Blanket Progress
Monday 1st August 2016
The original Hive Blanket (like that name? Not too medical – ‘oooh – come and look at my hives, Matron!’…?) is done. A second version is now being knitted by Kath as I need it testing and also, new colourway, and also, it’s a bit bigger so folks get to choose from the original which is still generous lap sized or a slightly bigger version.
Here it is:
This takes as much yarn as a jumper. Maybe a Manly jumper. So it is unusual for me with my childish need for instant gratification and short attention span. However, knitting this was a joy. I loved it all. OK, not the border which is massive but mitred so a) you can do it all in one go in the round, and b) it is a *bit* interesting in the corners on every alt round. Small things people! I listened to half of the Mitford Girls while knitting the border alone!
Anyway, I now have a dilemma. This is knitted in Rowan Felted Tweed which though not a pure wool, is sticky enough for successful steeking and I do love Felted Tweed…but I think it is time for me to extend my knitting radar range away from Rowan. I say this for a number of reasons. I do love Rowan and I always will. But times change. So I am now swatching with DK from Jameison’s of Shetland and I love it more. If this also behaves as a felting yarn which I am sure it will, it is just a case of at what temp, I think I may switch to this in future for steeking, Fairisle and felting. I will keep you posted.
This knit has been a long journey starting with many swatches and design changes along the way. For example, I realised as I completed the first full pattern repeat that I wanted the blanket to have no up or down side so even at that stage I was flipping my charts. I am so glad I did. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this from the outset, maybe it is because I have rarely designed pictoral items?
If you are coming on steeking with me in October this is one option. The other option is a cushion, also steeked and using this charting but obviously much smaller as a project. If you are not but would like to be, or are on my event waiting list I am going to repeat this event in 2016, probably in February.
Let me know if you want to get advance notice. If you are on the list don’t worry I have you covered.
If like 90% of knitters, you *think* you may like steeking but are unsure if it’s for you, or if you can even do it, this is for you:
- Once, me too!
- If I can do it, you can do it.
- I teach by easy, repetitious and staged sections. It is not at all hard. It is, at worst, fiddly. We will go over the steps many times. Muscle memory and confidence are built on these foundations.
- It is normal to feel a bit anxious about cutting into your knitting. I did. But knitting Fairisle in the round is an absolute joy and you do get much faster and far more *perfect* results. And I will teach you to really secure your steek so it is stable. It is secured in THREE ways: 1) surface crochet; 2) picked up stitches further reinforce the steek because they form a line of what is basically running stitch; and 3) the steek is then enfolded into a border, and I will show you two ways to do this.
- Once you have learned it, you feel absolutely awesome!
Awesomeness guaranteed.
I am looking forward to seeing the Jamieson’s knitted up. I was in Shetland last week and visited their mill at Sandness and am now a huge fan of their yarns. will bring photos and some inspiring (for me!) felted things when I see you early September. A x
I would love to go there. I am pleased that they have said I can be a stockist. Please do bring the photos Ali x
Looks amazing I may have to do a throw now!!