i am obsessed with the neckline for celtic dreams. Obsessed to the extent that i knit the saddles and an inch of the body just to try different necklines on. The pattern calls for a garter stitch neckline and, well, with all that cabling, it seems a bit of a shame to me.

So, i tried this*:

But that looks a bit lacking to me. So i tried the called-for neck:

Again, not really what i am looking for. In my research on the topic, i found some information on picking up and knitting. Note the difference in picking up in the center of the stitch, i.e. pick up through the heart of the ‘v’s:

And picking up between stitches:

But getting back to the point, i am worried that 1) i will be picking up too many stitches if i pick up in each of the knits on the cables, 2) it will be difficult to pick up each of the stitches in the cables, and 3) what about the purl areas? I haven’t tried a pick up and purl.

Right now, the mental plan is to pick up the stitches in the cables and work those in pattern about an inch and a half further, while adding ribbing wherever a span of purls appear. Guess i need to get my neckline out again. At some point i’d like to actually be working on the sweater though…

*note that the color change is for my illustration purposes only. The final sweater will have the same color for the neck as the body

January’s technique: Shibori
January’s pattern: Canteen Bag (IK Fall 2005)
January’s problem: A shortage of cascade 220 in charcoal

The yarn came in last thursday. I picked it up friday and set to work at finishing this. Just the flap and five feet of i-cord to go.

If you want to torture me, five feet of i-cord would pretty well get me to say anything you want to hear, regardless of how true it may or may not be.

laying out my shibori pattern

all bundled up

post-fulling texture

heading out

is there anything inside?

Pattern modifications:
Increased size by 1 set of increases, making 144 stitches.
Increases width of side panels and strap by two stitches.
Used Noro Kureyon for front and back, Cascade 220 for side panels and 5 feet of i-cord strap.
Used Cascade 220 for main color of flap. Worked 2 rows of flap edging with cascade 220 and 2 rows in Kureyon.
Shiborified the flap.

Notes on Shibori:
Pre-mark where you want your bumps.
Coins and elastic bands are maybe not the best solution. I liked the effect created when the coins worked out in the wash, but it may not be what you are going for. Zip ties may have worked better than elastic bands for both fastening and washing.

And January’s project was done before April!