Resolutions Holding

In January, after the rush of Christmas gifts, I got the knitting blahs.  I did some boring, useful knitting, completing a pair of plain ribbed socks and a stack of dishcloths, which I'll put in my photo album for the sake of a complete knitting record.  I spent a while reorganizing the stash and reminding myself that I do have an abundance of nice yarn for any type of project from laceweight shawls to worsted sweaters.  I resolved yet again to knit more from the deep stash this year.  After my inventory, being more aware of what I have, I find I am slightly less tempted to purchase on impulse.  But I admit that I am a yarnaholic and not a day goes by, browsing the net or flipping through magazines, that I don't think, " I'd like some of that."

I set some goals, month by month for the year, to try to realistically plan what new techniques I'd like to push myself to try and what projects I'd like to complete for gifts or have to wear myself.  Before Christmas, I bought Lucy Neatby's instructional DVD on Double Knitting.  I've tried to teach myself twice before and given up before completing even a potholder.  Switching two yarns between every stitch just seemed like more bother than the finished project was worth.  When I met Lucy Neatby two years ago, she was leaning against the doorframe of her kitchen with a scarf in progress thrown over her shoulder, doubleknitting as if it was the easiest thing on earth.  I vowed at the time to try again.  I'd really like to make the Pendleton scarf, but I thought I'd better start with something a bit easier and quicker to complete.  I studied the video and realized that I should be able to knit with one yarn in one each hand, since that is how I do stranded knitting.  And that was the trick that made the whole process manageable.  For my beginner project I used the free Incognito cowl pattern from Knitty, but doubleknit for two complete reversible layers.  In conjunction, I also used a free Ravelry download of Moustache Styles by Lisa Wilt.  This one is the Walrus.

My son-in-law laughed when I presented it to him and pronounced it "Awesome!"  He couldn't wait to try it on and see himself in the mirror.  The double layers will be toasty warm for snowboarding.  I'll probably have to fit the child's version into my knitting schedule for the grandboys.

Meanwhile, the Princess is growing out of her newborn to 3 month sized sweaters and I need to get ahead with some 3 - 6 month, and 6 month sizes.  First up was a little top from the Sirdar Ooh La La booklet.  I was surpised to find that it fits her already!  Here she is, looking Ooh So Serious.

Today I bought buttons and put the finishing touch on her spring jacket and hat, another Sirdar pattern.  I bought the exact yarn pictured on the pattern leaflet.

My current WIP is a little poncho and helmet in Baby Crofter, again the exact same yarn used in the pattern illustration in the Cozy Little Crofters booklet.  Did I mention lately how much I love Sirdar patterns for babies?

The second garter stitch rectangle that makes up the poncho is my carry along KIP knitting.  I'm fighting off the urge to start something ( or 10 things) new; I still have several UFO's that I should tackle first, including two for other people.  Stay tuned and see how long I can resist.

Comments

[Brenda]

I have always felt exactly the same about the double kntting. But then, I have never met Lucy Neaty leaning up again her kitchen door frame. Lucky you.

[Zoe]

I am making the incognito cowl as a gift and was thinking of double knitting it, but was afraid it would be too warm - is it? Or has the double knit version been good?

[Christy J]

Reply to Zoe: I think it is good. The fabric seemed supple and comfortable. It was for my son-in-law for snowboarding so I wanted it to be warm. We have cold winters in Northern Ontario, Canada.