Welcome!

***Stickying this post so new folks can read all about us. New posts start the next post down!***

This KAL will begin January 1, 2008 and run all year long! You can sign up any time!

The purpose of this KAL is to address and resolve our knitting fears, regardless of complexity. My hope is that we will have a fair mix of members who want to try different things and some seasoned vets willing to offer advice, guidance, and assistance. Please feel free to join us! Doesn't matter how long you've been knitting or what you'd like to conquer!

Since many people will have different goals, this could get a little hairy. To help keep things in order, please use the labels located on the bottom bar of each of your posts as a reference. Good ones to use include the technique you're discussing (fair isle) and/or the project you're working on. As we accumulate members, we'll post links to patterns that folks are working on. We will also probably create a Ravelry group just for fun. There will also be links to helpful websites with tips and ideas for each technique, so if you run across something particularly helpful let us know and we'll add it!

How to join: Email me at lotusknits@gmail.com and I'll add you to the KAL! Also please provide your blog link OR ravelry name if you have one so we can add you to the sidebar.

Assistance: If you'd like to offer help/guidance/tips in a particular area (or several), please let me know and I'll create a section for 'helpers'. If you'd like to help moderate, I'm sure I could use it!

Buttons/Banner: If anyone would like to create a button or banner, gimme a shout!


Thanks for visiting! Join us, won't you?

Fetching is done!

Thanks for all the support, you guys! As you can see, I had ladder issues. But I've heard that those get better the more that you practice and all. And since it was my first DPN experience I'm not going to let it weigh mt down! The cables came out really well and I had fun knitting those. It was my first time picking up stitches, too, so the thumbs came out pretty wonky. But all-in-all, I'm really happy with my Fetching!

Slowly Getting It Going...

I cast on for Fetching (rav link) last night since I finally decided to conquer my fear of knitting in the round on dpn's and knitting cables all in one shot. So far so good I think. ;)

First Colorful Step Toward Goals

Hi Fearless ladies! I finally have something to contribute to the KAL...not much knitting time and when I have it, I've been finishing off some gifts lately instead of working on new, exciting techniques. But I'm a bit closer to one of my goals for this KAL...becoming comfortable with sock knitting. So I finally finished the pair of socks I started last fall. You can see more details if you are interested at my blog.

The first was knit with the help of a class instructor...the second was knit on my own over the past few weeks. I like how they turned out but I do have a couple questions for any of you willing to answer...

I did have a bit of a ladder problem but it was just when I had to K1, SSK at the start of a needle. I pulled as tight as I could but still seemed to have this problem. Suggestions anyone of anything I can do except just pull even tighter??

Finally, I got 'the hole'. The dreaded hole. Only on one side of the heel but there is a hole and I wanted to know if anyone had suggestions for that. It's a slip-knit heel flap which I think is pretty standard. It seems I heard from somewhere that maybe if you slip that first stitch knitwise instead of purlwise...or you twist it some way...or you knit that first stitch of the first row of the heel instead of slipping it...I'll stop but I'd welcome suggestions.

As for now, I think that I'll be casting on another pair this weekend (once I decide on a pattern). I'm also close to being able to cast on one or two other things that will work toward my goals of this KAL...I'll update as I go cuz I'm sure I'll have questions and need some support!

Hello There!

I finally managed to join in here, so I thought I'd write up a post real quick to introduce myself. My name's Kris, I'm 22, and I've been knitting for about 2 years now. And I finally decided to start tackling some projects that I've been avoiding like the plague. I'm fanning through the web to find some good beginners patterns, but I'm planning to delve into socks, lace, and fair isle this year. These are all things that I never thought I'd be able to do, but I'm determined. There's just way too many pretty things out there that I'd be missing out on! Looking forward to working on these with you all!

Another one!

I have started another colorwork project. The actual knitting is going well, but I am having trouble getting them to fit me.


I do know a kid that likes purple and pirates, so at least they have a recipient.

How's Everyone Doing?

Hi! I hope your week is going well!

I wanted to check in and see how everyone's getting along on their projects. Please post your project pics if you're working on anything!

I started the Blue Light Special hat, but I've since stalled. I think I should have chosen a two color fair isle project rather than a four color. The tangling strands are driving me batty!

I've since started a two at a time toe-up sock pattern, which confronts another fear of mine (two at a time AND toe up...eek!). I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

What are you working on right now? Have you run into any problems you need help with? Let's see some fearless knitting!

Aran Sweater

Hi All! I just joined the KAL today. My brother asked me to knit him an Irish Aran Sweater with our family's clan design on it. I've never knit something so complicated, with so many cables, and I've never knit a man's sweater! He's ordering the kit and the yarn, but I don't think that will arrive until March or so, as it is coming from Ireland! Then, I'll start the knitting. Fingers crossed, I might be able to finish this in the next decade!

Wish me luck!

Inga is done!

I have finished my Inga Hat!
Pattern: Inga Hat
Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style Storm, Asparagus, and a little Vanilla
Needles: 3.25mm and 3.75mm for colorwork
Started: 1/18/2008
Finished: 1/26/2008




I am very happy with it. It fits me really well, but it is a little taller than I like. If I knit this again, which I may do, I would start a few rows into the colorwork. I carried the MC, Storm, in my right hand and the CC, Asparagus, in my left, and it worked beautifully for me. I may be switching from a thrower to a picker! The braid was neat if a little fiddly. I used this tutorial which is really good, but my yarns were so twisted by the end. I used magic loop for the colorwork, but I think a 16" needle and dpns would have worked a lot better for me. I am heading to the Knit Picks site after this to purchase some for my next hat.

Quant = Entrelac= Done!

I finished this the other day, it's my first entrelac! The pattern is Quant from Knitty and the only changes I made were that I used sock yarn and US size 2 needles instead of worsted weight. This KAL was just the encouragement I needed to finally try entrelac, thanks Melanie for starting it! For my next challenge, I'm thinking intarsia because I've never done that before, I've only done stranded knitting.

what i'm learning

As requested in the comments, here's a little blurb on what I'm learning about colorwork and what works for me while working on Venezia.

The biggest thing was figuring out how tightly/loosely to strand the nonworking yarn. My first few rows are not as neat.... Good thing its on the bottom hem!

I've tried knitting continental style but it's super awkward for me. I've found it easier for me to "throw" with both yarns in my right hand. I keep the background color (white) wrapped around my thumb when not in use and drop the pattern color (Kureyon) when not in use. By holding on to the white when not in use, it keeps the 2 colors from twisting when I switch colors. White stays on top and Kureyon stays stranded on the bottom. It sounds slow and probably is compared to the colorwork pros, but it works for me.

The knitted product doesn't stretch as much as plain knitting. If I could go back I probably would have gone up one size. The body's a slim fit right now and I'm hoping blocking will ease it up a hair.

diving in head first

Some time ago our KAL hostess asked on her blog about our "dream" projects and techniques that might be getting in the way of starting that project. I said my project would be one of Eunny Jang's fair isle sweaters and that I'd probably start with her Endpaper Mitts pattern. I threw that plan out the window and dove right into the Venezia Pullover from IK winter 06.

I was initially inspired by a ball of Kureyon Sock I purchased on an impulse. I'm not a sock knitter and a plain camisole didn't seem special enough. Something stranded was the way to go so I did a mini swatch using a free chart I found online. I don't know what I was afraid of because it was fun and not too hard. On Ravelry, I saw a Venezia using only 2 colors and I knew that's how I had to use the Kureyon sock. Additional details are on my Ravelry project page.

Finally started

I finally finished my Christmas knitting. I know, it's way after Christmas. Anyway, I started Inga in KP Merino Style in storm, asparagus and a little vanilla. I have finished the Latvian braid, interesting if a little fiddly, and am ready to start the charted portion. So far I am really enjoying the pattern.

Entrelac!

Yay, I started Quant today, my introduction to entrelac. So far, so good, I think I'm really starting to get it! I'm making a smaller version than the pattern calls for, I'm using sock yarn and US size 2 needles. The yarn is a lone ball of Panda Cotton in Sable.

Gauge Issues with Fair Isle

Hi all---just a short post that may be of interest to anyone attempting color work. I routinely read Claudia's blog and recently she had this post about gauge issues with fair isle knitting. Check it out if you haven't read it already!

I'm actually close to starting a color work item ('easy' one to get started) so hopefully I'll start posting soon!

New & Want to Knit Socks

Hi, everyone! I'm new here ... I'm Beth, a 37-yo SAHM who has been knitting for a while now. I can officially say I'm addicted to it and especially making dishcloths, but I haven't yet made hats or socks. I'm scared of knitting beyond two needles.

Any advice? It would be MUCHO appreciated!

New Link

Hi ya'll!

I added a new link on the sidebar called "MeanGirl's Color Dominance". Jen over at http://meangirl.blogspot.com has a cute little yarn thimble that I thought those of you working on fair isle might appreciate! She does a great job of explaining the process without being overwhelming, which is a plus too.

If you find great links to techniques that might help someone, feel free to post them!

HELP!!!

Is anyone else working on the Quant headband? I finished the one mentioned in my first post and field tested it in Russia. It certainly does the trick of comfortably keeping your ears warm. I put it on my list of recommendations for great present ideas for next Christmas.

Entrelac is easy to do and I don’t know why I haven’t tried this before. My first yarn choice was poor – it really should be done in a yarn that changes color frequently.

I started a second one on the plane home but got stuck on the end part of the directions. I have one to prove I did figure this out once but I can’t seem to get the correct number of stitches now. Hopefully someone can help me through finding where I’m probably not reading correctly.

I'm SCARED NOW !!!

Hi everyone,

I just jumped on the tam in the IK. I made it to the wheel. What scares me is .....start at the beginning(which is middle) and then do the right side.

I'm so confused :-s . What does it mean? I go left then back to the beginning and do the right side. Oh , I forgot to mention nothing I knit ever gets done! I don't think I know how to knit . And that's scary !!

Someone HELP me please !!!

Beginning Fair Isle

Hiya! Hope you all are having a good weekend!

Here is the first few rows of my Red Light Special, only I like to call it the Blue Light Special, cause I'm a dork like that.



I did a little reading beforehand on color dominance and tension and so far it's going well. The biggest issue I'm having so far is the yarns twisting and tangling around each other. Grr.

I'm using the contrast yarn in my left hand so that it's dominant and the grey background color in my right hand. I don't knit English, so learning that part has been...awkward. But it's working out so far, slowly but surely.

Let's see what you all have been working on!

Intro

Hey, everyone! I'm Jody (ravelry id jody26) and I blog here. I'm going to overcome my fear of socks this year. I've got Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks, and I'm ready to get started! Then I might tackle steeking ...

Howdy!

My name is Madge, my Ravelry id is knitdevil, and I blog here. I've been knitting seriously for four years and crocheting for eight. I'm still getting organized on what goals I want to accomplish with this KAL, but the short list includes these possibilities:

• Knit a top down sweater. I'm thinking Knitting Pure and Simple's pattern #241, the Neck Down Shaped Cardigan, is a good candidate for this goal.
• Learn Fair Isle.
  
• Become proficient knitting socks.
  
• Become proficient at reading charts for cabled patterns.

I've begun the year working on that last one. My knitting group is doing a mini-KAL right now, and we're knitting Shedir. I'm up to row 13, and so far so good. Not much to show at the moment, but as soon as I work a little further I'll post a picture here.

Thanks to Melanie for hosting this KAL, and happy fearless knitting to all!

Maybe Not

I'm not sure colorwork is going to be the right thing for me.

I don't feel so fearless anymore.

I knitted one pattern repeat of the Endpaper Mitts, just to practice and get a feel for things.

I'm feeling something alright, but it's not happy feelings.

More gory details at my blog.

I was especially frustrated by tangling yarns, tension issues, and reading the chart. I knit continental style, and I'm holding both colors in my left hand.

I'm thinking a larger project on bigger needles might be easier. A hat maybe.