The Knitter's Book of Yarn

Every so often, I like to pick up a rather complex reference book and learn all there is to know about a very specific topic. When I saw this book about yarn, I thought it would be perfect for me since I love to knit (and could definitely stand to learn more about choosing yarn for my projects.) Plus, since it was available as a digital book from my library's collection, I was able to download it and read on my Kindle for free!

Sadly, I found the book to be less informative than the title might suggest. This book is basically divided into three different sections: types of fiber used in making yarn; different methods of making yarn from those fibers; and a large section of patterns.

Although the sections on types of fibers and yarn production were informative, it really wasn't that spectacular (I felt like a large amount of the "fiber" content was stuff most beginning-knitter would already know.) Throughout the book, the author kept hinting at more in-depth discussions, but I felt she failed to deliver on those promises. It also seemed as though the majority of the book offered more insight into actual yarn production rather than how the finished yarn should best be used.

I was also a little disappointed in the selection of patterns. First, the patterns were arranged by the number of ply in the yarn; I would have found it more useful if the patterns were listed by material type or yarn weight rather than ply. I also found it odd that NONE of the patterns were appropriate for a man - not even the basic hat/scarf combo or uni-sex sweater that most knitting publications generally include.

Finally, I was also a little put-off by the number of simple typos I found within the text of this work (I noticed at least two instances where sentences didn't even begin with a capital letter (one of them being the word "i'm.") While I might accept and even expect that on a blog or online forum (I know I've made my share of mistakes - there are probably even some in this paragraph), I expect a little better from a published knitting book. If they can't remember to capitalize "I'm", I would be more than a little concerned about the accuracy of their actual knitting patterns!

Fair Isle

Since I finished both of my Christmas scarves, I decided I needed another new project to keep me busy. Since I feel I have a fairly solid grasp of knit/purl and the wonderful combinations they can create, I though my next project should encompass a new, more challenging skill. I have wanted to try fair isle knitting for awhile (but an early attempt really scared me away from it.) However, now that I have a few thousand more stitches under my belt, I felt confident enough to give it another try. Before embarking on a large scale project, I decided to practice with this little snowflake pattern I found online.

Although I'm fairly happy with my first fair isle attempt, I think I need a little more practice before starting a "real" project. When I knit this (on size 6 needles), I had a lot of problems with the two different yarns getting completely tangled. I've read online that it might help to try English knitting one of the strands and Continental knitting with the second. I guess I'll go back and learn Continental knitting to see if that proves any easier...

Christmas Scarf #2

After the difficult "Column of Leaves" lace pattern that I just finished, I decided it was time for a much easier pattern that I could mindlessly knit while watching TV. Since I also need to make a "man's" scarf as a friend's Christmas present, I thought this diagonal rib pattern would be exactly what I was looking for.

Last winter, I knitted a similar pattern for myself (in fact, the blogger who posted these two patterns considers them a series - though they have little more in common than both being diagonal ribs.) For my scarf last year, I had used multiple colors, which is something I really like until you start weaving in yarn (something I'm not that great at....) Since I wanted to keep this scarf as easy as possible, I decided to stick with a single color throughout (a light-weight wool on size 6 needles.) Fortunately, the scarf did prove a quick, easy knit - which was exactly what I needed (now I just hope my friend enjoys it.)

Christmas Scarf #1

Although I finished knitting this scarf a couple weeks ago, it took me forever to actually block and finish the scarf (though that might be because I knew I had plenty of time before Christmas and was in no hurry to have a wet scarf draped across my small apartment.)

Fortunately, the knitting of this scarf was remarkably easy. Although the pattern is a bit challenging because of all the yarn-overs (and the complex border that just begs for errors that will be abundantly obviously when finished!) Fortunately, since I'd already knitted this pattern once before, I found that after just a couple repeats the pattern came right back to memory.

Although it too much longer to knit than I first expected, I'm fairly happy with the result. I used a rather light-weight yarn, so the end scarf is extremely light-weight as well. As a side note (and this may be the case with all blocking), the pattern greatly expands during the blocking process. I had originally hoped to make this scarf a foot longer, but a major mistake made me cast off many "leaves" earlier than planned; however, I discovered that that was quite the blessing when viewing the long length after blocking!

Diagonal Ribbed Men's Scarf

I have wanted to make myself a scarf for several months but generally find men's scarf patterns to be a little too boring. However, I found this diagonal rib pattern that proved to be both easy and engaging. In fact, I would say the most difficult aspect of the entire project was weaving in all the yarn from all the color changes!

To make the scarf, I used size 6 needles with a fairly light-weight merino wool (I would guess that it was sport weight - but the packaging wasn't printed in English, so I'm not exactly sure.) I was again impressed with the ease of knitting with wool; I might have a hard time returning to synthetics ever again!

The Magic of Blocking

Since it's been ages since I last completed a knitting project, I decided it was about time to pick up the old knitting needles. I have been wanting to try this column of leaves scarf pattern for awhile now. It was an exceptionally slow pattern for the first several "leaves" due to the fact that every single row in the pattern is a slightly different mixture of knit, purl, and other more complex stitches; however, once the pattern is finally memorized, it certainly speeds up!

To knit this scarf, I used worsted-weight wool yarn on size-6 needles. I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of knitting with wool - I only tried acrylic and cotton in the past. This was also the first time I've ever actually blocked a finished project. I was amazed at how much nicer my pattern looked once I was finished. Any pattern that has lace aspects to it definitely needs the blocking to help stretch it out (though blocking did add a couple feet to my finished project!)

Christmas Knits

"Somewhere, under the flurry of tearing gift wrap and devouring of chocolate bells, is a day about family and connnections and thoughtfulness. Just as every hand-stitched item - every knit, every purl - encodes a secret message about devotation. Knitting is simply an expression of love." - Knit the Season, Kate Jacobs