I am ready to give this On-line KAL / Video tutorial stuff a try. Bear with me and please lend constructive critiques. This is new territory for me and you are all going to be my Guinea Pigs.
A couple weeks ago I got in the new Drops Big Delight. It comes in 100 gr
skeins of 219yd. It is NOT machine washable like the regular Delight -
it will felt.
For my first project with this new yarn I wanted to do a two color fairsile/stranded project. I have been admiring the Inspira Cowl by celerystalk on Ravelry . I've been itching to make this. I immediately cast on and then read the pattern (I do know I'm supposed to read patterns before I start but I like to live dangerously). It is a 2 x 2 rib with color change every 2 x 2. Well, I like to carry both yarns in my left hand but when you try to do 2 colors and involve purl stitches also, it can get a little all thumbsy. Then I remembered I had figured out how to purl without bringing the yarn to the front. Aha! What a great idea for a video tutorial, aha! what a great pr
oject for an online KAL!
I contacted the designer, celerystalk, and asked her permission to use her pattern. She said yes! So here goes!
Materials:
- Inspira Pattern
- Drops Big Delight ,1 MC & 1 CC - 2 skeins total *or Aran weight yarn 424 yds* total in two different colors.
*(I've modified my version to make it a little bigger so I don't know for sure how much yarn I'll use but I am assuming two skeins will be enough)
- 24" - 40" circular needle to get a gauge of approx 19 st x 22 rws over 4" and a circular of the same length but one size smaller for firming up the neck area. I knit very loosely so I am using a US 8 needle. The pattern originally called for a US 10. Because this is a cowl / shoulder warmer you can be just a little off with your gauge and it shouldn't cause problems.
- Stitch marker to mark the beginning of your rounds.
Definitely do what celerystalk recommends and read the knitty gritty parts at the end of the pattern! After you are through reading take some time to admire her "field notes". She has included three hand drawn images of her inspiration. I wish my mind worked like that. I'm tempted to frame her illustrations.
First thing I want to note to you is that I added on an additional 20 stitches because I want this to fit over a light jacket. So let's start with the cast on. I'm doing a long tail cast on.
*I measure the amount of "tail" that I will need by casting on ten stitches, then unravel and measure how many inches it took to knit the ten stitches. Call that A. Divide the number you are supposed to cast on by ten, call that B. multiply A by B and give you a close estimate of the number of inches to allow for the tail portion of the long tail cast on. I usually add a few more inches. I'd rather trim a long end than have to start all over.
Long Tail Cast On Two Needles from Dixie Grilley on Vimeo.
Long Tail Continued from Dixie Grilley on Vimeo.
If you hold both yarns in your left hand like I do; here is a video on a trick I taught myself a long time ago and almost forgot about it until I started this project.
Purling without bring yarn to the front from Dixie Grilley on Vimeo.
Inspira KAL Rounds 8 - 27 from Dixie Grilley on Vimeo.
Here is where we do a decrease round to create a shoulder shape. I also changed needle size to a smaller needle to have a slightly firmer fabric.
Important Note - I had to use a second skein of my main color, the brown, because I increased the number of stitches cast on.
Comments
Hi Marlee
You can use the cable cast on. I used the long tail because that is my “go to” cast on unless I’m told otherwise. I’ve never used the Lion Brand Amazing so I am unable to offer advice on doubling it. The yarn I used was considered an aran/heavy worsted. I have also seen it knit up in a DK weight and it was stunning. Note that I added an additional 20 stitches to make it bigger around.
Thank you so much for these videos. I’m barely an intermediate knitter but am going to try to learn how to hold both colours in my left hand using your video. I did a Fair Isles beret and sweater for my grands American Girl dolls and it was a challenge with the tiny size. I read thoroughly celerly stalk/graphica’s instructions over & over. I also read notes from a ravelry inspira knitters instructions that the yarn is used double from inside and outside. I read only one other persons’ notes where she said she sould have used yarn doubled, In your video you are only using one stand of each skein but your yarn is also somewhat heavier weight than the Lion Amazing that I plan to use. Also another ? on why did you choose a long tail cast on vs cable cast on which I often use. Thank you so much for any help you can give on getting me started. I’ve read so many notes over & over that now I’m afraid to get started.
Siggy, I’m sorry, I stopped carrying that yarn and I no longer have the color info. I would recommend using the Cascade Casablanca. It is a much softer yarn. The Casablanca is a silk blend. Or try using Classic Elite Liberty Wool print, also much softer and great colors and machine washable.
Dixie
Beautiful! Can you please tell me what colours of Drops big delight you used?
Great tutorial video’s too!
Rose,
If you were using only one color it would be reversable but in this project you are using two colors in the ribbing, therefore there will be stranding on the inside of the cowl.
Does purling this way show the ribbing on both sides?
excellent tutorial. a great visual help as I hate charts. I will still need to practise the different style of purling. this seems to be a great way of doing it if you want to use two colors. Thanks!
I can’t thank you enough for these videos…I’m starting an inspira cowl and this is extremely helpful!! Especially the purling video as I hold the yarn in my left hand just like you do!