February 09, 2003
Bit by Bit
Yesterday I worked hard on my graph. I got about 1/4 of it done, but enough to get me started. What a relief! No longer am I frustrated about colors, where the line of color ends as opposed to the sleeve shaping line, how much yarn to cut.... here is what I get to look at now:
The whole thing requires a large and a small metal board. I use the Lo-Ran boards, and it was hard to find them-- I went to three different stores who each used to carry them by the dozens, and could only find the small size. Luckily I already had the large size! I put them on a music stand, and then used a roll of magnetic tape (thanks for the tip, 3c!) to mark the line I am on. One thing-- the magnetic tape is, well, tape, so I had to put something on the sticky side to keep it from attracting lint, animal hair, and my husband (just kidding!). So I found some black twill tape from my sewing basket, just the right width, and stuck it to the top of the tape. Here's my setup:
I knit in the basement, which we remodeled last summer. Now it has a very cool fireplace, carpet, and big tv. It still requires a lot of work for baseboards, window covering and such, but it's pretty cozy. Here's my knitting corner:
Having everything all set up, I proceeded merrily on my way, knitting a few more rows. Unfortunately the late afternoon light isn't the best for photographing, so the colors aren't showing up true in these photos, but you will see progress! I got to use my first bit of kid silk (Old Gold) a couple of rows ago, and my favorite combination is "Ya" (my chart reads YaYaYaYa, and I used to have a cat named YaYa). Ya is a gorgeous purple fuchsia and lighter fuchsia combined.
I tried to show you the kidsilk in this photo, but maybe with a better lighted day would be more successful:
If anyone else is planning to knit this beautiful thing I will be happy to share my Excel charts! Also, I've been thinking that there is really no reason why you couldn't find good substitute yarns for this. The range of Jamieson's DK is huge, and I think would do rather well-- mix in some nice autumnly hand-painted silks, maybe Lorna's Laces or something, and it might look truly delicious.
I'm learning so much already. Junieanne, thank you for making this happen for me!!
So glad to follow along on the Long Leaf journey with you ...I’ll be checking daily. I’ve two intarsia projects tucked away but now I’m feeling more ambitious after seeing that you’re off to such a great start. What an awesome chart! Never would have thought to try that. I usually draw mine in Autocad (for stranded stuff), print, and color-pencil it in. I love your result out of Excel. With all the code letters it looks like the periodic chart of the elements...surely some of these rare Rowan yarns deserve a place right up there with plutonium and platinum. Hmmm...donegallambswooltweedium...
Keep knitting!
Kim
NH
Hi Kim! You know, maybe that's why I like the "Ya" so much... it's the periodic element "Yarnium"! I'm counting on you to come up with that automatic column advancer thingamajob one day :-)
Posted by: sheila on February 10, 2003 08:59 AM