Yarn Capers

I’ve been shamefully neglectful of the blog since hurting my back. I’m on the mend now, and can sit at the desk long enough to crank out an entry with what I’ve been up to. It’s mostly been playing about with a few ideas to see what works. Apparently, most of them don’t!

I’ve crocheted plenty of things out of dishcloth cotton (or handicrafter cotton, as it’s grandly called here), and never had any problem. Knitting with this stuff is a whole different kettle of fish though. I had an idea to knock out a few dishcloths while resting up my back, so I dug through the stash, and cast on.

I’ve never really thought of myself as particularly delicate, but man, this stuff is hard on the old fingers! A dozen rows into the first cloth, and I abandoned the idea. I’ll stick with crochet for working with this yarn. I should have taken a pic of how far I got—it was a cute bobbly cloth, knitted in the round, from the Mason-Dixon book—but I’d pulled it out before I thought of taking a snap. I might try this pattern in a different yarn at some point.

I also cast on for a go at an entrelac cloth. This will be ripped out for two reasons: see preceding paragraph for the first; second, though entrelac looks complicated and interesting, it’s actually easy and deathly boring to do. Granted, I chose to use garter stitch, but seriously, I don’t think using a different stitch would hold my attention for much longer.

On to obligatory sock content:
Although I prefer wearing ankle socks to those with a longer leg, there’s not much knitting to them, so I’ve mostly been doing longer ones.

I figured I’d make up my own pattern for a turn-down cuff that’s interesting to knit. Well, I’m not the girliest person by any stretch of the imagination, yet I somehow came up with a frilly, lacy piece of frou-frou! I mean, I like lace, and all, but this is a bit OTT for me.

It’s not destined for frogging just yet. I’m going to finish the entire sock so I can properly evaluate what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Already, I can see that starting with that number of stitches has made it too ruffly and clown-like, especially in that colour. And I’m not sure about the yarn either. It’s the lightweight STR, but it feels a bit too heavy and thick. Starting with fewer stitches might solve that, or perhaps it really needs a finer yarn.

It’s fun messing about though, and I’m quite proud that the lace actually turned out looking the way I’d hoped. I wanted a bell, and I think that’s what I got.

I’ve also started on a pair of Jaywalkers for hubby out of some rather nice Trekking Pro Natura.

I had a go with this pattern back in January, but abandoned it because of issues with sizing. The stitch combination results in a fabric with very little stretch, and the solution seems to have been to simply ramp up the number of stitches to compensate. Judging by the popularity of the pattern, this seems to have worked for a lot of people, but 76 stitches made a sock that was way too sloppy for my liking, especially around the heel and ankle. And though it pains me to admit it, DH’s calves are much slimmer than mine. Hmph!

So, I’ve reduced the number of stitches to 68, and will jigger about with the heel and gusset to ensure it’s easy to put on. The result will be Jaywalker socks that fit hubby perfectly without requiring a crowbar to get over the heel. I’m determined.

And Finally…

I’ve been putting it off for weeks, but it’s time I faced up to it:

THE BALTIC SEA STOLE MUST DIE!

There, I’ve said it. This has to rank as the epitome of hideousness. I’ve been kidding myself that it’s the garish yarn making it look bad, but it’s so much more than that. It was never intended to be a refined, tasteful piece, and that’s certainly true when viewed from the front…

…but turn it over, and you’ll find the back of it takes ugliness to a whole new level.

All those ghastly purl bumps downgrade the look from hand-made kitsch to home-made schmatte. There’s simply no way I’m willing to invest the time in knitting a piece that ends up looking this cheap and nasty. And even I don’t have the brass neck to give it to MIL as a present. She’ll think I don’t like her!

I’m left with nothing for MIL, and no idea of what to make with this yarn.