Patterns and Yarn, Hits and Misses So Far in 2020

First the Hits – Love These Patterns Enough To Knit Them Again!

Notice that these are hats, which I have always loved best. Even though all three hats pictured here came out large, I had loads of fun knitting them, and am pleased with the outcome.

Colorwork and cables are becoming fast favorites of mine. Left to right: Tettegouche, Skiff (beanie pattern), and Katie’s Kep.

At the beginning of the year I knitted two pair of mittens which turned out perfectly! They were fun to make and if I didn’t live in Florida, I would be churning them out like mad. (L- Fiddlehead, R – Glissade)

hand knit pair of mittens in Fiddlehead pattern

Too Many Misses, Some Are My Fault

Over half the year 2020 has passed and I’ve had many knitting projects fail for me. A project fails when I cease to like knitting it. When I dread picking up the project and working on it, I ask myself why do I keep on going? When I decide to stop knitting, and put it aside, or frog it, it’s because I have either chosen yarn I hate (Over the Top Tee), or the pattern is difficult (Oxbow Cardigan), or I knit as called for and don’t like the look (Millet mittens and Golden Afternoon Mittens).

The Snowfall Socks, in orange above, have been on the needles for months now. I’m using Tukuwool, and it’s very scratchy, otherwise I do like the pattern. I may never finish.

Yarn Buying Mistakes

Projects are often purchased on the spur of the moment, and I can say the same for yarn. Sales are the knitter’s downfall. Who can pass up a great deal on lovely yarn?

But buying sock yarn, when you have no desire to knit socks, or shawls, any longer, is a waste of money. I’m learning which types of yarn work best for the projects I like to knit. Sock yarn is pretty, but it’s not what I reach for these days.

The Milarrochy Tweed yarn is one I regret buying. I tried knitting with it and just didn’t like it. It’s very thin, with little thick bits. Also, it is a single ply yarn, which I am beginning to realize I dislike.

Tukuwool sock yarn is another I would not buy again. The colors are beautiful, but the yarn is scratchy. I bought these skeins from a shop that requires $99 in sales for Free Shipping, so I over-bought, thinking I would of course use it one day! (I despise paying shipping costs.) Bet I am the only knitter who does that sort of thing… hahaha!

New (Happy) Yarn Discoveries in 2020

Rauma Finull / Finnullgarn wool yarn from Norway is such a find! (I buy mine from either The Woolly Thistle or Wool & Company.) And similar type yarn in smaller skeins: Jamieson & Smith Shetland wool (find J&S cheap at Fairlight Fibers). This is real wool that comes from across the pond, and comes in an astounding array of colors.

Brooklyn Tweed Arbor is a DK weight, beautiful yarn, which I first discovered when knitting my first pair of colorwork mittens in February. The softness of Arbor makes it perfect for hats, mittens and cowls, or anything next to the skin.

Arbor yarn mitten knitting project — Brooklyn Tweed Arbor yarn is pretty nice

Quince & Co. “Lark” is a worsted weight, 4-ply, yarn and I used it to knit my Curly Snowflake hat. At first I wasn’t too sure about this yarn, but it’s really very nice for doing colorwork in worsted. I see more of this yarn being used in my future knitting projects. I bought it at Wool & Company.

Quince & Co. American wool yarn in "Lark" colors Storm and Audouin — Quince & Co. yarn in gray (Storm) and heather natural (Audouin)

I bought my first cone of yarn. Harrisville Highland “Foliage” will be used to knit a sweater one day. I can’t really say how I like it yet, but I love the colors. Both Teak and Foliage colorways were hard to find.

cones of Harrisville Highland — “Foliage” yarn cones

Harrisville Highland yarn cone — “Foliage” yarn cones

The Sassy Skein of cotton is now my favorite cotton for knitting dishcloths. The tropical colors are perfect for my Florida kitchen. Buy at Four Purls Yarn Shop in Florida, or at the Sassy Skein site.

I’ve had a busy first half of the year knitting things I ended up not liking… but I have knit lots I do like. And every project is a learning time for me, so I don’t feel time has been wasted. Live and learn is a great motto. Knit and learn also applies.