An Autumnal FO
Nothing seems to spark startitis other than a large project with a deadline that is impossible to meet. I came to the conclusion last Tuesday that to stand the chance of having my Norwegian Boatneck (BTW, it needs a new name any suggestions) completed before the trip was pretty much nil. That chance solidified itself on Saturday night when my sleeve gauge differed from my swatch, thus requiring the ripping of the sleeve almost to the picot edge. *sigh*
Startitis set in before I got Saturday’s bad news though. I just couldn’t look at the fluffy autumnal yarn and not cast-on any longer. So, while knitting at My Sister Knits last week I cast on for Urchin. You saw a little sliver of it last week. I had it done by Friday afternoon and was in love with both the yarn and the pattern. I think spinning more bulky yarn may be in my future from time to time.
I loved the 2-ply knit up so much I’m now leaning in that direction for my coordinating thummed mitts I’m virtually knitting in my head. I haven’t started the spinning yet. I think I may swatch the left-over singles just to see what I think of that knit up and perhaps swatch some of the left-over two ply in stockinette stitch as well.
Pattern: Urchin
Designer: Ysolda Teague
Source: Knitty, Fall 2007
Yarn: Color Me Earthy 2-ply Bulky Handspun, I used 2.5 oz of the hand spun
Needles: Addi Turbo 16″ US 11
Modifications: My gauge was a little tighter than called for. My handspun was a little on the thin side, but I liked the fabric I was getting on the US11a so I cast-on 26 sts and increased the other numbers in the same proportion. I also preferred how my short rows looked on what was indicated as the wrong side while knitting the pattern. So, when I was done knitting I switched the right and wrong sides. After wearing it for a bit the band had grown, so I ran two rows of clear jelly cord for beading through it to snug it up just a tad so it stays on my head and doesn’t slip down over my ears unless I want it over my ears.
