wifeKnits

Twisting

I’ve been reading that if you have yarn on a skein, it’s better to roll it into a ball to keep it from tangling. Well, I was doing okay with my first bunch of yarn. On a skein and it was fine. The yarn I’m using now is “Lion Brand”:http://www.lionbrand.com Homespun and as I knit it kept getting so twisted it would start to kink. Well, I tried to roll it into a ball, but I guess I didn’t so so well, since I’d already started knitting with the other end and it still kinks up so much that every few rows I’m having to straighten it out. So far I haven’t had that problem with my other yarn. Can anyone help? What can I do to fix this mess?

I keep saying I’ll get pictures and I will. Hopefully tonight. Since it’s Friday, I can stay up late and I’ll get the photos posted of my progress on the homespun scarf. I’m also planning to start a practice swatch so I can practice stockinette and ribbing this weekend. Hopefully that will go well and I can start on the hat and scarf in that book which is completely ribbed. With these two projects, I’ll get plenty of practice in. I’ve already feel I’m getting better and not quite so clumsy. :)

I just couldn’t help myself. While at lunch, I picked up “The Purl Stitch”:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1893762149/raynesbooks, book 2 of the Knitting Experience. I know. I need to do some of the projects in _The Knit Stitch_ first, and I will. I have plans to do the leg warmers and the Einstien coat, but I love the patterns in this book so much. It has twice as many good projects as the first book. Can you tell I’m excited about this knitting stuff?

Earlier while on break, I started my practice swatch. I’m using “Red Heart”:http://www.coatsandclark.com/find_a_product/knitting_crochet/E300/html/e300.htm yarn to start out with (since it’s cheap) on size US8 needles. I’m having trouble with my first row. It always looks so sloppy and uneven compared to the rest of the swatch. Once I get the first row done, I can get going and my stitches pretty much come out even, but I just can’t seem to work the first row as easily. I’m pretty sure that I’m casting on too tight, which I’ve heard is a beginner hump. I’m working on it, but ripping and starting over to get that first row right won’t ever get me anywhere. LOL! Oh well, I’ll get it eventually. I’m just ready to move on to bigger and better things, of course, but I’ve only been knitting for a few days. I know I have to give it some time.

Posted in Knitting