I knit this swatch using the continental method (holding the yarn in the left hand instead of the right). I'm not yet sold on it and need to try it some more. The reason I'd like to learn is so I can knit with two colors at once. Also, to be able to switch things up if I ever need to (because of injury) and to see if I enjoy it more. Sometimes I get annoyed with the continental proselytizers, and I'd like to be able to say I've tried it.It's been a little while since I knit the swatch, so I can't quite remember my sources, but I think I used videos at knittinghelp.com, and I'm just not thrilled with that method. I also watched this video. I think I need to try the way this person does it next.
At first, it was so frustrating to have needles and yarn in my hands and not be able to knit easily. I imagine it's similar to trying to drive a stick when you've only ever driven automatic. I taught my husband how to drive a stick and remember his frustration well.
Here's my Koolhaas in the afternoon sun:
And here it is on my head. I can't believe I took such a great shot of my own head on the first try. Sure, I used the bathroom mirror and a hand-held mirror to line things up, but still.Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash. I can get the color number if anyone wants it. I'm too lazy to go get the ballband now. I think I used 145 yards.
Dates: Started Feb.4, finished Feb. 9.
Notes: I made the larger size, and the ribbing is 1.5 inches instead of 1.25 because I can't read good.
I really need to buy a cable needle. I did all the cabling with a DPN. Yes, I've tried cabling without a cable needle. I've knit several socks with that method, but it just didn't work for me here.
When I had decreased to the point I could no longer use the 16-inch needle, I finally tried circular knitting on two circulars and on one long circular. I don't see myself doing either method for socks, mostly because I'd have to buy new needles. But, once again, it's good to know alternate ways of doing something.
2 comments:
I'm a continental convert, but I won't proselytize. I watched the third video and the first part of the second--couldn't sit through the whole thing--but it seems both of them hold the yarn against their finger and "pick" off their finger. I hold my index finger a little further away, and I grasp the yarn "in the air." You just have to play with wrapping it around your hand and holding it just the way works for you. I barely wrap the yarn around my fingers, too--just between my pinky and ring finger and that's it. Anyway, don't give up!
Thanks, I will keep trying. How to hold the yarn is definitely what I'm struggling with. I started out holding the yarn exactly the way I do while knitting with my right hand, but that doesn't work well. At one point I was doing knit stitches all right but had trouble with the purls.
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