the best laid (evil) plans

I had an evil plan.

I was going to knit one full pattern repeat on Celtic Dreams every day. That's about one ball and 100gms of yarn (that's for you, Steph), 24 rows x 224 sts, per day. And a lot of freaking cables.

I fell behind Tuesday, when I started Jody's Natalya gauntlets. That's fine, holiday gifts and all that. But then yesterday I fell behind again. I thought I'd be able to catch up, but was sidelined by lack of sleep - 3.5 hours of sleep does not allow enough brain function for cables.

By the way, to any of you who thought I meant I wasn't knitting on CD, you were misunderstanding me. I just said I wasn't knitting monogamously anymore, not that I'd stopped all together.

Still, Celtic Dreams is looking great. I keep having doubts, though. I mean, I cleared up the worries about yarn (I won't even use 6 balls for the body all together, maybe 5.5). But then I worried it was going to be too long. It looks long. Then I held it up to my body and its fine. With the 5th and 6th full pattern repeats it will be perfect. And no, in case you're curious, I haven't yet tried it on, at least not since joining the body in the round. Not sure why, but I'm going full steam ahead anyway so why mess with a good thing, right?

Okay - so I'm only 11 rows behind in my evil plan. If my hands hold up, I may actually be able to finish the body before the week is over. Those of you who know my tendency to jump into things without thinking ahead (this means reading the pattern) may be impressed to hear that I actually read ahead to the instructions for the decrease row and the "skirt" (hem) pattern. Let's just say I'm glad I've got the IK issue, because the photo of the sweater in there shows better detail of the hem/skirt area.

And for Jody, who was worried about suffering cable-withdrawal:

And for audience participation:

My mom was stopped over and mentioned that she's trying to help/teach an employee of hers to knit. It was kind of cute, actually. She's worried that the poor woman has no way to occupy her time, and knitting seemed to her to be the logical way to fill it. She asked me if I had any learn to knit booklets. The only one I had was given to me by my grandma and from about 1955 - not something I'm willing to part with. Everything else I've got are books. I showed my mom Knitting Without Tears and she thought maybe there was too much text. My mom gave her yarn and needles and some basic info, and just wanted to supplement. The new knitter doesn't have a computer, so online info is ruled out. My mom was looking for something with barebones basics. Any suggestions?

Comments

[jessie]

The thought of getting all those cables done on a deadline gives me a brain cramp. They are beautiful. I'm glad someone has the initiative and the talent to do it. Can't wait to see the FO! Now get back to work.

[Cynthia Hall]

Hmm, your question about a book for a new knitter intrigued me. When I tried to remember how I'd been taught to knit, I found that EZ's "Knitting Without Tears" was the only book around that showed anything about Continental knitting. (I was taught by friends from Finland and Austria, so that's what I needed to know!) I agree that it has too much verbage tho.

I checked out my shelf, I have a great book called "Knitting School" by Sterling Press and it has wonderful illustrations of all the techniques. It may be a bit overwhelming tho....I mean, does a rookie even need to know there is such a thing as a tubular cast on?

Then I remembered that a student had recently given me the "Knit Along with Debbie Macomber" books. They are the companion books to "The Shop on Blossom Street" and "A Good Yarn." The books are obviously not high liturature, but hey, they talk about knitting...and the best thing about the companion books is that they have a great section in the back called "General Instructions." It does not illustrate the basic knit and purl stitch, which would be handy for a true beginner, but it does a good job on things you'll actually need to know...k2tog, ssk, sewing seams....and some pretty great patterns as well, for all skill levels.

They are published by Leisure Arts and are available on Amazon.com or some craft stores.

Happy Cabling....

[Laurie]

Sally Melville's The Knit Stitch -- interesting patterns, great pictures, lots of details about trouble shooting, and a beautiful book. I have lent mine out and may never get it back ...

[margene]

Two or three projects at one time is the only way to go.

[rams]

Stitch 'n Bitch. Covers everything, including the best illustration of twisted and not-twisted stitches sitting on the needle. Sure, it's got a knit-bikini project, but apparently someone has to do that every five years. Otherwise, it's quite an amazingly useful first knitting book.

If we're doing cable-porn, how about another shot of those shoulder straps and/or the underarm panel. (I've got to stick to the Christmas socks, so it's Vicarious Cables for me for now.)

[Jody]

Yum. Cables.

Thank you for the cable porn shot. It's much appreciated. And I'm glad CD is getting more than it's fair share of needle time. You had me worried yesterday. :)

I'll second the Stitch n Bitch nomination. It helped me through my beginning knitting moments very well.

[GailV]

I think places like Walmart have little booklets on learning to knit. They're inexpensive, short and to the point.

Another place to look is the public library, particularly in the children's section. Publishers of kids' book tend to realize that some people like simple instructions with lots of illustrations.

Also, the instructional section of that easy knitting/family knitting magazine...put out by Vogue, but I forget the name...Family Circle Easy Knitting, maybe? Anyway, every issue has an instructional section that's short with lots of pictures. Plus, the recipient would have some easy (although possibly hideous) projects in the issue.

[Jena]

I know it's corny, but even those little "learn to knit" booklets you find at major-chain retailers/craft stores are decent. I bought Stitch N Bitch to learn to knit but realized I still remembered how (after almost 20 years... Mom taught me as a kid) as soon as I cast on. :)

[Rachel H]

Thank you for the cable porn fix. Happy now.

I actually found the Debbie Bliss How to Knit book very helpful, but I was supported by having a live class to go to. It may not be the best for someone trying totally on their own. Can't go wrong with Sally Melville though. I've also found The Knitter's Companion really useful as a reference. The illustrations are very clear.

[jody]

I too like Sally Melville's The Knit Stitch. It gives you lots of basics but goes well beyond that, and the illustrations are very crisp and clear. If she's an older woman with any kind of eyesight problems this could be a benefit. Only thing though, it does not cover purling. So to round her out she'd probably need both. Not sure if that's too much money to invest for a new hobby before she even knows it will stick.

[Norma]

Even more basic for the true beginner booklet, I say. I agree about the Leisure Arts booklets that are available in Jo-Ann's or that type of store.

[adelaide]

On that close-up of the cables -- I see a mistake 17 rows up from the bottom, 23 stitches in from the left side. You might want to check that out.

[Carole]

Awesome cables. I have faith that you can meet your deadline.

[juno]

Maggie Righetti - always a good place to start.

But if too much text is a problem I have a copy of Knitty Amy's Knit Wit I am not using - it has some good projects, an easy to read format and a good How To approach - want it?

[Manise]

CD looks lovely.

Though I hate the title, Knitting for Dummies has good illustrations and explanations and divides their chapters into manageable chunks of learning with little projects based on the information learned at the end of each chapter. I refer to it often.

[Beth S.]

I'm simply astonished by your progress. You're going to have a gorgeous new sweater in no time at all! :-)

[cari]

The Vogue Ultimate Knitting Book. Or just print out the Learn to Knit instructions from the VK site. That's what I used to teach myself to knit.

[Kris]

I learned from "I Can't Believe I'm Knitting!" by Leisure Arts, which is available at Michael's or JoAnns, and is about $5 with the coupon.

[Tish]

I printed out instructions from about.com (or some similar .com knitting site) to give to my daughter's GS troop when I taught them to knit. The public library is also an excellent source, especially if you don't want to invest a lot of money in a hobby that you may not stick with (tho what's not to love about knitting!!). I check out tons of knitting books at my library, and usually end up buying the books I really love or will use a lot, so it's a good way to "test drive" new books before spending a lot on them. I'm a book-a-holic so having an excellent local library linked to a huge inter-library lending system really helps. I also recommend Sally Melville and the Stitch and Bitch books and the easy knitting mags. Teen Knitting Club is another good resource.

[kendall]

I've taught quite a few people to knit, and I always recommend getting "How To" book to supplement my instruction. Stich N Bitch is good. It has some popular patterns for younger knitters (or olders knitters who still keep up with recent trends) I learned to knit with a kit from Wal Mart years ago. It had a booklet, two pairs of needles, stitch markers, etc. Any of the learn to knit books at the craft stores are good for basic stitches. Some of them are also updating their patterns so they don't look like 1980's leftovers.

[Lee Ann]

I like Vogue. Good pictures, good instructions, and you can either stay in the simple bits or you can get adventurous. And more importantly, you can learn to purl. ;-)

[Kim]

Wow.....CD is coming right along!! Lovely!

I have those little learn to knit booklets from the 70's, when I picked up knitting again and found them very helpful.

[Amy]

The best how to knit book that I've found (and I have quite a few) is Maran's Illustrated Guide to Knitting and Crocheting. Great pictures, step by step instuctions...or Knitting for Dummies (which is my second fav). Good luck!

[Cordelia]

Wow. Those really are some cables.
And 11 rows after 2 days is not too far to be behind. I think you'll catch up in no time.
Well, once you get some sleep.

[Cordelia]

P.S. Yes, I know that's almost half a repeat; but I thought you were two *whole* repeats behind.