Flying Sticks
Since finishing my latest lace shawl project last week, my sticks have been flying on a new project. I'm definitely learning that I do best if I try to work on one project from start to finish, rather than having several things going at once. It's just too easy otherwise for me to lose steam on a project and never finish. Knowing that I won't cast on something new until the current project is finished also helps motivate me through that final 20% or so, which is often the longest stretch for me.
The new project is a warm wrap in a woven stitch made my FF Heavy Worsted Merino Wool Yarn. My house is pretty drafty (we need to do something about that soon!) and it gets really cold in the winter. I knit a throw blanket to keep my husband warm while watching TV or lounging about in the winter months, but also wanted something for myself. The thought of another endless blanket project was not very appealing so I settled on the idea of a really large wrap shawl that I could curl up in and also get up for a trip to kitchen or to check e-mail taking the warmth along with me.
The piece is just flying off the sticks! It's about 25 inches or so wide (although it's curled at the edges and will need blocking) and will be a good 80 inches in length once complete.
(Indie, of course, insisted on being in the photo, although he wasn't much in the mood for any cute posing.)
The stitch is the simplest of woven stitches: Just a K1, SL1 with yarn in front, repeated across on the right side and purl across on the wrong side. Then on the next K1, SL1 row, it's staggered over by one, so basically it's like a SL1, K1 instead of a K1, SL1. And on and on, repeating four total rows.
Sometimes the simplest of stitches are the most beautiful and this is definitely one of those, in my opinion. It's also really easy to fall into a steady rhythm and just go, go, go with the inches quickly adding up.
All in all, this simple piece has really captured my heart. I've used this yarn previously for a hat and scarf set, but this is my first larger project and I have to say that I'm head-over-heels in love. It's a thick yarn that falls on the heavy end of the worsted spectrum, just shy of bulky. For a more structured garment, I would use a US #9 needle (perhaps a #10 for a tighter knitter). For this less-structured piece, I wanted to have a nice drape so I went with a US 10.5. The resulting fabric is truly glorious. It's supple and soft and drapey and lovely. I find myself stopping every few rows just to look at the fabric and to squish it between my fingers.
In fact, I've fallen so entirely in love with this yarn that I have no doubt that there's a sweater in my future. But I must follow my rules. First, I need to finish this project. There's also another project brewing in my head for a while that I may want to do first. But then, sweater time for sure!
Everyone have a lovely weekend and get those sticks flying!
Since finishing my latest lace shawl project last week, my sticks have been flying on a new project. I'm definitely learning that I do best if I try to work on one project from start to finish, rather than having several things going at once. It's just too easy otherwise for me to lose steam on a project and never finish. Knowing that I won't cast on something new until the current project is finished also helps motivate me through that final 20% or so, which is often the longest stretch for me.
The new project is a warm wrap in a woven stitch made my FF Heavy Worsted Merino Wool Yarn. My house is pretty drafty (we need to do something about that soon!) and it gets really cold in the winter. I knit a throw blanket to keep my husband warm while watching TV or lounging about in the winter months, but also wanted something for myself. The thought of another endless blanket project was not very appealing so I settled on the idea of a really large wrap shawl that I could curl up in and also get up for a trip to kitchen or to check e-mail taking the warmth along with me.
The piece is just flying off the sticks! It's about 25 inches or so wide (although it's curled at the edges and will need blocking) and will be a good 80 inches in length once complete.
(Indie, of course, insisted on being in the photo, although he wasn't much in the mood for any cute posing.)
The stitch is the simplest of woven stitches: Just a K1, SL1 with yarn in front, repeated across on the right side and purl across on the wrong side. Then on the next K1, SL1 row, it's staggered over by one, so basically it's like a SL1, K1 instead of a K1, SL1. And on and on, repeating four total rows.
Sometimes the simplest of stitches are the most beautiful and this is definitely one of those, in my opinion. It's also really easy to fall into a steady rhythm and just go, go, go with the inches quickly adding up.
All in all, this simple piece has really captured my heart. I've used this yarn previously for a hat and scarf set, but this is my first larger project and I have to say that I'm head-over-heels in love. It's a thick yarn that falls on the heavy end of the worsted spectrum, just shy of bulky. For a more structured garment, I would use a US #9 needle (perhaps a #10 for a tighter knitter). For this less-structured piece, I wanted to have a nice drape so I went with a US 10.5. The resulting fabric is truly glorious. It's supple and soft and drapey and lovely. I find myself stopping every few rows just to look at the fabric and to squish it between my fingers.
In fact, I've fallen so entirely in love with this yarn that I have no doubt that there's a sweater in my future. But I must follow my rules. First, I need to finish this project. There's also another project brewing in my head for a while that I may want to do first. But then, sweater time for sure!
Everyone have a lovely weekend and get those sticks flying!
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2 comments:
Indie is SO cute! He must be featured in the blog more often!!
I just got a skein of your Serenity Merino Tencel, (so beautiful!) and I was hoping there would be enough for a wrap/stole. Your simple pattern looks so beautiful, I may try the pattern for my project. Easy to knit as well.
I have to finish a vest before I can start though!
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