It's easier than you think

Balking at change

Scared of something new

You're not alone

I'm with you

Case in pont, a couple of months ago I shared my disinterest (dislike, fear) of knitting on circular needles. In fact, I went so far as to develop a technique for knitting in the round on two straight needles.

Well, lately, I had a revelation.

You see, this year's hot accessory is the cowl.

You'll be seeing them everywhere.

I'm currently knitting for a winter craft show and thought,  I have to knit some cowls. If I knit them on two straight needles, I'll have to sew a seam. How will hide that seam?

This question led me to my revelation. I bought a circular needle.

Problem:  it coils
Solution:  Rubbing the needle between your hands will release some of the coil.

I cast on some stitches (Don't ask me how many. I just filled the needle. My best guess--over 80.) and discovered some advantages.

-In order to form a Stockinette stitch (knit, purl) all you have to do is garter stitch. Never ending, mindless garter stitch--my favour kind of knitting.
-In order to stop knitting, you don't have to wait to get to the end of the row. You just shove all the stitches to the centre of the needle.

I'm actually enjoying knitting on circular needles--who knew?
***
Next post:  Report from The Word on the Street

Working a sweater pattern on circular needles

Spring Garden

Finished sweater measurements

Bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64) inches

Length: 20 (20, 22, 24, 24, 26, 26) inches

Knitting needles: US 10/6.00 mm OR size to obtain tension

Circular needle, two pairs of straight needles

Yarn: worsted weight approximately 700 (800/900/1,000/1, 100/1, 200/1, 300/1, 400/1, 500) yards

Stitch holder: two

Tension: 4 stitches x 7 rows = one inch over seed stitch

seed stitch (over even number of stitches)

Row 1: knit 1, purl 1--continue to end of row

Row 2: purl 1, knit 1--continue to end of row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Note: Worked from bottom up. Bottom section worked on circular needles.

Cast on 128 (144, 160, 176, 192, 208, 224, 240, 256) stitches

Work in seed stitch for 12 (12, 11, 13, 15, 15, 17, 17) inches

Note: Upper section worked on straight needles. Front and Back are worked separately.

Slip 64 (72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128) stitches onto stitch holder.

Back

Work 64 (72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128) stitches in seed stitch for 8 (8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9) inches

Cast off

Note: Slip stitches from stitch holder onto straight needle.

Front

Work 64 (72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128) stitches in seed stitch for 5 (5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) inches

Scoop neck

Work in seed stitch for 12 (16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44) stitches, cast off 40 stitches, work in seed stitch for 12 (16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44) stitches

Shoulders worked from two balls of yarn

Work 12 (16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44) stitches from each yarn ball

Work for 3 inches.

Cast off

Sleeves (make 2)

Note: sleeves worked on straight needles

Cast on 64 (64, 72, 72, 72, 72, 72, 72) stitches

Work in seed stitch for 7 inches

Cast off

Finishing

Sew on sleeves. Weave in ends.

***
More fun to come with this pattern next Monday.
***
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