What's the Damage?

Feral Knitting

About the name: Last year, when I was living in Seattle, I was trying to organize (organize? Are you kidding? “Corral” is more like it.) a group of knitters interested in exploring stranded color effects—Fair Isle knitting in a broad sense. A non-knitting friend overheard me on the phone as I tried to sell this idea. When I was done, she asked me apprehensively, “What IS feral knitting?” The name stuck for our merry band, and I hope they don’t mind that I identify myself here as a Feral Knitter. The Ferals have continued without me—read about their doings on Ryan, Sheila, and Karen’s blogs.

Accounting

Well, I’ve now stated publicly that I want to keep track of my projects. Kind of like starting a diet: you have to know where you are. Frankly, I felt a bit anxious about checking all those opaque tote bags left over from Girl Scout Day Camp. Here’s what’s on the needles:

1. Afghan. This little baby has shanghaied half my Shetland collection—but I’ve been making progress while watching Return of the King, extended version. I love how it’s coming out (it’s better in person!).

2. Woodland Vest. Stitch down the steeks, add the buttons. What could be easier? So then why has it been sitting in this state for 2 weeks now???

3. Estonian Lace Scarf (Fiber Trends pattern by Evelyn Clark) in lovely plant-dyed alpaca. It’s great, but why the hell did I start this last month?

4. Socks for Sue. Ahhh, these are my standard cuff-down socks and I’m zooming along! Thank goodness for that, because I “gave” them as a birthday present last March. My one-year rule is not to be broken! I’ve got til the end of March, if you want to get real specific about it.

5. Tulip Sweater. Poor little thing. I designed this little child’s size Fair Isle to play with some colors I don’t normally use and to test my shoulder-shaping-in-the-round theory. Once the shoulders were done I lost interest. For a small project it’s got a loud nagging voice.

6. Burrastow Sweater. Oh dear. This wonderful design by Ann Feitelson (The Art of Fair Isle Knitting) has been stopped a chest height for, what, 2 years now? 3? Naw, really, 4??? The unwritten rule of WIPs is that they will sit until your gauge changes. And gauge changes at chest height? A tad obvious… No photo because I don't want to disturb its deep, deep rest.

7. British Vest from Cheryl Oberle’s Folk Vests. I got the idea of using up some fantastic plant-dyed wool-alpaca-mohair in my stash (New Year’s makes me want to clean up, clear out…). Some simple cables, a nice stitch marker from Christine. Why do I suspect this will languish for a while?

8. Retro Vest. A classic vest with plain ribbing and a high V in a banded Fair Isle pattern. Shetland yarn. Hmmm, this has stalled for some time. Why? Not sure about the colors, not sure about the size. Have to take it to the next knitting gathering to get some feedback.

OK, there they are, exposed to the daylight. A million ideas (and, frankly, plenty of yarn) are calling to me, but I will not give in—I’ll finish a least 3 of these unfinished objects before starting another! You have witnessed my pledge—slap the knitting out of my hands if you see me working on anything else.

Added later: 

I apologize for the hodgepodge layout--I can tell that this whole blogging thing is going to take me some time. I've exhausted the usual swear words...

Comments

[Nathania]

Hooray! You have a blog! I'm thrilled to pieces about it. Hoping that we get a chance to knit together again soon. I have an idea for a Return of the King based sweater that I want to run by you.

[Rebecca]

YEA! You have a blog! Ryan's prediction long ago at a Fiber Raven Soiree has come true! Now I can enjoy your knitted art from Seattle but where are you now that I've decided to take on Fair Isle Knitting? I'll have to visit your protégé Ryan for those tips! Congrats on the blog!

[Sheila]

Congratulations, dear Janine! At last I see the tulip sweater and it is darling. The vest is stunning as well. Will you explain your in-the-round shoulder shaping some day for us? Pretty Please?!

[Katie]

Great, Janine! I found you via Sheila's blog. I am thinking when we move to the Methow Valley, and I have more time and more people to keep in contact with, that this will be a fun thing to do (blog, that is). Right now, it is just too daunting. But you are now on my Favorites list.

[vanessa]

i love the retro vest! hope you bring it to gig :-)

[Emily]

Check it out!! You have a blog!! It looks great. Hope to see you in person again soon, but in the meantime at least I can visit you virtually...

[Rachael]

Are you kidding? It took me days (okay, weeks) just to figure out how to make a banner! You're rocking, girl.

[Kit]

I knew the blogging would happen....all I needed to do was wait patiently. (Thanks!)

[Kit]

I knew the blogging would happen....all I needed to do was wait patiently. (Thanks!)

[Greg]

I too think the Return of the King turned out well. I would imagine that Vigo IS much better in person, although I have yet to experience that .

Isn't Janine the best?

[Stasia]

LOVELY work. Glad to see your blog, and will enjoy following your exploits!

[Holly]

Great work, Janine. Is that really all you have on needles?????????

[christy]

Well, I am inpressed. Should I ever get a Fair Isle all the way to the shoulders, I hope to see you and your new unvention at knitting camp. I'm very interested in your afghan. Will you tell more about your design?

[Linda]

Thanks for posting the "Shaped Shoulders in the Round." I'd only gotten as far as thinking there ought to be some way to handle the shaping, and then you write up this ingenious technique.