I'm joining GInny's Yarn Along this week.
During our recent jaunt up to Williamstown, MA, I mentioned that we stopped into Water Street Books where I bought myself a terrific stitch encyclopedia.
For a while now, I've been looking for a resource just like this one where the stitch patterns are both written out as well as charted and each is accompanied by a clear photographed swatch. Now that I'm attempting to design, a stitch encyclopedia is a must, and I'm having a lot of fun teaching myself these various stitches.
Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed recently wrote a guest post about how he uses the summer months to swatch in anticipation of new designs for the colder weather. I loved that concept and even non-designers (aka just us plain old knitters) can take a cue from his practice. Now that it's June, I'm going to set myself a similar task and keep a set of needles aside just for swatching. At the very least, I'll have a pile of eye candy that will keep me inspired and learning.
On the knitting front, I'm still working on my Amari Shawl KAL (pictured above) and my Oaklet Shawlette KAL, both of which get equal attention which also means that both are going kind of slowly!
Gosh, this is the fourth mention of the Oaklet that I've seen on YA already today! I am certainly missing out on a trend here! Great idea for the swatching - I'm dreadfully lazy about swatching, especially when I have the urge to start getting on with something new (naughty!)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea of using the summer months to swatch. I've been leafing through an old copy of barbara Walkers Second Treasury of knitting Patterns and trying some out. So much fun getting to know a new stitch. Happy belated anniversary too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to expand your knitting and I am looking forward to when I can purchase your book of designs!
ReplyDeleteOh, a RAL sounds perfect for us doesn't it?
Have a great yarn along day.
That looks like an excellent resource! Does this mean that more designs will be taking over your imagination?
ReplyDeleteI've seen that book before (or a version of it) and regret that I didn't buy it. I may have to go to the book store soon!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are practicing new stitch techniques! I've always wanted to knit up swatches to practice new techniques and then make it in to a blanket, hopefully one day I will. I can't wait to see what you design, I recently bought a knitting magazine from the sixties and I got a lot of good ideas that way as well. Can you believe they actually knitted entire outfits (skirt, shirt, jacket or entire dress)?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I find that I think about which stitches to use while I'm knitting the current project, but I never allow myself to start swatching until I'm done. I'm always on the look out for good stitch dictionaries though!
ReplyDeleteFaye
I have to find that book!! Your shawl looks great!
ReplyDeleteStitch dictionaries are great. I have several, and always on the lookout for more! You'll find it a wonderful sources of inspiration, and before you know it, you'll have too many ideas for designs!
ReplyDeleteCool book! Happy swatching :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen that book before, will have to look for it. I agree with Ashley's idea of making all the swatches into an afghan. Happy swatching!
ReplyDeleteStitchionaries are the best investment. Good for you on purchasing that lovely-lookin' book.
ReplyDeleteI love stitch dictionaries as well, sounds like this might be one to add to my collection!
ReplyDeleteThat stitch dictionary looks like a good one. Testing out patterns by knitting swatches is a smart idea. Sometimes a pattern looks totally different knitted up from what it looks like on the page. Have fun experimenting!
ReplyDeleteI ♥ stitch dictionaries! & thank you for sharing Jared Flood's helpful little tidbit- I'm off to read his guest post now. ^_^
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent looking book. Swatching is something I do only when I HAVE to! ;) I am getting better about it, but it will never be my favorite thing to do. I so look forward to seeing some of your designs--my guess is they will be fantastic.
ReplyDelete*smiles*
That is a really great one. There's something magical to me about stitch dictionaries - I just love flipping through them for inspiration (sort of like good cookbooks!).
ReplyDeletelove the idea of practicing new techniques and stitches with swatchs, enjoy your new book!
ReplyDeleteI was looking for a stitch dictionary recently too. I got one called 400 Knitting Stitches, but I had a look at the one you got too, and it looked great. I based my choice on the one with the most stitches, lol. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of having needles and your book at arm's reach for a spare moment here and there.
ReplyDeleteWith a treasure of jewel swatches as the result.
hugs