I know there are others out there in cyberland who keep knitting or crocheting the same pattern over and over because it makes them happy and brings such a satisfying sense of accomplishment. I love that feeling when I knit. I have looked at pattern after pattern of dishcloths so I know that others are knitting the same basic pattern over and over and over. You know a good pattern when you knit it. It feels good and you are comfortable with it. You know inside and out. Slipping into a familiar rhythm.
So this one is no different. I think I have knit at least 12 of this pattern. What can I say? It's the perfect 56 stitch lace scarf for a beginner. It's just enough lace to satisfy a need to knit lace and not feel like it's a life time commitment. Thus this makes the perfect gift for almost any occasion. I can knit this in 10 days or less even while working a part-time job. That's about the same amount of time that I can knit a pair of socks. Of course this time it took me a bit longer because I have been spinning and felting the same time I was knitting on the scarf.
I have never been one for doing gauge, swatching or blocking. I know better but some things you really need to know the gauge, swatch or even block. This pattern however does need to be block ever so slightly. All of the other times I have made this scarf I either steam and hand blocked or hand blocked it on an extra large bath towel. This time I have a new way.
My favorite enabler and I shared an order for KnitPicks and we bought blocking squares. I haven't used them yet and since I returned her blocking wires, I thought the blocks and some old sewing pins would do the trick. They did!
I love the blocks. I really wasn't sure about them but they are wonderful. Why did I wait so long to do this? The pins just slide right in and look at that! There was one little problem though...
My diningroom table isn't long enough to block the whole scarf. Since I sleep on a Sleep Number bed, pinning it the the bed to accomodate for length, isn't happening! So 3/4 of the scarf will be blocked over a two day period. Then I will have to wet the last 1/4 and block that. A little awkward but with five dogs my options are limited for sure.
I am sure that if you are a member of Ravelry you can link to my project page and then follow the link to the designer's page. I feel like I got my money's worth from this pattern! I sure hope my friends think as much as their gifts as much as I did making them. Pattern Stats: Mary designed by Linda Johnson. Knit with US #4 Addi Lace circulars with Misty Alpaca Lace weight.
11 comments:
You are toooooo kind!
It's nice to know my pattern is so loved
Looks great! I bought knit picks wires, but I got 2' squares just like the 1 foot ones from home depot. They work just as good. I can very rarely knit the same pattern twice, it's my short attention span - I lose interest the second time around. That's what's so great about Ravelry ( besides meeting all my fiber friends) there are more patterns than I could ever knit!
Linda, I have always loved the pattern since the very first time I knit it. It's a great pattern! I do love knitting it. I am knitting a red one right now.
Ria-I usually don't knit a pattern more than once but when I find one I really love I do repeats. I love Monkey and Spring Forward socks so I will be knitting them again in '10. I thought about getting the ones from there that they use in garage floors. I might go and get me some of those before it's over. I don't own blocking wires so my enabler lends them to me. I'm good with that as long as she is.
I haven't felt the desire to make scarfs but that's not to say that the bug isn't still waiting to bite me. I sure do like yours and the clever way you got it all blocked in increments. BTW, I have the same dining room chairs~
I don't knit them very often myself but this is for a Christmas gift so it had a purpose and will have a new home here shortly. I will knit up the last of my Misty Alpaca and then won't do anymore for a while again. I have seen those chairs in your blog lately and got a chuckle from it. I have had this same set since the the early 90s. It's about to be donated and given a new home. I have another table in the wings and new chairs.
Hi! I am new here but really enjoy reading about your projects. I am a self taught knitter/crocheter. I also raise sheep and would love to be able to use their wool to do things in the future. Hope to read lots of cool stuff here, and tryout some of your patterns.
Simply Me, thanks for stopping by. I am self taught to a certain point. My grandmother got me started and the rest of learned from a book and 20 years later started taking lessons at LYSs. I want to raise sheep someday but we live in the city limits so that's not happening for a while. I hope you enjoy the site. I try to talk about the patterns as much as I can. Most are on Ravelry or from books that I have collected. If there is a website where I got them I try to remember to link them. If I forget just let me know.
Wow- that is beautiful! (Once again you've wowed me.)
Don't you just luv your blocks? Cheryl and I shared a package of similar ones that she picked up from...Home Depot?...they's great. And your shawl/scarf is lovely lovely lovely!
BTW, I posted the triplets info to the YFB message board...
It looks luscious... and the blocks look a great idea... hmm, where did you find them? I too am in VA, is it a local store? Blocking has never been a strength of mine, this looks like it might make my life a little easier.
Kim-it is very soft. I bought the blocks from KnitPicks a while ago. I think you can get similar blocks from Michaels or a Toys R Us. They are foam blocks that just lock together. I think someone else mentioned to me that they saw some at a car parts store. I would even check with someplace like Lowes or Home Depot if you have them where you live. They worked great!
Post a Comment