Laura (lauralkeet)'s fun with fiber 2022

Favorite projects from 2021, clockwise from top left: Icelandic Sweater, Aran Sweater (original design), Lemon Lime Towels, Petty Harbour Socks, Sumiko Sleeveless Tee

In 2021 I completed a 4-year journey of becoming a Certified Master Hand Knitter. I'm proud of this accomplishment and pleased to have developed the knowledge to be a more proficient knitter. Then, joining a local fiber guild introduced me to other fiber arts, namely weaving. I'm still learning the basics but having a lot of fun with it. I expect 2022 to be a mix of weaving and knitting. Watch this space!

As for 2022 plans, on our "Looking Ahead" I wrote

Now that I've finished the Masters program, I want to devote some time to charity knitting. I have two beneficiaries in mind at the moment. My local guild is collecting hats, mitts, scarves, socks, etc. for an organization serving homeless and at-risk youth. They will accept items made of any type of fiber, and I have a lot of wool in my stash, so should be able to make several hats. The other beneficiary is South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation. There's a group on Ravelry that collects blanket squares, sews them together, and donates blankets/afghans. They do not accept wool but I've ordered some acrylic blends that are recommended for this type of work.

I have four colors of yarn to use for the blanket squares: 3 solids and a multi-color blend. I'm experimenting with patterns that are worked corner-to-corner (i.e., diagonal rows) which makes it easy to work to a specific size, 6" in my case. One square knit so far.

For the hats, I searched my Ravelry pattern library for ones I already had on my shelves, in books or magazines. I chose this Gansey Hat from Vogue Knitting to start with. I'm knitting it in a denim-colored yarn:


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As for weaving, I'm planning to continue taking courses from the Yarnworker School of Weaving. I've taken Weaving 101 and 201 so far, and have one set of towels yet to do in Weaving 201. There are three additional courses on warping and weaving techniques, and the instructor, Liz Gipson, is working on one more course on weaving structures. I don't know if that's the last course she will develop, but she's said it will take her curriculum to the point she originally envisioned.

Each course includes projects so you can make something real as you learn, using inexpensive yarn so it doesn't matter if you mess up. I hope that with each course I can also use the skills in my repertoire to tackle other designs on my own, and use nicer fiber when appropriate (i.e., a table runner vs. dish towels)

I look forward to seeing your projects.

My friend Lori who knit me the socks last year and a hat and a headband is going to start knitting caps for chemo cancer patients. I guess the organization is very specific about the yarns they want you to use. I think for her birthday (Dec 28), I'm going to buy her some yarn for them and mail it out to Az to her after they travel back.

Happy 2022 thread!

My next weaving project will be a two towels in a Color-and-Weave Gamp pattern. Color-and-Weave is a woven structure using dark/light yarn sequences in both the warp and the weft (the log cabin towels on my previous thread are an example). A gamp is a specific kind of sampler that makes blocks of equal size in a way that shows the interaction of all the colors with every other color. This is my third and last project in the colorwork course I've been taking. Here's a pattern photo:


For my towels I'm using some yarn left over from another craft: blue and pink in place of the black and white, and green for the accent color (red in the pattern photo). Here's my loom, warped and ready to go:

>5 lauralkeet: Looks exciting, Laura.

Looking forward to seeing the finished project.

Here's my first charity knitting project of the year, the Gansey Hat, which will go to a local charity for homeless youth.



I have a few hats' worth of yarn in my stash so there will be more, but even though this design was fun to knit it will be more fun if I make a different hat each time.

>2 lauralkeet: That's a nice gesture, Laura. I'm feeling a bit guilty that I didn't get any charity quilts done this season. And the weaving plan sounds ambitious (I would expect nothing less from you!)

That's a lovely hat. It will put a smile on someone's face, for sure!

That's a really pretty hat.

>8 lauralkeet: Oh, that looks so good! Whoever gets it will be delighted, I’m sure.

I love the project on your loom, Laura. The pattern is lovely. And, that hat pattern is also really nice. Is it your own?

>9 avaland: Lois, I've joked about being a selfish knitter but it's not far from the truth because most of what I've made, I've made for myself. Plus a few things for family. I've been feeling increasingly uncomfortable about that, and once I finished the Masters program I felt like I had time to add charity knitting to my plate.

>10 dudes22:, >11 PawsforThought:, >12 NanaCC: Thanks Betty, Paws, and Colleen. The pattern is from a back issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine that I had on my shelves. Ravelry's search feature allows you to filter on patterns that are in your library, which is how I found it. This only works if you actually maintain a library on Ravelry, but it's not much different from maintaining a library on LT.

Funny though, even though I use that filter all the time I'm still more likely to buy a new pattern. Much like reading from your shelves vs. buying a new book ...

Beautiful hat, Laura, and I look forward to seeing how your weaving project turns out.

Oh, I love the hat, Laura! Gorgeous work, as usual!

Thanks Micky and Amber. Hats are great ways to use up leftover skeins of yarn. When I'm making a sweater, I tend to over-buy yarn and am then left with surplus. This was one such example. This yarn was left over from one of my Master Hand Knitting projects (a vest). My next hat will use a skein left over from my MHK Aran Sweater. I think I have a few more "hat quantities" of yarn in my stash after that, too.

All your work here is amazing! I'm loving all your towels - the blue, purple and green is going to look very impressive I think.

>17 melannen: Thank you! The current towels are either going to look really cool or the yarn is going to create a mishmash with insufficient contrast. But I don't care too much -- this particular project is more about understanding the technique used to create the block pattern, and if I get something pretty out of it, that's a bonus.

Progress on my latest towels. This are the first blocks and half of the second. The dangly green threads are part of the color change technique and will be trimmed when finished.

>19 lauralkeet: Oh, nice work Laura! It’s looking really good.

Thanks Paws! I'm not sure I would have chosen these colors if I were starting from a clean slate, but I like being able to use up yarn in my stash for a learning exercise like this.

>19 lauralkeet: That looks like fun, Laura. I’m a bit jealous. I don’t think I’d have room now that I’ve downsized to have a loom.

>22 NanaCC: Colleen, au contraire!

I have a rigid heddle loom, which can sit on a tabletop or stand (or even in your lap depending on size), and be stowed away when not in use. Below is a photo from the manufacturer. Mine is a 16" model (which is the width of the loom and, therefore, the maximum width of the woven cloth). They come in larger sizes, too. In addition to its small size and portability, at just over $200 it was much less expensive than a floor loom and a great way to get started. The Yarnworker School of Weaving, where I've taken a couple of courses, is all about weaving on a rigid heddle. As you can tell, I'm lovin' it.

That's coming along very nicely. I was wondering if the green were "place markers" or part of the design. I'm curious that you can trim them and they won't unravel.

>24 dudes22: you can trim them and they won't unravel
That's because of the way you join the color. Each cut end is secured with something called a "ply split join." You split the yarn into two strands, leave one hanging, and weave the other back into the cloth in a specific way. I have learned so many new techniques in the color work course.

ETA: about the green. Not pictured -- before working the blocks you work a little over an inch in just the accent color (green for me), and you repeat that at the end. But for most of the towel the accent is a way of outlining the individual pattern squares.

>19 lauralkeet: That's beautiful, Laura!

Thanks Micky!

Oh, well done, Laura!

Thanks!

These color-and-weave gamp towels were my final project in the color work course. I was pleased to use up some yarn in my stash, although this is an excellent example of the importance of color values/contrast. When viewed in grayscale, these colors are all too similar so you don't get the same "pop" as in the pattern photo (>5 lauralkeet:).

I considered each of the three projects in this course a learning exercise and expected there to be issues now and then. I'm still working on getting smooth selvedges, and the new color change methods in this project threw me off. Practice will help. Also, not at all obvious in this photo, is that my weaving picks per inch (similar to gauge in knitting) was significantly different in the second towel. This meant that some of the color blocks turned out longer than they should be and I didn't have enough warp to work the final green accent border. I have some theories about why this happened that I plan to ask the instructor about.

I learned a lot in this course, as much from mistakes and problem-solving as from creating a finished object. Liz Gipson (the instructor) is hosting a weave-along in February, to learn a twill pattern. I just ordered my yarn and am excited!

Those are beautiful, Laura!

Glad to hear that you're enjoying learning all things weaving.

>31 MickyFine: Thanks Micky. I'm having fun with it. I've noticed since doing the Master Hand Knitting program that I want to really *understand* the craft, not just wing it and hope for the best. When something goes wrong I want to know why, and how to fix it. I enjoy researching to find answers, although tbh sending a message to the instructor is usually the fastest path.

>30 lauralkeet: Those are nice. One of our professors is very interested in weaving, and I occasionally spot a forthcoming book I think may be of interest to her.

Thanks Lori.

Those turned out so great, Laura! I'm excited to hear more about the weave-along, too.

Thanks Amber! If I can find a pattern photo for the WAL I'll post it along with my yarn which should arrive today.

Just off the needles yesterday, this is my second hat for our guild's local charity project. I used yarn left over from my Masters sweater, and it looks like I have enough left over for another hat. The pattern is Antler Toque, from tincanknits. There's 2" of ribbing followed by a 6-round cable pattern, repeated 8 times.

That's pretty Laura. And using up spare yarn is nice. My friend Lori decided to knit/crochet some hats for Knots or Love which makes hats for cancer patients. They're very particular about which yarns you can use. I bought her a bunch of skeins for her birthday and mailed out to her after they went back to Az.

>37 lauralkeet: That's a very pretty pattern, and a nice color of yarn. I always find it tricky to choose a yarn with a light enough tone that the cables will really show, while not being so light that it is a dirt magnet.

>38 dudes22: Thanks Betty. It seems most charities are particular about yarns and in fact many refer acrylic. I'm knitting blanket squares off and on for the Pine Ridge Reservation, and they are acrylic. I can only take so much of it at a time and then I need to feel some wool.

>39 rosalita: Thank you Julia! You're right about choosing yarn for cables. In the Masters program we were required to use white, off-white, or pastels for that very reason. Most of my swatches were off-white, which is traditional for an Aran sweater, but I was so tired of it that I found another suitable color for that instead.

>40 lauralkeet: I'd think wool would be warmer in South Dakota than acrylic!

>41 thornton37814: I know what you mean, Lori. I think it's because of the potential for allergies to various plant and animal fibers. Plus, acrylic is machine washable. I did some research on best acrylic yarns for charity knitting -- mostly looking for durability and softness -- but I still far prefer knitting with anything but acrylic.

I think you're right about the softness. Lori said that the cancer caps she's making need to be soft enough that people can sleep in them. Plus being easily machine washable.

>37 lauralkeet: Love the pattern and the colour, Laura. There are ways to do cables in crochet and one of these days I'm going to have to get over my intimidation factor because I do love how they look.

Laura, that’s a gorgeous hat! I don’t think I’ve ever seen cables that look quite like that before.

>44 MickyFine: I’ve never thought about cables in crochet before. Now I have to go image searching.

>30 lauralkeet: That is gorgeous, Laura. I love the colors, especially.

>37 lauralkeet: That's a fab hat. Someone somewhere is really going to appreciate it!

Thanks all. Funny story: after I finished the hat I realized I had another project from years ago, "Antler Mittens," from the same designer. So one could make a matched set if so inclined. I am not, because the charity these will go to isn't really interested in matched sets. The mittens must have been in my subconscious when I found the hat pattern.

>47 lauralkeet: Is the pattern on Ravelry, Laura? You mentioned a username, tincanknits, in your initial post but I wasn't sure if that was someone here or on Ravelry. I like the idea of a matching hat/mittens set!

>48 rosalita: Hi Julia, yes it's on Ravelry. Tincanknits has a website (https://tincanknits.com/home), and they're on Ravelry by that name. I made their "Antler Toque" and "Antler Mittens".

Their patterns are really well written, and several are free. Their Flax sweater is a popular first sweater project. And they have recently really stepped up around size inclusivity in their designs, which I think is marvelous.

>49 lauralkeet: Thank you!

>49 lauralkeet: Thanks! As a fairly inept knitter, I appreciate knowing that you think the patterns are well written. I see the hat pattern is free and the mittens pattern is a very reasonable price. I'll have to go back and browse the website when I have more time.

Yeah, they have a lot of patterns, Julia. I've also found tutorials on their website too, so you might find that part useful too. And if there's any way I can help with your knitting, just holler.

>52 lauralkeet: Thank you! In the Before Times, I used to knit at lunchtime with a friend at work, but now I work completely remotely and with the Covid situation in Iowa I am not even comfortable getting together with anyone in person. I tried to go it alone, but got stuck on a dishcloth and stalled out. I need to be able to hand it to someone who knows what their doing, so they can figure out where I messed up and help me fix it! :-)

>49 lauralkeet:
Thanks for linking to the designer’s website - I’ll be looking around there quite a bit. Some really nice patterns there (I’m a little bit in love with the Harvest cardigan), though I’m always a little apprehensive about following knitting instructions in English. Maybe some day (like always).

>53 rosalita: Well, I have to admit that would be easier in person. Is there a yarn shop in your area? Sadly they are often not particularly crowded so you might be able to make a visit and get help. There are also a few Master Hand Knitters in Iowa; the two closets to you are in Iowa City. I don't know them personally, but might be able to find out if either of them are available for tutoring.

Ooh, the wristwarmers I'm currently working on are from tincanknits! They have a lot of nice patterns.

>56 melannen: I keep telling myself I'm going to make more of their designs but then I get distracted by other patterns. Just like books ...

>57 lauralkeet: - Ha! Know the feeling.

I love seeing your projects form last year. Congratulations on completing the Master Hand Knitter certificate. I lost track of your fiber activities last year about the time you were designing your Aran sweater.

And you've taken up weaving. I was going to ask what kind of loom--thanks for sharing that info and a photo. I have various friends who weave or have woven. All of them seem enthusiastic, but I confess none seem prolific. The closest I've gotten is one tablet-weaving project.

A yarn shop just opened up down the street. Fun to go in and look around, but I've never been motivated to take up knitting or crocheting, so it is not a den of temptation to me. Maybe because I veer away from anything too popular? Dunno. I've taken up bead embroidery and am halfway through my first project. And my pandemic learning activity was språng, though I haven't gotten past one failed and one semisuccessful starter project. So I very much admire and will continue to follow your progress.

>59 justchris: That is so kind, Chris. Thank you.

>55 lauralkeet: Unfortunately, going anywhere in person these days is just too dangerous for someone with my health concerns, because Iowa is a no-masks, no-vax, no-mitigation "FREEDOM!" zone for Covid. When it's safe to meet indoors with people again, I'll be able to connect with my friend Liz again to get sorted out. But thanks for the suggestions! Someday ...

I totally understand, Julia. ❤️

>37 lauralkeet: Lovely hat Laura!

>40 lauralkeet: I’m finding it quite annoying that so many crochet patterns are written with acrylic yarns in mind. I try and avoid artificial fibre if at all possible, and it’s such a pain as a relatively new crocheter when the first task in a project is to find an alternative yarn in natural fibres. There is a lovely granny square type blanket that I would like to make but the pattern calls for acrylic yarn. It utilises about 12 different colours and the colour choice is a very integral part of the pattern. Finding natural fibre yarns which replicate the colours is going to be such a pain.

>63 SandDune: that would be really frustrating, Rhian, especially when trying to replicate the colors in a pattern. There must be crochet designers out there somewhere, recommending wool for their designs. The problem is finding them, I suppose. Where do you currently go to find patterns?

>63 SandDune: How frustrating! I avoid acrylic at all costs and only use non-natural fibers when it's necessary (like when knitting socks, there needs to be some polyester-type fiber in there).

Have you tried https://yarnsub.com/ ? You might have some luck finding yarns to switch to.

>65 PawsforThought: For some reason I always forget about yarnsub. I know a number of crafters who have found it useful.

>66 lauralkeet: I've only used it a couple of times because they haven't had the yarn I needed to substitute in their database. But luckily, most of the time the patterns I use are from a yarn producer that also have alternative yarn suggestions (and my Facebook group is an excellent source of ideas for yarn substitutions).

>Online I like The Crochet Crowd as they do videos to help with the hard bits. For arigurumi I have a couple of books Zoomigurumi 3 and Zoomigurumi 9. My next project is going to be a mosaic blanket from Mosaic Crochet Workshop. One that I would really like to make is this:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/821010841/beach-walk-blanket-crochet-pattern?cli...
This is a pattern from WoolThreadPaint, someone I follow on Instagram, but the mixture of colours is clearly very important (and there are a lot) so I would need to be very careful in substituting.

>67 PawsforThought: It's nice you have a Facebook group to turn to as well.

>68 SandDune: Rhian, I just had a thought: are you on Ravelry by any chance? It's a bit like LT for fiber crafts in that people catalog their stash, patterns, projects, etc. Often when I'm considering a pattern I look at the projects associated with it to see how it turned out, if the maker made any comments about the pattern, etc. You can also see the yarn that was used. Unfortunately I haven't found an easy way to say "show me all of the projects that used wool" so it would mean hunting around a bit. But it's a thought.

>69 lauralkeet: You can search Ravelry's patterns by fiber type! It's one of the sidebar filters (down toward the bottom.) Though I see it doesn't have my new favorite fiber, casein.

>70 melannen: oh! I went looking but must have missed it. Thanks!

>70 melannen: Casein is the milk one, right? I think the idea of making yarn from milk is incredibly cool. I’ve never come across it - what does title feel like?

Milky!

I've actually only used it a little bit - someone gave me a very small amount of unspun fiber at a spinning circle where we were trading fibers, and I loved how it worked on the spindle, and then I recently bought about a pair of socks' worth of sock yarn which I haven't done a big project with yet but love the feel of, so I'm looking for a pattern to use it on.

It kind of, idk, gives the impression of an artificial silk or something, but without the over-slickness of synthetic fiber? I would probably get annoyed with the slipperiness using it for a large project, and it doesn't have the warmth of wool or absorption of cotton, but for something I might otherwise use a nylon or acrylic or even linen for, it's a much nicer feel in the hand than they have. And it's supposed to be as washable as acrylic, though I haven't tried that yet,

>73 melannen: I’d love to get my hand on some one day. Sounds like it would well in a summer shawl or something, but I’m not a shawl person. Maybe a snood?

I think a summer shawl or vest, yeah! Unfortunately I don't have enough for that, so it's going to stay in stash for a bit. I think it would also be really good for warm-season baby clothes or blanket, since it's so smooth and washable, so maybe for the next baby who turns up!

>69 lauralkeet: Yes I am on Ravelry, but I haven't used it much to be honest.

>76 SandDune: I know some people find it overwhelming, Rhian, although you don't have to participate in all its many elements. Feel free to reach out if you ever want help navigating the site.

>63 SandDune: Interesting conversation about wool and acrylics.

I am a committed wool user, but with regard to crocheted afghans, I wonder if some of the impetus for acrylic is the sheer weight of a finished wool blanket. Also, as with projects for cancer patients and others, washing ease is a major consideration if these blankets are for small children, babies, camping, or other situations where frequent washing is a necessity.

There is a huge range in the quality of acrylic fibres. I have had the best luck with Patons Canadiana, and with Decor, which is a 25% wool 75% acrylic blend. It makes excellent blankets and doesn't have that acrylic sheen to it.

I finally finished some socks I started back in October. Other projects kept taking priority. The design is Rook Socks, by Tanis Lavallee, and is worked from the cuff down, mostly in a 12-row basket weave pattern:



Here's the yarn, which I won in a giveaway:



There was one skein for each sock, which ensures they will match. I knew it was a gradient yarn but the full range of color wasn't apparent until I started knitting because you're drawing yarn from the center of each ball. I was really glad to see the blue emerge, and get progressively darker/more teal, because I like those colors much more than the bright green. I finished the sock before getting to the darkest color on the outside of the skeins.

I tried on the socks today and they fit well, but then I noticed a little hole where I must have dropped a stitch, so I need to do a bit of mending before wearing them.

>79 lauralkeet: Very nice. I have a soft spot for basket weave, and I don’t think I’ve seen it on socks before.
Yarn gradients are a strange thing - just looking at the skein I’d have thought the socks would come out almost completely teal, leaning towards dark green but they’re so much lighter and bluer.

I'm with Paws. I would have thought mor dark green. But anyway - I like them. That's a great stitch - I'll probably mention it to my friend.

>80 PawsforThought:, >81 dudes22: I, too, expected mostly dark green/teal socks and I was excited, because I love that color. I was actually rather freaked out by the bright lime green and just praying it wouldn't last long. And anyway, that color will always be concealed by a trouser leg.

I love the socks and what fun to have a color surprise!I too thought it would be green teal rather than blue teal, both lovely colors though. I hope you don't dislike the lime too much. I think its perfect with the blues...but that's me.

Barb, I don't hate the lime, and agree it works well with the other colors. It was just that when I started knitting it wasn't at all what I expected, and I didn't know how much of the sock would be that color. Fortunately it all worked out!

>79 lauralkeet: Those socks are nice.

>79 lauralkeet: Those are lovely socks - I like the change in colour. I a, thinking that I might try a (simple) pair this year.

love those socks!

Thanks Lori, Rhian, and Alison. And Rhian, I hope you do give them a try! I started with a very basic sock from a book by Ann Budd called Getting Started Knitting Socks, which took me step by step through the process with lots of great photos. Hopefully there's something similar for crochet (I'm assuming you want to crochet the socks?)

>88 lauralkeet: I was at going to try knitting the socks! I can do the basics of knitting and follow a pattern and socks are quite small. (Well, I have small feet so my socks are small).

>89 SandDune: ah, well good for you, Rhian! I highly recommend that book to learn from. If it's not available in the UK and you need resources, let me know and I'll have a think.

ETA: Tincanknits has some excellent patterns and tutorials. Their "Flax" sweater is a very common first sweater project, so I went looking to see what they had for socks. Their Simple Collection includes the Rye Sock available as a free PDF, and the pattern page also references blog posts/tutorials.

Ooooh, very cool socks! I love both the colors and the pattern.

Thanks Amber!

>90 lauralkeet: I looked it up and it is available in the U.K.. Thanks!

>93 SandDune: You're welcome, Rhian! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I would be happy to help.

>79 lauralkeet: Those are gorgeous socks, Laura!

>30 lauralkeet: They look lovely!

I need to spend more time with my rigid heddle loom.

>95 avaland:, >96 minervasbooks: thank you! A funny thing happened with these socks:



The way the yarn is packaged in two separate skeins, it's intended to produce two identical socks. And it did ... until it didn't. One of the socks has much more dark teal in the toe. Not a big deal, just surprising.

Well - that's odd. You should write and tell them - maybe they'll replace the yarn with two new skeins. 😉

>98 dudes22: ha ha great idea, Betty! I won the yarn in a giveaway though, so I'm inclined not to look that gift horse in the mouth. I did, however, leave a comment on the yarn's Ravelry page.

This month, Yarnworker is hosting a winter weave-along, a 1/2 Color and Weave Twill. The pattern includes instructions for pieces of varying length and width (scarflette, scarf, or stole). The weave-along is supported by instructional videos that guide you through each step of the project.

Here's what a 1/2 Twill looks like. These six different looks will be created on the front and back along the length of the piece.



I’m going to make a scarf and will use the recommended yarn, a DK weight from Neighborhood Fiber Company.



And as of today my loom is warped and ready for weaving! Note that this project uses two heddles (the pieces running across the width of the loom), to create the twill effect. Warping two heddles was new to me, and a bit fiddly, but something I'm glad to know how to do now.

>100 lauralkeet: - I really like some of those patterns, Laura. It will be interesting to see them in your colors.

Thanks Betty. In both knitting and weaving, I get this weird sense of satisfaction in seeing the fabric take shape, and experimenting with stitch patterns, yarns, etc. to see how they affect the results. So I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out too. The lighter yarn is a gradient so it will obviously create a different effect than a solid, but I can't quite visualize what that will be!

Oh, wow, I love those patterns and I can't wait to see what your yarn choices turn out looking like! I bet it'll be fabulous.

>100 lauralkeet: Oh, nice! Those colours look amazing.

Thanks Amber & Paws. I'll keep you posted!

Like the others I'm really excited to see the end result and I love the colours you've chosen.

Two more hats for a local charity:



Waffle Hat used yarn I bought on impulse in 2019 from a shop in Vienna. Intended for a different project, it turned out to be both the wrong weight and the wrong quantity.



Mount Ambler delivers great texture with a really easy stitch pattern. For this one, I used up the last of the yarn I bought for my Master Hand Knitting Aran Sweater.

Oh, those are lovely! I particularly like the striped one (although I love 'em both, really).

Those are very pretty, Laura, My friend who knits/crochets just sent me another hat she made for me. I love seeing the different patterns.

>108 scaifea: Thanks Amber! I have more of that yarn so I'll probably make another hat to use it up.

>109 dudes22: There sure are a lot of hat patterns out there! I used a Ravelry search for free hat patterns using worsted weight yarn, and there were a ton of choices.

>107 lauralkeet: Oh, lovely! I like the texture/pattern of the pink one.

>111 PawsforThought: That one is unbelievably easy, Paws. The ribbing is (k1tbl, p1). The textured pattern is like this:
Round 1: knit
Round 2: (p1, k3) all around
Round 3: knit
Round 4: k2, (p1, k3) to last 2 sts, p1, k1.

For some reason it really surprised me that something so basic would result in such a great look.

>112 lauralkeet: I recognise it from some patterns I've looked at before but I can't remember what they called it. Broken rib stitch, perhaps?

>113 PawsforThought: I've been wracking my brains on this question, Paws, and your message sent me to Google to resolve it.

The ribbing is known as a twisted rib (because of the k1tbl stitch). In broken rib you alternate rounds of k1,p1 and knit. This hat modifies that a bit, by making it a 4-stitch pattern and shifting the purl 2 stitches on round 3.

>114 lauralkeet: Ah. It's basically a variation on a theme.

Exactly!

I finished the Color and Twill Scarf weave-along this week. This is my first wearable weaving project and the good news is, I will actually wear it! My picks per inch is consistent (similar to gauge in knitting), the width of the scarf is uniform, and my selvedges look better than on any previous project.

The cloth is pretty and feels really nice, but the twill patterns are difficult to discern because one of my yarns is variegated. I’m going to make a second scarf in contrasting solid colors to achieve the more typical crisp twill look.

Oh gosh, Laura, that's so lovely!

Beautiful work, Laura!

Oh, Laura, it looks great!

Thank you Amber, Micky, and Paws! It was a fun project and I learned a ton. And today my yarn arrived for the next one woo hoo!

That's nice. I like how the front and back look different when you wrap it.

The scarf is lovely! I like the subtly of the twill pattern.

So beautiful! Congratulations on your completion...may you go forth with confidence!

Thanks so much Betty, Leslie, and Barb!

The twill patterns are there although, as Leslie said, they are subtle. Twice I posted photos in the weave-along website asking for help to see what I was supposed to see LOL. But the variegated yarn makes for a really nice effect.

Betty, the different looks are the result of weaving in different ways. On the left side of the photo the I used only the dark yarn. The part around my neck is woven with alternating dark and variegated, and on the right side it's variegated yarn only.

This project was a definite confidence-booster, because I didn't run into problems I experienced on some of my first weaving projects. I started the second scarf yesterday afternoon. This one uses two solid yarns and I'm aiming to achieve more visible twills like the photo in >100 lauralkeet:.

That's a cool way to make the scarf. I assumed that it was a result of the weaving showing different on the back. I went back and took another look. I like it all but I like the effect on the left best.

So do I!

I've started a second twill scarf and thought I'd share a bit of the work-in-progress for anyone interested in how the twill is created.

First, I chose two solid colors with more contrast than my previous project:


The twill patterns are determined both by the way the loom is warped, and the way you weave. This pattern uses two heddles, threaded in a specific order. Here's the heddles being threaded with each color:
height=300>

The threading is done off the loom because it's easier to do when you have extra room between the two heddles. After threading, the heddles are moved to the loom and the warp is tied on to the back and front:


I started with a "stair step" pattern created by alternately weaving the light and dark yarns. You might need to zoom in to see the effect.


I'm weaving this pattern for about half the length of the scarf (i.e., up one side as you're wearing it). Then I'll do a section weaving dark only, and end with a section in light only.

That's interesting, Laura. I'm guessing the pattern tells you how long to cut your lengths of yarn so you have enough?

The colours look gorgeous, Laura - I'm sure the scarf will be very pretty.

>129 dudes22: Yes it does, Betty. Patterns typically specify the warp length, and how many "ends" you need in each color (an end is a single strand of the warp). Then you thread the ends through the heddle(s) in a specific order depending on the type of pattern (stripes, log cabin, twill, etc.).

There are a few different ways to wind the warp so the yarn is manageable -- you don't measure and cut each length individually.

>130 PawsforThought: Thank you Paws!

Ooh, I really love the colours you've chosen, Laura!

Thanks Micky!

Oh, that's so pretty! And I love the idea of the differently patterned sections to the scarf!

Thanks Amber! I'd like to say I had a burst of creative energy but the pattern actually suggests working it in differently-patterned sections. I misread the instructions the first time and did them in a different order, but the yarn makes the patterns difficult to see anyway.

I've now taken my first scarf for a "test drive," twice. I'm pleased to report that the merino yarn is very nice against the skin and the scarf was warm enough. I was less pleased that we were experiencing scarf-wearing temperatures, though.

Love the weaving. I don't think I'd have the patience to do it, but I admire the folks who do.

Love the color scheme and thanks for the look at your steps. I am not at all familiar with weaving. It is fun to watch the process.

Thanks Lori & Barb! I'm glad you like seeing the process. I enjoy watching the quilters in this group for that reason -- I know nothing about what they're doing but I enjoy observing the process from design to finished quilt.

>128 lauralkeet: What a lovely color to work with!

Thanks Lois. It's coming along nicely, too. I have a few inches left to weave, and then some finishing steps.

Here's the finished scarf! The colors are more blue than teal here, sigh. For those interested in how the sausage is made, below is a collage of the three twill patterns. This is more true to the actual colors.



From left to right: twill woven with dark yarn only, light only, and both colors. The right side of the pattern is on the top row, and the wrong side on the bottom row.

That's great looking and the examples are very interesting.

>141 lauralkeet: This is stunning! Just right for my wardrobe too!!! Thanks for sharig the detail...very fun to see the close ups. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Thank you Betty & Barb!

Ooh, I really love the detail when you look at it close up. Excellent work, Laura!

>145 MickyFine: Thanks Micky. I agree the scarf "shows" better when you zoom in and look at the detail. That same detail is more apparent when you see the scarf in person. I struggle with getting photos that match real life.

>146 lauralkeet: I totally understand. I have the same problem with the temperature blanket - some of the blues and the purple in the corner really don't show up true to how they look IRL.

This sweet bunny is my current knitting project, a gift for our neighbor's daughter who turns 1 in June. And I have a question for those of you who sew!

I knit the head and then picked up stitches to knit each of the ears. This leaves a yarn tail at the base of each ear. The instructions read, "Place the end that was left out at the beginning of the ear on a yarn needle. Take some tacking stitches to pinch the sides of the ears together at the base."

From the photo it looks like I'm going to sew the bottom bit of each ear together with just a few stitches. But I'm not familiar with "tacking stitches," and what I've found online so far describes them more like basting: temporary stitches to be removed later. That is not the case here. How would you make these stitches?

Suggestions are welcome!

Cute bunny!

I'm not a knitter, but I think, from looking at the picture, that it just means a few stitches to hold the front of the ear together and maybe along the bottom of the ear. It may mean that rather than stitch from one side to the other over the edges, you sew them like you were basting two pieces of fabric together, if that makes sense: more in-and-out then over.

>149 thornton37814: I know right? I also love the cute little outfit. I'm using the yarn recommended in the pattern, so hopefully it will bear some resemblance to the photo.

>150 dudes22: more in-and-out then over.
Oh! I get it! That helps a lot, Betty. My first thought was more of a whip stitch but I knew that would be too visible.

>148 lauralkeet: That is an awesome bunny!! It almost makes me want to pick up the needles again!

>152 avaland: I might have a little crush on the bunny, Lois. I've never made toys before so this designer is new to me, but she has her own brand of yarn and an extensive range of patterns, most of which are adorable toys.

>148 lauralkeet: That bunny is adorable! I kind of want one for myself, and I'm sure your little neighbour will be overjoyed. I took part in a teddy bear making course once, eons ago - it was a lot of fun.

I'm having fun making the bunny, Paws. It's currently a stuffed head & ears, and a body-in-progress. I especially like that there's no seaming involved.

I'm taking another Yarnworker weaving course. This one is about using something called a pick up stick to manipulate the warp threads, creating a variety of patterns in the weave. The course includes a scarf pattern alternating sections of plain weave with sections using the pick up stick in a repeating pattern.


The loom is warped with dark blue only, and the weft uses only the light blue. The yarn is Malabrigo Arroyo, a sport weight merino.


Here's an example of warp floats created by the pick up stick. Look for the dark blue vertical threads crossing over several weft threads, before going under the lighter color.


This one creates floats in the weft -- see where the lighter thread crosses horizontally over more than one warp thread?

I'm learning there are so many different ways to create interest in your weaving, both through color and texture. It's endlessly fascinating. To me, anyway!

Interesting.

I finished the bunny! I bought the yarn recommended in the pattern, in the exact same colors. The pattern was very well written and easy to follow. And I think I have enough yarn to make another one!

>158 lauralkeet: That is so cute!

>158 lauralkeet: Great job...so adorable. I know it will be happily received and loved.

>158 lauralkeet: - SOOO cute!

ETA: I predict that will be part of your topper next year.

Thank you! I have quite a crush on this little guy.

>161 dudes22: Betty, this made me chuckle. But you may be right!

>158 lauralkeet: So adorable, Laura! I know you're giving it away but have you named it for yourself?

>163 MickyFine: Ha ha Micky, no I haven't. The pattern is called "Christopher Bunny" but since my husband is Christopher that would be a weird choice. I'll leave it to wee Brooke (or her parents) to do the naming.

Aw, adorable!! Well done, you!

Thanks Amber!

>158 lauralkeet: So cute!

Thank you!

Oh, I love that bunny! One of my children had a crocheted monkey that was much loved.

Thanks Lois!

This is the scarf from the Yarnworker course on pickup techniques. This ends up being a sort of sampler for about a dozen different effects. You can see that on some of the patterns the darker blue warp yarn stands out, and on others it's the lighter weft yarn. You'll probably need to zoom in on the photo to see detail.

The course includes a second part on design, which I think is about ways to put these and other techniques together on your own. I haven't done that part yet.

What a great way to learn new "stitches" and see which ones you like best.

>171 lauralkeet: Oooh, lovely!

>171 lauralkeet: I'm warm just looking at that scarf! It will be nice in winter.

>171 lauralkeet: That's amazing, Laura!

Thanks Lori & Lois! I've been working on the second part of the course, which is about design. I'm not sure what I will weave next but am interested in using some of the techniques in the scarf as well as color work.

I recently finished some blanket squares and for the Pine Ridge Reservation. I sent them to a volunteer who seams squares into afghans. Twelve squares in all, 6 knit and 6 crochet. The crochet squares are a bit wonky in spots, but I think they'll be okay when seamed. I'm grateful to Paws who pointed me in the direction of a granny square tutorial!



But now I'm done with squares, at least for a while ...

After finishing the Master Hand Knitting program, I was drawn to small projects: the squares, hats, etc. It's taken me 6 months to get my knitting mojo back, but now I've started two projects:

Synneva Socks



I found the pattern and yarn through the same source as the bunny pattern. The designer is from Norway. Several color combinations were offered, I chose the gray and purple in the photo. The stitch pattern involves slipping stitches on two consecutive rows, and on the next row knitting the slipped stitch and two adjacent stitches like cables. The instructions are written in a way that doesn't require a cable needle; instead, you rearrange the stitches before working them.

Newhaven Gansey Sweater



My knitting group will be spending the next few months on Gansey knitting, and it just so happens Chris has been asking for a Gansey sweater. I'm using a sage colored yarn. You'll probably have to zoom in on this to see the stitch patterns ...

>177 lauralkeet: Both your new projects look lovely, Laura!

Thanks Micky! I'm kind of excited to dive into both of these. I started the socks last week and cast on for the sweater yesterday.

Do you have a link to the information about the squares for the Pine Ridge Reservation? I have a friend that might be interested, I think. Right now she's working on hats for cancer patients and premie baby blankets.

Is your friend on Ravelry, Betty? There's a group for it: Afghan Squares for Pine Ridge Reservation

If she's not on Ravelry, there may be other ways to participate if she Googled it.

ok - Thanks - I'll check.

>176 lauralkeet: Both knitting and crochet! You're definitely talented. I'm sure the folks on the reservation will appreciate the warmth the finished afghans provide.

>177 lauralkeet: I like the socks!

Thanks Lori.

Laura, the scarf is beautiful! Well done.

And you've made domino squares, I see. I've bought yarn to make a domino square blanket but haven't started on it yet. Did you do yours by increasing or decreasing - I've seen both versions.

I look forward to seeing your gansey sweater take shape - it looks great from the photo!

Hi Paws, thank you!

The squares were made by starting with a long row of stitches and then decreasing, row by row. Here's the tutorial I used: https://www.craftsy.com/post/mitered-square/

I didn't realize these squares went by other names. These were called "mitered squares."

>187 lauralkeet: - That's really interesting. I've never heard of them.

>187 lauralkeet: Thanks for the tutorial, Laura! The difference I can tell form others I've seen is that this one seems to have an even number of stitches - others have had an uneven number with a regular stitch between the two decreases. I'm planning on making a version of this blanket, but with different colours (mostly blues): https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjgmmJ-miTo/W4-eCDf0OpI/AAAAAAAANg8/-973khEXBocpOYXdH...

>189 PawsforThought: oh wow, that's gorgeous!

Oh dear, I have sorely neglected this thread. But I have been quietly doing fiber-y things ...

I've been making good progress on the Newhaven Gansey Sweater mentioned upthread. I have nearly finished the body. Every time I try to take a photo I can't get the color right so for now I will show you this partial pic, with the yarn company's photo because the color is accurate.


My knitting group is working on a fun little project to learn a variety of techniques. We're making small knitted coin purses that also involve:
* Embroidering on knitting
* Seaming using mattress stitch
* Shortening a zipper
* Adding a zipper to a knitted project
* Lining a bag

This doesn't take much yarn so I found something in my stash, a denim-colored worsted weight. For lining, I'm using some Liberty fabric my daughter bought in London this summer. She made a couple of tops but had some left over.

Yesterday we met as a group and did the embroidery and seaming. Next month we'll do the lining and zipper. Here's what it looks like, photographed with the lining fabric.



I'm also attempting to learn to spin with a drop spindle. I got together with a Guild member last week so she could show me the basics, and then of course when I tried on my own I got stuck. Fortunately she was at knitting yesterday and was able to get me going again.

So there you go -- all caught up!

I love the stitches in the sweater. I even like the photo that's the wrong color.

Love the sweater and the coin purses look like a fun project.

>192 dudes22: Thanks Betty! I'm really happy with the sweater so far, although I'm fretting about whether it will fit (it's for my husband). I need find a good point for him to try it on. Maybe after I finish the body, and/or once I've sewn the shoulders together but before knitting the neckband or sleeves. We'll see.

>193 BLBera: Hi Beth! And thanks! I'm finding the coin purse ridiculously fun. It's kind of a trivial item but I'm obsessing on doing things right and making it look good.

>191 lauralkeet: Those are quite nice. I'm behind on posting photos. I'm hoping for a finish this weekend so perhaps I'll get those photos posted. I haven't had as much time for stitching this week.

>191 lauralkeet: Gorgeous work, as usual, Laura. Glad you are continuously expanding your skills.

Here's a closeup of the sweater body and neckband. I took this outdoors in bright sunshine and it was difficult to get a photo without shadows, hence the cropping. The color is not quite as washed out as other photos, but the manufacturer's yarn pic is still the most accurate.

I just need to knit both sleeves and I'll be finished!

>197 lauralkeet: Very lovely!!

That's really wonderful!

Thank you! I shared the photo with my daughter Kate who described it as "so precise" with "very clean lines," which I guess is what I most like about the bands of textured stitches in a Gansey.

I had Chris try on the sweater before seaming the shoulders and working the neckband. I wanted to make sure the length was right. I swatched before starting the project but even so, my actual row gauge was tighter than when I swatched: 10 rows per inch instead of the pattern gauge of 9. In practical terms, a 27-row band which was designed to be 3" long would be 2.7" which doesn't sound like much, but adds up over the length of the sweater. This meant the sweater would have been shorter overall than desired and, more importantly, if the length between sleeve and shoulder was too short the upper part of the sweater wouldn't fit right.

Having found out what was happening early on, I was able to add rows to a couple of the bands to compensate. I think the sweater might still be a tad short but it should still fit okay. I will make the same mods on the sleeves, which use some of the same pattern bands.

Oh, wow, that looks amazing, Laura!

Thanks Amber!

The sweater is gorgeous and I love the colour of yarn you chose, Laura! I think next year I'll tackle a sweater or two. It'll be the first time I actually have to care about gauge so we'll see how it goes. :)

Hi Micky, and thank you! Would you be crocheting the sweater? Or knitting? I know you as the queen of crochet and can't remember if you knit. Anyway you are so right about having to care about gauge. Yikes!

It'll definitely be crochet sweaters as I don't know how to knit. Two needles intimidate me, lol.

>197 lauralkeet: Gorgeous perfection, as usual, Laura.

>205 MickyFine: Ha!

>206 avaland: Thank you so much, Lois.

Last week when I met with a Fiber Guild member to get started on an Inkle weaving project. When I met with her we warped the loom and started the weaving. Inkle looms are small and used to make narrow bands of cloth: think belts, straps, lanyards, dog leash and/or collar, etc. I'm just gonna make a few bookmarks. This is a pic of what we did together; the woven band is at the lower right. I did a bit more on my own yesterday. There's definitely a learning curve to making the selvedge edges (sides) look nice -- which is pretty much the case with all types of weaving.

>208 lauralkeet: We have one faculty member who spins and another who weaves (that I know of). The one who spins owns has alpacas, I believe it is.

The gansey looks amazing, Laura - I can't wait to see the finished product.

And the loom looks fun too. I think that about the right size for me if I were to start weaving.

>209 thornton37814: Lori, I know several spinners in the Guild. One of them taught me how to do it not too long ago, using a drop spindle, but I haven't quite mastered it yet. I also think this might be one of those things I'm happy to leave to someone else. I might feel differently if I had my own flock.

>210 PawsforThought: It does seem like a good way to learn, Paws, although there's a limit to what you can make obviously. I'm borrowing this loom for a month or so just for the experience.

I could see how the selvages would be the hardest part to master. But I love the colors you're using.

>208 lauralkeet: That looks complicated and intriguing.

>212 dudes22: Oops I didn't mean to ignore you there, Betty. Selvedges are challenging no matter what type of loom you have, and it seems the secrets are a) practice and b) not worrying too much about it. Counterintuitive, I know, but my second bookmark was better than the first ...

>213 lesmel: Warping the loom is a bit more complicated than for a floor loom or rigid heddle. Fortunately I did the warping with my Guild colleague and she kept me on the right track. She also knew how to arrange the colors in the warp to create the pattern, which I wouldn't have known how to do. But the weaving itself is pretty straightforward!

>214 lauralkeet: And I thought warping was a bad thing? LOL

>215 thornton37814: Ha! Not in weaving, Lori!

And here we are, four bookmarks woven on the Inkle loom:



My initial attempt (not pictured!) was pretty ugly due to really uneven selvedges. I slept on it, and the next time I was at the loom something “clicked” and I had more success. There's some variation between the length of each bookmark and the selvedges aren’t perfect, but they’ll do. All in all, I’m pretty happy with the results.

>216 lauralkeet: Those look terrific, Laura! I'm in awe of your varied crafty talents.

>217 rosalita: Thank you Julia! I'm very much a novice weaver (as compared to my knitting) but I enjoy the learning something new.There's also something about creating a piece of cloth -- whether that happens by knitting or weaving -- that I find both fascinating and satisfying.

Those are really cute!

>219 dudes22: Thanks Betty. They were fun to make. And I can always use more bookmarks!

The bookmarks look really good, Laura! The design - at least from the photo you posted - reminds me a of a type of table runner style (and other things, but I'm most familiar with the runners) that is fairly popular here.

>216 lauralkeet: Well done! They are really pretty.

I like the bookmarks. That is cool. You could use that for trim on other things too. neat.

>208 lauralkeet:, >216 lauralkeet: That's amazing, Laura.

>222 PawsforThought: That's interesting, Paws. If anyone asks I can now claim I made a Swedish design, as if I did so intentionally. Ha.

>223 lesmel: Thank you!

>224 al.vick: One of our members made straps for a luggage rack. You could also do dog collars or leashes, or belts ... anything that needs a long band!

>225 avaland: Thanks Lois!

>218 lauralkeet: Creating fabric out of strings is fascinating, I agree.

For weaving, do you use more cotton-based yarn/thread? I'm curious about what your fabric is made of now. :)

>227 MickyFine: Micky, the bookmarks are made of cotton. The other weaving I've done, such as the scarves in >117 lauralkeet: and >141 lauralkeet: are in wool. To some extent, anything goes in weaving. For example, I know of a project (on a much larger loom) where they're using fabric scraps to make a rag rug.

Oh gosh, I *love* the bookmarks!!

You can never have too many bookmarks. You could make some for stocking stuffers.

>228 lauralkeet: - I've never heard of doing a rag rug by weaving. My aunt used to do the ones you can do by braiding. But it makes sense that you could.

>229 scaifea: Thanks Amber.

>230 dudes22: They loom has been returned to its owner, Betty, so I'm done for now. But I have four of them, which is enough to stuff the family stockings. Except, oops, I forgot there will be a boyfriend with us this year. I guess hubby won't get a bookmark lol.

>228 lauralkeet: >231 lauralkeet: My mom has a rag rug loom and I can attest that it's ginormous. She makes gorgeous rag rugs, though.

Bookmarks are great! You can stuff one inside a book you are gifting or do as Betty suggested above and make them stocking stuffers. Of course, you could hoard them for your own use!

I always love finding old book marks in used books. The book I am currently reading has on from the Tasmanian Writers and Readers Festival. Who went there I want to know?
It would be lovely to find a bookmark like yours in one of these books, but alas, I suspect those are the ones people keep.

>232 scaifea: Amber, do you have any photos of those mom-made rugs? I'd love to see one!

>233 thornton37814: Putting a bookmark inside a book is another great idea, thanks Lori!

>234 SassyLassy: I love finding things in books -- bookmarks, receipts, note cards -- like you I enjoy thinking about the people who have held that book in the past.

I finished the Gansey sweater! Dear husband hates having his photo taken ...

You've done some really beautiful work and the husband better get used to being looked at with that sweater on! I never learned to knit but learned to crochet, though for the last several years have just done one or two fairly small projects a year. I have always wanted to learn to weave and took a 2 week, 6 hour a day class just before Covid. Unfortunately the insructor had a very bad case of Covid and has not been able to begin again so I don't know when I may learn more than the basics. My hands literally hurt after the two weeks of classes!

>236 lauralkeet: Absolutely beautiful work, Laura!

That's really beautiful, Laura. I love seeing all those different patterns. I'm going to show my friend Lori when she comes back for Christmas. What weight/kind of yarn did you use?

>236 lauralkeet: That's gorgeous, Laura! (the sweater, can't comment on the headless husband :-).

Oh, wow - that looks great, Laura!

Thank you everyone! I love textured stitch patterns and really enjoyed making it.

Betty, it's sport weight yarn, specifically Chickadee from Quince & Co. which is a nice soft wool that feels nice against the skin.

>236 lauralkeet: As long as he doesn't hate wearing it! He makes a fine headless model. :-)

Also, I am speechless at how gorgeous that sweater is. You are truly a master of the needles, Laura

>236 lauralkeet: Lovely design. Did you have to adjust the number of stitches as you changed patterns to keep from any changes in width?

>236 lauralkeet: *sighs* That is just lovely.

>243 rosalita:, >244 SassyLassy:, >245 lesmel: Thank you so much, everyone. Much appreciated.

Sassy, this was a commercial pattern so the designer took care of details like that. The usual method is to select stitch patterns that fit evenly in the width. For example, if your sweater body requires 120 stitches then you would choose stitch patterns that divide evenly into 120. Like an 8-stitch pattern, where you could fit 15 of those in your 120 stitches.

You only adjust the total number of stitches in a row if you want to increase or decrease the width. For example, for some garments (or sizes) you might want to increase in the hips or bust.

>246 lauralkeet: Thanks, it was more curiosity, seeing some of the rib variations, and wondering if it took the width in ever so slightly, so I was thinking of modifications of only a stitch or two, which I have seen done in "sampler" style patterns.

Working out those pattern repeats for a given number of stitches can be fun, but I think the real challenge comes in designing Aran style patterns, and having the repeats come at increments that multiply to the longest row length design in it!

Nice sweater!

Thanks Lori!

Last summer my Guild knitting group met at a member's home for the annual "help Melissa reduce her stash" event. This woman has an incredible amount of yarn stored away, tub after tub in her garage studio. It was a treasure trove, but also overwhelming. There was one batch of yarn I quite liked, a light blue worsted weight cotton/silk blend that I thought would make a nice flow-y cardigan.

A few weeks ago I chose a pattern and dove in, but quickly encountered a problem I just couldn't figure out. The pattern is pretty popular on Ravelry and clearly lots of people have finished it, but there were many comments about this particular issue and the designer did not provide a particularly satisfactory answer. Between that and the lace pattern being a little more complex than I wanted (because I like to knit while watching TV), I decided to abandon it. I'll make this cardigan instead:

That's cute!

>250 lauralkeet: Ooh very pretty!

>250 lauralkeet: I have to say that if a pattern was confusing or difficult for *you* of all people to follow, it's definitely a must-avoid for a rank amateur knitter like me! The new selection is just as lovely and hopefully less irritating to knit.

>251 dudes22:, >252 MickyFine: Thanks, I thought so too!
>253 rosalita: Julia, I don't want to sound like I'm boasting but honestly having spent 5 years on Master Hand Knitting certification I really *should* be able to figure this out. And I just can't. It annoys me no end. But also ... it just shouldn't be that complicated. So. Moving on!

That sweater you made is gorgeous, and I love the color.

>255 al.vick: Thank you so much!

>250 lauralkeet: Another gorgeous sweater, Laura!

I used to volunteer at a museum where we had a spinning and weaving area. I could never do the drop spindle either. Those bookmarks are really nice.

>258 avaland: Thanks Lois. That's a pattern photo but I hope mine turns out just as nice!

>259 mnleona: I'm glad to read this. It looks like it should be so easy! Even though I now have a spindle and some fiber, it hasn't been calling to me. Thanks for the compliment on the bookmarks. I enjoyed making them more than I did the spinning!

I have a sweater in similar colors, but I like the openness of yours! Mine is one of those over-the-head affairs!