Here it is, the finished touch of whimsy scarf:
I’m very pleased with it. Not only was it my first time knitting lace, it was also my first time using wool… I will never go back! I love wool- I love the way it feels to knit, I love the way it looks, and I even love the way it smells- even after I wet it for blocking. I will never feel the same way about acrylic- I was helping my daughter with her first project, using acrylic, and it actually made my skin crawl to here the little ‘creak’ of the yarn as it passed over the needles. Creeeeeepy!
My dear friend Susan will be the recipient of this effort. It didn’t really take long to decide- originally it was meant for my stepmother, but that was back when I thought I could finish it for xmas- haha! Right! A few other people were on the short list, but right now I need someone to be very appreciative, and I think Susan will.
So now on to the Masters! While my scarf blocked yesterday, I pulled out a ball of yarn and my instructions for level 1, and started reading/knitting. Really, it was like that- I’d read for a bit, I’d knit for a bit, then I’d check the web for advice. I tested out the first 5 or so swatches- none done to specifications, but just to see how hard the knitting would be. And I’m pleased to say I still feel confident- sorta. I like my seed stitch, which I had heard was really hard, and I even like how the increase swatch looks, but I found that the more concious I am of potential problem areas, the more I overcompensate and create problems. In stupid spots too, like stockinette stitch. And my ribbing. But now I’m not sure if I’m just seeing problems that aren’t there… what do you think:
Again, remember they aren’t to size specifications- I have no intention of sending them in. And they aren’t blocked. I’m thinking of blocking them today, to see if that changes them at all, if I can get them away from the girls- apparently Barbie needed a seedstitch blankie.
It is AMAZING how much I have learned already. One thing that seriously surprised me is that I discovered I had been twisting all my stitches! It was an easy fix, but an embarassing mistake. Imagine if I had sent in all my swatches like that, and had them all sent back to me! total humiliation! In my defense, they still looked good, I think. I’m a very tight knitter usual, so perhaps that helped. Also in my defense, my mother taught me to knit, and when I ask her stuff now, she has no idea what I’m talking about. I mean, she is a very practical knitter- if it works, do it. There is nothing wrong with that, but as a result I thought I was a good knitter even before I knew about doing swatches, blocking, and now twisted stitches.
My biggest concern about doing the Masters is my organizational skills- I don’t have any. I try, I really do. Everyone asks if my girls are on a schedule, and other than going to bed at the same time every night, I can’t really say they are. And my house looks like there is a place for everything, but most things have a place ‘jammed in under the sink’ or the like. It works for me, most of the time.
Look at that- 2 posts in a row! Holey crap!
