You know how some people just have their knitting thing? like complete and utter love of lace or cables? like that is all they want to knit all the time? well, I think I found mine. It shouldn’t really come as a surprise considering how much I love the interplay of colors and the simpleness of stockinette.
Could you tell with all of the colorwork projects of late?
I wanted to try colorwork for years, but I was nervous about the technique. I delayed even trying it. I still have a lot to learn, but I am really in love with the process and the results. And for some reason, it really seems to work up quickly! Perhaps it is because I can’t wait to see how the colors will interact on the next row?
The Jacquard Pulli was a test trial – I wanted to see if five disparate yarns from my stash could come together in a Fair Isle pullover. I think I lucked out.
The colors are combining and creating a lovely spring-themed knit. I am using the deep brown as the main color – a nod to Project Spectrum’s Earth element - and mixing in the pink, cream, greens and blues. Each yarn here has lived in the stash for over a year, so this is truly a stashbusting project. And how quickly she grows! I started this project for Project Spectrum, as well as the Lord Stanley Stashbusting KAL on Ravelry. So far, I have knit this much after watching two playoff hockey games. (Go Penguins!) However, when the hockey gets intense, I have been known to put the colorwork down, for fear of messing up the charts… such was the case during last night’s nailbiter between Pittsburgh and New York!
I have found it quite simple to keep the tension in the stranding. My floats don’t pull too much, and with a light blocking, I don’t think there will be any puckering. I am using yarns of slightly different weights (the pink is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, but I have always thought of it as more of a worsted weight; while the green – Knit Picks Andean Silk – and blue -Cascade Lana d’Oro – are a lighter worsted, bordering on DK-weight).
SO, yes, I am quite enamoured with the colorwork… maybe it is just a phase, but I see this one sticking around for awhile. Guess what’s on my shopping list for this weekend?
What’s you knitting thing? is there a technique that you just can’t get enough of?
I’m with you on colorwork. Love it. The colors you put together for that cardi are smashing! Can’t wait to see it finished.
Fabulous! You have a great eye, Lolly. I don’t really have a thing. I’ve tackled cables and socks and am getting ready to try out lace. I’d really love to learn to do some colorwork, too.
Like everything else, you are amazing at colorwork! I love it too. I think I love everything about knitting!
Its funny you should post about colourwork being your knitting thing because this week I have realised that it is not mine! I was looking at my Venezia yarn and I really don’t want to knit it again now. I might try something simpler like a yolked sweater but complicated knitting isn’t my thing. Knitting for me is relaxation and gorgeous yarns!
So lovely when you find a seam of inspiration for projects – love the latest belnd of colours
I think you may be inspiring me to get back into fair isle. It’s been so long since I’ve done color work that it might be just what I’m looking for!
I think my *thing* would have to be knitting sweaters from the top down with minimal seaming. I just love the feeling of lots of knitting in my lap and watching it take shape, and knowing I will only have to weave in ends and MAYBE patch the holes under the arms. Tee hee. I guess I am simple.
Your fair isle just has me in awe. I am afraid I’d get all mixed up!
What needles are you using? They look pink
Wow Lolly, the sweater is looking so fine. I have to admit, I was having difficulty picturing how the colours would work when you posted them the other day, but they look fantastic together.
My thing? Nubbly textures: garter, reverse stockinette, seed stitch, even a bobble or two…
Cables. The more complex and Celtic-looking, the better!
I can’t..stop..knitting…lace! I try to knit other things, but it seems like I end up doing lace even when I’m trying not to. I’ve been getting better about it recently, because I really do love cables and colorwork and knit-purl patterns, but I just really like how lace garments look! They’re so light and airy and feminine, and work so well with San Diego weather. Anyway, Lolly, I’m not surprised that colorwork is your thing, because you’re extraordinarily gifted at it. Your colorwork projects are so beautiful! I’m especially excited about your Lailas – that’s such a great pattern!
Just got the new Interweave, which is all colorwork. you’re psychic! I don’t know if I have a “thing” with knitting. It all just come and goes.
Oooo that’s a good question… Your colorwork is always so pretty. I don’t know if I’ve found my “thing” yet. I tend to go toward simple-stitch patterns with some sort of interesting feature thrown in.
I just had to say that when I first saw your color combo (in skein form), I thought you were nuts! But it’s beautiful! …and…I guess my “thing” is cables.
Lace is definitely my thing right now. I’ve been through a cable phase, and I think someday I’ll fall into stranded colorwork too, but lace lace lace is all I want to knit right now. I have four shawls on the needles!