My First Attempt at Fair Isle Knitting

I received a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago and promptly rushed to the craft section to scope out some new patterns.  About an hour and 4 shelves of books later I settled on Handknit Holidays.  I’m not crazy over the hat and gloves combo on the cover but it’s got some great patterns inside.  The first project I’m working on is a Christmas Rose gift bag.

This is my first try with fair isle knitting.  And let me tell you… NEVER AGAIN*.  It’s taken 3-4 hours just to do the knitting/purling band at the top of the bag, and I’m doing the smaller size.  The fact that I’ve never done continental knitting slowed me down in the beginning, because I had to teach myself how to work with 2 colors at once.  KnittingHelp.com has been a tremendous resource.  It’s always the first place I go when I need help with a technique.

*=May be an exaggeration.  I’ve gotten the hang of Fair Isle knitting now, but there was quite a learning curve.

Christmas Ornaments

Made with Patons Classic Merino Wool, from the Patons Classic Holidays pattern booklet.

Knit Christmas

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas, and that Santa brought you everything you hoped for. As for myself, I got several great knitting related gifts. My sister Sarah gave me a Knitpickers tote and my mom got me the accompanying needle case. I also got the Knifty Knitter long loom set . I know, I know; the looms aren’t really knitting in the traditional sense. But they just work so great for simple scarves and hats. I’ve already started a scarf for myself.

Lastly, my husband got me the Weekend Knitting book. I’m pretty excited about trying the fingerless gloves on the cover. I have no idea when I’ll be able to actually start those, though. It could be awhile since I’m already working on a scarf, a jacket, and a bag.

What’s Your Holiday Drink?

I took a break from toiling away with Christmas knitting projects to take this quiz.