Tuesday 22 February 2011

knitting notes

I knit nearly every day. Sometimes it may be just a few rows, others it's for a couple of hours. I've realised lately how much faster I knit now. Regular practice certainly helps - that, and a greater confidence in what I'm doing. I no longer feel like a real beginner. I can read a pattern and it usually makes sense, instead of a page from a novel written in a foreign language.

Francis Revisited was my first jumper, and I'm delighted with it. However, after a couple of months' wear there were two niggles: a too-tight bind-off round the bottom, and despite much measuring and trying on, a lack of length. Last week I rectified this, ripping back the moss stitch band on the bottom, then adding a couple more inches to the stocking stitch before re-knitting the moss stitch border and finishing with Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn bind-off. Now, it's perfect and I'm one hundred and ten percent happy!
At the weekend I finished off the last sleeve (a barely-there sleeve, actually) of Idlewood, which has been hanging around since before Christmas. Yesterday, after blocking beautifully, I wore it to my monthly knitting group. You can guarantee your knitting friends will oooh and aaah and make all the right appreciative noises! This is gorgeous to wear, very snuggly, with the large drapey cowl providing a halo of warmth around my neck. I love this pattern, and now have my eye on a couple more knits by Cecily Glowik MacDonald.
Finally, the socks are finished. Sock two was slower off the needles - typically, I got distracted on route to a speedy completion. I kitchenered the toe yesterday and after a quick block they're now ready to wear.
Have you noticed the colour co-ordination going on here? Not intentional, but pleasing to the eye, even if it's just for photographic purposes.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Well done you. What a wonderful feeling hey?!?! Loving you colour choices chicka, very delicious!!! I'm just about to embark on my first sock project, eeeeek!!! Wish me luck!!! Ta ra for now twinks. Ionwen XXX

dottycookie said...

Oooh, lots of woolly loveliness there! I'm still a bit of a coward - I knit a lot but the same type of thing over and over. BUT I've just finished a cardi for one of my girls and the other one has requested one - in the wrong wool but the only colour she will wear so I am going off piste with the sizing. Eeeeeep!

Frances said...

Bravo on mastering that kitcherening bit at the toe end of the sock. I just get fed up and thread a tapestry needle and draw all those remaing knit loops up together.

Do you have a secret for keeping patient at "the end of the road?"

xo

Miriam Weaver said...

I love to knit, it's a lovely feeling when you finish something and it fits! I really like your colours, I'm glad your friends appreciate the skill for the hand knit item. These days a hand knit is an expensive item!

Lori's page said...

As always, I enjoyed your posts, I tend to come back and read two or three in one go. Loved you knitting, lovely pastel colours. Loved the starlings, Walter playing up, such delightful moments in your life. My knitting is not as nice as yours, I must learn knitting patience. :-) hugs and have a nice day, Lori xxx

Sue said...

Oooo lovely lovely cuddly stuff, and those colours!
I'm still at the "knitting pattern as a foreign language" stage LOL!

kristina said...

You are speedy! And such gorgeous colors. I have several CGM knits in my queue (including Breakwater) and now have my yarn for Idlewood--hooray! I've started a new pair of socks, but while I love Kitchener stitch, I still struggle with picking up the heel stitches (avoiding the hole).

K x

Julia said...

Its a lovely bit of colour co-ordination, and done in yarn even nicer! I'd love to learn to knit someday!

Julia x

willow said...

Lovely knitting in beautiful colours. I'm also a fan of the kitchener type sewn cast off, a bit slower to do but definitely worth it.

Pipany said...

I LOVE that first one Diana. Perfect for spring too, so I should do that nex. Mind you, so is the other and you know how much I love that one. May even join you! x

D @ Homemade & Happy said...

Hi Diana
I very much like the colour co-ordination in the photo! It sounds like you are flying high with your knitting at the moment. I really must get into the habit of regular knitting - it only happens when I'm on a long car journey (as a passenger of course!).
D x
thanks for popping by it was lovely to hear from you :-)

Gina said...

Gorgeous colours.

Ali said...

What gorgeous sweater patterns (and colour palette). I can feel my ravelry queue growing....

A time to dance said...

I love knitting too as you know, I have a large project for home, socks at all times in my handbag just in case and a cinema not thinking much project usually on circular pins...a project for all occassions....I also love unraveling and re working projects double the satisfation....love Helen