Skip to main content

cableing (of the knitting type)




Anyone who has done a search for putting in cables I'm afraid this wont help you, unless you wish to par take in putting cables in your knitting! For I have set myself a challenge this January (i may set myself a new each month we shall see). This months challenge is to move on from the knit and pearl of stocking stitch to progress on to a cable jumper, not only a hand knitted cable one but a hand spun and plied aran weight one, as yet still trying to get to a double knit weight - more practise needed there.

So I've been spinning like a mad woman, Ashford corridale fleece, a one off colour called heather which has shades of  maroon and purple with a bit of dark green thrown in. As soon as it comes off the niddy noddy (used for putting wool in hanks) it has had its ply set by leaving in to soak for a while, a quick spin in the machine and hung to dry and put on the ball winder its then ready to be knitted.

Now with plain knitting its possible to do other things at the same time - watch tellie, stroke a dog, have a cat sat on you lap, hold a conversation (unless counting is needed, then lots of repeated counting happens as one can quickly forget what number they are up to when answering a question at the same time) however patterned knitting is totally different. A few things i have learnt so far are:

  • You cannot do anything complicated without concentrating therefore before you have got to grips with the pattern no talking.
  • You can not watch films or tellie with sub titles.
  • You need a row counter, pen and paper to aid what row you are on.
  • blue tack doesn't really stick that well when you keep moving it up and down your patten chart, however it does stick pages together when you shut the book.
  • If you loose your cable needle you've had it and have to do that search down the side of the settee where wild things live - no money though!
  • There will be mistakes to start, hopefully as I didn't see them while knitting nobody else will see them on finished jumper (it will be on my back so if anyone points I will not seem them anyway as they will be pointing at my back)
  • I fear the American sizing may be wrong, I am knitting the smallest size 40" which I thought would come up nice and big enabling me to wear a few layers under it, only hope jumper does not find its way near a hot wash.
I am determined to finish and wear this one so will persevere till the bitter end and may have to diet in the journey if I am to wear it comfortably.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rabbit proof fence

In the hope of not loosing anymore greenery in the veggie patch today was spent today taking down an old fence which was put up around eight years ago. As it had a few holes in it this could be where  the rabbits are getting through. On the other side of the fence a chicken run was constructed were table chickens grew to a really good weight until we got a batch that had been, what we think were contagious with Mareks disease. Subsequently we stopped using it for chickens putting a litter of pigs in the area to get them use to electric fencing (which they did). It has been left empty for around 18months now with Gorgon and the girls have made break trough's through it last year gaining access into the veggie patch but now there's a lot of weeds. On the other side of the veggie patch is another old holey fence which has now got the recycled one that was taken down put in front of it, new posts and a trench dug to lower the wire in, earthed up and stones put on top

Happy cattle

For five months the cattle have been eating hay twice a day but today was their time to go back to pasture, they were more than ready. With two loads in the trailer going to La Contie the rest, the naughty but nice ones stayed at La Singlarie. Calves are on green grass for the first time following the herds around. Now for Spring time jobs to get started - so much free time for farmer J. Fencing, tidying around the farm, getting machines ready for hay cutting, getting the gites gardens ready for Summer and a new bathroom to fit, his feet won't be touching the ground.

Parisot lake

As it is a holiday today here in France (Bastille Day) we took the afternoon off an popped over to Parisot lake for a walk with Sorrel. It has all changed, since the lake was emptied and cleaned up this year you can now swim in it, as well as inflatable toys to play on, a life guard, bikes to hire, a new fenced in play area for small people and a total spruce up. But there is a price we were charged! 3 euros an adult, which I guess is OK if you are using the facilities but Sorrel didn't fancy a dip. The cafe is still open but that would of been too much for Sorrel to cope with being so close to people and music so we opted for a bench to sit on in the shade before walking around the lake. Sorrel opted for being Billy no mates and laying by herself, if be it for a short period of time before bikes and people went by. We are now waiting for the free firework celebrations over the chateau tonight - if we can stay up that late.😃