As I'm out on the road, the production line has been halted, somewhat! A couple of days before hitting the road, though, I got to blocking two items which are being gifted. First, the top made for Mac1...
...and then the scarf, which was the very first knitting project in this newly rediscovered skill. It will be gifted to Aitch.
I think you can see, even from these snapshots, how the blocking process adds polish to the finished objects, evening out the stitches, improving drape, and softening the fabric. I confess that it is something I rarely do for my own items... but I think I have to change that and start treating myself to this finishing process... quite a lot of my shawls are due for a wash anyway, so blocking is just one stage more. Only the wool ones. Acrylic I don't feel needs it quite so much.
In case you think I'm going cold turkey on the stitching whilst on the road, think again... Current WIP...
That's a truly awful shot taken with the laptop's onboard camera, so apologies for the quality, but it was literally a case of take while posting. Yes, that ubiquitous turquoise mercerised cotton! Having yet another go at it. this time with knitting pins and using a simple lace pattern, one step more advanced than the one used for that first scarf you see above. I have to pay attention, because there have been plenty of 'oops' sections involving having to work one's way back through all the yarn overs and slipped stitches... but this time it's working straight and will be worth persevering with. It's a four-row pattern repeat, and I am finding that the most I can face in any session is between two and three repeats... else I start having to frog. It's not the pattern's fault. It is in part the nature of the yarn, which, as we've been learning, is a tricky customer, but also the creator, whose concentration and eyesight are being challenged! It could be a while before you see this one as FO.
Oh, and to finish off, Mac3 sent this shot of him wearing his birthday gift - I think it is a hit!
He looks so happy wearing it.
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