Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Unpacking Autumn Inspiration

This morning I unpacked these mouthwatering skeins-
handpainted merinos and silks in an array of Autumn colourways. It wasn't a difficult decision between letting the skeins lie in their packaged state, twisted and contorted, or unfurl each skein into a long loop of silken strands, hanging on a wooden rod to show off the full spectrum of colour.


Now that many yarn companies package yarn in skeins rather than balls, a knitter has the task of winding the skeins before starting a project. A wool winder is a lightweight contraption that attaches easily to the edge of a table or shelf. By manually turning a crank style handle, a skein is transformed into a cake style ball with a hollow centre. Knitters generally prefer pulling yarn from the centre of a ball, the tension is much more consistent and the ball sits in one place, without rolling away.


There is still the old fashioned method of winding skeins, it takes two people, one to hold the skein with both arms, and the other to swiftly roll it into a ball. When the room is suddenly empty, with no offers to help, a dining chair works well as a skein holder. I have a tall director's chair at work which I use, or while travelling in the car, I loop a skein around my knees and wind easily with two free hands. What helpful hints do you have for winding skeins?


Here we are at Week Three in the Countdown to Christmas. One Skein One Gift features a pair of Wrist Warmers, perfect for beginner knitters who want to learn how to cable.


Wrist Warmers


Size: Womens Medium
Yarn: 100g Lopi
Needles: 5.00 and 6.00 mm


Left Wrist Warmer:

*Cast on 30 sts with smaller needles. Work in K2/P2 ribbing for 3". Change to larger needles, and cont in Pattern as follows-*

Row 1- K4, P2, K6, P2, K16
Row 2- P16, K2, P6, K2, P4
Row 3- K4, P2, C6B (slip 3 sts onto cable needle, hold at back, K 3 sts from left needle, K 3 sts from cable needle), P2, K16
Row 4- as Row 2
Row 5- as Row 1
Row 6- as Row 2
Rep these 6 rows 3 more times, then Rep Rows 1-4 once more. Cont in K2/P2 ribbing for 4 rows. Cast off.
Right Wrist Warmer-
Work *to* as above, then cont in Pattern as follows-
Row 1- K16, P2, K6, P2, K4
Row 2- P4, K2, P6, K2, P16
Row 3- K16, P2, C6B, P2, K4
Row 4- as Row 2
Row 5- as Row 1
Row 6- as Row 2
Rep these 6 rows 3 more times, then Rep Rows 1-4 once more. Cont in K2/P2 ribbing for 4 rows. Cast off.
Sew side seams leaving thumb opening approx. 3" from top edge.


No comments:

Post a Comment