Stranded, not on an island, but in colour
The last few weeks before the new year, I really began to focus my attention to stranded knitting, which up to then, had been seriously avoided because I thought it was too hard/ much work. As I set up my goals of things I want to learn in the new year, stranded/intarsia/fair isle/ etc etc was very high on my list. So, the fire in me was ignited and have literally spent the last few weeks digging up all information I could on the subject. I've stalked blogs/forums, found book resources and recommendations, patterns (even free ones that are worth trying), yarn recommendations and got some good advice from a friend who has more experience.
This is my first stranded project, Komi from Knitting Marvelous Mittens by Charlene Schurch that I started 2 weeks ago. The first mitten is done and am almost a third into the second one. Somehow, the second mitten is going faster than the first, I think because am starting to get the hang of it. I still have a lot of techniques to learn but am quite happy that so far, I have mastered some patience to stick with it.
I ordered some colour cards from this shop which I came across on Adrian's blog as I was looking for yarn suggestions. I also found resources for books on stranded knitting from Folk knitting and Selbuvotter groups on Flikr. This website has a lot of information on Fair Isle and Norwegian knitting,especially for beginners like me. As for inspiring people and projects on the subject, the list is long and endless to attempt jotting it down.
Truly speaking, my misconceptions about stranded knitting and knitting on needles of sizes US#4 or below are already changing. I have come to greatly appreciate that some of the most beautiful hand knitted work is created on the smallest needles using the finest yarn. So, here my journey begins, with some enlightenment, passion and curiosity.
**If you have any suggestions or recommendations on the subject, I would love to hear from you!!!**
Happy Monday!
Oh gosh, your work is beautiful, the stitches look perfect, you make me want to give it a go but I know I will start getting in a tangle and begin to despair before long.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 15, 2008 at 06:21 AM
Stay with it, I just learned stranded knitting myself, after being a wimp for 15 years! I took a one time class to learn two handed fair isle (just for circular knitting) and now I'm starting my first fair isle sweater (maybe a bit over-ambitious). I love knitting on smaller needles though - the fabric is so nice. The mitten looks great!!
Posted by: Jodi | January 15, 2008 at 01:00 AM
i so admire your organization and thought out planning!
that mitten is fabulous.
lucy, you've got it. i doubt there is anything you need to change!
Posted by: leslie | January 14, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Wow your research is really paying off!
Your mitt look fabulous!
I wish I could give advice but you know waaaay much more than moi! :o)
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | January 14, 2008 at 07:56 PM
The mitten looks great. I too avoid colorwork as my tension never turns out nicely. Perhaps I need to research it too so I can get a few good tips.
Posted by: sue | January 14, 2008 at 06:11 PM
You mitten looks wonderful! And check out your color cards - you go girl! I can't wait to see what you make next!
Posted by: Cheryl | January 14, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Happy Monday! Your mitten looks marvelous! Good luck with the second.
Posted by: Maud | January 14, 2008 at 01:32 PM
The mitts look great. I find that I really have to watch my tension as for some reason it varies doing colour knitting. There are some amazing colourwork knits about though to drool over!
Posted by: Lin | January 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM