Spitting Yarn

For whatever reason, this is what I keep thinking my current WIP is called. In actual fact, it’s the Sugar on Snow pattern from this season’s Knitty. This led me to wondering why the project had that name. Me being a naive Brit was oh-so-surprised that it’s named after…sugar on snow, pretty much. Folks in snowy New England places pour hot maple syrup on snow, which turns the syrup into a kind of taffy. How great is that?! They even have parties to do it.

I didn’t want to double up the yarn like the pattern said, so instead I’ve had to cast on a million stitches – and it still looks kind of small. I’ll knit until the trying-on-stage and see what’s what. Not many people have tackled this pattern, which leads me to believe that it’s thought to be kind of naff, but a hat stroke collar is a practical item of knit wear in London. We often experience lots of different weather in one day. I’m going to knit the tassel with green silk yarn, which should up the class factor.

I’ve also been working on a Christmas present project. I can’t say too much about it, but here’s a glimpse (I love how the yarn is knitting up).

It took me a bazillion shots to get the red to photograph nicely. Hurrah for perserverance. Note my special skills for argyle-type pooling.

I’ve got an FO to show off, too. This is Knit and Tonic’s Last Minute “Purled” Beret. It’s huge, as I used a heavier yarn than the pattern called for, but as I’ve mentioned, I have massive hair, so this is no bad thing.

The pattern is row after row of knit stitch in the round, and then when you’re done, you turn it inside out to show the purled effect of the inside. I like the pattern a lot and I’m going to try for a more chic, less boho look with a lighter weight yarn. I love the yarn I used for this example, though. It’s handspun from The Handweavers Studio & Gallery. Very rough, but I have a high tolerance for itchy yarn. It is redeemed by the lovely dove greyness of it flecked with almost neon pink, turquoise, yellow.

I should post a progress pic of the log cabin blanket, but I don’t have one to hand. It’s growing, but slowly. I knit a log every now and then, when I want the monotony of garter stitch. Like Jane, I’m getting crochet cravings, but I’m determined that the log cabin will be finished first.