I’ve tried two color knitting before. I really wanted to make the Huntington Castle Pullover from Interweave, but I couldn’t get it to look decent. The floats just wouldn’t work.
Now, in the Olympic Spirit, I have decided that it is time to Conquer My Fear and Frustration. This time I’m better prepared: I got a book. It’s called Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified. I bought it for the three pages of instructions – there isn’t a pattern in there that I want to make. They are not to my taste. Also, that would be two layers of wool in the entire sweater. It doesn’t get cold enough for that.
The three pages of instructions have been worth the investment! This is my first practice piece:
You can see me getting better as I go along.
You put one color in each hand and work two different kinds of stitches per hand: the first kind (odd stitches) is regular, the second kind (even stitches) is to anchor the unused yarn. This means there are no floats! The only bad thing is that the book only tells you how to do knit stitches because all of their sweaters are worked in the round. This is fine for now, my Olympic hat and mittens are in the round.
Again, I’m getting better as I go along!
And the inside?
See? No floats!
It turns out that this is fun! I am feeling much better about the whole thing. I feel so much better about it that I am a little concerned that I have under-shot my Olympic goals . . . but I didn’t know that two colors wouldn’t be a hideous experience! I may be speaking prematurely: you never know how the actual project is going to go, M’s mom and sister are coming the week after next, I’ve never made a person-sized mitten (weird, I know), and I am notorious for starting over when things aren’t going well.
Next on Yarn Miracle:
Beginning the Checks and Charms Hat and Mittens.
It looks great. If you’ve underestimated yourself then you have time for something else when you finish this. Or you could just drink a martini. 😉
Neat! Tidy, too 😉 You might have to get yourself a Starmore kit or make something from Poetry in Stitches for the Olympics, eh? I see steeks in your future. . .
Your green socks look gorgeous.
I bought the same book for the same exact reasons! Word about the patterns in there. Yeesh.
Conquer away!
Looks really great! Two color knitting is a technique I have yet to attempt, and a big one on my to do list.
You have inspired me!
I’m trying to visit all the other Olympian Emilys to see what they’re up to. Have fun with the two color knitting!
Looking great! Very excellent job on conquering those fears!
It’s easy to get hooked on color knitting, isn’t it? I think someone mentioned it already–Starmore or a Dale of Norway pattern next?
I have that same book for the same reason. Bufugly patterns but great technique. I did a pair of socks using that technique and love them. Your work looks great Emily!!!
Looking good Em!I think I’m the only person in knitblogland that’s not doing olympic knitting! ha!
Wow, nice job on that! I’m glad it’s turned out to be so easy. If you do finish before your deadline, you could always help me with mariah…hehe…
I got over my fear of fair isle by knitting the candy cane striped hat in Handknit Holidays. It was really easy, even if my left hand did kind of hurt like hell from using it so much after never using it. It’s definetly something to get used to!
Wow, they are beautiful! I am going to have to look for that book.