I've been blogging for just over 5 years now amazingly enough. What started as a way for family and friends to keep track of me has turned into so much more. Easily the best part of this journey are the friends that I have made far and wide through having this little online space. Some I've met in person. Others I've talked to via phone. Others have just been a friendship developed via email and chat...so far. ;)
While the friendships themselves are the most meaningful to me, I can't say that I don't enjoy the random swaps and exchanges that also take place with some of these folks! And the generosity thrown my way the past year has been overwhelming. That's why the alternative title says 'Part 1'...expect to see more of these.
Last year, when I was about to defend my dissertation, I received a bit of mail from Jacey. It was unexpected because we hadn't 'known' each other for a long time...but I so appreciated the thought, the message, and the intent. She sent a lovely card, a bit of fabric, and a beautiful skein of Sundara sport weight yarn whose colorway was 'Cherish the Moment'. She recognized the appropriateness of that colorway name as did I.
I never blogged about it because I knew what I wanted that yarn to be and I wanted to wait until it was knit up. Time passed.
In the meantime, shortly before Christmas, we had an informal swap of sorts...I had something I wanted to send her and she offered up one of her 'tea cup wraps' which I had commented on earlier. Of course she had to 'fill the box' as she put it and I got an amazing package. Two hand-sewn pouches in addition to the wrap. Look at the deer...how perfect is that? And that green skein of yarn? My 'Cherish the Moment'.
Currently the deer pouch is being used to hold my knitting notions and it is perfect for that task. I'm still trying to find the best use for the smaller pouch although Jacey suggested I use it to carry tea bags with me while in the field. It may just work for that! And that yarn?
Focus on the hat and not the unruly 'in need of a haircut' mop sticking out! I've wanted to knit Wurm since I first saw the pattern. I think the style looks good on so many folks and it's just a neat hat. I wanted to use up as much of this special yarn as possible and so played a weighing game and ended up with 9 purl/knit rounds which gave it plenty of slouch.
This hat is the perfect pattern and is extremely comfortable. It's knit with a folded rim that means it is snug and comfortable and I love the slouch (more and more I'm leaning toward hats with slouch!). My only problem, as you can probably see, are ladders. I used DPNs because I didn't have 2 circulars that size and I don't yet know how to do magic loop. And I can't figure out how to purl on DPNs without ladders forming. With socks or other things, I've shifted stitches so I almost always have a knit stitch as the first stitch but that's not an option for this hat. I pulled the first two stitches tight...ladders. Tried to bring the needle over...then under....ladders. I tried to not pull the first 2 stitches as tight...ladders. So, my question to you wise knitters: Any suggestions or tricks you have for this problem when purling on DPNs?
Regardless, I love this hat. I love the color, I love the fit, and I love the story of where and why it came to me.
And yes Jacey, whenever I wear this hat, I'm remembering to 'Cherish the Moment' (and you!). Thank you for that.
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Now playing: Dirt by Sayde Price
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18 comments:
I use a 16" circular to knit hats, only needing to switch to dpns for the crown. When using dpns, I still shift my stitches almost every round, even if it is an all purl row. That way you're at least moving the loose stitch every time, and you get less of a ladder on the finished piece.
What a lovely little story.
aw, that Jacey is a super sweetie. and i love your hat!
a beautiful hat and a beautiful story.
cherish the moment, something we all need to remember.
and as to the ladders - i've always found that they sort of work themselves out over time and disappear. hopefully yours will do that!
Aw, Jacey is so lovely. I'm sorry I'm not any help on the ladders issue - I went magic loop and never went back. Have you thought about trying using two circulars?
Jacey is so kind. :) I had the same problem with DPNs. Then I learned how to magic loop and I never went back. I'd recommend something other than Denises to magic loop with though, I couldn't get my head around it using such a thick cable.
Gorgeous hat and I LOVE that color.
(I know I owe you an email, catching up is slow going.)
Wurm is such great pattern, and I love that yarn colour! I agree with Melissa. Sometimes when I knit socks they have ladders, and after a few washings they go away.
Aww, I'm blushing, friend! I'm so glad you found the perfect use for your yarn. I love the hat lots. The color is beautiful on you! I magic loop, but when I use dpns I still get ladders occasionally. You are so kind, Rachel! I'm glad to know you.
what an amazingly sweet and thoughtful package!! I follow Jacey's blog as well, and even though I've never met her in the offline world, she seems like that sort of genuine person who does thoughtful things like that. The world needs more Jaceys!
That is such a lovely colour. And of course such a generous pressie.
This post is so sweet! I've blogged a long time like you and appreciate the warmth and friendship in blogland :)
Love your Wurm ~ great choice of pattern. For slight laddering they often disappear with blocking. Another technique I use with heavier gauge yarn where the problem is more prevalent is to shift the stitches over on the needle each round. Frankly no one is going to notice.
This hat looks so good on you. I really like the pattern in this specific yarn. Nice work, Jacey.
Got nothing re the ladders but that hat and the lesson of cherishing the moment are lovely.
Lovely of Jacey!
Wurm looks perfect! Those are my tricks for not laddering but they usually do work into the fabric eventually. Other than that, practice and time, I guess! I used to be all dpn's all the time but they're hard to stuff in my bag and not drop stitches. Magic loop, I am your convert. :)
Gorgeous hat. Shifting stitches is one way of avoiding ladders. If it's a all purl row, I usually insert my needle into the 1st stitch from the back to front, under needle 4. I hope this sounds clear.
I've always found (and don't always remember to do this) if I hold the working needle AND the just worked needle as close as possible to each other while working the first few stitches, ladders are significantly smaller.
As for magic loop, I find I have more ladders as I can't do the above trick at all. Great hat though, give it a long soak and see if it helps :)
Hi Rachel, whenever I have done toques I use circulars to start and then switch to dpns. It seems to help with the ladder situation. The toque is super cute.
that's a true friend!
Love your hat, I just finished one for me too. I don't have the solution for the ladders, but I can convince you that magic-looping is very easy. I too thought, years ago, that it was complicated, but in fact is apeared not at all complicated when I finally tried it. Look up a explantation video on you tube and try it!
What a wonderful friend (and gifts)! Love the hat that you made with the yarn.
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