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Jun 16, 2014

Resistance is Futile

If you visit regularly, you know I’ve been on a bit of a protracted afghan streak.

It started innocently enough and at the time seemed nothing more than a practical decision to turn a long-term WIP into a functional FO. With knitting needles in hand, I set about transforming a multi-colored sweater jacket into the Color Check afghan, which is affectionately called the Swafghan.


Little did I know that particular WIP was destined to become far more than an FO. The Swafghan was reversible, cozy, soft and attractive, and from the moment it was completed, it saw daily use. These giddy sensations were the first glimmers of a strange new obsession.



Fast forward to today. I’ve knit eight afghans in the past 18 months. That’s not even close to impressive for many of you, but for me it represents a noteworthy number of finished knits and a steady stream of yarn moving out of the stash and into productive use.


In my world, it takes awhile to move a project from start to finish. I truly am a slow knitter, and this slowness is exacerbated by my swatching tendencies. I like to experiment, so it’s typical for me to have one or two active projects on the needles and many more SIPs (swatches in progress) lurking in the background. Only then, once I find a stitch and yarn combination I like, can I begin to start writing a working pattern. 



So while I was diligently knitting the gemtone and almost neutral Drumlin afghans, I was also swatching to test new stitches and different yarn and color combinations in an effort to maximize what’s in the stash. That behind-the-scenes buzz of activity planted the seeds for a new concept using a fresh reversible stitch.

Then it hit me. The targeted stash skeins were also ideally suited to Drumlin and the fluted ridge stitch executed in two colors instead of just one. (Below: test swatch.)


Uh-oh. 

I’ve never been a particularly patient re-knitter, but this afghan fixation has revealed an unexpected quirk: Apparently my brain makes a subtle but important distinction between reknitting and testing different approaches to the same concept to see how comparatively minor changes alter the look or feel. (Below: front of strip 1.)


The new concept will have to wait just a little bit longer, while I work on a two-tone version of the now-familiar fluted ridge afghan knit in brighter shades. (Below: back of strip 1.)


The evidence seems clear: These actions have all the earmarks of a full-blown afghan addiction.

Resistance is futile.






15 comments:

  1. Have my own knitting addictions, so I totally relate!

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  2. oh, my....why resist when the end product is so beautiful AND functional???

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  3. I have afghan envy now! ;-) I never have the patience to get through them, being a slow knitter too. They look amazing! x

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  4. The colors of the afghans are beautiful! :)

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  5. The things we yarn crafters endure! :)

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  6. I am personally very impressed by anyone knitting a dozen afgans. I love the way you got started! Very clever. I'd love to know what pattern you're using for the fluted ridge afgan.

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  7. Holy cow! I think that's definitely impressive! Sweaters and blankets are my kryptonite--they take too long for me!

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  8. I am impressed!! If you think you are a slow knitter than I must be a snail knitter. I am trying to finish a small baby blanket and it is taking me forever. Eight afghans in only eighteen months WOW!! I love using yarn for such functional and oh so pretty purposes! I can't even pick a favorite they are all so gorgeous!!

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  9. Well, you're ahead of me! As a small project knitter, an afghan just won't happen around here! I LOVE the different variations on that stitch pattern you are coming up with. Great work!

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  10. I'm trying to resist....I love that pattern and all the variations, though!

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  11. That number was actually quite impressive. Keep it up!

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  12. Such pretty colors and stitches. Love the swatches, too. Everything looks wonderful.

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  13. 8 afghans in 18 months is a lot, I wouldn't say you are that slow ;)

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  14. 8 afghans in 18 months by no way makes you a slow knitter. No Way!!

    I love the photos

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-b