D'NALI

I’m just going to waltz in here like you saw me yesterday (not since September) so I can tell you about one of my latest projects. 😛

One of my goals for the year is to try different knit/crochet techniques on smaller projects before I tackle them in larger ones.  I’ll tell you more about that goal in an upcoming post but for the month of February, technique chosen was “twisted stitches” (not to be confused with twisted knit stitches that are the result of an error).  This technique is used to create a cable like texture (aka faux cables) and can be used in a variety of ways: replacing ribbing on hats, fabric design on clothing, blankets  and socks).   I used it to replace the ribbing on a hat that was part of the Winter Ravellenic Games and my review of the pattern and the technique are as follows:

• Pattern: Twist & Slouch (free)
• Designer: Kali Berg
• Pattern Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars.  The twisted stitch pattern itself was really easy and I memorized it after the first repeat.  It was lovely to see the yarn working up into those beautiful faux cable stacks but the clear error in the decrease portion of the pattern was a no-no for me.  Before someone comes and attacks me with a pitch fork (cause after all, the pattern is free) I still stand by my review.  I probably wouldn’t have been so anal if the stitch count was high but when I make things I always think about newbie knitters especially those who might not be a part of a real life knit group and are self taught.  The error is enough to throw a newbie off and might leave them wondering how to conclude the finishing.  Let me get into that …

The pattern has a cast on amount of 78 stitches with no increases throughout (meaning the pattern stays at 78 stitches for the entire project). At the point of the first set of decreases it asks the knitter to k2tog (knit 2 stitches together) until the end.  The result would be 39 stitches.  The next round is a straight knit round but the round that follows that (the second decrease round) asks the knitter to decrease again using the k2tog option.  Mathematically, this doesn’t work.  The knitter would end up with 19 resulting stitches from the k2tog and 1 extra stitch.  I’ve been knitting long enough to go ahead and fudge this but a newbie might not know what to do with that last stitch.  I went ahead and just knitted it by itself so it didn’t remain not worked, then I finished the hat as per the pattern’s instructions.

It worked out alright but I thought maybe the designer could have updated the pattern to a round 76 or 80 stitch count rather than leaving it the way it is.  If she knitted her own sample there is no way she would not have seen this error.

I typically read the notes other knitters make on Ravelry before I do any project and one remark which kept popping up is that knitters found the brim a little tight.  I solved that problem by knitting the entire hat with a size 9 needle rather than 8 for the brim then 9 for the body.  I got the perfect fit from that.

• Knit Again Meter: Absolutely!  Next go around I’m going to make the body shorter so the hat fits like a beanie instead of a slouchy.

• Technique Review: From what I’d read, the resulting fabric from the twisted stitches is supposed to be very stretchy.  Initially it didn’t feel that way but by the time the brim was done, it really was.  I’m glad I didn’t follow my mind and add more stitches to the cast on.
• Yarn Review: The yarn used in this project was a skein of Papaya in Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label Aran Weight.   The content is 100% merino so this hat will be relatively warm.  The only descriptor of the yarn I don’t agree with is that it’s aran weight.  This is more like a regular worsted weight and my trusty spinning w.p.i (wraps per inch) tools told me that I was right.  But it was lovely to work with and the colorway reminded me so much of Spring.
• Additional Technique Resource: Knitting The Twisted Stitch (Interweave site)

It feels weird to be back here … but in a good way.  Familiar yet unfamiliar.  I know and love this space but I feel as if I’m trying to find my writing voice again.  Know what I mean?   I guess that’s what happens when you stay away too long.  I hope you’re all doing well, let me know in the comments how you’ve been and what you’re working on.  ❤

N