As promised, here is my knitting post for the week. I've been working away on the socks, but on Monday, I decided I really wanted to start a new project. I'd purchased the yarn a few weeks ago at Michael's on sale and the bag was still on the floor in the bedroom where we have stashed all our clothes while the Great Closet Renovation transpires. I think it was calling to me, and I decided to answer. :-)
I purchased the yarn to make a baby blanket. I have no idea who will eventually receive it, but I found the pattern in a Fons and Porter knitting magazine I bought years ago and it looked like it would be fun to make. However, it called for circular needles and I've never used them before. Armed with a forty per cent off coupon, I headed to Michael's and bought the needles (needle?), and the yarn, which was on sale.
So, back to Monday. The instructions called for casting on 144 stitches and adding markers every eighteen stitches. I hate markers. They get in my way and I've found I can usually get along without them. Until now. Several rows in on my first try, I realized I was off. No hope but to unravel and start again. Again several rows in, I found I was off again. Arghh!! Well, I'm no dummy (at least for long), so I sought out and found my little box of markers and resolutely began again and added them. Success!! (Guess that pattern designer knew what she was talking about.)
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| Note Markers! |
I love the lacy pattern. The color is Seaspray Mist (a heathered green) in Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand yarns which should be good for a wash and dry, to-be-used baby blanket, and I think it will work for either boy or girl. I must say using the circular needle has been a bit unnerving at times! I've panicked more than once as I've pushed up stitches from the left in preparation for knitting and glanced down to see what looks like stitches that have fallen off the needle, only to realize seconds later that they're safely on the clear cable. Whew!
Here's the cover of the magazine with the pattern in case you, like me, have it in your stash:
Meanwhile, I'm still working on the socks and I'm just about ready to turn the heel.
And now, I must sign off and go climb on the NordicTrak. Must, must, must. (Can you tell how excited I am?? Not. But I WILL do it!)
Happy Friday! (That's sunshine across the bottom of the blanket photo!) ♥
thats a beautiful stitch pattern. My grandma did something similar for my first child. its a treasure.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's been fun to do. How wonderful that you have one made by your grandma for your oldest. A treasure for certain!
DeleteThanks for stopping by--
Your baby blanket is beautiful. Love the pattern. It's funny how those new projects "call" to us at times. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramona! I'm having a good time making it and I'm glad it called to me. It's fun to switch back and forth between it and the socks--big difference in needles and yarn!
DeleteIt's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have projects I should finish, but I agree that sometimes we need the inspiration of a new project. And I've had the same experience with crochet patterns. Sometimes I see myself as experienced enough to do it my own way, but sometimes I discover I'm not.
It's great that you're trying the circular needle and learning something new.
I like Vanna's Choice.
Thanks, Kath! It's not typical for me to work on multiple projects, but I'm thinking that for knitting, which can take forever, it's good to do two at a time. I've been trading off and am excited when I pick up the "other" project. I'm liking the Vanna's Choice yarn, too. It's got a nice feel knitted up. I hope it washes up nicely, too.
DeleteI try to work on one crochet project at a time because I can't seem to keep a consistent gauge if I move back and forth.
DeleteVanna's Choice is affordable and seems to be a lightweight 4-ply. It's less bulky for my doll clothes projects. The colors I have seen are unusual. Sometimes I wish for brighter shades.
Nice socks! Can you believe I just got that magazine? It has a cute leprechaun hat pattern in it. As for markers, they can be a pain, but they've saved my life a few times!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy. How fun that you just got the magazine! Are you going to make the leprechaun hat? The slippers are cute, too.
DeleteYes, the markers are a pain, but as you say, they can save us! Thanks for dropping by!