Librarians like to be thorough and systematic. And I am a librarian. So, if you think transitively, (or if you’ve ever met me), you’ll know that I like to follow a path and finish what I start. Keeping all that in mind, I’m trusting you’ll tell me if you think I’m biting off more than I can chew here.
Last month, I got a copy of 55 Christmas Balls to Knit, and I’ve enjoyed perusing it since then. This weekend, I got to thinking – Christmas 2012 is about 55 weeks away. What if I set a goal of knitting one of these things a week for the next year? Then, when it comes time to decorate the tree I’ll have over 4 dozen new ornaments!
I made one yesterday as a prototype to see how things might work. I had some leftover Stroll fingering weight yarn from the Border Socks I made, so I cast on and quickly knit up the first design, called Snow Crystal. It didn’t take all that long, and I found that using Stroll with 2.75mm dpns seemed to make a good sized ball. But, unless you’re seriously into 70’s era sweat suits, I don’t think this color scheme is going to work. I’m thinking of doing all of these with a white background and red for the patterns. Stroll comes in an un-dyed white, and I want to use either Scarlet or Barn Red. I’m leaning toward Barn Red. What do you think? I find that the colors I see on the Knit Picks website and what arrives can be quite different, and Knit Picks doesn’t provide color cards any more.
Also, the authors suggest gluing on little rhinestones to give these some sparkle, but I was thinking that it might be fun to use that technique where you put beads on the stitches using a crochet hook. If anyone has done that and wants to comment on whether this is advisable, I’d sure appreciate it.
It was cold enough to wear a sweater today!
Barn red, of course. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree on the barn red.
ReplyDeleteA few years back, I made an ill-fated vest in the alpaca/silk Knitpicks yarn in Barn Red. Loved the color, didn't like the yarn (not plied tightly enough for my tastes).
ReplyDeleteIt is a gorgeous red. I "third" the first two comments!
I concur - barn red is my favorite of the reds.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am fond of a systematic and thorough project, so I say "go for it!"
OH, no GLUE please. Not on your beautiful knitting! Go with the hand beading and keep it real. Love your blog BTW
ReplyDeleteBeading with a crochet hook is easy, although I've only done it on lace weight yarn. I know I've seen patterns for beaded socks, though, so you might google for a couple of those to see what size bead/hook works best.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the idea of red and white. I think barn red would go better with the undyed white -- more rustic all around!
I'm wearing the mittens you knit on a daily basis...