Here Be Dragons

This post is way overdue, so I'm going to sprinkle it with several project photos in a shameless attempt to satiate the masses (cue the crickets chirping). If you remember from my previous post, I'm working on the Nasty Dog Dragon scarf from Scarf Style. Even though I've never done intarsia color work before, I accepted this assignment because my dear husband, who rarely questions my knitting spending, asked for it. As I sat down to cast on, I started in with my usual, "How bad can it be?" mentality. My stress spiked briefly as I got to my first color introduction and quickly referenced the "Vogue Knitting Bible" for instructions.

Must digress for an important aside: FYI, if you don't have this book, BUY IT! No, I don't work for Vogue, and I don't get paid to endorse anything. Over the course of my blogging I fully intend to give you my opinions of products, patterns, etc. because I always appreciate getting a second opinion on knitting paraphenalia. So...I highly recommend this book because it is so comprehensive. It covers everything: cast-ons, increases, decreases, decorative stitches, color work, garment design and construction - you name it, it's covered. It even covers entrelac, which I've been dying to try. And it is filled with figures showing you what to do. Don't expect to find a bunch of patterns, because it's a reference book. But if you have a knitting question about a standard technique, you'll find the answer in this book. OK, back to the scarf...

So, I figure out how to add color, and I find it reminds me a lot of counted cross stitch. In fact, I fall into the mindset that my mother established when she taught me to cross stitch: the back of the piece should always look as good as the front, a.k.a don't criss cross your thread whilly-nilly. Any of you that cross stitch will probably know what's coming, and yes, you'd be right. Here's a picture of the dragon from the front:



















And here's a picture of the back:

Yes, this is a spaghetti mess. Yes, I am going to go insane weaving in all those stinking ends. Did I mention that there's a silk lining that you stitch on the back when it's done? Now, the instructions say to weave in all ends before whip stitching the lining to the back. Ha - who do they think they're fooling? I'm going to think long and hard if there's a reasonable way to keep the yarn in place without weaving in the ends (without knotting, of course). Feel free to provide your thoughts.

Now I'm onto the seed stitch & stockinette portion of the scarf, and I really like the interesting structural detail this provides.

When I've knit to nearly the desired length, there is a small amount of color work at the other end that mimics the initial color work. I have no idea what I'm going to do with all the leftover color yarn when I'm done, because there will be quite a bit. I'm thinking about finding some fair isle motif and adapting the colors for my leftovers, but I'm not sure what the project should be. Again, any suggestions are welcome. Just don't expect me to make a duplicate dragon scarf...

Princess Glitter Socks

This pair of Ribbed Lace toddler size socks in Dream in Color Starry came from Sensational Knitted Socks. This is the second pattern I've made from the book and both turned out great. The main reason that I bought the book was for the sock sizing chart based on shoe size. How handy for making gifts!

I'm also teaching myself how to crochet. I recently made a scarf for myself as a first project, and with the left over yarn I crocheted these flowers to applique on a pillow. I had some linen fabric stored away and I sewed a simple pillowcase with a zipper closure to applique them on. I was rather pleased with the result.

Strike a Match

Well, here's the inaugural post for Prairie Needles On Fire, and my first post ever as a blogger! As Tia and I picked the blog name from a list of potentials, two graphics popped into my head: a picture of a prairie burning (yeah, it's a stretch), and an image of crossed knitting needles engulfed in flames. Maybe later we'll get a cool and funky logo image, but for now you'll just have to make due with a simple yet classy title block. Of course, depending upon how long it take us to attract any followers, we may have a funky logo by the time you find our humble site!

OK, enough introduction - let's get to the knitting! I don't know about you, but I can't seem to content myself with just one active knitting project at a time. Normally my husband tells me that I'm a master of focus to the point of eccentricity. But not with knitting projects. Currently I'm actively working on two projects and ignoring a third. The active projects are the Nasty Dog Dragon Scarf from Scarf Style (for my husband) and Cozy V-Neck Pullover from Fitted Knits. The dragon scarf is my first colorwork project, and I gulped a bit when my hubby picked it out of the book. "Gee honey...are you sure you wouldn't prefer that nice plaid scarf, or maybe the one with some interesting stitch pattern instead?" But once I got going and admitted I couldn't balance a dozen balls of yarn on my lap while watching TV, it wasn't too bad. I frogged the dragon head once because my yarn tension was too tight, but now I'm cranking on the seed stitch portion. The v-neck sweater pattern is easy, basically just lots of stockinette or k2 p2 ribbing. I just started the ribbing portion and have 17.95 inches more to go until I finish the body! As for the ignored project...several years ago I started an afghan pattern from Luxury Knits using Jaeger Extra Fine Merino Chunky in Bamboo. It's really nice yarn and the combination of garter stitch and stockinette/drop stitch pattern gives an interesting look. But it's an afghan for crying out loud, and I'm only a couple of feet into the thing. I can only work on it for so long before it becomes, well, work. Tia tells me that it should have been a great winter project because it would keep my lap warm while I knit, but I'm not buying it.

OK, all that writing about knitting makes me want to sit down and knit! I'll have some photos in my next blog - promise. Adios, muchachas!