Achievement unlocked
by Sunita
I won’t tell you how many months this languished for want of a seam, but I finally got it done.
The pattern is the Easy Folded Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns. It’s just a stockinette rectangle but I’m glad I bought the pattern because the dimensions are just right and there were a few technique tips I know but wouldn’t have thought to use.
The yarn is Rowan Felted Tweed from my stash. The color is called “pickle” and it goes unexpectedly well with the pants, whose color is “Martini olive.” They’re quite green in outdoor light and not something I’d usually choose but I love them and I really like the two together!
I was skeptical about wearing a poncho under a coat or jacket, but it smushes up into a cowl/wrap thing and works well. And it’s warm.
My next wrap-like project, the Paris Loop, is coming along. Pics when I finish; it’s knitted in the round so no seaming. I could get it done before 2021 even!
ReaderWriterVille 
It’s gorgeous! I love that yarn, too.
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I love it! I keep telling myself I’ll get one of my knitter friends to teach me (I did learn the basics as a kid). This summer I bought a jersey rectangle with snaps along two long edges, so it can be a poncho/scarf/etc draped and snapped various ways. I love it and it’s perfect for travel because I always get cold on planes and it rolls up small in a carryon.
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@Phyl: Thank you! I’ve had it for ages and made a pair of fingerless mitts out of it but then it just got tucked away. But I’ve always loved the color, and it’s really warm and soft. And it’s still available, unlike many of my other favorite Rowan yarns.
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@Liz: Oooh, that sounds awesome. The #heronebag subreddit sometimes has posts about drape cardigans and wraps for travel, and I’m always looking for them because they are so versatile. I made a convertible shawl a couple of years ago and I finally figured out the various ways to wear it, so it’s coming with me on my next trip.
The upside of knitting this pattern: it’s good for beginners because it’s just a stockinette rectangle. The downside: it’s a big stockinette rectangle so for a beginner it will feel like forever. But you can also make it in a slightly heavier yarn, which will go faster (this one is in DK yarn).
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Beautiful. It’s so satisfying to finish a project and then wear it.
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CLEO!!!! Great to see you, and thanks!
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Lovely! And hey, it’s finished in time for winter so that’s what counts. I have cast on for mine but was unable to stop myself making it unnecessarily complicated with an icord cast on and a two-colour arrangement with cable joining them. So it will not be nearly as elegantly sophisticated as yours. And it will not be done this winter, probably.
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@Ros: that sounds lovely! I’ve seen people on Ravelry change the cast on and off to make them match better, and I think icord will look really great, as will the colors and cable. I look forward to photos, whenever it is done. 🙂
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Looks really lovely and very inspiring. I’m thinking about taking up knitting again — I was a decent knitter through grad school and into my late 30s or so. But for some reason I just stopped (mid-way through a couple of projects no less) and haven’t really done anything in about 20 years. Those unfinished projects would be too advanced for me right now — I’ll need to do some practice squares and maybe a couple of simple projects before I can even figure out if I should finish them or pull them apart and use the yarn for something else.
I went recently to the local yarn shop to look into lessons, but they only teach the English (right-handed) style of knitting, and I learned originally continental (left-handed) style. I did eventually learn English style as well, but I never really used it when I was knitting. And it’s important to me to regain my ability to knit in the continental style because it’s a link back to my own mother (who taught me to knit) and to my mother’s godmother, who taught her to knit and after whom I am named. Luckily I have a bunch of knitting books and there is Youtube & Ravelry as well.
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Kathryn, I taught myself to knit mostly from the internet. I tried a class but it didn’t work for me, and because I knew crochet I was much more comfortable with continental style and carrying yarn in my left hand. Just doing simple stuff to get your hands back into the rhythm should do it for you. I stopped crocheting for a couple of decades and then took it up again that way. The Yarn Harlot’s one row scarf is a great pattern to get back into knitting. There are 3 or 4 stitches repeated and the finished product is rewarding.
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@Kathryn, often when projects have been left on the needles for years it’s better to pull out and start again. Partly because it’s likely that your tension will have changed, and partly because there can be a ridge on the row that’s been on the needles. Plus it’s fun starting new things! I don’t think you’d find it would take you long to get back into it, though.
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@Sunita, I meant to say that I read Sarah Morgan’s new book on your recommendation, and really enjoyed it, so thank you! I don’t think it’s her absolute best, but very much back on form after the Paris one.
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@Ros — Thanks for confirming what I already suspected about the problems with the tension. And I didn’t think at all about a possible ridge on the needles.
@Sunita — The nice thing about saving all my old knitting supplies is that I have of course leftover yarn from the projects that I completed. And winter is the best time to take up knitting.
Thanks for the inspiration — I think I’ll give it a go this weekend.
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@Ros: Oh, I’m so glad you like the new Morgan! I did not love the Paris one, but I agree she’s back on form here. I have the St. Piran’s book cued up for when I have a spare moment.
@Kathryn: Ros is right (TM) on the possibility of changes. I have a sweater that hasn’t been on the needles quite as long but I’m afraid I may have to just rip it out and start again.
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@Sunita – hi! I’ve been lurking a lot lately. Not surprising that textiles got me to comment.
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@Cleo: Well of course that makes total sense! More to come if I can just keep knitting.
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