Knitting

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Knitting Project Monogamy

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This has to end. I’m declaring to an end to this. What is “this”? The random, willy-nilly casting on of new projects just because I have that yarn in my stash that would be wonderful knit into this, that or the other thing. Or I’ve come across a new pattern (usually free) that I can NOT live without the knitting of said pattern.

Enough! Take that knitting karma! I’m taking control. So I pledge the following:

1. I will not cast on for any new projects until the 3 that are currently living on my end table are done. All are in a ridiculously “so close to being done” state that I can surely accomplish this by the end of the year. I won’t have to make my forced fast last for too long.

2. I will take control of this ridiculous obsession I have with the fibery goodies. NO NEW CASTING ON! Hear me, Karma? Nothing new shall be cast on until the top of the end table is once again viewable (except the 2nd in the slippers, that doesn’t count).

3. Karma, I’m not sure you’re listening. I’m prepared to deal with you, bring it on, but you will not win with this one! Nothing like a war with myself to get the blood flowing!

There, now I’ve sufficiently jinxed myself and am surely doomed to fail. But I can fix that too. All I have to do is look for another pattern to start.

So, this was found: A free pattern for 3 different Tams, from Knitty! I had seen one made up in pale blues, purples and frosty whites. Gorgeous. And, yes Virginia, you do still have time to whip this up, unless of course you’ve tempted fate like I have and are in bed hiding under the covers!

And, what will be the next project I cast on for after my self-induced fiber famine? The Wisconsin Socks. Nothin’ like hand knit socks in worsted weight up here in N. Michigan!

Another shot to Karma, and most likely a blow to myself… all of my grandchildren (7 counting, I think) shall receive a hand knitted gift from me on their birthday this year, but, seriously, what in the world can you possibly knit for a 13 year old boy??

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Comments

  1. 13 year old boy?

    I have a 13 year old cousin that I made the Half Pipe hat for as a Christmas gift. I’ve found that you generally can’t go wrong with a hat for a guy of any age (except my dad who isn’t a hat person).

Have you read?

Make Your Knitting Machine Scarves Better

I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve shared any patterns for our circular knitting machine users. I know these devices aren’t for everyone but even though I much prefer knitting by hand, it is kind of fun to crank things out on these machines.

One of the most common early projects for a circular knitting machine is a scarf. Which makes sense, because it’s just one long tube and you can make it as long as you like.

One problem that comes from knitting scarves on the circular knitting machine, though, is that it can be hard to know how to finish the ends of the tube so that it looks like a finished scarf and not a tube of knitting.

If you’re not a knitter or crocheter, the most basic way to finish a circular knitting machine scarf is just by cinching up the ends and maybe adding a pompom to each end to cover up any hole that might still be visible at the end.

But if you have a little knitting or crochet skill or are willing to learn, there are a lot of different options for closing up the ends of a scarf. And this would also be true if you hand knit a tube scarf!

I recently wrote a post over at Our Daily Craft that includes five different ways to close up the ends of a tube scarf:

  • the simple cinching method mentioned above
  • sewing the stitches together
  • three needle bind off
  • grafting
  • crochet bind off

Grafting is my favorite because I feel like it gives the cleanest, closest to a seamless look. If you’re a knitter you may already know how to do it but even if you don’t it’s not that hard to learn.

Do you knit tube scarves by hand or machine? I’d love to know how you like to finish them!