Old Dogs
So you may be wondering how the Fair Isle training is going. Well...over the weekend I sat down with my Fair Isle swatch and taught myself the Continental method and the English method. Then I taught myself how to combine the two. Then I futzed around a bit and figured out a way to hold both yarns in my right hand at once so that I can knit the way I usually do. Guess which method won out? You got it. The Elliphantom Special.
While this means that I'll have to take an automatic deduction from the technical judges, I know that this is a good move because it's going to make me like knitting Fair Isle, which is really the point of this whole exercise. Besides, I have no business getting squeemy about using the wrong technique now, as it's never really bothered me in the past. La, la, la, knitting rebel, la, la...
In celebration of my newly liberated knitterly self, I started a new project. Sometimes you just need a little Garter Stitch to take the edge off. Besides, my life currently lacks cute accessories.
This will be a completely mindless, purely tactile knitting experience. What could be nicer than knitting with lovely soft yarn on my new Lantern Moon needles? Yum.
Comments
I love baby alpaca, fun!!
Posted by: pixie | January 31, 2006 11:59 AM
Isn't that baby alpaca brush delish?! Great colors. Was trying to retrain your knitting style torture? I do English, but keep considering changing to continental -- I just can't seem to force myself to do it. Good for you for coming to terms with your own personal style!
Posted by: Janet | January 31, 2006 12:07 PM
Great fun scarf! I like how you are alternating colors; its a simple touch, but works really well.
Posted by: Diana | January 31, 2006 12:08 PM
Ooooh, that scarf does look yum!!
Posted by: caitlyn | January 31, 2006 1:37 PM
la la la.. you renegade knitter you ... la la la
Posted by: Angela | January 31, 2006 1:48 PM
good for you! you really do have to find the technique that's going to work best for you when it comes to color work like fair isle, otherwise you're just going to hate it, and then what's the point?
and speaking of alpacas, guess who's going to go to an alpaca farm in Cloverdale this weekend? shall i pick you up some roving?
Posted by: Wendie | January 31, 2006 5:44 PM
I dig the alpaca (cozy!) and the chandelier it's perched upon. Lovely!
Posted by: KathyMarie | January 31, 2006 7:01 PM
"Completely mindless, purely tactile knitting experience": my fave! I like those nice, cheery colors.
Posted by: Julia | February 1, 2006 2:27 AM
Hey, I'd love it if you'd come join my Olympic Team - Team DPN!!
http://teamdpn.blogspot.com
--Whit
PS
That yarn is yummy!
Posted by: Whit | February 2, 2006 5:38 PM
Oh my, yes. I really love that yarn. I've never even seen it in those colors and I love them together. Cute accessory, indeed!
Posted by: jenifleur | February 2, 2006 6:42 PM
The Baby Alpalca is beautiful. I love that orange!
I think combining English and Continental for fair isle makes perfect sense. I change the way I knit it all the time, depending on the size needles I'm using.
If you can throw English style with yarn over your index and middle fingers, that works for fair isle too.
Posted by: say_ivison | February 3, 2006 8:51 AM
Fascinating site and well worth the visit again. I will be back soon
Posted by: Betty | August 19, 2007 4:57 PM