Hot new Knitty.
June 11th, 2007
The summer Knitty is up, with the newest edition of my column to be found here. I will not blame you if you go scampering over there right now–I may join you, as I haven’t yet had a chance to look at it myself. (Ooh, I see a fabulous looking lion’s mane washcloth!)
Suzanne and Steph made some interesting guesses about my current project–including a few that I’d even consider trying!–but except for two little words, they are pretty far off the mark. The next clue I can give is: You can definitely tell I’m a novice at this particular technique–thank heavens it’s a gift for a child as they generally don’t look too closely at one’s (scarifying lack of) craftsmanship. They either like what you’re giving them, or they don’t.
11 Comments Add your own
1. Karen | June 11th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
As usual, I’m frightened of all the knitty patterns. I wish I wasn’t such a knit-coward. I thoroughly enjoyed your article! I just finished an eye-glass case using a slip-stitch tecnique (first time for me) and I did make a few errors…it’s for my stepmother and as I fretted over the mistakes, I remembered her telling me that she likes homemade things to look HOMEMADE. So maybe a mistake here and there isn’t so bad after all.
Thanks again for the great article and for making me laugh.
2. Suzanne V. | June 11th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Hah! Obviously you’ve never met my obsessive-compulsive seven-year-old! He not only insists on knitted gifts, but watches over their construction and points out every flaw. I taught him to knit in self-defense. I hope the child you’re crafting for is more forgiving.
3. Oksana | June 11th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Congratulations on your article–I think that it reads very well. I have the Vogue Knitting Ultimate Knitting book and it’s pretty darn great.
I have a guess! Are you knitting something cabled?
4. david_demchuk | June 11th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Thanks for writing in, peoples!
(And sorry, Oksana, there are no cables in what I’m making, though there are some waves…)
Karen, don’t be frightened of the Knitty patterns. They do not want to scare you, they want you to love them. For a simple but interesting pattern, check out Wisp. If you’ve never knit mohair lace before, don’t buy the Rowan Kidsilk Haze–it’s wonderful, but expensive. Ask your yarn seller if he/she has a suitable substitute that won’t empty your wallet.
What I’d recommend with this pattern is that you write out every row of the first fifteen rows as a list on a piece of paper, and draw big asterisks beside each fifth row where you have to do things slightly differently (substituting the first few stitches at each end with the eyelet pattern). Make a mark somewhere on the paper each time you complete one entire fifteen-row pattern repeat. Repeat the pattern fifteen times, and then follow the instructions for the final few rows at the end.
Some of the other “mellow” patterns in this issue are the bias-knitted top Askew, made out of Noro Silk Garden, and the (not-so-mellow in my opinion) Coupling socks knitted toe-up on two circulars in an easy but striking all-over lace. If you have the figure for it, definitely check out Askew, its construction is very interesting, yet it’s one of those projects you can do while watching TV or listening to music.
5. Jyoti | June 12th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for the great article - it had me chuckling into my cappucino this morning - and made me feel MUCH better about all the silly, senseless mistakes I make, that could be avoided if only I were paying proper attention. I managed to get the bumper on the inside of my first felted clog (luckily it was for my boyfriend, who didn’t know any better), and each of my first pair of socks fits not one, but two feet. Swatching, yes. You just have to do it.
6. Ranger Susie | June 12th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Great article, David! I can see at least two mistakes in the project I have in front of me. They were made seven inches ago. They’re staying.
7. Karen | June 14th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
David,
I should be paying you for the knitting therapy you provide me. You are like Glen(da) the Good Witch of the knitting world.
Karen
8. Deb | June 24th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Not sure Coupling should be a mellow either. I think it’s a boo-boo, and I shall write the fab Miz Amy immediately to request a change.
Still loving your blog and column to bits, David!
Deb B. in Nova Scotia
9. Deb | June 24th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Fixed now, to a Tangy.
10. david_demchuk | June 24th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Deb–that makes more sense. Thanks from all of us!
11. Julie | August 12th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Great article, and I may even start swatching…someday. I also like knitting for kids; my nephew is 2 and hopefully will be oblivious to the mistakes in the blanket I am knitting for him (Joseph’s Technicolor Blankie in Mason Dixon knitting). Then again, I might enjoy pointing out the mistakes to him when he’s older and explaining why it’s dangerous to knit during Champagne Thursdays.
Your quilt turned out beautifully, and thanks again for the excellent and reassuring article.
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