This week I've been playing around with knitting and provisional cast-ons. I'm learning a lot of very clever new things with my Knitting Olympics project!
A provisional cast-on is where you cast on your work with some waste yarn so you can remove it, pick up the stitches and knit from the cast on edge at some point later in the project.
I found the process of removing the waste yarn somewhat complicated, because I didn't trust my work to unravel if I just pulled it out. My alternative solution is possibly the most convoluted anyone could come up with, but it worked!
Using a crochet hook, I picked up the first working yarn stitches through the waste yarn, and slipped them onto my knitting needle. Once I'd picked up all the stitches (and counted them, just to make sure), I used my trusty crochet hook to remove the waste yarn.
Like I said earlier, this is possibly the most time consuming and convoluted way of doing this, but hey, success is success!
Once my waste yarn was removed, I was all set to begin the next step, which was making a double thickness band by knitting the two sides together. This process is similar to the three needle bind off, but without binding off. Obviously.
I'm rather pleased with my finished band, and I'm looking forward to making progress on the body of the hat. But for now, I'm embarking on some unknitting because I've lost a few stitches along the way. Count your stitches regularly, people. Especially when attempting to knit lace!!!
To play along or to visit other creative spaces this week, drop in on the inspirational Kirsty.
9 comments:
Sometimes you have to work out other methods for a while until you're comfortable with a new skill. I do it the complicated way all the time. More time consuming, but it makes me feel better. :)
oh I am with june, mind you as I am not a knitter, quite a bit of your post was french to me and made me feel just a little out of my league! Well done you I reckon!
Fabulous work & gorgeous colours, knit away, love Posie
I reckon crafting is at its best when you figure out the solution for yourself in a way that makes sense for your particular brand of thinking. Complex is just fine if it works! Short cuts only lead to tears. Just like I'm learning in my patchwork.
I say whatever works then use it! I have never done that before either and I think I would be nervous too. Oh just to let you know that Paul dropped off your prize this morning for you!
Love that colour. Looks super clever - good on you!
I think you are very clever and I can't wait to see the hat when you are done. I am getting much better at unknitting too :(
Well done on giving the provisional cast on a go... I've tried it a couple of times and totally balls it up... Thanks for sharing your experience with it..
Hugs
Jodie :)
As a complete beginner to the world of knitting..you lost me at 'this week' (almost - I read, I looked and shook my head in crafty wonder) Well done you! Peta
Post a Comment