3KCBWDay6 Improving Your Skillset

This entry is part of Knitting and Crochet Blog Week.

We can do all things through a few good reference books and the Internet. I've made a mobius cowl. Do I remember the weird caston I used? Nope. But if I make another one, I'll look up the Cat Bodhi video again. If I make enough of them, the technique will stick.

I don't know how to do double knitting, but a friend fell in love with a cowl pattern that uses it, so I'll learn how to do it.

I didn't know how to knit backwards (and would have to look it up again, if I'm honest), but I decided it would be handy when I was in my entrelac scarf phase, so I learned.

This has been my theory about lots of knit techniques. If I see something I want to make, I figure out how to do the things in the pattern.

Except for steeking. Steeking scares me.

Then I saw this:

Knitpicks Falling Stars kit in purple

This is really pretty. I want it to be mine.

So, I'm going to learn to steek.

And that is how I learn new techniques.

Day Six: Knitting and Crochet Blog Week

Today's post for Blog Week is "Something you aspire to."

When I consider what knitting skill I simultaneously want to accomplish and of which I am terribly, horribly, and completely afraid, I immediately know the answer.

I want to knit myself a gorgeous, Bohus cardigan.  With steeks.  That fits me.  And is gorgeous.  And is a sweater I will wear forever.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, click here, then choose Bohus Stickning along the top to visit one of the official sites on the subject, which is in Swiss (I think).

There's interesting history associated with these sweaters, but there's a good chance that if you cared you'd already know about it.  If you'd like to learn more, I recommend the book Poems of Color by Wendy Keele.  Bohus sweaters knit at a very fine gauge (think tiny needles and skinny yarn), and you use lots of different colors in the same row.  They're knit with fuzzy yarn so there's a halo effect and the colors blend into one another.

Image from http://www.solsilke.se/

I personally don't love the cardigans that have the design all the way down the front, but you can knit a pullover and turn it into a cardigan.

How is this possible?  You can do this BY CUTTING YOUR KNITTING.  Seriously.  This can't be overemphasized:  You CUT YOUR KNITTING.  Cut it.  With scissors.

It boggles my mind.  I believe I will try it at some point.  I'm just not quite ready.  Until then, I will continue to visit the website and the ravelry project pages of those who have knit these, and I will be amazed.