Can you think of things that you’ve wanted to do forever and put off for one reason or another but then when you finally did it, you wondered what took you so long? It happened to me with wanting to make socks. I had moaned and groaned about wanting to learn to knit socks and finally Susan sent me the sock pattern, yarn and needles and basically said “Just do it!” I struggled a bit with those socks but finally got them done and I think everyone would agree that I love knitting socks!
I had wanted to make sourdough bread for years — good, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside sourdough. I don’t know why it took me years to do it but once I did it, it was easy and good and everyone who tastes it raves about it. I’m glad I finally tried it.
My most current “want to do it but am scared to try it” project was stranded colorwork (knitting). The Loopy Ewe‘s Second Quarter Challenge was to use something with stranded colorwork, using 2 colors and less than 500 yards. I waffled between “I’m going to conquer this!” to “No, I’m not doing this challenge. I don’t have time!”
I did it! I decided on the Fjord pattern and ordered Cascade Superwash Sport. I’m making this for Nicole and she has a coat with some mustardy gold in it and she had asked about me making something to match that coat.
The yarn arrived on Saturday and I was a bit disappointed with the light yellow. It isn’t the color I would have chosen to go with the mustard colored yarn had I been looking at it in person.
Yarn for Loopy Ewe Second Quarter Challenge
This article was quite helpful for getting started with the stranded colorwork.
Saturday evening I began knitting on this project and by Sunday night, the cowl was finished! The light yellow yarn worked perfectly and probably better than any other light yellow I would have chosen!
Fjord Cowl
It was so easy and it was so fun. I think I’m now addicted to stranded colorwork! I started on the hat last night and am already looking for other colorwork patterns.
What are you wanting to do and haven’t done it? What’s holding you back? Are you willing to commit to yourself to do that thing you’ve been wanting to do but just haven’t done?
Judy S says
Great pattern and article, Judy, thanks! I’ve always had trouble with my tension while stranding, so I really appreciate the suggestions in this article.
Norma says
I signed up for a Craftsy class on stranded work and bought the kit for the vest for it. Still haven’t had the courage to give it a go. Hopefully your post will give me the kick in the seat I need! Your cowl is beautiful.
Terri says
Judy! you are so bad! in an enabling sort of way 🙂
I signed up for Ravelry last night and started poking around. Since I’ve been working (ever so slowly) on packing up my sewing stuff for the move I’ve been thinking knitting would be a great thing to learn right now. Small and portable. Just what I need!
So I guess knitting would be my answer. Which brings up a question! I’ve never ever even attempted to knit so what would you suggest I start with? What needles should I start with? And I’m thinking a nice simple scarf to start with. And of course I now get to shop at Loopey Ewe!!!!
What a timely post! I found your blog when I started quilting, then there came the chickens, now knitting. Stop!!! not really 🙂
Maggie says
This week I ordered a book about how to make your own sewing patterns. It arrived yesterday so that is my challenge to work on right now.
Beth C in MA says
Beautiful work. Nicole is going to love it. This is my first stranded project. I cast on this morning. the article was very helpful.
Sue Thorson Hecker says
Gorgeous cowl! My dream was to take a class with Paula Nadelstern and learn how to do her style of kaleidoscope blocks…which I was able to do last month. The class experience was beyond my expectations in terms of fun and successful sewing. Now I need to find a new dream, but that won’t be hard!
Stella Nemeth says
Well, it was socks, and finally one is coming along. Looks like the right size and everything. Now all I need is to be strong enough to actually knit on it.
Teri says
Love the cowl….I really want to make sourdough bread…..I don’t even know how to make bread, but you are right just jump right in…..any tips on how to start the sourdough starter…
Tina in NJ says
Beautiful job on the cowl. Nicole must be very pleased.
Susan says
I like the look of the cowl. I’m sure I’ve done that, though I can’t think of a specific example. Right now I also can’t think of a single thing I want to learn, though there are quite a few I’m expanding.
Ava says
That is beautiful! I’m going to have to try it. The article made stranded color work seem doable. Thanks.
Karen says
That is some super pretty yarn. I love the cowl you made with it. It is so pretty.
pdudgeon says
i can’t do stranded work but i know that my aunt could! She worked out of a knit shop as a professional knitter, kniting all their samples for them. One Christmas she made a stranded cardigan for my mom. it was knit from a silvery blue yarn with stranded white angora butterflies worked in a double row around the yoke of the sweater. Talk about georgeous! My mom had silver white hair and blue eyes, and the sweater looked just perfect for her.
paula.thequilter says
I am working on a cardigan right now and to make it easy and go faster I am working in the round, no purls here. So I am adventuring into my first steeking project. Oh wish me luck! Cutting my sweater? Eeks!
Ranch Wife says
You are going to get me in trouble! 🙂 I have been wanting to tear out the paneling in this old house, but I am afraid of what I’ll find behind it and I am afraid the ceiling may come down. There is no money for sheetrocking if that needs to be done and DH is covered up so I would be on my own although if the ceiling DID come down, I imagine he would find the time to come look for me. LOL.
Donna F says
That turned out so pretty! Maybe one day I’ll start on my project that I’ve been putting off because I’m scared I will mess it up.
Judy D in AZ says
Now you can make Addie a Christmas stocking!
KCLORI says
I’m wanting to retire but haven’t tried it yet!
Amy (Waunaknit) says
The cowl turned out great!!! The colors look great together. If I can finish my sock tomorrow, I might cast on the cowl before starting on the second sock.
Brandy M. says
I still haven’t started my darned socks! I started a scarf – I’m bored… I did buy a loom, and would like to start some socks…. Ok, maybe tomorrow!!!
🙂
Mary says
I avoided patterns that only had charts … I finally forced myself to knit from one a couple months ago and love it. Now I look for patterns that have charts and am disappointed when they don’t!