Not without mistakes but I think I love magic loop knitting — so much easier than switching to double point needles. Love the “color” work too but not sure I like stranded colorwork … will check out slip stitch or mosaic knitting that doesn’t leave strands of yarn on the back side!
I had Orkin coming today to do a spot treatment for termites … oh the joys of living in Florida! We do everything we can to monitor and treat so I try not to worry too much about termites and the damage they do.
While I was waiting I decided I’d knit rather than sew because it’s easier to pick up and down when I know I’m going to be interrupted.
SO, how do you knit in the round? When I knit socks (several years ago) I used the method of knitting two socks at a time on two circular needles. For hats, I’ve always switched to double pointed needles for the crown decreases but I’ve been wanting to learn another method. I though I’d just relearn the two needle method but it wasn’t clicking with my brain when I read a pattern a few months ago so today I decided I’d learn Magic Loop.
I read a couple descriptions, watched a video, and still didn’t think I was getting it right so I did another search and a BluePrint class came up on Google (Craftsy is BluePrint now if you didn’t know). Since I have an annual membership so I can watch any of the classes — I went to the website, and pulled up just the part of the class that told me how to knit a hat using magic loop. One good thing about the annual membership is that I don’t feel like I have to watch the whole class to get my money’s worth and can just watch the section I need.
In addition to the video showing me HOW to knit the hat, I get the pattern in the course materials also. This particular pattern also has some color work which I’ve never tried before and I almost just made the hat without it but then felt that I might as well learn that today too!
I’ll knit a few hats using the magic loop method and then decide if it’s easier for me than switching to double pointed needles.
If you’re interested in the BluePrint class it’s this one – Knit Lab: In the Round. She also shows you other projects and ways to knit in the round but lucky for me, she demonstrates the hat using Magic Loop.
I am being lazy and most of day was spent cuddling with Finn and knitting. This little blanket is taking a long time but I didn’t knit much in January.
This afternoon I felt the need to get out of the chair for a little while so I finished assembling the little Charm Square diamonds and added the border so this top is done and ready for the quilting pile. This one is part of our 2019 Precut Party and I used one Charm pack plus some fabric from stash.
Another finish – this one was started two years ago and I just came across it the other day so it’s nice to have it finally finished.
Unfortunately, it’s not a free pattern but you can see the details on Ravelry at this link.
And the back… I love when my decreases come together so nicely!
This is an UFO I found in the closet the other day … I knew I had a hat in progress from a couple years ago (my records say I started it in September 2016) but I wasn’t sure where it was … I have a habit of losing things in my sewing room!
The pattern is from one of my books and it uses fingering yarn so it’s a lighter weight hat. I’m doing the crown decreases so hopefully it will be finished soon.
I made a bunch of these in 2016 and of all the hats I made for her, Lisa liked these best after she lost her hair from chemotherapy.
I think this one might be more Mo’s size than Rae’s … hard to say without trying it on them. It’s a free pattern from Ravelry but I cast on fewer stitches and knit it to a shorter length.
Are you a perfectionist? In knitting I don’t think I could be even if I wanted to. I know enough to get by but I dropped a stitch when I was binding off and while I managed to pick it back up, you can see, if you look closely, where I didn’t do it quite right but it’s good enough for a child’s hat that will be worn for a season ….
I’m still just puttering but I’m working my way through my lists slowly. I’ll pack for my trip tomorrow but I’ve been gathering all the stuff I need to take to Mom’s. It will take an extra suitcase because I haven’t been there in a few months. I felt well enough to crawl around and trim her quilt so it’s ready for me to take back to her. I have a little more floor space here than she does so I try to trim her quilts before sending them back … and I’m just nice like that anyway!
I’m taking a break now and working on another knitted hat. I love the colors of the Caron Cupcakes but because it’s acrylic it seems to work up at a larger gauge even though it’s the same weight. I’m a little afraid the hats for Rae might be too big so I’ll make a couple extra ones.
