Friday, October 10, 2008

Stash And Dash?


I've finally turned a corner on my terrible cold and have got back to knitting again. I cast on for another Odessa hat by Grumperina, this time in blue. I have blue beads too, which I'm still not sure about. They are almost the same shade as the yarn, so sometimes I feel that it's hardly worth knitting them in. However, the person I'm knitting for this time likes her clothing items to make a subtle statement, so I'm sure they'll suit her in the end just fine.

Now, I wanted to mention stitch markers. How do you manage with them? Last weekend when I was making the Center Square hat, I tried using my daughters collection of plastic stitch markers to mark the decreases for the shaping. This was a first for me as I'm an old-fashioned knitter and have always used remnants of old yarn to mark my stitches with. I thought it would be a good experiment though, so I gave it a try.


It was indeed a useful exercise. I didn't get on with them at all. Every time I got to a marker it felt bulky in my hands and the inflexibility of the plastic really annoyed me. Consequently, I've gone back to my tried and tested bits of contrast yarn!

On another note, yesterday I went stash diving (like dumpster diving only for a different kind of treasure!) In fact I had a major sort out. The corner of the room where I knit has become increasingly untidy in recent weeks and my stash has been spreading all over the place. I couldn't run from it any longer. It was time to do something.



It was a wonderful experience. I came across some beautiful yarns that I hadn't exactly forgotten about, but I hadn't got round to either. I am now completely out of Ziploc bags as I've packaged everything up nicely to keep it safe from those dreaded moths. My knitting area is positively pristine (not sure how long it'll stay that way though) and my stash looks so much neater now. Amazingly, I can fit even more yarn into my baskets than I could before!


Hmmmm, that has an ominous sound about it.

6 comments:

Octopus Knits said...

I'm glad your cold is easing up (I'm just getting over a cold, too). The blue Odessa should be lovely (and I'm sure your friend will appreciate the subtle beading).

I use flexible white stitch markers (I think they're made of rubber?). I, too, can't stand the rigid plastic ones.

Rose said...

I have some soft,flexible stitch markers that work well. I also bought some pewter ones last year that are pretty and work well, but you mightn't like them because they're not flexible at all. Just pretty.

Rudee said...

I have put this hat in my faves on Ravelry but haven't gotten around to it yet. I can't wait to see how yours turns out-maybe it'll be up next for me. I did, ahem, cast on for my daughter's sweater that won the votes in my poll. I'm almost ready to to the join for this top down knit. It's bulkier wool on US 10.5 needles.

I have the same problems with stash and I'm with you on the perfect stitch markers. I've been using some cord like yarn and I like it. I never run out of stitch markers this way. Yarn space? Thats another story.

Kate said...

Hei, jeg har vært så lat med surfing den siste tiden. Det er egentlig ikke likt meg, for jeg elsker å se andre sine blogger. Den norske boka var kjempeflott, heldiggris.

Og maskemarkører kan jeg ikke klare meg uten, ha en flott søndag "over There".

Det er mulig jeg får tid til litt scanning, da blir det luemønster på deg.

Unknown said...

Your blog looks so pretty! I love the banner of yarn! ..... stitch marker? what's that? just kidding .... I did get some from my Mum in my birthday present .... I had been using yarn scraps .... so far I like them both - am I a swing voter?

Jane said...

Flexible stitch markers sound much more my thing. I'll have to look into that.

Kate - tror det kommer mer om den norske boka. Jeg har nettopp fant ut masse mer.
Luemønster høres kjekt ut også.

Hey Kimmie - yes I think you constitute a swing voter!

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