Blocking the Day 15 Cowl

Hello:

The Day 15 Cowl is off the needles.  Rather irritatingly, though I tried so hard to keep my bind off loose, the bind off edge is tighter than the cast on edge.  This is the first time that has happened.  Usually my cast on is way tighter.  I decided to just even the edges out as best I could in the blocking.  Also, I wanted to stretch the width a bit so the lace opened up.  I got some good advice from the Eastside Stitchers on how to block this circular bit of knitting without getting  crease lines from where it was folded.  But....

Well, I soaked and pinned the cowl to the mats this morning, and then worked all day, so I had no chance to rotate the cowl as it dried, and when I got home from work it had definite crease lines.

I decided to spray water on the lines and reblock the cowl just a bit using something round to hold the shape, but what to use?

Two packs of toilet paper were just the right size, and nice and rounded on the ends.

I plan to wear the cowl to Tolt Yarn and Wool Saturday for the Imperial Yarn Tasting and Talk.

Peace,
f1bercat
shaping the planet with special blockers.

Progress

I feel like I don't have that much to write about.  But, I do.  It's just that I have been knitting/crocheting long term projects.  I have been working a ton.  When I work, I bring my Day 15 Cowl because it is small, portable, and I have the easy pattern memorized.  Although I work on it when I can, it just never seems to grow.

After consulting with the cowl master, Puzan, I decided that I would make the pattern part about 4 - 5 inches with garter stitch borders of about 1/2 inch each.  Before blocking, of course.  I think I have been stuck at 3.5 inches for a week.  I decided that I would knit until February 15, and then I will just knit the garter stitch top border and be done with the thing.  I can block it aggressively, if needed, to get the width I want.  I know from blocking the 2014 Advent Calendar Scarf (the pattern is the stitch from Day 15, and I am using the skein that was left over from that project) that I can get quite a bit of stretch from this pattern if I want it.  But, I don't want to make this too open.  I measured the width while I was in between students at Bellevue College today, and I was happy to see that I have finally hit the 4 inch mark.

I don't feel so much pressure to work only on this cowl.  It has been nice social knitting, though, and I will need another project that is easily portable.

My Ravellenics Project is NOT portable.  I am making a lap afghan (lapghan).  I designed the square for this blanket.  I am using only one pattern.  I decided that I wanted the squares to be super soft and squishy so I used lots and lots of puffs in the pattern.  In fact, I call this pattern "Puff Daddy."

I am using only two colors of yarn.  I am varying the color changes.  Some of the squares will be solid.

Some will change colors.

None of the squares that have color changes will look alike (I hope!)

I have finished 7 of the 12 squares I need to cross the finish line at the Ravellenic Games in the "Giant Slalom-ghan" and "Modular Relay."  I'm working tomorrow morning (I really need to get to bed) and then tutoring in the afternoon.  Then Doc and I are going to dinner and a movie for Valentine's Day.  I hope to get in a bit of work between the tutoring and the dinner/movie out. 

I can't take this to Madrona on Saturday, either.  I will probably bring the socks I have started for my brother.  I don't have a photo yet, but I am using more of the Berroco Vintage that I bought from Little Knits.  I sent out the first pair of socks a few weeks ago, and he called to say they fit perfectly.  I am using a basketweave pattern of knits and purls for this pair.  The yarn is dark blue, so the pattern won't be very visible, but I will know it is there!

Really time for bed now.
Peace,
f1bercat
shaping the planet with long term projects.