So, when last we talked, I was having problems with my knitting.
Specifically,
knitting in the round with double-pointed needles.
More specifically, beginning
the crazy project in the first place.
I have knitted long enough to know that the beginning of a knitting project can be the
hardest part about the whole thing. All
the stitches are very tight and there’s not enough to hold onto. But once you knit several rows, things have
loosened up and you also have, literally, a better grasp on things. There’s more there and more to hold onto, and
it’s easier.
It’s just the getting
there.
The first few
rows of knitting, however, are easy compared to weaving beads. I’ve done both, and the first 2 or 3 rows of
weaving beads are beyond fiddly. Beyond.
So, I thought,
surely there must be easier way--I just don’t know what it is. So I hopped on FaceBook and asked my friends
who knit for help. I even asked the Fb group for
lace knitters.
I got lots of
replies, most of which required me to learn a completely new cast-on. But there were a few that said, work on
a pillow on your lap and use pins to keep things contained.
Ooh, no learning
curve! I could get behind that!
First I tried a
regular bed pillow, but it was too big for my lap. Plus I would need to be able to rotate the pillow as I
worked. So I found an accent pillow in
the house that was just right. Yay!
Then the pins
didn’t work so hot. Somehow, though, I thought
to just tape everything down. I even labeled my needle positions. (!)
With everything taped down so nothing would shift, I loved the control
that it gave me when I needed it the most.
I used wide, clear packaging tape and taped everything
down except the current needle. I folded
one edge of the tape onto itself to make a tab, which allowed very easy
re-positioning. And since it was on
fabric, it lifted easily each time I needed to shift things to the next needle.
You do have to maneuver the current needle so it's on
top of the others, but that's really no big deal. And I only needed the pillow and tape for 5
rounds anyway. <whew!>
It was a bit awkward, but nothing like before, and like I
said, I only needed it for the first few rounds. I am now happily knitting in the air with my
little 3-D needle structure dangling away.
I couldn’t have done it without my friends.
Thank you, thank you.
Someday I may just finish this crazy thing! LOL
XOXO,
Lucky Dog
♥
