Saturday, November 17, 2007

This Week's Knitting

I've taken a break from the knitting the Lotus Blossom lace shawl for a bit. I've completed 9 pattern repeats and wanted to work on something different. Nine repeats might not sound like much, but each repeat is 18 rows and the shawl is triangular so a stitch is added every row. You can do the math, but that's a lot of stitches, and a whole lot of pale pink. The whole thing requires counting and concentration. I've decided that it is going to be my meditative project, because nothing else can be going on while working on most of the rows: 1-5 require serious concentration, 6-14 flow pretty well, then 15-18 again require concentration. So, it's silence in the house while this is worked on. Maybe a little background music, but no TV or talking allowed.
So my other projects...I finished something for a Secret Santa gift. I hope she likes it. Could it be yours??
I cast on and have been working on the Branching Out Scarf with the Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool that Kris W included in my FFBE package. Kris said it would be a fast and fun knit, and she is right. I'd like to be able to wear it for Thanksgiving, but I am not sure about that, because today, I got sidetracked.
When I was at knitting group Tuesday night, one of the ladies was working on some fingerless gloves, and brought along a few she'd completed. But the cool thing was...she was knitting them on two circular needles. I'd never seen it done before, and I was intrigued, and listened as she explained how it's done. I understood the theory, but didn't know if I could do it. I thought they'd make good gifts for my teenaged neices, quick and fun. I know they can be done on DPNs but I really wanted to try the 2 circs. So....guess what I did this afternoon? Yep. I dove right in and I understand! Luckily I had 2 same size circs in different brands because that is key for me. I wish I'd used spare yarn to practice, but since my knitting time is precious I wanted to get started on a pair right away. If and when I knit socks, I think I will try this method. less needles to drop. Sometimes I surprise myself how quickly I pick up a technique...and then surprise myself even more when the simplest of techniques escape me.

8 comments:

km said...

I've been enjoying my Saturday too. I always miss M when he's gone all week.

Anonymous said...

hi! Your finished scarf looks great! Branching out looks beautiful, and yeaaaa for you starting on the fingerless mitts. Can't wait to see how they turn out. Glad you got some Saturday dreaming in today. Happy Turkey!

SissySees said...

Oooh! I'm considering doing Branching out in a doubled width for my tiny stepmom, as a stole. Would that work, you think? Yours is very lovely!!

NH Knitting Mama said...

These are beautiful projects, and you have certainly picked some great yarn for them!

vegasangelbrat said...

Oh you have been busy..lol beautiful projects Nancy! Like the pattern on the green project and the colors of the others.

Anonymous said...

Wooohooo! I'm so proud of you =) I've not tried on 2 circs yet - folks would be hard pressed to tear me from my magic looping, but I've heard it's great.

And I also love that branching out scarf - it's gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

loved the scarf, so have started knitting up for a christmas list, loving it, have done in white cashmere mix for friend , yummy..........

Devonshire said...

Lovely knits! I just learned the 2 circular technique from Youtube.com - isn't it fun! I love the colors you have chosen for your scarves, lovely.