I turned my first attempt at the first block into my swatch, increasing needle size for each set of chevrons. I started with 2.75 mm, and the other needle sizes are: 3.0 mm, 3.25 mm, and 3.5 mm. After completing the chart and binding off, I cut my steak (no reinforcement) and blocked my swatch. I do love the feel of this yarn, and my cut edges are very stable. I still haven’t reinforced them. After playing with the swatch and fondling it I have decided to go with the 3.5 mm needle. I have also decided to work the blocks flat as I think the steek is just going to add too much bulk to the seams, but I am adding an extra stitch at the beginning and the end of the row as a selvedge stitch, to keep the edges neat and tidy, and so I don’t lose any of the pattern when I seam the blocks together. I also decided to use straight needles instead of circulars. I think the fact that I have a consistent needle size (instead of the cable) to hold the stitches will help keep my floats and stitch tension uniform.
Knitting back and forth means that I can’t do two handed yarn control. I can knit just fine continental style, but purling is still very awkward for me. Fortunately, before I learned the two handed Fair Isle I worked out a technique that holds both yarns in my right hand and allows me to throw the color that I need, and do so in a uniform fashion, and I can purl without any trouble or discomfort. My box of yarn came last week, although I will have to buy more of these two colors for the July blocks, given my swatch, as that yarn is not reclaimable.
January Block Colors: A Night Without Stars, November Sky
Pattern: Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024
Yarn: Fleece and Harmony Selkirk Worsted
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