Thursday, August 04, 2005

I’d love to dazzle the crap out of you but…

...I confess to having a seriously empty head this morning.  Not that I didn’t knit yesterday - I did, but on things I’ve already bored you with any number of times already :).  I got about a third of the way through the back piece to the prosthetic and I began the second half of the Fern and Shell scarf.

Yeah, second half.  As I was sitting with the first half in my hands, mind wandering as usual, I suddenly realized that the staggered fern pattern has a directional tendency; it travels up from the cast on edge.  As I followed this in my mind’s eye I suddenly realized that once the scarf had gone around the neck and started down the other side, the design would be upside down.

Well, poop…

So I decided to end the first half where it was (actually, it may need a couple more rows, but that’s no biggie) and start a matching second half to which it will be joined at the center back.  Rather than using a stitch holder, I did what is kind of the cast-off equivalent to the crochet chain provisional cast-on.  Using a smooth cotton (something that wouldn’t get tangled in the mohair), I crocheted a few chains and then crocheted each new chain through the loop of a stitch until I had all 46 stitches off the needle.  Then I crocheted a few more chains, clipped the yarn, and drew the end through the last stitch to secure it.

I grant you this isn’t quite as simple as stuffing everything onto a stitch holder but it really doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes and it accomplishes a couple of other things for me.  It allows me to fold the piece small so that I can keep it in my “current work” box without it taking up too much space.  It also makes it easier to wash and block because I’ve been thinking that blocking the scarf in halves will be easier than trying to block the whole looooooong thing once it’s done.  I simply haven’t the space.  And, when I’m ready to join the two pieces, I can “unzip” the crochet just as I would do with a provisional cast-on, pick up the live stitches and go.





No, I’m not sure how I’m going to join the pieces yet.  I can tell you that I won’t be attempting to graft this mohair; the probability of mistakes is virtually certain and the prospect of having to undo those mistakes, terrifying.  So, maybe a three-needle bind-off.  There’s also a possible decorative crochet joining that I’ve been playing with.  However, I don’t have to worry about it for a little while yet.

And look who showed up at the feeder this morning!

This is the first woodpecker (on the left) to come to this feeder.  It’s a female Downy woodpecker.  Downys are only about 6” long - right around sparrow sized (and that’s a female House sparrow on the right hand side of the feeder).  Not into sharing much, this one but she was certainly a lively and curious little thing.  It was wonderful to see her; I hadn’t thought we see woodpeckers at all until the cooler weather - when insects were less available.  I hope she tells all her friends :)

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1. clever robbyn- i do like the crocheted provisional cast-off- i always like to do scarves in two parts as i am of a klutzy persuasion and can perform incredibly idiotic feats when there’s a looong piece of knitting dangling helplessly from the needle-

   it looks like your ‘bird buffet’ is attracting quite interesting clientele this summer- that is just a lovely pic-

   stay happy-

   Posted by  on  08/04  at  09:59 PM
   Location : hiding from the sweltering sun



2. Barb - I’ll tell Myria - she got that shot through the closed kitchen window - clever girl, eh?

   I haven’t done a scarf in two pieces before, but it seems like a good idea with this one :)

   Posted by Robbyn  on  08/05  at  12:14 AM
   Location : where cleanliness is next to "oddliness"



3. you could join the 2 parts with a ribbing, like a seaman’s scarf?

   Posted by  on  08/05  at  02:31 AM
   Location : i'm right here...



4. Judy just took the words out of my mouth… I had seen a “Branching out Scarf” that used the seaman scarf idea. The ribbing in between looked lovely. If I can find the link I will email it to you. I love the bird picture. They look like they are enjoying themselves. Thanks again for you thoughts on Peaches. She is ready to enter surgery right now. I am just a basketcase with worry.

   Posted by Maureen  on  08/05  at  09:34 AM
   Location :



5. Judy - That’s an idea - you know I hadn’t thought of that.  Do you think that would work for, you know, a fancy scarf?  Hmmm....

   Posted by Robbyn  on  08/05  at  10:33 AM
   Location : where cleanliness is next to "oddliness"



6. Maureen - Well, “Branching Out” qualifies as a fancy scarf, alright.  Definitely something to consider :)

   The woodpecker stayed for quite a while and came back later for more.  We’re hoping she becomes a regular.

   I’ll be holding a good thought for you and Peaches!
   

   Posted by Robbyn  on  08/05  at  10:35 AM
   Location : where cleanliness is next to "oddliness"



7. I am seriously in love with that scarf.

   Posted by Ryan  on  08/05  at  11:29 AM
   Location :



8. Ryan - Wow!  Thanks :) I’ll post the pattern when I’ve worked out all the bugs.  I have certainly been enjoying the working of it.  Who knew lace could be so much fun?
   

   Posted by Robbyn  on  08/05  at  11:54 AM
   Location : where cleanliness is next to "oddliness"

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