What would the knitwits do? A post by guest blogger Kelly Lightbeam

What would you do if you had a very special skein of yarn that refused to be knit into anything???

I have tried the Ginkgo shawlette, Balm for the Soul shawlette, and the Holden shawlette.  I have ripped this out so many times...I have *almost* completed the Holden shawlette, but I don't love it. 

Would you rip out a perfectly good knit?  I am thinking I would try the Swallowtail shawl next, but am hesitant to frog this sucker, since I worked so hard on it.  Also, I hate knitting for nothing. 

The problem with this skein is that it is small, 360 yards, but it goes a lot farther than you'd think it would, since the yarn is Handmaiden silk and cashmere, and is knit on smaller needles to keep the stitches from flopping around.  After knitting the Holden shawlette, I still have half a ball of yarn!  Another problem with this yarn is that I bought it on vacation, paid a lot of money for it and it has the sweetest memories attached to it, and I cannot bring myself to give it away.  Le sigh, if my biggest problem in life is that I have an uncooperative ball of yarn, things can't be too bad, but I'd love some advice!

Lesson Time

Maybe you already know this and maybe not... the linen stitch is one of my favorite stitches. It can be a bit tricky but well worth the time.

If you are knitting the linen stitch just back and forth

Cast on an EVEN number of stitches (I think it's smart to 'mark' your RS)

RS(right side) Row 1 : K1, yarn to front, slip the next stitch (as if to purl), reapeat till end of row.


WS(wrong side) Row 2 : P1, yarn in back,slip the next stitch(as if to purl), repeat till end of row.

Repeat these 2 rows. I do 'just knit' a row before my bind off (loose) row.

If you are knitting the linen stitch 'in the round', cast on an ODD number of stitches

Mark the beginning of 'the round'.

K1, slip1 (purlwise) with yarn in front.

When you reach your marker, slip it over and just knit whatever stitch is next.

Repeat till end. I do 'just knit' a row before my bind off(loose)row.

I recommend that if you've never tried the stitch before to try it first 'in the round' and get the rythm of the stitch.
It's a REALLY tight stitch and you'll be surpised how large a needle you can knit with for a medium fabric. This Chickadee Cowl pattern is a good one.

There you go, a wonderful woven look to add to your knits~ Kelli