Over the past couple weeks I’ve been expanding my yarn and needle horizons. I’ve purchased some new yarn made from sugar cane (100%), specifically Araucania Ruca yarn, which is apparently made from sugar cane and because this fiber doesn’t absorb color as well as some other fibers, it only comes in beautiful 
pastels (according to the lady at the yarn store). I have to say it’s the softest yarn I’ve ever held. I came across it at another yarn store just outside of Madison, but at the time had no idea what I’d make out of it, and if just one would be enough, so I didn’t get any. At the store I purchased it at they had a lacy scarf made out of it, and it looked pretty nice. I asked where I could find the pattern and started making my own. The pattern wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be, it’s just a combination of yarn-overs, k2tog, and purling, not bad. It doesn’t seem like it’ll take long to finish, that is if I stop acquiring new projects as I have been.
My other adventure over the past couple weeks has been getting better with double pointed needles. These are used to knit in the round when you have fewer stitches than would be appropriate to use circular needles for. My first attempts 
weren’t too bad, but I feel that I’ve progressed quickly and am confident my newest project will turn out great. I’ve decided on a pair of fingerless gloves. I’m using size 5 needles and Naturally Caron Country yarn in deep purple. It was a little difficult at first as holding double pointed needles can be a bit awkward, but the yarn was also difficult to knit around in the first couple rows as it bunches together. As the gloves are getting further along it’s getting easier and quicker. I’m hoping to have my first fingerless glove completed within the next week, we shall see.
Last, but not least, I knit some dishcloths for my grandmother. She had heard that I’d taken up knitting and was making dishcloths, so she asked me to make her 
some. This is currently my favorite dishcloth pattern as it has a neat eyelet around the borders, but is very quick and easy to make. I recommend using Lily Sugar’n Cream yarn for these, but any similar cotton yarn would work as well.
Happy Knitting!
I like how the dishcloths have "streaks" of color. I'm guessing that's just a lucky happenstance of how the yarn is colored working with the pattern.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's just due to the multicolored yarn, but neat effect.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you find that dishcloth pattern? My grandmother used to knit that same style of dishcloth and I'd love to make some!
ReplyDeleteI found it in a book called Fearless Knitting, however if you search on Ravelry (www.ravelry.com) for dishcloth you'll find it right away. It's a pretty quick pattern.
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