Now for the interesting bits…
It starts in the section of a pattern called Finishing, which for some, signals great despair and wailing as sometimes that includes sewing (!) and blocking (!) and other dreaded dark corners, like the weaving in of the ends.
But this is so much fun, I think it should have its own section, although that would probably create a rift in the universe somewhere (or at least a rain of finger-wagging emails).
It is the Collar.
Long have I gazed on this cardigan as it was knit in one piece, watching the neckline, even laughing at its feeble attempt to finish itself as it rolled at the edges. All through the one-piece yoke, the separation for the Body, the Hem, the Sleeves, it mocked me knowing I would have to come back and visit it one-on-one and show it some love (at last).
And that turned out to be very easy. This year I’ve already learned a lot of new things in the knitting; some by accident, some from others, one really cool thing from a knitter in the Mondo Cable class.
But the the thing I’ve really taken a shine to is Pick-Up-and-Knit (and no, there’s no app for that).
In sweaters past, I used a crochet hook to fetch the fresh, new knit-able loops from whatever edge that was laying in wait.
Then along came the Mondo Cable series.
So far, I’ve knit three pullis, two vests, and three cardigans. All of them at some point, have an area where you need live stitches whose base are stitches already worked.
It was TIME that pulled me into this technique, plain and simple. I needed to get something done quick and without a lot of fussy fumbling back and forth where the tool gets dropped; the yarn strangles the tension finger or needs to be re-positioned over and over and over…
It simply took less time to poke the working needle through the exisiting edge stitches and made a new knittable stitch. What took me so long!!
I love it and when I was done with this Mondo Cable Cardi neckline, I was almost ready to hunt for another sweater that needed such service. (You laugh, but my friends, Chez Chic is LOADED with half-finished what-evers to the rafters. My class asked about this and a quick mental inventory on my part came up with the number: 20).
Another bonus for sheer trivial fun? I’m now Knitting right from the Cone! For those of those who’ve done this, you know what I’m talking about. Hee.
So I’m a few dozen rows away from a new weekend look?
++++++++++
A few posts ago, I wrote about the hem of this cardigan and gave some tips. One that was not mentioned: to tame the knitting of the hem, which can roll if knit too tightly, try using a needle size one size below the one you are using for the Body. And, do not skip blocking! It is your very fine friend…
Thanks for sharing the fact that even designers are in learning mode sometimes….it gives me hope.
If you pick up those stitches with a needle a size or two smaller than what you are knitting with, it goes even faster! Then knit your first row with the correct size needle. Something I learned from working in a knitting shop…….
Reading blogs today makes me feel like the entire knitting community (sans a very few exceptions) needs to have a Finish A Knit block party. I think my list looks a lot like yours. 15+ items tucked away in bags or on shelves all over my home!
Hee! That is going on here all the time — but some of my “projects” are still in the paper stage ;p
Only some are actually lurking on the needle —
Oh shoot! You mean I have to count those too?
I have gotten to where I appreciate fine finishing…not yet to where I like doing it.
It’s so very lovely! I adore the Mondo Cable finishing.