiber Gallery.  Who would have guessed?

 

3 out of 5

I woke up with a cold this morning.  If that isn't bad enough, I can't get this song out of my head. 

Here is a photo of the first 3 repeats of Swirling Snow Chart 2. 

Thrilling, I know.  Now that I have a length of fabric to take a look at, I think the lace is working.

Of course it will not be known for certain unitl the final block.  Lace is such an act of faith.  I have heard stories of knitters who remove their lace projects from needles and give them a little block to see how things are going.  I don't believe it. Block a swatch, yes.  At the halfway point?  It is an Urban Myth.

The goal is to finish the first 5 repeats and then set Longest Night aside for Ophelia.  Ophelia began shipping yesterday and should be here by the end of the week.

There is the possibility I will take a begining crochet class this Sunday.  Unless the sun returns.  No way I am giving up a day on the deck for crochet.