Monday, August 7, 2017

Knit Here, Knit There, Something To Knit Anywhere


Pattern: Coastal Walk, by Joji Locatelli
Yarn: Rowan Softyak DK, Colorway: Cream
Needles:  size 7

There is knitting. And there is knitting. I know a (very) few knitters who faithfully finish one project before they begin another. I know some knitters who love starting a project much more than they love finishing a project. They might have many works-in-progress. (Knitters call them WIPs.) So, what do I do? Here is what I'm working on right now:

Coastal Walk, pictured above, is my "I need to focus on this one" project. I started this one in early summer, then had to set it aside for weeks while I went to a Rocky Mountain wedding, had a big family gathering at the lake, visited a wedding venue, drove down to babysit, tagged along for wedding gown shopping...you get the idea. Keep good notes on one like this so you can find your starting place when you get back to it.

See that pattern for Coastal Walk? A chart. Written directions. Several sheets of paper. I like having a project like this one that needs focus. But it stays at home. Or it goes with me only when I know there is ample quiet time. I love a project like this that requires a little more of me. So much fun to knit, but I know when I need to put it down and find something simple.

If I had a project with three different colors of yarn, I would save that for knitting at home, too. Too easy to get everything tangled up.



Pattern: Boneyard Shawl, by Stephen West
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed, Colorway: Rage
Needles: size 8

My second knitting category is what I call " travel knitting" or "social knitting." This is a project that I can take to our knitting group and work on it while we chat with minimal danger of getting lost in the pattern. It might go along with me while I wait for a doctor or sit while Little Sister has dance practice. Boneyard Shawl falls into this category. It would be a good choice for car knitting. It's easy to stop and start anywhere along a row, without needing to counting every stitch. I do need to keep up with how many rows are between each ridge. But that's easy enough to do.


Pattern: Sunny Baby Blanket by Lucie Sinkler
Yarn: Knitpicks Mighty Stitch, Colorway: Alfafa
Needles: size 8

I also have a bright green baby blanket that I've worked on since spring. There is no rush to finish this one, so I've been able to work on it and then put it down for a few weeks before I pick it up again. I like to work on it when I'm between other big projects. Choosing the next "big" project takes some thought to find a good match for yarn and pattern. But I can work on the blanket while I'm thinking.

The blanket has more happening in a single row than the Boneyard Shawl. But everything is even and once I get going, I only need to count the rows on the actual knitting to keep up with the pattern. No need for the written pattern or stitch counter. I use markers to remind me to change from knit to purl and back to knit. I've also made several of these, so it's a familiar pattern. I remember that the first one wasn't quite so simple.


Pattern: Grandmother's Favorite & Waffle Knit Dishcloth (bottom)
Yarn: Lily Sugar & Cream
Needles: size 7

And if there's nothing else to knit, or if I need a grab-and-go project as I run out the door, I make dishcloths. Don't need to find the pattern. It's useful when it's done. If I make a mistake along the way, it will still wash a dish! So what if I forgot a yarn over. The dishes won't care. They wear out so there is always a need for a new one.

What's your knitting style? One project? Lots of projects? We are all different. It's all good. There is no right way or wrong way. But I'd love to hear how you do it.





9 comments:

  1. Hi Dianne! Angie here. Love reading your blog and waiting for a new one to pop up now and then! I share your knitting habits, not too many at once but each serving my needs. I like to mull things over a bit as well between projects. My between project project is a log cabin sock blanket. I always have one on the ready. One sweater usually on the needles as well to work on when Its not too hot out. I can't handle a ton of wips nor a large stash. I'm funny that way!

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  2. Angie, I'll need to check out the log cabin blanket. I have friends who are working on mitered square blankets. Just a few squares done here and there. One day they will have a blanket. Swapping leftover yarns has been fun for them, too.

    Blogs are coming slower at the moment because I am going faster!

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  3. You've been busy too. I am going to try and catch up with what I've missed, but for now...more that one project for me and preferable different needle sizes. I've heard the terms "process knitter" or "product knitter". I'm a pricess knitter. I get done eventually, but I love the process and I think having several WIPs helps drag it it out. Eh...they all get done eventually. I like the yarn colors you've chosen.

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  4. Ha! Goodnightgram, I read your comment before I finished my coffee. Thought you said you were a "princess knitter." Speaking of process, I have had big projects that seemed like they would never end, but as the end was in sight, I was said to see it over. I like a mix of big projects and little projects.

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  5. Nah...not much of a princess. It was my typo. I was resting in a near horizontal position when I typed my comment. I try to keep my head out of the clouds, but...if I WERE going for royalty, I would head straight to "Queen". ;-) I totally get the coffee thing, though!

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  6. Beautiful knitting work! I can't knit but I can some crochet. Wonder if similar wash clothes (made in crochet) would work for a newborn baby? Thanks for sharing! Have a great week!

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  7. Angela, there are plenty of crochet patterns on Ravelry for baby wash cloths. That would be a nice gift!

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  8. Goodnightgram, I'm kind of loving the "princess knitter" thing. But I'll gladly call you queen.

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  9. Nah! Too easy to be dethroned when I look about the web and see what you and other knitters are up to as well as what I've seen as I hopped about to recentcounty fairs to peek at knitting. Gives me goosebumps! But the typo made for some fun!

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Hi, y'all! I love that you've taken time to tell me something here. Makes me feel like we're neighbors.