OK, I needed a break from the butterfly wings so I whipped these up.
The pink washcloth is a smaller variation of a dishcloth pattern from Knitting Made Easy, a booklet put out by Best Recipes. For the purple I started another dishcloth pattern from that booklet but several rows in realized it wasn’t going to work out because I was making it smaller. Since I didn’t want to frog it and cast on again and inspired by Knits by Rachel (who has some cute designs both free and for sale) I chose a heart and just experimented and until it looked the way I wanted it to.
I’ve noticed that they tend to shrink lengthwise if not left to dry flat which obviously isn’t convenient so I think in future I will knit them “taller” so they shrink to squares. 
I decided to knock out this kerchief after all when I became entirely uninspired last Thursday and needed to refresh myself with the simple pleasure of garter stitch.
I tried a couple of new things on this one. I sized up a needle for the bind off which did help to loosen it up like I’ve heard. Fancy that. Then, instead of binding off completely and then making both ties separately, with one loop still on the needle (and switching back to my original size 9) I created the first tie with a knit cast on, binding it back off and weaving in the yarn end to secure it. I attached the second one similarly except of course I had to created the first loop myself. I wove in the first yarn tail as I cast on which anchored the tie in the process and then really secured it with the last yarn tail once it was bound off again. It worked out quite well and I will probably do it this way in future.
With projects mounting I think I’m going to get something else knocked out before I knit up the blue. Just today I decided to crochet the Granny Square Skirt out of Leisure Arts Fashion Show Favorites using this cotton so not only will I have to buy more, I will need three more colors which may end up meaning three more kerchiefs as well. Since I’m buying it anyway, I mean, why not? I’m also intending on using it for learning the domino technique from Vivian Høxbro’s Domino Knitting by knitting up a bunch of potholders.
Hmm … I guess I like this stuff. (It’s even in my blog header if anyone hasn’t noticed).
Oh, this was my first project using circulars and I only discovered one problem. Since I’m use to working with my 8 inch bamboo needles, I got into the habit of propping the butt of the right needle against my stomach while I adjust the stitches (I suppose with a longer needle people usually stick it under their arm to do this) but obviously this just doesn’t work with a circular so I had to find a new way to accomplish this. One of the good things I found is that for some unknown reason my knitting looks better. Maybe it was related to my new efforts to loosen my death grip which resulted in my stitches moving quite freely and not requiring me to wrestle with them like usual. Several things I liked about using the circulars was firstly, being able to see my work better rather than it all being scrunched up on the needle after a certain point, being able to slide it onto the cord while I wasn’t working with it and not needing to be at all concerned about stitches sliding off and, I don’t know, they’re just kind of fun to fling around and stuff.
I have two more kerchiefs in the works and then I’m done for a bit. At least until I find another color I have to have. They’re just so quick and easy, I can’t help myself.
Oh, I tried something new with this one. When making the cords I weaved the yarn end in as I was binding off so I didn’t have to thread it through a yarn needle and weave in it when I was done. I had never thought of doing that until I saw a lady on YouTube over the weekend demonstrating how she weaves in yarn ends as she crochets. I’ll post that another time. Why didn’t I know about this sooner?!
Orange is one of my favorite colors right now so it had to be the next kerchief I made. For some reason it came out shorter on the long end than the pink one and yet equal from front to back. It’s not a concern, just a puzzling mystery. The purple kerchief I’ve all but finished is the same. Whatever changed, at least I’m consistent now.
Finished April 29th but only took the photo this morning. You know you have issues when you’re feeling too non photogenic to even take a photo of the top of your head.
Water Bottle Holder
Based on a free pattern from Luv 2 Crochet Designs, this made the perfect quick project to whip up in the wake of those afghans. It was made with the suggested Sugar ‘n Cream Cotton yarn in Hot Pink. This one was given to my step-sister-in-law to either use or re-gift and it’s actually quite handy so I think I’ll make another one in a different color for myself.
During this project I learned the double crochet decrease.
Finished Saturday, 04.26.08.
Kerchief
Made with: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream 100% cotton, worsted weight, “Hot Pink” and size 9 needles.
This pattern can be found in SnB: The Knitter’s Handbook by Debbie Stoller.
I like this pattern. It’s simple, mindless knitting, perfect for those times I just want to knit for the sake of knitting and enjoy the click and rhythm of the needles. I use to knit simple scarfs for that reason but I actually wear these from time to time as opposed to scarfs which I never wear.
