Fair isle is not easy & has up-turned my usual knitting m.o. In order to follow two charts, I had to get off the couch. A large flat surface was a must, and so I have moved kit & kaboodle over to the dining table. I’m liking it in there, and faithful Toby is happy too. Silence & meditative knitting are good things but the faint gaming noises from the basement are not, so, I’ve resurrected my ipod. Learning the conventional knit stitch has made all the difference in doing the fair isle justice. As a result, I am not contorting the body for every other stitch, and it’s loosened things up considerably.
Mitt no. 1 has everything but her thumb. Mitt no. 2 is a twinkle in my eye. Here she is:
Topped but not thumbed - rightie Norweigan Mitt
Palm pattern - rightie Norwegian mitt - thumb to come
Goes without saying that I am hugely proud of this baby:) I do have a hunch that ending mid-motif may not be true-to-tradition, and yes, the palm join is off-kilter. Progress not perfection!
In terms of yarn, I’m using Sirdar Eco wool dk. The band says 100% undyed virgin wool. It has a great hand but is also easy to split in stitches. It seems loosely spun but I’m hardly an authority on these things.
This is my introduction to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s patterns. I like her style but am v. grateful this isn’t my first mitten/ glove attempt. Thanks to the Fingerless Gloves, I know how to make this right-hand, and the next left-hand. I’m also keeping the thumb stitches, and will make it up on the dpns next.
March 10, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Hi
I have no idea even where to start with knitting but looking at the ‘finished’ product makes me feel encouraged. Any tidbits on what I need to start and what the best book or video on how to knit!
K
March 10, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Hi Kay-Ann,
The internet has some great resources on learning to knit. Most of the yarn makers will have some tutorials on their websites. This is the link to Lion Brand Yarn’s Learn to Knit section:
If you can find a yarn store in your neighbourhood, that’s probably your best resource. Knit Map will tell you where the closest stores are: http://www.knitmap.com/ They will probably have some good instructional books but can also guide you through buying yarn, needles and your first attempts.
My first buy was the Knitting Directory by Alison Jenkins. I still use it today but needed something with patterns once I got the first stitches down. Here’s a review page of the book: http://www.amazon.ca/Knitting-Directory-Alison-Jenkins/dp/0785817948
Most of all, I’m glad you’re interested in learning! Hope these links can help to get you started! It’s awkward at first but if you follow the directions, and believe it all makes sense, you can work wonders! Good luck!