Learning a new cast on

Jan is back from her winter break. She spent some time in the Caribbean, some time in the Southwest, and finished up visiting her grands in California. She said all her knitting while away was a disaster so she didn't get much done. That's the trouble when your yarn doesn't want to be what you picked out and you're not near your stash to pick out something different. But she had a lovely time in spite of uncooperative yarn and some rainy days. It's good to have her back in the flock! 

Barbara B made sourdough "Blondies" for our treat today. I'm running out of adjectives to describe how tasty her treats are. These rank way up on the scale of tastiness!

She brought some FOs that she's been working on since last week. This is the Equinox hat she knitted for herself that was a WIP last Tuesday. The colors are stunning! She better be careful it doesn't suddenly go "missing" one day. 😁

This is the prototype of the Minecraft hat she made for donation. Then she made...

two more for her grandsons.

She picked higher contrasting colors and was pleased with the final results. If you ever question if the yarn colors will be a good pairing for a pattern, take a black and white photo of them side by side and if they both look gray then you know it won't be enough of a contrast in the knitted garment. Look for a definite dark and light contrast.

Today we learned a new to us cast on technique for a tubular cast on. A short reel popped up on my Facebook page and I just had to try it! It took me a week to figure it out but now I will probably use it for all my hat cast ons. If you want to watch the long version of Carrie Craftgeek's technique, be forewarned, she talks a lot before she actually gets to the demonstration.

Tina picked it up pretty quickly so she was helping Margaret get the hang of it. It does take repetition to learn it. Ask me how I know! I gave up counting after 20 something tries! And I still get confused just orienting the yarn over my fingers on the first try.

Margaret wants to use the tubular cast on for this pattern, the Dupont Street Hat. It's a freebie on Ravelry. She wanted to try her hand at mosaic knitting and this pattern has those slipped stitches which make a design without all the floats and bobbins of Fair Isle knitting.

It took her a few tries and she will have to practice at home when her attention isn't drawn into conversations around her.

 

I used the tubular cast on in 1x1 ribbing for the Celtic Feather Cap. I'm also cabling without a cable needle which I'm finding to be easy over 3 stitches. I am working on a project for my other knitting group which called for a 2x2 ribbing and figured out I could use the same tubular cast on method by picking up 2 knit stitches and 2 purl stitches in the set up row.

Nancy is working on her third Melt the Ice Hat and says she will take a break after this one. She followed my modifications to the original pattern to get a pointy top.

Barbara B used the 2x2 tubular cast on for the Alter Eco Welt Beanie.

It's coming along beautifully! Her stitch definition is perfect to highlight the basket weave motif.

Tina is working on the Throwback Pixie Hood. This pattern was discontinued on Ravelry but there are a couple of other versions that are very similar.

Jan picked up her Be Simple Variations Shawl again. It's a perfect canvas for this lovely yarn.

This wraps up another week with the Chicks. We will all be practicing our new tubular cast on so by next time we'll be able to knit them in our sleep! LOL! 

Have a great week and keep those needles clicking!