To Block, or not to Block?
14 Sep 2009 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: blocking, etsy, FO, knitting, lace, technique
That is the question. Whether ’tis nobler to leave thy fiber in a state of nature or to forge new bonds of a higher form, and by doing so, blocking it.
Bad Shakespeare impersonations aside, blocking a finished project has been mildly debated for some time. Some people block everything they do, while others reserve it only for lace. I’m of the latter category, and instead of a lengthy explanation of how it’s beneficial, I’m going to go for before and after shots.
lace scarf before blocking- pretty, but not beautiful
I also figured out how to use the macro on my camera *after* I blocked this scarf, but that just makes the change more dramatic. And now:
Close-up of the blocked lace
So there you have it. Blocking is pretty much essential for lace. If you haven’t blocked before, here are some simple instructions, including a short cut brilliantly devised by Knit Wit.
- Fill up a sink/basin with lukewarm water and add a capful of hair conditioner or wool wash
- Put piece in the water *gently* agitate, and leave to soak for about 20 minutes
- Take piece out, put on towel, roll up towel and stamp on lightly to dry
- Lay out piece on bed or other surface and pin down, stretching to desired shape. OR thread a long piece of weed whacker cord (or blocking wires) through edges and pin down cord. This works for straight edges and takes a lot less time.
- Let dry, unpin and marvel at the wonder. Marvelling is required, otherwise you didn’t do it right.
Here are some vanity photos of aforementioned scarf, which is still available for sale at my Etsy shop.
All bundled up!
Knit on,
Purl Girl
You know you’re a knitaholic when…
25 Aug 2009 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: FO, knitting, patterns, ravelry, sock, yarn
…you are starting college and don’t feel ready until you complete a back-to-school project! After 3 years in the Navy, I am finally starting college, and it is awesome. I was getting ready and had all my books and supplies, but wanted to knit something, but if anyone has been to the UH Manoa campus, you would know that most knitted garments would be very impractical. So I started looking through Ravelry’s “Other” section (login needed) and came across this beauty: Chug, a re-usable water bottle cover made from sock yarn. I thought the idea was brilliant because whenever I fill my water bottle with ice-cold water it sweats like I do in the heat, so I can now toss it in my bag with no worries (in case anyone’s interested, I use a Sigg aluminum bottle).
It’s basically a tube sock. Which is great, since I am sock-knitting impaired, so I was happy to get to use size 2′s and sock yarn. I used 9″ bamboo Hiya Hiyas, which handled 60 stitches in the round no problem, and Austermann Step in Trio. I’m particularly proud of the decreases on the bottom and the i-cord drawstring, because I hadn’t knitted i-cord before (here’s how).
And without further ado: my water bottle cozy!
And the super cool decreases (pom-poms were made by my husband):
-Purl Girl
Oh Baby!
23 Aug 2009 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: baby, FO, gift, knitting, pinwheel blanket
Here’s my latest FO – a baby set! A friend of mine is expecting a grandson this winter and she’s asked me to make a set for him. Here’s the result!
First, the blankie:
The details:
Pattern: Round or Pinwheel Baby Blanket
Yarn: Oh My! by Plymouth Yarns, color #1
Needles: Size 9 (5.5 mm)
Next, the sweater set:
The details:
Pattern: 5 Hour Baby Sweater, Baby Boy Variation, Cap to Match 5 Hour Sweater & “toes-ty” baby socks.
Yarn: Joann Sensations Rainbow Classic, color unknown.
Needles: Size 10.5 (6.5 mm)
Peace, KnitWit
What I’ve been doing lately.
19 Aug 2009 4 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: FO, knitting, noro, scarf
A knitting blog isn’t complete without update’s on the authors’ works in progress (WIP’s) or finished objects (FO’s). So here we go!
I went on a very long plane trip recently, and needed a project that was simple enough to fly without a pattern, but interesting enough to keep me, well, interested! Thankfully Ravelry came to a rescue, and after a forum post (Ravelry login required), I decided on the notorious Striped Noro Scarf, written up by BrooklynTweed himself.
Four skeins of Noro Kureyon (colors 226, 229, and 40) and many hours later, I was done and despite naysayers I proudly wear it in Hawai’i, where I live. Some photos (I apologize for the harshness of some of the stripes, I promise it’s not like that in real life)
This scarf worked up like a dream, and I had no problems taken my knitting on the plane, having done my best to comply with TSA regulations. I used size 8 bamboo circulars, and didn’t bring any scissors or other sharp implements. In fact the only grief I got were from fellow passengers, who tried to convince me that I wouldn’t need a wool scarf in Hawai’i (on a plane to the east coast).
-Purl Girl
