only a few times have i been caught with idle hands at a gymnastics/dance/soccer practice. most recently i've been working on cashmere socks for a friend - it is such a nice reward to knit even just a bit and still watch all the action, cheer them on, kiss an elbow or knee, and hand them water bottles every few minutes (as four-year-olds apparently require).
but last week i had no project in my bag. (gasp!) within a hour of heading out to one practice or another, i had just finished up and sent a pair of major hush hush projects on their merry way - needless to say, i couldn't quite wrap my let's-get-packed-up-and-ready-to-go head around something new to cast on. oh no, that will not happen again.
enter my failsafe :: with my new commitment to swatching in mind, yesterday i quickly scribbled down some notes and tossed a few goodies into a pouch before we headed out the door once again. like many people, i absolutely love linen for sewing, so i took the plunge and ordered a skein to try out a while back, and i really truly wanted to loooove it. but it wasn't until yesterday that we finally were able to get along... let's just say we had a rocky start i mean, let's just say there is a learning curve. ultimately, the peacemaker in our relationship was switching over to wooden needles, which i swear softened the yarn with every stitch.
and with soccer this afternoon, it looks as though i might be able to swatch up a few different stitch patterns to toss into the washer to determine just how much it will truly soften... and if my love affair with linen is going to the next level.
any tips you might have on knitting with linen are appreciated!!! xoxo
