Flaw

I'm currently knitting a man's sleeveless vest, in a lovely 4ply Shetland wool that I was given at Knitting for Brisbane's Needy. I'm using one of Grandma's old patterns, and I've just started shaping the first front shoulder.

However, I've just noticed this flaw, about 10cm down. I know that it's hard to see, but it's definitely there, and I feel it's quite noticeable. But I really don't fancy undoing it and trying to pick up about 100 tiny stitches.

On the other hand, I want to produce as good a garment as I can, so although I'm complaining about it now, I will go and "frog it" back to the flaw and re-knit it. I always do, even though I always sigh and pout and whinge about it!

We use the term "frog it" or "frogging" to mean taking it off the needle and pulling back the rows; it's also known as "ripping" or "to rip it" (or "ribbit!"). (On the other hand, "tinking" or "to tink" refers to undoing stitches one at a time: it's "knit" backwards.)

Coping with a cable needle.

I'm knitting a cute little baby jacket for a friend's soon-to-arrive grandson, in a sweet baby blue bamboo. It's got a very simple cable pattern - candy twists - which isn't causing me any trouble, except for the usual problems I have when using a cable needle.

There are different types of cable needle, with ones that look like  mouse-sized double-pointed needles (dpns), ones with a kink in the middle, so it doesn't fall out of the held stitches, and ones like that I'm currently using, with grooves along the length of the needle, again to stop slippage. It does work to stop the needle falling out, but it also catches on the yarn, and this bamboo is very soft and delicate, and snags really easily.

I've had - and lost - all of them, and that's my main problem. They're small, and they're not needed all the time (currently only every 4th row), and I keep forgetting where I put it, or I stand up suddenly when it's on my lap and it flies off and rolls somewhere, or it falls to the bottom of my knitting bag, or down beside the cushion of my chair.  This current one is the only one I can find in the right gauge!

I expect there are a few under my couch, or in forgotten corners of other knitting bags, and it's the one knitting item that I have to keep buying.  I wish I could have it on a string, but it needs to be able to be used at either end.

It's the main reason why I don't do as much cable work as I'd like. I like the challenge of bending the stitches around to make new patterns and textures, but I need to find a better way of controlling the cable needle when I'm not using it. Sigh.

Knitting Olympics: Training

We're not allowed to start our Knitting Olympics project until the beginning of the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Games, but we are allowed to "train", as in knit up our tension swatches.

I was pleased to find I had enough of the DK yarn I wanted to use, Australian-made Carnival acrylic in a lovely Star Trekky teal colour.  It's going to be a hoodie for my nephew, who is -unbelievably - one at the end of March, so acrylic is perfect, as it's hardwearing and machine-washable.

I'm knitting the cable and rib hoodie from Debbie Bliss's The Baby Book, that I just bought with my christmas gift card from Steve and Karen.  It's cool to be able to using it so soon!  This event has given me permission to start a new project that I might not have allowed myself otherwise.

I'm looking forward to seeing if I can get it finished in the allotted 17 days.  I think I should, as it's not as complicated as I first thought, although the all-over cable pattern will slow things down a bit.

It should be fun!

One pair of socks

I have finally finished the pair of socks I have been knitting for K4BN.  The group had a box of sock yarn donated to it last year, and I have several ball of it to turn into socks.  I should be able to turn out another three pairs, at least, and then knit up tiny baby hats and socks with the remainder.

Sock yarn is good to work with, as it's quite a firm fibre, and the self-patterning aspect gives a fun end result.  They look much more clever than they really are, especially as I'd never undertake such a complex colour pattern otherwise!  I can't remember what inspired me to start knitting socks several years ago, but I really enjoy it, and have made socks for many members of my family.

This pair, and the others I do for the group, will go to a homeless person that needs them, and will hopefully make someone's day, and give them a bit of comfort. We get lots of lovely feedback from the agencies that distribute our handknits (and crocheted and sewn items), and I have been told of reactions that recipients have had to things I have made.  It's the best, warmest, fuzziest feeling, and makes me wish I had more than one pair of hands, and that I could just knit continuously in order to provide more items for people who need them.

People often question our activities, wondering why we would sit and knit a beanie, perhaps with yarn we have purchased (although we now receive a fair amount of donated yarn) when we could simply buy some from the shop.  Of course, anyone that knits a jumper, or socks (socks?!) is just crazy.  But the time and effort that we put into making these items is part of the gift.  Someone gets a warm jumper when all she has left is the nightie she was wearing when she escaped from domestic violence, and part of its warmth is the work that went into it.

I also like to think that there is a ripple effect with what we do.  Some "passing forward" of the comfort and warmth that we provide with our knitting.  Perhaps some restoration of faith in people, for those who have suffered at the hands of others.  Perhaps changing someone's day from hopeless to hopeful.

I've only made one pair of socks so far, but whoever gets them, will have warm and dry feet and legs this winter, and be able to walk around in a little bit of human kindness.  And in style!

Another completed UFO!

I'm really pleased that I've finally finished my aboriginal flag hoodie (size approx 7 - 9 years).  I started it quite a few months ago, but put it down when I got stuck on the first sleeve.  I was trying to add a sun on the elbow, but it wasn't working properly with the increases.  When I went back to it recently I decided that it wouldn't work at all, so just did the sleeves in black and red.  I think it would have been easier if I'd been knitting with 4mm needles, as the fabric would have been more dense, and taken colour changes a bit better. With 5mm needles it was all a bit loose, especially with the increases.  The main sun on the front would have been a bit tidier, too, but I think its roughness has a sort of rustic charm, which goes with the patchwork of red yarns - all 8ply, but the difference in weight varied remarkably between the different yarns.

I did the red side of the hood all in one red, so that the shape wouldn't be compromised.  The hood string is plaited lengths of the three colours, and I made it so tight that it's quite firm.  I got a bit stuck looking for something to thread it through the hem of the hood, and ended up using a stitch holder.  It got a bit hooked up once or twice, but worked well.

In all, I'm happy with how it turned out.  It's my first attempt at a colour pattern, and one that I've designed myself.  I don't know that I'll get into it in a big way, but I'd like to make jumpers for my nephews with their names on the back, footy jumper-style.

This one is going to K4BN, and if it's received well, I could see myself doing another one.  First I would adapt the pattern to work with 4mm needles; that kind of adaption would also be a first for me, but I think I can do it.  I have a few other UFOs to get through first, though!

I won't let a sore finger slow me down!

I have a tiny cut on my right index finger, but it's causing big problems! As well as stinging like crazy when I was cutting onions yesterday, it's bothering me when I knit!

I use that finger to push my left hand needle back out of the stitch, every 2nd or 3rd row, and I keep hitting the sore spot. It's even in the way when I'm sewing up, instead, when I push the sewing needle through... I do have thimbles, but I've never mastered the technique of keeping it on my finger while I'm sewing, and it makes me feel awkward.

An obvious solution is to not do anything to aggravate it while it heals, but it's so hard to go without making something! I won't know what to do with myself when I'm watching telly! So I'm going to continue knitting, but just try to remember to use a different part of my finger, until this little, tiny cut heals itself.

I did finish this beanie last night, and sewed it up this morning. It's following on from the aboriginal flag hoodie that I'm now sewing up. Just a mini-project for when I don't want to have to look at what I'm doing.

My next knitting project is Mum's second sock. Once the hoodie is finished, it will be time to select yet another UFO!

Recently completed

Having had a couple of sleepless nights earlier in the week, I had some extra time in which to work on my projects.

Firstly, I finished Mum's first sock. I'm pleased with how it came out, although it took me a few stitches to get back into the grafting groove. I don't think it's noticeable, though.

I was worried that it was a bit short, but Mum told me that mid-calf is good for her, so it's turned out to be the perfect length. All I have to do now is make the other one the same size!!

It's very comfortable, too. I had to try it on to see how it fit, and it's nice and stretchy, and nice to wear. I think Mum's going to like them.

After that, I finished sewing up the peaches and cream jumper. It's not as hideous as I thought it might be, although I'm still not totally sold on it for its looks. But it's gorgeously soft and stretchy, and I'm especially pleased with how soft and stretchy the neck is.

It's given me a boost in my neckband confidence, so I think I'll be more inclined to re-do (again) the neck on the grey jumper.

I'm not sure if Karen wants to have this one, but I did make it with her in mind. But if not, I'll take it to the market. If no-one wants it, I'll wear it myself. It will be nice for around the house in winter.

Besides, it's liberally sprinkled with Fred hairs, so it probably shouldn't go to anyone with a cat allergy!

I always feel good after I've fully completed something, and can tick something off my UFO list.

However, I was a bit naughty and made a beanie from the leftover wool, rather than start the 2nd sock straightaway, or pull out another UFO. But that's now finished (sewing up pending), and I've pulled out the aboriginal flag hoodie to work on again.

I hope to report some more completed items soon!