***
Because 6 UFOs are not enough, (apparently), I've started another one. This one has a very good chance of being finished in a timely manner, however, because it is a fast knit, I have a deadline, and it's for a worthy cause.This weekend I bought the yarn and cast on for my friend Syd's "Think Pink" knit-along project. I'm knitting the "Heart" scarf from Knitty's Breast Cancer Awareness Fall 2004 surprise issue, which should look like this when finished:
I've finished two pattern repeats so far, and I'm hoping the wonky appearance will go away once blocked. We'll see how it looks after a few more repeats -- if it's still wonky, it may get frogged.
Can blocking de-wonkify this knitting? Is frogging the only other option? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode!The pattern calls for an alpaca yarn, and if I had had my wits about me last weekend while ogling all the pretty colors in the Tess booth, I might have found some nice pink bulky alpaca with which to knit this. Since I was (and am) witless, I had to buy some bulky wool at my LYS, who is currently all about summer-weight yarns and has hardly any bulky yarns in sight. Here's hoping 200 yards is enough, because I don't know if they have any more of this colorway. I think this scarf knitted with alpaca would be softer and more drapey, but again, I'm hoping blocking will help that. It's a fun little pattern to knit, except for row 3 which has two knit-4-togethers -- yuck! That's probably not too terrible with laceweight yarn, but with fat yarn, (Crystal Palace "Iceland", 2.5 spi), and fat needles, (US size 15), it's a challenge! So for me, row 3 is always the row to dread and the hurdle to surpass.
Also being donated to the "Think Pink" project are two woven scarves currently in my possession:
The scarf on the left I won in a raffle at the Spring Fiber Festival -- it was made by Mill Creek Studio in Rural Retreat, VA, (no website - comment or email me if you want contact info). It's woven mohair with a little novelty something woven in as well. The scarf on the right is woven rayon and I bought that from a weaver I met in St. Louis when I was on a project there. She was friends with some girls on the client site and invited us to a Christmas party where she showed off her basement weaving studio, which was just a feast for the eyes, with all the colored fibers. I've had this scarf for several years but have rarely worn it, because being hot-natured, I just rarely wear scarves. Here's hoping that both of these scarves go to good homes.
***
Finally, here's another pink thing in my world:
***
To see more pink things like this, go here.
***
4 comments:
So did you go out to the Race for the Cure this weekend? There had to have been over 10,000 people there!
Mary,
Glad to see that you're Thinking Pink! The scarf you're knitting is beautiful and the woven scarves are too. Can't wait to see them in person when you send them in. You're going to make some wonderful woman very happy. Thanks for joining the Think Pink Challenge!
PINK! I flatter myself, and think that I rubbed off on you at the festival....
I am not sure about its wonkyness. Maybe if I saw it in person. the eyelets and lace look much tighter than in the pattern picture. Is the yarn tighly spun or loose, kinda unspun (I worked with that yarn brand before, the one I had was kinda unspun) and that may affect how the pattern shows. Looks good though--and gotta love the color!
Blocking works wonders with almost anything - especially if it's wool. Lace eyelets always look tighter pre-blocking. But if you want to be sure - you can block what you've knitted so far. Just dunk it in water, squeeze, lay out flat and let dry. Of course, hold the rest of the ball of yarn out of the water, so you can pick up where you left off. Or even try steaming it with your iron. But the full body emersion is my favorite blocking style.
Post a Comment