Knitting Without a Loom (gasp!)

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Dishcloth

That’s right. I suddenly had an urge to give knitting with needles a try, so I checked out a video from my local library and I started making the first project: a dishcloth. So far, I’ve learned to cast on, knit in the garter stitch, and increase by leaving a space. I have to admit, I enjoy using needles, especially because it gives a smaller gauge than the Knifty Knitter. I’ve played around with the idea of buying a smaller gauge loom, but we’ll see how it goes!

I’m using size 8 needles and a skein of Sugar ‘n Spice cotton. There’s one huge difference I’ve noticed so far between loom and needle knitting. Because I’m making smaller stitches, this is taking a long time!

Categories: Loom Knitting

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Ziggy Zag Scarf, finished

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Bluescarf

I realized I never posted a photo of my ziggy zag scarf even though I finished it last spring. I’ve been wearing it a lot this fall, and it’s just the right weight for not-so-cold days. I’d like to make a matching headband with the same yarn, but since it’s a little bit scratchy, I’m not sure if I’d like it.

I posted instructions on the ziggy zag stitch earlier. The scarf is about 55″ long. It curls a lot, but I don’t think blocking it will help because it only has a small amount of wool.

Final thoughts: cool pattern, nice color, but it curls in everywhere but the ends. I’m please because this was my first fancy item, but I’d choose a different yarn and probably do a border along each edge the entire scarf.

Categories: Finished Object Loom Knitting

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Shawl Woes

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I’ve been making this pretty little shawl from Rostitchery’s blog: http://rowena.typepad.com/rostitchery/2006/12/give_a_little_g.html

However, I’ve encountered a problem. The first edge of the “V” has a loopy edge, made by how I interpreted her directions to skip one peg, knit the last peg, and then do a full row back. I have a funny feeling I shouldn’t have done it quite that way; however, I’m stuck with it. It looks nice.

But now I’m starting back up the opposite side of the “V” and I’m decreasing a peg each time. Instead of that nice loose edge, I have a normal edge. Hmmmm… I’m trying to figure out how to add an extra loop on this side of the shawl.

I’ve been using some of my stash of $1 Moda Dea Cache (Twinkle). I think I’ll end up using approximately 125 yards, or 2.5 skeins. Photos to come.

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Fair Weather Non-Knitter

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It just figures I’d go and be typical… when it’s cold, I knit. When it’s warm, I don’t. Since we’re creeping–no, make that speeding–toward the middle of August, I guess I can admit it! I’m a fair weather non-knitter.

Non-knitting isn’t all bad. I have plenty of time to think about knitting, imagine all the wonders I’ll create, and yet I don’t  have the hassle of making mistakes, frogging, and just plain giving up. Of course, I also don’t have the joy in finishing a project and all that goes along with it like the excitement of starting, the tiredness of staying up for just one more row…

In short, I haven’t given up on knitting but I have decided that a pile of wool in my lap on a ninety degree day is less than appealing. Yes, I considered using cotton, but still, it just hasn’t fit into my summer.

So, now that summer’s on the wane, although I suspect we have plenty of 90 degree days left, I’m just getting that inkling of interest in starting up a project. Some of my basic ones I may have mentioned before. They’re practical: I want to have a “knitting closet” to keep all my bits and bobbles organized, along with my stash (which is still small–I’ve resisted the urge to even look at yarn until I’m making an actual project); I also need my little knitting corner set up, and it’s almost there.

Finally, I’d like to unearth my digital camera so I can keep adding pics to this blog. Sometime during our move it went missing and we’ve yet to find it.

I’m not wanting to wish the summer away, but I am looking forward to cooler weather. Happy knitting!

BTW, if anyone has tips on making a calorimetry with a Knifty Knitter, please send me ideas!

Categories: Loom Knitting

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