Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Swirls in Wool

Once I finished up these little bootees, I knew I wanted to make something to go with them using my leftover yarn. I used the (free!) Swirl Hat pattern by Mandie Harrington, which I found on Ravelry. I restarted several times, once because I didn't think I was doing it right when I actually was... oops. But I'm finding that taking it slow is good, and because I really want to do it "right," I'd rather restart a project a few times and get some good practice, rather than churn out projects full of mistakes.



I actually blocked it, too! I'm not a patient person, so blocking is rather torturous. I kept checking on it to see if it was dry yet. Oh, and I blocked the bootees while I was at it -- they didn't change much, but do seem a bit tidier in appearance.

The swirl pattern is still a mystery to me. I have absolutely no idea how it comes out looking like this, because I can't figure out how the pattern (which is quite simple) would produce such an effect. I don't mind a mystery, though, especially when the results are so satisfying!



A small hat was the perfect second project, and got me used to the whole knitting-in-the-round-with-double-pointed-needles concept. I did make a few mistakes in the top rows, but fortunately they're virtually undetectable. Oh, and I knitted this up in the newborn size, to match the bootees. I won't let myself make oodles of newborn things in hopes that we'll be blessed with a rainbow baby soon, but it does feel good to have just a few little things. A little bit of hope does a body good, you know?




6 comments:

  1. That's a lovely hat, Shannon!
    I know what you mean about some things in knitting being mysterious. I knitted a sweater a few months ago, and I can't figure out how I started out with a straight edge but ended up with pointed scallops :D
    I also agree that blocking is torturous. Do you have a steamer? A lot of things can be steam blocked, and while it takes a bit more time to actually do it (as opposed to pinning it down) it only takes maybe ten minutes to dry if it's not super thick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura Elizabeth,

      Delightful mysteries, aren't they? Part of me wants to know EXACTLY what's going on (and doubtless as I progress with knitting, I'll have more of an idea), but at the same time it's fun to see what gradually comes off the needles.

      I don't have a steamer, but it sounds like a great idea! Especially since I hate "washing" things that aren't dirty, and that's what blocking feels like to me. :-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

      Delete
  2. Shannon,

    What a unique pattern! I love the swirl effect. Your knitting is looking fabulous!

    -Sarah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah,

      Yes, I was quite pleased to find such an interesting pattern (that was still accessible to a beginner!). And thank you. :-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

      Delete
  3. It's adorable, as are the booties!! I think hope is good :) And I'm praying for that rainbow baby of yours. I pray that God brings you one soon. But all in His good timing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Hannah! And timing is so key, isn't it? I have to keep reminding myself that I would far rather wait on God's timing that have what *I* want, RIGHT NOW -- I realize I don't really have a choice in the matter, but it does help me to refocus. It's easy to get fixated, and all that leads to is idolatry. So yes, timing is everything! :-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

      Delete

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thank you so much for stopping by!