Mastering the Art of Picot

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a million times; "I don't have the patience."  Well, I have always had the patience, but this particular technique really tried my patience.  The Picot Cuff is done the following way:  First of all, you do a provisional cast on so that you keep the bottom edge as "live" stitches.  This alone is enough to drive you around the bend.  

The second step to this cuff is to pick up these live stitches and knit them along with the other stitches in the other end.  The cast on that was suggested in the Cookie A Sock Innovation Book was easy to do, but I did a cast on from a crocheted chain stitch.  I prefer this method because it is easier to pick up the stitches on each end.  I had to redo this cuff several times for the first sock, but the second was easier.  I recommend using a crochet hook larger than the needle size you need and a heaver weight yarn.  This will make picking up the stitches on each end much easier.  

Knitting is a perpetual exercise in learning the art of patience and gradually having the feeling that you can accomplish almost anything.  It is one of the only activities where you can actually have a "do over."

The Wedding Gift

This "Cable Knit Throw," available for free on Ravelry was a perfect, quick project for a quick wedding gift.

It was made with Knit Picks Brava Bulky yarn with size 10 1/2 circular needles.  It had originally called for worsted weight yarn, but a wanted a more "solid" blanket that would hold it's shape better.  

It knitted up in the perfect color of a brown with just a tiny hint of greenish gray.  It reminded me of the beach right after it had rained.  The pattern, listed at an intermediate level was easy to follow.  Just remember the basics; read the pattern and count your stitches.

The use of stitch markers went right out the window since the starting and stopping point of the pattern repeat changed in every row.  The recipients of the throw was my assistant minister and his new bride.  It was very well received upon the debut and also by my two friends who received a "sneak peek." 

Creatively Dyed Bamboo Bliss

I purchased this bamboo/merino blend from the Creatively Dyed booth at the 2011 New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York.  

I really love the way the blues and unexpected greens popped up while I was spinning it up.  I navajo plied the yarn and came up with just under 200 yards, producing a super soft and light yarn.

I found this "Abstract Leaves Cowl" on ravelry.com for free.  It will look nice against my purple pea coat this winter.  The design of the pattern began with larger needles with the last two rounds of the pattern done in a smaller size needle for the graduated decrease effect.  This helps it hug the neck.  I will definitely be visiting the Creatively Dyed booth at Rhinebeck this October.  Here is the finished product.