Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Dithering

Proof that I did my part: This is before:


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This is after:

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However, about 4 or 5 rows in, I had an insight about theMinimalist Cardigan. Moss stitch is not the same as seed stitch. I know that comes as a shock to you all; it certainly was a shock to me. You see, I realized that the directions for the moss stitch of the Minimalist Cardigan consists of four lines:
Row 1: k, *p, k*, repeat from * to * to end
Row 2: p, *k, p*, repeat from * to * to end
Row 3: repeat row 2
Row 4: repeat row 1

Now, I had been thinking of this as if it were a chart and working a checkerboard of knits and purls - true seed stitch. Alas, what is specified is moss stitch - this cardigan is knit in pieces, not in the round, so rows 2 and 4 are written as if one is looking at the back of the piece. What you are supposed to end up with is short, 2-row columns of knits and purls, aka moss stitch.

So, after completing 15 dutiful rows on the baby cardigan, I picked up the Minimalist and dithered - should I take out the four rows of seed stitch I've already completed and start over with moss stitch? Or should I just keep on with seed stitch, because it won't really matter, right?


I couldn't decide. I put it all away and read a book.

And tonight I'm pooped. For work today, I searched for rare dragonflies and damselflies at this beautiful lake.

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Found a couple, too, surprisingly, but it means I spent much of this evening writing up my field notes and keying out the shed skins of dragonflies (not to mention blogging), all of which leaves me very little time and energy for knitting a certain little green baby sweater.

2 comments :

Bonnie said...

What a nice day it was to spend by that gorgeous lake look for dragonflies. The photo makes me want to drop everything and go for a walk at the Quabbin (which is one of the things on my "Summer Fun Things to Do" list that I've haven't done yet).

Whaddya know! Moss and Seed stitch are not the same thing! I always thought they were. Only you can decide what to do, but if it were me, I'd take out the four rows of seed stitch. It's only four rows, and you will not have to spend all the rest of the time you are knitting the sweater thinking about it.

The little green baby sweater is looking sweet!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness. I want your job! And your blog is one of my new favorites!