Mar 30 2008
Fiery Textures
The week ended quietly, as I worked diligently on the Printed Silk Cardigan. I took only one night “off” this week to spend some time with another project… and finally, the cardigan is taking shape and really surprising me with its beauty! To show off her best qualities, I figured some macro textural shots were in order.

back of the cardigan - diamond twisted stitch pattern detail

silky shimmer of the yarn in the pattern
While I am not finished yet - half of sleeve two and the right front pattern remain and all associated picking-up and blocking remain - I feel a great sense of accomplishment with this garment. The twisted stitches gave me a small problem in the beginning, and Connie of phyicsknits, the designer of this and many other lovely pieces, was so kind to offer help. Her tips worked and immediately, my knitting looked like the sample.
The problem I had regarded the left-leaning twisted stitch. Simply put, it wasn’t working for me as described. It is not the pattern, as several other knitters have finished it successfully (Ravelry link) with the instructions given. Still, it wasn’t working. Connie offered an alternative method, provided by the inimitable Barbara Walker:
- With right hand needle behind left hand needle, skip one st and knit the second stitch in back loop, then insert right hand needle into the backs of both stitches and knit 2 together through the back loop.
…and this one worked perfectly for me! Many thanks to Connie! I hope the have the cardigan finished very soon. I will be seeing my sister next weekend, and I would love to give it to her then (and to take some pretty spring-y photos in North Carolina). Wish me speedy needles and some free moments!
The waning days of Project Spectrum FIRE and the still chilly March winds prompted another warm / red cooking dish this week. Adapted from the Rosy Beet Risotto seen in the newest issue of Better Homes and Gardens:
Do you have any last-minute FIRE plans? are you planning ahead for the EARTH element of Project Spectrum?
PS- I hope to see my area fiber enthusiasts this afternoon at the Homespun Yarn Party in Takoma Park!






















