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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

I KNIT WRONG!!!

Marshmallow Fluff
Here's the cute pattern I was trying: 
I've been knitting since age 8, when I was taught by my Belgian great-aunt Joske.  I loved her dearly!  I never questioned her knitting ability.  She constantly made sweaters, hats, vests with intricate designs, small needles, and beautiful European yarns.  I'm not sure if she used patterns or not, but she knew how to fit and refit her designs to work well with her diminutive figure.  In addition, she made a gazillion knitted bandages for the Red Cross and wounded warriors.  I am proud to continue her knitting tradition, although mine is very different from hers, as is my temperament and personality.

Patience is not one of my virtues.  I hate following patterns; I hate using tiny needles.  I like to design my own styles, AND most significantly, I never make sweaters (anymore!  not since college 100 years ago!) or anything that requires two (sleeves, socks, mittens), or anything that requires precise fitting.  I am FREEFORM - well, my body is also getting that way!  I prefer unconstructed designs, scarves, vests, funky forms, combining knit and crochet, and felting.

Over the years, as friends and fellow fiber aficionados have seen me knitting, several have remarked that I don't knit right.  First of all, I'm a continental knitter (thanks, Aunt Joske!), but I find that much more efficient to English style - which I have never accomplished and therefore dislike.  Of course, I resist knowing that I "don't knit right!"  It seems perfectly OK to me, and it SELLS!

But more recently, I've been curious about it and began to research the ways in which continental knitting is "correctly" done. I AM DOING IT WRONG!!!

Twisted Stitches (and More!)  I'm not blaming Aunt Joske here.  It's possible that she taught me this way.  It's just as possible that my technique evolved over time and no one had told me it was wrong.  It results in a twist in the texture of the fabric produced, and it causes ribbon yarns to maddeningly twist and twirl.  The differences became stunningly apparent last week when I tried to follow a simple pattern of interest to me and my results looked NOTHING like the photo!

Here's mine!  It doesn't have the lovely breaks in the rows.  UGH!
I think I'll just try something else!

I sometimes seek patterns simply to learn a new stitch or combination of stitches, but I guess the answer is to NOT use patterns so as to save myself the frustration of creating something entirely different from that pattern.  In addition, I'm not so sure I want to teach myself the "correct" way of doing this!  I'm old,  already!  Hard to teach an old dog new tricks!  That's ME!

2 comments:

Krishenkas Treasures said...

I am not a great knitter but can do it. Last time I made a jumper and it took me 9 months was over 20 years ago and I (still have it) and wore it a couple of weeks ago!!! it was a combination of mohair and others fibres which I can't remember but that put me off for life. I say do your own thing Louise it works for you and your post did make me laugh xx might dig out the jumper and let you see it:)

Scarf It Up said...

You make me laugh, Chrissie! Your timing is impeccable, though, as Ginny and I are meeting Barb (CA participant in our workshop at Chateau Dumas) and friend in about 2 hours. So much fun we'll have! They're staying with me but we're dining tonight at Ginny's! Wish you could join us!

Show us your "jumper!"

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