My Beginning Knitting students are making great progress! The last class meeting is next week and I'll be including inspiration and ideas for projects a beginner knitter can accomplish. Here is a project that I just completed using Cathy Payson's Colorful Cropped Overlay pattern, that I think an enthusiastic beginner could do. I'd call this piece a "Mailbox Wrap"— something you could throw on during these cold winter months when you have to run out to the mailbox.I had several balls of self-striping Rozetti Tempest (by Universal Yarn) in spicy reds that would be warm, snugly— and spicy— for this wrap. As the pattern called for a chunky yarn (10 sts = 4"), I married the #4 worsted weight, thick/thin, fuzzy Tempest with assorted smoother red wool blends from my stash.
- changed the seed stitch pattern on the lower section to a 2-row modified rib (Row 1: knit. Row 2: p1, k1.) The effort put forth using the seed stitch pattern would have been lost with the textured Tempest yarn.
- added additional RS knit rows to the ribbed section on the top.
- shortened the collar. Also knitted it in the round.
- sewed the sides closed with 2 buttons to create the arm holes. These are non-working buttons but they help me distinguish, at-a-glance, the front of the garment from the back. (The buttons show on the front.)
- left long yarn tails from the button ties to create a design detail.
I have a few balls (50g/120yd) of Tempest remaining. Maybe a slouchy red hat to match??? What do you think?
