Muggles 2011

I was at the library today and took out 1000 Knit motifs, a sweater knitting book, and two sock books. The librarian told me I could not take out four books on a topic at once. So I put back the sweater knitting book, feeling that if she were not a knitter, there was no point in telling her there were three different kinds of books there!

Knitting the second ribbed sock from a formula by the Yarn Harlot in Knitting Rocks! It is very pretty, in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in a foresty brown and green and russet kind of colorway. I have 2x2 ribs all the way down the instep. Only the toe came out rather trapezoid and awkward, although it feels just fine on. Need to learn to make a more rounded toe.

Mobius, Moebius

I have known how to make a Mobius scarf in one long strip without making a half twist and grafting the ends, for perhaps 2 or 3 years. This is how Elizabeth Zimmermann would have created a lovely scarf, or shoulder wrapping shawl. I read Cat Bordhi's book , bravely cast on with two Denise needles clicked together, and used up that baby-rainbow colored Red Heart regular yarn. It got left behind at least once, at MIL's house, and then got it back. Two summers ago, not last summer. Summer 2009. Eventually got it back, bound it off the usual way (loop over loop like a potholder), and humbly presented it to MIL. Not my favorite color or texture.

In any case, this skill of MCO (Moebius cast-on) sat in the back of my head for some time, eventually filing itself away in a place inaccessible to me. So this past summer, I took out the Book of Magical Knitting again and used its very clear illustrations to cast on again. I had the idea of making a beautiful HAT, so cast on 96 sts of soft worsted (probably Berroco) to make the Moebius brim. Okay. So you are supposed to cast off half the stitches, forming the bottom edge of the hat and pick up for the brim. Di d I tell you this was a lovely autumnal combination distinctive in having cranberry, gray, camel tones? Not a hint of orange or green. Did I tell you it has a lovely soft hand and knit smoothly, effortlessly making a clean material? Did I tell you that it was much too big for a hat? At least it wasn't a hula hoop. So I cast off the remaining 96 sts leaving....not big enough to call a scarf....we shall call it a HUG.

Very pretty, and it went promptly to friend Beth, who suddenly lost her husband and needs hugs of all kinds. It was admired for its colors and its Moebius-ness, and I resolved to make more. I used a size 10 needle, 36 inches long Clover bamboo, and having once MCO 96 sts, proceeded to knit 3 rows
purl 3 rows
knit 3 rows

It looks prettier and fuller and is more functional if you do another
purl 3 rows
knit 3 rows.

Bought another skein of different colors -magenta, tan, gold, white, which did not make such a pretty scarf. Muted tones were better.

Whilst stash-diving, found a treasure: a skein of Blue Sky Alpacas bulky alpaca, dyed in tan and gray and black. It's a roving as thick as a pencil and as soft as cashmere. I used size 15 needles, cast on 5 stitches and knit almost to the end, whence I did make a half twist and grafted. Ala EZ. One of the great advantages and disadvantages of this scarf is that it is a continuous loop. So it is difficult to lose (doesn't slither off neck or need tending), but is not appropriate for children (choking/strangulation hazard). Pediatrician would not consider it safe for kids. Kids are not supposed to have anything hanging around their necks that can't break free under strain. All neck cords are built with breakaway safeties. While L was here at Christmas time, I gave her one although she is only 10. I think she knows what to do.