**A note to my email subscribers: With the bunnymuff contest going on and two patterns being given away today and every day this week, there are double posts going up. I have no idea what that will do to my mailchimp managed, completely automatic, daily email notices. Like most things internet related, I have to try it and then find out if it causes a disaster. If I blew up your email inbox, I’m sorry!**
As promised, I’ve been playing around with my improvised knit sheath. Ever since I came across a mention of this tool in Mary Wright’s Cornish Guernseys & Knit-frocks I’ve wanted one. I even wasted a whole day on the blog whining about how life in general and knitting traditions in specific had gibbed out of my knit sheath, and the knowledge of how they are used. So I’ve been bent on correcting that oversight.
I got myself an old knitting needle and rigged up a knit sheath.
For my practice project, I’m making the Hue Shift Afghan. Its a lovely and ambitious blanket of miter squares. So its all knit stitch. Thousands and thousands of knit stitches for me to practice knitting with a knit sheath.
Here is how its going so far:
I’m pretty pleased with this so far. My technique, as slow and awkward as it is, has come a long way. Last week I was pulling out hair and muttering under my breath. There was much tinking. But like anything else, practice helps. And since this is a 100 block blanket, I’m sure to get lots more practice with the knit sheath.
"There is no failure. Only feedback." - Robert Allen
19 Comments on "Learning to Use a Knit Sheath – Part 1"
I don’t wrap the yarn around my right fingers. Instead I pinch the yarn with my thumb and forefinger. Plus the right hand needle rests on your middle, ring and pinkie fingers. The yarn flows so much easier enabling you to knit faster. I’ll try to make a short video when I get a chance for you to see.
Interesting. I can’t quite picture the method you describe so I’ll be looking forward to a video.
You’re much braver than me.
I tried English style knitting a few times, but it seemed so awkward and I couldn’t get into the rhythm so I just gave up on it. I did want to like it, for stranded knitting it would come handy, but it seems like I’m a one trick pony. Or I’m just not patient enough. I never committed a large piece of time on learning it.
Me too. What you said. The one time a friend tried to teach me I got so confused I couldn’t even make a slip stitch! I gave up completely.
I love to learn new things, especially new ways to knit. It is frustrating and I hate the beginning. But it gets better. I can literally feel the new neural pathways in my aging brain opening up.
Maybe after I get good at this (like in 5 years) I’ll try Portuguese knitting. Any style of knitting where the purling is easier than the knitting has me intrigued.
I think you are going great guns! Congrats to you.
On a side note: I’m not getting email notifications at all anymore. But I don’t think you should bother about it until after this contest.
Hmm. I look into that. Thanks for the heads up.
This is really cool and interesting. I like to learn different ways people have knit in the past, particularly, when I think about how many garments were knit…sort of taken for granted they would be knit. I wonder if they had some tricks!
Thanks! I love to learn new things. I guess that’s just part of being a teacher. But I do love it. And all things that connect us to our cultural history have special meaning for me. 🙂
You make it look so easy but I can see that it is not. Btw, you said there would be double email notifications. Well this is the only one I’ve received. Nothing on the contest.
Thanks!
And about the emails .. huh. I got one email that included links to both posts (yes I put myself on my own email list, lol). I was pretty happy about the way it worked out.
You are absolutely correct. I did a no no and was checking my email on my phone and just didn’t scroll down far enough. It looks different on my phone. Should have known better but was being lazy. Sorry.
No worries! None at all. Thanks for checking. Now that I know that its okay to post more than once a day… beware!